Marked for Death (1990, dir. Dwight H. Little)

Marked for Death (1990, dir. Dwight H. Little)

What Is It?: It is a wonderfully risible Steven Seagal actioner.

What About It?: Well, this is may not be fine film making, but it is terrifically enjoyable stuff. Why? Well, we could say that Steven Seagal is hilarious and he can sometimes surround himself with talent. Basil Wallace and Keith David do the best with a bad situation here. But, really, we're telling you that this movie is great because killer rastas are taking over the drug trade in northern Chicagoland. One supposes that there were enough African American or Hispanic gangs and that the writers needed an additional kick and Jamaicans more than adequately provided the exoticism for the white filmgoers of the fall of 1990.

Why Should I See It?: Because it's rivetingly, watchably bad. The aforementioned Wallace is terrific as over-the-top baddie Screwface (usually pronounced SKR-ee-uu-fay-ah-suh, awesomely enough) and the astoundingly convoluted screenplay should be taught in film schools around the land in how to pad a script for a bad star. And check how Seagal always runs like a girl and looks like he's going to poop whenever he's trying to look mad. Chock full of awesome.

What Else Is It Like?: New Jack City, Lethal Weapon 2, The Transporter.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 3/8/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: The Best Years of Our Lives, Bullets Over Broadway, Colors, The French Connection, M.A.S.H., Midnight Cowboy, Spartacus, Tom Jones, You Can't Take It With You.