Gerald Okamura Movies

A cop transforms himself into a creature of the night to defeat evil in this blend of action and horror. Derek Washington (Ron Hall) is a police detective who has battled his fear of blood (as well as the troubling memory of his father's death at the hands of criminals) to become a rising star on the force. Derek is attempting to bring down counterfeiting kingpin Gustoff Slovak when a bust turns into a massacre that reveals Slovak's secret -- he's actually a vampire, and the leader of a cult of the undead. Determined to bring Slovak's unholy reign to an end, Derek seeks out Master Kao, a legendary vampire hunter, and attempts to learn the ways of his foe, ultimately coming to the disturbing conclusion that he will have to become a vampire if he is to defeat Slovak. Vampire Assassins also stars Gerald Okamura and Rudy Ray Moore. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A crime fighter created in the 1930s and popularized in movies, pulp novels, and a radio show starring a young Orson Welles, The Shadow came back to life in 1994 in this slick, well-cast production. Alec Baldwin stars as Lamont Cranston, a murderous opium dealer reformed by a Tibetan mystic, who teaches him how to use his keen mental powers to manipulate others. As penance for his past misdeeds, Cranston masquerades as a degenerate New York City playboy by day and secretly plays the heroic Shadow by night, staving off evildoers with a network of agents and a cab-driving sidekick (Peter Boyle). A greater challenge arrives when Cranston must fight Shiwan Khan (John Lone), the final descendent of Genghis Khan, who has received training from the same Tibetan master who instructed Cranston. Shiwan plans to use atomic weapons to take over New York and then the world. At the same time, Cranston meets socialite Margo Lane (Penelope Ann Miller), and, although he's instantly enamored of her, he discovers that her psychic abilities render his secret identity vulnerable. The Shadow was directed by former music video creator Russell Mulcahy, whose feature film debut Highlander (1986) was a cult classic. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Director Mark L. Lester modeled this police action drama on the Hong Kong style, guaranteeing plenty of over-the-top action sequences. Dolph Lundgren stars as police detective Chris Kenner, an American raised in Japan. He is given a new partner, Johnny Murata (Brandon Lee, making his Hollywood debut), a Japanese raised in America. The two are made for each other -- Chris doesn't appreciate American culture, while Johnny doesn't much like Japanese culture. One thing they both enjoy are the martial arts, of which they are experts. The two are assigned to L.A.'s Little Tokyo, trying to nab the notorious Yoshida (Carey-Hiroyuki Tagawa), a drug manufacturer using a local brewery as his distribution center. Yoshida, a member of the Yakuza, has brought the residents of Little Tokyo to their knees. But Chris has personal reasons for wanting to get Yoshida -- as a child he witnessed Yoshida murdering his parents. When Yoshida rapes and kidnaps Minako (Tia Carrere), a beautiful lounge singer, it's the last straw and Chris and Johnny set out for Yoshida's heavily guarded home for a big showdown. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

In this comedic ninja spoof, a septet of aspiring ninjas struggles to survive the rigid curriculum at the Ninja Academy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

When Japanese organized crime imbeds itself within LA, the police turn to one man to take down the deadly Yakuza -- Maniac Cop himself, Robert Z'Dar as Japanese authority and martial artist Joe Marshall, aka "The Samurai." With his fearless swagger and rock hard jaw, The Samurai tears a two-fisted hole through the mob and doesn't stop until the job is done. The director Amir Shervan preceded Samurai Cop by the cheap video classic Hollywood Cop in 1988. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Videophiles will know The Protectors, Book 2 by its original title, Angel of H.E.A.T.. Porn star Marilyn Chambers plays a secret agent, teamed up with cult favorite Mary Woronov. Their mission is to stem the world-domination plans of evil Dan Jesse. To accomplish this task, Chambers finds it expedient to shed her clothes at the least provocation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Peter Ustinov plays the talented detective in San Francisco who attempts, with help/hindrance from his clumsy grandson (Richard Hatch), to solve a murder case in this mystery/comedy. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide