New Line

After making a name for himself with such underground gross-out epics as Pink Flamingos and Desperate Living, director John Waters made a bid for somewhat wider acceptance with this black comedy, which is sedate only by the standards of his previous work. Francine Fishpaw (Divine) is a housewife whose life has become a living hell. Her husband Elmer (David Samson) runs a porno theater (currently showing the classic My Burning Bush) and is having an affair with secretary Sandra (Mink Stole), a vision of sleaze in Bo Derek-style cornrow braids who informs Elmer, "Children would only get in the way of our erotic lifestyle!" Francine has two teenage children, Dexter (Ken King), who likes to sniff glue and stomp on women's feet, and Lulu (Mary Garlington), a brazen slut who hangs out with overage juvenile delinquent Bobo (Stiv Bators) and gleefully anticipates her next abortion. Francine's best friend, Cuddles (Edith Massey), is a slightly insane heiress who is somehow convinced she's a debutante. Francine's life has become so miserable that her dog commits suicide rather than witness it, but a light appears on the horizon -- Todd Tomorrow (Tab Hunter), the handsome and dashing owner of a local drive-in specializing in art films (their current bill is a Margurerite Duras triple feature), with whom Dawn enters into a torrid affair. Subversive on all fronts, Polyester was originally shown in "Odorama" (patrons were given a card with ten scratch-and-sniff patches, to be smelled at key points in the action) and featured a romantic theme song sung by that new hitmaking duo, Deborah Harry and Bill Murray. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Ten years after the original Chained Heat (1983), this follow-up appeared, more of a remake than a sequel to the first film. Kimberley Kates stars as Alex Morrison, an American tourist in Prague, Czechoslovakia, who is unjustly arrested and incarcerated at Razik Prison. There, the bodacious, drug-addicted warden Magda Kassar (Brigitte Nielsen) rules with an iron fist and the help of her sadistic assistant, Rosa Schmidt (Jana Svandova), a prisoner who has become a trustee. It seems that Magda and Rosa have set up the beautiful Alex, the latest in a long line of physically attractive women they've ensnared at the prison for use as unwilling prostitutes at a nearby casino and as actresses in cheap porn films. While Alex befriends a fellow newcomer, Tina (Lucie Benes) and a transvestite named Bobo (David Buonantony), her sister Susan (Kari Whitman) attempts to get help on the outside from an American diplomat. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

In this video production later shown on TV as well, young student Marty Hiller (Justine Bateman) needs a roommate and finds Alec Danz (Adam Baldwin). After beginning a brief affair with her new roomie, Marty realizes that he is becoming obsessed with her and will stop at nothing to possess her. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

Director and co-writer Margarthe Von Trotta puts a face on politics by depicting a romance splintered by the Berlin Wall.

Former Mr. Universe Ralph Moeller stars as a Viking warrior in this epic, multi-generational account of the lives of the Nordic avengers. The story begins with the flight of Kjartan (Moeller) from the clutches of his mortal nemesis, Ketil (Hinrik Ólafson), a rather vicious lout. On a quest to avenge the death of his father, our hero unites with fellow good guys to combat his morally-impaired enemies, who are out for his head. Senseless violence, sweaty romance, and male bonding ensue. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide