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American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures
Not Rated
Documentary
The documentary celebrates some of the unsung action stars of the late eighties/nineties in the North American Pictures Catalog. From Cynthia Rothrock and Bolo Yeung to Billy Blanks the film explores the martial arts craze in the U.S. and the ferocious appetite of video store customers for these titles.
08-13-2024
1h 0m
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Main Cast
Movie Details
Production Info
Director:
Thomas Edward Seymour
Locations and Languages
Country:
US
Languages:
en
Main Cast
Thomas Edward Seymour
Thomas Edward Seymour is an American independent filmmaker known for the New York Times celebrated VHS Massacre (2016) and VHS Massacre Too (2020) documentaries. Additionally American Expendables, Exorcism of Fleete Marish (2022), London Betty (2009), Land of College Prophets (2005) and Everything Moves Alone (2001). Seymour's work is characterized by its low-budget aesthetic and satirical humor. He has also been involved in documentary filmmaking, exploring topics related to independent cinema.
Cynthia Rothrock (born March 8, 1957) is an American martial artist and actress in martial arts films. She holds black belt rankings in seven styles of martial arts and was a high-level competitor in martial arts before becoming an actress. In 2014, she was inducted into the International Sports Hall Of Fame. In 2016, Martial Arts History Museum bestowed Rothrock the official title of "The Queen Of Martial Arts."
Rothrock was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and began training in martial arts at the age of 13. She quickly rose through the ranks, winning numerous championships in karate, kickboxing and taekwondo. In 1981, she was named World Champion in Forms and Weapons.
In 1985, Rothrock made her film debut, alongside Michelle Yeoh, in the Hong Kong action film "Yes, Madam!" The film was a box office success and made Rothrock a star in Asia. She went on to star in several more Hong Kong films, including "Millionaires' Express" (1986), "Magic Crystal" (1986), "Righting Wrongs" (1986) and "Lady Reporter" (1989).
Rothrock would return to the United States to further her acting career in many more martial arts films, including two "China O'Brien" movies in 1990, as well as "Lady Dragon" (1992), "Rage And Honor" (1992) and "Sworn To Justice" (1996).
In 2024, Rothrock co-wrote, produced and starred in a crowd-funded martial arts western, entitled "Black Creek," for which there's also an accompanying graphic novel.
Along with teaching martial arts, Rothrock is also a successful businesswoman, with her own line of martial arts clothing and accessories.
A Canadian B-movie actress and former stage performer, best known for her work in Troma films.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Debbie Rochon, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Stanley Lloyd Kaufman Jr. (born December 30, 1945) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and actor. Alongside producer Michael Herz, he is the co-founder of Troma Entertainment film studio, and the director of many of their feature films, such as The Toxic Avenger and Tromeo and Juliet.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Lloyd Kaufman, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
John Brennan is a Composer, Production Manager, Music Supervisor & Actor on the hit TV series "The Last Drive with Joe Bob Briggs," which airs on AMC's horror-centric streaming service SHUDDER. Since the show's acclaimed premiere in 2018, John has Written, Produced & Performed more than 30 musical numbers with renowned horror host Joe Bob Briggs, his band Brennan and the Bigfeet, and esteemed guests such as Chris Jericho (AEW - All Elite Wrestling), Tim Cappello (The Lost Boys), H6LLB6ND6R (Hellbender), and Ace Von Johnson (LA Guns). Besides his duties on "The Last Drive-In," John has Produced, Written, Directed, Edited & Scored countless hours of content for Troma Entertainment, most notably serving as Producer on legendary director Lloyd Kaufman's two most recent feature films: "Return to Return to Nuke 'Em High aka Vol. 2" (2017) and "#ShakespearesShitstorm" (2020). For more information about John please visit him @badtechno on Twitter. Hogzilla! Hogzilla! Hogzilla!
Muscular African American sports star, actor, media identity and inventor of the phenomenally popular "Tae Bo" fitness system, derived from his extensive martial arts training. Blanks was born in Eerie, Pennsylvania in 1955 amongst humble backgrounds and grew up as one of 15 children, battling dyslexia and tendon problems. However that didn't stop him from starting his martial arts training at age 14 and eventually achieving black belts in tae kwon do & several other arts, and winning numerous US martial arts tournaments.
Blanks first popped up on movie screens in the mid 1980s in tough guy parts utilizing his athletic background and grim faced looks. Films roles included Tango & Cash (1989), Driving Force (1989) and A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave (1990). Things looked up in 1991, when Blanks scored the minor role of drug addicted running back "Billy Cole" in the explosive The Last Boy Scout (1991)....and further work followed often sharing lead billing in low budget - high action fare such as Talons of the Eagle (1992), TC 2000 (1993) and Expect No Mercy (1995).
In the late 1990s, Billy's innovative and exciting "Tae Bo" workout routine swept around the world like wildfire, and propelled him into the position of one of the world's most recognizable and biggest selling fitness trainers. The remarkable Blanks continues to refine and promote his unique "Tae Bo" fitness system, and he operates the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, California.
7th Degree Black Belt Billy Blanks had one of the greatest karate fight records in the sport's long history. Blanks was a 7-time world karate champion, the first Amateur Athletic Union Champ in 1975, the 1984 Massachusetts Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, and the Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion of Champions. He was the captain of the United States Karate Team and won over 30 gold medals in international competition. He was the number 1 or number 2 rated full-contact karate fighter in the United States for almost seven straight years. His epic battles with "Nasty" Anderson are legends among martial arts fans. He posted over 300 career victories. In 1982, Billy Blanks was honored by being inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame.