Movie Review: “Ghost Riders” (1987)

Microbudget Texas Film Attempts to Blend Western and Horror Genres

by Joseph Perry

Low-budget regional filmmaking has provided us with drive-in fare and direct-to-video titles, with the quality ranging from classic (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Evil Dead) to mesmerizing (Messiah of Evil) to downright dreadful (no need for me to bag on specific titles here). Ghost Riders, a 1987 film previously released on VHS but receiving a new DVD and Blu-ray release from Verdugo Entertainment, is one such example of regional films, shot in central Texas with local cast members that attempts to mash up a western film with supernatural horror to varying degrees of success.

Verdugo Entertainment Resurrects ‘80s Horror Flick Ghostriders

“You Can’t Kill What’s Already Dead"

  

Uphill Both Ways listeners and readers know that Mike and Joseph were both big on the rerelease of Action USA, an insanely fun film from the 1980s. Now the fine folks behind that rerelease at Verdugo Entertainment are all set to blow minds once again as they unleash another 1980s cult film on an unsuspecting world with the newly remastered print of western/horror hybrid Ghostriders, due out on Blu-ray and DVD on February 8, 2022. Following is the trailer and information from the official press release to whet your appetites.

Nothing says 1980s like Walkmans, mullets, legwarmers . . . and of course, campy horror movies. Verdugo Entertainment, the company that recently released the 1989 action flick Action USA, once again pays homage to this nostalgic era with the launch of the 1987 cult western-horror classic Ghostriders 

on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

"Action USA" PG-Rated Trailer

Here's the trailer for the remastered release of  "Action U.S.A." - the over-the-top "craziest action film you never saw".

 

"I Want Action"

Episode #92

It's right there in the name, folks - this episode has wall to wall ACTION! It's a collaborative "Mt. Retromore" of 70s and 80s action movie stars as Joseph and Mike nominate and select the foursome they feel best exemplifies the genre at the time. And then it's off to the main event where the guys review and discuss the "the craziest action film you never saw", "Action USA". Filmed in 1988 with an all-but-forgotten VHS edition, this 4K Restoration & rerelease from Verdugo Entertainment is the holy grail of 80s B-Movie action flicks!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW092.mp3