Director John G. Avildsen (1935)

Inferno (1999) is an American action film directed by John G. Avildsen. The opening scene features a quote about the coyote’s significance in Native American folklore, as Eddie Lomax rides on an Indian motorcycle through the open desert plain known as the Dry Lake. However, his journey takes a quick turn when the motorcycle breaks down and he is left with only his jacket, .45 pistol, and a bottle of tequila. In the midst of drinking alone in the desert, Eddie is surprised by the arrival of his friend Johnny Sixtoes, to whom he had previously sent a postcard announcing his visit. During their conversation, Eddie ...

8 Seconds (1994) is a riveting American contemporary Western biographical drama film directed by John G. Avildsen. Growing up in Oklahoma, Lane Frost develops his bull riding skills under the guidance of his father Clyde, who is an accomplished bronc rider himself. As he embarks on a journey through the professional rodeo circuit with his close companions Tuff Hedeman and Cody Lambert, Lane also finds love with a talented barrel racer named Kellie Kyle. Despite the mounting pressure to live up to his growing fame and reputation, Lane remains determined to prove himself as one of the best riders in the sport. However, ...

The Power of One (1992) is a drama directed and edited by John G. Avildsen. It is loosely based on Bryce Courtenay’s book with the same name, published in 1989. The story revolves around Peter Philip Kennith Keith (also known as ‘PK’), born in 1930 on a South African homestead to an Englishwoman who had recently lost her husband. PK received dual education – from his mother in England’s ways and from a Zulu nanny whose son Tonderai was his closest friend. However, their peaceful existence is disrupted when the farm’s cattle succumb to ...

Rocky V (1990), an American sports drama film, is directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. Following his victory over Ivan Drago in Moscow, Rocky experiences mental disabilities from the fight. Upon returning to the United States with his wife Adrian, brother-in-law Paulie, and trainer Tony ‘Duke’ Evers, they are greeted by their now 14-year-old son Robert Jr. At a press conference, boxing promoter George Washington Duke tries to goad Rocky into fighting top-rated challenger Union Cane, but Rocky declines. Back home, they ...

The American martial arts drama film, The Karate Kid Part III (1989), is the third installment in the Karate Kid franchise. After the events of Parts 1 and 2, John Kreese is struggling financially. In search of assistance, he turns to Terry Silver, a former Green Beret who has made a fortune in toxic chemicals. Silver promises to help Kreese rebuild Cobra Kai and enact revenge on Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi. While Kreese takes a vacation in Tahiti, Silver recruits national karate champion Mike Barnes to compete against Daniel in the upcoming All-Valley Tournament. Upon returning from Okinawa, Daniel and Miyagi discover that their apartment ...

Lean on Me (1989), a biographical drama directed by John G. Avildsen, tells the story of Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey. By 1987, the school had fallen into disarray as drug abuse and crime ran rampant. Students struggled to pass basic skills tests and even teachers were not safe from gang violence. After Mayor Bottman learns that state administration will take over the school unless at least 75% of students pass the minimum basic skills test, he turns to Dr. Frank Napier for advice. The superintendent suggests hiring Joe Clark, a former teacher at Eastside High who was transferred years ago, as the new ...

For Keeps (1988), directed by John G. Avildsen, follows the story of Darcy Elliot and her boyfriend Stan Bobrucz as they navigate their final year of high school in Kenosha, Wisconsin. As they prepare to attend college – Darcy to study journalism at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Stan at Caltech for architecture – they decide to spend a weekend together with the help of Darcy’s best friend Lila. However, things take an unexpected turn when Darcy discovers she is pregnant. With Thanksgiving approaching, the couple announces their news to their families, but neither Donna nor Stan’s ...

The American crime comedy film, Happy New Year (1987), directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Peter Falk, follows two aging thieves named Nick and Charlie on their last heist before retirement in ritzy Palm Beach, Florida. Their target is the well-guarded Harry Winston jewelry store, which has high-tech security. Edward, the store’s manager, unknowingly welcomes a disguised Nick, posing as an elderly customer looking for an expensive gift for his terminally ill wife. Meanwhile, dressed as his true self, Nick meets Carolyn, a sophisticated and attractive woman who ...

The Karate Kid Part II (1986) is an American martial arts drama film written by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G. Avildsen. Following their defeat in the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament, a furious John Kreese attacks his student, Johnny Lawrence, in the parking lot. Miyagi steps in and nonchalantly disables Kreese before comically tweaking his nose and leaving. Humiliated, Johnny and his friends abandon Kreese and Cobra Kai. Later on, after Daniel’s senior prom, he confides in Miyagi that his girlfriend Ali has left him for a football player at UCLA. Soon ...

The American martial arts drama film, The Karate Kid (1984), follows the story of 17-year-old Daniel LaRusso and his mother Lucille as they move from Newark, New Jersey to Reseda, Los Angeles. Their apartment’s handyman is a humble Okinawan immigrant named Mr. Miyagi, who quickly becomes a friend to Daniel. At a beach party the next day, Daniel befriends Ali Mills, a high school cheerleader. However, Ali’s ex-boyfriend and top student at the Cobra Kai dojo, Johnny Lawrence, becomes jealous and repeatedly bullies Daniel with the help of his gang members Bobby Brown, Tommy, Jimmy, and Dutch. On Halloween night after a retaliation from Daniel involving water ...

Neighbors (1981) is a film adaptation of Thomas Berger’s novel, featuring the story of Earl Keese, a mild-mannered middle-class suburbanite. His uneventful routine is disrupted when a young couple, Vic and Ramona Zeck, become his new neighbors. As soon as they move in, they begin imposing on the Keese household. Earl becomes increasingly frustrated with Vic’s loud and enthusiastic personality, while Ramona attempts to seduce him multiple times. Despite Earl’s efforts, he cannot prove that the Zecks are intentionally causing trouble. To make matters worse, his wife Enid and daughter Elaine are not much ...

The mystery film, The Formula (1980), was directed by John G. Avildsen and produced and written by Steve Shagan, who adapted his own novel of the same name from 1979. It follows the story of Soviet forces closing in on Berlin during World War II and Panzer Korps General Helmut Kladen being sent to the Swiss border with important documents. However, he is intercepted by the U.S. Army and handed over to Army Intelligence. In present-day Los Angeles, Lt. Barney Caine is tasked with solving the murder of his former boss and friend Tom Neeley. Neeley’s body has a message ...

Rocky (1976), anAmerican sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, depicts the story of heavyweight boxing world champion, Apollo Creed. As the United States Bicentennial approaches, Creed plans to hold a title bout in Philadelphia. However, just five weeks before the fight, he receives news that his scheduled opponent is unable to compete due to an injured hand. Despite efforts to find another replacement, all potential candidates are either unavailable or unable to prepare in time. In a bold move, Creed decides to ...

Save the Tiger (1973) is a film that delves into the moral dilemmas of contemporary America, helmed by director John G. Avildsen. Harry Stoner resides in a lavish mansion in Beverly Hills with his Spanish-speaking maid. Despite his success and opulent lifestyle, he is haunted by the traumas of his wartime experiences and weighed down by the demands of both work and personal life. He finds solace in reminiscing about his love for baseball during his youth. However, this nostalgia often leads him to act out intense games in his bedroom, causing concern for his wife Janet. In an attempt to help her husband cope with these ...

Joe (1970) is an American drama film written by Norman Wexler and directed by John G. Avildsen. The story centers around Advertising executive Bill Compton, his wife Joan, and daughter Melissa who reside in New York’s affluent Upper East Side. Unfortunately, Melissa has been living with her drug-dealing boyfriend and after she overdoses, Compton goes to the boyfriend’s apartment to retrieve her belongings. In a moment of intense anger, he ends up killing the boyfriend. Later on at a local bar, Compton hears Joe Curran expressing his disdain for hippies and ...