Edward Bunker

Edward Heward Bunker (December 31, 1933 – July 19, 2005) was an American author of crime fiction, a screenwriter, convicted felon and an actor. He wrote numerous books, some of which have been adapted into films. He wrote the scripts for - and acted in - Straight Time (1978) (adapted from his debut novel No Beast So Fierce), Runaway Train (1985) and Animal Factory (2000) (adapted from his sophomore novel of the same name). He also played a minor role in Reservoir Dogs (1992). He began running away from home when he was five years old, and developed a pattern of criminal behavior, earning his first conviction when he was 14, leading to a cycle of incarceration, parole, re-offending and further jail time. He was convicted of bank robbery, drug dealing, extortion, armed robbery, and forgery. Bunker was released from prison for the last time in 1975, after which he focused on his career as a writer and actor. Description above from the Wikipedia article Edward Bunker, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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The Running Man (1987)

Action-packedFast pacedMindlessDark

By 2017, the global economy has collapsed and U.S. society has become a totalitarian police state, censoring all cultural activity. The government pacifies the populace by broadcasting a number of game shows in which convicted criminals fight for their lives, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Michael Glaser
CAST:  Arnold Schwarzenegger  •  Richard Dawson  •  María Conchita Alonso  •  Yaphet Kotto

By 2017, the global economy has collapsed and U.S. society has become a totalitarian police state, censoring all cultural activity. The government pacifies the populace by broadcasting a number of game shows in which convicted criminals fight for their lives, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Michael Glaser
CAST:  Arnold Schwarzenegger  •  Richard Dawson  •  María Conchita Alonso  •  Yaphet Kotto

Runaway Train (1985)

A hardened convict and a younger prisoner escape from a brutal prison in the middle of winter only to find themselves on an out-of-control train with a female railway worker while being pursued by the vengeful head of security.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrei Konchalovsky
CAST:  Jon Voight  •  Eric Roberts  •  Rebecca De Mornay  •  Kyle T. Heffner

A hardened convict and a younger prisoner escape from a brutal prison in the middle of winter only to find themselves on an out-of-control train with a female railway worker while being pursued by the vengeful head of security.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrei Konchalovsky
CAST:  Jon Voight  •  Eric Roberts  •  Rebecca De Mornay  •  Kyle T. Heffner

Animal Factory (2000)

Suburbanite Ron is spoiled, young and not overly worried about the marijuana charges leveled against him. But, after being made out to be a drug dealer, he faces a five-year jail sentence in San Quentin State Prison. Physically frail and unaccustomed to his rough ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve Buscemi
CAST:  Willem Dafoe  •  Edward Furlong  •  Danny Trejo  •  Mark Boone Junior

Suburbanite Ron is spoiled, young and not overly worried about the marijuana charges leveled against him. But, after being made out to be a drug dealer, he faces a five-year jail sentence in San Quentin State Prison. Physically frail and unaccustomed to his rough ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve Buscemi
CAST:  Willem Dafoe  •  Edward Furlong  •  Danny Trejo  •  Mark Boone Junior

Best of the Best (1989)

A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country--can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Radler
CAST:  Eric Roberts  •  Phillip Rhee  •  James Earl Jones  •  Sally Kirkland

A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country--can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Radler
CAST:  Eric Roberts  •  Phillip Rhee  •  James Earl Jones  •  Sally Kirkland

Miracle Mile (1988)

After 30 years of searching, Harry has finally met the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, before they even have a chance to go on their first date, Harry intercepts some chilling news: WWIII has begun and nuclear missiles will destroy Los Angeles in less than an hour!  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve De Jarnatt
CAST:  Anthony Edwards  •  Mare Winningham  •  John Agar  •  Lou Hancock

After 30 years of searching, Harry has finally met the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, before they even have a chance to go on their first date, Harry intercepts some chilling news: WWIII has begun and nuclear missiles will destroy Los Angeles in less than an hour!  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steve De Jarnatt
CAST:  Anthony Edwards  •  Mare Winningham  •  John Agar  •  Lou Hancock

Shy People (1987)

New York journalist visits her distant cousin for the first time to write an article about her hard life in the bayous of Louisiana. Journalist's wild drug addicted daughter just adds to tensions between two families' cultures.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrei Konchalovsky
CAST:  Jill Clayburgh  •  Barbara Hershey  •  Martha Plimpton  •  Merritt Butrick

New York journalist visits her distant cousin for the first time to write an article about her hard life in the bayous of Louisiana. Journalist's wild drug addicted daughter just adds to tensions between two families' cultures.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrei Konchalovsky
CAST:  Jill Clayburgh  •  Barbara Hershey  •  Martha Plimpton  •  Merritt Butrick

Straight Time (1978)

After being released on parole, a burglar attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules. He soon finds himself back in jail at the hands of a power-hungry parole officer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ulu Grosbard
CAST:  Dustin Hoffman  •  Theresa Russell  •  Gary Busey  •  Harry Dean Stanton

After being released on parole, a burglar attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules. He soon finds himself back in jail at the hands of a power-hungry parole officer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ulu Grosbard
CAST:  Dustin Hoffman  •  Theresa Russell  •  Gary Busey  •  Harry Dean Stanton

The Long Riders (1980)

The origins, exploits and the ultimate fate of the James gang is told in a sympathetic portrayal of the bank robbers made up of brothers who begin their legendary bank raids because of revenge.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Walter Hill
CAST:  David Carradine  •  Keith Carradine  •  Robert Carradine  •  James Keach

The origins, exploits and the ultimate fate of the James gang is told in a sympathetic portrayal of the bank robbers made up of brothers who begin their legendary bank raids because of revenge.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Walter Hill
CAST:  David Carradine  •  Keith Carradine  •  Robert Carradine  •  James Keach

The Longest Yard (2005)

Pro quarter-back, Paul Crewe and former college champion and coach, Nate Scarboro are doing time in the same prison. Asked to put together a team of inmates to take on the guards, Crewe enlists the help of Scarboro to coach the inmates to victory in a football game ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Segal
CAST:  Adam Sandler  •  Chris Rock  •  Burt Reynolds  •  Michael Irvin

Pro quarter-back, Paul Crewe and former college champion and coach, Nate Scarboro are doing time in the same prison. Asked to put together a team of inmates to take on the guards, Crewe enlists the help of Scarboro to coach the inmates to victory in a football game ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Segal
CAST:  Adam Sandler  •  Chris Rock  •  Burt Reynolds  •  Michael Irvin

Tango & Cash (1989)

Ray Tango and Gabriel Cash are narcotics detectives who, while both being extremely successful, can't stand each other. Crime Lord Yves Perret, furious at the loss of income that Tango and Cash have caused him, frames the two for murder. Caught with the murder ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrei Konchalovsky
CAST:  Sylvester Stallone  •  Kurt Russell  •  Teri Hatcher  •  Jack Palance

Ray Tango and Gabriel Cash are narcotics detectives who, while both being extremely successful, can't stand each other. Crime Lord Yves Perret, furious at the loss of income that Tango and Cash have caused him, frames the two for murder. Caught with the murder ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrei Konchalovsky
CAST:  Sylvester Stallone  •  Kurt Russell  •  Teri Hatcher  •  Jack Palance

13 Moons (2002)

Things aren't looking so good for television clown Banana's career, and the fact that his estranged wife, Suzi, has just been arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, Lily, just serves to compound Banana's despair.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alexandre Rockwell
CAST:  Rose Rollins  •  Jennifer Beals  •  Elizabeth Bracco  •  Steve Buscemi

Things aren't looking so good for television clown Banana's career, and the fact that his estranged wife, Suzi, has just been arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, Lily, just serves to compound Banana's despair.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alexandre Rockwell
CAST:  Rose Rollins  •  Jennifer Beals  •  Elizabeth Bracco  •  Steve Buscemi

Fear (1988)

A family living in an isolated cabin in the woods are terrorized by a gang of escaped convicts. Their leader, a serial killer, is a disturbed Vietnam veteran. What the gang doesn't know is that the family's father is also a Vietnam veteran, and he has no intention ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert A. Ferretti
CAST:  Cliff DeYoung  •  Kay Lenz  •  Zoe Trilling  •  Scott Schwartz

A family living in an isolated cabin in the woods are terrorized by a gang of escaped convicts. Their leader, a serial killer, is a disturbed Vietnam veteran. What the gang doesn't know is that the family's father is also a Vietnam veteran, and he has no intention ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert A. Ferretti
CAST:  Cliff DeYoung  •  Kay Lenz  •  Zoe Trilling  •  Scott Schwartz

Distant Cousins (1993)

Kate's husband Richard hasn't seen his cousin Harry for 20 years. So when he comes to stay with his fiancee Connie they are welcomed. But Kate senses her family is at risk when they start behaving suspiciously.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Lane
CAST:  Mel Harris  •  David Keith  •  William Katt  •  Mary Crosby

Kate's husband Richard hasn't seen his cousin Harry for 20 years. So when he comes to stay with his fiancee Connie they are welcomed. But Kate senses her family is at risk when they start behaving suspiciously.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Lane
CAST:  Mel Harris  •  David Keith  •  William Katt  •  Mary Crosby

Nobody Wants Your Film (2005)

Director Peter Judson's semifictitious tale opens a revealing window into the indie filmmaking process, capturing the trivialities, aggravations and enthusiasm that go into completing a picture. Using footage from an indie movie set, e-mails constructing a plotline ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Judson
CAST:  Steve Buscemi  •  Sam Rockwell  •  Brandon Cole  •  Peter Dinklage

Director Peter Judson's semifictitious tale opens a revealing window into the indie filmmaking process, capturing the trivialities, aggravations and enthusiasm that go into completing a picture. Using footage from an indie movie set, e-mails constructing a plotline ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Judson
CAST:  Steve Buscemi  •  Sam Rockwell  •  Brandon Cole  •  Peter Dinklage

Champion (2005)

Danny Trejo, you know the man. He has fierce tattoos, and frequently plays a thug in your favorite movies. Behind the ink and the wicked characters he plays on screen lies the story of a troubled childhood which included drug addiction, armed robbery and extensive ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Eckardt
CAST:  Danny Trejo  •  Dennis Hopper  •  Robert Rodriguez  •  Steve Buscemi

Danny Trejo, you know the man. He has fierce tattoos, and frequently plays a thug in your favorite movies. Behind the ink and the wicked characters he plays on screen lies the story of a troubled childhood which included drug addiction, armed robbery and extensive ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Eckardt
CAST:  Danny Trejo  •  Dennis Hopper  •  Robert Rodriguez  •  Steve Buscemi

Last Light (1993)

Kiefer Sutherland plays Denver Bayliss, a condemned murderer who has killed three people, including a prison guard. He was brought into the system as a juvenile delinquent and never got out. Now he is awaiting execution. Forest Whitaker stars as Fred Whitmore, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kiefer Sutherland
CAST:  Kiefer Sutherland  •  Forest Whitaker  •  Clancy Brown  •  Lynne Moody

Kiefer Sutherland plays Denver Bayliss, a condemned murderer who has killed three people, including a prison guard. He was brought into the system as a juvenile delinquent and never got out. Now he is awaiting execution. Forest Whitaker stars as Fred Whitmore, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kiefer Sutherland
CAST:  Kiefer Sutherland  •  Forest Whitaker  •  Clancy Brown  •  Lynne Moody

High Hopes (2006)

Hollywood hopeful Tom Murphy and his posse are pinning their dreams of success on having Tom’s famous girlfriend star in their first feature. That is, until she dumps him. Now the plan is to steal a case of government-issued marijuana, return it to the FBI and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Eckardt
CAST:  Jason Mewes  •  Lacey Chabert  •  Andy Dick  •  Edward Furlong

Hollywood hopeful Tom Murphy and his posse are pinning their dreams of success on having Tom’s famous girlfriend star in their first feature. That is, until she dumps him. Now the plan is to steal a case of government-issued marijuana, return it to the FBI and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joe Eckardt
CAST:  Jason Mewes  •  Lacey Chabert  •  Andy Dick  •  Edward Furlong

Slow Burn (1986)

Jacob Asch is hired by Gerald McMurty to find his ex-wife Laine and their son in Palm Springs. Jacob finds Laine and a teenager named Donnie who may or may not be Gerald's son. He also finds an intricate web of deceit and betrayal that begin to lead to death. He ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Matthew Chapman
CAST:  Eric Roberts  •  Beverly D'Angelo  •  Dennis Lipscomb  •  Raymond J. Barry

Jacob Asch is hired by Gerald McMurty to find his ex-wife Laine and their son in Palm Springs. Jacob finds Laine and a teenager named Donnie who may or may not be Gerald's son. He also finds an intricate web of deceit and betrayal that begin to lead to death. He ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Matthew Chapman
CAST:  Eric Roberts  •  Beverly D'Angelo  •  Dennis Lipscomb  •  Raymond J. Barry

Relentless (1989)

Two Los Angeles police detectives, cynical veteran Malloy and cocky rookie Dietz, hunt for a serial killer, an ex-cop named Taylor, whom randomly chooses his victims from a phone directory.  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Lustig
CAST:  Judd Nelson  •  Robert Loggia  •  Leo Rossi  •  Meg Foster

Two Los Angeles police detectives, cynical veteran Malloy and cocky rookie Dietz, hunt for a serial killer, an ex-cop named Taylor, whom randomly chooses his victims from a phone directory.  (more)

DIRECTION:  William Lustig
CAST:  Judd Nelson  •  Robert Loggia  •  Leo Rossi  •  Meg Foster

Somebody to Love (1994)

Mercedes is a taxi dancer who wants to be an actress. She's involved with the married Harry, who considers himself a respected actor. Ernesto is in love with Mercedes, but he doesn't dance or have money.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alexandre Rockwell
CAST:  Rosie Perez  •  Harvey Keitel  •  Anthony Quinn  •  Michael DeLorenzo

Mercedes is a taxi dancer who wants to be an actress. She's involved with the married Harry, who considers himself a respected actor. Ernesto is in love with Mercedes, but he doesn't dance or have money.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alexandre Rockwell
CAST:  Rosie Perez  •  Harvey Keitel  •  Anthony Quinn  •  Michael DeLorenzo
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