'Bloodstone' (1988) - Dwight Little.

Competent action director, Dwight Little's, Nico Mastorakis scripted, delightfully exotic far-flung comedic adventure, while infrequently mentioned is, perhaps, one of the more neglected treasures in maverick filmmaker Mastorakis's frequently fantastic far out oeuvre! While this exciting, perfectly perilous yarn is 'colourfully' inspired by the whip-cracking wonder of Indiana Jones's ceaseless crusades and action/comedy smash 'Romancing The Stone' 'Bloodstone' has quite the idiosyncratic personality all of its own. The jewel in Bloodstone's crown is effervescent Tamil film icon, Rajinikanth as the slick-witted, speedily cab-driving, deadly knife throwing hero, Shyam Sabu.

What might have been a rather lacklustre imitation is in actuality quite an accomplished work of exhilaratingly escapist fiction. Bland newly-weds, the McVey's are barely into their honeymoon holiday when two unsavoury-looking goons proceed to aggressively pursue the couple, searching for the notorious, fantastically fabled Bloodstone. Unbeknownst to them, a stealthy minion of explicitly evil, double-dealing, national treasure nabbing despot, Van Hoeven (Christopher Neame) has surreptitiously placed said trinket into Mrs. McVey's (Anne Nicholas) travel bag! This subterfuge initiates a scintillating series of narrow escapes, bravura fight scenes and adrenalized, amusingly madcap chases. Dynamic Kollywood superstar, Rajinikanth making for a enigmatically quip-tastic, quick-fisted and not infrequently hilarious hero!

One of Arrow Videos more welcome restorations, Dwight Little's multifaceted actioner 'Bloodstone' is a fast-moving, exhilaratingly exotic 80s adventure. With its exquisite Indian setting and a truly priceless lead performance by, Rajinikanth, this kaleidoscopic, action-packed Blu-ray spectacular is a burnished B-Movie gem whose minor flaws only increases its lurid lustre!