BLU-RAY RELEASE OF THE WEEK

One of the greatest characters in film's history--Snake Plisskin--headlines John Carpenter's Escape From New York. Set in a dystopian Manhattan circa 1997--the entire island is a prison, surrounded by impenetrable walls, and run by the inmates themselves--Plisskin (Kurt Russell) must save the President of the United States (Donald Pleasance) in return for a full pardon for all past crimes. 

This 1981 film has had a cult following since its inception. Russell's iconic portrayal of Snake and the B-movie quality has given New York quite the fan following. Fifteen years later, Carpenter and Russell returned for Escape from L.A. Although very much in the same vein, it's hard to replicate what the original had. Rumour has it that a remake of New York is in talks, with Gerard Butler and Josh Brolin being tossed around as Snake.