On Deadly Ground (1994)

Action icon and aikido black belt Steven Seagal goes behind the camera for the environmentally-conscious thriller On Deadly Ground (1994). In addition to directing and co-producing the R rated pic, Seagal stars as Forest Taft, a mystical martial artist who works as a firefighter and blowout specialist. The pony-tailed hero single-handedly attempts to bring down a billion dollar oil corporation dedicated to plundering the Alaskan wilderness. With the help of Masu (Joan Chen), a beautiful Inuit woman, Taft battles to bring the crooked business’s illegalities to light. Along the way, he hangs out with Johnny Redfeather (John Trudell); meets with the leader (R. Lee Ermey) of a mercenary group; and has a bar brawl with oil worker Big Mike (Mike Starr). Michael Caine and Billy Bob Thornton are two of the big names to appear in this over the top hoot. The movie also includes Shari Shattuck, John C. McGinley, and Bart the Bear. But it’s curvaceous Carlotta Chang who is the real scene stealer. As a literal dream girl, Ms. Chang treats us to views of her nude boobs as she writhes around in semi slow motion — emphasis on semi! Seagal prays during the hazy acid flashback. Or should we say flesh-back? Despite the fact that this flick was nominated for six Golden Raspberry Awards (with Seagal receiving the Razzie for Worst Director), it was a winner at the box office. Sure, critics define this movie as a turkey which may explain why it makes Mr. Skin choke his chicken!