Hot Dog...The Movie

The 1984 cult film "Hot Dog...The Movie!" is a mixture of a raunchy R rated sex comedy and skiing. While not a great film by any means, it features a good cast and several impressively shot and executed skiing sequences. Made for 4 million dollars, it was a success grossing 5 times its budget during its theatrical run. It would go on to gain even more fans on VHS and cable television. The two most notable actors in the film are David Naughton who starred in 1981's "An American Werewolf in London" and gorgeous Playboy model turned actress Shannon Tweed. Even though the humor doesn't always land and the plot is threadbare at best for the most part, the film still manages to charm, offend and entertain along with delivering copious amounts of nudity, sex, and sleaze.Synapse Films gives "Hot Dog...The Movie!" the red carpet treatment for its long overdue blu-ray debut. This disc features a 4K restoration from the original camera negative of the recently discovered unrated producer's cut which runs approximately 3 minutes longer than the R rated cut. Basically the unrated cut features even more sex and nudity.The film is presented in a 1.78: aspect ratio (opened up a bit from its theatrical 1.85:1) on a dual layer disc utilizing the AVC codec at a bit rate often times getting up into the mid and upper 30's. Simply put, the film looks amazing on this disc. No digital scrubbing was done so the film maintains its filmic grain structure. Colors are superb, detail is immaculate and contrast levels are spot on which is of utmost importance due to all of the snow on display. Skin tones look natural and accurate which is great considering the copious amounts of flesh on display. The only small quibble that I have is that I noticed a very faint transparent vertical line near the left side of the frame which persists throughout the entire movie. It is most noticeable during the many scenes in which snow is in the background or a daytime skyline is featured. That small flaw is not a deal breaker by any means as the film still looks spectacular but I did feel the need to point it out.Sound is presented in either the original 2 channel mono master audio track or a newly created 5.1 surround master audio track. I found the surround track to be quite well done. It is cool though that there is a choice offered. English subtitles are included for the hearing impaired.Extras are as follows:- HOT DOG: THE DOCUMENTARY – An all-new 50 minute featurette including new interviews with director Peter Markle, co-producer/writer Mike Marvin, and cast members David Naughton, Tracy Smith, John Patrick Reger and Frank Koppala (54 minutes 36 seconds)- Audio commentary with co-producer/writer Mike Marvin- Original theatrical trailer, TV spot, radio spots, and music video!- Liner notes by TEEN MOVIE HELL author, Mike McPaddenThe disc is region A locked.Fans of "Hot Dog...The Movie!" will be over the moon with Synapse Films' blu-ray of the 1984 cult classic. The movie looks and sounds great along with some informative extras that round out a stellar release. Highly recommended!

Hot Dog....the Movie is one of the best early 80s teen sex comedies to come out during the sex comedy heyday! It was a glorious time! They certainly don't make 'em like this anymore sadly. The late 70s-mid 80s were where it was at with gratuitous sex and nudity in comedies. Hot Dog....the Movie also features some of the best skiing footage ever put on film. The film has a fun, breezy pace with entertaining performances. It also has Shannon Tweed! Synapse's new blu ray features a glorious 4K restoration that is absolutely stunning! Synapse is probably my favorite blu ray indie label as they consistently put out stellar work with hardly ever any technical errors regarding the quality control department such as many of their sister labels such as Scream/Shout! Factory, Kino, Scorpion, Severin, Arrow (at times) along with others. Don't hesitate on buying this fantastic blu ray at all!

Sensing a gap in the marketplace, writer/producer Mike Marvin attempts to use the world of freestyle skiing for his own take on "Animal House," dreaming up 1984's "Hot Dog…The Movie." What Marvin lacks in screenwriting prowess he makes up for in sheer enthusiasm for the sport and horndog cinema, working to assemble his own take on the subgenre, blending copious amounts of nudity and high jinks with a distinct display of athleticism, stunts, and speed. "Hot Dog…The Movie" isn't high art by any means, and the film often believes it's more amusing than it really is, but it does retain entertainment value as the production figures out what kind of story it wants to tell between mountain battles, coming up with a slightly meandering endeavor that periodically comes to life when it achieves even a mild amount of focus on sellable elements.Harkin (Patrick Houser) is an Idaho farm boy with a big dream to compete in a freestyle skiing competition in California, making a pilgrimage to Squaw Valley to check out the competition. Along the way, Harkin picks up Sunny (Tracy Smith), a wily young woman trying to hitchhike her way to San Francisco, soon growing close to her driver as the pair bonds during the road trip. Arriving at the resort, Harkin is exposed to the evil of Austrian skier Rudi (John Patrick Reger) and the seductive ways of Sylvia (Shannon Tweed), eventually settling in with Dan (David Naughton), a party animal ski pro who leads the "Rat Pack," joined by Squirrel (Frank Koppala) and Kendo (James Saito). With Rudi proving to be tough competition as the event begins, Harkin struggles with his feeling for Sunny and tomfoolery from Dan, who strives to disrupt the villain's confidence with pranks and humiliations, creating tension between the warring sides as the celebration carries on day and night.Marvin makes a pass at characterization with Harkin, who's a small town boy with a big dream to showcase his skiing skills at the Squaw Valley resort, hoping to rub elbows with champions and possibly win the event. He's a mild guy who offers help to Sunny, a defensive woman who doesn't trust easily, staying alert as the pair are forced to share a truck ride and a few motel rooms. Harkin is the hero of the story, and Marvin makes sure to protect his likeability, keeping him away from most temptation (Sylvia's hypnotic appeal overwhelms him), and he's a folk singer too, charming Sunny with his tunes. It's silly, but that's "Hot Dog…The Movie," which largely finger-paints when it comes to creating personalities, including Rudi, a German-speaking brute who loves to crush his enemies. And there's Dan, who's really an alcoholic and a possible sexual predator, but this is 1984, so he's just a fun dude who lives to drink, ski, and drink some more.The cartoonish nature of "Hot Dog…The Movie" holds the whole thing together, as Marvin only gets serious with Harkin and Sunny, trying to be sensitive with their burgeoning relationship, which involves immediate cheating and severe behavioral issues. But hey, that's as close to soft as the film gets. The rest of the picture involves impishness from the Rat Pack, who look to dominate the slopes and rile Rudi up, messing with his equipment and engaging in a snowball attack on his squad of bros. Director Peter Markel doesn't have command of the endeavor, but he comes up with intermittent silliness, and the production's appreciation for sexploitation is impressive, working in a wet t-shirt contest and various hot tub trysts along the way, hoping to engage those who don't really care about the sport of freestyle skiing.Synapse isn't messing around when it comes to bringing "Hot Dog…The Movie" to Blu-ray, offering a 4K restoration of the "Producer's Cut," sourced from "the original 35mm camera negative." The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is impressive, creating an exciting clarity to the viewing event, making detail exceptional, embracing the inherent dimensions of the locations. Texture is also enjoyable on ski gear, which favors cold weather outfits. Skin particulars are exact, showcasing fine hairs and perspiration, and overall sharpness is appreciable when it comes to the rowdier aspects of the feature. Colors enjoy bright clothing, with bold reds and yellows, and interiors, such as the fantasy motel, retain deep blues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is precise. Grain is carefully managed. Source is in excellent condition.The original 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is offered on the Blu-ray, but a newly created 5.1 DTS-HD MA track does a respectful job bringing "Hot Dog…The Movie" up to home theater enjoyment. There's immediate fullness to appreciate, presenting a more authoritative listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and emotive, protecting silly accent work and group interplay. Scoring cues secure a lively synth presence, supporting the action superbly, and soundtrack cuts are distinct, adding period pop with appealing low-end presence. Surrounds contribute a fine sense of atmospherics with occasional separation definition, most notably during the snowball fight.Commentary features writer/producer Mike Marvin."Hot Dog…The Documentary" (54:36, HD) endeavors to celebrate the release of "Hot Dog…The Movie," leading with writer/producer Mike Marvin, who shares how much of the picture was based on his actual experiences as a skier and traveler, even using real names for a few of the characters. Hoping to direct, Marvin was made a producer instead, showing little chemistry with Peter Markle, who was hired to keep the effort on schedule. Creative differences complicated the Tahoe shoot, which quickly devolved into a party atmosphere, giving the cast room to misbehave. Actors John Patrick Reger, David Naughton, Frank Koppala, and Tracy Smith appear to discuss their involvement with the production, sharing their casting stories and personality quirks on-set. Questions of nudity are addressed, along with politically incorrect humor that hasn't aged well, with Marvin slightly defensive about the topic, protective of his R-rated baby he gradually takes full credit for, as Markle was eventually fired from the picture. Skiing skills are assessed, mountain challenges are revealed, and stunts are celebrated, creating an interesting overview of the "Hot Dog… The Movie" production experience, which culminated with the creation of real snow for the L.A. premiere and box office success. Finally, the effort's cult appeal is assessed, with Marvin once again stepping up to label the feature a "Rocky Horror"-style cult sensation.T.V. Spot (:32, HD) offers a commercial for "Hot Dog…The Movie."Radio Spots (2:31) collect three ads.Music Video (2:24, SD) is for "Top of the Hill," performed by Clif Magness.And a Theatrical Trailer (2:20, HD) is included.The skiing sequences are sharply edited and photographed, out to provide an introduction of sorts to the titular pursuit, highlighting balletic grace. There's a "Chinese Downhill" speed chase for the finale to keep things exciting, but there's a purity to the snow worship in "Hot Dog…The Movie" that holds attention, providing a great commercial for the region and its inherent beauty. Laughs are limited, with most shenanigans coming up short in inventiveness, but performances are energetic, allowing the feature to coast on goofball intentions, punctuated with heavenly visits to fresh snow and the sight of professionals flipping, twirling, and racing their way to skiing glory.

Cult 80s ski/sex romp that ranks up there in as mainstream titillating as you could get without late night Cinemax back in the day. Shannon Tweed bares it all in her pursuit of the latest catch, Idaho hayseed Harkin Banks who is travelling w/ 'almost 18 year old' Sunny, to compete in a downhill freestyle competition in Squaw. Takes this reviewer back to furtively watching it as a teen in '84. Great remaster, picture quality is excellent with a fun bonus feature interviewing many of the original stars. (j4.)

Superb condition for a second hand dvd. :-)..and great story, footage too. And the clothing. Ahhh those were the days... :-)Totaly retro movie. Love it!

Fantastic movie amazing transfer! Worth the money, love it loved it as a kid :) bring back them back, Hollywood is so boring and stale now, identity politics killing everything, glad I have all these gems in my collection, no one will burn mine hahahaha lol enjoy its a good movie

First. Any Blu-ray released by synapse - immediately gets my attention - and money... though not at the quality of some of their Italian releases - still great look Blu-ray. Really fun movie that delivers on its 80s cult classic. Evil ski villain - check - small town cute hero check - Shannon tweed.... CHECK.

Exactly what you would expect.Good conversion. Yes there are some scenes with excess grain, but as you can expect from a movie from this era. The sound mix came through the surround pretty awesome.If you do not have it and do want it, it's a good purchase

It’s an R-rated movie about the skiing sport it’s really well done there’s some interesting stunts and a couple note were the actors in it. It’s funny it’s interesting and a fun watch.