Barbarian Queen

Warrior woman Lana Clarkson (Deathstalker) survives the massacre of her little village (on the eve of her marriage to a tribal prince) and vows revenge. Surrounding herself with an estrogen brigade of female fighters, she makes quick work of the marauders before moving on to the city to lead the brewing rebellion against the evil king. Don't think for a second that this is about empowered women: every female character is raped or molested in the picture. Ostensibly directed by Héctor Olivera (Funny Dirty Little War), this silly, badly dubbed, shot-in-Argentina production is full of gratuitous nudity and slapdash but serviceable action and is enlivened largely by Clarkson's charisma and energy. Much of the marvelous music is cribbed from James Horner's lush Battle Beyond the Stars score. Clarkson returns in the sequel, Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back. --Sean Axmaker