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436,315 | 9,938,570 | 266,555 | 7 | Freeze Me | Some kinda warped film from Takashi Ishii which represents female retaliation at it's strangest . Chihiro ( Harumi Inoue ) has made a warm existence for herself since being horribly raped by three thugs five years prior , including her own Childhood friend , Hirokawa ( Kazuki Kitamura ) . She has a promising future with Nogami ( Shunsuke Matsuoka ) and works with him . But , Chihiro's life will swing into an unexpected nightmare when Hirokawa finds her and brutalizes her both physically and mentally . He tells her the other two , Baba ( Naoto Takenaka , a formidable presence that is quite scary ) & Kojima ( Shingo Tsurumi ) are wanting to re-unite with Chihiro as well . One by one will damage her in one way or another and each will pay the price for their sins because through all the mistreatment creates a monster . Chihiro's comfortable life that was changes when Nogami finds out about Hirokawa and her past rape . She will descend slowly into madness as the awful circumstances shape her into a cold-blooded killer . . and then some . The film's main power derives from how she treats those three after exacting revenge for their wrong-doing towards her . Potent , haunting , and unrelenting . In a sense , the film holds a grip on you as you wonder how anyone could ever survive from what Chihiro is put through . She's certainly put through the ringer as Chihiro is pretty much assaulted in every imaginable way . . her very humanity taken away as she is forced into difficult positions by cruel men with only one thing in mind . The title provides us with an irony that's all too tragic . One thing Takashi Ishii doesn't do is submerge us into the horrible details of what happens to her . He does it through smoke and mirrors setting the camera up in proper places where we get a general idea of what is taking place without rubbing our nose in it . No doubt , Ishii cares for this character and the tragedy leaves a sadness despite Chihiro getting her retribution . |
435,735 | 9,938,570 | 167,350 | 7 | Progeny | An odd beam of light penetrates the bedroom of Dr . Craig Burton ( Arnold Vosloo ) and his wife Sherry ( Jillian McWhirter ) as they are making love . About two hours are unaccounted for as they embrace seemingly unharmed . Under hypnosis during a session with psychiatrist Dr . Susan Lamarche ( Lindsay Crouse ) , Craig discovers that his wife was impregnated by aliens . Sherry resists this notion as absurd and is quite happy to relay news to her husband that she is indeed pregnant . Ecstatic after their trying for ages to get pregnant , Sherry is frightened at Craig's persistence of the fetus not being his . . this stems from a check on his low sperm count with odds especially high that he could in no way have impregnated his wife . Awkward , troubling experiences with the fetus inside her leads Sherry to some scary discoveries . . her doctor , David Wetherly ( Wilford Brimley ) finds that the ultra-sound gives some unusual results of the developing infant's appearance , but it's Craig who notices that it resembles an alien ! Sparks ignite cutting out the electrical equipment , even shutting off Wetherly's pacemaker ! Through hypnosis , Sherry reveals the experience of her abduction , but Lamarche believes her problem is psychological not physiological . With no one believing his wife's alien impregnation theory , Craig turns to sociologist Dr . Bert Clavell ( Brad Dourif ) , whose work is in the studies of alien life and abduction . But , Bert is reluctant to help Craig who will go to the ends of the earth to save his wife's life from possible harm . Tragic results occur as Lamarche and others try to keep Craig from his goals of " cutting the thing out " believing he is mad . Craig will still pursue his task trying to drag Bert down this path with him . Grim , absorbing horror tale about one man's struggle to save his wife from the harm of beings no one else believes exist . Thankfully , Dourif's character isn't some quack nutjob but an intelligent doctor who wishes to learn more , but his pursuit of the truth of aliens isn't hostile . . he does hope to learn from Sherry , but isn't incredibly demanding in this goal . The story is told realistically . . it's easy to understand why others might deem Craig off-his-rocker . Vosloo doesn't take the character too far , but expresses the distress of his current situation . How can he save his wife from this hostiles and prove to others that he's not nuts ? McWhirter deserves credit for the demands of the difficult abduction scenes where her unfortunate character is naked on this table being probed and molested by these things . Crouse is fine in her limited , but important role as the voice of reason in a situation where her clients seem out of control psychologically . The monster effects are icky and effective . I think the film works quite well and director Yuzna deserves credit for restraining himself for this film at least . The final twenty minutes as Craig tries to perform his " removal surgery " with a scared Bert watching the crazy situation escalate is nail-biting . You know , fans of " Fire in the Sky " might dig this flick . |
435,861 | 9,938,570 | 91,343 | 7 | The Kindred | A group of geneticists gather at the home of a recently deceased scientist , Amanda Collins ( vet Kim Hunter ) who sent her son , John ( David Allen Brooks ) there to destroy all her journals and research concerning " hybridization " experiments splicing marine life with human cells . Mad scientist Dr . Phillip Lloyd ( Rod Steiger in one of his crazed roles ) , who worked with Amanda before they had a falling out ( . . and who later assisted in Amanda's demise ) , has been experimenting with hybridization for years but hasn't achieved the results his partner had . He secretly sends in an experimental hybrid of his , Melissa ( the lovely Amanda Pays ) who pretends to be an admirer of Amanda's and " marine researcher " befriending John ( . . while secretly falling in love with him which produces a problem for Lloyd who controls her thanks to his serum and pain medication that keeps Melissa human ) . While the group searches for answers regarding what exactly Amanda was doing at the home , a monster underneath the floorboards has come out to terrorize several of them . Could this monster be the " Anthony " John's mother was referring to as she cried out during a bad spell when ordering him to destroy all the evidence of her work ? Fun little late 80's creature feature has a good cast and pace . It gets silly at times particularly when the monster kills one victims by exiting a watermelon ! One scene has a certain character turning from human into a fish ! There's a hilarious ( . . and ridiculous ) scene where Hart ( Timothy Gibbs ) , one of the only survivors of the monster's attacks , who escapes from the hospital after being under heavy sedation over several days knocking people out of the way as if he were a football defensive tackle . The creature is shown in all it's glory at the end in the show-stopping climax where Steiger also makes his presence known in an explosion of anger towards the group's plan to kill it . |
435,732 | 9,938,570 | 87,998 | 7 | The Deadly Spawn | Alien monsters , with their mouths full of razor-sharp teeth , ride a " meteor " into the Earth harvesting in the basement of a nearby house . During the film , those who live in the house , unknowingly become lunch to the beasties when they enter the basement . The basement , however , will not hold them forever and we watch as many smaller alien monsters venture outside attacking a vegetarian dinner party full of older women gathering together . When the parents are eaten by the monsters , their sons , young horror movie fan Charles ( Charles George Hildebrandt ) and older astronomy student Peter ( Tom DeFranco ) will have to defend themselves or else perish . Pete's pals Frankie ( Richard Lee Porter ) , love-interest Ellen ( Jean Tafler ) and Kathy ( Karen Tighe ) come over and find themselves also in a battle for survival . 75 % of viewers who watch this flick will probably find it repellent and laugh at the rubber monsters , but this film is intended for a certain audience . I think , in essence , it's an old-fashioned " aliens attack " creature feature " except for the splatter-gore . The film is loaded with disgusting violence such as how we see the monster attack victims , often chomping down on their heads and flesh . I think creature feature fans , used to fake-looking rubber monsters from yesteryear , will embrace this flick for that's part of it's charm . For a LOW budget ( . . it was indeed a good idea to set most of the film in the central location of one house ) , the gore effects are quite impressive . Cheap photography might also add to it's charm . The cast is littered with no-names whose acting is adequate , but in a gruesome B-flick sci-fi horror , that doesn't much matter . The ending twist is wonderfully inspired . |
435,687 | 9,938,570 | 56,552 | 7 | Tales of Terror | Trio of visually lush supernatural tales from the genius of director Roger Corman , writer Richard Matheson , inspired from the masterful works of Edgar Allen Poe , starring the great Vincent Price in all three . The first tale stars Price as a sulking , boozing recluse , living in a cob-webbed life-less castle , whose existence has been haunted by the memory of long-lost love Morella ( Leona Gage ) . Dying adult daughter Lenora ( Maggie Pierce ) , sent away from her father because of reasons she seeks answers for , returns to the castle attempting to patch up their differences before it's too late . Lenora finds out that her birth was a reason behind Morella's death and finds her mother's corpse in father's room . Attempting to make amends will prove difficult as the vengeful spirit of Morella will rise to take revenge on those she holds responsible for her demise . Peter Lorre triumphs in the second tale as Montresor Herringbone , a belligerent unemployed drunk who pries away his wife's sewing money for more drink . A chance meeting occurs with a dollied-up , prissy , kindhearted aristocratic wine-taster Fortunato ( Vincent Price ) in a tasting contest , for which Herringbone persistently brought about just to gulp more vine-juice for free . What Herringbone doesn't realize is that his wife , Annabel ( Joyce Jameson ) , after tolerating his crap for years , has fallen head-over-heels for Fortunato , who has brought a romance and love to her life that has never existed before . Consumed with jealousy and wrath , Herringbone venomously poisons them , shackling their hands and burying them alive behind a brick wall , mortared by his own hands . What Herringbone doesn't count on is Annabel's black cat , an animal he despises , interfering with his diabolical schemes . A macabre comedy , this one is , with Corman experimenting with the lens by stretching the characters in a " head-throwing " nightmare sequence that plagues Herringbone , as Fortunato and Annabel explode from their walled tomb to get him . The third tale is especially chilling . . an evil mesmerizist , Dr . Carmichael ( Basil Rathbone ) secretly covets his wealthy employer's lovely wife Helene ( Debra Paget ) . Cleverly manipulating Valdemar ( Price ) , by relieving him of the agony of his incurable disease through hypnotic suggestion , Carmichael gets him to agree to a specific request for his duties . . at the moment of death , Valdemar allows Carmichael a chance to hypnotize him . Valdemar wishes for Helene to marry his good friend , medical doctor Elliot James ( David Frankham ) , but after Valdemar's death , Carmichael has other plans . Carmichael holds all the cards because Valdemar is trapped in a limbo state of darkness , unable to escape unless released . Carmichael desires Helene and is the only one who can give her beloved dead husband peace . But , when Carmichael threatens to harm Helene in a struggle , Valdemar's slowly deteriorating corpse will rise from his bed to protect the one he loves . As in most anthologies , each tale is completely different than the next . The second one with Lorre is more of a black comedy , while the last one presents quite the horrifying ordeal of being controlled by another even after death . I felt the first one was the weakest , but more akin to Corman's many other Poe productions , specifically in the " explosive climax " as the castle , in true fashion , crumbles with flame arising throughout . |
436,030 | 9,938,570 | 453,533 | 7 | Unrest-Formaldehyde & Death | You disrespect the body . . you enrage the soul . Alison Blanchard ( Corri English , who is quite a hottie ) is an agnostic first-year in " Gross Anatomy " who " senses " a presence that is not quite right when her student group of four lift open the sheet over the body of a Brazilian woman ( . . the woman we see in the opening cutting herself with a piece of broken glass from her mirror ) . She almost immediately breaks the cardinal rule of the profession regarding examining the body for cause of death . . don't personalize the body . She begins to search for clues regarding the corpse's identity and soon anyone who has come in direct contact with the mysterious dead woman winds up dead in various gruesome ways ( . . but most victims wind up in " the tank " , a specific tank for storing certain bodies no longer in use ) . Along with her new lover / anatomy partner Brian ( Scot Davis ) , Alison will find out various unusual things such as the woman's being a archaeologist with the major find of an Aztek burial ground of over 5 , 000 bodies sacrificed for the God Tlazolteotl , the god of fertility ( . . and prostitution ) . Also , her lab partner Carlos ( Joshua Alba ) digs up certain tapes containing recordings of this woman's changes in human condition as she descended into pregnancy and prostitution actually sacrificing her own unborn child . Told by her psychiatrist that " corporeal manifestations " don't exist , Alison will still remain on her dogged pursuit to end the madness by destroying the body for which might put the soul at rest and end the bloodshed . Okay , the wacky premise might not suit you because it is about some restless spirit essentially wiping out those who touched her corpse . Why Alison is allowed to live longer than others is anyone's guess , but she is the heroine so that's how screenplays work . Obviously Brian is her love-interest so he's perhaps saved by the screenplay as well . I know some have complained about the performances but I thought English was fine in the lead . . it's quite a crazy situation so I do expect anyone in her spot to react with all sorts of emotion . I question her judgment , but she's effected by the dead woman so irrational behavior does seem . . umm . rational in this case . My beef is more towards the investigations regarding the case of several dead murdered bodies and how a lab could continue to run ( . . and how Alison would ever be able to continue working in the lab after her various illegal acts such as the retrieval of a photograph considered off-limits , or her prying into the anatomy room tank ) . It's built for entertainment only and takes leaps in logic , but at least it's original , eh ? |
435,700 | 9,938,570 | 380,827 | 7 | The Ghost of Yotsuya Part II | Picking up where the story left off in part 1 , Lemon Tamiya and Naosuke coerce Tukuetsu , the masseur , into helping them get rid of the dead bodies of Oiwa and Kohei . As planned , Tamiya marries Oume and Naosuke seeks blackmailing profit . But , we witness the perfect crime fall apart thanks to Yomoshichi and Osode's search for Oiwa while Kohei's mother yearns to find her son , with a troubling feeling that he's dead . Also escalating is Tamiya's guilt and madness , plagued by hallucinations and nightmares of the image of Oiwa , eventually frightening Oume for whom he believes she is at times . Meanwhile , Naosuke becomes a major nuisance , demanding money from Tamiya , mistreating Omaki who he used to gain influence within the Ichimonji-ya family , and threatening Osode & Yomoshichi to put aside their investigation into a potential murder of Oiwa . Tukuetsu doesn't make Naosuke's life any easier , asking for " hush money " thanks to concealing his knowledge regarding the whereabouts of Kohei and Oiwa . . the elder masseur doesn't know what evil intent Naosuke has in store for him . Also developing is an ex-husband of Omaki looking for Naosuke for his involvement in the interruption of the jailbreak . Lots going on in this close to the two-part melodrama about the repercussions of murder for personal gain . Those involved must answer for their misdeeds and , unfortunately for Tamiya , he will realize Naosuke's treachery , not to mention , face the horrors of his own transgressions , his errors psychologically manifesting , endangering those women who even remotely resemble Oiwa . Director Keisuke Kinoshita's style is certainly crude , at times , but he establishes some impressive set-pieces such as the fiery Inchimonji-ya family's estate in the climax as Tamiya chases after Oume , and eventually Naosuke , as a giant inferno erupts . The camera work can be a bit sloppy and certain scenes could've been set up more effectively ( . . some chases , consisting of Naosuke either attempting to kill someone , or avoiding a foe coming toward him with a sword , are pulled back so far you can barely see the action ) , but I felt that Japanese film-making in it's early stages was just developing and can accept that the process was evolving . . certain inadequacies were bound to emerge as filmmakers grew familiar with the medium . But , the story itself I found gripping even though I expected the outcome because crime doesn't pay and those who participate in such an act must suffer persecution for their involvement . Deceptively classified as horror , but THE GHOST OF YOTSUYA PART II is more of a morality tale without the single use of a ghost ( . . in the literal sense ) at all . That was indeed disappointing because I was expecting to see Tamiya tormented by Oiwa's ghost , and instead he was tortured by the manifestations of his own psyche ( . . you rarely see Oiwa's face , just Tamiya's terrified expressions ) . |
436,964 | 9,938,570 | 814,685 | 7 | Frontière ( s ) | Harrowing , unpleasant , extremely violent French horror hit regarding four Parisians from the slums , who loot a bank during a tumultuous election in Paris where an extreme right governmental take-over seems on the horizon causing riots and unruly conduct by angry citizens plunging the city into chaos , with them taking the wrong turn on a dirt road landing the gang at a hostel containing a secret society of Nazi crazies who murder and rob unfortunate passersby , hanging the dead ( . . or sometimes , barely living ) bodies in storage for safe keeping . Father ( Jean-Pierre Jorris ) , the Nazi group's patriarch wishes for his son Karl ( Patrick Ligardes ) to take over as the leader with the rest of the group rather disgusted at the decision . Yasmine ( Karina Testa , in a powerful performance ) , the pregnant female of the four Parisians whose dead brother she left at a hospital in Paris , is chosen as a bride for Karl , after watching her ex-boyfriend , Alex ( Aurélien Wiik ) shot dead before her eyes . On her own , Yasmine will somehow try to break free from them , hoping to escape , but this will prove quite difficult since she's far from home and on hostile territory . I rented this based on some serious hype by others that it was brutal viewing , and I must agree . It isn't all that original , though , and clearly modeled after films like " Hostel " , where a group unknowingly find themselves in a den of lions far from help , with little place to run , with most of them dying in gruesome ways . As is common place in the slasher genre , the lone survivor against the dangerous brood is a woman . Like " Hostel " or " Wolf Creek " , we see what happens to those whose fate led them to this place , and where there possessions are placed . Prepare for the modern technical movie making of today's horror . . jump cuts and haphazard camera movements galore . Often the action is sped up and sometimes slowed down ( . . such as the rain coming down and washing the blood-soaked body of Yasmine ) . The pace is fast and the film rarely slows down . A major problem many might have is that the ones we're supposed to feel sympathy for are thugs , but I think we certainly can place ourselves in their shoes and grimace at their fates . Where to begin regarding the cringe-worthy violence : One poor victim's Achilles tendon is pierced with tongs by Father himself , grinning with pride at committing such a sadistic act , proclaiming that's what happened to slaves in Africa to keep them from running away . During a struggle one of the crazies forgets about the ax he was wielding , receiving the weapon into his foot before falling on a spinning table saw . One's head explodes from a shot gun blast . A victim's fingers are taken off by bullet fire . His throat is later slit while hanging upside down ( . . his feet are penetrated by meat hooks , and we see in a grisly sequence that the ability of a friend to remove him from them was almost impossible ) with blood collecting on the floor as the one who committed the act watches almost in a trance . One poor soul's skin is boiled while attempting to hide in a steam chamber . Not only does the film depict explicit violence , we are treated to the result of what these monsters do to people . Setting up in our memories are those corpses . . hanging from meat hooks were once living , breathing people with goals and dreams . That could very well be us . |
436,528 | 9,938,570 | 304,120 | 7 | The abyss | Copycat killings of a psychopath on death row named Shin Hyun ( Seung-woo Cho , creepy in a chilling role ) emerge as bodies of slashed pregnant women are found with their embryos forcefully extracted . Detective Kim ( Jung-ah Yum ) takes a special interest in this case because her fiancé committed suicide after accidentally letting Shin go before he murdered six women in a row . Interesting enough is Shin turned himself in . Wet-behind-the-ears Detective Kang ( Jin-hee Ji , very good ) becomes embroiled with the case desperately craving to catch those responsible for the murders , but his visits with Shin will alter his life forever . When interviewing Shin for answers as to whom might be responsible for copycatting his handiwork , he speaks in riddles never quite making himself clear . During the film , the detectives realize that Shin's therapist , Dr . Chu ( Sun-kyung Kim ) , may have important information regarding Shin and if he is actually masterminding the killings behind bars . If you are willing to accept certain unusual aspects that lead to killing innocent young women such as the possible angle dealing with hypnosis presented here , it might be much more compelling . The major tie in the film is the links to abortions carried out by several victims of Shin . Shin's past relationship with his mother is also a major source to the killings as well . Perhaps too slick for it's own good , this offering from Tartan Extreme is stylishly directed and quite well-acted . It could be seen as a bit contrived , but I found it fascinating from start to finish . |
436,187 | 9,938,570 | 61,409 | 7 | Creature with the Blue Hand | Klaus Kinski is the allure for this Krimi , another solid thriller with multiple twists and suspicious suspects , from director Alfred Vohrer concerning a series of murders associated with a wealthy family , & how they are in connection with an insane asylum whose psychiatric director is operating under the orders of a mastermind after an inheritance . The film opens with Kinski's character , Dave Emerson , who is sentenced to life at an asylum for the murder of his gardener ( . . a murder he insists passionately he didn't commit ) , and is released by someone who shortly afterward kills a nurse as he's fleeing the scene . Dave's twin brother , Richard , mysteriously vanishes upon his arrival at the family mansion . . Scotland Yard detectives , Inspector Craig ( Harald Leipnitz ) and Sir John ( Siegfried Schürenberg ) discover Dave's attempt to assume Richard's identity , but work with him to identify a killer , donning a black cloak and hood ( . . with a hole cut out to see through ) , using a armor plated arm with sharp steel claws that extend ( . . the blue hand , designed from blueprints drawn up by Dave who is a successful sculptor of mannequins among other things ) . The " creature with the blue hand " seems to be targeting Dave's family members , his brothers are killed and sister Myrna ( Diana Körner ) only escapes near death twice . Soon the asylum director , Dr . Albert Mangrove ( Carl Lange ) , a colorful villain with a monocle , has Myrna kidnapped , often talking over the phone with his boss behind an operation to retrieve a fortune left to the Emerson family by their deceased patriarch , attempting to force her signature on a document , with her refusal being possible death . . attempts to frighten her into signing include being thrown in a prison with dangerously violent lunatics and a padded cell containing a plastic cage housing an army of rats ( . . also part of the punishment includes the release of multiple snakes ) . Working with Dave , who temporarily takes Richard's place as he oddly remains out of the picture , Craig will attempt to uncover the killer and mastermind behind the kidnapping of Myrna . As any good Krimi film , there is an extremely convoluted plot yielding lots of suspects and red herrings , and some intriguing twists which reveal the complex scheme as it unfolds with our detective , Craig , getting to the bottom of the mystery . . who would want the Emerson kids dead and how is Mangrove involved ? There's another neat disguise and weapon for the killer , the intimidating armored arm with claws that often are buried deep into the chests of victims . You have any number of suspects who could be behind the murders such as Lady Emerson herself , a sneaky butler who is always spying on people in the mansion , the family's lawyer , and even Kinski's two brothers themselves . The film does take away doubt that Dave's behind the scheme as he works closely with Craig , but what about his brother Richard ? Lange's sinister Mangrove is as much a memorable villain as the " creature with the blue hand " , with his methods for disposing of those who get in his way such as a nurse attempting to expose his corruption or his torturous methods towards Myrna , trying to get her written signature . The monocle and his unflinching willingness to harm people certainly craft Mangrove as a slimy , cruel heavy wielding a lot of power thanks to his position and authority . Through his position as a director of an asylum ( . . and the authority to pronounce people insane even if they aren't ) , he indeed has methods at his disposal for dealing with folks others want out of the way . Thankfully Schürenberg's nincompoop Sir John doesn't figure prominently in this particular Krimi , a goofy source of comedy often standing in the way of the more reliable detective ( . . Craig in this case ) with a firm grasp on how to solve the difficult case in front of him . While Kinski has two roles ( . . although , Richard isn't involved in the movie that much , except in terms of the central plot ) , he is more of a supporting character assisting Craig in catching the culprits behind the highly complex scheme to get at an inheritance . The mansion has a nifty secret passageway which offers the killer a method of travel ( . . and this method of travel figures into how Dave was set up for the murder ) , and the asylum is established as a repellent and unnerving place where you certainly don't want to wind up . The story-line keeps you honest all the way to it's wacky conclusion . . fans might tell you that the Krimi genre is much like Scooby Doo mysteries as those responsible are unmasked as the detective gathers the remaining suspects , unveiling the mastermind to our amusement . |
436,825 | 9,938,570 | 1,087,853 | 7 | Gutterballs | The bowling alley is the setting for this sadistic slasher rape revenge offering from director Ryan Nicholson . Lisa ( Candice Lewald ) is sexually assaulted by an old boyfriend , Steve ( Alastair Gamble ) and his cohorts , Joey ( Wade Gibb ) , AJ ( Nathan Dashwood ) , and Patrick ( Trevor Gemma ) after an altercation with another group of bowlers escalated into a brawl . Lisa's current beau is Jamie ( Nathan Witte ) and Steve is fuming with rage and this uneasy coexistence turns violent . . protecting her boyfriend from serious harm , Lisa drops a bowling ball on Steve's foot which only infuriates his maddening desire for revenge . Hince the rape which occurs after everyone has left the scene with Lisa reentering the bowling alley to retrieve her purse , finding Steve and his brutes waiting for her in the arcade room . The next night , after the doors are closed to the public , the janitor ( Dan Ellis ) of the bowling alley , in an act to halt the fight that had broken out , allows the competing groups to square off in a game . On this night , a killer , donning a bowling bag on his / her head , in bowling uniform , black gloves , and a variety of bowling pins designed as weapons of destruction , will slowly execute members of each group one at a time in very imaginative ways . . does it have to do with the rape that took place only the night before ? Lisa remains missing for large portions . . where does she go ? Nicholson's Gutterballs is an obvious homage to 70's rape revenge thrillers and 80's slashers , except his film is far more explicit and detailed in sexuality and graphic violence . There's penis violence , an anal stabbing , a shot gun blast taking apart a head with gushing blood , a suffocation of a couple as they engage in the " 69 " sexual act , a head forced into a hot bowling wax machine with the face removed , face destroyed by a sharpened bowling pin as it stabs into the victim's eyes , a strangulation of a woman using the tied shoelaces of bowling shoes ( . . as her breasts press against a window as the victim struggles to get free ) , a head is crushed by two bowling balls leaving her brains splattered on the floor as the body twitches , a face bashed in with a bowling pin , a throat slashing which spouts rivers of blood , and a bowling pin stuffed into a victim's mouth and down his throat . Lots of blood shed in this one . It functions as those 80's slashers in that the characters dwindle in number as the psycho comes from behind them as they are engaged in other activities , after separating from their packs . You also have the " body room " sequence which shows you where the victims were stored . . pretty grisly sight as those who were murdered have extra mutilation committed after their deaths . The dialogue in this film , preferably from Steve and his tribe of cretins , features non-stop vulgarity and profanity . As far as the characters , the Steve jerk is an obvious antagonist meant to stir your anger . Most of the obnoxious characters in the movie , Ryan explained , were purposely wrote this way so that they can become disposable victims . To me the film was pretty much mean-spirited with rambunctious and obscene characters all the way through . I think this is okay to slasher fans , but I just don't think this will apply to anyone else . I have a hard time finding many other than slasher fans enjoying this one , unless you like really creative , but sickening gore . I love the setting and the use of blue neon ( Nicholson calls this eye candy ) , and the electronic disco score ( . . put together by Patrick Coble with composer Gianni Rossi's work supplied by his family ) seems quite appropriate for such a homage as this one . Also , the murders are indeed potent and shocking , delivering to gorehounds ( . . like myself ) exactly what you often sought in slashers of the past and found lacking . Ryan doesn't pull very many punches and pushes the envelope in Gutterballs , which is why it didn't achieve the kind of release remakes often do . There are plenty of penis and tits , even oral sex , which rather startled me to see such explicit content present in a modern horror film . Slasher buffs should enjoy this one more than the average horror fan . |
436,181 | 9,938,570 | 39,017 | 7 | Terror by Night | Sherlock Holmes and Dr . Watson are on the case assigned to guard a precious jewel ( . . on a necklace ) on a train from London to Edinburgh , when a series of murders occur by those wanting to secure it for it's value is substantial . Of course , a variety of suspects emerge , particularly those who have cabins around the murder scene . The owner of the necklace is Lady Margaret Carstairs ( Mary Forbes ) , and her son is killed while in her cabin by someone in possession of a special gun which injects a poison in the neck like a hypodermic would . Lots of mystery and intrigue as suspicious characters come and go until the major culprit ( s ) are uncovered . Holmes discovers that the mastermind behind stealing the jewel has a number of accomplices , such as the stunning Vivian Vedder ( . . the striking Renee Godfrey ) who agrees to have a special coffin made presumably carrying a relative with a compartment the size to hold the body of a hidden thug . Scotland Yard detective Inspector Lestrade ( Dennis Hoey ) is on board also assigned to watch over the safety of Carstairs and her diamond , assisting Holmes as they pursue the ones responsible for the murders as the moving train heads on it's destination to Edinburgh . As the investigation ensues , threats to Holmes ' and Lestrade's life , and murders to several train employees prove that someone will go to any means to get the diamond . Other suspects include the curmudgeon math teacher , Professor William Kilbane ( Frederick Worlock ) who has contempt for the investigators ( . . particularly Watson , in an amusing exchange of words ) barging into his cabin , and Major Duncan-Bleek ( Alan Mowdray ) , a gentleman club chum of Watson's who seems to have gained their trust , even discussing the case with them . Being a big fan of mysteries and thrillers on board trains , it was especially fun watching a Holmes / Watson installment in such a setting . While the list of suspects is small , there's still some entertainment to be had and seeing Holmes snuff out the mastermind , interfering with the devious schemes of a well orchestrated plot is always a joy to behold . There's certainly one particularly crafty move made towards the end involving a Scottish detective Inspector MacDonald ( Boyd Davis ) and two policeman that is quite an eye-opener . But , as always , Holmes and Watson solve the case . This one exploits Watson's inefficiencies as an investigator in fine comic fashion . . especially when an attempt to interrogate Professor Kilbane falls flat . Renee Godfrey is a mighty delectable dish as a sophisticated partner-in-crime , willing to offer a ride in her relative's coffin for some mongrel in exchange for 100 pounds , knowing who the mastermind is , but keeping mum . . even Holmes has to gaze at her beauty . Rathbone and Nigel Bruce excel as you'd imagine , even if their characters are confined to the cable cars of a train ( . . thrilling scene shows Holmes almost kicked from the train , just hanging on with an inch of his life ) . The jewel sought after is the Star of Rhodesia . |
436,217 | 9,938,570 | 309,832 | 7 | Maléfique | This film centers on four criminals , locked away in a prison who desire escape from their cell , hoping that a mysterious book of black magic , penned by a former inmate around 1920 , named Danvers who wanted to use spells to keep his skin young . Carrère's ( Gérald Laroche ) criminal business tactics ( shortcuts ) have landed him in prison with three oddball cell-mates . . a transsexual brute Marcus ( Clovis Cornillac ) , Marcus ' love-toy Pâquerette ( Dimitri Rataud ) who eats objects he touches ( . . and is in prison for eating his six-month old sister ) and obeys his charge as if " he " were his mother , and the scholarly Lassalle ( Philippe Laudenbach ) who doesn't read , or eat breakfast ( . . the latter being that he murdered his wife during that time of the day ) . The film follows Carrère as he reads from the book , attempting to understand it's meanings hoping to find an exit from his prison . Carrère loves his child , and for a while believes his wife will get him out early on bail . When she betrays him , Carrère begins to slowly seethe with hate , and longing to see and hold his beloved son . Carrère's toughest critic is Marcus , who longs to be fully female , while still folding to several masculine traits , such as working out and taking a leak standing up . He talks tough and uses his muscle as a type of fear tactic , although deep inside is a world of vulnerability . Pâquerette is completely under Marcus ' control and behaves like a canine to it's master . . there's even an alarming scene where Pâquerette breast-feeds from Marcus ! Lassalle is an unraveling mystery , opening up for us to slowly understand his ulterior motives and what lies within his possibly sinister brain . Clearly intellectual , and holding possible secrets from the others , Lassalle is actually the one who keeps the motivation of pursuing the secrets of the book going . Soon , those who aren't a threat to the book seek their " true " escape , not as much from the cell of four walls , but the cell that imprisons their true desires . After a certain murder , the book is thrown from the room with a very fascinating character entering the film with a camcorder as if he were a new occupant . . who is this person and how does he understand the power of a book tosses away , and better yet , how to use it ? A constant in this film is each of the prisoners often seen throughout looking out their window into the world just out of reach . I'm glad I had a chance to watch this film . It does play out like " Monkey's Paw " , the characters get what they desire , but a price must be met . There's gore in the film , startling moments of graphic violence , but , in my opinion , this is first and foremost a story-driven tale . The gore is a product of what the book unleashes . One of the group gets his limbs twisted while suspended in the air , while a grisly opening act displays the carnage left in the wake of one man's desire . We see Danver's fate at the end , with a magnificent special effects sequence regarding an infant melting away . Lassalle's fate is a masterful effects sequence . I will say that Maléfique , through Eric Valette's well paced direction , always kept my attention , and , for being such an isolated movie ( . . about 95 % of the film takes place in a singular location , the prison cell ) it never seems to drag . I guess that's a testament to interesting actors and fascinating characterizations , not to mention a compelling story using the supernatural to drive them . |
436,515 | 9,938,570 | 56,480 | 7 | Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace | Professor Moriarty will do just about anything to acquire the diamond necklace once wore by Cleopatra including murder ( . . by using other hoods to do his dirty work , of course ) but he'll have to contend with his arch nemesis , the Baker Street detective , Sherlock Holmes and his associate Dr . Watson . As a horror buff , this was a dream come true to see such great names associated with Sherlock Holmes . Terrence Fisher as co-director , Christopher Lee as Holmes ( . . his only time as the sleuth which in itself is noteworthy ) , and scribe Curt Siodmak ( The Wolf Man ; I Walked With a Zombie ) as the scenarist all contribute to SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE DEADLY NECKLACE . While I recognize that others didn't find this movie very good ( . . or found it rather lackluster / mediocre ) , I thought it was fun , particularly enjoying the psychological duel between Holmes and Moriarty ( . . who , at one point , attempted to kill Holmes with a mechanism in his cane's handle which fires a blade ) . This may be the only film with Sherlock Holmes which might figure into the Krimi genre as it is mostly produced by a West German company . One major disappointment was not having Lee's authoritative voice dubbed for his Holmes character , which is quite a shame ( . . and a missed opportunity for us who love the idea of seeing Lee as the character , portrayed with his voice , matching his mannerisms and performance ) . It would be ill-advised for me to leave out a wonderful performance from Thorley Walters , a Hammer veteran , as the clumsy , often naive Watson , who must be fed knowledge of Holmes ' activities because he's unable to often add 2 & 2 together on his own . But , Watson , of course , often lends a hand ( . . even playing Holmes ' chauffeur when the sleuth goes undercover , in disguise , to infiltrate Moriarty's home and gang in order to keep the necklace out of the diabolical and dangerous archeologist's hands ) when Holmes so needs him in order to combat Moriarty's plot to steal the necklace by any means necessary . It's a delightful game of cat-n-mouse ( . . or it was to me ) and we are participants . Often , Holmes has to use rather illegal methods in order to retrieve the necklace , stooping to his enemy's level of theft , but it's not officially Mortiarty's property anyway , adding intrigue to their battle over such a desired object of great worth . I think Hans Söhnker is Lee's equal as Moriarty , portraying confidence and arrogance , believing he will accomplish his scheme , using loathsome criminals to carry his orders out , with an ability to manipulate important public figures , even The Queen of England ( . . it's mentioned at the beginning , when Holmes is scolded by Scotland Yard's lead detective , Inspector Cooper , played by Hans Nielsen , that Moriarty is to be knighted ) . It was really cool seeing Lee as such a treasured character , conveying a believable wisdom , always expressing , effectively , Holmes ' abilities to outsmart his adversaries , remaining one step ahead of not only Moriarty , but Scotland Yard as well . I especially loved one sequence where Holmes attempts to stop a planned assassination by Moriarty , outside London where a thief is holding onto the necklace , fearful of his safety , and happening upon the crime scene of a failed murder attempt where Inspector Cooper must be assisted by the sleuth in discovering all the facts , coming across concealed truths only through our beloved detective's guidance . It's a masterfully staged scenario I enjoyed immensely . |
436,891 | 9,938,570 | 75,809 | 7 | The Car | A small town desert community is terrorized by a demonic black car with no driver . . it's mission / objective seems mysterious as it runs down citizens and those who stand in it's path . While the plot seems rather silly , I think it has too many pluses in it's favor including the good . . no great . . cast , great use of Utah locations , and intense scenes where the car chases after innocents . The car itself has no door handles , can not be damaged by bullet-fire ( . . not to mention , it crashes over the top of cop cars leaving little damage after flipping several times in the air ) , has no real distinct features , and a grill which glistens with evil intent . In most scenes , right before the car enters the picture , an ominous wind picks up and the car often unleashes loud horn honks announcing it's arrival . We get an idea of what the car might represent when , after teachers and school children are chased from a parade rehearsal in one harrowing sequence and enter an old graveyard , that it can not trespass on hallowed ground . One major plot hole that I couldn't figure out was why everyone is fair game for the killer car , yet heroic lead Wade Parent ( James Brolin ) , who has to take over as acting-Sheriff after the man in charge , Everett ( played by " Faces " & " Deathdream " eccentric character actor John Marley , who always brings something quirky to even the most average character he portrays ) is run down by the hell-on-wheels , gets a " get-out-of-jail-free " card who stands right in front actually shooting bullets into it . What makes Wade immune to what others receive ? It's one of those screenplay indulgences where the hero is exempt to what others , much more unfortunate ( . . and , ready for dismissal ) , receive . Probably the most shocking sequence comes when a major likable character is mowed over when the car explodes through the house ! Kathleen Lloyd , I thought , was delightful as Wade's love-interest Lauren and a young Ronny Cox stars as Wade's emotionally distraught deputy trying to keep his wits in check . Also , RG Armstrong plays his usual mean sonuvabitch character , except in this particular film he's a wife beater who has something perhaps useful at battling the car when few options seem available to the deteriorated police force being slowly picked off by the evil automobile . The ending is something , I'll tell you , when we actually see what the car really is . If you can look past the film's flaws , it's quite a wild ride . |
436,492 | 9,938,570 | 112,643 | 7 | Castle Freak | John Reilly ( Jeffrey Combs ) has inherited a huge castle from a duchess who , everyday regular , would go into a certain prison chamber to whip and bloody her son . This abuse derives from what her American soldier husband did to her , leaving the duchess for her sister . This adulterous couple bore John who is carrying some personal demons that torment him so . John , who was an alcoholic , was responsible for a car wreck which killed his son and left his daughter with damaged , blinded eyes . His wife , Susan ( Barbara Crampton ) hates him , but has traveled ( with their daughter Rebecca portrayed by Jessica Dollarhide ) with him to the castle . I'm guessing that Susan has remained married to John for the sake of their daughter who would be crushed by a divorce . But , what John doesn't understand is that the brutalized man is still down in the prison tomb and now resembles a monster . He is able to free a hand from a shackle when he breaks off his thumb ( Ouch ! ) and remove the door that has closed him in for decades . Able to roam free , the monster ( Jonathan Fuller , under a latex suit and heavy make-up ) takes a liking to Rebecca , but remains hidden in the 150-room castle often watching the others from behind furniture , sheets , etc . The monster has a massive gash on his mouth and chin which may've resulted to a severe gash from the whip his mother often bludgeoned him with . John really wants to make his marriage work again , but Susan's suffering is too overwhelming for any form of forgiveness . . he was driving drunk and because of that their son is dead and daughter blind . When John finds his marriage at the peak of disaster with Susan pretty much stating she wished he had dies in that wreck instead of coming away without a scratch , he heads for the bar and finds a prostitute only eager to take his cash . Drunk and sneaking the prostitute in the castle unbeknown est to his wife and daughter , John realizes after a little graphic foreplay that he is making a mistake and stops . The prostitute , however , doesn't make it out of the castle . . the castle freak wants to have a little foreplay . When his advancements are turned away in horror at his grotesqueness , the freak will eat . . her ! John was the last to see her alive and will face possible murder charges which only grow worse when the freak kills the cook / maid ( Elisabeth Kaza ) as well . Really well made horror item during Stuart Gordon's tenure with Charles Band's Full Moon Pictures . Good , creepy setting for the freak to run rampant . One might feel some sympathy for this freak because the only reason he is acting so monstrous is because of decades of torture and abuse . The idea of having that created freak opposite a tormented Jeffrey Combs ( . . playing the most normal character I can think of to date ) dealing with guilt over the trauma he has caused his family gives this a lot of serious clout . One thing missing from this creature feature often seen in most of Stuart Gordon's work is the humorous bits . This is a very serious picture and there's just not much room for laughter . These characters are dying inside . . one's a freak on the inside ( Combs ) , the other is on the outside ( Fuller ) . The photography , music , performances are all first-rate . . everyone did a commendable job . Despite Gordon's various ways of clothing the freak in darkness , at times he just looks like a man in latex . Still , Gordon does frame him in some gruesome , freakish ways such as blood dripping off his snarling teeth when his face rushes at the screen . But , most of the time Gordon tries keeping as much of the monster hidden as possible ( at one point during the film , the freak robes himself with a sheet he stole off of a chair ) . |
436,133 | 9,938,570 | 883,995 | 7 | 13 : Game of Death | Dark , often somber ( . . while also being quite outrageous and comic ) psychological parable of what man , in a state of unrest and distress , would do to become rich . Chit's ( Krissada Terrence ) life is in a state of turmoil . He has been fired from his musical instrument salesman job , lost his girlfriend to rock stardom , and is tormented by a past with a horrible , abusive father . Holding unpaid bills in his hand and seeing his car towed away , Chit is faced with quite a crisis . A call from an unknown source proclaiming to be a reality show game offers Chit a chance to make millions if he agrees to participate in a series of challenges , phoned to him by the network behind the reality show . Each obstacle becomes increasingly more hostile and amoral , as Chit's actions make him a wanted man , his face on the news and the police looking for his whereabouts . Eventually , Chit will have to make a harrowing decision if he wishes to win the big bucks . Either decision will change Chit's life forever . While a bit far-fetched , Chukiat Sakveerakul's tale of desperation exploring the boundaries we are willing to go to achieve fortune sure grips hold thanks to fascinating subject matter . I doubt that Chit could've made it as far as he did , because the screenplay ( . . how this game show's network is able to always have everything in place by the time their contestant gets there without fail ) depends a hell of a lot on coincidence . And , one wonders if anyone ( . . of course a few numskulls would in this day and age of greed and corruption ) , let alone poor sap Chit , would continue down such a dark path . This film is a lot like SAW in that a character runs through a series of obstacles where his decisions have great repercussions and everything that occurs from the moment he starts is based on being at the right place at exactly the right time . This is above all things a movie and obviously Chit will make it through every single scenario regardless of how unbelievable they are ( . . like his unlikely escape from a police force after him in a hospital ) . Sakveerakul and company ask for a leap of faith . . . are you willing to take it ? The same question would be asked to those who watch SAW and it's endless supply of sequels . " 13 : Game of Death " has a voice , though , and isn't just an elaborate puzzlebox with endless death traps and gory murders . It has something to say and , despite a series of violent actions and aftermath of the game Chit's playing ( . . what a clothing line does to traveling motorcyclists and the vicious attack on ex-girlfriend's abusive beau with a steel chair ) , this film isn't really gory . I'm not sure why it's part of the Dimension Extreme label . There's some blood , and the allegory on display is a wicked one with an ending that will depress the hell out of you , but " 13 : Game of Death " isn't that extreme . The most warped sequence would have to be when Chit must go into a well , emerging from it with the corpse of the elderly cripple inside it while calling his uncaring relatives after he reaches the top ! The film is clever , paced extremely well , with stunning camera-work , well acted , and exhausting . But , boy , does our hero get run through the ringer . |
436,497 | 9,938,570 | 61,405 | 7 | Billion Dollar Brain | Our Man Harry ( Michael Caine ) gets suckered back into espionage thanks to crooked pal , Leo ( Karl Malden ) who wishes to make a big pay day off of some virus-infected eggs . Leo takes commands from a robotic device that is merely an extension of a much larger brain located in Texas under the supervision of Commie-hating oil magnate General Midwinter ( Ed Begley , just a house-of-fire exploding MW's furious patriotic pride against the Russian commies and their stranglehold over Latvia ) . Leo's in love with the mysterious Anya ( Françoise Dorléac ) whose motives seem to be at servicing her man his every corrupt desire . Meanwhile , the British want Palmer back working for them . In an interesting stab at irony , the enemy actually lend Harry a helping hand through various problems by the way of Russia's own Colonel Stok ( Oskar Homolka ) who warns Harry that he should get out of this situation while he's still out of danger . Yet , Harry needs that flask which contains the virus eggs and will have to coerce Leo into helping him infiltrate Midwinter's computerized compound in Texas so that not only can he see what the mad general's overall plans are , but to catch his " pal " in a moment of weakness . The Harry Palmer series is clearly an alternative to the James Bond saga with Harry often finding himself stuck in the middle of a few very difficult situations with the filmmakers taking creative license in order for him to escape without real harm . It is quite far-fetched , but these spy thrillers often are . The cast is great with Begley just playing Midwinter over-the-top bonkers as the leader of men he believes will rise up against the Soviets and their Communist regime . Malden is good at playing the smiling con-artist and Caine is quite fun at playing Harry reserved and calm despite the chaos and horrifying possible circumstances that might derive from a crazed patriot with way too much money and technology . Dorléac is sexy in a rather limited role and the always-smiling Homolka is a hoot as the Colonel who knows a lot more than others realize thanks to secret connections . |
435,681 | 9,938,570 | 68,183 | 7 | Ricco | A young man named Ricco ( Chris Mitchum ) gets a year off his sentence after serving two years in prison , and quietly sets out to even a score against mafioso king Don Vito ( Arthur Kennedy ) , the man responsible for murdering his mob boss father so that he could have control over the entire city . What erupts is a blood feud where many tragic casualties , innocents whose blood are shed , lie in the wake of Ricco and Vito's rivalry . Ricco finds an ally in an old friend of his father's niece , Scilla ( Barbara Bouchet ) . . Scilla , at first , participates for kicks , but soon finds that she's in love with Ricco and realizes that his feud with Vito will only leave a lot of innocent people dead . Once Ricco gets mixed up with a crooked partner of Vito's , Cyrano ( Eduardo Fajardo ) , once a pal of his father , there's no turning back . Diamonds , and collected dues of those benefactors for whom Vito " protects " , soon play into matters as does Ricco's old squeeze , Rosa ( Malisa Longo ) now " property " of the Don . Vito cherishes Rosa , and anyone who dares even attempt to touch what is his will inherit a trip into his vat of acid . The climax is a shoot-out at Don Vito's factory with Ricco seeking revenge when those he loves are slain in horrific gang-land style fashion . Ultra violent crime thriller with Christopher Mitchum walking tall , saying only what needs to be said . . like his father Robert , Chris doesn't overexert himself . He's quite the cool customer , approaching even the most violent situations with a laid-back calm staring down possible death at every turn . Kennedy inhibits the sadistic Don Vito as if born to play him . . having portrayed villains in westerns with ease , playing the heavy in " Ricco " is a piece of cake . The true star of this film , besides Barbara Bouchet who always knows how to make a scene , is Malisa Longo as Rosa , who takes you completely away from the film immediately casting your eyes towards her . She's quite a feast to salivate over . . the kind of sex kitten who would have you turning cart-wheels and barking like a dog . She's " to die for " and one does , but I certainly understand why one would risk the chance to bed her . Whether walking around in lingerie or bathing top-less , she's a tasty dish . . no a gourmet meal . Matter of fact , she's the best part of the meal . . she's the desirable dessert . I found that Mitchum and Bouchet had good chemistry and that both knew the wattage they carried on screen . Mitchum carries that effortless cool and Bouchet is so damn sexy , and knows it , I never questioned why I liked watching them together on screen . Bouchet even performs a nice little strip-tease for the viewer . . thanks dear for providing another memorable scene ( . . like Bouchet hasn't provided ample memories already ! ) I can carry away into my fantasies . Getting away from the babes , I have to mention the castration scene . One fellow , Tony ( Manuel Zarzo ) can not resist Rosa's sexual advances ( . . given the situation , I can see why he succumbs to her wiles ) and is caught by the Don . Tony fights three of the Don's goons before getting his privates sliced off with a knife . . he then gets his penis and testicles shoved down his throat before being tossed in Vito's acid vat ! If the opening scene where Ricco's father's face is shot in point-blank , then this gory sequence of events does . When it comes to subtlety , you'd better look elsewhere because the Italians always go for broke . |
435,984 | 9,938,570 | 734,588 | 7 | Long Live Walter Jameson | Professor Sam Kittridge ( Edgar Stehli ) is concerned about the man his daughter plans to marry . Sam has known this man ( History Professor Walter Jameson , played very understated and serious by Kevin McCarthy ) for twelve years and yet he hasn't aged at all . He even finds an old Civil War photograph with a soldier who looks exactly similar to Jameson . . wearing the exact same ring with a certain mole in the exact same place on his face ! Sam probes Jameson wondering if it was quite possible that he has the secret to immortality . Sam gets his answer and wishes to know how he can have the same immortality for he fears death greatly . Jameson explains that he is in fact 2 , 000 years old and that the secret of his eternal life through the centuries was from an alchemist who was gone with the money that paid for the procedure . That was during Plato's time ! But , we later find as Jameson discusses immortality that there are plenty of reasons against the very idea of having the ability to remain ageless forever if no bodily harm comes . Jameson explains that he has seen many wives and children grow old and die while he stays the very same age . There's a melancholy in his voice that speaks against taking his option of having immortality , but he admits to cowardice in not being able to simply commit suicide and end it all . An elderly woman , having followed Jameson to his new residence , has ties to him and may be the key to his ending it all . The film is really a treatise on living past your acquired time . We all have a time to live and die , but the idea of living beyond your years for centuries shows disadvantages such as seeing so many of those you love fade away as you yourself are left alone with the same face . Towards the end , there are some great " age " make-up sequences describing Jameson's fate . |
436,706 | 9,938,570 | 164,961 | 7 | Dark Portals / Vidocq | We watch in the opening of the film a detective named Vidocq ( Gérard Depardieu ) in battle with what appears to be a supernatural being with a glass framed face buried within a black cloak . It looks as if Vidocq fell to his doom in a fire-pit in the guts of a glassworks factory . His " biographer " Etienne ( Guillaume Canet ) wishes to pursue his hero's case and the film follows him from lead to lead learning about the killer called The Alchemist who is a mythic ghost whose glass face is said to steal the souls of victims . How Vidocq took the case was through a Chief of Police trying to figure out how three prominent members of Paris society wound up dead , two of them being burnt by lightning ( the two who are actually burnt are an arms dealer and chemist ) . We find as Etienne dig deeper and deeper that these three only had love in their hearts for themselves and would do anything to preserve their youth . . even making a deal with The Alchemist by supplying him pure virgins from poor families they pay so that they can receive a serum for not aging . All this revolves around a tumultuous political climate ( . . which might become an upheaval ) as King Charles is threatening the suppression of the press and dissolving of parliament . Also , Paris in 1830 is quite a lurid , perverse place where any vice of anyone with wealthy means could be satisfied . We see this as Etienne continues on his journey to find answers to Vidocq's demise . Director Pitof's in-your-face style may be jarring or unnerving for some viewers because the camera suffocatingly closes in on the actors faces . We get all close and personal even with the ugly sorts with rotted teeth or vile expressions . The film's special effects almost look purposely unrealistic and surreal creating a Paris so bizarre it's almost otherworldly . The Alchemist is quite a creation as he can do so many acrobatic and supernatural things . Another thing I found stunning was how Pitof's camera moves . It rotates around , following the characters and action . Pitof also likes his camera shooting upward from the ground . We rarely see a simply , ordinary shot of characters . . everything seems unorthodox and unusual . And , the twist that comes at the end turns your usual detective story on it's head . I certainly didn't see it coming . |
436,119 | 9,938,570 | 85,883 | 7 | Macumba Sexual | The mysterious Princess Obongo ( Ajita Wilson ) of the Canary Islands , who may or may not be dead , and her erotic ( . . and perhaps evil ) effects on a vacationing couple . Alice ( Lina Romay ) is a real estate agent and her lover ( Antonio Mayans ) , a writer , are overcome by the passionate dreams featuring Obongo and the film follows their submission to her lustful will . What are Obongo's motives ? More importantly , who is she and what does she symbolize / represent ? What is her purpose and / or objective for Alice and her lover ? While the film is essentially another VERY stylized and evocative porno , Franco uses imagery of voodoo , African statues & tribal objects , along with the stunning locations of the South of the Canary Islands and dream-like sequences between Obongo ( mostly relishing her acts towards her quarry ) and her prey , to create an otherworldly experience . I don't think one ever truly feels the film is grounded in reality , and I do feel that's what Franco was going for . The film is really about Franco's love affair with the Canary islands and Romay's naked flesh . . the director's camera embraces both . I do think the setting , and voodoo imagery layered within , are crucial for the atmosphere produced in this film . I didn't particularly find any of the characters attractive , so the other strengths worked more for me that the multiple sex sequences . Ajita Wilson is quite a presence on screen , if the others in the film do little to assist her . Romay looks rather ridiculous in that wig , but she is basically in the film to move and twist her naked body in a bed , or being seduced by Wilson and her hideous , dog collared entourage . |
436,161 | 9,938,570 | 50,393 | 7 | Fiend Without a Face | Get a load of this premise : A scientist , whose studies on psychic phenomena are well renowned , has developed an apparatus that drains the atomic power from a US Airforce base radar which provides him with the ability to detach thought from his conscious giving it a separate entity . This entity becomes a monstrous fiend that drains intellect ( ! ) from human victims in a nearby town Winthrop attaching to the base of the occipital region of the neck ( by drilling two small holes ) , penetrating to the medulla obolongata where the spinal cord meets the brain . Now get this , the fiend sucks out each victim's brain while also removing their spinal cord ! Here's the kicker . . they're invisible and need brains to survive and multiply . The scientist , Professor Walgate ( Kynaston Reeves ) , didn't have a clue of what he unleashed on the earth . . all he was wanting to do was test his theories and prove that thought materialization was possible . The town , at first , blame the Airforce base for the deaths of the citizens due to their atomic radar experiments ( they use atomic power to increase the proficiency of their radar range to spy on the Russians ) , but when Major Jeff Cummings ( Marshall Thompson . . many might recognize him from " It ! The Terror from Beyond Space " ) begins snooping for answers they lead right to the Professor , whose physical condition has worsened due to his mental experiments . The climax is just fantastic . . the creatures gain such strength through the growing atomic radiation ( now that the fiends have multiplied , they destroy rods within the plant that control the ability to cut the reactor off ) they appear visible . They look like giant brains with the spinal cord guiding their movements . . they literally move around like snakes up trees and dart through holes at poor victims holed up in the Professor's house ! As Cummings heads for the base nuclear plant , a group of characters try to fend off the fiends . To stop them , the nuclear plant will have to cease giving them the atomic energy they need . The special effects are stunning for a film made in 1958 . The film really consists of amazing stop-motion effects . What's really cool is when the Airforce guys still alive within the Professor's house begin riddling the fiends with bullets . . this strawberry jam like goo pusses out ! I guess it's supposed to resemble blood , but I still thought it was well done under the circumstances of the low budget . You do see the brain creatures attach to victims at the end . The effects for the fiends both invisible when they move on top of ( . . and through ) objects , and the ending where they are visible and move around ( . . one cool sequence has one of the fiends using it's spinal cord to grab a chisel hammer ! ) , I thought were just superb . Consider me quite a fan of this movie . I don't know why it has such a bad rep . For 50's sci-fi monster movie fans , this is a must . |
436,769 | 9,938,570 | 167,147 | 7 | Evil Dead Trap | Toshiharu Ikeda's " Evil Dead Trap " seems to start out as an effective , ultra-violent slasher . One can clearly see where the Saw franchise may've gotten a few ideas . But , once most of the victims have been eliminated , this film takes a Mondo Bizarro turn and definitely left this viewer's jaw dropping a loud thud to the floor . Television station late night talk show host is sent what appears to be a snuff video recording where a female victim is mutilated by a knife blade , ripping her flesh , stabbing into her eyeball . Nami Tsuchiya ( Miyuki Ono ) wishes to pursue the one responsible ( . . she doesn't take the recording as serious , actually making funny to her director about boosting rating if she were killed by the psycho on assignment ) , who left a way of travel on the recording to an abandoned military installation , fallen to ruin , but her employers haven't the budget to fund such an expedition . So Nami's television crew , opt to join her , not knowing that a serial killer lies in wait , ready to butcher them in various ways , setting traps they'll unfortunately walk into . Nami meets a mysterious , handsome , quietly enigmatic man who tells her to be careful as he pursues his brother Hideki . This man knows more than he's telling and will meet up with Nami once again , after she loses her friends , who fall to the killer one by one . The major twist which is certain to floor a few folks if they haven't read up on this film is exactly who Hideki really is and how he will effect her life forever . As I mentioned at the very start , Ikeda sets up the film following the usual patterns well established in the slasher genre . A group of young adults enter into the hunting ground of a hidden psychopath , dying in gruesome ways . The first to die had just finished having sex with her boyfriend , who was the show's assistant director . Eventually , the characters separate , converge together , then walk into traps set by the killer . Like in numerous slashers , dead bodies surprise victims who only realize just what their up against after witnessing them . Wooden spikes stab through a female victim . One female victim , who actually makes it out of the warehouse , is attacked by the killer's servant , who subsequently sexually molests her while gripping her throat , strangling her just enough to keep her at bay as he forces himself in her as she struggles mightily to escape . Before he's executed with a metal pike rammed through his face and out his mouth , this deviant informs her ( . . but , more importantly , us ) that the two killers are actually one . She hopes to free herself , but is dragged over the roof of the company van by a wire noose slamming head-first to pavement . Another is bound by tape , as Nami trips a wire which sends a swinging blade into the side of her face . But , these elaborate death sequences ( . . including the opening snuff kill which certainly informs the viewer what you're up against ) pale in comparison with Nami's introduction and on-going battle with Hideki . That is certainly the show-stopping finale ( . . including what happens to Nami at the very end when she believes she had finally rid herself of Hideki forever ) I never saw coming . The very definition of " the rug being swept out from under you . " For the exception of Ono and her mysterious assistant , the rest of the cast ( . . like in your common slasher movie ) are disposable victims . |
436,036 | 9,938,570 | 32,258 | 7 | Black Friday | A scientist is about to be put to death via the electric chair and before this occurs hands a written diary of the events leading to this grim fate . A renowned brain surgeon , Dr . Ernest Sovac ( Boris Karloff ) decides to save his pal , professor George Kingsley ( Stanley Ridges , the true star of the film ) whose marvelous brain is damaged in a gangster shoot-out passing through when notorious mobster Red Cannon crashes into him . Sovac sees that his friend will die unless he can perform a delicate brain procedure using transplantation as a key to any degree of success . Red's spinal cord is broken so Sovac decides to use parts of his brain to save George . That's all well and good until Sovac notices that Red had $500 , 000 hidden away somewhere in New York City ( Sovac sees an opportunity to build a proper laboratory using Red's cash as means to build it while also paying for equipment he might need ) for which he summons that dormant personality inside poor recuperating George's brain . It's quite obvious that Red's personality is stronger that tender , gentle George and he soon starts bumping off those gangsters who betrayed them through strangulation . Marnay ( Bela Lugosi , effective with a rather minor role ) is the mobster who convinced Red's bunch to turn on him taking the top position . Sunny Rogers ( Anne Nagel ) is Red's former moll who is quite shaken with bewilderment when this older gent springs on her claiming to be her old gangster love . Sunny , however , is working behind Red's back with Marnay hoping to get a piece of the action if they can retrieve the $500 , 000 from him when he least expects it . Meanwhile , Sovac tries his best to keep the Red personality as dormant as possible just wishing to find out where the large cash box is . Unfortunately for Sovac , the Red personality can be triggered at the sound of police sirens . Jekyll and Hyde variation using gangster elements . |
435,877 | 9,938,570 | 23,649 | 7 | Vampyr | Journeyman Allan Grey , a morbid fellow , with special interests in the occult such as devil worship and vampirism , finds himself in a place eerily similar in tone to the supernaturally evil subjects he studies . . a creepy inn nearby a castle housing a family haunted by a vampire and a sinister doctor who could be doing it's bidding . While , the film does indeed have a story , master director Dreyer is clearly more interested in building an atmosphere with weird goings-on where shadows live and breathe and our gloomy hero becomes a part of a plot by a vampire to take over an innocent family using a doctor and his accomplice as slaves for it's bidding . The film contains shadows dancing , a man's shadow moving on it's own , Allan's " out-of-body " spirit witnessing the doctor and his accomplice closing a casket containing his body ( . . with Dreyer shooting Allan within the coffin , through Allan's eyes looking out the coffin window , and Allan's dead face from behind the coffin glass ; each image is quite spooky and effective ) , the Lord of the Manor , whose home Allan finds himself , shot by a shadowy figure's rifle , a skeletal hand with a bottle of poison appearing in Allan's dream among other sequences providing the viewer with lots to remember . I thought it was a bit slow-moving and methodical , certainly a product of cinema just releasing as sound was being introduced on the outskirts of silent film . An odd collection of characters with very interesting faces . Dreyer's camera moves as methodically as his film's pace . Certainly an interesting companion with something like Murnau's Nosferatu which would make an ideal double feature . Great dissolve from corpse face to skull after a vampire is staked through the heart . Ideal location for filming such a Gothic horror tale with the low-quality transfer actually surprisingly enhancing the experience , for me at least . Thankfully , I watched this on Turner Classics in about as pristine a form as I could ever expect . Really , the film feels and looks like a silent picture and really doesn't need any sound at all . All you'd need are title cards and music and it'd be an ideal silent film . Seems to feature heavily religious undertones where the power of evil can overtake the good unless instructions are followed properly through the use of a guide provided to Allan by the Lord of the Manor , who left orders for the " vampire book " to be read after his death . |
436,374 | 9,938,570 | 87,799 | 7 | Night of the Comet | Cheerleader Samantha ( the gorgeous Kelli Maroney ) and her older sister , cinema employee / arcade wiz Regina ( the delightful Catherine Mary Stewart ) find themselves in a bit of a difficult situation . . the entire civilization as they knew it was wiped out by an apocalyptic comet hinted at as the possible reason behind the extinction of the dinosaurs . All that remains of their friends , neighbors , and city dwellers is dust marking the clothes they wore before the comet disintegrated them . Those that didn't receive immediate exposure to the radioactive comet ( . . and weren't lucky enough to have been inside a metallic structure like Regina and Sam ) are slowly dying by a plague slowly turning them into zombies . Regina and Samantha make it for a radio station believing the voice across their radio is a survivor find that it was a recording but do meet Hector ( Robert Beltran ) . Hector is a kind truck driver who was in the back of his truck trailer with a female hitcher when the comet came across the sky . Trying to reach out for other possible survivors across the air waves are heard by scientists ( including cult fave Mary Woronov and character actor Geoffrey Lewis ) slowly dying from the plague . The scientists believe ( well not Woronov who has accepted her fate as the plague has accelerated causing loss of memory ) that blood from those not effected by the comet can create a serum . This is probably false hope stemming from desperation as the scientists are losing their memory and becoming not only for irritable but dangerous as their plague is taking over . Certain peril often comes Reg and Sam's way as they pursue some sort of life outside of the apocalyptic situation probing a mall . In that mall is a pack of dying , nearly turning ( into zombies ) , and insane gang of thugs who wish to kill Reg and Sam . They will square off in a gun fight . Also , Reg will have to deal with the scientists wanting to extract blood from her while they believe Sam ( due to her scratching around the neck because of bad nerves ) has received the plague . Hector will return to San Diego for a short spell to try and see if his mother was a victim . Returning he'll have to rescue Reg from possible doom as those scientists also plan to extract blood from a couple of healthy kids found . Irresistible genre mixer combining elements of zombies , Valley Girl satire , apocalyptic sci-fi and counter-culture humor . It all works surprisingly well as this film is quite entertaining . But , the female leads are so wonderful to watch that they overcome some of the film's shortcomings . There's nothing funnier than seeing Sam firing off a semi-automatic at a car as her target for practice . To explain how these girls are able to escape some scruffy situations is that their father was a Vietnam vet who finally figured out that his children were girls . Not gory at all as zombie films often are . The film plays up the apocalyptic angle more and is successful at that . I think the 80's nostalgia factor is what makes the film so easy to like because the females are a product of yuppie consumerism . |
435,959 | 9,938,570 | 95,379 | 7 | Intruder | A psychopath , possibly cashier Jennifer's ( Elizabeth Cox ) recently released boyfriend who wants to rekindle their broken relationship , is murdering the employees of a grocery store on the verge of being sold . Outrageous gore film runs the gamut of bloody ways to kill these poor folks who have no idea that some madman is behind them . The numerous methods of this slayer include a person's face being destroyed by a box crushing machine , a face being split apart by a meat slicer , a person being hung on a meat hook through the throat , the trusty butcher knife stabbing into chests & into the back of one man's head , not to mention the unfortunate fellow forced eye first into a desk letter spike with blood trickling on a fallen lamp bulb painting the ceiling red . A meat cleaver is used effectively to halt a killer's attack on Jennifer , trapped in a fallen telephone booth , turned over by the psycho . And , to top it all off , the killer uses the decapitated head of a victim to throttle a man unconscious ! I think the grim conclusion , where innocents may be considered the ones responsible for the killer's carnage , puts a damper on the film's overall tongue-in-cheek tone ( . . of course , some may see this as tongue-in-cheek ) . And , I'm not quite sure the identity of the psycho and his reasons for butchering the grocery employees , holds up well . One might say that when the killer explains his bloodlust to Jennifer , why he continued to kill long after punishing his desired target , the slasher flick falls right in line with how over-the-top the movie is . Horror buffs should enjoy watching director Sam Raimi as a meat man and his brother Ted as a nerdy produce manager ( . . with a penchant for watermelon ) . Elizabeth Cox is cute and adequate in the role of " final girl " trying to escape the clutches of the serial killer , trying to find an exit from the store . Bruce Campbell is wasted in a small , unimportant cameo as an aggressive policeman at the end . Dan Hicks lets it all hang out as Bill , the grocery boss who resists the idea of selling the store he built from scratch , who seems to be a soft-spoken , kindly employer to his hired help . David Byrnes looks thuggish as the red herring ex-con boyfriend , who bullies those who attempt to pry him from Jennifer . Some slasher fans might feel frustrated with the film because it takes a while before the violence ensues , with director Scott Spiegel trying to bring a style , through every kind of camera angle imaginable , using reflections of faces ( bouncing from a lifted butcher knife , from mirrors or swinging glass doors ) , shooting from the inside of shopping carts , through empty spots ( . . between merchandise items ) on store shelves , from high above explaining the vastness of the killing grounds available to the psychopath . . if there was a way to shoot characters unusually with off-kilter camera angles , Spiegel does so . Obviously , Spiegel knows that the material he has isn't much , but by bringing an unorthodox style to this slasher flick , he keeps you entertained before the murder spree begins . An 80's sleeper and perfect Midnight viewing . |
436,274 | 9,938,570 | 780,485 | 7 | Blood Car | Sick-in-the-head , foul-mouthed , crude-humored comedy satire on the obsession of fuel about a quiet , scrawny , geeky vegan kindergarten schoolteacher , Archie Andrews ( Mike Brune ) who discovers by accident that his wheat-grass engine in fact works on blood . Through trial and error , Archie creates a metal fan chopper which he sets up in his trunk for animals with a long plastic tube that feeds blood to the engine . . but soon Archie finds that people make his car's engine run longer . What ultimately motivates Archie to commit such atrocities like dumping the carcasses of a dead old woman neighbor , war vet with plastic limbs ( . . he actually beats the poor guy into the trunk with his own plastic leg ) , a bubbly hot brain-dead blond ( . . he goads her to his trunk by proclaiming that puppies are back there ) , and black gangster ( . . and a gas station owner who wishes to know why the black gangster was in Archie's trunk ) in his trunk body smasher is the fact that profane and slutty Meat Stand operator ( ! ) Denise ( Katie Rowlett ) will perform all kinds of sexual acts just to have the pleasures of riding in a car ( . . she has a superiority complex deriving from the idea that those who ride in cars are simply better than those who can not afford to ) . The relationship between Archie and Denise is a tool for an endless parade of homosexual gags . . you'll find out as you watch it . Lorraine ( . . cutie Anna Chlumsky , of " My Girl " fame who is so short and nerdy , but so darn likable ) , the Vegan Stand operator ( ! ) carries a torch for Archie even creating perverse artistic renderings between them . But , most of the film shows Archie escaping endless threats by government suits who wish to commandeer the vehicle so that his blood car can be studied and mass-produced for the marketplace since gas runs 33 dollars a gallon ( . . this warped comedy is set slightly in the future ) . Most of the comedy is dead pan using skinny , weakly Archie , who bores his poor students to tears reading from novels that mean nothing to their rather young ears , as this vessel of parody . . he's often " showcased " in various sexual scenarios with Denise who may be " more " than she appears ( hint : during their first sexual confrontation , she has him wearing his own shirt over his face ) . Chlumsky , who doesn't appear in that many film since her childhood days , is just adorable yet carries this wanton sexual desire for Archie that culminates in a less-than-enthusiastic ( . . for her , it is , but Archie , no ) sexual episode on his bed ( . . not elaborated , so sorry for those who are curious about what Chlumsky might look like naked ) . Also , a running series of gore-gags concern the government agents who always seem to foul up either capturing Archie or his car , often ending up as fuel . For the most part , this film isn't for the easily offended , because most of the " funny " jokes and gags are really rather in poor taste . For instance , what the government agents do with all those who know Archie , so that they can erase his existence . SPOILER Or , the final gag where Archie , now perhaps President of the USA , holding an infant , does something with the newborn so that good ole America could still run those cars . While , the dialogue doesn't always tickle the funny-bone , there's enough outrageous moments of grue and blood splatter , along with the equal doses of wicked gags to sustain interest . But , this will undoubtedly ruffle a few feathers . |
436,043 | 9,938,570 | 388,098 | 7 | Flower and Snake | Aya Sugimoto is one of the most beautiful Japanese actresses I have laid eyes on . And , she gives a daring and courageous performance , prepared to do whatever her director , Takashi Ishii , desires to bring an authenticity and dramatic depth towards a female character treated with the utmost hostility , sexual degradation , rape and bonafide humiliation through some shocking acts of indecent behavior towards her by a powerful 95 year old Yakuza king whose stoic , deeply serious lieutenant assists in continuing the success of a underground establishment , known as The Coliseum , where they service a secret society of the most wealthy and elite with sex & torture shows . Sugimoto portrays a popular tango dancer , Shizuko Tôyama , whose weak , alcoholic husband , a president of a business going under , has sold her to the elderly Yakuza boss to pay off serious debts . Her husband regrets this decision and plans to bring her home , but discovers that Shizuko seems to be enjoying the depraved and violently sexual conduct performed in front of a costumed crowd . The film before Shizuko is kidnapped , displays how her marriage is quietly dying and that she has been having recurring S & M fantasies . So , in a dark sense of irony , what she had often dreamed is coming true . Her kickboxing female bodyguard , Kyôko Nojima ( Misaki ) , is also kidnapped and sexually molested and mistreated . While the old man and his lieutenant look on from a room through a wide screen at the shows presented for their " entertainment " , Shizuko is put through a rigorous and highly exhausting series of " performances " , her life in possible danger if she doesn't cooperate . Any attempts to escape seem futile . The ending opens a possibility that the torture shows and those behind them may not be what they seem . The film seems built to shock , but is incredibly well made and probably the most artistic representation of S & M mistreatment ever made . Or , one of the best . While Ishii doesn't exactly wallow in the fine details , there's enough indecency and deviant behavior to satisfy the kind of crowd yearning for so . The acting by the cast , especially from Sugimoto who is superb , is quite good . But , prepare for a lot of startlingly unpleasant sequences involving Shizuko , including a disturbing " reinactment " of Christ's crucifixion between two thieves , and our heroine's decision to make love with the very old Yakuza sleaze bag who uses his tongue to caress throughout her rope-bound body . A definite signature of torture in this film is how Shizuko , and Nojima , are often bound tightly to wood by rope . . . you can actually hear the sound and see the expressions of pain which really sell these scenes which are certain to make a few wary viewers squirm . There is a LOT of nudity , and Sugimoto often is featured naked , her fantastic physique put to the test often . It takes a committed performer to put herself through what this role demands . |
436,372 | 9,938,570 | 80,040 | 7 | Tourist Trap | Absolutely bizarre thriller regarding a nutcase with telekinetic powers who traps tourists making what they believe is a routine stop , resulting in him turning them into mannequins ! This nutjob has quite a large house where he has stored a BUNCH of mannequins which means quite a few unfortunate passersby fell into his supernatural clutches . We follow a motley group of people whose jeep breaks down and needs repairs ( we see the nutjob's telekinetic skill at work when he kills one of their members as he was attempting to find help with a low tire ) . Each member falls prey to the nutjob , dressed in an ugly , plastic mask and matty wig . Those who attempt to fight back , survive , or escape come to realize that the nutjob's abilities are just too powerful . The nutjob takes a personal interest in Molly ( Jocelyn Jones ) who resembles his wife from time past . Most of the film consists of each person stumbling into the killer who sneaks from the darkness " capturing " their will and seizing control . They have no choice but to be plastered ! Molly , because of her lucky resemblance to his wife , might be the only one with a chance to escape . Mannequins , along with dolls and clowns , are just creepy . They are blank , emotionless figures which represent the outside of a human being . They are put to great use thanks to this twisted , unusual premise . Shrouded in darkness , they seem to be alive and when their mouth fly open , a moment of harmony breaks out . It brings quite a delirious tone to the film as they lunge forward at their master's command . Notable for a flat-out bonkers role from Chuck Conners and eye-candy from Tanya Roberts before she became a Charlie's Angel and Bond girl . Not an overly violent film , but one that has a strange vibe that leaves you unsettled . Probably director David Schmoeller's best film to date . |
436,773 | 9,938,570 | 61,036 | 7 | The Witch | I had just recently revisited Wise's The Haunting , starring Richard Johnson in a role as dedicated , wonderfully humane " ghost hunter " , so I realized just what kind of talent the man really has seeing him in a completely different role as a successful ladies ' man , always moving from one sexual relationship to another , being pursued by a batty old former beauty , Consuelo ( Sarah Ferrati ) living within a ramshackle mansion which seems modeled after her . . both setting and owner have lost their luster , beauty now deteriorating . Johnson is Sergio , a " historian " ( . . he has a profession , but it plays second fiddle to his ongoing duties chasing tail ) sought by Consuelo for more than his skills at translation and setting her husband's old library , falling to waste and crawling rats , in order . Sergio is the kind of male used to getting what he wants until growing tired of whoever he's dating . But , Sergio , who doesn't seem that interested in the job , and less so with Consuelo who is hideous and ugly to him , finds a reason to remain when he meets Aura ( Rosanna Schiaffino ; a stunning Italian beauty of the 60's , with perfect curves and soft skin ) who seduces him by merely walking and moving around a room . . she has that effect on people , and would me as well . Sergio would be taking the position of Fabrizio ( Gian Maria Volontè ) , a slightly off-kilter man who seems a little distraught , absolutely obsessed with Aura , almost to the point of quiet madness . Very protective of her , Fabrizio wishes for Sergio to leave , but seems awfully distracted with her designs to perhaps release him for the new man who presents a threat to their relationship . Sergio , quite a caveman desiring to snatch Aura away and have her for himself , will soon come to blows with Fabrizio , with tragic results . With a cover-up ensuing thanks to Aura and Consuelo's threatening not to absolve him for an accidental murder , Sergio will find himself at the mercy of them . . he desires Aura to the point that he'd do anything to embrace her , a blissful passionate union results , but Consuelo doesn't wish for their happiness to last . Sergio finds that Aura is controlled by Consuelo , a form of witchcraft she uses to enslave men and he is caught in her web . Will Sergio ever get to have Aura when that horrifying wretch controls her comings and goings ? Or , will he remain in an emotionally tortured state awaiting Aura's return , at the mercy of Consuelo ? I watched a rather bad quality print , and believe the film is definitely worthy of a proper transfer . To see this in a pristine form , with quality sound and properly enhanced visual quality , " The Witch " might capture a wider audience . Director Damiano Damiani ( Amityville-The Possession ) crafts quite a tale of obsession and desire with quite a cast at his disposal . Johnson delivers in spades regarding a direct change during this film going from confident , manipulative male , quite able to conquer the beautiful supply of female populating the city , to a shriveling worm , weak-in-the-knees and pleading for his Aura . . completely controlled and under his paramour's spell . Ferrati looks like a witch , and has all the right features at creating an older jealous woman yearning to have the looks that would attract the men that were once cowering at her feet , making life miserable for those who now wish for Aura , a goddess manifested from her dark power to bring those like Sergio to a place of disquiet and agony . Interesting idea that Schiaffino's beauty is used as a weapon against men for they are overwhelmed by her outer qualities than the person herself which might just be the moral of the story . . being eclipsed by a Helen of Troy and willing to go to any lengths to inherit her , we find ourselves heading for a downfall . The film like Schiaffino's character is quite a tease , not giving us what we truly desire . That in itself also works within the story , men want Aura , but never truly have her . Volontè has a much smaller role , but he is incredibly vital to the story because he represents what Sergio will soon become once he has taken Aura to bed . He's our example of what Aura's power will slowly do to any man who finds themselves in her trap , swept away by lust . I think this is where Damiani's true strength lies , establishing Schiaffino as a ravishing creature , only available to the men in her circle when Consuelo decides so . Schiaffino is often shown disrobing ( . . Damiani never shows her nude flesh to my chagrin ) with the director just giving us a taste of her smooth skin , the camera often moving away as her clothes come off . We are carried away like Sergio because Schiaffino has that kind of on screen allure that draws you to her . Damiani wisely often closes his camera in on Aura as she works her magical grip over her victims . Schiaffino has that kind of face that enchants and a body to match . The film is what I'd definitely call a sleeper , probably will often be discovered either by chance or word-of-mouth . The director takes his time so this film might not work for everyone , but the use of darkness ( . . for which Aura often appears in and out of ) within the dying setting and the psychological elements within the story might just compel those willing to hang in there . My favorite scene would have to be when Aura makes Sergio unbutton / undress her with his teeth , no touching with the hands . This is a good example of achieving an erotic response without divulging actual sexual occurrences . |
435,912 | 9,938,570 | 103,253 | 7 | Whore | The night of confession for one " that walks " hooking while trying to dodge a homicidal pimp , Blake ( Benjamin Mouton ) who she wishes to abandon if he doesn't find & kill her first . Theresa Russell portrays Liz as bluntly honest , no-nonsense about her job and what comes with the territory of being a hooker . She seems a bit uneducated and a tad obnoxious , but , at the same time , you can't take your eyes of her because you never know what is about to come spewing out . Antonio Fargas portrays Rasta , a street denizen for whom becomes someone for Liz to lean on and eventually her protector as it seems Blake could kill her at any time . We see in one of several past vignettes explained to the camera ( us ; a device director uses to optimum effect . . this will either be a charm or annoyance to the viewer ) by Liz what violence can happen when an " employee " of his gets out of hand . . a hooker gets her stomach slit open and nearly bleeds to death . We also see that even having a friend to chat with seems forbidden as Liz has a forming relationship with a bi-sexual named Katie ( Liz Morehead ) for whose life is threatened by Blake . Blake is such a mean , cold-blooded bastard he threatens to hook Liz's son when he comes of age . The film is set up as a means for a hooker to speak candidly about what it's like being a " whore . " We see Liz working those who stop off to check her out and even see one or two possible clients getting a chance at a " good time . " One client gets so worked up his heart stops ! The film doesn't seem to judge Liz , but the profession and it's disadvantages . Be warned : the film is sexually explicit and profane from the moment we're introduced to Liz until the fade-out . I think either you will find Russell's performance grating and terrible or very watchable . I think Theresa is terrific , capturing a character who really fell off the side of the tracks and is trying to confront what her choice of profession has done to her ( loss of her child to adoption , the joyless task of getting men off , etc ) . I will agree with many that Ken Russell's film is a mixed bag often drifting from comedy into tragedy , but I myself just don't see how a woman like this ' story could be told any other way . |
435,968 | 9,938,570 | 23,583 | 7 | The Thirteenth Guest | Nifty little whodunit , featuring a young Ginger Rogers as an heir to a fortune , targeted by a hooded killer who hides in a hidden room behind a book case electrocuting those who answer a wired steel phone once he purposely triggers it to ring . Rogers is Marie , the daughter of a wealthy father who arranged a will reading with twelve guests at the family's dinner table , only to drop dead before getting to announce who got what . A thirteenth chair was open and her father left his entire fortune to the absent occupant . The only option to securing that fortune is to get rid of everyone in line to receive it . Marie was left with a peculiar letter which worked as some sort of code , perhaps to a hidden safe . The killer obviously wants the inheritance , but another mystery arises . . on the night of her 21st birthday , someone shot at Marie , with her narrowly escaping , and a person , with extensive plastic surgery to resemble her was electrocuted on accident . The complex case is under the investigation of private dick , Phil Winston ( Lyle Talbot ) , a dapper detective who is often called on by Police Captain Ryan ( J Farrell MacDonald ) when he needs special help solving a difficult murder . Ryan must endure the ineptitude of his partner Detective Grump ( Paul Hurst , the comedy relief of the film ) , who falls asleep on the job and isn't very reliable in following instructions . . Ryan must tolerate his stupidity because Grump is the relative of his superior . Meanwhile , the relatives of Marie's father arrive and are under suspicion . . there's a murderer among them , yet the innocent among them must be protected . We , along with Winston , realize upon their joining together that Marie's family loathe each other , constantly , through clever and vicious ways , insulting one another . Winston somehow must put aside his distaste for these greedy vultures and find the killer , while also uncovering the mystery behind the " substitute " for Marie who was electrocuted . Clocking at little over an hour , this mystery has all the interesting trappings associated with pulp crime novels . The number of suspects and red herrings . The rising death toll as the race to solve the case becomes ever so important . Adding the clues up one by one and soon discovering ( . . through a mistake by the killer who left the switch on with the result being another accidental murder ) where the hiding place of the murderer is located . The damsel in distress . The intelligent , wise detective with a knack for getting to the bottom of things no matter how complex they might seem . The identity of the thirteenth guest may not be that mind-blowing , but getting to that point is a lot of fun . Hurst is injected into the plot as a way to ease the morbidity of the material , his bumbling antics on display to rile up poor MacDonald who just wants to strangle him sometimes . The eccentricities of the suspects , and their treatment of one another add much to the entertainment of this little-known gem . Rogers , who isn't in the film as much as her top billing would surmise , still shows the spunk and charm that would later become so visible in her films with Fred Astaire . Talbot fills the William Powell role of classy , sophisticated sleuth , liquor always at his disposal , and a way of dealing with situations when they get out of hand . I'm guessing this flick is not particularly well known and could be of certain value to fans of these types of films . Some of the comedy is a bit dated , but I will admit to be amused for the most part . |
435,758 | 9,938,570 | 91,630 | 7 | Night of the Creeps | Thrill me . Events that occur in 1959 come back to haunt a campus of college kids , in 1986 , when a cryogenically frozen body with alien crawlies inside his brain is accidentally released by pals , Chris ( Jason Lively ) and JC ( Steve Marshall ) trying to fulfill a fraternity prank . An escaped lunatic / ax murder in 1959 , killed by young cop Ray Cameron , will haunt him years later as he has progressed into a much older , bitter , alcoholic Detective ( Tom Atkins , in one of the signature roles of his career ) called on the case to solve the mysterious deaths of open faced corpses which explode the alien leeches after their incubation cycles have completed . Once these alien crawlies enter into the mouths of their hosts , the human ceases to live , only becoming a host for the leeches to grow within the their brains . It's love-at-first-sight for Chris who falls head-over-heels for Cynthia ( Jill Whitlow ) , quite a virginal cutie , currently dating the head honcho of the most renowned fraternity , Brad ( Allan Kayser ) . Brad , of course , is a real jerk who never planned to allow Chris and JC to join their fraternity anyway . Soon the campus and neighboring town will be crawling with these alien leeches and zombies will be on the horizon , specifically after a serious wreck leaves many dead . And , a certain ax-wielding corpse will rise from his burial spot to strike again . The young leads of Lively , Marshall & Whitlow are likable , but this is certainly Atkins ' show . He has the best lines and delivers his performance with gusto . Obvious homage to 50's sci-fi horror and zombie flicks , this is derivative because of the the themes represented . . but this film emulates those past flicks lovingly . Dick Miller has a very amusing cameo as Walt , the man who operated the weapon exchange for the police department . I'd lie if I didn't admit that this film is special to me , like many other fans , for nostalgic purposes . . you know the 80's sensibilities and the way it spoofs past influences . This deserves an appropriate DVD release . . it does have quite a fervent following . |
436,290 | 9,938,570 | 56,606 | 7 | Tower of London | Roger Corman directs his vision of the William Shakespeare story about the humpbacked evil conniving brother Richard III to dying King of England Edward IV with a unique spin . Vincent Price ( quite animated ) plays the mad Richard to the hilt with theatricality ( I could also use the description , hammy , but he's still a joy to watch ) as he murders those who stand in his way to the throne . Whether it's to whip and stretch the limbs of Mistress Shore ( Sandra Knight ) , merely a handmaiden to the young princes of the throne , the suffocation of dead Edward's young sons , the accidental choking of his wife believing she was the ghost of Shore , placing a hungry rat in a head cage holding the Earl of Buckingham ( Bruce Gordon ) , or stabbing his brother in the back . . we see in Corman's surprisingly violent way ( . . hardly holding back . . we see Richard , and his right-hand man , smother the children in the Tower as one drops a puppet ) . But , the difference Corman brings to the story is the ghosts who haunt Richard's guilty conscience . Most of the story's layout remains . He will gain his crown , but run into a battle unprepared against an enemy whose smarter and more levelheaded since it's clear Richard should've never been King to start with . He gains the crown , but doesn't have the brains or know-how to fight a battle against a superior enemy . I loved the angle Corman adds to the story regarding the ghosts haunting Richard as it adds a flavor to the picture . . a ghoulish , entertaining element played with such macabre relish by a director with grand style in spite of limited budget and means . And , Corman's camera-work is stunning . However , I do feel purists will be turned off by this version of Corman's towards the story by Shakespeare . . the dialogue is dumbed down to where it can be easily digestible . |
436,873 | 9,938,570 | 87,727 | 7 | Missing in Action | MISSING IN ACTION ultimately marked Chuck Norris as an action hero and proved Joseph Zito could direct outside the slasher genre . Norris , in his minimalist acting style ( . . often earning him the scorn from many a critic often claiming he had nothing but " nonperformances " ) is quite a formidable adversary towards the Vietnamese enemy , more of a symbol of the Great American Soldier than an actual character , larger-than-life , certainly a more realistic example than Stallone's Rambo . Norris is a haunted soldier , motivated to find and rescue missing POWs from a Vietnamese compound , who'll do whatever it takes , and that includes killing everyone that challenges him , to save those men . James Hong , in a limited amount of screen time , always could provide a memorable Asian villain , in this one a leader of the new Vietnam a decade after the conflict had ended , accusing Norris of abusing innocent citizens , war crimes he didn't commit . Hong , as Tran , only fuels his desire to save those men from captivity . The film follows Norris ' journey to find them . Lots of action , including Norris choking the life out of Vietnamese soldiers , including jungle warfare , lots of ammunition fired from machine guns , exploding guard posts . It's essentially Norris against the enemy , tapping into the scorn that was continuing to permeate after so many American lives were lost in a conflict that went on far too long including a cost that left emotional scars , gaping wounds that continued to bleed . Norris is a hero that those scorned soldiers could root for , and MISSING IN ACTION would provide a victory they didn't receive during their tours in Vietnam . As you'd often see in 80's action films , the enemy can fire rounds upon rounds of ammunition , never hitting Norris , yet his Braddock can blow away a vast number of Vietnamese with limited gunfire . Zito's direction places emphasis on the threat to Braddock's life , and he always points out that there are dangerous individuals all around . But , you always had faith that Braddock would be successful because he was a cool customer that fully understood his mission , and his survival in Vietnam before this movie's current plot provides us with an idea of his skills as a soldier , his courage and intelligence . Braddock's a one man army with eyes in the back of his head , who can combat those that threaten his life , and is a dedicated professional with a goal he plans to see through no matter what it takes . Braddock's dogged determination is unwavering and those that stand in his way are mincemeat . I'm pretty sure these types of films infuriate the activists who cried out in unison against the returning soldiers , because MISSING IN ACTION is a pro-military movie painting the Vietnamese enemy as completely villainous , worthy of execution ( . . while also recognizing that innocents often get caught in the crossfire , such as one scene where an attempt to blow Braddock to smithereens results in locals being seriously injured ) . M Emmet Walsh shines in another memorable supporting role as Braddock's dependable old army buddy , Tucker , who smuggles goods in and out of Thailand . . his connections really help equip Braddock with what he needs , in order to combat the enemy , along with transportation in and out of those Vietnam jungles . Some tense action sequences include Braddock's quietly moving from his guarded hotel room to Tran's palace to retrieve the whereabouts of the POW camp , and his return . . while rather unrealistic , it's still quite thrilling . Also , Braddock's return to ' Nam , infiltrating the camp , methodical in his approach to slipping in without their noticing , and the result as he eliminates the enemy while getting those imprisoned out is quite an action-packed , suspenseful finale . Most notable for Norris rising from the water to blast three laughing Vietnamese who gleefully ( . . and briefly ) enjoy their handiwork of toppling over Tucker's Kevlar-equipped raft . |
436,429 | 9,938,570 | 211,971 | 7 | Born for Hell | A deeply troubled American Vietnam soldier , enters a violence-plagued Belfast from Saigon , where he encounters a house with nurses who share let , besieging them at night , binding their hands , gagging their mouths , promising not to hurt them . Cain ( Mathieu Carrière ) a cold , dark-hearted man , whose wife was impregnated by a soldier pal of his , is haunted by a terrible upbringing thanks in part to his mother . So the central female members of his life wronged him , and adding the weight of Vietnam and being left with next to nothing , no monetary means to sustain him , finding it difficult to get home , an unstable Cain is bound to snap , and the nurses will feel his quiet rage as he sexually humiliates them , while also often plunging his switchblade knife into their bodies . The film , while not as violent as it could've been , is extremely unsettling and depressing . The innocent victims do not deserve their fates and Cain removes each woman one by one , seeming harmless , only to run them through a series of emotionally and physically damaging acts . His methods are cruel and demeaning . Carrière presents his homicidal sadist with a calm exterior , trotting his pretty lambs to the slaughter as the other nurses await their doom in a bedroom , tied and frightened . While we perhaps aren't partakers to actually seeing the knife sticking into the bodies of his victims , the actions themselves are just as chilling , as is Cain's ways of conducting them . It doesn't seem to bother him . He orders the nurses to commit embarrassing sexual acts , either with him or each other . He strangles one female nurse with his belt when she wouldn't beg for his sexual embrace . One nurse , so distraught at what has happened to her friends and associates , uses Cain's knife to stab herself in the chest . . watch his multitude of reactions to her collapsing body , it's a very unpleasant sight . Cain has " Born for Hell " tattooed on his arm and he proudly shows it off to the nurses . At first , it seems , he merely wants their money , but as he remains it's obvious that Cain succumbs to the sick , depraved desires that are going through his mind . " Born for Hell " ( Also known as the " Naked Massacre " ) is in the same mold as " Last House on the Left " , " The Night Train Murders " & " The House at the Edge of the Park " , a twisted psycho with uncontrollable urges lashing out against vulnerable women . This film plays completely straight with no humor whatsoever creating an even more distressing tone . The environment of the setting where the killer commits his deeds only adds to the overall impact of this unflinching tale of hopelessness , despair and savagery . Despite being both powerful and haunting , I wouldn't call it entertaining , and I will probably never watch it again . Many will find it hard to sit through because the killer shows no mercy , leading his victims to certain death . |
435,953 | 9,938,570 | 32,412 | 7 | Dr . Cyclops | Okay little sci-fi horror effort about Dr . Thorkel ( Albert Dekker ) , a scientist who has discovered the way to break apart the molecular structure of humans shrinking them to diminutive size . Dr . Rupert Bulfinch ( Charles Halton ) wishes to know what a once prominent professor is doing in the Amazon and asks Dr . Mary Robinson and Bill Stockton ( Janice Logan and Thomas Coley ) to come along to find out what Thorkel is up to . Through the assistance of Steve Baker ( Victor Kilian ) , an owner of mules who only lets them use the animals if he can tag along , they soon find out the disturbing details of what Thorkel has been experimenting on . He had a pupil who called on him to assist when he had discovered a certain ore which might be the major biological link to changing molecular structure . As Thorkel began his experiments , he developed a " god-complex " which motivated him because with the power to shrink humans he could rule over them with a mighty hand . This group find out what Thorkel was up to , and along with his servant aid Pedro ( Frank Yaconelli ) , they are tricked into his " shrink tank " . How will they survive at such a small stature as even roosters and cats are much greater size than they are . They will have to climb chairs they normally sit in and even the smallest books are of such a heavy weight . They will all have to even brave the wild at one point in the movie or find themselves due to be exterminated when Thorkel finds that they are only small for a short time and will revert back to their normal size in time . If they are to remain alive would be detrimental to the threat of others finding out what Thorkel has been dabbling with . The film starts out kind of slow , but the visual effects are quite impressive if you consider the time they were utilized ( 1940 ) . We watch as they scale books to open a latch on a locked door , climb chairs to steal Thorkel's glasses ( his Achilles ' heel is that he can not see regularly without his glasses and also that he is also quite sleep deprived due to overwork ) , and fend for themselves against animal attack . Dekker plays Thorkel as a quietly mad intellectual , understanding what he is doing is evil , but quite unapologetic about what he wishes to do to keep his experiments from discovery . |
436,954 | 9,938,570 | 451,102 | 7 | Jack Ketcham's The Lost | Ray Pyke ( Marc Senter ) is a narcissistic developing psychopath , whose volatile nature is sure to eventually meet a crescendo of violence as his drug habit and infantile fits of rage represent a volcano on it's way to eruption . Ray's friend Tim ( Alex Frost ) and girlfriend Jen ( Shay Astar ) bare witness to his gunning down two girls camping out , and must carry such a burden out of fear for their safety ( . . that , and Ray has a control over them ) . This depraved act of violence works as a reminder to us that Ray is a ticking timebomb , as we watch his life slowly spiral out of control as Detective Charlie Schilling ( Michael Bowen ) hounds him over the murders , knowing that he's the one responsible , just without proof . Ray is the kind of dirtbag who dresses like a country stud , with boots ( . . with crushed bear cans to make him look taller ) , black jeans and shirt ( . . with additional slight touches of eyeliner ) & hair slicked back right in place . Sparta , as we soon realize , is a small blot in Texas where dreams are elsewhere and the pretty girls who live in this place have few options in regards to male suitors so Ray is one they flock to . He's merely an assistant manager of his mom's " Bates Motel " , but carries himself as if he ruled the world . Just charismatic enough to attract the local female , but it's merely an endless parade of humping and dumping , with the girls returning because there's nobody else it seems . Three particular female characters which have the misfortune to have ever found themselves locked into Ray's radar are Sally Richmond ( Alice Hirson ) , a young woman , temporarily working as a maid for his hotel , who wants nothing at all to do with him , recognizing the kind of sleazoid he really is ( . . that , and she is involved with a 60 year old retired detective portrayed by screen vet Ed Lauter ) , Kat Wallace ( Robin Sydney ) , a wealthy babe , her mom a schizophrenic , whose obviously attracted to the danger and mystery he presents ( . . that , and she's bored and craving excitement ) , not knowing how obsessive and juvenile he really is , and , of course , Jen who would do anything to please him , always on the receiving end of neglect , ridicule . , and abuse . Somewhat holding himself together , while abusing drugs and liquor , it's only an amount of time before Ray snaps . The fuse is lit by Katherine who Ray longs for in every possible way , as she backs away from a possible relationship . . it's realized that Ray was a fling for her , and she wishes to move on with her life . Also adding to this is the discovery that Tim and Jen have slept together ( . . and that Tim has been taking hash from him ) . We have come to the understanding that Ray's sanity is hanging by a thread and it won't require much for him to crack . Sivertson's disturbing portrait of decaying youth bent on destruction , given commanding treatment thanks to how developed the story is , and how it will end . Ray is the kind of character just looking for an excuse to terrorize somebody , and Senter does a good job of displaying the many facets of his troubled character . . someone attracted to the spotlight , addicted to a neverending stream of girls and drugs , also carrying serious homicidal tendencies , whose anger fits and outbursts serve as a warning of things to come . Robin Sydney is quite a find , a stunning bombshell whose quite photogenic and seductive ( . . the camera loves her ) . . you can see how such a gal would cause Ray ( . . or many a man ) to get all out of sorts . Astar is appropriately pathetic , and sympathetic as Ray's much maligned squeeze , deeply in love with him no matter how emotionally he abuses her . . Ray doesn't even hide his sexual excess from her , yet Jen remains loyal to him . Frost is the buddy who probably wishes to be Ray , to have the girls at his feet , the charisma to approach people the way he does . This setting is rather depressing in that we see a cast of characters with little to do but embrace the drug and sex culture available . Ray's fury at the end is rather unsettling and shocking , once he decides to go on a shooting rampage , killing anyone he so chooses ( . . this has been on the horizon for some time , and Kat's rejection of him finally sends him over the edge ) , gathering up the girls who infuriated him the most . We also follow Schilling's dogged determination and on-going interrogation to bring Ray to justice , getting what he has so longed for with the unfortunate price of lives . Sivertson's skills as a visual filmmaker are proved here ( . . and in I KNOW WHO KILLED ME , although that one is ridiculously convoluted and silly ) with how he captures the events and characters , building them to the eventual climax . Carefully , Sivertson details what will bring Ray to the breaking point , and those characters who are effected by his rage . The climax takes place in the cabin where Ray discovered the guns used on innocent people , and is appropriately chilling , as he collects the girls who caused his psychological trauma together . . completely unglued , Ray has become lost to madness ( even besieging a couple there to clean up the place ; his violence towards them is truly unpleasant , to say the least ) as Schilling grills Tim for his whereabouts . |
435,926 | 9,938,570 | 173,716 | 7 | Cecil B Demented | Hollywood's aging star Honey Whitlock ( Melanie Griffith , who seems like she was born to star in a John Waters flick ) is kidnapped by " cinema terrorists " with director Cecil B Demented ( Stephen Dorff ) head honcho behind the whole ordeal . Honey is to star in his underground film which is shot on the streets completely devoid of the studio system . The whole point behind the anarchy of Demented and his group is to pointedly bitch-slap the establishment in the face , by any means necessary . Unfortunately Baltimore will be the target of their crusade and Honey becomes a cult hero as a media circus develops . The police make it their mission to bring down Demented . The crew of this film range from a porn star ( who claims she was molested by her entire family underneath the Christmas tree ) to a Satanist ( who gulps down goat urine ) , but they are extreme fans of cinema and believe the system Hollywood is backing needs a revolution . Demented's film is aimed as the start of the evolution of a new artform . Soon violence erupts as a result of his raw film-making style ( they attack a theater showing the director's cut of PATCH ADAMS ; and a stand-off with police during a riot of a Maryland Film Commission luncheon ) . As the film continues , Honey has a change of heart regarding her captors once she realizes that Cecil is behind her new rise in popularity . Grows more and more absurd as the Waters ' film continues ( Honey leaps off a building landing on her feet below ; Honey sets her hair on fire for Cecil ) such as Demented and company raiding the set of a FORREST GUMP sequel starring Kevin Nealon ( ! ) resulting in a gunfight with teamsters ! There's an inspired chase into a porno theater where Cherish ( Alicia Witt ) gets seats for her group in a film starring her as the remaining teamsters find themselves against an army of pervs ! There's even a chase into an action flick where Demented calls on the fans of the theater to assist them against a pack of spiteful mothers from a grocery store ( ! ) who hate what the cinema terrorists are doing to their youth . The film is as demented as the title character who is willing to burn himself alive in a wheelchair for his film ! |
436,134 | 9,938,570 | 93,621 | 7 | The Night Stalker | Chain-smoking , liquor-swilling homicide detective Sergeant JJ Striker ( Charlies Napier ) and his loyal street-wise tough partner Charlie Garrett ( Robert Viharo ) are after a massive , nearly unstoppable serial killer ( Maniac Cop's Robert Z'Dar ) , whose Asian ritualistic practices ( . . chanting gibberish , snapping victims necks and painting the faces white , inscribing ancient symbols on their bodies with black ink ) render his body impervious to bullets . This psycho , Chuck Sommers , is an unhinged ex-mercenary , forgoing proper psychiatric methods , opting for " self-healing " and it seems that when he kills , he gains a power over death ! Striker's alcoholism is a major problem that continually plagues him throughout the film . After his partner is killed by Chuck when happening upon a fresh crime scene involving a recently murdered hooker he's checking on , a more sober , determined Striker pursues his adversary . Michelle Reese stars as Striker's long-suffering , ridiculously dependable lover , Rene ( . . once a call-girl gone straight ) and the absolutely beautiful Katherine Kelly Lang ( . . a veteran soap opera actress ) is her " surrogate daughter " Denise , who he will not , come hell or high water , let sink into the business of prostitution no matter what proposals sleazy pimp Julius ( James Watkins ) offers her way . Just guess who Chuck will eventually target ? You bet , Rene and , especially , Denise . It'll be up to Striker and the police to somehow stop this killer or else his murder spree may never end as long as his power continues to progress . It was a thrill to see The Nape in the starring role , even if for a cop action drama with serial killer undertones . Many of the traits associated with cop actioners are in this film . The usual liquor store shoot-out spilling into an exciting chase throughout the streets of gritty Los Angeles . The lead cop's partner being killed . The lead cop seeking revenge , motivated to find justice for his fallen comrade . The film has the usual seedy elements of street prostitution and cop stake-outs looking for the killer . As often is the case in these thrillers , the killer often stays ahead of the police , with a help coming from another source , Chuck's former psychologist . You have the usual friction between Striker and his superiors . And , we see a great number of policemen blown to smithereens in the climactic shoot-out as Striker himself must stop Chuck , who captures Denise prisoner equipped with a machine gun having taken a cop car from the film's department ass , Vic ( Gary Crosby ) who remains a thorn in our hero's side throughout . But , I was so jazzed about The Nape , intense as ever , squaring off with the menacing Z'Dar that despite the film's very standard presentation , I couldn't help but embrace this thriller . Sometimes it was hard seeing Napier in such a drunken , pathetic state , but when he gets his act together , the film builds up to a action-packed close inside a warehouse . I found the plot , regarding Z'Dar's ability to withstand bullets a bit silly , but he cuts a very monstrous figure , silhouetted in darkness . And , his ferocious attacks on victims , hoisting them in the air , breaking their necks with such a vicious snap , certainly leaves an impression even if these murders aren't gory . But , this is The Nape's show all the way and there is a span of time when the killer isn't even present in the movie as director Max Kleven ( . . known more for his stunts , which isn't surprising due to the well-choreographed action sequences in this film ) focuses in on Striker and his story . The film really seems to build around his relationship with Rene and Denise , his daily consumption with alcohol which hinders his duty as a cop , and the important friendship with partner Garrett ( . . Nape's camaraderie / chemistry with Viharo is an asset to this film , I felt ) . A useless sub-plot has Denise growing close with a young pup detective , Buddy Brown ( Joseph Gian ) . |
436,609 | 9,938,570 | 68,370 | 7 | Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things | For the first hour this plays like a warped comedy , as it regards a theatrical troupe whose ego maniacal , " carrying a few screws loose " leader Alan Ormsby , ruling over them with an iron fist ordering his employees around holding up their acting jobs as collateral for they are to resurrect the undead on this island graveyard off the shore of a big city ( New York ? ) using witchcraft . Unbeknownst to them , it works and the final 20 or so minutes cashes the check you zombie fans were waiting to receive . Boy , the closing of the film as the zombies unearth from their tombs ratchets up the terror considerably . I don't know if it's the low-budget photography , the unsettling sound effects , or grungy make-up effects ( not to mention , the choice of skin tone color . . sure seems to increase the foreboding quite a bit ) that makes the final half-hour so intense and disturbing . It could be Clark's in-your-face style or that feeling of helplessness as the characters run out of options as the zombies close in . I think this would make an interesting combo with Fulci's ' Zombie 2 ' . The first of Bob Clark's 70's Horror Trilogy . Not everyone's cuppa tea ( MANY hate the characters / cast of the film ) , but I'm a fan of this flick . |
436,101 | 9,938,570 | 422,401 | 7 | Hatchet | A group of New Orleans visitors take a ride on a con artist's swamp tour with the guide crashing the stolen ( ! ) boat into a rock at the shore near the infamous home of an undead zombie killing machine , Victor Crowley ( Kane Hodder ) suffering from Elephant man's disease , seeking his father who died from a broken heart after accidentally murdering his son with a hatchet to the face while trying to break down the front door as the house was set on fire by stupid prankster kids throwing firecrackers on the porch . Members of this motley group of unfortunates include a love-torn Ben ( Joel Moore ) who hasn't recovered from his girlfriend's cheating ways , Ben's pal Marcus ( Deon Richmond , the token black guy with all the one-liners and comic facial expressions ) who wanted to see more titties at Mardi gras but decided to stay with his depressed bud , Marybeth ( Tamara Feldman ) whose haunted by the disappearance of her redneck gator hunting father and brother ( . . portrayed at the opening by Robert Englund and Joshua Leonard ) who were last seen heading for the off-limits swamp where Crowley lived , Mr and Mrs . Permatteo ( Richard Riehle and Patrika Darbo ) as your typical cheerful and vibrant tourists , " Shapiro " ( Joel Murray , Bill's bro ) a would-be director who suckers two gullible , idiotic models , Misty ( token hottie Mercedes McNab ) a bubbly bird-brained blonde and Jenna ( Joleigh Fioreavanti ) who was stupid enough to fly from New York to New Orleans for " the part " into thinking they're starring in a film , and the tour guide who gets them all in a heap of trouble , Shawn ( Parry Shen ) with multiple accents and little common sense . The film follows these poor folks as they run around a swamp trying to find an exit out as Crowley , an unkillable deformed maniac with a plethora of weapons and startling power , hunts them down one by one . Trying to dissect the film to make sense of how Crowley lives and has the abilities he has to inflict such damage to victims is a waste of time . If you are looking for a film based on the nuances of characters or their plight , look elsewhere . . this is a film made by a slasher fan for slasher fans . Crowley is little more than a variation on Zombie Jason from the latter Friday the 13th sequels , brutally destroying these people in grisly fashion . The story actually derives from Adam Green's 8 year old mind at summer camp and there's little depth . A backstory of a son supposedly dead whose restless spirit returned to find pops killing everyone in his path because he's scared and lonely . That's not much but Green is catering this flick towards a crowd he knows lives and breathes for this type of entertainment . He delivers the gore in spades . All practical effects from John Carl Buechler's company which give us an array of nasty make-up grue . The violence in the film range from a woman's head being pried apart from her mouth to a victim's lower jaw being rearranged by a gas-powered belt sander ! The belt sander victim gets finished off when Crowley plunges her body into a shovel handle ( . . the shovel spade was used to remove one poor victim's head ! ) . And , slasher fans get plenty of boobies and lots of blood spray . McNab and Fioreavanti both display their nicely shaped breasts for the film and we get a chance to see blood splattered and spewing throughout the trees of the swamp . Crowley even removes limbs and organs from victims ( . . one victim gets his heart ripped from his back . . ouch ! ) tossing them away once they are removed . One victim gets thrown up against a mausoleum after his arms are plucked from his body ( . . obviously inspired by the sleeping bag kill in Buechler's own directorial effort , Friday the 13th Part VII ) ! The film was infectious for me because it's so enthusiastically made and there's a level of fun , carnage & chaos about the whole movie . . the beast is turned loose to prowl and strike and we witness this collection of disparate characters scared out of their wits not knowing where he's liable to pop up next . The cast is dandy and each actor / actress gives all to their characters and there's some witty banter between the bunch of them . The film plays it mostly tongue-in-cheek regarding the humor ( . . often the character archetypes are slasher clichés Green is poking fun at ) , with gory violent spurts intruding upon the characters . This film will attract a certain crowd and is also equally certain to repel others ( . . those who hate or dislike the slasher genre as a whole will not embrace this flick , I don't imagine ) . I do hope this film's exuberant following will allow Green to return to the director's chair . . while I think this film is entertaining , he's liable to create even more enjoyable films as he directs more and more . |
436,865 | 9,938,570 | 72,225 | 7 | Sugar Hill | Southern Crimelord , who doesn't take no for an answer , Morgan ( Robert Quarry ) desires the popular club of a black businessman , Langston ( Larry D Johnson ) who wouldn't sell and is beaten to death by his thugs . Diana " Sugar " Hill , who was his fiancé , vows revenge and gets help from Voodoo Priestess Mama Maitresse ( Zara Cully ) and the summoned spirit of Baron Samedi ( Don Pedro Colley ) . Samedi offers to assist Sugar on one condition , that she gives her soul to him . Sugar , whose love for Langston provides a burning , thriving hate for those who murdered him , accepts . The rest of the film shows how Samedi , and his undead zombies , eliminate Morgan's men . Morgan still persists in buying the club from Sugar but has no idea that she has much more in store for him . Meanwhile , detective Valentine ( Richard Lawson ) , once a boyfriend of Sugar's , begins to find a scent leading towards Sugar regarding the ritualistic ways Morgan's men are found murdered . Tame blaxploitation revenge voodoo horror flick , has lots of attitude and colorful characters . I really enjoyed Colley's outrageous Baron Samedi with his demented eyes , plated teeth displaying a wicked grin enjoying " playtime " with his victims , and giant top hat . Quite a flashy character , played to the hilt with gusto . I couldn't get enough of him . . a real hoot . He's always present when Morgan's men are about to meet their impending doom . Marki Bey , as Sugar , is tough-talking , foxy and fine . . a representative of the Pam Grier model . You mess with her and there's hell to pay , that's for sure . Bey has an authority to her and I think that's an essential ingredient in a film such as this . Nothing wimpy about this chick , and she doesn't cower to nobody . Quarry is terrific as her arch nemesis . . . a real , slimy , racist bastard who treats the men under him like cattle . Betty Anne Rees is Celeste , Morgan's mistreated lover . Despite how he pushes her around , talking down to her as if she were swine , Celeste isn't a sympathetic character . Nope , she a rude , crude smart-Aleck , who is just as racist as the one she pampers . I loved Celeste's reactions towards Morgan's attractions to Sugar . There's even an amusing little fight between Sugar and Celeste for our enjoyment . . guess who wins this skirmish ? Cully is also quite a memorable character as Mama Maitresse , a voodoo queen you don't want as an enemy . Along with Samedi and Maitresse , Morgan never has a prayer . And , those zombies . . aren't they a creepy brood ! Covered head to toe in cob-webs , with pale skin , eyes of silver , and long hideous finger nails , these zombies are often photographed coming directly towards the screen . . quite an eerie sight . If you are not a demanding viewer , accepting that " Sugar Hill " is simply a film about supernatural revenge , then there's fun to be had . The murders , quite imaginatively set-up and executed with tongue-firmly-in-cheek , aren't graphic , but seeing Morgan and his men squirming and pleading for their lives as Samedi and Sugar smile with glee , is grand . The title song , Supernatural Voodoo Woman , is out of sight , baby ! |
436,855 | 9,938,570 | 63,285 | 7 | The Conqueror Worm | Matthew Hopkins ( Vincent Price at his sadistic best ) and his partner John Stearn ( Robert Russell , just as sadistic as Price , but a bit more animated and primal ) seek to do the Lord's work for Parliament under Cromwell rule . They torture and murder an innocent priest and two females of false witchcraft in a nearby village . Sarah ( Hilary Heath ) a servant for the priest ( while also engaged to Ian Ogilvy's soldier Richard Marshal ) tries to use her sexual wares to manipulate Hopkins into saving the priest , but is soon raped by Stearn which raises the ire of her returning soldier / future husband Richard Marshall who will vow vengeance against the fanatics and their sadistic means of torturing innocents they say consort with Satan ( obviously , their " great work " comes with a handsome payday ) . The film shows how vicious witch hunters can be and how their methods are sometimes unlawful ( the priest doesn't confess , but Hopkins persuades two witnesses they had better agree he did ) . We also see how Hopkins expands his killing methods from hanging to burning witches at the stake . When Marshall and Stearne quarrel in a tavern , Hopkins will have to devise a unique scheme to rid himself of any possible annoyance and danger of vengeance-seeking soldier ( shown in the film as a courageous warrior in battle who saved his leader from certain death ) . The film is quite violent , though doesn't dwell on the torture methods for too long . We get a clear picture of what lengths these men will go . Seeing Hopkins barely twitch or show sympathy is Price's point of showing you a unique kind of sophisticated monster who knows how to earn his pay ( and into the panties of certain women put in difficult situations ) one way or the other . The film ends rather abruptly , but with enough brutality that those who committed their terrors against innocent people get the proper punishment for the inhumanity and suffering they caused . |
436,021 | 9,938,570 | 50,280 | 7 | The Curse of Frankenstein | As he awaits his execution , from a prison cell , Baron Victor Frankenstein relates his story to a priest regarding the monster he created from the dead with his own hands and the consequences that derived from such actions . Along with Van Helsing , the diabolical scientist Frankenstein was one of Cushing's iconic characters . Unlike the Universal series which veered somewhat away from the creator towards the creation , Hammer studios remain completely focused on Cushing's scientist and how , time and again , he'd oftentimes succeed in his experiments regarding the reanimating of dead life , only to be thwarted by events out of his control . I have never cared much for make-up artist Ashton's work because often the monsters ' faces created from Frankenstein's hands look like putty . Unlike Karloff's monster , Lee's creature is basically an uncontrollable killer , strangling anyone in his path . Lee , as always , cuts an ominous figure on screen , but his performance of the monster makes him pitiful , homicidal , and confused . The true evil creature is Frankenstein himself , and we see the lengths he'll go to see his work go unharmed , and will do whatever it takes to achieve in creating a superior being . . whether it's killing an elder genius for his brain , pay a penniless sculptor for his hands , or murder a jilted lover / maid-servant when she threatens to expose him . In this first Frankenstein film , Cushing's scientist doesn't have a demented hunchback assistant . . a constant in the Hammer series , unlike the Universal features that inspired it , is that Cushing often works with ideologically minded young men eager to gain knowledge by assisting Frankenstein . But , almost always , despite the breakthroughs Frankenstein achieves , his creations fall apart / are destined for failure due to various problems such as miscalculations , public / law enforcement / scientific & religious community , and fate . He continues on despite the wreckage left in his wake towards others . Robert Urquhart is Paul Krempe , Frankenstein's tutor , who collaborated with him for many years on a series of experiments regarding the reanimation of the dead , only to question his pupil's morals and lack of emotions in regards to his methods to gain success in creating life . The voluptuous , well-endowed , and lovely Hazel Court is Victor's cousin / fiancé Elizabeth who always plays second fiddle to Frankenstein's experiments , wishing to spend time with him as the scientist remains in his laboratory endless hours . Paul considers his pupil mad and believes Liz could be in grave danger due to Frankenstein's willingness to achieve at any cost . Paul is privy to Victor's activities . The Frankenstein series fluctuates in quality from film to film , dividing Hammer fans on which is best . Whether other films in this series are better , " The Curse of Frankenstein " was the first and we have benefited thanks to it's success . Cushing ably portrays him with different facets of emotion . . he's determined ( . . too determined in fact ) , strong-willed , confident , stubborn , unapologetic , cruel , cunning , intelligent , and even cocky . Perhaps the major flaw of the overall series is how Cushing's Frankenstein often changes from film to film . He's actually friendly , considerate and sad at times , while purely evil and vindictive as well . Cushing shifts his scientist to fit whatever story his character is plunged into . I'd say the Frankenstein series was far more imaginative and daring than the Hammer Dracula films , which could become familiar and repetitive . Similar to the Universal series , the monster is often used and abused , despite Lee's menace , there's still a degree of sadness we feel for him , particularly when his brain has been tampered with again , barely able to walk upright or understand Frankenstein's instructions clearly . The monster's treatment in the series might be a weakness for major fans of the Universal films with Karloff , since barely , at any time , do those under the make-up and costume , have a chance to express the pathos needed ( . . except maybe " Revenge of Frankenstein " where a new creature is developed at the request of a hideous hunchback desiring an Adonis ' body only for the experiment to fail , as always ) . |
436,850 | 9,938,570 | 23,775 | 7 | Baby Face | Escaping the life of being pimped by her father ( . . and the speakeasy waitressing ) who dies in an explosion , Lily Powers ( Barbara Stanwyck , who is simply ravishing ) sluts her way through the branches inside a bank business in big city Gotham . When a possessive lover murders who was supposed to be his next father-in-law ( and Lily's new lover ) , the sky's the limit for Lily as she has written down her various relationships in a diary and subtlety makes it known the papers will receive it if certain pay doesn't come into her hands . Newly appointed president to the bank , Courtland Trenholm ( George Brent ) , sends Lily to Paris instead of forking over lots of dough , but soon finds himself madly in love after various encounters with her in the City of Love . This makes Lily's mouth water as now she'll have reached the pedestal of success seducing a man of wealth and prestige bring riches her way . Though , circumstances ensue which will bring her to make a decision that threatens her successful way of achieving those riches . . Trenholm , now her husband , is being indicted with jail certain and has lost the bank . He needs money Lily now has in her possession or he'll have absolutely nothing . Stanwyck is the whole movie despite that usual Warner Brothers polish . Being set in the pre-code era gives the filmmakers the chance to elaborate on taboo subjects such as a woman using sex to achieve success and how that can lead to tragedy . Good direction from Alfred E Green shows through subtlety hints in different mannerisms and speech through good acting from the seductive performance of Stanwyck how to stage something without actually showing the explicit act . Obviously the film shows that money isn't everything and all that jazz as love comes into the heart of Lily's dead heart . That ending having Lily achieve the miraculous metamorphosis into someone in love didn't ring true to me . She's spent all this time to get to that platform only to fall for a man who was essentially no different than others she had used before him . |
436,238 | 9,938,570 | 409,947 | 7 | Face | A facial reconstructionist for the police department , having turned in his resignation due to stress and a sick daughter whose lost her smile , is receiving visitations ( . . as does his ailing daughter ) by a dead woman's spirit urging him to pursue the face of a skull that will lead to the identity of a serial killer surgically removing hearts from young women for a doctor who doesn't question where the donated organs come from . A certain twist in " Face " is gonna take a leap in logic for folks to accept it . The film shows our hero , Lee Hyun-min ( Hyeon-jun Shin ) , being plagued by a demanding ghost and an " assistant " , Jung Sun-young ( Yun-ah Song ) motivating him to continue his work . He first believes his mission in finding the identity of a skull will lead to his daughter's health rejuvenating ( . . the film points out the possibility that the ghost will not let his daughter's heart function properly unless her killer is apprehended ) . When our facial reconstructionist desires to know the identity of the donor whose heart resides in his daughter , the master heart surgeon's resistance proves that there might be a corrupt means of obtaining these organs . Soon the surgeon is found hung by a noose and the whole film takes on an even greater hunt for the killer whose identity still remains unknown . An assistant shows up at our hero's door step claiming she's to help him put the face on a specific skull . When that skull isn't of the woman he was hoping , a vision leads him to yet another one , buried under sand , rotted partially . Whose identity of the skull this entails is yet another twist that'll have you going , " Huh ? ! " The whole film is really this building of a mystery . . who is killing these poor girls , and who is the ghost haunting Hyun-min . The pay-off certainly is a stunner . Like I said , this twist might be a bit too much for some viewers to accept . I liked this film , myself . I thought it built the story along nicely , with a lot of heart behind such a grisly premise . Not that violent as you'd expect . Does work more as a hunt for a killer with Shin and Song working beautifully together on screen as we witness their characters ' blossoming love for one another . And , I thought the film's following a facial reconstructionist was a great idea . . it's rare that we get a film designed from this character's point-of-view . Too often it's the detectives and forensic teams , yet this film significantly focuses on the importance of a man who can put the face to a damaged skull . His role is even more important because the killer melts the bodies after removing the hearts . There's enough spooky ghost stuff ( images of the female ghost pop up around Hyun-min as she appears in mirrors , her shadows on the floor , coming towards him , crawling on the ceiling , etc ) to hold viewer's interest , I believe . . that is what draws the audience into checking out the film and it's plot . |
435,886 | 9,938,570 | 68,459 | 7 | Deathmaster | Enigmatic vampire , who arrived oddly on the shore of a beach in his casket , whose arrival is introduced by his enforcer / guardian , Barbado ( LaSesne Hilton ) playing a flute , masquerades as a philosophical leader , whose language regarding life and love casts a spell among the aimless hippie youth in a quiet little town . Only young Pico ( Bill Ewing ) , who resists his power of influence , can stop vampire Count Khorda ( Robert Quarry ) who plans to sacrifice his girlfriend Rona ( Brenda Dickson ) in a Satanic ceremony . Pico will have to rely on the only help he can depend on , an aging hippie , Pop ( character actor , John Fiedler , who is one of the most recognizable faces in Television history and the voice of Piglet in Winnie the Pooh ) to help defeat Khorda who has turned all their friends into vampires . Rarely seen Quarry vampire picture that , according to the great actor , was purchased by Sam Arkoff and buried into obscurity . Thankfully , Fred Olen Ray's DVD company Retromedia was able to get the rights and , not only that , but have audio commentary for DEATHMASTER with Quarry , which is quite a rewarding experience for fans of the horror icon . The print is fantastic and the director of the film , Ray Danton , has a very distinctive style where the camera follows the action , but in a very sophisticated way . The film is definitely of it's time , quite dated , but a fascinating curio for Quarry fans who are very familiar with his Yorga character , but not Khorda ( . . this film was sandwiched between the Yorga films according to Quarry ) who is dressed in elaborate robes , jewelry , and long hair carrying the appearance of some guru or oddball prophet . . Quarry admits in the audio commentary that his look is fashioned after Charles Manson and that the film itself regarding the hippie youth was modeled after his followers . Not incredibly violent , with Khorda's neck attacks shot in a non-offensive way , and DEATHMASTER still follows the basic vampire principles established in filmdom ( . . the cross effects them as does a stake through the heart ) that we're accustomed to . By and large , this film benefits almost entirely from Quarry's charismatic presence alone , even if what he has to say to the hippie kids is basic mumbo jumbo ( . . Quarry admits that he ad-libbed much of this dialogue ) often used at that point and time while these youth were stoned or spaced out on acid . Quarry even gets to pay homage to Lugosi with the close-up of his sinister eyes multiple times as Khorda uses his power to hypnotize victims . Barbado is about as imposing as his master , a bulky statuesque type of security who towers over everyone he comes in contact with . His face never changes , always distant and cold . Ewing is a very unlikely hero , a kid out of his league against a far superior foe . . but the film allows him to become a worthy adversary , because of the very fact that he's not particularly your prototypical knight-in-shining-armour . The beach is a stunning location as is the cool tunnel underneath the hippie commune house where Khorda keeps his resting place ( . . it also leads to the beach and has a submarine door ! ) . Only real beef I have ( . . despite the now silly hippie-speak ) is the title . . this kind of vampire movie needs a more credible title . |
436,359 | 9,938,570 | 68,458 | 7 | Raw Meat | Devious little nasty nugget about a cannibal in the abandoned " rabbit warren " Underground tunnels who has started to surface into the public subways for walking human meat , those unfortunate souls who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time . When a certain wealthy aristocrat , with a penchant for kink and sleaze , comes up missing , a couple who were the last to see him alive , Alex ( David Ladd ) and Patricia Wilson ( Sharon Gurney ) go to Inspector Calhoun ( Donald Pleasence in a terrific role cracking wise with witty , very funny , acid-tongued crudely delivered dialogue , often aimed at his always-smiling detective Rogers , played by Norman Rossington as if he's just able to keep from bursting into laughter while often firing right back at his boss ) hoping someone can help him . Patricia is a kind soul who found the man laid over the steps of the station in incredible fright . When she and Alex find a copper to assist the man , believing his either drunk or sick , they are shocked to find his body gone . We find deep in the inner-workings of a darkly lit tunnels , the cannibal ( Hugh Armstrong ) with his lady-love ( June Turner ) on her deathbed as he weeps mournfully over her . In a long camera-shot , we see his lair as body parts lay throughout with partially eaten corpses hanging on the wall . When she dies , the cannibal , with nasty infected wounds showing signs of the septicemic plague he's contracted from rats , seeks out a mate and kidnaps Patricia ! With Alex in a frenzied state of panic , he informs Calhoun and takes off into the dark tunnels seeking his lover no matter what harm might befall him . Meanwhile , Calhoun and Richardson themselves will pursue their suspect in a desperate search for the missing aristocrat's body hoping to stop the killing . Delicious ( pun intended ) macabre tale with a demented sense of humor and creepy photography inside the killer's lair . Often also quite disgusting when showing the killer's unfinished lunch , not to mention , all the sores throughout his diseased body . The script gives Pleasence lots of sharply written barbs to fire at people with a nice touch regarding his tea , delivered to him also accompanying the bag still in it . The cannibal can only say one sentence , he repeats add nauseum , proclaiming to Patricia as he chases her in the tunnels when she's able to flee his grasp , " Mind the doors . " Christopher Lee has a minor , but effective , cameo as a MI 5 agent who has told Calhoun to stay away from the case of the aristocrat ( who seems to have been committing naughty deeds against his government ) or else . |
436,316 | 9,938,570 | 83,722 | 7 | Cat People | Long ago the ancestors of Irena and Paul Gallier ( Nastassja Kinski & Malcolm McDowell ) sacrificed their children to the leopards . The souls of the children grew inside the leopards until the leopards became human . They were gods then . They are an incestuous race and can only make love with their own . . otherwise they transfer . Before becoming human again , they must kill . This is explained in a dream sequence to Irena because she is falling head-over-heels for Oliver ( John Heard ) , the main man at a New Orleans zoo . His assistant is Alice ( Annette O'Toole ) and they have to tranquilize a leopard that has almost killed a hooker in one of those sleazy hotel rooms . That panther is actually Paul having succumbed to lust he must needs kill somehow . Unfortunately his wish comes true when Joe ( Ed Begley Jr ) , another one of Oliver's assistants , gets his whole arm ripped out of the torso when he is trying to calm the cat down . Paul's sole desire is to mate with Irena so their torment will end regarding that change that occurs when one strays away from their own kind . But , Irena is so attracted to Oliver that Paul doesn't stand a chance . There in lies the conflict . Oliver deeply desires and wants Irena and vice versa , yet she is caught in an unfortunate situation thanks to her bloodline and heredity . If they partake in wanton sexual activity , she will turn and have to kill . I think the film looks great . Special thanks for the film's visual style goes to Ferdinando Scarfiotti . Director Paul Schrader said that if the powers-that-be would've allowed it he would've added Scarfiotti as co-director . His ideas behind the zoo lab ( how it is set-up is quite original and unique . . it really gives Schrader a chance to be creative with his camera and how he lenses Heard's zoologist walking throughout it ) and the sandy landscape of the ancient sequences at the beginning where we see the leopard sacrificial ritual are stunning . Splashes of color and how Irena sees are flavorful to the eye . Though , despite how wooed I was with how it looked , I thought the story was a bit corny . It's quite lurid and sexually free . Kinski really gives herself over to the part and Schrader's camera hypnotically embraces her . She must expose her beautiful nude body frequently . Though , one might call the film unabashedly sleazy . I mean , I'm not about to complain regarding seeing Annette O'Toole's nice breasts , but one could make a pretty good argument that it was unnecessary . This film only has really one relation to the original film too many people tried to compare it to . . the pool sequence where O'Toole's Alice is possibly threatened by Irena . The transformation sequence isn't too shabby if quick . What's funny ( . . this is how I felt anyway ) was that the film feels so sophisticated it seems to come off less perverse than it really is . |
436,885 | 9,938,570 | 475,937 | 7 | The Abandoned : Death Never Runs Out of Time | Marie ( Anastasia Hille ) , a movie producer , born to a mother who dies under suspicious circumstances in an impoverished part of Russia , returns to the motherland of her birthright when a lawyer explains that her identity regarding her parents has been discovered . Her past in Russia is a black hole and Marie's desire to search for any clues regarding the mother she never knew will bring her to a decrepit , creepy farmhouse . The driver , Anatoliy , who brings Marie to the location vanishes and she takes it upon herself to find the place of her birth , hidden in darkness behind trees . Marie meets a " ghostly double " of herself , with these spooky dead albino eyes and wet body , which obviously freaks her out . In her decision to run like the wind , Marie almost drowns , but is rescued by a mysterious man , Nicolai ( Karel Roden ) who claims to be her twin brother also searching for the truth regarding his past . Both encounter creepy images while searching throughout the house and slowly uncover the past regarding their mother . . and something about themselves they wish remained buried in time . They realize , when the past yields what occurred that day a husband decided to turn on his family violently , that fate is awaiting them as Midnight approaches which will announce their birthdays . Trying several times to escape the farmland , Marie always seems to wander back as if she's not meant to leave , while also often encountering that same zombie double of herself . Eventually we see that Nicolai's fate is similar , except his double has a devastatingly torn torso prescribing a grim fate . It seems Nicolai has faced the idea that they can not return to the lives they once lived as Marie doggedly continues to find some route of escape . Are their fates sealed ? Will they ever be able to leave ? Will they be able to escape their father's clutches a second time ? This is some kind of twisted film , I'll tell you . It can be frustrating , but I found rewards in it after sitting through the entire film letting the story and it's pieces come together . Understanding each mind-boggling event ( or events ) ( the " dopplegangers " and their roles in the grand scheme of things , the house's important role at the end , the father's major impact on the entire story , fate and what it deals the two main characters who made their decision to pursue the mysteries regarding their parents , etc ) as the entire story comes together makes the film surprisingly entertaining . I imagine many will have their problems with the supernatural mumbo jumbo regarding how a certain character could orchestrate such a " gathering " to settle unfinished business , but this didn't bother me . The ending's gloomy twist actually brings more truth to the title of the film when you find out who the narrator ( who opens and closes the film ) is . Spooky house , mostly set at night where mere candle-light or flashlights lighten one or two rooms leaving an opening for something evil to pop from the darkness ( and the cob-webs and rotted walls ) . Lots of eerie noises and ominous sounds , also . |
436,142 | 9,938,570 | 69,920 | 7 | Torso | Lesser Sergio Martino giallo still has a lot to recommend from it especially a very suspenseful finale . The film works best as a building mystery with one story ( Daniela and Stefano ) actually being a diversion from the true story arc thanks to a twist that comes out of nowhere . A psychopath , donning a ski-mask , strangles college girls with a red-n-black scarf and sees this recurring image of a child's fingers poking the eyeballs out of dolls . When a couple are both killed after passionate love-making , the police make it known that there is a possible killer targeting college kids . Couple that with the murder of a well known slut ( the scarf is dropped and shown to the college kids as evidence providing everyone something that might trigger a possible suspect seen wearing it recently ) . The film points loudly towards Stefano who shows signs of being possibly homicidal as he almost strangles a hooker ( with his hands , mind you ) and obsessively stalks Daniela . Daniela is a key character in the film for she seen who was indeed wearing the killer's scarf , and she thinks about one that Stefano was wearing that looked eerily similar . Her uncle convinces Daniela to take a trip with two lesbian friends to his château to get away from the trauma for a couple of days . The château is way on this massive hill apart from a village below . The other key character is visiting American Jane who is a friend of Daniela's and excepts an invite to come stay at the château herself . Before leaving , Jane has a possible love interest in art professor Franz . The killer doesn't just use a scarf to kill , but often cuts certain later victims with a knife ( he runs over a scarf vendor with his car when said vendor tried to blackmail him ) . In the final 20 minutes , poor Jane , who suffered a twisted ankle after tripping down the stairs , is stuck in the château as the killer is down-stairs carving up bodies to bury away . She will have to find help or some way out of her bedroom towards the top of the stairs without the killer's knowledge in order to survive . A key element in the film is a village doctor Daniela and her friends meet on a train coming to the village who later attends to Jane's badly twisted ankle . While the story is much weaker than other Martino gialli , the finale delivers the macabre goods in high order . The violence isn't as effective as others in the genre which does hurt in a way because the effects used in the murder sequences look quite unconvincing . The two leading females , Suzy Kendall as Jane and Tina Aumont as Daniela are gorgeous creatures . . this is always a constant in Martino's gialli . Also , the film submerges with female nudity with Martino's camera luridly crawling up the bodies of beautiful women . I believe this film does influence later slashers just in how the murders are set up and how the killer looks . |
436,175 | 9,938,570 | 65,553 | 7 | 5 Dolls for an August Moon | A wealthy industrialist , George Stark ( Teodoro Corrà ) , invites various couplings to his palatial island beach house with the goal of needling a " scientist " , Prof . Farrell ( William Berger ) into selling a formula that could lead to millions . Several of the men who show up to George's shindig are business acquaintances also desiring to purchase the formula . One by one , the visitors ( the wives who came along as well as their husbands ) fall to a quiet killer using various methods while others ' backs are turned . Playing off the oft-used " Ten Little Indians " concept , someone ( . . or more than one ? ) amongst the group is bumping the others off . For macabre humor , director Bava has George store each fallen victim in his freezer wrapped in plastic followed by some music to commemorate being among the death-list . Before long , they are dropping like flies until a mere three or four are squabbling over who is sneaky and slick enough to pull off the killings without being noticed . That is what Bava toys the viewer with setting up a possible killer , and then subsequently upping the ante by pulling the rug from under us a good three times at the end . For a film Bava was forced into making , the twists that come at the end are quite inspired . I especially enjoyed his pokes at the wealthy . . it's kind of a satire on just how greedy , vile , and back-stabbing the upper-class yuppie types can be . The desire for more and more wealth is played to it's zenith at the end . It seems that Bava doesn't give us anyone to care about , providing us with a list of unlikable , selfish cretins to root against . We are perhaps given a character with humanity in the scientist , but , as the film continues , even he is corrupt and exposed . Not violent at all for a psycho thriller / mystery . It features an attractive cast with a bevy of beauties wearing skimpy outfits . I think it comes off better because Bava seems to have contempt for these people which might explain why the scenes in the freezer seem much more absurdly amusing than a normal reaction might extract from the viewer . It's typically stylish , but Bava surprisingly holds back ( . . this might be considered a weakness from Bava's avid fanbase who like it when Bava lets loose a visual frenzy often making up for the story's lack of bite ) allowing the mystery to take center stage . |
436,342 | 9,938,570 | 53,095 | 7 | The Head | Eerie little thriller regarding the deranged antics of a mad scientist who keeps a renowned professor's brain alive even after having to decapitate his head once the weak heart stopped beating . His plans include removing the head of a hunchbacked woman ( . . a crippled spine , but beautiful face ) , reapplying it to the luscious body of a stripper . Horst Frank is the cold-blooded scientist , Dr . Ood , who perfects the serum of Professor Abel ( Michel Simon ) and uses it to keep his head alive while disposing of colleague Dr . Burke ( Kurt Müller-Graf ) who threatened to stop him . Ood's a brilliant plastic surgeon having performed on the face of Lily ( Christiane Maybach ) who poisoned her husband and needed an escape . Lily's sexy figure is perfect for a crippled patient , Irene ( Karin Kernke ) , who has been waiting for delicate surgery on her spine for some time , and Ood is only happy to oblige . Ood was once a guinea pig himself , his brain experimented on , his intelligence increased along with an accompanied madness that is starting to cause him to become more dangerous to anyone that threatens his happiness with Irene . Meanwhile , a paralyzed and mortified ( . . and tired ) Professor Abel attempts to talk some sense into Ood , discovering that he's beyond reason . Dieter Eppler is a sculptor , Paul Lerner , who becomes involved with Irene as she attempts to leave Ood ( . . Lily was a model for Paul and a birthmark exposes Ood's crime to Irene's dismay ) . Helmut Schmid , as Bert , is a loyal assistant to Abel ( . . and eventually , albeit reluctantly , with Ood ) who becomes an adversary of Ood's when he uncovers his secrets involving the professor's unfortunate situation . As other user comments have elaborated , and rightfully so , it's hard not to think of THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE when watching THE HEAD because both films deal with a victim's severed head left alive , their demands for death gone unanswered as the ones responsible have other disturbing plans in store . . . and both share the link of an attractive model being chosen to as a host body for the titular head . What separates the films is mood and tone . Director ( . . and writer ) Victor Trivas is able to create an unsettling atmosphere that is ever present and Frank's reserved approach ( . . until the end where Ood is finally overwhelmed by his insanity ) to his obviously cuckoo scientist add a quality woefully missing in THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE . Plus , THE HEAD is more focused and far less corny , clearly exploring implications from a series of devious , coordinated procedures by Ood whose sole purpose , it seems , is benefiting his own twisted agenda , obtaining the prize that is Irene , his creation . Kernke , once operated on , has quite an alluring sex appeal ( . . her figure finally revealed after wearing a robe covering her body , bent and hunched as she walked ) which calls to our attention just why Ood desires her to the point of violent obsession . The visual effect of Abel's head , absent a body , is impressive considering when the film was made . . I mean , you have an idea of how it was pulled off , but still , I've seen far worse effects in the past ( . . even regarding the use of CGI ) . Effective score also adds much to the macabre behavior of the film's protagonist . A bonafide sleeper I think is worth a look . |
436,280 | 9,938,570 | 32,049 | 7 | Tower of London | A Universal Studios take on the rise of the cunningly evil Richard III to the throne disposing of those who stand in his way as the film continues . Basil Rathbone ( deliciously mad ) is perfectly cast as Richard III while Boris Karloff portrays his evil executioner and loyal henchman Mort . Stylish , but melodramatic . Does have good tense moments as heroic John Wyatt ( John Sutton ) will work behind-the-scenes the try and take Richard III down ( . . though at one time is captured and subsequently tortured by Richard and Mort for he has lead a successful operation in stealing the king's treasure ) . Some battle sequences and a wonderful supporting performance from Vincent Price as the wimpy Duke of Clarence . |
436,284 | 9,938,570 | 91,799 | 7 | Psycho III | Psycho III has taken it's share of beating from critics and fans of the first two films , but I firmly stand up for the fact that there are some great things that derive from this sequel even if it doesn't work as a whole . I think the macabre humor is the stand-out plus for the film with two or three sequences very inspired . And , I was one of those who liked the possible love angle for Norman . Norman ( Anthony Perkins , still very good ) has been living quite a quiet existence until numerous things begin to take shape that will only result in tragedy . It starts with the whole fact that Mrs . Spool's disappearance is a constant reminder in the film . Her ghost looms over Norman as certain characters may possibly uncover what he did to Spool in the last film . The three most important characters in this second sequel change Norman's life , all for the worse in many ways . First , he hires Duane Duke ( Jeff Fahey , perhaps overdoes he role ) , one of those pretty boy-white trash types with his " all-smiles " charm that wins over many a lady unless you're the type that sees through all that for what he really is . We see , though , a nasty streak permeate in certain situations that recognize that Duke is anything but the nicest guy in the world . He gives Diana Scarwid's Maureen Coyle a ride when she wishes to escape from a horrible occurrence and we later see the monster inside Duke as he tries to molest her when he pulls over because of a severe down-pour . When she slaps him for not stopping , he says adiós leaving her to stand in the rain . Later , he takes on a temporary job for Norman who needs an assistant to help around the Bates Motel ( In an inspired moment , Duke tells Norman , " I just won't be staying around too long . " Norman , with that stuffed owl and it's wings spread behind him overhead , answers , " No one ever does . " ) He picks up a dame at a local bar , and after she puts out , throws her out of his room with nothing but a shower of insults down-grading her . Second , a reporter working on a piece about psychopathic behavior and if they should be released from prison , named Tracy Venable ( Roberta Maxwell ) will not go away . She actually hires Duke to spy on Norman since he could probably notice strange behavior or other unorthodox types of behavior which might yield guilty suspicions of dangerous activity . She begins snooping around Mrs . Spool's life and is always trying to probe into Norman's life one way or another . If anyone will sniff out what Norman might do wrong , she will . The third character in the film is Maureen Coyle who looks like Marian Crane ( the scene in which Norman spots " MC " on her suitcase , and his horrified reaction , are golden moments of jet black humor ) and is so shaken in how her life has turned out she tries to commit suicide while staying at the Bates Motel . Duke , not knowing that Room # 1 is a " no-no " to hand out to just anyone , gives that room to Maureen only adding to the macabre joke that Norman's psychological baggage is carrying yet another heavy bit of luggage . When " Mother " decides to put an end to Maureen " she " finds that the young , tortured woman has already slit her wrists . In the most fascinating sequence in the film , Maureen is looking up at " Mother " , but she sees through her crazed mind , The Virgin Mary . After surviving the suicide attempt , thanks to Norman who just happened to stop by in order to drop off clean towels , they start a warm , friendly relationship which doesn't go over well with " Mother . " This is a film that is unlike the other two films because it is effected by the slasher genre ( this is an example many users have already pointed out , but I just wanted to reiterate it ) . The violence that occurs to several people is much more potent and bloody . Perkins , as director , has a heavy religious sub-text within the story that shows how disillusioned poor Maureen is , and after accidentally killing a nun in a bell-tower , is searching for her own private island . She freely admits to a priest / psychiatrist that lust was mainly why she couldn't fully become a nun and that might just end in bad results for her because of the location she winds up at . The Bates Motel seems to be a place that attracts people trying to get away from something . I think the mystery of who is killing is more than obvious . Sure , Perkins shrouds the person in drag with shadow , but the figure is more than recognizable if you look hard enough . Not to mention , there only a few possible suspects since very few characters frequent within the story . I can't tell if Fahey is just badly acting or if this character is trying to put out the charm loudly placing outwardly this facade of " Mr . Nice Guy " until his more sinister side comes out . . specifically towards women . He might identify with Norman more than we think , and Perkins often photographs him as a disturbing type of fellow who might have homicidal tendencies . I feel he's a scumbag just out to make a buck , and always looking to bag a dame . . he's your heel that you just know will eventually clash with Norman . But , as I pointed out earlier on , I think the love angle was an important step , even if it was merely inevitable that something ( mainly , " Mother " ) would cease it from forming into something amazing for Norman to shift his existence into the norm . |
436,465 | 9,938,570 | 55,008 | 7 | Return of Dr . Mabuse | Director Harald Reinl ( The Torture Chamber of Dr . Sadism ) helms this solid , complex Krimi , another entertaining entry in the Dr . Mabuse series starring Gert Fröbe ( . . the great Bond villain , Goldfinger ) as an inspector , Lohmann , investigating a case in regards to several murders connected to a crime syndicate . Lohmann soon discovers that the murders are connected to a prison ran by Warden Wolf ( Fausto Tozzi ) with certain prisoners , hypnotized and operating at another's orders , willing to kill for the mastermind over their control , that being Dr . Mabuse himself . Along for the ride are Lex Barker , as a double agent , Joe Corno / Nick Scappio and reporter Dahlia Lavi ( . . as Maria Sabrehm ) . As the mystery unravels , Maria is actually daughter to a brilliant chemist unjustly sent to prison , Professor Julius Sabrehm , who has reluctantly provided the chemical agent which removes the humanity of prisoners , which conditions them to follow orders at the will of their controller . Werner Peters is Böhmler , whose responsibilities are to keep the prisoners in line , and secretly reports to Mabuse . Rudolf Fernau is Pfarrer Briefenstein , a suspicious priest , who may also be part of Mabuse's network , operatives using his church as a base . The movie's plot stays busy , keeping your mind occupied , as Lohmann attempts to tear apart the syndicate with Mabuse quietly orchestrating a plot to attack an atomic power plant using the zombie prisoners . Characters like Joe Como and Maria have their own agendas , so the film often keeps you guessing as to the characters ' motivations and who Lohmann can trust . It was neat seeing Fröbe in the detective role , trying to uncover the truth as to where Mabuse is located ( . . if it is even Mabuse ; he's supposed to be dead ) and how to stop him . Lavi is just to die for , positively gorgeous , with those wonderful curves . . what a fine specimen . I thought RETURN OF DR MABUSE was quite atmospheric with a fine detective story that maintains interest , even if you can figure out the mastermind of the operation . I liked the mad science aspects as to how Mabuse commands his zombie soldiers and watching Lohmann's response to the diabolical criminal . . the cat-and-mouse between the two always keeps the plot interesting . I also liked how Lohmann isn't the most perfect inspector , sometimes outwitted by Mabuse ( . . of course , he does put together the pieces of the puzzle , but Mabuse , at times , gains the upper hand ) . Intriguing idea regarding Mabuse's use of criminals , his main base of operations being a prison . . talk about thumbing your nose to the police ! |
436,419 | 9,938,570 | 51,151 | 7 | El Vampiro | Casa Negra sure blessed Gothic horror fans with some very atmospheric offerings including Fernando Méndez's ambitious , Universal Studio's flavored Mexican horror classic , El Vampiro , a film which certainly wears it's Dracula inspirations for all to see . The story isn't that difficult or original regarding a vampire's desire to gain control of an age-ravaged ( . . and sadly neglected due to a lack of hired help who moved off in fear of being vampire victims ) hacienda needing the proper ownership in the possession of Marta ( Ariadna Welter ) , a visiting relative from afar called at the behest of her sick aunt , María ( Alicia Montoya , wonderfully made up to look completely bonkers , hair frazzled and grey-streaked , face wrinkled and worn , cross with an emblem of a crucified Christ held tight to her chest ) . María supposedly died before Marta was able to arrive , but the situation is not as it seems . Marta would get off her train and discover that a method of transportation to her destination was remote at best , befriending a kindly traveler , Dr . Enrique ( Abel Salazar ) who would join her in a trip to the desolate hacienda , finding it practically abandoned and cob-webbed . We later find that Enrique was called by Marta's uncle , Emilio ( José Luis Jiménez ) to see if María was in fact loony , or if her ravings about a vampire was true . Aunt Eloisa ( Carmen Montejo ) is in league with vampire , Count Karol de Lavud ( . . who has taken the alias , Duval , Lavud spelled backwards , perhaps echoing SON OF Dracula , when Lon Chaney Jr's vampire took the name of Alucard ) who wishes to own the hacienda and assists in keeping an eye on Enrique , attempting to persuade Marta to sell off her portion of the place , given to her by María after her moment of death . Count de Lavud plans to resurrect his fallen brother , desiring to join forces to drain the blood of all the living across the country-side . Will Enrique and Emilio discover de Lavud and Eloisa's dastardly plans ? Or , will this fanged duo of evil conquer the hacienda , having a place of refuge after blood-sucking innocents who live nearby ? Germán Robles is effectively cast as a handsome Count , very much in the Lugosi tradition , except he has sharpened fangs and is often shown burying them into necks , including a ferocious attack on a peasant boy walking home in the wilderness . The hacienda is an ideal setting , perfectly morbid and decaying , with a marvelous mausoleum , and the usual secret room hiding María away from those who wish to gain control of her home . Some of the low-budget effects , stringed bats , objects lifted invisibly in a mirror ( . . Marta is looking into which is where Eloisa is supposed to be standing ) , scenes where the vampires appear and disappear , are a bit hit-or-miss , but director Fernando Méndez understands how to create decadent locations for his vampires , bathing them in shadows . And , even though the strings are apparent , I love his ideas for having the bats flying towards the balcony of a bedroom , entering the place of rest for a potential victim . And , Robles has the right amount of menace and quiet evil needed to properly present a cunning and cruel vampire . All the film really needed was a charismatic and worthy adversary and unfortunately Salazar is too much the charming , romantic type . . more of a Harker character than a Van Helsing . |
436,670 | 9,938,570 | 98,622 | 7 | Warlock | Warlock ( Julian Sands , perfectly embodying his witch with just the right amount of confidence and joy in his evil activities ) , granted access through teleportation from 1619 to the 1988 by his Satanic Master , is on a mission to seek the Grand Grimoire , a specific bible which holds the " lost name of God " , when uttered can " undo " creation plunging the world into chaos . Christian Witchhunter Redferne ( Richard E Grant , cast against type and surprisingly successful in the heroic lead ) , who followed warlock into vortex , travels to the same year , also hoping to find the book , but is surprised to know that his church folk split the book into three pieces , with pages secretly hidden across America . Redferne will need the help of someone who understands this new world and enlists the reluctant aide of Kassandra ( Lori Singer , given the spunky modern 80's gal role , cracking wise . . has great chemistry with Grant ) , a young woman whose friend's home the warlock exploded into from his vortex . She initially joins forces with Redferne because of an age spell the warlock cast on her . . a bracelet of hers , in his possession , will need to be retrieved or she will die . But , as these film tend to work , a friendship will form as the threat of our very world lies in danger , if our heroic duo fails in their mission . Miner's snappy direction keeps the film at such a quickening pace that you do not have much time to see the flaws . I think the leads bring a great deal of fun to the proceedings , inhabiting their roles with gusto . There's some religious mumbo-jumbo Grant's witch hunter uses to counteract Sands ' warlock's black magic which many might roll their eyes at , but I thought it added to the film's charm . I actually liked the special effects . . they're " primitive " by today's standards , but I think the f / x are handled rather well , particularly the flame which rises from Sands ' warlock . Some tongue-in-cheek humor , with many of the gags deriving from the appealing " fish out of water " concept of two men from 300 years ago in the late 80's , which I found enjoyable . Also , Sands seems to be having a blast in the role as an evil warlock , seemingly relishing the chance to play a character with a chance to " dethrone " God . Grant , using a heavy Scottish accent , plays his character straight to Singer's jokey quips . Good fun to non-discriminating viewers . Macabre gag of the film . . Sands achieves the ability to fly thanks to the off-screen skinning of a non-baptized child using his cooked fat as magic ( . . we often revisit Sands drinking the lard ) . Mary Woronov has an amusing cameo as a would-be spiritualist Sands uses to contact his Master . Many , including me , might actually consider this one of Miner's most entertaining films . |
436,269 | 9,938,570 | 98,082 | 7 | Perry Mason : The Case of the Lethal Lesson | A law student , Ken Malansky ( William Moses ) , in a class taught by the respected and admired attorney Perry Mason ( Raymond Burr ) is framed for the stabbing murder of a fellow student , the brash , cocky and good-looking Frank Wellman , Jr ( John Allen Nelson ) who had assaulted and almost raped his girlfriend , Kimberly ( Karen Kopins ) . Kimberly and her brother Scott ( John DeMita ) are also in Mason's class studying court law . After convincing Mason of his innocence , Perry finds the case troubling due to who the murdered student's pops was . . his friend from the past , successful , financially influential , and incredibly wealthy businessman Frank Wellman , Sr ( Brian Keith ) . Despite Wellman Senior's urgings to remain off the case , Mason agrees to represent Ken , whose life takes a roller coaster ride when a flame from the past pays bail , filthy rich , feisty , sublime , and beautiful fiancé Amy ( . . the yummy Alexandra Paul ) . Soon Amy is playing amateur sleuth attempting , like Ken , to find out answers as to who was in that locked room the night Wellman Jr was killed . That night is important . Only those in the classroom knew of Frank's late-night studying for a mock trial to occur the next day . Kimberly's fellow student and roommate informs Ken of what Frank did to her . Enraged Ken storms out to confront Frank . His knife was stolen two weeks prior to this specific night . As Ken's leaving Kimberly's friend is smiling , that's because she was actually the one behind Frank Junior's success , writing and preparing everything for him . . when he dumped her , revenge ( . . Ken beating him up ) caused that smile as Ken was leaving angrily . Once Ken makes it to the classroom ( . . not seen is a stop by a cop who writes him a ticket , important in the case later on ) , he lifts the key ring from the security guard , bursting in and finding Frank lying dead on the floor , his own knife in the murdered student's back . The real killer , silhouetted in the darkness , brushes Ken aside framing him . A major important piece to the puzzle is a video geek , Eugene ( Brian Backer , of " The Burning " fame ) who might have evidence or knowledge of something important to Mason's case . . Amy's pursuit of the truth for her man will possibly reap results as she sets her sights on catching Eugene . But , ultimately , Mason's skills as an attorney will yield the best results as he moves towards Frank Junior's past which may cost a life-long friendship , even calling pops to the stand regarding how he helped his son get ahead in law school . One more twist comes from Ken's roommate Travis ( Charley Lang ) who mentions that he witnessed him rummaging through his dresser drawer finding his knife , possibly endangering Mason's case . I grew up watching these Perry Mason movies as a child and loved them . Of course , Mason isn't the imposing towering presence he was as a character actor in his classic Hollywood days , so a great deal of the field work which yields results in his case come from snoopers Moses and Paul , who you just know will end up together by the tele-film's end . What I always appreciated most was Burr's resolve and charisma , even as a much older Mason , who moves much more gingerly , you believed in his wisdom and nose for figuring out the details not yet revealed . Paul is delightful and lights up the screen and Moses , trying to deal with a case that could send him to jail and juggling two female relationships at the same time . Moses would later join Mason as that budding lawyer , working on the field for his boss pursuing leads , putting himself in danger . Barbara Hale also returns as Mason's confident Della Street . They have the same eternally wonderful chemistry from the old television show . The movie , as the others would continue to provide , unravels clues and other suspects emerge . And , as expected , Mason rips to shreds those who threaten his case finding the real culprit in the process . |
436,809 | 9,938,570 | 116,213 | 7 | Eraser | Bottom line : This is a preposterous , ridiculous , and absolutely unrealistic action film . Bottom line : It's VERY , VERY entertaining action film which never lets you catch a breath . If you try and read the realism of an action film which has Arnold just dodge a damaged wing propeller of an airplane , will himself to a falling parachute pack , shoot out the windshield of said airplane while it is flying towards him , dodge hitting the plane again as it drifts away when bullets blow holes and intense air into the pilots ' face , get his parachute all tangled around his legs , unwind the tangled parachute , loose that parachute , but unearth the emergency parachute , and finally land on a junkyard car bending the entire top , yet barely bat an eyelash . Okay , have I made that pretty clear . The film takes . . umm . . liberties with the limits of what one man is able to do . Arnold Schwarzenegger plays US Marshal John Kruger . . a man who " erases " the identities of people under the special witness program . We see his impressive work early as he rescues Johnny Castelone ( Robert Pastorelli , who is very funny ) and his wife from certain death at the hands of gangsters working for a mob boss he plan to squeal on . We watch him defuse the situation rather easily . He's good at his job and shows that this kind of operation , if placed in the trustworthy hands of Kruger , that a person can escape possible doom . He receives a new person to relocate . . Lee Cullen ( the always beautiful Vanessa Williams ) , a woman who uncovers the plans of her company , Cyrez , in the possible sell of military hi-tech weaponry ) . Kruger's boss , Chief Beller ( James Coburn ) , informs him that there are some high-level people that will be effected greatly by Lee's witnessing at a trial in regards to her Defense Corporation , Cyrez . We soon discover that even the Undersecretary of Defense Daniel Harper ( Andy Romano ) is a major player in arms selling . But , nothing would prepare Kruger for the ultimate betrayal of his mentor , US Marshal Robert Deguerin ( James Caan ) , who is behind the works of getting the operation all set up and balanced without complications . Deguerin , unfortunately , isn't able to finish off Kruger in the plane ( he needed him to guide them to Lee ) and creates some real trouble to his almost too smooth plans in setting up the selling of a major load of state-of-the-art , electromagnetic rifles for $52 million . The problem Kruger faces is not only keeping Lee alive but convincing Beller that Deguerin is the mole of WITSEC ( the official name of the witness protection program Kruger works for ) . The film shows countless scenarios where by all true rights , Kruger would never make it out alive . Every time the screenplay stacks the deck , Kruger superhumanly brings himself out safely . The film provides some real humdingers in the way of complications . . there is an unlimited supply of dead meat for Deguerin to send into the grinder to kill Kruger . Check out the most famous scene , in the zoo sequence where Kruger shoots out the alligator tank and these reptiles eat several men trying to kill them . In a ball-busting escape from an alligator , Kruger shoots it in the mouth and proclaims , " You're luggage . " The film has lots of fast-moving chases where we ponder momentarily how Kruger and Lee will ever accomplish their mountainous goals of taking down the evil corruption of those willing to sell weaponry to a dangerous terrorist . I liked how Kruger uses Castelone to get into the Cyrez building to access information about what is on the disc that she copied at the beginning of the film that got her into such trouble to start with . I thought the entire sequence was unbelievable , but so is the rest of the film so why quarrel with such things . Ultimately , the film is a cat-and-mouse between teacher and student . Kruger has to find ways to outsmart the man that taught him all the ways of being an Eraser . So it's up to the two of them in understanding how each others ' mind works to determine how thee whole difficult situation will be played out . The film is never boring , always on the run with few chances to unleash those horrible moments of characterization . All we need is the non-stop , jaw dropping , exhausting action to keep out heads from towering over in sleepy slumber . This delivers , though , what it sets out for . . it is a blast to watch even if you don't believe a bit of it . |
435,999 | 9,938,570 | 120,004 | 7 | The Scarecrow reviews " The Relic " | Every once in a while I like to watch a good old monster movie . Hyams has helmed a film which delivers the goods with a creature which resembles an ancient monster of Brazalian myth . Miller is the evolutionary biologist who finds that something is not quite right with some kind of mineral ( which covered Brazilian leaves and looks a bit like berries ) and learns that this is a major source in what caused a beetle to become QUITE large . Miller desires ( along with Linda Hunt playing the museum curator ) funding for her research and operations . Chi Muoi Lo plays a sleazy butt kisser who desires the grant money as well to seek his own employment and escape being under the leadership of Miller . Tom Sizemore plays a superstitious detective trying to uncover the deaths of fisherman whose ship was found operation-less on the shore . They were killed by something which removed the hypothalamus from their brains . The museum ( set in Chicago as a " Natural Arts Museum " ) soon starts to become a killing grounds as well when we see a security guard get killed right in the middle of smoking a joint . Sizemore soon loses officers as they seek out under the tunnels of Chicago ( which would be an accurate place for the killer to travel ) the responsible killer . Soon Sizemore and Miller become acquainted as he tries to figure out how the security guard ( whose death resembles the dead shipping crew ) and the shipping crews deaths are linked . Meanwhile , the museum is setting up a great gala which will feature many prominent members of Chicago society such as the mayor and grant suppliers . Sizemore has his hands full with pressure to allow them to open the museum up despite knowing that it's possible the killer is still present . He decides to allow the top floor open as he searches down below to find the killer . Soon , Sizemore discovers ( as we do ) that the killer responsible is a giant monster . The screenplay writers make very sure that many will perish as this museum is so elaborate it has a grid security package which locks down steel doors and lights when something appears to go wrong . What no one is in store for is a creature which tears the system to shreds causing the whole museum to lock down trapping many inside . Soon , many will become tasty morsels to the huge monster and somehow Miller & Sizemore must stop it . The film is expertly photographed in shades of dark only allowing us to see a little . He creates a creepy atmosphere here with a museum which has many corners and a monster which explodes from the darkness with much fury . Stan Winston's monster effects are outstanding and the film provides many well made gore effects . It's a thrill ride and moves at rapid speed . The film tries to provide scientific jargon to explain how such a monster could exist ( or provides insight into the DNA and reasons behind how the monster exists ) into the mouth of Miller . Whitmore has a good supporting role as Miller's confidant and elder statesman . |
436,788 | 9,938,570 | 716,925 | 7 | Answer Me | I can understand why others reacted rather unpleasantly towards the climax yielding a twist that really is hard to take seriously . I think , though , that the build-up to it works rather well . The music , quite menacing and spine-tingling , really provides a spooky aura matching the unforgiving sound of a constant ringing telephone that is driving struggling English actress , Joan Matlin ( Jean Marsh ) bonkers . She's borrowing a pal's nice apartment while attempting to jump-start her career in New York City ( . . the city buildings outside the window look about as realistic as David Letterman's ) and is unceremoniously welcome by a noisy telephone which rings quite a bit , followed by loud slams against the wall . Searching for answers regarding the one responsible for such disregard towards her sanity , Joan discovers that no one rents that room , and that a former tenant had in fact strangled herself . Without help from the manager , Joan will decide to find out for herself who is causing her such anguish . Joan discovers the room empty and the phone with a particular female voice which will haunt her . The episode , I think , is a tour-de-force for Jean Marsh who is a one woman show . She's the only actress visible and we follow her through the crisis which slowly erodes her , the phone and the banging from that other room causing her much distress which grows into fear . Instead of leaving , Joan remains , so shaken by the noise and to the breaking point where she just wishes for the phone ( . . or whoever is ringing ) to stop . The episode provides a possible answer as to who is plaguing Joan and why . A character named Beth comes into the story rather late as Joan struggles to find out whose female voice it was across the other line who knew her name on that dreaded phone she discovers in the room across from hers . The fate of Beth might just tell the viewer why Joan is being traumatized . I think this episode is an exercise in spooks instead of credibility ; some didn't particularly like it , but I certainly did . I will admit that the phone , as a physical menace " crawling " towards Joan is hard to take seriously , not to mention it's attack on her , but I thought the intense opening twenty minutes before this were suitably chilling enough to make up for it . |
436,746 | 9,938,570 | 62,690 | 7 | Awakening of the Beast | Well , I just finished watching this Coffin Joe entry on IFC and got a kick out of it . Crazy movie where talking heads converse over how " Brazilian " society is under a moral collapse due to drugs and how the use of such provokes depravity and sadism . A series of stories , or various ways taboos can be tap-danced on with relish , alternate how characters do immoral things to each other . . such as these sweaty men paying for a prostitute's method of defecation over a pot , how a group of hipsters fondle a school girl before murdering her with a stick in an act of indecency , a movie producer giving an actress seeking work the " casting couch " treatment whacking off as his pal rapes her , an act of adultery where the cheating woman alternates between pleasure and guilt over what she's doing as the grinning male has his way with her , a wealthy wife looks on as her black butler gives her daughter oral sex , etc . While not explicit , these stories are still lurid enough , photographed in B & W , and used as examples at moral decay with drugs being labeled the culprit . We have a psychiatric doctor interested in what actually provokes such behavior and seeks four volunteers for taking LSD recording their reactions using the image of Coffin Joe as a catalyst in tapping into the subconscious . The first hour is that collection of stories , and the final thirty minutes is the madness that is Coffin Joe running rampant in the nightmarish realm of these four selected " victims " . The " hallucinations " are filmed in experimental colors and feature some pretty bizarre visuals like women being subjected to embarrassing ordeals , Joe often appearing and disappearing blowing flame from his hands ( ! ) , with those " invaded " by Joe baring witness to the frenzy of deranged images which pop up . My favorite image was of the women being knocked silly by Joe , landing at the feet of one volunteer as they kiss his feet . Another bizarre image I found memorable was the one volunteer ( . . the girl who defecated in the opening of this film ) who is " bombarded " with marks of blood , smidgens here and there until she is covered . Oh , and there's this " game show " where Marins , as himself ( . . although the media and panel tend to refer to him as the evil character of Joe , perhaps a statement that some critics can not separate the creator from his creation ) , is subjected to a panel who question his art . This is witnessed by the psychiatrist who is inspired to run his " LSD test " using the character of Joe in his experiment . The group discussing the effects of drugs on the people also includes Marins , which makes this rather odd . The climactic scene puts everything into perspective , and is a nice sense of irony . I think , also , that this was ahead of the curve in that one might look at how the media and public at large indict horror and music , in this day and age , as channels for evil which only encourage those to commit crimes and perversion . Perhaps Marins film will actually thwart that . . we ourselves are behind the things committed in the movie , not some created character in a film or a comic book . |
436,900 | 9,938,570 | 69,994 | 7 | Don't Look into the Basement | Nurse Charlotte Beale ( the lovely Rosie Holotik ) has arrived to Dr . Stephens ' clinic for the insane prepared for a new job . What she doesn't expect is to find another supposed doctor in his position after Stephens is attacked by axe-wielding maniacal " judge " Oliver W Cameron ( . . in a running gag , anytime he confronts a situation out of his control , he retreats to repeating his name ) . That doctor is Geraldine Masters ( Annabelle Weenick ) who isn't sure about whether Beale is a proper fit for their establishment . After a long discussion about the position ( which is quite an awkward scene as the two debate about Beale's being sent a letter by Stephens getting a job at the clinic with Masters often reminding her that he is no longer in charge ) Masters agrees to let her work in the nursing position , but the good Doctor may not be who she seems . . The assortment of loonies includes Sam ( Bill McGee ) a simple-minded child-man who was Stephens ' last victim of lobotomy , Jennifer ( Harryette Warren ) a woman who needs an adult to comfort her as she wallows at Masters ' heel like a puppy , Danny ( Jessie Kirby ) a trouble-making annoyance often trying to steal the fake baby of disturbed Harriet ( Camilla Carr ) , Allyson ( Betty Chandler ) a sexy nympho who just wants to be loved and hops at any man she sees , & " Sergeant " Jaffee ( Hugh Feagin ) your typical case of soldier who hasn't escaped the madness of war . The film shows Masters ' unorthodox methods of running the clinic with allowing the patients to roam free with the doors to all rooms without locks calling into question . . and , not to mention , the fact that Oliver is still allowed to walk around despite just chopping Dr . Stephens with an axe . And , what exactly happened to Dr . Stephens ? Ah ha . . Tacky 70's drive-in trash is a lot of fun if you are into a warped brand of cinema . I'm attracted to bizarre flicks about mental rejects because of their unpredictable nature . . you just never know what the hell might happen , especially in this case where they are allowed to roam often unattended . Some consider the low budget a liability , but in the case of this film , I think it enhances the experience . With the cheap photography and weak production values ( being shot for peanuts in a run down house in some awful location ) it seems creepier and I felt like a voyeur peering into insanity through a camera lens on the outside looking in . |
435,696 | 9,938,570 | 87,472 | 7 | The Initiation | The lovely Kelly ( Daphne Zuniga in her first performance ) is troubled by this recurring " nightmare " regarding her mother and " father " making love when a man enters the room enraged . A little girl , she believes is herself , has a bloody knife in her hand . A mirror reflecting the little girl and the enraged man being burnt alive by the " father " also are very potent images in this nightmare . Later we see that a facially burnt man is attending to the grounds at an insane asylum about the same time as patients are released from the place and a nurse is brutally stabbed while attempting to crank her car . Kelly and two other college girls , Marcia ( Marilyn Kagan ) and Alison ( Hunter Tylo , better known for starring on the soap opera THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL ) are challenged , via pledge , by sorority sister Megan ( Frances Peterson ) to steal a security uniform from her " father " Dwight Fairchild's massive mall . Megan plans to prank the girls and keeps the back door locked when Kelly hands over the keys to the building . Megan also invites three college boys : Ralph the comedian ( Trey Stroud ) , Chad ( Christopher Bradley ) & Andy ( Peter Malof ) , Megan's beau . What none of these characters know is that a psycho is inside the mall with them as we see this person kill the security guard before the girls entered the place . Kelly seeks help from teaching assistant , Peter ( hunky James Read ) , whose special interests and skills lie in understanding the logic of dreams . He hopes to unlock those mysteries and expose them to Kelly so they will quit plaguing her . Film vets Clu Gulager and Vera Miles get top billing as Kelly's parents . The facially burnt man named Jason Randall ( Robert Dowdell ) has a major role in the grand scheme of things as does the nightmare and it's mysteries on how they effect Kelly . The twist is neat and the characters ( my favorite is Tylo who uses her Southern drawl and charm as the beautiful nympho Alison ) are likable . The various slayings come mostly from weapons stolen within the mall which creates a foreboding atmosphere all it's own when the killer continues every now and then to turn the lights on and off . The mall is also a really expansive place where a killer can hide fairly well . |
436,411 | 9,938,570 | 35,798 | 7 | The Scarecrow reviews " The Desperadoes " | This is simply a good ole fashioned western . . not overly complex or long . It doesn't deceive itself in thinking that it was made but for entertainment . Still , it is one of those westerns you can watch once and be done with without returning . It features former partners Randolph Scott and Glenn Ford whose friendship is strong despite the fact that Ford's Cheyenne Rogers has been part of bank robbing ( he even steals Scott's Sheriff Steve Upton's horse without knowing it his good friend for which he is thieving ) . In Red valley , Upton is under heavy scrutiny for a bank robbing that ended with several dead . Claire Trvor portrays Countess Maletta , a friend of Cheyenne's who gives he and buddy " Nitro " ( Guinn ' Big Boy ' Williams ) a place to stay for the time being . Cheyenne desires to go straight , but finds that hard when Jack Lester ( Bernard Nedell ) and his bad bunch want to rob Red Valley's bank . It is actually Jack who is behind the murders , but Cheyenne's troubled past is hard to get away from . He and Nitro will be charged with the murders they didn't commit ( the robbery was one Cheyenne didn't commit ) and it will be Upton who must somehow save the day before Lester gets away with murder . There are sub-plots which include Cheyenne's falling in love with Alison McLeod { Evelyn Keyes ; the irony of the story is that Alison's father , Uncle Willie , is actually in cahoots with Banker Stanley Clanton ( Porter Hall ) in a planned united theft with Lester to steal the town of Red Valley's loot } . Will Upton uncover Uncle Willie and Banker Clanton's treacherous scheme ? Will Uncle Willie be able to go through it without his conscience always bothering him ? This film has a terrific barroom brawl and a dandy of a climactic shootout . Columbia couldn't have picked a better genre to begin the coloring process as this film has some fine mountainous shots as men give chase on horseback and such . Don't expect to get your socks blown off , but the film is simple and well paced . |
436,114 | 9,938,570 | 981,224 | 7 | Midnight Movie | Theater-goers attend ( . . and the hired staff of the establishment host ) the midnight screening of an old 70's drive-in slasher , The Dark Beneath ( . . written , produced and directed by a psychiatric nut case who slaughtered a hospital's staff with the bodies , and himself , missing from the scene of the crime ) featuring a skull-masked psycho in overalls , whose homemade weapon is a cone-shaped , cork-screw blade , who attacks a group of hippies with the misfortune of blowing a tire nearby his loony hick mama's decrepit farmhouse . Those in the cinema will understand the characters ' dilemma all too well as they become prey to the killer who seemingly has the ability to remove himself from the film into reality stalking them , following their fear , he has a nose for this emotion . When the victims fall to the stalking supernatural killer , their bodies are carried into the film , and into his dungeon of rooms , a veritable prison for those whose fear he cashed in on . Rebekah Brandes is Bridget , the young manager of the theater who takes care of her brother , Timmy ( Justin Baric ) ; both were a victim of fatherly abuse so their emotional wounds are still rather fresh . Daniel Bonjour is Bridget's very honorable and courageous boyfriend , Josh , who comes to her aid as protector when the situation grows more and more terrifying and the death toll ratchets upward . Greg Circulnick is Josh's obnoxious buddy , Mario and we see how much of a cowardly jerk he is when the killer has his girlfriend Samantha ( Mandell Maughan ) trapped with her hands pinned in a window seal . Jon Briddell is Detective Barrons , at the midnight screening in the hopes that it's creator might show up . Michael Swan is Dr . Wayne , the one who witnessed how bloody his hospital was at the hands of an escaped patient , and hopes that the lunatic will return to the theater where his film is playing . Also attending the show is a biker couple , Harley ( Stan Ellsworth ) and Babe ( Melissa Steach ) who are annoyed at the teen audience for talking during the movie . Rounding out the cast , Brea Grant as Rachel , the candy-popcorn counter girl with a lousy attitude , Shaun Ausmus as Kenny , wishing to improve his status in the theater begging for Bridget to allow him managerial duties so that he can show how responsible he can be , and Michael Schwartz as Sully , an opinionated hanger-on who wishes to join his teen peers and instead causes much disturbance when his body doesn't react too well to the popcorn and raisins . Arthur Roberts has a chameo role as the escaped crazy who made The Dark Beneath , quite memorable in his brief screen time . Surprisingly brutal supernatural slasher with a sadistic killer who buries his corkscrew weapon deep into the bellies of victims . One victim gets the blade slammed into his face , while another receives it into her back shoulder as the killer twists it ripping deep inside . Brandes is quite a cute little lead actress establishing pretty much right away that she's sensitive and guarded due to past trauma and Bonjour's Josh is exactly who she needs , a person sympathetic towards her . . Bonjour has that kind of " knight in shining armour " role . Ellsworth is fun as foul-mouthed , hulking Harley and his gal is the very sexy Steach ( . . her screen name , Babe is quite appropriate ) , who stands by her man always no matter how inappropriate his behavior can be at times ( . . ultimately , though , Harley has a heart , revealed when he finds out what Bridget has been through upon seeing scars on her arm ) . . he is certainly someone you'd like to have on your side if being chased by a maniac . I think if you dwell on the film's wacky plot , determining logic , then this will be certain to alienate you . . it's more for slasher fans anyway , who can dispense with logic , embracing the loving nod to psycho-thrillers which appeared in Grindhouses . The killer's look is really effective , as is his weapon . The killer often dissolves in and out of reality , returning to the film to assault the characters . The theater setting has an ungarnished , archaic look representing a relic on it's way to being condemned . I'm not sure anyone will find the film on screen ( . . where the killer comes out of ) a realistic example of 70's exploitation , however . Startlingly grim conclusion . |
436,517 | 9,938,570 | 89,348 | 7 | Invasion US | Norris stars a retired agent who must save American lives threatened by Russian terrorists led by Richard Lynch . Another bonafide star vehicle for Norris who scored a box office hit with his director Joseph Zito in MISSING IN ACTION . It was obvious that Zito and Norris would collaborate again , and INVASION USA ups the ante in regards to violence , weapon-fire , and explosions with lots of dead bodies as a result . As usual with 80's Chuck Norris actioners , there was plenty of bait for critical hate . Set during Christmas time of all seasons , with Lynch , at one point , actually using a rocket launcher , attacking half a suburban neighborhood ! One action sequence has Norris interrupting a terrorist attack inside a mall full of innocent shoppers ! While it's established that the terrorism is sweeping across the nation , Zito keeps the film mostly inside Florida . Norris is a one-man army , eliminating one scum bag terrorist at a time . Lynch has always been a marvelous heavy and his over-the-top villain here is a fine antithesis to Norris , a minimalist action hero who has always been quietly intense and rather impassive when facing his adversaries . Lynch's motivation is simple . . wreak havoc across America , turning people against each other , causing chaos . Norris , in order to stop this , must hit the group at it's source by finding Lynch and destroying him . It's fairly predictable of course because you know Norris and Lynch are gonna have that final confrontation with the expected result . As was often in the glorious 80's , there was no shades of gray . . it was black and white , good guys against bad guys . Despite how well organized the terrorists are , Lynch's weakness is Norris and in attempting to ambush him , a trap is set up . The premise is rather preposterous . . how could Lynch get this many men into the United States , past our well guarded boarders and government ? How can Norris be at so many places at such opportune times ( . . before a church is detonated or removing a bomb from a school bus of kids , killing the enemy with their own devices ) ? And , how could Lynch be so inept in following Norris in what was obviously a planned entrapment ? Let's just be honest , the premise itself services Norris with a chance to defeat a number of vile , despicable villains who prey on the innocent with logic thrown out the window in favor of lots of machine guns shooting a majority of people . I'm afraid the filmmakers set themselves up , though , by having it an incredible invasion because Norris is still only one man with no way of completely eradicating the enemy . You'd think Lynch , if he were a multi-dimensional terrorist leader , would steer clear of Norris , remaining in hiding , allowing his army to devastate the country because that's the kind of revenge which should seem sweeter . . if Norris can not find him , then Lynch truly could bask in his victory . But , this is a by-the-numbers action flick which gives the target audience what it wants , the hero saving the day for American kind . Lots of ammunition is fired before it's all said and done with the military shooting it out against Lynch's large number of terrorists . Melissa Prophet is a reporter Norris comes in contact with when searching for terrorist activity in Miami . Alexander Zale is Lynch's sadistic lieutenant who attempts to convince his leader to abandon the crusade to find Norris . This is the kind of action film where endless gaping plot holes and illogic breed contempt and scorn . . but for this very reason , I can not help but lap up a Chuck Norris movie pitting him against terrorist slime . You know bullets fired in his direction will miss , the enemy will always be outsmarted , and that the main baddie is gonna die something horrible . |
436,445 | 9,938,570 | 111,143 | 7 | The Shadow | The Shadow ( Alec Baldwyn ) , that great crime-fighter based on the popular radio serials , must contend with Shiwan Khan ( John Lone ) . . an old acquaintance who wishes to - - yep , you guessed it - - rule the world ! Scientist Dr . Reinhardt Lane ( Ian McKellen , surprisingly quite hammy ) has almost put together a major atomic bomb for the government's war department , but a specific component must be used for it to be fully operational . This bomb is Khan's ticket at complete rule so he will enlist Lane's assistant Farley Claymore ( Tim Curry , chewing the scenery as always ) who is only happy to be a partner that might see him as a King over a world at their feet . Khan has the ability , much like The Shadow , to control weak-minded individuals , and through that will become a successful nemesis to the crime-fighter trying to stop him . Penelope Ann Miller plays the cool , sassy babe Margo , who is Reinhardt's daughter and The Shadow Lamont Cranston's love-interest . The Late Peter Boyle has an amusing turn as Cranston's cabby , always on call when the crime-fighter needs him . Thanks to good production design and beautiful photography , the film is certainly great to look at , but the style has a hard time masking the cartoony theatrics of the characters and story premise . Baldwyn seems , to me anyway , to fit the role of crime-fighter extraordinaire The Shadow . The film has quality visual effects specifically in how The Shadow operates supernaturally . Still , the story itself , not to mention the development of The Shadow himself , left me a tad disappointed . There's a feeling of the film lacking something . . perhaps a stronger villain who is laughable where he should be ominous . |
436,606 | 9,938,570 | 89,346 | 7 | Into the Night | Ed ( Jeff Goldblum ) , an insomniac who just found out about his wife's extramarital affair , is greeted by a frightened woman , Diana ( Michelle Pfeiffer , who is simply beautiful ) running from Iranians who just killed her friend . Come to find out , she had confiscated some foreign priceless stones from oversees and quite a few dangerous types , besides the Arabs ( one is the director of the film John Landis and they often work collectively even eating peanuts at the same time , sitting at the same time , etc ) , such as a Frenchman named Melville ( director Roger Vadim ) & his psychotic , all-smiles hit-man named Colin ( David Bowie ) . Diana has recently , supposedly , had a falling out with her sugar-daddy , Jack Caper ( Richard Farnsworth ) and hasn't nowhere else to turn once her Elvis-worshiping brother , Charlie ( Bruce McGill ) kicks her out of his apartment . The rest of the film has Ed and Diana stuck together , as fate would have it , going through one unusual situation after another always fleeing danger and trying to figure out how to relinquish the stones while also staying alive . . and , especially from being caught by the police . There is a woman of great means , Shaheen ( Irene Papas ) who might be interested in the purchase of those jewels . . and just might be behind those Iranians that always seem bound to wreck another apartment or home in search for those precious stones . Unpredictable and bizarre , this film provides Landis and company an opportunity to string the viewer along with gags regarding Hollywood . The film is riddled with famous Hollywood directors in cameo roles , but my favorite scene is where Goldblum's Ed has a problem finding a place to rest up against when he awaits Diana ( whose in a trailer talking to a friend ) constantly crashing through props that look real . You see the setting is LA and Landis just has a field day allowing his characters to run headlong into mishap and danger at almost every turn as they slowly fall in love . What makes it work also , for me anyway , is how Goldblum dead-pans as the chaos surrounds him . The chemistry between Goldblum and Pfeiffer surprisingly gels and there's the typical Landis violent carnage that explodes in the airport towards the end . I'm sure those who know directors that were buddies of Landis , but they are the ones that'll enjoy the endless cameos . |
435,885 | 9,938,570 | 65,693 | 7 | In the Folds of the Flesh | Absurdly convoluted thriller with an insane amount of twists ( . . the rug gets pulled out from under you so many times you'll suffer a skull fracture ) regarding a family of misfits , a troubled mother and her equally warped son and daughter . Lucille ( Eleonora Rossi Drago ) is burying the body of her husband supposedly while an escaped convict , Pascal ( Fernando Sancho ) is being sought after by the authorities . Pascal catches her in the act and is caught , but will return with an idea of blackmail . Falesse ( Pier Angeli ) is a deeply psychologically damaged young woman who believes she decapitated her father , after he had raped her . We watch a series of men stop off at the villa where these three live , attempting to seduce and ravage Falesse as her brother achingly watches from afar , trying to stop the act before it escalates . Those men all fall victim to Falesse who always hearkens back to that decapitation of her " father " before stabbing a back with a dagger or lopping off the head of another with a sword . Once Pascal arrives , the film spends the center section devoted to his terrorizing the trio , ordering them around with a gun waving at them , demanding for blackmail money , forcing the son to dig up the surrounding area for the remains of the decapitated father . We watch as Lucille concocts a scheme to end Pascal's interference in their lives ( . . in a bizarre turn of events , Falesse actually is drawn to Pascal , a foul , blubbery brute who rapes both her and Lucille ) . When Pascal is dealt with ( . . his departure is inspired by a startling episode that occurred to Lucille in a Nazi concentration camp as she watched her family suffocate in the gas chamber ) , yet another man , claiming to be Andre , the actual father of Lucille's children , returns , throwing their lives in turmoil . This is when we learn of a third child named Esther , and a beautiful blonde patient in an asylum whose relationship to this family is of great importance to the truth regarding the opening scene's decapitation and burial . I firmly realize that this film will have many viewers rolling their eyes in disbelief at the events that unravel , a bevy of lies weaved by Lucille , and her constituted effort to deceive over the years is hard to process fully . After a while , I almost threw my hands up at the non-stop revelations which just kept coming . . it's incredible that a screenplay could feature so many twists and turns . You read others describing the movie as sleazy , but , in actuality , there's more suggestion than actual action on screen . Such as Pascal's molestation of Lucille and Falesse or the obvious , brother-sister , incest in the family over the years . Kudos to director / co-writer Sergio Bergonzelli's editor , Donatella Baglivo , who had the overwhelming task of establishing the complicated developing story as it unfolds . I mean one wonders how in the world an editor could piece together a film that throws everything at the viewer but the kitchen sink before the screen fades to black . Sergio Bergonzelli parades a number of fake decapitated heads for the viewers over the course of the film . Quite a demented little movie that will cause a lot of head-scratching and aggravation , but I enjoyed it's audacity to throw out all the stops in order to bewilder and surprise . As expected such a film with a lot of material , and so little actual violence or depravity on screen , IN THE FOLDS OF THE FLESH will bore and alienate many who watch it . I didn't think this was a traditional giallo , and wouldn't really consider it one , for the exception of the convoluted story and general bizarre behavior of the characters . The film , before it starts , actually quotes Freud . . he'd have quite a challenge with the trio of oddballs in this film . |
436,278 | 9,938,570 | 67,592 | 7 | Succubus | Tourists and their bus driver must stay overnight at a château because of travel complications . What they don't know is that a succubus plans to prey on their innermost desires ( each character preyed upon represents one of the seven deadly sins . . an intriguing ingredient in the film's success ) taking their souls from them , leaving the mark of Satan as they perish . The succubus ' main desire is the conquest of a man studying to be a priest . . if she can win his soul , a man of God , then her goal is a successful one . The succubus is played by the evocative Erika Blanc who only shows her true face ( one quite hideous truly representing her evil ) when she is about to vanquish her victims . Amonst the victims is the bus driver who likes to gorge on food , a wealthy woman who desires the supposed gold of the château's Baron von Rhoneberg ( Jean Servais ) , a crusty old curmudgeon who thinks he knows it all and never ceases to insult others , etc . There's no doubt that this film unfortunately suffers from a shoe-string budget , but director Jean Brismée really has a creepy château to provide an eerie sense of dread as each character walks unknowingly unto certain doom . Erika's " ugly make-up " representing her true face is quite creepy and the actress succeeds in her role as this soldier for Satan who relishes taking souls from those who harbor lusts of this world . The ultimate question is will the " future " Priest be able to survive the advances of the succubus , or fall prey to lascivious wanton fleshly desire ? |
436,690 | 9,938,570 | 33,726 | 7 | Honky Tonk | Well acted little western about a smooth talking con man named " Candyman " Johnson ( perfectly played by the always dapper and charming Clark Gable who has never been better ) who wishes " to take over " a town of his own and finds one in Yellow Creek . He's head-over-heels for Elizabeth ( Lana Turner , her beauty is angelic ) , a Boston girl who is the daughter of a former con man he once knew and now the judge of Yellow Creek ( justice of the peace , played by a wonderful Frank Morgan ) . The Judge is a bad drunk who doesn't like it all that his daughter is so in love with a trickster who has the uncanny ability to never find a way to stay in any town too long . Claire Trevor has a marvelous scene-stealing supporting part ( it seems she's always in these parts , owning the scenes she's in ) as a former " colleague " of Candy's who is a professional bar girl always working the gambling tables . Marjorie Main has an entertaining supporting role ( another character actress who always steals her scenes ) as Mrs . Varner , a woman who was to teach Liz about the ways of being a proper woman ( cooking and such ) . Varner often is quite a fixture in town business whose voice is often heard loud over the others . Albert Dekker is Brazos , the corrupt sheriff of Yellow Creek who is automatically the arch nemesis of Candy's when it becomes clear that our con man has worked the town against their current " lawman " ( it's stated by one of the townsfolk that Brazos just put the star on one day and began barking orders ) . Liz wants Candy to change and boozes him up so that when he wakes , he'll find that they are married . The film's melodrama stems from this unusual courtship and the different ways Liz changes instead of Candy . Bottom line is that Candy is intoxicated by Candy and can not resist his charms . What we later find , as corruption seethes within Yellow Creek as Candy is voted in as sheriff when Brazos is dropped like a bad habit , is that Candy's life has changed in that he loves Liz , but his taking from the town certain profits ( 60 % of the town's earnings seem to fall into his pocket and buy lots of nice outfits for Liz and a nice fancy place to live ) will soon upend him . And , the drinking judge hates Candy enough he'll try to use documents of the con man's corruption against him as the town grows restless at what their lawman has swindled them out of . The film starts out really entertaining with great dialogue as Gable works his charm on everyone around him . Seeing Gable work tricks on unsuspected victims like Dekker's Brazos and the townsfolk with fancy words is also a hoot . Eventually , though , the melodrama is laid on a bit thick and the film bogs down towards the end . Still , the film has such an amazing cast with good leads it's hard not to recommend to western fans . |
436,410 | 9,938,570 | 43,335 | 7 | The Scarecrow reviews " Best of the Bad Men " | Robert Ryan is Jeff Clanton , a newly released Yankee Calvary hero , who is falsely imprisoned by carpetbagger Matthew Fowler ( Robert Preston who always had the skill to play a mean sonofabitch ) who has manipulated and bought his way into territories left dry by war . Fowler runs a " detective agency " which pretty much is an organization of hoodlums always ready for more power and prestige . Clanton had round up a renegade group of confederate refugees lead by Cole Younger ( Bruce Cabot , a fine western character actor often appearing in John Wayne films ) and was about to swear them into civilian life when Fowler smelled millions when his right hand man , Joad ( Barton MacLane who has always played characters you'd like to punch in the face with a brick ) , saw Clanton ride those soldiers in . Several members of these refugees included the notorious James brothers and horse thief Doc Butcher ( Walter Brennan , who is always a blast to watch ) . . plenty have nice , fat price tags for retrieval . When Clanton refuses to hand them over to Fowler , the carpetbagger enlists a large sum of men to swarm up trouble . One man tries to pull a gun and is killed by Clanton . Fowler finds out that Clanton had been released by the Army and therefore could be tried for " murder " , though clearly Jeff was right in pulling his gun . Thanks to the disgruntled wife of Fowler ( a quite dependable Claire Trevor ) , Clanton escapes , but is shot in the leg and could pass out any minute . Being found by Doc and Cole's younger brother Bob ( Jack Beutel ) , Clanton is rescued from certain grim fate . In a little town called Kint , Clanton prepares revenge on Fowler . . his obsession is the meat of the true drama of the story . This film might have been routine if it wasn't for a stellar cast who seem inspired . The film is wonderfully shot in Technicolor and Ryan's hero against Preston's villain is fun . The added storyline of John Archer's treacherous Curly Ringo , Trevor's Lily trying to keep her identity as Mrs . Fowler secret ( only Clanton and Ringo know ; Ringo's knowing provides some added suspense . . how long would he conceal her identity from Cole and the gang ? ) , & Clanton's growing bond with Lily provide much needed help to a rather unsatisfyingly weak ( and actually a bit far-fetched ) ending . Something happens between Cole and Clanton and this doesn't get a follow through one might desire . The audience get what they want though . . a final showdown between Clanton and Fowler . I guess why I'm a bit disappointed is because I feel this could've been great for we had all the makings of a solid conclusion , but instead we're left with not knowing what truly came of Cole and his remaining gang . |
436,957 | 9,938,570 | 181,012 | 7 | Sole Survivor | Denise Watson ( Anita Skinner ) , an up and coming producer for a television studio , remarkably survives an airplane crash . It seems Denise has even found a new man in her life , the physician who nursed her back to health , Dr . Brian Richardson ( Kurt Johnson ) . Yet , there's this state of unease that exists and Denise notices strange individuals standing from afar . An older actress , Karla Davis ( Caren L Larkey ) , returning from 6 years of obscurity living pretty much as a recluse , is supposed to be starring in a series of coffee commercials for Denise's company . Karla claims that she has psychic premonitions and attempts to warn Denise of potential danger she envisions in her nightmares . Through Karla we discover that Denise was not suppose to survive ( . . this is presented in a very subtle way ) her plane crash , and , in fact , those unusual folks that seem to follow Denise are in fact undead corpses , perhaps used to reclaim the one who got away from the clutches of death . When an unfortunate series of violent circumstances arise as others encounter those undead corpses " assigned " to " retrieve " Denise , she will have to depend on Brian for help , reluctant and unconvinced , at first , until his own personal investigations turn up some really odd information ( . . certain corpses moved into a coroner's lab show signs of blood collection in their legs as if they had died standing ; and a particular corpse , which kills someone close to Denise , shown as to have died of a coronary , actually was muddy and wet and lying in his car seat in a way not associated with the forensic evidence ) . Can Denise escape from death that is stalking her ? Will Brian be able to save her ? This was a nice surprise . Pretty spooky little movie , with limited violence ( . . the zombies of the film attack humans who pose a threat to their mission ) . Director Thom Eberhardt is more concerned with building that state of unrest and that terror towards the heroine intensifies as the zombies of the film gradually become more of a threat . At first , the undead watch from afar , lifeless and emotionless , as if they had moved from the slab to spy on her . Then with each appearance , they are more and more threatening ( . . the parking garage scene where Denise narrowly escapes in an elevator as a zombie closes in from behind is an effectively suspenseful sequence ) , until those who aren't particularly targets fall prey to them for being in the wrong place at the wrong time . A quite interesting twist develops regarding those who are killed by the zombies , themselves pose a threat to Denise's life . I really liked how Eberhardt establishes the undead predators , often shooting them from far away . . kind of reminds me of Michael Myers , who looks on at a target before setting in for the kill . The eerie shots of the silent city at night with the streets practically empty ( . . with his camera particularly interested in store window mannequins ) are quite effective , and I thought Eberhardt produces a great sense of hopelessness as Denise slowly descends from a confident and calm working woman into a nervous wreck popping pills , downing booze , and smoking because of her supernatural stalkers . I also appreciated the ambiguity behind the whole film , using dialogue and performance to convey the truth at what is transpiring to the tragic character of Denise and those in her inner circle attempting to run from her own mortality , death never ceasing to stop until it can secure her soul . Big thanks to Code Red for releasing this on DVD so that a new audience can appreciate it ( . . like a lot of cases , those behind the making of the film received no rewards for their labor due to the distributors ) . Eberhardt would go on to direct the cult hit , NIGHT OF THE COMET . As others have mentioned , SOLE SURVIVOR is quite reminiscent of CARNIVAL OF SOULS , although the films have very different types of female leads being pursued by very different types of ghoulish predators . Robinson Davidson also stars as Denise's reliable teenage neighbor , Kristy . Brinke Stevens has an early role as one of Kristy's school chums , who must remove her bra during a game of strip poker . My favorite sequence would have to be the chilling nightmare where Karla sees the aftermath of the plane crash as bodies lay dead amongst the debris with Denise seated alone in a dazed state . |
436,263 | 9,938,570 | 65,677 | 7 | Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion | Pill-popping , alcoholic wife of a struggling businessman , Minou ( the foxy bright red head Dagmar Lassander , often covered with heavy facial make-up ) is being tormented by a sexual deviant / sadist ( Simón Andreu ) who has her listen to a cassette tape that might just possibly link her husband the killer of an investor who was recently found dead . Minou adores her husband and even if he's a killer she's willing to give up her body to this cretin if it saves her beloved from being implicated in a crime of his own doing . What Minou doesn't realize is that the blackmailing sicko photographed their sexual activity and now threatens to expose pictures to her husband if she doesn't allow herself to becoming his sex slave ! The blackmailer is quite elusive and any trace of his identity seems hard to come by . . Minou's husband Peter ( Pier Paolo Capponi ) and Police Commissioner Frank ( Osvaldo Genazzani ) believe it's quite possible she's having a nervous breakdown or a collapse in sanity . Only her nympomaniacal best friend Dominique ( the VERY sexy Susan Scott who is wardrobed to show the goods and figure she's blessed with ) seems to believe Minou's cries that there is a sadistic fiend threatening to kill her if she doesn't comply with his demands at sexual servitude . But , is the blackmailer REALLY the mastermind of the degrees of mental anguish bestowed upon Minou ? Crazy giallo has a few twists and turns , but this is a psycho-thriller where we know the heroine is voicing the truth although he's cagey and able to hide away from capture . The film puts out everyone as a suspect , even Dominque at one point . As in the very best gialli , the success of the plot depends on how the viewer is fooled . . if you can see the twist coming a mile away ( . . and I did ) then perhaps it fails . As far as the fashions . . this is a gay fashion designer's wet dream . The film's a practical run-way of Italian fashion dressing Lassander and Scott in various styles . Plenty of sleaze for the average giallo-lover . |
436,080 | 9,938,570 | 87,413 | 7 | Sexual Story of O | Odile ( Alicia Príncipe ) is a young woman just writhing with the desire of sexual embrace . It's only a matter of time before someone ( . . or multiple someones ) would offer their services to her . Often freely sporting her naked flesh , soon a couple discover her from their own hotel bedroom and a sexual rendezvous will commence . What Odile doesn't expect when she takes up an offer to join the couple on a trip to an isolated island estate is the Count Von Karlstein ( Daniel Katz ) and Countess Wanda Von Karlstein ( Carmen Carrión ) a wealthy elite who are also into kinky sex with sado-masochistic tendencies . Odile's mistake in trusting in Mario's ( Maura Ribera ) ' s bi-sexual wife ( Mari Carmen Nieto ) who is the culprit behind her seduction . . what Odile does not realize is that when you travel down the road to passion and ecstasy , embracing the sexually free lifestyle she soon excepts with open arms , comes a dangerous price when associating yourself with the wrong person . To be honest , I felt Jesús Franco's " Sexual Story of O " is ultimately about sexual awakening and the dangers of embracing a sexually free lifestyle with just anyone . . often is the case , there are repercussions if you have passionate relations with just anyone . In Odile's case , she is " selected " by a woman searching for another without inhibitions or restrictions . . some woman who is yearning for the touch of another , whether it be male or female . Odile lets her guard down , because of this attraction and free-spirited delight towards Mari Nieto's seductress . Franco successfully builds their scenes , starting with the eye-contact between Odile and Mario's wife , while we also see that Odile ogles Mario , from their hotel windows . . an opportunity is presented , and we watch as Mario's wife makes the first move . Odile could very well turn her down , yet a heart-pounding desire inside both women drives them to accept the passion that awaits them . An three-way commences , as well as a heated lesbian encounter , where Mari Nieto's seductress enters Odile's room ready for action . The last portion of the film has us entering the world of the Count and Countess , where we see how Odile's life will be threatened when their masochistic appetites emerge . Mario , his wife & Odile meet them , there are dinners , and soon Odile is unconscious on a bed as others ( Mario's wife and the Count ) disrobe and molest her as the Countess looks on , so moved by what she sees that an act of masturbation soon begins . Franco's camera really likes to move in on characters ' faces as sexual acts take place showing the pleasure of watching . My favorite sequence , the lesbian encounter in Odile's hotel room couch between her and Mario's wife . . Franco's camera really moves in close and both actresses seem to be into the moment , especially a long kiss as their tongues slide and caress . I do feel that " Sexual Story of O " is just that . . her sexual experiences which soon leads down a dangerous path . |
436,428 | 9,938,570 | 468,683 | 7 | The Red Shoes | In 1944 , rivals for a man's affections , Keiko and Oki , ends tragically with a pair of pink ballerina shoes as a sort of prize for the victor through a tragic act of violence . 60 years later , the pink shoes are found by an embittered wife , Sun-jae ( Hye-su Kim ) who happened upon her husband having sex with another woman , on a subway train ( . . in the opening of this movie a girl removes the shoes from the hands of another dying horribly when her feet were somehow removed from her legs ! ) . Moving to a rather modest , depressing flat , with daughter Tae-soo ( Yeon-ah Park ) in tow , Sun-jae possibly finds a new love with a kind , handsome , charming young architect , In-cheol ( Seong-su Kim ) constructing a new building she plans to work in . But , the shoes have such an allure so volatile that Sun-jae finds herself at odds with her own daughter over them . . and there's a history ( . . and , especially baggage ) that follows them which will truly cause nightmarish complications Sun-jae could never possibly imagine . Like a lot of these kinds of films , there's a complete backstory behind the shoes . They symbolize the tragic repercussions of adultery which will ultimately parallel Sun-jae's own story . But , more importantly , the director establishes , subtly , the results in taking what isn't yours . In this horror tale , when one takes the pink shoes from another they literally lose the feet they wear them on . This correlates with a mistress taking a husband from a wife . In the back story , it's shown that through treacherous Oki's removal of the shoes / husband from Keiko , she prospers and succeeds , but ultimately pays the price for her thievery . Circa 2004 , the same goes for how the husband allows his mistress to wear Sun-jae's shoes while making love . But , there's another interesting twist that occurs between Tae-soo and Sun-jae regarding the fulfilling of roles with the shoes as a supernatural catalyst . This is a downer of a movie , I must tell you . We see how the tragedies of the past come back to haunt characters in the present . The ending , regarding the fates of those at the hands of Sun-jae , motivated by another , certainly left me stunned . Perhaps , it'll have the same effect with you . It seems that this film is interpreted by people differently , so I could be absolutely wrong with my assessment with this film . Some believe that Sun-jae is one of many characters . These theories give me a head ache , so see for yourself . |
436,294 | 9,938,570 | 60,841 | 7 | Plague of the Zombies | Sir James Forbes ( André Morell who was Dr . Watson to Cushing's Sherlock in Hammer's version of " Hound of the Baskervilles " ) is a renowned physician with a respected name that travels , decides to take his daughter Sylvia ( Diane Clare ) , who easily persuades him to break a planned fishing trip , to see her friend Alice ( Jacqueline Pearce ) , the wife of a burdened doctor , and Forbes ' prized pupil , Peter ( Brook Williams ) in a Cornish village overrun by a mysterious plague taking lives without a proper diagnosis being handed out due to his not being able to conduct autopsies ( . . the village is set in their old traditionalist ways against doctors " cutting up " their family members ' bodies ) . What Forbes and Sylvia notice is Alice's frail condition and erratic behavior and Peter's weariness at finding a cure for the deaths overtaking his town . Peter informs Forbes that Squire Clive Hamilton ( John Carson , playing him as sophisticated and seemingly hospitable with a hidden dark-side that allows itself shown in hints during slight moments of outbursts ) is judge and jury of the village . . his power weighs a heavy hand over the townsfolk . Forbes is informed that Squire spent a considerable amount of time away while his family dies off leaving him with debts that get paid . . Sergeant Jack Swift ( Hammer vet Michael Ripper ) informs Forbes that he doesn't right know how Clive gained his wealth . We see what others outside the home do not . . that Hamilton does in fact practice voodoo and uses this gift he learned in Haiti to raise zombies from their crypts at night when the remaining townspeople are asleep . Tragically Alice has been chosen by Hamilton as a sort-of sacrifice that goes awry when a zombie supposedly kills her with Sylvia seeing it first-hand as she followed her friend worrying about where she was heading off to at such an awkward time at night . Soon , Hamilton will select Sylvia as his sacrifice and it will be up to Forbes and Peter to figure out the devious , conniving Squire's secrets or else . . Hamilton's motives for raising the dead is having them work as slave labor in his " mineworks " lifting tin from the rock underground in the mines . Thanks to the use of the Vicar's ( Roy Royston ) library , Forbes learns and understands the acts of voodoo having to accept that witchcraft indeed is real . Squire collects blood from the victims he chooses placing the liquid on a doll which provides his methods of control over them . Interesting endeavor into voodoo practices provides many suspenseful sequences with Carson an inspired villain . The zombies are less exploited by Hammer as this film uses them much more as victims to the villainy of the Squire . They appear , sadly briefly , although the make-up can be quite creepy , especially in the film's best sequence . . Peter dreams that zombies rise from the Earth trapping him in the graveyard . The zombies ' eyes are eerily albino . . quite unsettling as they come towards the screen . The climax in Squire's burning manor is a bit chaotic , and the film is quite talky , but I still recommend it to fans of Hammer studios . Considered by many to be one of Hammer's finest films , I'm less inclined to agree , but still good fun for horror fans . |
436,613 | 9,938,570 | 80,761 | 7 | Friday the 13th | In 1957 , a young retarded boy supposedly drowned in a lake . The next year , someone murdered a boyfriend / girlfriend camp counselor couple in the throes of making love . Whoever committed the act must've been acquainted with this couple for their reaction is of complete surprise . . they respond as one would to an authority figure bursting in on a couple making out in a room or car . Anyway , in present time , a young man , Steve ( Peter Brouwer ) has spent a year trying to re-open Camp Crystal Lake , the very place where the murders took place and we see that he has a group of young recruits who will assist him in his goal to get it up in an appropriate time . Alice ( Adrienne King , our singled-out heroine of the film setting the standard for future 80's slasher flicks . . well , Jamie Lee Curtis was essentially the first , but , oh well ) is undecided if she'll remain at the camp very much longer , but Steve talks her into staying one more week . She should've got out while she had a chance . Not very long after the group of counselors arrive , one by one each member are killed in various ways when the mysterious psycho corners them individually catching them off-guard alone . Most receive the throat slash , but the killer also stabs one poor girl in the skull with an ax and another ( . . just guess who if you can ) receives an arrowhead thrusted through the throat . Eventually , Alice will find herself in the midst of a game of survival with this demented soul with little room to escape . You know , I have no idea what else to add that hasn't been said over countless years . . thousands upon thousands of threads have been dedicated to the franchise on this board . What could I possibly add ? Well , one thing that interested me was that Cunningham often shoots through the killer's eyes and tells us something about he / she just by the opposing character's reaction . Whoever is killing must look rather trustworthy or friendly . How else could so many walk upon death so blindly ? But , also , besides a few gory slayings early on , the film is rather tame . Like many slashers that come after , the violence happens mostly off-screen . . only when Alice comes upon them after the fact , do we see the carnage by the killer . Even the ax-kill happens rather off-screen with us only seeing the blade into the face to let us know her death was grisly . The final show-down was rather lame . . let's face it , has their ever been a more dull battle ? Only the beheading and the person's speaking in two voices give it a stronger impact . . and even then , I rather giggled at the whole ordeal . Still , the film's influence is undeniable , whether you love it or hate it . A decade of slashers came afterward , for good or bad . Despite my groaning , that ending still kicks ass . I realized how much I enjoyed Harry's score despite how often it's been used in all the other sequels . |
435,734 | 9,938,570 | 80,764 | 7 | Macabre | Jane Baker ( Bernice Stegers ) , a housewife and mother of two children , has been participating in a torrid affair with Fred Kellerman ( Roberto Posse ) at a house owned by blind Robert Duval ( Stanko Molnar ) and his mom . Jane's psychotic daughter Lucy ( Vernica Zinny ) , who knows about mother's affair , drowns her brother in protest to the adultery . Jane , in a state of turmoil when she finds out about her son's supposed " accidental drowning " , hurries lover Fred to get home as fast as they can resulting in a horrific car crash . Fred is decapitated by a steel rail that smashes into the window sending Jane into a maddening shock with her being institutionalized . After spending some time in the crazy-house , Jane returns to the place once shared with lover Fred and separates from husband Leslie . Robert falls in love with Jane , but begins to notice passionate noises of pleasure sounding from her room ( she decides to move in the room where her and Fred shared such fond memories ) . When Robert hears who she's " making love to " , he begins to worry a bit . We also find that Jane is keeping something locked in her fridge freezer . Every night , Jane shares passion with a specific person no longer living and the curiosity of this tryst drives Robert into some sick discoveries . Meanwhile , Lucy continues to play mind-games with her mentally fragile mother still secretly protesting what Jane done to her father . Lucy will also find out mommy's little dark secret which results in a disturbing , violent conclusion . Geez , this is one warped little flick , being Lamberto Bava's theatrical debut . Poor blind Robert has no clue what psychotics he would be dealing with . The film plays with the novelty of " what is in the freezer ? " to the hilt , but I'm guessing most intelligent viewers will guess instantly . Still , this premise is just sick and . . dare I say . . macabre , you can't help but credit Bava for playing it for all it's worth . I think the final minutes of this horror tale will widen eyes . The child violence isn't restrained . Stegers really carries her character Jane , whose sanity is flimsy at best , to the brink . . it's a tour-de-force performance . Zinny , as one of those evil kids you just want to strangle , also brings chills to her role as Lucy . I have to say that I think this is a bit underrated . Oh , and that final freeze frame is just golden . . Bava puts a final stamp to the madness of the whole ordeal . |
436,474 | 9,938,570 | 435,653 | 7 | The Gravedancers | O Fool , O Lout , O Fortunate one The Dead now mocked , their time has come . Heed these words for souls do roam , And though be dead follow you home . It's rage will swell as nights grow bright , Despair and fear , this fatal plight . From moon to moon , you'll have this guest , To seal thy fate and lay you to rest . Three college pals mourning a recent chum's passing , dance around graves reciting a poem left at his grave-site while heavily drunk to champagne . What they do not realize is that each individual grave danced upon while reciting that poem unleashes their vengeful , evil spirit . The poem declares what they can do to those who free them and this flick shows it as Harris ( Dominic Purcell , the star of the hit Fox series , PRISON BREAK ) , Kira ( the lovely Josie Maran ) , Sid ( Marcus Thomas ) are haunted as the spirits grow stronger from day to day . The three ( actually four because Harris ' beautiful , tenderhearted wife Allison , played effectively by Clare Kramer , is haunted as well ) enlist the aid of parapsychologist Vincent ( Tchéky Karyo , a welcome veteran presence in the cast ) and his assistant Culpepper ( Megahn Perry ) to find the clues about who each ghost is terrorizing them and how to properly outwit them before death becomes the only other alternative . Kira , found wounded and bloodied by Harris and Allison , has already found out all too well what her ghost can do . . she awaits in a hospital trying to recuperate , but can not when even there she is attacked while a nurse is thrown across the room for just being around her . Harris and Sid show Vincent what grave each danced upon and through some heavy research each dead person is identified . Harris danced on the grave of a school teacher who killed her lover and his wife with an ax which might explain why Allison is being haunted as well . Kira's grave holds what appeared to be a church-going judge , but instead he was , behind closed doors , a sadomasochistic torturer with a dead body in his basement . Sid's grave was of a little boy who loved playing with fire . . he wasn't an innocent , however as the boy burned his entire family alive with the fire consuming him , also . So the rest of the flick shows how Harris , his wife Allison , Kira , and Sid try to survive the onslaught of supernatural attacks that come their way . It is found through documentation from a past case where one survived their encounter with such a resurrected evil ghost through re-burying the bones of the one whose grave was danced upon . You see , the gravedancer has one month to outlast the ghost he brought back , and through the reburial of bones will halt the curse . But , for some peculiar reason ( . . found out tragically later ) , the new burial of the bagged bones of each body doesn't work with each person still receiving attacks by the spirits . It will all come to a head when they hole up at Vincent and Culpepper's massive mansion compound , set up to capture supernatural phenomena . This very professionally made ghost tale , competently directed by Mike Mendez , works more in the vein of THE HAUNTING . It shows spooky goings-on and saves the real grisly violence for the climax in the mansion at the end . The cast is decent . The cinematography is top-notch . Rather derivative with a whiff of deja vu , but works surprisingly well despite all that . Builds and builds until the special effects-laden showdown when the characters try their best to escape the mansion which is sealed off by a steel gate forced into the compound by the powerful spirits who can also cause the chosen victim to hallucinate ( . . not to mention , they are stronger than those they haunt often tossing even the beefy Purcell across the room as if he was light as a feather ) . |
435,913 | 9,938,570 | 60,877 | 7 | Queen of Blood | Cold , but intelligent sci-fi horror flick from director Curtis Harrington made on a shoe-string , using special effects from a foreign source to save money . Harrington depends on the scientific aspects of the story while keeping the look of the film ( for the exception of the marvelous alien sets , closer to the decade's previous horde of sci-fi horror flicks keeping elements in tighter confinements meaning the ship in which a small crew ( including John Saxon , Dennis Hopper , Judi Meredith & Robert Boon ) have brought on board an alien queen vampire who uses a hypnotic ability to " freeze " men so that she can feast on their blood . Her people were supposed to come to earth as " greeters " , but instead wind up on Mars ' moon . Only the Queen survived . They do not know of her mental telekinetic powers and each fall prey to her . The ending is quite rewarding and inspired ( . . and influential ) . . it has an apocalyptic quality that feeds into how science can perhaps lead to total destruction of the human race . Can desiring to learn and study alien life outside our own lead to the threat of complete distinction ? Such a powerful question from a low-budget , no-money sci-fi horror . |
436,871 | 9,938,570 | 60,865 | 7 | Circus of Fear | A superb opening to CIRCUS OF FEAR features a well orchestrated heist , meticulously planned and designed obviously , yet doesn't factor in the main plot surprisingly . A member of the heist , Mason ( Victor Maddern ) , shoots a driver who wouldn't halt when he told him to stop and must deliver a suitcase featuring a quarter million pounds to the mastermind of the operation , located at a circus . Mason is stabbed in the back by the person , who must be a professional knife thrower , and the suitcase somehow winds up in the possession of lion-tamer Gregor ( Christopher Lee ) , a stern-voiced and serious circus star whose head is covered by a balaclava to protect his facial scars . He works with his niece , Natasha ( Suzy Kendall ) , whose father we are informed had escaped from a South African prison after killing a man associated with another circus . But , as we will soon discover , Gregor and Natasha are hiding a secret and ringmaster , Carl ( Heinz Drache ) , whose carried personal animosity towards their relative for quite some time ( . . Natasha's father , Otto , killed his father ) and awaits his return to see them . He has quite a surprise in store . Meanwhile , knife-thrower Mario's ( Maurice Kaufmann ) fiancé , Gina ( Margaret Lee ) discovers a set of knives ( . . with the distinctive characteristic of a silver triangle ) with one missing that may very well be the weapon used to kill Mason . . it's a person she's been sexually active with , and his arm is hairy . After one murder attempt on her life , the killer succeeds in silencing her the second time , right under the police's nose , with Scotland Yard detective , Inspector Elliot ( Leo Genn ) working with Manley ( Lawrence James ) of local police to find the stolen money and solve the mystery as to who is behind the series of killings . While most of those involved with heist are either dead or in prison , Manfred Hart ( Klaus Kinski , with limited dialogue , but still quite effective thanks to his fascinating face ) is snooping around in search of the loot hidden away by Gregor . Other characters include Barberini ( Anthony Newlands ) , owner of the circus , Eddie ( Eddi Aren't ) , his assistant who desperately wants to have an act as a clown , and dwarf , Mr . Big ( Skip Martin ) , another who works as a hand , blackmailing Gregor in keeping mum over an important fact unknown to the rest of the group . Very plot-driven crime thriller , with quite a gallery of interesting suspects and a terrific cast . Lee , even behind the black balaclava impresses as does Genn as the delightful detective who seems at ease despite the difficult case he's stuck with . Heinz Drache as the determined ringmaster out to get revenge for his father's death , with colorful characterizations from Aren't as the goofball , Eddie and Martin as the midget he's always playing practical jokes on . The mystery that unfolds is a dandy , with quite a surprise revelation of who the killer is . I'm really happy I had a chance to see the remastered and fully uncut Blue Underground presentation , in color , as it really should be seen in a quality transfer . The setting of a circus only adds an extra dimension to the mystery and seeing an early crime thriller featuring the likes of Lee and Kinski certainly provides CIRCUS OF FEAR with an extra allure . And , in the capable hands of underrated director John Llewellyn Moxey , you can expect solid camera work and an effective film-making style . Probably one of the more recognizable Krimi thrillers to come out of the genre , even if this particular film was actually shot in London with German monetary backing . Well produced by Harry Alan Towers . . a real winner if you like a good mystery and interesting characters . The film itself , however , doesn't quite live up to that humdinger of an opening heist which is excellently staged . |
436,463 | 9,938,570 | 56,983 | 7 | Dementia 13 | Well , I finally had a chance to watch this public domain classic , an infamous early feature from an ambitious and talented young director Francis Ford Coppola , shot in creepy black and white photography with some chilling underwater sequences , concerning a series of ax murders around the estate of a troubled matriarch's Irish castle . What haunts Lady Haloran ( Eithne Dunne ) is the drowning of her daughter under mysterious circumstances several years ago and how she annually has the family gather to visit her grave . Her sons , sculptor Richard ( William Campbell ) , planning to wed visiting fiancé Kane ( Mary Mitchel ) , and tormented Billy ( Bart Patton ) , plagued with nightmares concerning the dead sister when they were children , suffer under the gloomy shadow of their mother's deteriorating mental state . After burying her husband underwater ( . . along with some things , setting up a fake scenario regarding a business trip ) , who had tied of a heart-attack while rowing a boat , Louise Haloran ( Luana Anders ) sets her sights on her mother-in-law's inheritance , concocting a plan to gain an advantage by tricking her using the idea of the daughter's ghost returning from the grave . While in the midst of setting up the scheme , someone , cloaked in darkness , attacks her with an ax , which sets up the rest of the film . . who is the ax-wielding psycho , and does it have to do with the dead girl ? Patrick Magee is the family head-shrinker , Justin Caleb , not regarded highly for his acidic , biting comments and sharp wit towards them . He becomes amateur sleuth when unusual occurrences begin to take place , such as the missing Louise , Lady Haloran's near death at the hands of the psycho who destroys the playhouse containing her dead daughter's wax corpse , discovering a make-shift grave for the girl after draining the estate's lake ( . . motivating the lake's draining was when dolls from the dead girl's room surface ; put there by Louise before she was butchered ) , while also happening upon a grisly sight which sets in motion his plot to catch the killer . While I found a bit sluggish , pacing wise , it has some atmospheric moments and a striking setting regarding the castle . The story is actually strong despite some familiar themes , such as greed and guilt . I thought the effects on the family due to a devastating loss was well executed , and the attacks ( . . while nowhere even close to as gory as reputed to be ) are rather impressive thanks to how Coppola frames his ax-murder . . the less is more approach . The unveiling of Louise's corpse is an obvious painting , but effective enough , I guess , to at least draw a gasp from some viewers , shocked at her bloody body hanging from a meat hook . The underwater scenes where a body is dumped , slowly sinking to the bottom , the wax corpse of the girl is discovered at her grave , and a victim is attacked as she's about to exit the lake , are among my personal favorite sequences because of their eerie presentations . Magee is superb as the deducing psycho-therapist attempting to unlock the psychological answers plaguing his patient's disturbed family . Luana Anders , as the scheming daughter-in-law , makes the most of her time on screen , and is quite alluring ( . . particularly when she disrobes down to her bra and panties , diving underwater to plant toys to spook the Lady of the castle ) when she isn't plotting how to swindle inheritance from her late husband's mother . |
436,398 | 9,938,570 | 100,688 | 7 | Steel and Lace | A brilliant scientist , Albert Morton ( . . renowned character actor Bruce Davison , providing his usual solid performance ) resurrects the memory of his dead sister , Gaily ( Clare Wren , cherubic when she isn't giving her victims the cold stare of doom before executing them ) who committed suicide after her rapist attacker , Daniel Emerson ( Michael Cerveris , perfecting the confident scoundrel ) was found not-guilty by a jury due to " insuffient evidence " thanks to the scumbag's four best friends , who testified on his behalf ( . . and were actually the ones responsible for holding the poor girl down as Daniel molested her ) , by creating a cybernetic killing machine modeled after her . A sketch artist , who worked Gaily's trial , Alison ( Stacy Haiduk , balancing a mousy but hot sex appeal ) is coerced by her agent , Duncan ( Nick Tate ) into returning to her old job , a project dedicated to the ones involved in the trial of Gaily . Alison attempts to rub elbows with old flame , Detective Dunn ( David Naughton ) hoping he'll help her get close to those who were sketched by her during the trial of Gaily , soon discovering that the ones responsible for the rape are being hunted down and murdered in grisly , unusual ways . Driven and determined , Alison will become obsessed with the case when Duncan is killed during an encounter with Gaily . . we come to understand that Albert is behind the scenes commanding her to kill and no one is allowed to interrupt the mission of destroying those responsible for that suicide from five years ago thanks to injustice . Meanwhile , bodies start to pile up with Daniel and those that remain grow more concerned and restless . Can Dunn and Alison stop the blood shed or will Albert complete this cycle of revenge in the memory of his beloved Gaily . I'm a sucker for the " human cyborg " sub-genre , and this little movie suitably entertained me . The practical effects might seem primitive next to a film like Steven Spielberg's AI , but I admire the imaginative methods of destruction such as a spinning drill that cuts a hole all the way through one victim while another's head is removed from his body . The funniest death isn't really overly gory , but appropriately tongue-in-cheek as one victim's body is sucked dry through his pecker . Fans of Romero's DAWN OF THE DEAD should enjoy one victim's skull getting split apart by a helicopter propeller . As many of these movies used to be , the villains ( . . Daniel and his cronies , now businessman in suits swindling good people of their property in criminal ways to plant malls where they live ) are loathsome and lecherous as you root for their destruction . The pace is excellent , even if the story's formula is familiar ( . . five thugs , behind a heinous crime they got away with , facing violent death for their actions in bloody fashion ) . . director Ernest D Farino keeps the film moving , with emphasis on the revenge story wasting no time of needless filler which doesn't contribute to the motivations of the characters and the situation . It's no surprise that this is the kind of film , having a visual effects background , Farino would make , because the story involved hi-tech ( . . for 1991 ) devices used on victims . Many would watch STEEL AND LACE now and probably criticize the effects because they don't necessarily hold up to the advancements of this modern age , but if I had watched this as a kid teenager I would've been thrilled . The story is far-fetched ( . . could Albert really pull off such a concocted plan , and wouldn't Daniel have a security force around him as protection ? ) , but the audience gets to see slime annihilated in very creative ways . . a classic story of revenge with a robotic twist on who is conducting the series of murders , a genre movie all the way . Kind of a tragic and sad conclusion that doesn't allow Albert to get away scot-free , and interesting development showing the cybernetic version of Gaily evolving , desiring to understand emotion and feeling . My favorite visual effects sequence would probably be when Albert is opening up the skull of his cybernetic creation , with the director allowed to show off his skills regarding her robotic brain and the inner workings involved with making her function . |
436,324 | 9,938,570 | 286,669 | 7 | Rooms for Tourists | Four females in search of an exit . Four young women , on route to Trinidad for an abortion , become confined within a creepy bed'n'breakfast in some small , hostile impoverished town of San Ramone where a preacher , Horacio ( Oscar Ponce ) has a religious hold over . His iron fisted fanaticism has the town in his grip . This might play into the ultimate plot where these girls find themselves closed within the dark of the hotel as they pursue an escape route as some psycho with a meat cleaver chases after them . The main protagonist is Theda ( Elena Siritto ) , crippled with guilt . . it seems she was plagued with premonitions they are now facing even before the train trip . The film follows these girls as they travel throughout a house where booby-traps and benevolent figures hide in the darkness ready to appear at any time . The film uses the Hostel premise ( poor souls away from home and stuck in a situation where no one of merit can hear them scream or know where they are ) and ratchets up the suspense thanks to the brilliant idea of lensing this in B & W photography . Granted the film is shot micro-budget , but the idea of B & W photography brings an uncanny dread to the proceedings . You might ask : why shoot this in B & W ? Simple . . because the darkness for which the characters are caught engulfs the screen . Man , is it claustrophobic , also . There's an amazing scene where director Adrián García Bogliano pulls the camera back as three of the girls become merely a white circle completely overtaken by darkness around them . . it's absolutely stunning . The director drains every ounce of terror he can from the simple plot and doesn't hold back on the grisly unpleasant violent attacks . He shows the killer slicing open the skin of several girls as the wound opens slowly . One poor girl gets her face blew apart by a shot-gun blast . The B & W photography might remove the red blood , but the violence certainly is potent enough to garner a reaction , that's for sure . The ending , when it is revealed why these girls are being slaughtered , has a dark sense of irony . Keep an eye out for this director . . he's going places . |
436,018 | 9,938,570 | 32,245 | 7 | Before I Hang | A scientist devoted to solving the process of aging is convicted of a " mercy killing " and due to hang , granted permission to continue his experiments with colleague Dr . Ralph Howard ( Edward Van Sloan , of Dracula fame ) in a prison laboratory until his sentence is to be carried out . After developing a serum , and with only a few hours left before facing his hanging , Dr . John Garth ( Bortis Karloff ) decides to inoculate himself with the use of blood deriving from an executed murderer , with tragic results . Granted a reprieve by the governor with his sentence reduced to life-in-prison , Garth finds that he's actually getting younger , but the blood from the murderer used in the serum which was inoculated in his veins contaminates him with an uncontrollable urge to kill which places innocents in danger . In fact , Garth strangles Howard before a thief enters the lab , with a scuffle killing the man . Garth is considered an innocent harmed in that scuffle when in fact he was the man behind both deaths . Released a free man , his old friends he wishes to inoculate become targets thanks to the inner desire to kill , one by one victims of handkerchief stranglings . Garth will hope to pass on knowledge to his daughter's fiancé Paul ( Bruce Bennett ) before turning himself in to the proper authorities . But , will he be able to do this before the urge to kill actually threatens the life of daughter Martha ( Evelyn Keyes ) ? Meanwhile , the police suspect Garth might be behind the stranglings and investigate accordingly . Nice little 60 minute B-movie programmer with a fine performance from Karloff as the tragic victim of corrupted blood , an experiment gone awry . Many will find similarities to many films he was making at the time , playing scientists who meant well , falling prey to unforeseen circumstances regarding unusual experiments often rejected by the medical community at large . The " victim of science " theme isn't fresh by today's standards considering so many films have been made since this film concerning scientists / doctors and their attempts to advance the medical field / life through unorthodox means . I think Karloff's sympathetic performance reels in the viewer and the film is nicely produced adhering to the typically blessed Columbia Pictures studio system where even low-budget offerings carried a polished look and style ( . . see " Cry of the Werewolf " for further proof ) . Karloff was always adept at portraying characters far older than he was and this ability is used here where he starts out as a man perhaps 60 or so , looking younger as the film continues . You expect nothing less than excellent when Karloff headlines your movie . I relish the fact that there many of these less heralded films in Karloff's resume still left for me to discover . So often we back his career into a corner where he's known for his Universal and Val Lewton films , when there's a plethora of little underrated titles ready for the viewing public . |
435,715 | 9,938,570 | 65,738 | 7 | Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed | Baron Victor Frankenstein ( Cushing never more sadistic or cruel as the Baron ; he's completely evil ) forces an asylum Doctor , Karl Holst ( Simon Ward ) assist him in his efforts to secure a certain formula from the insane mind of a patient , Frederick Brandt ( George Pravda ) , once a great doctor driven crazy essentially from his own experiments with brain transplantation . Baron had eavesdropped on Karl's conversation with his lover Anna ( the beautiful Veronica Carlson ) about robbing his asylum of certain medical items and uses this corrupt info for black-mailing purposes . In other words , Baron has Karl caught between a rock and a hard place for the asylum doctor just was helping Anna's sick mother due to their lack of monetary funds in retrieving medicine . Baron first has Karl steal various equipment so that he can re-start a lab in Anna's hotel cellar while also planning to kidnap Brandt from the asylum . The kidnapping goes awry when Brandt reacts violently trying to escape Baron and Karl's clutches as another mental patient , who sees hallucinatory spiders crawling on her skin , roars with terror which can be heard very well . During their struggle to regain Brandt , he has a heart-attack leaving the body severely damaged and dying . So Baron decides to kidnap Professor Richter ( Freddie Jones ) , a renowned medical mind who often sought after for advice regarding the mentally handicapped , and transplant Brandt's brain to his body . . which means Richter's imminent death . Burying the corpse of Brandt in the flower garden outside , they are successful at transplanting his brain to Richter's skull while also eliminating the insanities pressuring proper function . Things begin to unravel as Frederick's wife , Ella ( Maxine Audley ) will not cease to search for her husband's body , Inspector Frisch ( Thorly Walters ) gruffly pursues the person responsible for a series of crimes in his district by following Baron's trail to his new locale , the water main near where Frederick's body was buried busts , and the sleeping body of Richter's awakens while Baron is away . Sadistic , cruel sequel in the Hammer franchise leaves a rather sour taste because Baron is presented as a cold-hearted bastard . Seeing Cushing's Baron viciously attack poor Anna , subsequently raping her , is quite horrifying . Not only that but just watching Baron torment Karl , constantly forcing him to do his bidding . We see Baron's twisted obsession to retrieve the secret formula at all costs . Anna's tragic fate at the hands of Baron leaves a foul feeling of distaste where you just hearken in disbelief that the man portraying him is the same person that was the heroic Van Helsing in the Dracula pictures . Freddie Jones is terrific at displaying the haunted person behind the new body . . seeing Brandt in anguish at what Baron has done to him , and later confronting his wife only to be threatened by her as well , he shows so much in his limited screen time . You have the tragic helpless victim , Karl Host , portrayed by Simon Ward as weighed and burdened with guilt of what he's been a reluctant part of . The film itself is quite well made , and paced . . but so harsh and vile , many might be dismayed at it . |
436,404 | 9,938,570 | 58,694 | 7 | Two Thousand Maniacs ! | A group of " yankees " from " up north " are driving on the highway when they are purposely diverted by detour signs into a small " backwoods " Southern town where a joyful local gathering invites them in with welcome cheers to be their very special , " selected " guests for a Centenniel celebration commemorating past history not revealed . Two different cars , one carrying two married couples , another with pretty Connie Mason ( . . as Terry Adams ) and her hitchhiking passenger , William Kerwin ( . . referred to as Thomas Wood in the film's credits ; portraying Tom White ) , whose car broke down as he was on his way to a teacher's convention , are removed from their vehicles pretty much against their will , set up in a hotel with food free , not knowing that they are actually to be the entertainment for their celebration festivities , victims of gruesome games arranged as a " blood revenge " for a dark period in Civil War history . This Southern town , Pleasant Valley , was actually slaughtered by Union soldiers and the vengeful spirits of those killed participate in the celebration of destroying yanks . While the other northerners are unable to see what horrors lie ahead , Tom is suspicious almost immediately and coerces a confused Terry into planning an escape . . it won't be easy with hick crazies all over the place . Considered by his beloved fans as director Herschell Gordon Lewis ' masterpiece , TWO THOUSAND MANIACS ! , his second film , is much better than BLOOD FEAST , in that the black comedy works to a greater extent , and he's operating completely tongue-in-cheek . While the camera work is still suspect , there are some overhead set ups early on which are effective , and the film doesn't drag as much as in BLOOD FEAST , where scenes would often linger tediously . The non-actors in the film are not as dreadful as in HGL's previous flick , and the cast portraying the " rednecks " really get into their roles , particularly when the victims are about to be executed . Jeffrey Allen , as the blustery mayor , is memorable as the overseer of his town , really relishing along with the folks over executing the yanks one at a time , mocking each victim as they are about to die . The gory set-pieces are certainly shocking such as one poor soul whose limbs are pulled apart from his torso by four different horses going in opposite directions , a woman's finger ( . . taken off by a knife ) and arm ( . . chopped off by an ax ) being removed , another victim bound as contestants attempt to drop a boulder on top of her by hitting a target with a softball , and one victim is rolled down a hill in a barrel with nails hammered inside . The twisted imagination for coming up with such grisly set pieces , HGL deserves credit for setting a standard others would soon surpass as demand for such movies increased with talented make-up artists and production values emerging . Still , the film features crude photography and bad sound ( . . sometimes , the dialogue is a bit drowned out by bluegrass music ) . . and I wouldn't say the acting is of superb quality , far from it . But , there's an irresistible energy and a method to the madness , with some terrific bluegrass numbers to entertain as well . In order to appreciate a sick gore comedy such as this , you must gloss over HGL's inadequacies as a filmmaker , still learning his trade , but the man has a knack for repulsive murder sequences . As a gorehound , I admire his contributions to the artistry of graphic violence , even if I find his cinematic prowess lacking . |
436,153 | 9,938,570 | 54,823 | 7 | Doctor Blood's Coffin | Peter Blood ( the dashing Kieron Moore , perfectly conveying the drive and determination of a scientist with paranoia and madness brewing inside ) returns to his small village home of Grenville after extensive schooling in Vienna . What his father Dr . Robert Blood ( Ian Hunter ) , the beloved , hardworking village physician , or nurse Linda Parker ( the lovely Hazel Court ) , his possible love interest , neither know is just what Peter is capable of in pursuing his goal to make a living , beating heart revive a dead body . Peter takes it upon himself to choose the lowest of village folk to paralyze with a poison that removes their ability to move much or talk , enabling him to surgically remove their hearts while they remain alive , with horrified eyes revealing the only cries of help available to them . Peter has a secret " lab " in a small place within tunnels underneath the ruins of an abandoned mine . Opportunity arises for Peter to gain control of human subjects when his father must leave for nearby Plymouth , out of town , as he works in his place with access to tools , equipment , and space . But , it'll only be a matter of time before Peter will make that ultimate mistake which will reveal his evil ways . He wholeheartedly believes in what he's doing . . scientists must be " ruthless and unafraid " of what the critical majority as a whole thinks , Peter feels that important people should live in place of the " inferior " beings who merely occupy space , when their beating hearts could thrive in those better suited to make the world a better place . This was actually a pleasant surprise . I thought the premise was grisly enough and the idea that Peter has trust from those in the village , creates much in the way of suspense . There's this masterstroke of a scene where this poor soul , given poison , makes his way , painstakingly , out of Peter's cavernous lair outside to an ocean embankment only to face the fact that the village is using as their physician , currently taking Robert's place , the very man who committed the sickening act to him . Hazel Court is the voice of reason , using Peter's attempts at being God against him to no avail when she suspects , and is right , that he's doing inhumane things . Kenneth J Warren is the village Sergeant Cook , who is investigating missing citizens and unusual deaths . An important scene comes in the middle portion of the film when Peter is first caught by the village's elderly coroner , attempting a surgical heart removal on a citizen in the morgue . Interrupted by coroner Morton ( Gerald Lawson ) while in the process of removing the heart , Peter kills him accidentally setting off a chain of events will lead to his downfall . The body he was working on dies , so he'll have to seek a second victim . Peter has to somehow hide Morton's body , take over as coroner doing autopsies which have the poison he put inside them , trying to evade curious eyes seeking answers to odd occurrences . You see , through Moore's performance , a man squirming to correct mistakes he himself made trying somehow to stay one step ahead . I'm a fan of " mad scientist " movies , and this does follow the Frankenstein model , but I liked the performances . The film is ultimately about life and death and how Peter wishes to prolong those important with the hearts of those who waste them on drink or lost dreams . I also felt director Sidney J Furie uses the ruins and tunnels effectively . I think this is so story-driven , that the low budget doesn't harm it . Only one real puzzling occurrence for me was the ending when Peter is actually successful only for the one revived from the dead ( . . a real nifty twist is who the corpse revived is and how they relate to Linda ) to turn on him violently . . I guess it follows Frankenstein in that regard as well because when one tries to play God he will reap what he sows . |
436,272 | 9,938,570 | 479,528 | 7 | Rogue | A boat captain , Kate ( Radha Mitchell , perfectly cast ) and the tourists riding in her tour-boat encounter a giant crocodile after invading his territory looking for the one responsible for shooting flares . Finding a boat sinking underwater ( . . obviously the boat carrying the one casting the distress signal ) , the tour-boat soon is blindsided by the monstrous croc , causing a gushing leak putting them on an isle with the tide slowly creeping in . Kate's company will not send a search party until the following morning as a rule . Kate finds a little help in an old flame , Neil ( Sam Worthington ) whose boat , carrying a pal soon to be lunch , is also capsized by the killer croc . With a crew of tourists slowly emotionally unraveling , Pete ( Michael Vartan ) , a magazine traveling article writer , will attempt to capture the croc ( . . with two dead quarry killed by Neil and his bloke , and an anchor hook ) after an idea regarding a tied rope from one tree on the island to the other on the mainland for each individual to escape above water fails . With the croc trapped , tugging on the anchor ( . . whose rope is tied to a giant rock ) as Pete holds guard , the others will hopefully swim across to the mainland shore , but all of them might not make it in time . A more mainstream effort from " Wolf Creek " director Greg Mclean , pits various individuals from all parts of the world in a difficult spot with a huge menace in close proximity . In making a decision to find out if someone needed help , fate puts Kate in an awful predicament . The croc moves really fast , often snatching up humans before any of the others even realize they're gone . One main character is even caught in the " death roll " ( . . this person's fate is a bit of a stretch in credibility , I must admit ) while trying to swim to the mainland . Unfortunately , those seeking gory human murders will be sorely disappointed . One is lifted and thrown , then carried underwater , and we actually see the aftermath of what can happen when you are caught with the teeth of such a beast , but as far as seeing the croc munching on a human victim , this film opts to stay away from that . There is a particularly grisly fate for Kate's beloved dog Kevin , so maybe that will satisfy those gore-hounds seeking carnage of some kind . The film builds some incredible tense sequences such as the failed attempt to travel by rope from the isle to the mainland when the first who attempts to go across freezes in fear as another goes ballistic , adding too much weight when he insists on sending his child ( . . and himself ) immediately . The intense climax inside the killer croc's lair with Pete fighting for survival , while also worrying about another whose fate lies in his hands is quite a doozy . Mclean decides to shift his film from unpleasant violence associated with " Wolf Creek " , instead choosing to go the " suspence " route , having our innocents in constant fear of a very large creature who could pop up at any given moment . For creature feature fans , this is a must . It's quite a roller-coaster , but , honestly , for the most part , Mclean plays it safe this time , giving his characters much more room of escape than he did those poor young people in " Wolf Creek . " I thought the f / x work for the croc was superb . It actually does look scary instead of corny and fake . |
436,108 | 9,938,570 | 87,298 | 7 | Friday the 13th-The Final Chapter | For those who have seen The Prowler , it will be of no surprise that Friday the 13th Part IV is one of the most savage entries of the series . Joseph Zito seems to be a director born to helm a Friday the 13th film as Jason resembles the psycho of his past film . Unlike past installments , Jason Voorhies seems more of an unstoppable killing machine , able to withstand great punishment despite suffering blows and wounds that'd easily finish off most human beings . He seems hellbent on eliminating anyone who stands in his way . . those who live on his turf die , simple as that . A group of teens arrive at a cabin nearby Crystal Lake where 10 people were executed at the hands of Jason Voorhies . Voorhies , presumed dead , kills a nurse and coroner , escaping the hospital on his way home to take up where he left off . This time a brother of a murdered girl is preparing to meet Jason , Rob Dyer ( Erich Anderson ) , and finds a potential love-interest along the way , Trish ( Kimberly Beck ) , who lives with her young brother Tommy ( Corey Feldman ) and divorcée mom ( Joan Freeman ) near the cabin where the group of teens are spending the summer . While the teens meet twins from another cabin not too far from them , Jason is around somewhere ready to attack anyone in the vicinity . Zito effectively uses Manfredini's familiar musical score , and Jason seems more menacing than ever , plunging his knife into the bodies of teens who have no idea a killer is among them . Groups hook up and engage in sex and shenanigans , dying not long after . Memorable death sequences abound as Tom Savini expresses through his bloody great gore effects how he has evolved since working on Cunningham's Friday the 13th . We seen a chunky hitchhiker stabbed through the throat while eating a banana . One victim not only is stabbed in the hand with a bottle-top corkscrew , but is struck in the face with a knife . A female victim is pulled through a window , tossed off the balcony and directly into the roof of a station wagon below . One poor soul , taking a shower , gets his face crushed in . Another gets an ax driven into her chest . Even a dog is thrown threw a window . Rob's fate , as a helpless Trish watches , as he screams , " He's killing me ! " packs a horrifying wallop . And , a painful use of a harpoon to the crotch ( . . the harpoon is a weapon Jason has used over and over again effectively to kill his prey in one way or another ) leaves a lasting impression . But , the climax hums best as poor Trish must fend for her life , while attempting to protect Tommy , as Jason comes at her without restraint . The one portraying Jason this time , Ted White , actually has the killer moving more urgently / aggressively which ratchets up the terror for Trish as she must think fast and not let up or else . Of course the addition of Corey Feldman ( . . as a weird kid with awesome custom-made masks and toys who finds a way of communicating with Jason ) and the great Crispin Glover ( making the most of a " teen victim " role as the nerdy and extremely shy Jimmy who just wants to get laid ) who is the very symbol of rejection ( . . before his exit , Jimmy does get respect from his stoner pal , Ted ( Lawrence Monoson ) who ridiculed him for being such a lousy lay ) adds weight to this particular installment . Glover's dance deserves all the accolades reaped upon it . . it's a think of beauty . Beck , as the final girl , really stands her ground against Jason , a resourceful gal who even lunges through a window , onto a balcony , landing hard to the ground just so she could escape an even more grim fate . The machete damage to Jason at the end just shows Savini's prowess as a supreme effects man . A lot of love to Judie Aronson as Samantha , for her uninhibited nature gave us lots of eye candy to digest . |
436,767 | 9,938,570 | 64,725 | 7 | Night Gallery | In " The Cemetery " ( . . directed by Boris Sagal ) , a loathsome money-hungry nephew , Jeremy Evans ( Roddy McDowell , playing him as a really slimy scumbag ) ready and willing to horde on his Uncle's inheritance , just waiting for the old timer , William Hendricks ( George Macready ) crippled and ravaged by a stroke that has taken his means of movement and communication , to croak . His Uncle was once a painter obsessed with death . . his works often evoke that . Osmond Portifoy ( Ossie Davis ) has been under employ to the old man for many years and Jeremy relishes in reminding the butler who will be dipping their hands in the money jar . To show you just how virulent Jeremy can be , he points out to Portifoy ( . . and for extra slander , he uses " Portifoy " nearly every sentence with a sneer ) how his mother worked her fingers to the bone without ever asking Uncle for a dime and that he always desired to live the good life , but needed the means to do so . McDowell is in command carrying this heavy smell of pomp and greed ( " I'm a black sheep nephew with an itch " ) . . you just love to hate him . Jeremy finds out that he'll receive his Uncle's inheritance due to the fact that his mother is dead and her share will go to him thanks to a clause in Hendrick's will . So Jeremy locks his Uncle's wheelchair next to an open window allowing the draft to kill him ( . . while also letting his Uncle peer at the family graveyard as a reminder of where the old man is about be heading ) . Oh , but you know Jeremy's got his comeuppance coming to him , yes sir ! Jeremy notices a painting on the wall ( Hendrick's portraits line the wall of the stairwell ) and the freshly dug grave where dear dead Uncle was buried begins to change every time he looks at it . Watch as Jeremy slowly unravels as he sees Uncle's casket appear , then open , then show someone rising slowly walking to the front door of the manor . But , all is not what it seems . I do think McDowell's tour-de-force performance approaches high camp but I just enjoyed it immensely . . he's such a blood-sucking leech , a real weasel . Watching Jeremy squirm and ultimately become frightened out of his wits was a ton of fun . The ending is a bit silly ( . . and rather logically unsound ) , pointing out another schemer out for a payday , but overall I think it's fun , if derivative somewhat . The idea of the ever-changing portrait is a cool idea , I thought . The second tale , " Eyes " ( . . directed by Steven Spielberg ) stars Joan Crawford as an acid-tongued , rich , blind woman , Claudia ( who has built her own apartment complex in New York and lives as it's only tenant ) , who blackmails a surgeon , Dr . Frank Heatherton ( Barry Sullivan ) into performing a dangerous and unorthodox grafting procedure transplanting the central optic nerves of an obsessive gambler's eyes , Sidney ( Tom Bosley of " Happy Days " fame ) needing 9 grand to pay off a debt from a bookie threatening his life . Although the procedure will only grant her 11 hours of sight , she's willing to have that for just the precious moments to see color and objects always darkened to her . But , in a nasty bit of irony to match her own behavior towards others like Heatherton , New York City goes through a black out ridding her of those precious moments she has so longed for . This tale has that Rod Serling intellectual banter between characters you remember from stage-like episodes of " Twilight Zone " as fates are contemplated and discussions are batted around . This also has the " coming out " stylistics of a future filmmaker . The third tale , " The Escape Route " ( . . directed by Barry Shear ) follows a Nazi named Strobe ( Richard Kiley , with a scar covering one eye for extra impact ) hiding away in South Africa , haunted by memories of his war crimes and constantly looking over his shoulder worried about being caught by agents who specialize in hunting " his kind " out . He becomes pre-occupied / transfixed with a museum painting of some fisherman on a mountain lake . . his desire is to enter the painting as a means of escape from the torments of running . He tries to shake an old Jew , Bleum ( the marvelous Sam Jaffe , whose frail , wrinkled body , offers a terrifying example of what torture , imprisonment & death can do to one who had seen it all ) who seems to recognize him . A creepy crucifixion painting depicting one's suffering leads us into Strobe and Bleum's first meeting . . and , for a reason you'll find later , is as important to this tale as the fisherman painting . A chilling exploration of a tired monster with few escape routes whose wish is granted . . just not the way he thinks . As expected ( considering the title ) each episode features within it's plot the importance of a portrait . All three tales bear Rod Serling's distinctive writing style with the usual " gotcha ! " twisting irony one grows to expect . I guess the first one is closest to the " Night Gallery " series , but this film is much better than what comes after it because of Serling's strong involvement in every tale presented . He is also the host introducing us to each macabre tale . |
436,311 | 9,938,570 | 254,775 | 7 | Red Siren | A young girl named Alice ( Alexandra Negrão ) calls on Inspector Anita ( Asia Argento , playing a normal person . . seems to be going through the motions ) to help put her assassin mother Eva ( Frances Barber . . one evil bitch ) away because of the torture / execution of a maid recorded on disc . The killer , however , had a mask and the voice was mechanically altered . Even worse , Eva is a wealthy , powerful woman no matter how cold-blooded she is . Alice will go on the lam as Eva's goons are in hot pursuit . Luckily for Alice she hides in the car of Hugo ( Jean-Marc Barr ) , a freedom fighter for a assassin group called Liberty Bells , who we saw in the opening accidentally kill a child he thought was a soldier . Hugo will assist Alice in the search for her boatmaker father Travis ( Johan Leysen ) while Eva draws on her lover , the Colonel ( Carlo Brandt ) and his top mercenary Sorvan ( François Levantal ) to find their whereabouts . Meanwhile , Anita will be given leave by her boss to go on the road to find Alice herself . It will all lead to a final showdown in the secret location / residence of Alice's father . . that is if Hugo can get her there in one piece and if he's even alive . While , like many of it's kind , this polished , ultra-stylish Euro-actioner asks the viewer to accept a lot of improbable situations ( such as the bullet-ridden hotel sequence where several of the Colonel's soldiers attempt to flush Hugo out from hiding resulting in lots of hi-tech gunplay ) and coincidences ( Alice just happening to choose a talented , top-notch assassin's car to hide in while running from Eva's goons ) . I enjoyed it even if logic is completely thrown out the window . I liked Jean-Marc as the hero Hugo and thought Barber was effective as the reptilian Eva . |
436,196 | 9,938,570 | 102,690 | 7 | Popcorn | Film student with recurring nightmares she records on audio cassette for a potential movie , Maggie ( Jill Schoelen ) joins fellow classmates in a project to raise money so that they could fund future projects of their own . This project is a theater due to be put to rest in a matter of weeks , which the class will use to show three 50's B-movies using gimmicks to entertain the movie-going public who buy a ticket for the overall night . But , a killer will secretly plot to murder several of the students , and teacher Mr . Davis ( Tony Roberts ) as the movies are being projected while Maggie and boyfriend Mark ( Derek Rydall ) work together to find her possible father , a supposedly dead cult director , Lanyard Gates ( Matt Falls ) who murdered her real mother , not the woman who has been raising her since childhood , Suzanne ( Dee Wallace Stone ) . The nightmares which are actually memories surfacing bringing to light what happened to her mother and that her father was indeed the eerie face talking to her , raising a sword to stab her . Is the one responsible for the series of murders actually Gates , or is someone else ( . . a fellow film student with an ax to grind ? ) behind the killings ? A film Gates was making , which reflects almost exactly the nightmares Maggie has been experiencing , is found within the theater by fellow student Toby ( Tom Villard ) . Responsible for all the technical and gimmick equipment for the 50's horror theme night is Dr . Mnesyne ( Ray Walston ) , once in this line of work at shocking the audiences while they watched cheesy low-budget romps . The films shown are " Mosquito ! " a 3-D flick where a puppet mosquito is sent down in front of the audience by a remote control device , " The Amazing Electrified Man " ( . . where buzzers on seats shock the asses of customers ' theater seats ) & " The Stench " where smelly fumes are released into the theater . The tame deaths include one wheel-chair victim being electrocuted , one exploding in a bathroom stall when a chemical agent was dropped into the the toilet , and two nifty murders by the puppet mosquito whose proboscis stabs into two victims . The one responsible for the murders wishes to finish what was started on Gates ' unfinished film , The Possessor , putting Maggie in danger . The most disturbing aspect of the film is that the psycho is heavily burned , wearing prosthetic masks taking the faces of victims . This film attempts to put an imaginative spin on the dying slasher genre ( . . before it's rebirth with Craven's Scream ) while also paying homage to classic B-movies and William Castle . |
436,407 | 9,938,570 | 124,596 | 7 | Forced Entry | At Joe's Friendly Service gas station is an attendant who was traumatically scarred from the Vietnam war , enacting his rage and anger on unfortunate female victims who come across his place of employment , the directions to their home scribbled on paper with him using an excuse regarding the credit card machine's not working properly . Following the address written down , this man ( Harry Reems in a chilling performance ) , seething with disgust towards all manners of women , will wait for the right opportune time to force his way into their apartments , either with a gun or knife as a weapon , making his desired targets commit whatever sexual acts he so chooses , threatening death . We follow three particular cases where Harry Reems ( . . whose name is absent , which really doesn't matter , for he's simply a forgotten casualty of a war that left so many soldiers without an identity or place ) follows his prey upon meeting them at the gas station where he works , watching until each female victim is at their most vulnerable ( . . mostly when they're naked and alone ) , seizing upon them , offering little hope for their survival . The first victim ( Jutta David ) has a knife to her throat and must provide lengthly oral sex to Reems as he mouths off hideous insults , degrading her in every possible fashion . At the finish , he removes a curved blade from an art piece on her wall , slicing the poor girl's throat . The second victim ( Laura Cannon ) just stops by asking for directions to her home , lost within a large city , not knowing that giving her address to Reems signs her death warrant . He catches her in the moment of a very satisfying shower , frightening her obviously , before grabbing the girl , tossing her on the bed , forcing her to commit oral sex , before penetrating her from behind . This is particularly devastating because Reems embellishes in the pain he's causing the girl as she cries and whimpers . What makes Reems ' actions so horrifying is the way he uses words to disgrace his victims while forcing them to do embarrassing sexual acts . After Reems is through with victim # two , he stabs her multiple times , burying the knife deep , with unflinching cruelty . This maniac thrives on their misery , enjoying the control and command he has . . the war left him an unbearable fiend , wallowing in psychosis . The next selected victims are a couple of dope-smoking hippies , high as a kite , a representation of those who scorned / shamed him upon return . Unlike the other two instances , however , he doesn't have control because these girls do not fear him . They are oblivious to his warnings of serious death , and even offer to pleasure him . . this , coupled with the non-stop barrage of Vietnam memories bombarding his mind and soul , cause a psychological break that ends in him quieting the torment haunting him once and for all . Now , I gave this a glorified synopsis regarding what Vietnam does to the men who fought in it , returning to find themselves just as much a victim as those who died there , but FORCED ENTRY is above all a vile , sickening portrait of a madman fulfilling his grotesque desires , forcing his prey to participate in pleasing his destructive , misogynistic ego . The oral sex scenes are long as the women must obey Reems ' command , listening to his commentary on how their " performance " is . The first two sexual attacks are arduous exercises which will only please those who enjoy seeing women demeaned and mistreated . There is an opening sex scene between Jutta David , the first victim , and her lover ( . . the director of this film ) as Reems watches from outside the window , and a lesbian encounter between the two hippie girls ( . . Reems , his teeth clinched tight , watching with a mixture of revulsion and desire ) that differ from the two forced rapes . The film-making style cooperates with the sleazy subject matter and the ugly , raw nature for which FORCED ENTRY operates is appropriate . While I wouldn't recommend this to anyone I know personally , I do believe director Shaun Costello achieves what he set out to accomplish . . the film is teeming with a progressive amount of suffering and hostility , and the war footage interspersed within the actions of Reems pack a wallop , I felt . It's rare that you see a sex film with such animosity , with a central character so entirely twisted and cruel , presented in such an unapologetic way . The camera goes in all places , shooting sexual acts from all angles associated in hardcore pornography . Reems is unforgettable . New York City , in this film , is presented as a very appalling , filthy trash heap , just the right setting for the lead character and his despicable activities . |
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