Dalek's Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

Director - Gordon Flemyng (Lovejoy, The Bill)

Starring - Peter Cushing (The Curse of Frankenstein, Hammer House of Horror), Bernard Cribbins (Doctor Who, A Fantastic Fear of Everything), and Ray Brooks (Late Night Theatre, House of Whipcord)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure 

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Peter Cushing really was a wonderful actor.  I've seen his performances in television, horror, sci-fi and many other genres that I'm forgetting about but they all have one thing in common, they were all unforgettable.  I've been a huge fan of his for sometime now, along with Doctor Who, so when I saw that Severin Films was releasing both Dr. Who films from the 60s starring Cushing I had to jump on them.  I ordered them as soon as I could and when they arrived I quickly made time for them.  After watching Dr. Who and the Daleks, I quickly tossed in the sequel, Dalek's Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

     The film follows a constable who finds himself in the middle of a burglary.  He rushes to a police call box and discovers the inside is bigger than the outside.  Unbeknownst to him, he has just entered the TARDIS, a space and time traveling machine created by Dr. Who (Cushing).  They then find themselves transported to Earth in the year 2150 and the Daleks have taken over.  They are mind controlling the people they believe to be intelligent while forcing everyone else to mine.   The Dr., constable, and the Dr.'s niece and granddaughter join a group fighting for their freedom to stop the Daleks.  

     I really liked Dr. Who and the Daleks but it wasn't as enjoyable as the Doctor Who series.  However, it made me want to see Cushing star in his own series of Doctor Who.  He would have done a phenomenal job.  This brings me to the acting.  The film has a great cast.  Cushing, like always, delivers a fantastic performance.  It truly is a damn shame we never got a series with him as the Doctor.  These two films are as close to it that we will get.  The supporting cast is just as great.  We even get to see a young Bernard Cribbins who would appear in the Doctor Who show as Donna's grandfather, Wilfred Mott.  The story for this one is a bit more bleak and action forward especially when compared to the previous Dr. Who film.  The film focuses more on perspective and progression than it does the characters and their backstories.  This is something I really liked especially after watching the first film.  This sequel doesn't take the time to bring the viewer up to speed if they skipped the first film.  With that being said, the film does feel a bit repetitive with the fight scenes and the multiple cat and mouse scenes.  Also, it doesn't follow the show as close as I would have liked.  We have the Dr., who is a human here, along with the Daleks but that is about the extent of it. Finally, the film relies on the props and locations to get the film's look. It's not a bloody flick but the Daleks have that classic look and I love the look of the Cybermen in this one.  Overall, Dalek's Invasion Earth 2150 is a solid sequel and a fun mid-60s sci-fi flick with the legendary Peter Cushing.  I highly recommend checking out the Severin Films' release.  

Fata Morgana

Director - Vincente Aranda (The Blood Splattered Bride, If They Tell You I Fell)

Starring - Teresa Gimpera (The Tunnel, The Long Winter), Marianne Benet (The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, Out of the Unknown), and Marcos Marti (BiBiCi Story, Sol de Verano)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely adore all the boutique labels that are currently releasing films on blu and UHD, especially if they are working on titles that not a lot of us have seen before.  While I love the films, I'm tired of double and triple dipping on the same titles like Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead, and so on.  Mondo Macabro is one of the few boutique labels right now that is constantly releasing obscure and not so well known titles on blu for the first time ever.  Not too long ago they released the 1966 Spanish drama/thriller Left-Handed Fate under it's alternate title Fata Morgana.  I was lucky enough to get a copy for review and I would like to thank my friends over at MM for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a famous model who longs for a man she can never have and a professor who is infatuated with serial killers are tossed in the mix when a real serial killer targets the model.

     I went into Fata Morgana with an open mind and very curious as to how this one would play out.  Sadly, it was one that I struggled to finish.  I really did give this one a chance but it wasn't for me.  The acting for this one is solid by the entire cast.  There was a few scenes that was a bit awkward but I would only assume it was due to the language barrier.  The story for this one had some interesting ideas but it failed to pull them all together into a coherent and solidly paced film.  A professor studying serial killers helping a model who is being hunted by a serial killer should be everything a horror and true crime fan would love.  However, the editing and pacing made the film extremely dull and difficult to follow.  Some serious editing would have made this one so much more enjoyable.  Finally, those looking for some blood and guts will be very disappointed.  However, if a slow paced drama is more your speed then you are in luck.  Overall, Fata Morgana is one that I seriously wanted to like but I couldn't bring myself to enjoying any aspect of the film.  This one was not for me.  

     

The Fear

Director - Kostas Manoussakis (Prodosia, Love in the Sand Dunes)

Starring - Elli Fotiou (One-Penny Youth, The Seventh Day of Creation), Anestis Vlahos (Raw Trip, Death Steps in the Dark), and Spyros Fokas (Rambo III, The Serpent of Death)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Crime/Drama

Tagline - "For the most mature of audiences - the most realistic of motion pictures"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My annual October horror binge is in full swing. I typically try to watch at least one movie a day throughout the year but during October I try to at least double or triple those numbers with all horror titles. While most of the year is horror mixed with sci-fi and exploitation, my October watches are always horror unless they are Halloween centered. While I was planning my month long list of films to watch I tossed in the 1966 Greek film The Fear that was recently released on blu by Mondo Macabro. The title, along with the quote at the top of the release, painted the film as a horror release. After I finished the first season of The Last of Us and an indie short I decided it was time to toss this one in. I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending it over. 

      The film follows the beautiful Anna who is returning home from Athens. The picturesque countryside that she left is not longer visible. In it’s place is a bleak and bitter place with everyone in low spirits. Her parents are drifting apart and no longer in love. Her half brother is extremely angry and hostile towards everyone. When a friend goes missing she suspects that her brother is the one responsible. As she starts to look into her disappearance she becomes worried that her brother is on to her which makes her fear for her life. She turns to an older man in the village for protection and eventually the two fall in love. 

      I went into this one thinking it was going to be a wild 1960’s horror film. Instead, I was given a beautifully shot drama that may have a little touch of suspense but not enough to truly stand out. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed The Fear but it was not a title I was wanting to watch and review during my October horror binge. The title and quote used on the blu release was very misleading. The acting in this one was very well done. The characters have a lot of personality and they are very bold with their emotions. I loved their mannerisms, expressions, and how they hold themselves in front of the camera. When you mix that with the characters and the dialogue you get some great performances from the entire cast. The story for this one is actually a beautifully put together and shot drama that does a great job at holding your attention. The film doesn’t really have an overarching story but more like a series of events and we watch as it unfolds. Honestly, I didn’t mind it and I could see myself revisiting it if I was looking for something out of the horror genre. It has great pacing blended with beautiful shots of the countryside which gives the viewer a lot to enjoy. Finally, this is not a bloody flick so those of you looking for something with a body count will be very disappointed. Instead, the film’s focus is on the protagonist and how life has changed so much for her family while she was away and how she handles these changes. Overall, The Fear was not what I was expecting but I can see why the title is fitting. It’s an enjoyable family drama with some of the best cinematography I’ve seen. I highly recommend this release from Mondo Macabro.

Wrath of Daimajin

Director - Kazuo Mori (Rampaging Dog, Violent Hawk)

Starring - Hideki Ninomiya (Daimajin, The Space Giants), Shinji Hori, and Masahide Iizuka (Human Torpedos)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "A wave of evil has been unleashed"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Daimajin and Return of Daimajin are rather unique kaiju films when you compare them to the more popular or mainstraim kaiju films that were coming out of Japan during the 60s and 70s.  The third film in the trilogy, Wrath of Daimajin, is the oddest of the three.  Though it is set up like the previous two films in regards to being a period piece with fantasy aspects and drama before the last leg of the film unleashes the kaiju fun, it's put together like a children's film.  I never really noticed that during my original viewings but where I'm older now I can see and appreciate that more now.  It's a lot of fun and one that children can get behind.  It might be considered the weakest of the three by many fans but I like it.  I could appreciate it a little more if I hadn't watched the other two films previously.  

    The film follows a small village where the men have been taken by an evil warlord and his army to perform hard labor.  When one of them is able to escape and return to the village it inspires several children to make the trek across the dangerous mountain to find their loved ones.  However, the mountain and soldiers put the children's lives in peril forcing one of them to pray to the god of the mountain unleashing the Daimajin on them all.

     Wrath of Daimajin once again delivers a similar story to the other films but it's focus on children does make it feel a little different than the other two.  It's fun but nothing that makes it truly stand out from the other two films.  The acting in this one is probably my favorite of the three films.  The young cast is great.  Their experience is limited but they are great.  They are comfortable in front of the camera and do an amazing job at bringing their little but big characters to life.  The supporting cast is exactly what you would expect after watching the other films but it all comes together to work.  The story for this one is basically the same premise as the other two films but with some minor changes.  The film still follows a village in turmoil while an evil general/warlord forces reign upon them.  However, instead of the film following the villagers, it follows children who try to save the day before Daimajin unleashes his wrath.  Nothing too drastic but just enough to stand out from the other two.  Finally, the film is not bloody but if you stick with it you will have the same kaiju fun as the other two films using similar effects.  Overall, Wrath of Daimajin is just as fun as the other films.  I would not recommend watching them all together but they are all equally as enjoyable.  

Return of Daimajin

Director - Kenji Misumi (Shogun Assassin, Satan's Sword)

Starring - Kojiro Hongo (Enbalming, The Haunted Castle), Shiho Fujimura (Tokyo Gambler, Killer Whale), and Taro Marui (Drunken Harbor, Fangs of Vengeance)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "Colder than ice, unyielding as stone, divine retribution is at hand"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The Daimajin trilogy is rather unique for several different reasons.  The period piece fantasy film is surprisingly enjoyable by itself by the kaiju portion that appears during the last acts never disappoint.  This is unlike most kaiju films that try to put the creatures in the spotlight.  However, the Daimajin Trilogy has a story to tell and focus more on it than big monster carnage.  Another reason these films are so different is because it's a similar story that was filmed by three different filmmakers with some of the same crew.  I love all three films but they can be difficult to binge together because the stories are so similar.  However, I do enjoy it so after I watched Daimajin I went ahead and hit play on Return of Daimajin.  

     The film follows an evil general and his army that is capturing villages by force.  When they come across another village the villagers fight back but the numbers are against them.  However, instead of giving up they pray to their god who answers their prayers.  

     Return of Daimajin doesn't bring something new or inventive to the trilogy but it still effective.  Like I stated earlier, it does get a bit repetitive watching all three films together but I honestly enjoyed it even though it was so similar to the first film.  The acting in this one is just a good as the other film.  We get some great performances and colorful characters.  The cast does an amazing job bringing them to life while fitting the style and story of the film.  Some of the performances are a little more enjoyable than others they are mostly consistent.  The story for this one is more or less the same as the first film with some smaller changes.  It's still a fun period piece fantasy film for most of the running time before transcending into a kaiju romper during the last 15 or 20 minutes.  The pacing is a little off but it's not enough to ruin the experience.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  We have some little splashes of red here or there but that's about it.  The enjoyable aspect of the film is the ending with the classic camera tricks, miniatures, and overlapping images.  I fucking loved it.  Overall, Return of Daimajin is a lot of fun especially if you are a kaiju fan.  It is a bit repetitive especially if you watch it back to back with the other films but I have fun with it.  Check it out.  

Daimajin

Director - Kimiyoshi Yasuda (Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters, Mute Samurai)

Starring - Miwa Takada (Killer in the Night Mist, Fencing Master), Yoshihiko Aoyama (Zero Fighters, Black Trump Card), and Jun Fujimaki (Devil's Flute, Demon Spies)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "Behind the mask of stone, the fire of vengeance burn!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was younger I was no stranger to kaiju films.  I would often watch Godzilla and Gamera movies with my grandmother along with any other Japanese produced kaiju film that may air late at night on cable.  This, like many of other films I love now, carried over to adulthood.  I still seek out and watch as many as I can with many of them finding their way into my collection.  Many years ago a friend of mine gave me a DVD set, that was possibly a bootleg, of The Daimajin Trilogy.  A few years later I upgraded the set to blu when Mill Creek Entertainment released it.  I've watched these films several times now and when Arrow Video announced that they would be putting their touch on a Daimajin box set I knew it was the perfect time to revisit the three films.  I reached out to MVD who was handling the release and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a Japanese village that is under siege by an evil lord and his army.  Their lord is murdered and the evil lord takes the throne. He orders the dismantling of a giant stone statue that they worship but once they begin they soon learn that their god is not one to be messed with.

     Daimajin is a fun mash of fantasy, period drama, and kaiju.  Films like Gamera, Godzilla, and so on is more focus on the kaiju mayhem but Daimajin is mostly a period piece with fantasy elements before spilling into kaiju fun.  It still works but it is a little misleading if you go into it expecting one kind of film.  However, if you know it's connections to the Yokai Monsters film series then you will know exactly what the film is and can fully appreciate it.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  I like the wide array of characters and how far the cast went to bring them to life.  The characters fit the film very well and the cast makes each and every scene very enjoyable.  Some do stand out a little more than others but it's nothing too drastic.  The story for this one is a fun period piece featuring a village being overrun by an evil lord and his army.  The film could have easily followed this story until the end and been just as enjoyable.  However, the last 15 or 20 minutes of the film gives us some kaiju fun which does give the film a change of pace but oddly still fits the style of film.  It really is a lot of fun but the dialogue heavy scenes during the first two thirds of it does affect pacing.  Finally, this film has a little blood but no real practical effects or carnage.  However, the kaiju scenes are fucking beautiful.  We get some classic camera tricks, overlaying images, and great use of miniatures.  It's a lot of fun visually for a mid-60s kaiju film.  Overall, Daimajin is criminally underrated.  It's a gorgeous film and the kaiju action at the end is icing on an already delicious cake.  I highly enjoy this one and I'm sure most fans of these types of films will really enjoy it.  

Eye of the Devil

Director - J. Lee Thompson (Death Wish 4: The Crackdown, The Reincarnation of Peter Proud)

Starring - David Niven (Old Dracula, The Pink Panther), Sharon Tate (The Fearless Vampire Killers, Valley of the Dolls), and Deborah Kerr (Night of the Iguana, The Grass is Greener)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "This is the climax in mind-chilling terror!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I watch a horror title from the 60s it's usually the more campier films that you would typically find as a double feature at the local drive-in.  The 60s, much like any decade, have a lot of cheesy horror films but just as many, if not more, series horror titles.  When I was first discovering horror I remember hearing the stories about Sharon Tate, the Manson Family, and Tate's husband Roman Polanski.  The Fearless Vampire Killers is a horror comedy that I seriously enjoy but that is the only contact I've had with Tate.  When Warner Bros. sent over the press release for their release of Eye of the Devil on blu I was extremely excited to check it out.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows mother Catherine (Kerr) who follows her husband back to his ancestral castle from their home in Paris when their vineyard fails to produce.  When she is able to track down her husband with their son she finds that he is acting strange and unusual.  The longer she is with him the more strange he becomes and before long she uncovers a pagan ritual that his family has been doing when they suffer through a dry season that involved sacrificing children.  It's a race against the clock as the whole village works against her to sacrifice her son.

     I didn't know anything about this one when I first heard about it.  I knew it was a horror movie with Sharon Tate but my knowledge did not extend beyond that.  Once the movie began I knew I was going to like it.  A gothic tale centered around paganism and human sacrifice was not what I was expecting but I was greatly appreciative of it.  The acting in this one is great.  Niven and Kerr are absolutely fantastic together.  Their on screen chemistry is great and the characters they bring to life really do connect at the beginning of the film and slowly start to clash as the story progresses.  The legendary Donald Pleasance has a small role in this one and he delivers like always.  I wish his character had a bigger role in the film because I really enjoyed what Pleasance delivered.  The supporting cast is solid as well but I found myself very disappointed by how little screen time Tate had while being plastered on the marketing for this one.  The story for this one works but like many older horror titles it lacks some imagination.  My mind can't help but wonder how much further this story could have drifted.  I loved the paganism, the surroundings, and how well the characters were written.  Honestly, I would love to see this one remade in a more modern setting.  The story is ripe for the picking.  Finally, don't expect a bloody horror tale.  It's got some amazing locations, gorgeous wardrobe, and the tension is damn near perfect but those of you with a taste for blood will be very disappointed.  Overall, Eye of the Devil is a fantastic example of horror from the mid-60s.  It's atmospheric, beautifully acted, and well put together.  The blu from Warner Bros. is a nice addition to any collection but the lack of bonus material is a bit disappointing.  

An Angel for Satan

Director - Camillo Mastroncinque (Lost in the Dark, Crypt of the Vampire)

Starring - Barbara Steele (Black Sunday, Dark Shadows), Anthony Steffen (Escape from Hell, Django the Bastard), and Claudio Gora (The Manhunt, The Nun and the Devil)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I received a couple mid-60s gothic horror flicks to review that starred the forever lovely Barbara Steele.  I was relatively unfamiliar with her name but I did recognize her once I actually watched the films.  She's the face of Black Sunday and Nightmare Castle along with dozen of others classic horror tales.  I felt stupid for not knowing her name and have since collected a good portion of her films.  When Severin Films announced that they would be releasing 1966's An Angel for Satan on blu I knew I had to have it.  I reached out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send over a review copy for me. I want to thank them and Severin Films for always supporting Horror Society!

     The film follows a small coastal town held deep in superstition and their old ways.  With the lowering tide, they uncover an old statue that was lost over 200 years ago.  Many of the locals believe it to be a bad omen and when the wealthy local hires an artist to restore it they begin to panic thinking that this will bring bad fortune and death upon them.  When people start mysteriously dying they suspect that it's the statue's fault but something more logical is the real reason for the deaths.

      I was in the mood for a moody, gothic thriller and An Angel for Satan looked like the perfect film for that.  I loved the story and how it mixed well with the locations, wardrobes, and tension.  It's a film that not only relies on story but cinematography and atmosphere.  It's a beautiful film that works.  The acting in this one is solid and fits the film very well but the cast does lack energy.  The characters are very generic and the dialogue is thick but it works for the film.  It fits with the atmosphere and story but no one really stands out or sticks with the viewer.  The story for this one is pretty generic even for a horror tale from the mid-60s.  The twist is not predictable but the premise is something we have seen before especially for gothic horror tales from the same decade.  What makes this one stand out is the beautiful Barbara Steele.  Her presence makes it a must see for horror fans alone and though it is generic and cliched it still works as a solid horror piece.  Finally, don't expect a bloody or gory flick.  However, if you are in a mood for a dark and brooding horror flick then this one is for you.  Overall, An Angel for Satan is a fun first time watch.  I could see myself revisiting it but the impact is only effective on first time viewing.  The blu from Severin looks great and is the way I would recommend checking it out.  It's worth your time.  

Death Curse of Tartu

Director - William Grefe (The Jaws of Death, The Naked Zoo)

Starring - Fred Pinero (The Devil's Sister, La Virgen de la Calle), Babette Sherrill (The Devil's Sister), and Bill Marcus (Scrooged, Married...with Children)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "This is horror"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      When I received the He Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe set for review I was really looking forward to revisiting the first two films in the set along with the rest of the movies I had never seen.  I had previously watch Sting of Death and Death Curse of Tartu several years ago when I grabbed a double feature DVD from Something Weird I believe.  Sting of Death was a great revisit and I couldn't wait to rewatch Death Curse but it would deliver different results that I had originally remembered.  

     The film follows a group of amateur archeologist who are uncovering a n indigenous burial ground in the Florida everglades.  That night they throw a party mistakenly on the grave site of their priest Tartu who is awakened by their disrespectful act.  Taking the form of the local wildlife, he extracts his revenge on the group one by one.

     I originally thought that I had enjoyed Death Curse of Tartu when I first watched it but after revisiting it I found myself very underwhelmed.  It wasn't as campy or as fun as Sting of Death and the story left a lot to be desired.  I wanted to have fun with it but I couldn't.  The acting in this one is similar to Sting of Death but the characters are not as fun.  The cast was mostly inexperienced and the rushed filming and writing doesn't give them a lot of time to actually create characters for their roles.  They go through the motions but that's about it.  Such a huge disappointment.  The story for this one has a great set up that is not fully explored.  Native American burial grounds has always captivated movie goers and the horror genre has seen many attempts at this over the years but Death Curse seriously drops the ball by having Tartu controlling animals instead of resurrecting and killing them one by one.  It's the perfect premise for a slasher but was half-hazardly explored.  Instead, its a story that's started only to rush through to people dying in unimaginable ways.  Finally, the film has a body count with some fake blood but no real memorable effects for genre fans to enjoy.  Overall, Death Curse of Tartu was one that I thought I enjoyed but that was not the case.  It was dull, half-written, and obviously rushed.  This is one I would skip.  

Sting of Death

Director - William Grefe (The Psychedelic Priest, The Naked Zoo)

Starring - Joe Morrison (Safe at Home!, Flipper), Valerie Hawkins (The Beverly Hillbillies, The Delta Factor), and John Vella (The Wild Rebels, More American Graffiti)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "What's wackier than a living mummy?  How about a jellyfish man?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's not often that a company like Severin Films, Synapse Films, Vinegar Syndrome, and Arrow Video release a movie on blu or UHD that I had previously seen.  Most of the releases from these amazing boutique labels are first time watches for me which is one of the many reasons I get so excited for their releases.  However, sometimes I've been lucky enough to see a movie here or there over the years and this time it just happened to be two films from the He Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe.  The first film in the set, Sting of Death, is one I had seen before many years ago when I snagged a double feature DVD with another Grefe release.  When I saw that Arrow Video was the company behind this release I quickly turned to MVD and requested a copy which they were kind enough to send over.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a deformed man who works for a marine biologist who works in the Florida everglades.  When his boss' daughter arrives to throw a party at his home for her birthday, he finds himself the center of their jokes.  Heartbroken and emotionally abused, he turns to his boss' work where he is able to turn into a jellyfish man to seek revenge against those that mocked him.

     Sting of Death is one of those notoriously bad drive-in films that most genre fans love to mock.  However, I find it to be an extremely fun experience and the camp is part of it's charm.  I love cinema and I would have loved to be alive during the mid-60s to early 70s drive-in era when films like this were common.  It's a lot of fun but it's easy for genre snobs to mock films like this.  The acting in this one is extremely campy but I enjoyed it.  The characters are all replicas of the early 60s beach party flicks with some minor differences.  The cast is all in but their inexperience mixed with quick writing didn't give them a lot to grab onto.  With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the cast and the characters.  It's not memorable but it entertains.  The story for this one blends into the crazy monster movies of the 50s and 60s but sets itself apart from them with the strange creature instead of something predictable.  So many films during this time features various monsters, mutants, and aliens.  However, very few took the comical twist that Sting of Death did and deliver something so memorable yet unpredictable as a jellyfish man.  The story is straight forward but is remarkable because it follows the slasher formula that consists of people dying one by one by a masked killer (or creature) because they were wronged by them.  These formula would become very popular in the next 15 years but here in the mid-60s it does stand out.  Finally, the deaths are nothing that really stands out.  Most are off screen and feature some light make-up effects along with one of the cheesiest monsters in film history.  I loved how silly the jellyfish man looks but really respect it's uniqueness.  Overall, Sting of Death is not the most redeeming drive-in era monster movies but I enjoy it.  It's campy, goofy, and flows like a slasher with a fun and equally as goofy creature that I love.  I highly recommend this one.  

Django

Director - Sergio Corbucci (Super Fuzz, Atrocious Tales of Love and Death)

Starring - Franco Nero (John Wick: Chapter 2, Django Unchained), Jose Bodalo (Black Jack, It's Your Move), and Loredana Nusciak (Superargo vs. Diabolicus, Something Creeping in the Dark)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Western

Tagline - "DJANGO - The title of a film you'll never forget!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was growing up my dad was a huge western fan.  He constantly kept westerns on the television and it got to the point that I resented them.  I couldn't stand the thought of even watching a western.  In fact, I went years without watching a single western.  However, when I left for college and became homesick I found myself watching westerns a little more than normal.  Tombstone was my go to film but I found myself checking out several over the years and now I somewhat like them.  When I saw that Arrow was releasing the classic Django on UHD I was extremely curious about it so when MVD sent over Giants and Toys to review they included Django as well.  I want to take a moment to thank MVD and Arrow for sending this one over! 

     The film follows the battle hardened Django (Franco) is roaming south dragging a coffin when he saves a woman from a group of red-hooded goons who are sure to kill her.  He escorts her back to town with his coffin in tow where he meets the evil Major Jackson who leads the group of red-hooded white supremacist who get off on killing Mexicans.  After killing most of the gang and letting Major Jackson live he helps the Mexican's rally against the racist but he has another game at play with only and endgame for himself in sight.  

     As I stated earlier, I'm not that versed in westerns and for most of my life I was never interested in them.  However, I have crossed paths with several that would leave me speechless.  Django is just one of those films.  I feel so dumb for waiting so long and I can't wait until my second viewing.  Regardless if you are a fan of westerns or not this is a must see movie for everyone.  The acting in this one is brilliant.  The supporting cast really get into characters and it's these characters that move the story around the protagonist.  With that being said, Franco is front and center.  He is Django and his performance here is amazing.  This role was written for him and does one hell of a job.  I couldn't imagine anyone else in this role.  Franco is Django.  The story for this one is not your straight forward western that your grandparents watch.  It has that spaghetti western look and feel that was popular in the mid-60s but there is a lot of thought put into what will happen next.  This causes a few twists that the viewer doesn't see coming.  Also, the film is not afraid to throw some action at the viewer.  We get some seriously fun gun fight and fist fights that really pull the viewer in.  My biggest complaint about the film is that it's a bit too short.  Some movies overstay their welcome but this one could have went on further.  Finally, the film has plenty of death scenes with almost all of them being from guns.  With that being said, the ending is a bloody good mess that I truly enjoyed.  The bright red blood mixed with that gummy practical effects that Italian films were known for through the 70s and 80s was absolutely fantastic to see in a western.  Overall, Django is one of the entertaining films I've seen in years.  I don't know why I never checked it out but watching it on UHD was a fantastic experience.  I would highly recommend grabbing this release regardless if you've seen this before or not.  

Dracula: Prince of Darkness

Director - Terence Fisher (The Gorgon, Island of Terror)
Starring - Christopher Lee (Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies), Barbara Shelley (Village of the Damned, Doctor Who), and Andrew Keir (The Night Visitor, Late Night Horror)
Release Date - 1966
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The world's most evil vampire lives again"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm a stupid man and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  I know the world works in different ways than I think it should be ran but I often find myself scratching my head.  Movies are my life so when I come across a series of films I often try to add them all to my collection to watch during a rainy day.  Hammer horror series has been a bit of a struggle.  Some movies were released by one company while others were released by a completely different company.  The Hammer Dracula series is one of those situations.  Warner Brothers has released a few of the films while Scream Factory has released the others.  I recently reviewed the first film in the series, Horror of Dracula, which was recently sent my way from Warner Brothers.  The following two films, Brides of Dracula and Dracula Has Risen from the Grave was previously released on blu by Warner Brothers as well.  The next film in the series that was sent my way is the fourth installment, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, was sent my way from Scream Factory.  A bit of a head scratcher I know but as a completionist I needed them for my collection regardless of who released them.
     The film follows two couples on holiday when they visit a castle after their coach drops them off in the middle of the woods.  The castles servant Klove informs the four guests that the owner, Dracula, has passed many years before and he was instructed to help any guests that would venture beyond the castle doors.  What the four are unaware of is that Dracula, the vampire, is still walking the halls of the castle looking for fresh blood so he can be fully resurrected.
     Dracula: Prince of Darkness is one of the few Hammer movies I remember bits and pieces of but don't remember much else about it.  In fact, the only memory I had about watching this one was the character of Klove.  Everything else felt like a new movie to me.  This could have been because it was so long ago that I last watched it or maybe it was in the middle of my marathon and I was somewhat tired the first time around.  Regardless, I enjoyed this entry in a beloved series.  The acting in this one is solid and fits in with most of the other Hammer horror productions.  The cast is fun but the lack of Christopher Lee, like many of the Dracula films, is a bit disappointing. He is such an amazing actor and having Dracula ride the backseat is a bit strange especially in a Dracula film.  The story for this one is another fun entry for the series but if you really think about the film as a whole it feels like it could be the opening 20 minutes to a much more epic Dracula film.  The story is stretched very thin but still is able to hold the viewer's attention.  Finally, those of you that have seen any of the previous Dracula films from Hammer then you know these are not gore soaked films.  We get some blood here and there but the beauty of the film is the gothic sets and the wardrobe.  Fans of gore will be disappointed but those looking for a period piece horror film with some great atmosphere will be satisfied.  Overall, Dracula: Prince of Darkness is another solid entry in a legendary series but it does feel a little bit forgettable.  The blu looks great and the best looking blu so far in the series.  The Warner Brothers Archive Collection looks good but this Scream Factory entry looks fantastic.  Fans of Hammer or collectors of Scream Factory will want to add this one to their collection.  

Red Roses of Passion

Director - Joseph W. Sarno (The Pink Clam, Porked!)
Starring - Judson Todd (Anything for Money, Deep Inside), Jean James, and Carl Holleck (Naked Frog, The Swap and How They Make It)
Release Date - 1966
Genre - Drama
Tagline - "A picture...that dares delve and dissect a very unusual facet of love and life"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome rarely lets me down. Hell, you know you can put all your faith in a company that released Demon Wind in blu.  Their releases of long forgotten horror and exploitation flick is unrivaled in the movie industry.  While most of the other movie companies fight for rights to classic horror films to release them on yet another format, Vin Syn searched the globe for films people don't remember watching at the drive-in because they were stoned or was trying to get laid.  These films are classic in their own rights and have not seen a physical release in decades if they ever were released.  Recently I reviewed the fantastic Psychos in Love from Vin Syn and decided to keep it going with another one of their releases.  This time I went with the 1966 sexploitation cult flick Red Roses of Passion.  Thanks Vin Syn for sending this one my way.

     The film follows Carla who lives with her aunt and cousin after her parents pass away.  She is a modern woman who likes to live in the moment.  Her aunt can't stand the fact she brings guys over and is often shaming her in front of her guests.  She becomes frustrated with her life and her friends invites her over to check out a group she is a part of.  She has to wear lace panties and she witnesses women become sexually enthralled after rubbing a rose.  She decides to use the rose to her advantage and have one delivered to her aunt and cousin every night to weaken them but what she doesn't know is that there is something far more sinister going on.

     The artwork for this one really intrigued me.  The title put me in mind that I was going to watch a standard sexploitation flick like the many currently available from Vin Syn.  However, the bloody girl on the bottom and the synopsis on the back made me think this was more than that.  The film was definitely more than your standard sexploitation flick but there was several aspects that was severely underutilized.  The acting in this one is not the best I've seen.  The cast works very well together but they have a difficult time creating personalities for their characters.  Everyone on screen is bland for the most part.  Very flat and one dimensional.  The story for this one is great.  I really enjoyed the sex cult with the hidden agenda.  Sadly, this is not used as much as I would have liked.  That was a very powerful angle in the film that was not touched upon as much as one would expect.  The revenge on the aunt and cousin is funny to an extent but does weigh the film down somewhat.  Personally, I would have loved more cult and less revenge subplot.  Finally, this isn't the bloody flick you are looking for.  In fact, there is not really any blood in the film.  If you want something bloody check out Psychos in Love.  Overall, Red Roses of Passion is a surprisingly fun piece of sleazy cinema.  The story could have been so much more but the film entertains just the way it is.  Check it out. 

            

The Night of the Grizzly

Director - Joseph Pevney (Star Trek, The Incredible Hulk)
Starring - Clint Walker (Small Soldiers, Deadly Harvest), Martha Hyer (Picture Mommy Dead, Blood on the Arrow), and Keenan Wynn (Black Moon Rising, Tales from the Darkside)
Release Date - 1966
Genre - Western/Action
Tagline - "Big Jim Cole had come to stay"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm not much of a western fan.  I grew up watching westerns from every decade because my dad was obsessed but They never clicked with me.  There are some westerns that I enjoy but I can easily count them on one hand.  Sometime ago, I can't exactly remember when, Olive Films released the 1966 western Night of the Grizzly starring Clint Walker.  Though I am not a western fan I was still aware of the name Clint Walker.  Anyone born in the middle to late 80s should recall seeing that name in the Joe Dante film Small Soldiers as he was the voice for Nick Nitro.  The artwork really pulled me in for the blu release and made me think I could pass it off as slightly horror so I reached out to Olive Films for a review copy and they were kind enough to send one my way.  Thanks guys.
     The film follows Big Jim Cole (Walker) who was once a sheriff but has since retired and moved out into the country with his family and deputy to live on a ranch that his father won in a card game.  The original owner of the land wants it back and harasses Jim for it.  His two sons are trouble makers which adds even more stress to Jim as he struggles to repair the house on the property and raise livestock to support his family.  To make matters worse, He has to take loans out to buy even more livestock when a grizzly named Satan slaughters what he has.  When a bounty is offered on the grizzly the only option Jim has left is to kill it to collect the reward money or face losing his property.
     Most of the time westerns of the late 50s and 60s all had similar stories that bored the living piss out of me.  They usually followed a good cowboy, usually a sheriff or lawman of some kind, as they took on a gang of outlaws who just happen to have a charismatic leader that is rough around the edges.  You can't argue with me there because I've seen more of these films than I care to count with my father growing up.  The Night of the Grizzly was not that kind of western.  It predated the "when animals attack" boom of the 70s but was a little more than your average western.  The acting in this one is great.  People often look at these older movies and comment that the acting is cheesy and corny but they fail to realize that films were different then.  It may feel cheeky at times but the cast handles their role almost like a play.  They do a great job at that.  Compared to today's films and television they may overact at times but they do a fantastic job and make this film as fun as it is.  The story for this one is very entertaining.  The characters are easily my favorite part of the film.  Some are serious "rough and tumble" type characters that you see in most westerns but we have a few characters that are not to be taken seriously.  They stand out and offer some comic relief when the film gets too serious.  I enjoyed that.  I also enjoyed the pacing of the film.  The film does get a slow start but the film makes good use of the time to develop backstories and characters.  Finally, there is several on screen kills but you have to remind yourself this is a western from the 60s and not a German splatter film.  The kills are centered around the grizzly which used a fake bear and clever camera tricks to pull them off.  The effects are minimal and very noticeable.  Overall, The Night of the Grizzly is the very definition of entertainment.  I could not look away and the story was very compelling.  The effects were far from perfect but that adds to the charm.  I recommend you grab of a copy of this.  You wont regret it!