Director - Andy Milligan (Legacy of Blood, Fleshpot on 42nd St.)
Starring - Natalie Rogers (Tricks of the Trade, The Very Naked Canvas), Don Williams (The Ghastly Ones), and Peter Ratray (The Abyss, Walls of Glass)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Drama
Tagline - "No one man could satisfy her"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I didn't know what to expect when I started diving into this Gutter Auteur set from Severin. I was familiar with Andy Milligan's work prior to this but it was limited to a handful or so films that I had added to my collection over the years. He was a very polarizing filmmaker that was not very consistent with his films but the few that I do like, I really like. I started this marathon with The Degenerates because it was one I had wanted to see for some time but soon followed that up with the documentary about him and Compass Rose. I was not a fan of Compass Rose but that didn't stop me from immediately throwing in Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me! from 1968.
The film follows a promiscuous house wife that starts going behind her husbands back to sleep around. He's abusive and doesn't show her the attention she craves but several men, along with her husband's best friend, give her what she needs. However, when he starts to sever ties with her as to not hurt his best friend, she starts scheming up ways to get him back until her husband ultimately discovers that she is sleeping around and not taking care of their child.
I went into Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me! expecting it to be another unwatchable movie where the story was never finished by Milligan but what I found was a bit of an erotic drama that does have a lot of issues but still works as a coherent film. It's not the best film I've seen but it was still watchable. The acting in this one is leagues above Compass Rose but there is still a lot of room for growth. We see some very well acted scenes sporadically throughout the film but other scenes show inexperience and awkwardness with the dialogue. The story for this one is a little more straight forward but does have some rough editing at times. A slutty housewife with a drunk husband going around lookin for strange is nothing we haven't seen before in sexploitation and it's not really done in an original way here. It works to watch especially if you are going through this set like I am but it's not something I can recommend. Finally, the film has a little blood but it's not a movie with a body count or great effects. The movie is focused on the sleazy housewife and that's it. Those of you wanting memorable deaths will be very disappointed. Overall, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me! is very middle of the road and forgettable but it's watchable which is more than Compass Rose.
Director - Peter Medak (The Changeling, Species II)
Starring - Peter McEnery (Witchcraft, Hammer House of Horror), Diane Cilento (The Wicker Man, Dead Planet), and Glenda Jackson (Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Devil is a Woman)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Drama
Tagline - "A bizarre modern drama of a man and two women locked in a sensual game of sex"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Severin recently released a few of Peter Medak's more not so known films. The first was the 2018 documentary The Ghost of Peter Sellers which was about the making of his ill-fated pirate film with comedy superstar Peter Sellers. It was then that I realized just how extraordinary Medak's career had been. He helmed the classic horror film The Changeling along with episodes of Masters of Horror, Tales from the Crypt, The Twilight Zone, Breaking Bad, and many more. Talk about a fucking legend. When Severin sent over The Ghost of Peter Sellers, they also included a few more releases with one being a double feature featuring the 1968 Medak film Negatives. This was another new one to me and I couldn't wait to check it out. Like always, I want to thank the fine folks over at Severin for sending this one over!
The film follows a couple who stay to themselves and their sexual exploration is mostly role playing with each other. However, their worlds come crashing down when a new woman moves in near them and becomes infatuated with the couple. The man wants to begin role playing as a different person than his normal persona and this causes a rift between the long time couple.
I went into Negatives really excited after watching The Ghost of Peter Sellers and The Odd Job. I really enjoyed both of those films but Negatives just wasn't for me. Hell, I don't know who this movie would be for but it sure as shit wasn't for me. The acting in this one is probably the best part of the movie. The cast does a wonderful job and the characters are rather enjoyable. Honestly, I wish these characters had a better story to shine in than what they were given. The story for this one is a bit of a drag but had some interesting ideas. A young couple who never got along unless they were role playing finding themselves falling apart with the introduction of a new woman has every right to be a fantastic sexploitation film. However, making this story fit into a cheap drama with no humor or sex appeal is a huge miss. Finally, those wanting blood or skin will be greatly disappointed. The film is a character driven story that would have worked if it embraced the sex and not the weird drama tone it went for. Overall, Negatives is a movie that I was really looking forward to but just couldn't get into. While I loved the characters, I disliked everything else with this one. Skip it for The Odd Job!
Director - Jean-Denis Bonan (Metropolis, Le Seducteur)
Starring - Claude Merlin (A Foreign Body, Natalia), Solange Pradel (The Rape of the Vampire, World on a Wire), and Myriam Mezieres (Scarred Soul, Spanish Fly)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Crime/Mystery
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I find myself reviewing a lot of strange and unusual films that I typically would not. This has opened me up to a world of films that are very enjoyable. Sometime back I started receiving press releases for the “lost” French thriller A Woman Kills from 1968. I’ll be completely honest and admit that this is the kind of film I would typically ignore but when I received it in the mail for review I decided to review it. I want to thank Justin Cook for sending this one over for review!
The film is set in Paris during the early 60s when a prostitute is executed for a series of brutal murders. The executioner begins a relationship with a female officer who was responsible for investigating the murders and soon the murders start up again prompting speculation someone involved with the prostitutes arrest and executioner may be involved.
While I did enjoy A Woman Kills I highly doubt that I will be revisiting this one anytime soon. I enjoyed it for a first time watch but it’s just not my cup of tea. Hell, it took me a few mins to actually warm up to it and even then I don’t feel like I fully appreciated it as it was. It was a solid and predictable film but this is not something I would personally hit play on for my own entertainment. The acting in this one was really well done. I love films with bold characters that have personalities that stick out with over the top performances. However, this film has a strong cast all the way around with no weak links. They made the film as enjoyable as it was but I feel as if the film would be damn near unwatchable if just one person didn’t pull their weight. The story for this one becomes a bit predictable once you hit the halfway mark but that doesn’t ruin the film. It’s still a very engaging film with some rich visuals and a entertaining characters. It delivers what it sets out to do but very little else which is why it’s a film I don’t see myself revisiting. Finally, don’t expect a bloodbath of a film. Hell, don’t expect memorable deaths either because you will be very disappointed. The film is more of a story driven character piece with no desire to offer up memorable deaths. Overall, A Woman Kills is a fun “lost” crime thriller that may not tickle the more hardcore genre fans but if you like unusual films then I highly suggest checking this one out.
Starring - Dan Martin (The Lustfull Turk, The Head Mistress), Merci Montello (Erika's Hot Summer, The Single Girls), and Barbara Kline (Baby Vickie, Henry's Night In)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "An adult color spectacular"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When Mondo Macabro and CAV sent over this last set of releases I was extremely excited to dig into these films. I was on the fence with Hotel Fear but after finally watching it I have to admit that I truly enjoy it and Strangler vs. Strangler. However, the film that really caught my eye was the second film in their sister label's double feature consisting of The Ravager and The Bushwhacker. The Bushwhacker really caught my eye and after reading the synopsis I was extremely curious. As soon as I finished The Ravager I quickly hit play on The Bushwhacker in hopes that it would make up for the latter. Like always, I want to thank MM and CAV for sending this release over.
The film follows a wild bushwhacker who spots a small plane traveling above. Aimed with a sure shot, he brings the plane down into the desert. The survivors, three beautiful women and their male pilot, set out to make camp in hopes that someone comes looking for them. Unbeknownst to them, the bushwhacker is near and looking for beautiful women to take back to his camp.
The Bushwhacker has a wild story that completely failed to bring it all together into something memorable. Instead, it's a skin flick with little skin and no story at all. I was seriously looking forward to a corny flick with some boobs and a stupid story but what I was given with little skin and a story that was quickly written on a napkin a few minutes before filming. The acting in this one is one of the few redeeming qualities. I actually really enjoyed the cast and the cliched characters they brought to life. They work very well together in front of the camera and, though they are generic, the characters are pretty fun to watch. The story for this one is a huge mess. Most of the movie is the group wandering aimlessly through the mountainous terrain looking for help while spitting out some of the worst dialogue I've heard in a while. When not following the group as they have a dull conversation we are given scenes of the bushwhacker carrying a woman through the same landscape. There is very little for the viewer to grasp on to. Finally, the film has a limited amount of skin but don't expect a bloody horror flick. It lacks blood and the boobs are far and few in between. Overall, The Bushwhacker was not what I was expecting and it just didn't scratch the itch so to speak. It was a difficult film to finish and I couldn't get into it. Skip it.
Director - Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Fangs of Darkness: Vengeance, The Invisible Swordsman)
Starring - Yoshihiko Aoyama (The Oiwa Phantom, Zero Fighters), Hideki Hanamura (Devil's Temple, Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Villainy), Chikara Hashimoto (Fists of Fury, Gamera vs. Viras)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Horror/Fantasy/Comedy
Tagline - "The most bizarre monsters the world has ever seen"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
A week or so ago I decided to take a stab at the Yokai Monster Collection from Arrow Video. I started with 100 Monsters and fucking loved it. I loved the style of the film and the monsters made it so much fun. I was fully prepared to start on the second film in the set, Spook Warfare, but decided to watch the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion with my kids instead. After a week or so of watching the series and the follow up films I've decided it was time to go back and finish this set. I had a lot of fun with 100 Monsters and Spook Warfare did not disappoint.
The film follows a Babylonian demon who is accidentally resurrected by some grave robbers. As he makes his way through Japan he is spotted by a water spirit who tries to warn the other monsters. They disregard him but as things take a turn for the worse they band together to stop it from destroying their beloved country.
Spook Warfare was a lot of fun but not quite as enjoyable as 100 Monsters. It still has the same style and look of the other film but the story is choppier and uneven. I still had fun with it and even loved the idea behind the story but the film itself could use some polish and some smoother editing. The acting in this one is solid but it's the monsters that steal the show. I liked the cast for the most part but every scene with the monsters was so much fun. I loved their energy, how they acted with each other, and their personalities. It was so much fun watching them interact and carry the scene. The story for this one is essentially a Yokai vs Babylon demon. It has some great moments especially if you love campy fantasy movies about monsters and demons but I feel like something more could have been done with this story. It's great as is but could have been a genre defining film if more was applied to it. Finally, no blood and gore here but I did love the masks and costumes wore by the creatures. They are a bit campy but it only adds to the atmosphere and look of the film. Overall, Spook Warfare is a great addition to the Yokai Monster collection. The story does get a bit chaotic at times which makes if a little difficult to follow but it's still very enjoyable. Check it out.
Director - Kimiyoshi Yasuda (Ghost Story: Depth of Kasane, Sleepy Eyes of Death: In the Spider's Lair)
Starring - Shinobu Araki (Satan's Sword 3: The Final Chapter, The Temple of Wild Geese), Saburo Date (Song of the Devil, Wolf Guy), and Jun Fujimaki (Demon Spies, Daimajin)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "A fantastic world unlike anything you have ever seen!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Several months ago Arrow Video announced the release of the Yokai Monsters box set. The artwork really caught my attention so I quickly looked into the movies to see what they were like. After checking out a few trailers I knew I would fucking love them. I reached out to MVD, who was handling the American releases for Arrow, to see about reviewing it. When the standard edition was gearing up for release they were kind enough to send the box set my way for review. After watching Mondo Macabro's Hiruko the Goblin I figured now was as good enough time as any to finally check them out. I want to thank MVD and Arrow Video for sending this amazing set my way.
The film follows a small village who are moving out of their traditional values into a more modern lifestyle. A local business owner wants to tear down an ancient shrine in order to build a brothel but refuses to surrender to local legends. He listens to a village elder tell the story of the 100 monsters but still doesn't believe it. Soon the village is overrun by the 100 monsters from lore.
I knew 100 Monsters was going a bit different but I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I loved the look of the film and the light humor does find it's mark without taking away from the story and pacing. It is a very enjoyable film especially if you don't take it so seriously. The acting in this one is so much fun. The film is full of colorful characters and energetic performances. I loved the characters and the cast does a fantastic job bringing them to life. As fun as the story is, it's the characters that makes the film as enjoyable as it is. The story for this one is a lot of fun. It's not a horror film per'se but it is a fun fantasy comedy with monsters. The monsters are not scary or bone chilling but I really enjoyed the lore behind them and how they were used in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing, use of humor to break up the scene, and the backstory they delivered. Character development is put in the bac burner here but it's not something that completely ruin the experience. Finally, the film has some great make-up effects and puppets along with some classic camera tricks to make the gag effective. I liked most of the monsters and their look but the lack of blood was a bit disappointing. Overall, 100 Monsters was not the movie I was expecting but I had so much fucking fun with it. Horror hipsters may bitch about it but for those of you that are looking for something fun to watch will appreciate this late 60s flick. I recommend it.
Director - William Grefe (Mako: The Jaws of Death, Sting of Death)
Starring - Jeremy Slate (The Lawnmower Man, My Name is Earl), Steve Alaimo (Hammerhead Jones, The Wild Rebels), and John Davis Chandler (Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead, Crash and Burn)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Crime/Drama
Tagline - "Their bag - supplying the hooked generation"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Florida filmmaker William Grefe has had one hell of a career. He started out in the early 60s making racing films before creating two of the greatest drive-in horror classics of all time. He then moved on to some rough exploitation films before slowly progressing into psychedelic exploitation films. The first of those films was his 1968 crime drama The Hooked Generation. Drawing inspiration from his film The Wild Rebels, he would find himself directing three drug-fueled films that were almost career defining for him. I had never seen any of these films and was looking forward with them. I started this journey with The Hooked Generation and it didn't disappoint.
A group of drug smugglers are forced to throw their narcotics overboard and are spotted by a young couple. They abduct the young couple and attempt to get their drugs back. Soon, they are beach bound where they find a tribe of indigenous living in the Florida everglades. They shack up with them to lay low for awhile before robbing them at gunpoint and attempt to retrieve their drugs yet again but this time the coast guard is ready and a gun fight ensues.
Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from The Hooked Generation. I knew it wasn't going to be as campy and cheesy as Death Curse of Tartu and Sting of Death but I wasn't expecting it to be as serious and grounded as it was. I enjoyed it but, like so many of Grefe's films, it could have been so much more than what it was. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. The cast in this one had a lot of experience prior to filming the film and many would go on to appear in some seriously iconic genre films. I seriously loved the characters, the energy the cast brought into the film, and their on screen chemistry. They all worked very well together and it looks like they were having a lot of fun on set which translated very well to the film. The story for this one works very well as an exploitation film centered around killer drug smugglers who will stop at nothing to make a quick buck. I really liked it but it's obvious that the film was rushed as the story progresses which is a theme among most of Grefe's films that I'm noticing. I like it for the most part but the last leg of the film just doesn't do a great job of wrapping everything up nice and neatly. Finally, the film has a little blood but don't expect some memorable deaths with great gore and effects. Most of the deaths are gunshot wounds with some blood splatter and no make-up effects. Overall, The Hooked Generation is an entertaining exploitation flick centered around heavy drug use and murder. It marks a change in Grefe's filmography and I'm all for it. I highly recommend it.
Director - Glauco Del Mar (Tigress, Tono Bicicleta)
Starring - Guillermo De Cordova, Robert Maurano, and Carmin O'Neal
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Horror/Crime
Tagline - "A shock thriller of lust and terror"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
The American Genre Film Archive, or AGFA, has been wonderfully restoring and releasing iconic cult and exploitation films for sometime. The last few years saw AGFA teaming up with Bleeding Skull, Something Weird, and Vinegar Syndrome to bring some truly strange and iconic films to disc. If you follow my reviews then you may have noticed that every few months I review their releases and I'm a huge fan. When Vinegar Syndrome announced the release of AGFA's newest double feature Love After Death and The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful. Just like every other AGFA release I had to have it so I quickly jumped on it.
The film follows a wealthy man who falls into a catatonic state so his wife and his doctor, who she is cheating on him with, quickly buries him so she can collect his insurance. However, he awakens in his grave later and is able to escape and soon finds himself part of a sexual awakening.
I've been surprised by several of AGFA's releases over the last few years. They've releases some films that I find utterly fascinating and a few films I've added to my favorite film's list. However, AGFA does occasionally release a movie that I just don't care for. Love After Death is one of them. That doesn't make it a bad movie but it's one I just didn't care for. The acting in this one is not the worst I've seen but I did find myself laughing during most of the scenes involving the man's "widow." The way she acts around the other male characters is meant to be erotic but I found it extremely hysterical. I can't explain why but the way she approaches men, especially the doctor who she was having an affair with, made me cackle out loud. The rest of the cast tries to deliver a decent enough role but they do fall short. The story for this one does not deserve a feature length running time. The story following a man who awakens in a cemetery only to have his own sexual awakening is fun in theory but the way it was executed could have been told in a 30 minute film. Instead, we get these long and drawn out scenes with people attempting to be sexy with very awkward dialogue. These scenes are boring which is not what you want with a scene attempting to be sexy. A lot of these could be cut out. Finally, don't expect blood and gore. This is a skin flick of sorts so be prepared to see the female form over gore. Overall, Love After Death was not for me. It was a weird and awkward watch that had me laughing when it shouldn't have. I love AGFA and what they are doing but I didn't care for this one. Skip it.
Director - Rene Cardona (Wrestling Women vs. the Aztec Mummy, Santo vs. the Strangler)
Starring - Maura Monti (The Vampires, Planet of the Female Invaders), Roberto Canedo (Doctor of Doom, Red Blossoms), and Hector Godoy (She-Wolves of the Ring, House of the Frights)
When I was in college I was constantly on the message boards of Upcoming Horror Movies. I'm sure I posted so much there that I pissed a few of the regulars off to some extent. That message board was such a valuable resource for me. I discovered so many amazing films, not just horror, but a vast amount of cult films that I had never heard of before growing up in my small mountain town in West Virginia. It was here that I was introduced to El Santo and Rene Cardona. While Cardona did not direct all of the El Santo films he did helm several other horror and sci-fi wrestling films in the same vein. A few weeks ago I was browsing the MVD site when I saw that VCI Entertainment was releasing a Cardona double feature on blu. I was curious about this one and reached out to get a review copy. MVD was kind enough to send it over and I couldn't wait to dig into the first film which was 1968's The Batwoman.
The film follows Batwoman (Monti) who is a well known wrestler and crime fighter in the area. Know one knows her secret identity besides two police detectives but when powerful wrestlers turn up dead they turn to her for help. Through her wrestling connections she soon uncovers a diabolical plan from a scientists who is using spinal fluid from the wrestling to creat a Gill Man.
I was really excited to give this one a spin. Seeing a Cardona film with a Batwoman character that wasn't authorized to use mixed with wrestling and a little sci-fi mayhem sounded like something I needed in my life. Sadly, the movie was nowhere near as wild as I was hoping for. In fact, I found myself very underwhelmed by it. It was a fun idea that did not translate well from paper to film. The acting in this one is uneven and not that entertaining. Monti is gorgeous, even while wearing the Batwoman mask, but her performance was not that fun or entertaining. Some of the other characters, like the scientist, was a little more fun to watch but there was times where the scene was extremely flat. The story for this one pulls in a lot of different things but doesn't really explore each aspect to it's fullest. The scientists working on the Gill Man from spinal fluid should have been a major part of the story. Instead, we watch Batwoman wrestling most of the movie was which not as fun as it sounds. It gets old rather quickly resulting in a very monotonous movie. Finally, the film has some really cheesy practical effects that I enjoyed but the death scenes are very underwhelming. I wasn't expecting a lot from the death scenes considering the film is a no budget flick from the 60s but I was hoping for something a little more fun. Overall, The Batwoman was not as fun or as wild as I was expecting. It had some cool moments but nothing that I will want to revisit.
Director(s) - Maurice Levy and Harry Wuest (Heat of Madness, The Game is Set)
Starring - Marni Castle, Monique Duval (Hot Acts of Love), and Adam Clyde
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Drama/Crime
Tagline - "Butches of the weird world"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
Most of you know that I'm a huge fan of Vinegar Syndrome and always work in their films into my reviews. For sometime now the fine folks over at Vin Syn has been working with AGFA on several of their releases. Over the years I've collected all the AGFA releases and when a new one is announced I jump on it just as quickly as I would a Vin Syn release. Sometime back AGFA announced a Something Weird double feature featuring She Mob and The Girl from Pussycat. I had seen neither of those films and went ahead and ordered it when I placed my monthly Vin Syn order. When I got the package in it was the first release I checked out.
The film follows Big Shem who breaks four ladies out of prison. She takes one on as her personal girlfriend and when the others express the need for a man she calls up Tony the gigolo. When Tony arrives she learns that he is hooking up with a wealthy woman and decides to hold him captive for a ransom. Things don't go so easy for her as Tony is able to escape.
AGFA usually releases some pretty fun unknown films that are equal parts exploitation and cheese. There was only a few times where I didn't care for the movie they released. Hell, a few of their releases have become some of my favorite movies. She Mob looked really fun and it was. It was sleazy, sexy, and goofy as hell but I fucking loved it. I don't think I'll be watching it again anytime soon but it was still fun for a first time watch. The acting in this one is far from perfect but the cast's committment to their characters is fantastic. The cast really does give the film their all and the characters stand out greatly. They almost reminded me of some of the earlier films of John Waters and how he always put offbeat character center stage. The story for this one is horribly written and uneven but it's a fun watch. The characters and their sleazy antics make this film so enjoyable but the story is very lacking. The holding a gigolo ransom is clever and does a great set up for this crazy caper but the film falls apart from there. It's oddly paced, poorly edited, and very lackluster in the third act. Finally, if you are looking for blood and gore you will be very disappointed. However, if beautiful women and foul mouthed lesbians then this one is for you. Overall, She Mob is not for everyone. Hell, I can only think of a few people that would enjoy this one but I fucking loved it. Fans of late 60s exploitation and underground sleazy cinema will really enjoy what this one delivers. The transfer is very impressive and the bonus features are a nice touch. I highly recommend checking this one out.
Director - Terence Fisher (Horror of Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein)
Starring - Christopher Lee (The Wicker Man, Horror Express), Leon Greene (Flash Gordon, The Avengers), and Patrick Mower (Tales of the Unexpected, The Devil's Advocate)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The beauty of woman - the demon of darkness - the unholy union of the Devil's bride"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
About 10 years ago or so I went through a seriously hardcore Hammer phase. I was buying up any and every Hammer horror VHS and DVD I could find. I didn't care what the movie was but if it was marked Hammer I had to have it. It was around this time that I uncovered the 1968 Satanic cult film The Devil's Bride. I found a copy of the film that was recorded from T.V. at a yard sale. It was a blind buy with just Devil's Bride written on the side but for 25 cents I couldn't leave it behind. I soon discovered that it was a Hammer film mostly known as The Devil Rides Out. The movie is fucking fantastic and still one of my favorite Hammer releases to date. Sometime back Scream Factory announced their release of the film on blu and I reached out for a review copy. Scream Factory was kind enough to send one over. Thanks guys! The film follows long time friends Rex (Greene) and Duc de Richleau (Lee) who meet up with the son of their friend that has passed away. Simon (Mower) likes his seclusion in the English countryside and is reluctant to welcome Rex and Duc into his home while he is hosting an event. Soon Duc discovers why Simon wants them gone. He is now part of a Satanic coven and will soon have his Satanic baptism. It's up to Rex and Duc to stop him before he forever loses his very soul. I remember watching this one may years ago and was floored by how awesome it was. I'm almost certain that this is the film that started my fascination with horror and exploitation flicks centered around cults. The movie is rather cheesy but I enjoy the atmosphere and the story regardless of how cheesy it is. The acting in this one is great. The entire cast work beautifully together and the characters are rather enjoyable. Christopher Lee, as always, is the star of the show. He steals the show and does an absolutely fantastic job in his role. I also enjoyed the supporting roles from Leon Greene and Patrick Mower. The characters are also very enjoyable and they did a great job at bringing their characters to life. The story for this one works for what it is but it does come across as extra campy at times. The Satanic cult angle it extremely fun but it doesn't feel as menacing as one would think. The camp does bring the chilling story down somewhat but it still delivers. Finally, those of you looking for blood and gore will surely be let down. The film does lack conventional practical effects but we do get some classic camera magic here and there that reminds the viewer of the charm drive-in era horror movies had. Overall, The Devil Ride's Out is a must for any Hammer horror fan or Scream Factory collectors. The blu looks great and this is essential for fans of classic horror. Check it out now on blu!
Director - George A. Romero (Creepshow, The Crazies)
Starring - Duane Jones (Vampires, Fright House), Judith O'Dea (Hole in the Wall, Night of the Living Dead: Genesis), and Karl Hardman (Santa Claws)
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "They wont stay dead"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
How do you review the greatest horror film that forever changed an entire sub-genre? It's easy really but what I have to say about it literally means nothing considering EVERY horror fan has seen it. In 1968 Romero and a handful of friend and acquaintances went into the Pennsylvania country side and forever changed horror history by combining social commentary with a loose interpretation of Matheson's I am Legend and a misunderstanding of the folklore around ghouls. Night of Anubis, later retitled Night of the Living Dead, was born taking zombies from voodoo origins to shambling corpses that devours the flesh of the living. The film is a staple of every horror fans collection and is personally my favorite horror film. Sadly, Romero was young and inexperienced and the film has fell into public domain territory which has stopped the film from receiving a proper released until now. Recently Mill Creek Entertainment and Criterion has released the film on blu. Today I will be taking a look at the Mill Creek release which they sent over for review. Thanks guys! The film begins with siblings Johnny (Streiner) and Barbara (O'Dea) who leave the city to visit the cemetery to lay flowers on a grave. While walking through the cemetery the two are attacked by a man acting strange (Hinzman) and Johnny hits his head on a grave marker. Barbara flees through the cemetery and the woods nearby before coming to a lone farmhouse. She enters to find it abandoned but soon a car drives up. Ben (Jones) approaches her and helps her fortify the house before searching for keys to a gas pump located on the property. They are unable to find them but the noise of the things outside and noise of them barricading the windows and doors draws the attention of survivors hiding in the basement. They resurface but tension comes to a boil when Ben and Harry Cooper (Hardman) can't agree on a plan leading to several altercations forcing the group to split. Harry takes his family, including his daughter Karen (Kyra Schon) who was bitten to the basement while a young couple, Tom and Judy leaves the safety of the basement to help fortify the house and search for the pump key. Tom and Judy tries to unlock the pump without a key but is unable to do so forcing Tom to shoot the pump which results disastrous for the two. Harry then locks Ben out of the house forcing Ben to fight in while the zombies are distracted with the warm meal Tom and Judy's body presents. Once inside another fight breaks out between Ben and Harry followed by the undead forcing themselves inside. The basement seems like the only logical choice now for refuge but Karen Cooper has now changed into the undead and killed Harry before setting her sights on the mother forcing Ben to put her down while Barbara is pulled through a crowd of the undead by her brother and several more. Ben is now alone in the basement and when he emerges after hearing gunshots he is mistaken for the undead and shot. I didn't know how to approach this review. What can I say about Night of the Living Dead that hasn't been said before? Honestly, there isn't much I can say about the film but everything I have to say is positive. The acting in this one is phenomenal. Duane Jones is perfect as the film's lead. He takes control of each and every scene. His character is now iconic and almost every zombie film I've seen to date has a character that is heavily influenced in one way or another from his performance. The most iconic performance comes from Judith O'Dea who portrayed Barbara. Aside from Kyra Schon holding the trowel, Barbara is the face of the film. Her performance is underwhelming when you watch the film but once you finish the film and consider everything that has happened you realize why she is acting the way she is. Her performance is brilliant. Karl Hardman was another heavy hitter in the film. His performance is intense and he draws hate out of the viewer. You want to hate him even during the film's final scene and you realize he was right the whole time. The story for this one is simple but completely changed the game. We see zombie films like this a dime a dozen now but at the time this was groundbreaking. Zombies were traditionally know as mindless servants of voodoo priests and priestesses. However, Romero changed the game by trying to make a film about ghouls. In most mythology the ghoul is a living creature that robs graves and eats dead flesh. By making the dead eat the flesh of the living he created a pop culture phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. The story has great characters with clashing personalities and various background put against a dreary situation with amazing suspense and tension. The soundtrack rounds out the experience. Finally, the film has several on screen kills. It isn't the goriest flick to ever be filmed but the few deaths we get work on a psychological level which only builds the atmosphere. The effects for these are minimal but the skeleton on the steps has forever been ingrained in my skull. I love the way it looks. Overall, Night of the LivingDeadis one of the few films I can give a 5 out of 5 to. The movie is fucking perfect which is difficult for me to say considering I have a hard time saying a film is perfect. This is a classic and a must for any fan.
Director - Donald A. Davis (Swamp Girl)
Starring - Sharon Sanford, Heide Andersen, and Leslie Dee
Release Date - 1968
Genre - Drama
Tagline - "The first inside look at what really goes on inside those apartments"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Drive-In Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Day mother fucking 24 with no horror. Less than a week away and I can watch horror movies until I pass out and shit my pants. Until then I am going to continue reviewing non-horror films that were sent to me to review. Most of these films were sent to me by my friends over at Vinegar Syndrome. One of the films that I wanted to check out next is part of the Drive-In Collection triple feature. After I checked out Marsha: The Erotic Housewife I wanted to continue my dive into raw sleaze and check out For Single Swingers Only.
The film follows two young women who are trying to find somewhere to live when they stumble upon an ad for single swingers only. They check on the ad and learn that it is everything they are looking for and move in. They find two single men to help them move in and that is when the fun starts. The two find themselves in the middle of several sexual exploits involving the two men, as well as, with some of the other inhabitants including the women.
Marsha: The Erotic Housewife was a softcore porn with some redeeming qualities. The film's lead, Marsha Jordan, was very easy on the eyes which made the film a little more tolerable. I had hoped that this film would be just as good considering it was directed by the same filmmaker even though it lacked Marsha's present. Sadly, the film was not as entertaining. The acting in this one was not that great. The cast makes no attempt at creating any kind of character and just lazily reads their lines as a gateway to their sex scenes. The story for this one is raunchy and delivers on the type of story you would expect for a film titled For Single Swingers Only. The story simply follows two women, one attractive and one not, as they move into an apartment building for swingers. That is as far as it goes. With that being said, it delivers nothing other than sex scenes which is a huge disappointment. Those looking for a sleazy film with story will not find it here. Finally, this one does not have any blood and gore. Instead, it has bland sex scenes and horrible dialogue. Overall, For Single Swingers Only is a very boring film with no acting and weak dialogue. I can not recommend this one.
