A Man for Emmanuelle

Director - Cesare Canevari (Killing of the Flesh, The Nude Princess)

Starring - Erika Blanc (Kill Baby... Kill!, A Dragonfly for Each Corpse), Adolfo Celi (The Phantom of Liberty, Madly in Love), and Paolo Ferrari (Nero Wolfe, Married to a Cop)

Release Date - Drama/Erotic

Tagline - "The queer... the erotic... the hippie... all turned her on!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I went into the Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection, I thought it was four films featuring Sylvia Kristel as the title character.  However, that was not the case at all.  The first three films in the set did feature Kristel in her iconic role but the fourth film really caught me off guard.  The final Emmanuelle film was actually the 1969 Italian drama A Man for Emmanuelle starring Erika Blanc as Emmanuelle.  I became very interested in the film especially when I realized that it was not one of the films starring Kristel.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows Emmanuelle (Blanc) who has her eye on someone.  Instead of approaching them like a rational human being, she starts sleeping with everyone she crosses paths with regardless of gender.  

     I went into this one not knowing what to expect.  Was this a film that would later inspire the Emmanuelle series that I know or would it just be a film that shares a common name?  I don't know the back story behind this one but I did like it as a film but it wasn't near as sleazy and enjoyable as the Sylvia Kristel films.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part and pretty consistent which is something you can't really say about the previous three films I reviewed.  Blanc doesn't really carry the scene like Kristel can but she is a hell of a lot better actress.  The supporting cast does a solid job as well but it's Blanc that's the focus of the film.  The story for this one is nowhere near as sleazy as the first film but does have some sexy moments.  With that being said, it does lack in the story department with what feels like an anti-sex message.  We have a woman bouncing from sexual partner to sexual partner as she explores her sexual freedom.  The further she goes into these encounters, the more her life is turned upside down.  The film seems to have a completely different message than the subsequent Emmanuelle films.  Finally, the film doesn't have the amount of skin as I was expecting but there is some.  Those of you wanting a sleazy watch may be disappointed just like those of you wanting some blood and gore.  Overall, A Man for Emmanuelle is nothing like I expected but it was still an enjoyable film.  While it doesn't live up to the Emmanuelle name, I can only assume that it inspired the now legendary franchise.  Check it out especially if you dig the other films.  

Lady Desire

Director - Errikos Andreou (Morning Star, The Hook)

Starring - Kosta Prekas (High Treason, The City Jungle), Christine Allen, and Stefanos Stratigos (The Man with the Carnation, Proud Eagles)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Crime/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My favorite thing about boutique labels are the ones that doesn't just cater to forgotten horror and no budget action flicks from the direct to video era.  While I love regional horror and no budget action, I also like films from other parts of the world that defy genres.  I love, and I mean love, exploitation flicks that that blend different sub-genres together into something unique and a bit different.  A few weeks back Mondo Macabro sent over a Greek double feature with the films Sexomania and Lady Desire.  I knew nothing about these films prior to reviewing them and couldn't wait to check them out.  After spinning Sexomania, it was time to dig into the 1968 film Lady Desire which was also released under the title I Blame My Body.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over.

     The film follows a woman who has tried to hide from society finds her family heirlooms have been stolen.  A local constable investigating the robbery becomes somewhat obsessed with the woman that he knows nothing about.  His investigation uncovers her sordid history and all the romantic partners she has had over the years.

     Lady Desire is not what I was expecting it to be but does live up to the title.  I went into this one expecting it to be a full late 60s nudie flick in tune to the counter culture hippie films of the time.  However, what I was given was something like that with a story a little more complex.  Honestly, I liked it but I don't see myself revisiting it any time soon.  The acting in this one is good all the way through.  The movie itself is very heavy on dialogue in some scenes while others are completely lacking yet the cast is able to carry the story through it all.  They body language and mannerisms to convey emotions in some of the scenes while others are great examples of well rounded acting.  I was very surprised by this cast.  The story for this one is not necessarily a nudie flick or a sexploitation film like I was expecting.  The movie is more a crime mystery with some sex scenes inserted at times when the story needed them.  We follow the constable or whatever he's called as he pries into the young woman's backstory.  We do have those scenes but I wouldn't call this a nudie flick as these scenes are not the point of the film.  They only add to the film while the plot itself is enough to carry the viewer's attention.  Finally, this is just like the other film in the set. It doesn't feature any blood or a body count.  It's focus is on the characters and story which is does a great job on.  Overall, Lady Desire is not going to be for everyone.  Hell, even the sexploitation fans may not dig this one but I really enjoyed it for what it was.  I highly recommend it.  

Shadow of Death

Director - Javier Seto (Viva America!, Long Play)

Starring - Larry Ward (The Deathead Virgin, The Manhunter), Teresa Gimpera (The Tunnel, The Spirit of the Beehive), and Giacomo Rossi Stuart (The Last Man on Earth, War Between the Planets)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "Beyond madness..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Boutique labels like Mondo Macabro don't get the credit they truly deserve.  I'm a horror and exploitation collector but I don't need every Evil Dead, Night of the Living Dead, and the Friday the 13th release that hits store shelves.  I want movies that  I've never seen before or has never mad it's way to previous formats until now.  That's why I always get excited for a new Mondo Macabro release.  Sometime back MM released the 1969 crime thriller Shadow of Death which was originally released as Macabre.  This was a new one to me and I couldn't wait to dig into it.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over my way.  

     The film follows a blonde trophy wife who has been having an affair with her husband's twin.  He's a successful business man and the pair plan on brainwashing him until he is about to snap.  However, a wrench is thrown into their plans when a professional blackmailer arrives and tries to secure himself a cut of the money resulting in paranoia and a web of lies.

     I went into Shadow of Death knowing absolutely nothing about it aside from a few giallo junkies that I know mentioned how much they enjoy it.  While I was a bit let down by how little the title and alternate title fit the film, I did have some fun with this one.  The acting in this one is a highlight of the film.  Larry Ward as twins Peter and John along with Teresa Gimpera as the adulterous wife and Giacomo Rossi Stuart as the extortionist are absolutely brilliant together.  Their characters make the film and their chemistry on screen were perfect.  While I enjoyed the supporting cast as well, it's these three that make the film as enjoyable as it is.  The story for this one is something I've seen several times from gothic horror films of the early to mid-60s.  While it is nothing new, it does work as a giallo to some extent.  With that being said, it's not deserving of the titles Shadow of Death or Macabre.  It's a solid crime thriller that fits in nicely with the pulp crime stories that giallo's got their name from.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  It does have a bit of violence and a small bit of bloodshed but that's about it.  Those looking for a body count or a bloodbath will surely be disappointed.  Overall, Shadow of Death is one of the milder giallo films I've reviewed over the years but it is very enjoyable.  The Mondo Macabro release is a must own for movie collectors.   Check it out

Night of the Bloody Apes

Director - Rene Cardona (The Batwoman, Santo in the Treasure of Dracula)

Starring - Jose Elias Moreno (The Magnificent Beast, Black Wind), Carlos Lopez Moctezuma (Death in Cold Blood, The Vampires of Coyoacan), and Armando Silvestre (Wrestling Women vs the Aztec Mummy, Amityville Playhouse)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Warning - this film contains scenes of extreme and explicit violence"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Last year I was fortunate enough to review two different releases featuring the films of Mexican filmmaker Rene Cardona.  Earlier last year VCI Entertainment sent over the Batwoman and Pantherwomen double feature for me to review.  Both films were an experience but they wasn't for me.  Sometime later Vinegar Syndrome released the Cardona Collection box set featuring Treasure of the Amazon, The Bermuda Triangle, and Cyclone.  Honestly, I enjoyed the hell out of this set and was impressed by how much I actually enjoyed it.  A few weeks ago VCI Entertainment announced another double feature with two more Cardona titles.  This time around it was Night of the Bloody Apes and Doctor of Doom.  I had never seen either title so I reached out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  I couldn't wait to dig into Night of the Bloody Apes.  Like always I want to thank them and VCI for supporting Horror Society.  

     The film follows a scientist who is trying to save his drying son from certain death.  He turns to the local zoo where he steals an ape's heart and transplants it into his son in hopes of prolonging his life.  It oddly works but only for a short time.  His son slowly starts to mutate into an ape and goes on a murderous rampage.  A local luchadora finds herself wrapped up in the murders and must act fast to stop the killer before he can strike again.  

     Honestly, Night of the Bloody Apes was not as fun as I had hoped.  In fact, I found it to be very underwhelming.  The movie itself is a remake of Cardona's earlier film Doctor of Doom but the inclusion of stock medical footage does not fit the film at all.  It could have been something more enjoyable if it followed the source material but these additional scenes completely breaks apart the pacing of the film.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  I enjoyed the characters and how much they brought to the film.  The characters fit the story very well and their personalities worked just enough to make the scenes a little more enjoyable.  Lucha films are hit and miss with me because of the characters but this one was surprisingly enjoyable that regard.  The story for this one has so much potential especially considering it was a remake by Cardona of one of his earlier films.  However, the pacing and flow of the film is completely destroyed by stock footage used featuring surgical procedures.  I love gore and nothing wrong with incorporating real surgeries into a film but this one was not done that well.  It has a different look than the rest of the film which completely ruins the effect it was going for.  I would have rather had the film be dry than feature this.  Finally, the film, as I stated earlier, the film does feature stock footage of surgeries in all it's bloody glory so hardcore gore hounds will find some thrills with that but if you are looking for practical effects you will find little here.  We get some odd make-up effects and blood but that's the extent of it here.  Overall, Night of the Bloody Apes wasn't for me.  The pacing is all of the place but the story has so much potential.  It could have been one hell of a campy drive-in era film but chose to go the shock value route which was a huge disappointment.  I wanted to like it but couldn't.  Skip it.

Yokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts

Director(s) - Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Mirrorman, Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell) and Kimiyoshi Yasuda (The Lefty Swordsman, Tokyo Gambler)

Starring - Kojiro Hongo (Satan's Sword, The Falcon Fighter), Pepe Hozumi (Ultraman Dyna, Super Robot Mach Baron), and Masami Burukido 

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "The most spectacular specters the world has ever seen"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    When I started the Yokai Monsters journey I never knew what to expect when Arrow Video sent the release my way.  However, I was very pleased with the look and style of the first film in the set 100 Monsters.  The film was so much fun and the look of the film is something that I'm still thinking about several days later.  I spent some time with Neon Genesis Evangelion before I decided to continue through the Yokai Monsters set.  Spook Warfare was a lot of fun as well but just didn't work out for me as well as the first film.  Once I finished Spook Warfare I went ahead and tossed in the final film in the original Yokai Monsters trilogy Along with Ghosts.

     The film begins with a caretaker in a cemetery who is murdered by a group of thugs.  His daughter finds his body and possible clue to who murdered him.  As the gangsters try to find her and get rid of the evidence they soon find themselves at the mercy of the Yokai.  

     Along with Ghosts fits in with the previous two films very well.  It's a copy cat of the other films in sense of style and atmosphere but I found the story of this one to be a little bit more fluid than Spook Warfare.  It didn't feel as chaotic and overwhelming than the other film.  Honestly, this is probably my second favorite film of the three.  The acting in this one fits the film but the characters are nowhere near as fun as the creatures.  This is one of the many consistent themes throughout these films.  The cast is great but the humans are merely there for story purposes while the creatures steal the show.  The story for this one mixes gangsters with monsters and it's surprisingly a lot of fun.  The film is written better than Spook Warfare which makes it a tad more enjoyable.  It's easier to follow, better pacing, and the story has a little more imagination.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  We get some fun monsters and great atmosphere but that's the extent of it.  It's a fantasy crime film with monsters so don't expect a blood bath.  Overall, Along with Ghosts is a fantastic installment in the Yokai Monsters trilogy.  Sadly, it's an end to an era with these films but it goes out with a bang.  

The Laughing Woman

THE LAUGHING WOMAN - Original US trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director - Peiro Schivazappa (Lady of the Night, An American Love)

Starring - Phillippe Leroy (Covert Action, Beyond Good and Evil), Dagmar Lassander (Devil Fish, Black Emanuelle 2), and Lorenza Guerrieri (Sex of the Witch, Frankenstein: Italian Style)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Thriller

Tagline - "Dominance.  Submission"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My Mondo Macabro marathon is still in full swing.  After watching School of Death and Sukkubus I wanted to continue through their new releases and decided to go with The Laughing Woman.  The film, which is also known as The Frightened Woman or Femina Ridens, is another Mondo Macabro release that I've never seen before and was curious about.  I expected a late 60s sexploitation film with a giallo feel but that is not what was before me at all.  Like always, I want to thank CAV and Mondo Macabro for sending this one over.  

     The film follows a disturbed doctor who has a meeting with a young woman who believes that women have been repressed.  She is vocal about men becoming sterile instead of women which goes against the doctor's misogyny.  He drugs her and takes her to his secluded sex dungeon where he subjects her to various sex games, torture, and more.  However, the longer he subjects her to this treatment the more in love with her he falls until she finally wins his affection which is what she wanted to do from the very beginning.

     The Laughing Woman was not what I was expecting. It's not necessarily a bad film but I found it to be a little underwhelming and moving at snail's pace.  There was aspects of the film that I did enjoy but at the end of the day this was one that I just didn't care for.  The acting in this one is fun.  I loved Leroy and Lassander's characters.  They were absolutely fantastic and worked so well together.  Lassander's character is a gorgeous feminist who finds herself at the mercy of Leroy's sexual masochistic Dr. Sayer.  The supporting cast is only on screen for a few moments and easily forgettable but our two leads are the star of the show.  The story for this one is a bit unique and difficult to properly market.  It's not a sexploitation film nor it is really a film deserving of The Frightened Woman title.  The Laughing Woman does fit the film a little better if you stick with it through the ending but it's a strange movie to say the least. It does center around sexual perversions, fetishes, and gender norms but it's not as sleazy as other films being released at the same time.  Nudity, sexual sounds but that's the extent of it.  It is a bit more tasteful and artistic but the film suffers from pacing issues, pointless dialogue, and odd cinematography that looks great but only bogs down the film.  Honestly, I do like the idea behind the story but it could have been done a little better and with a much darker tone.  Finally, don't expect to see any blood and gore.  If you toss it in expecting nudity you will find some but the film is not as raunchy or sleazy as some of the other films released from Mondo Macabro.  Overall, The Laughing Woman was not for me.  I liked the idea behind the story and the cast but it was very underwhelming.  I was more focused on the clock than the film which is often a bad thing.  If the film was a little darker or sexier then it would have held my attention.  The blu from MM looks great but there is so many other titles from them I would recommend before this one.  

The Curious Dr. Humpp

Director(s) - Emilio Vieyra (Women's Reformatory, The Naked Beast) and Jerald Intrator (Making the Blue Film, Caught in the Act!)

Starring - Ricardo Bauleo (The Lottery Ticket, The Great Adventure), Gloria Prat (The Naked Beast, Blood of the Virgins), and Aldo Barbero (Killer Women, The Power of Darkness)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The curious picture of them all..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     If you have followed my reviews over the last few years then you may have noticed that I have a fond love for the American Genre Film Archive releases.  This love started with Batpussy and from then on I've collected them all and reviewed most of them.  I've enjoyed most of these releases but there has been a few that I just didn't care for or started out great but lost it's way before it was over.  Regardless, I love AGFA and their releases and I'll continue to snag each and every one of them.  Sometime back AGFA announced that they would be teaming up again with Something Weird to release the 1969 sci-fi sexploitation flick The Curious Dr. Humpp.  I had seen images from this one before but I had never seen it.  When orders became available for this one I went ahead and snagged a copy.

     The film follows the evil Dr. Humpp who kidnaps people and drugs them to have sex until they die.  He believes that sex is the key to immortality and uses his kidnapping victims in his experiments.  When they are no longer viable to his experiments he drugs them and turns them into mindless drones to do his bidding.  When a young man is kidnapped and forced into Humpp's orgies he quickly befriends one of Humpp's nurses who helps him escape this sexual hell.

      As I had stated earlier, I had never seen this film prior to buying a copy but I had heard some genre fans talking about it over the years in the various horror groups I've been in.  I couldn't wait to see it and when I tossed it in I found myself very underwhelmed.  I enjoy a good sexploitation flick but this one was just too bland.  I loved the idea behind the film but the movie itself just didn't do it for me.  Fans of Rob Zombie should note that the soundbites from Never Gonna Stop (The Red Red Kroovy) was from this film.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but it does have it's moments.  The characters are what you would expect from a late 60's sexploitation flick.  However, the mad scientist and his henchmen/drones were very underwhelming.  These types of characters should really stand out in a skin flick but they, sadly, do not here.  The story for this one is one hell of a set up for a sexploitation flick.  Having a mad scientist experiment with sex by kidnapping people is a story that could really be something amazing.  However, the scenes are incredibly too long which really throws the pacing off.  The film is not that long but so much fat could be trimmed so to speak.  Finally, the film is not a bloody mess. We get lots of skin, dry humping, and some campy make-up effects.  The point of this one is the sex and not the horror or sci-fi aspect so watch this accordingly.  Overall, The Curious Dr. Humpp was not for me.  I know the film has a cult following and is known throughout the genre by fans but I just wasn't a fan.  It dragged it feet for too long and missed some seriously fun moments.  Collectors will want this blu but other than that I wouldn't recommend this one.  

The Girl from Pussycat

Director - Smythe David 

Starring - Inga Daar (Kitten in a Cage), Gay Lamour (Kitten in a Cage), and Bayard King 

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Crime/Drama

Tagline - "A bold exciting new film experience"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm not one to shy away from sleazy sexploitation flicks but sometimes I come across one that is sleazy, exploitative, but boring as fuck.  She Mob was not this film.  In fact, I really enjoyed She Mob even though the story was lacking.  However, I didn't know what to expect from The Girl from Pussycat when I tossed it in but just a few minutes in I found myself becoming bored.  It was cool that it was included with the She Mob release but it was a huge waste of time.

     The film follows a group of women who like to have sex, hate men, and rob banks.  Orgies, the female body, and money is all these ladies live for but sometimes they want to sleep around with some men.  That's about the sum of it...

     I was really looking forward to seeing this one.  The title alone really had my mind racing with what the film could be about but what I was greeted with was a half-assed movie that was sleazy and not that entertaining.  The acting in this one is about the only redeeming quality of the film.  The cast is really into their roles and do a fantastic job at getting into characters.  Sadly, the acting is wasted on a film with no story or entertainment value.  The story for this one is non-existent.  We follow a group of women who love sex, the female form, and robbing banks.  With a story like that you would think the movie would be unforgettable.  However, the movie fails to put anything together that is even the slight most entertaining.  Instead, we get very long drawn out scenes of nudity and heavy petting.  Even the sex scenes are bland.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you will be very disappointed.  However, if you want nude filled scenes with groping and nothing worthy of your time then you are in luck.  Overall, The Girl From Pussycat is a fun and imaginative title that fails to capture the dull and boring experience of the film.  I would not recommend this one.  

I Start Counting

Director - David Greene (Murder Among Friends, Ghost Dancing)

Starring - Jenny Agutter (An American Werewolf in London, The Avengers), Bryan Marshall (The Punisher, Quatermass and the Pit), and Clare Sutcliffe (Thriller, General Hospital)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Thriller

Tagline - "In the world of the nightmare, a little blood adds colour"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few months back I reviewed Alphabet City.  This organized crime drama was the first release from the newly formed Fun City Editions.  I really enjoyed it and was impressed by their first release.  I expected big things from this company after that first release and when I heard about I Star Counting I was really excited.  I had never heard of this one prior to their announcement but seeing that it had Jenny Agutter in it sold me on the release.  I got it in a few days back from Vinegar Syndrome and couldn't wait to dig into this late 60s thriller.  

     The film follows Wynne (Agutter) who is a teenager and coming into her own sexuality.  She is head over heals with her foster brother George (Marshall).  However, after a few strange occurances, she suspects that he may be responsible for several murders from around their neighborhood.  

     I knew this wasn't a horror flick.  The trailer and artwork was very clear about that.  Instead, this 1969 was based on the 1966 thriller novel of the same name.  I've never read this novel, nor did I know it even existed prior to Fun City's announcement, so my review will not be comparing it to written work.  However, I will be absolutely honest about the film...which I fucking loved.  The acting in this is great.  When I was younger I became a fan of Agutter after my first viewing of An American Werewolf in London.  She is an amazing actress and it's mind blowing seeing her absolutely nail her role here at such a young age.  She is a phenomenal actress with so many amazing credits under her name.  Honestly, she is one I would add to the top of the most underrated actresses of our time.  We also get a fantastic performance from Bryan Marshall who appeared in so many classic films that I remember watching when I was younger with my grandmother.  The supporting cast is just as well rounded as these two and no one was underwhelming.  The story for this one has a solid twist that you somewhat see coming but there is a few awkward situations that I really could have lived without.  I'm sure it was written that way but the awkward crush on her older foster brother was a little uncomfortable for me but it does work well with the story as it develops.  The family struggles, the teenage female angst of the 60s, the older men sexualizing teenagers, and the popular counter culture of the time really makes this story cemented into it's decade but it still finds it's footing in the thriller genre.  Sure, it's not as dark and haunting as other thrillers but it still has it's moments.  Finally, if you are looking for a bloody film you will not find it here.  Instead, the film is very character driven and heavy on story.  The deaths are off screen and only mentioned which does make the viewer use his imagination to an extent but gore hounds will be disappointed.   Overall, I Start Counting is another top notch release from Fun City Editions.  The image and sound quality is fantastic and this is another must have for collectors.  I highly recommend checking out this release!

Scooby Doo, Where Are You?

Director(s) - Joseph Barbera (Josie and the Pussycats, The Funky Phantom) and William Hanna (The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn't, ABC Afterschool Specials)
Release Date - 1969
Genre - Comedy/Horror/Mystery
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was a typical kid when I was growing up.  I know a lot of my horror minded friends were lifelong horror fans.  They would tell me stories of watching horror movies with a close relative and so forth and the horror bug bit them.  That wasn't me.  I would watch horror and sci-fi with my grandmother in middle school but that was the time I began my obsession with the genre.  As a kid I would watch anything and everything.  Movies like Heavy Weights, Air Bud, Space Jam, and so forth along with the typical kids shows of the time along with Scooby Doo.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Scooby Doo kid.  I watched it so much as a kid that I couldn't stand to see anything related to the character for damn near 20 years.  Now, I'm a father and I try to share some of the things of my childhood with them.  My oldest daughter and son are now watching Scooby Doo and we bond over episodes of this.  This has rekindled my love for the show and it has been more than enough time to give it a revisit.  A week or so ago was the 50th anniversary of season one of Scooby Doo, Where Are You? and the series received an amazing blu release.  I reached out and was able to get that set in for review.  Thank you guys so much for sending it this way!

     The show, for the two of you out there that has never seen it, follows Mystery, Inc. which consists of Daphne, Velma, Fred, Shaggy, and Scooby Doo.  The gang travels all over the country, and sometimes the world, solving supernatural occurrences that typically ends with some greedy or evil person using the rouse of a supernatural entity to their advantage.

      I loved checking out this classic show again.  There is so many monsters that I absolutely loved growing up and I could totally see myself getting them tattooed if I wouldn't have burned myself out with the show first.  This blu set with all the extras is a great addition to my collection and something I will be handing down to my children when they are old enough to appreciate it.  I've always enjoyed the voice acting in the show growing up.  Revisiting it does point out the flaws that I missed as a kid.  The voices fit the characters perfectly and I couldn't imagine anyone else voicing these iconic characters.  With that being said, their emotional range is not that broad.  Certain scenes required a specific emotion and the cast was unable to deliver that.  This is a bit strange for a cartoon but it doesn't ruin the experience.  The viewer, regardless of the age, is more focused on the monster and the person behind it than the voice acting.  The stories for these all follow a simple formula and it almost always works.  The gang arrives at a location where a paranormal phenomena was occurring leading them to investigate the situation determining that someone was behind the sitings and haunts in order to gain something.  Even though every story follows the same guidelines they still pull the viewer in with the different location and creatures.  Finally, this bluray set is beautiful.  The haunted house box looks amazing but the cardboard can easily be broken or damaged especially if a little one grabs it wanting a closer look at it.  Inside the haunted house packaging there is a Funko Pop keychain, encyclopedia, and several special features.  Overall, Scooby Doo, Where Are You? is an essential show for any child and this bluray set is a must have for fans or the young at heart.  Grab it now!

The Wild Pussycat



WILD PUSSYCAT promo teaster #2! from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.
Director - Dimis Dadiras (A House in the Clouds, Taxi Driver)
Starring - Kostas Prekas (Intimate Relations, City's Jungle), Gisela Dali (Lust for Sex, The Executioner), and Maria Foka (The Runaway Kid, Naked in the Street)
Release Date - 1969
Genre - Crime
Tagline - "Purring on the outside.  Seething on the inside"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

        I've been slowly working my way through my Mondo Macabro films that was sent to me for review.  I believe I have six blus with seven movies total so it wasn't that big of a task but finding time between work and home life seems rather difficult right now.  I'm finally moving forward with getting my house repaired after the fire.  My time has been very limited but I have been able to work through several releases which brings me to Mondo's double feature with two Greek exploitation films.  The first is The Wild Pussycat which was finished in 1969 and released in the early 70s. 

     The film follows a young woman who lost her sister recently.  She killed herself after she was in an abusive relationship with a man.  He was cheating on her and was often physically and emotionally abusive to her which was the reason she took her life.  She plans her revenge on the man.  She lures him back to her place and drugs him.  She then puts him in a room and chains him up like a dog with a two way mirror.  He can see out but no one can see in.  He is then subject to her perverse acts with no way or touching her or satisfying himself.

      I was not a fan of Bloodlust.  The movie was way too slow with no atmosphere and a story you could see coming.  Out of the Mondo Macabro releases in my marathon this was the weakest one.  I was hoping that The Wild Pussycat would take me back to a more enjoyable release but the film could barely hold my attention.  I wanted to like it but I just couldn't.  The acting in this one is strange.  I get every culture or society has different ways of doing things but the acting in this film is just odd.  The characters make eye contact briefly before their eyes bounces around like they are high on speed.  The dialogue has no emotions behind them and the scenes are painfully dry.  Even the scenes that are meant to be sexy fall flat because the cast has no dedication to their role.  The story for this one moves at a snails pace and does not have the affect on the viewer that was intended.  The movie tries to be sexy while flirting with being a thriller but all it really does is put the viewer to sleep.  The sex or sexy scenes are so underwhelming that you may get the impression that this is a parody.  If you can make it through this film in one sitting I will be thoroughly impressed.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you wont find it here.  The film is a character piece that relies heavily on the character's interactions.  Overall, The Wild Pussycat is not the film I was expecting.  I'm a huge fan of exploitation and I was expecting a fun sexploitation flick.  Instead, I get something else that just wasn't for me. 

 



Perversion Story



Director - Lucio Fulci (The Beyond, City of the Living Dead)
Starring - Jean Sorel (The Day of the Jackal, The Great Kidnapping), Marisa Mell (Ring of Darkness, Devil's Ransom), and Elsa Martinelli (Madigan's Millions, The Pleasure Pit)
Release Date - 1969
Genre - Mystery/Crime
Tagline - "What's the most incredible thing a woman ever did for $1,000,000?"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

 

     Italian director Lucio Fulci had a very interesting career.  Many modern genre fans know him for his Italian horror films but Fulci began directing movies almost 30 years before he became a horror legend.  At one point he was known for his spaghetti westerns before moving on to erotic and sexploitation films.  Once the giallo craze swept Italy he jumped on board and became on of the most iconic horror directors of all time.  Most companies scramble to release or rerelease his horror films on new formats because fans can't get enough.  Very few companies even bother to visit Fulci's work pre-giallo but recently Mondo Macabro released the 1969 sleazy mystery Perversion Story aka One on Top of the Other.  I had never seen this film and was lucky enough to get a copy in for review.  Thanks Mondo!

     The film follows Dr. George Dumurrier who is married to Susan (Mell).  Susan suffers from severe asthma but George is dedicated to his work and saving the clinic he works for so he is often away for business.  George has secretly been having an affair behind Susan's back and while away with his mistress in Vegas he gets a call that Susan has died.  A month later he receives word that she had taken out a large insurance policy on herself right before dying.  This prompts the police to investigate her death and they discover she was poisoned.  Now George is the prime suspect in the murder and he is convicted of the crime.  While on deathrow his brother spills the beans to George about how Susan is still alive and set him up all while having an affair on George with him.  George's brother and Susan leave for France before George is sent to the gas chamber and moments before he is sentenced to death a jealous lover of Susan's finds her in France and kills her revealing to the world who she really was. 

     I rarely venture into the non-horror Fulci films.  Not because I don't want to but because its rare that I come across one.  Fulci was a phenomenal filmmaker and Perversion Story is yet another example of why he was the best at his craft and enjoyed a career that spanned 50 years.  This movie was very compelling and really had me guessing.  The acting in this one is great.  Marisa Mell is the real star.  She takes on two different roles with two different personalities.  She does a fantastic job with both.  She was perfectly cast for this role.  She is very convincing as the sick Susan and as the sexy Monica.  I also enjoyed Jean Sorel's performance.  His performance went through a wide range of emotion and was fantastic.  The supporting cast is also fantastic.  The characters are very enjoyable and this film has an amazing cast.  The story for this one is very entertaining and holds the viewer's attention very well.  The movie makes you think you are in for a sleazy good time but you are actually about to dive deep into a murder mystery that keeps you guessing as to who the real killer is.  There was a few times I rolled my eyes at a few of the more predictable moments but the real killer reveal did hit.  I really enjoyed the story and how Fulci approached it.  Finally, if you want blood you wont find it here.  We have a fucking fantastic rotting corpse and a few gunshot wounds but that's the extent of the practical effects.  Overall, Perversion Story was a damn entertaining murder mystery that will keep any viewer glued to the screen.  This is a fantastic Fulci film that any fan will want to add to their collection. 

 



Scream, Baby, Scream

Director - Joseph Adler (Sex and the College Girl, Convention Girls)
Starring - Ross Harris (Night of the Living Dead, The Crazies), Eugenie Wingate, and Chris Martell (Flesh Feast, The Gruesome Twosome)
Release Date - 1969
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Cosmetic surgery can change the way you live...and die"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     This holiday week is going by way too fast.  With July 4th quickly approaching I realized that I am now hitting Tromatic Thursday time.  I've been diving deep into the Toxie's Blood Bank box set and decided to go with the 1969 classic Scream, Baby, Scream.  This is a film that a lot of Troma fans tell me to check out and one that I was actually asked to check out in one of my earlier Tromatic Thursday reviews.  Will it live up to the hype?

   

     The film follows a couple who are aspiring artists with two different world views.  One is very talented but he believes he will never make it as an original artist so he has his sights set on becoming an illustrator.  His girlfriend has bigger dreams and wants to become a well known artist like her idle Charles Butler who mixes the macabre with beauty.  She meets her idle and becomes even more infatuated with him but she doesn't know that he abducts beautiful women and turns his horrible paintings into living works of art.

   

     I didn't know what to expect from this one but I do have to say that I was excited for it.  The movie reminded me a lot of the classic The Undertaker and His Pals which is a favorite of mine.  The film was fun but the quality of this particular DVD release from Troma left a lot to be desired.  I really liked the acting in this one.  The character's are a little clichéd even for 1969 but the cast has fun with it which really makes the movie just as fun.  The cast works very well with each other and it shows in each and every scene.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting.  The film is definitely a product of the time.  The story and imagery is a time capsule to the late 60s and early 70s but the story just didn't fit the setting.  I could see this story taking place earlier in the century.  It still works but a missed opportunity was had here.  The film does drag for a good portion of the film but several interesting ideas are mentioned in the film.  Sadly, a lot of those awesome ideas are never followed up with.  Finally, this one isn't that bloody but it does have some practical effects make up.  The disfigured looks cool but you can see their budget.  Overall, Scream, Baby, Scream is a fun watch.  It is far from Troma's best but I really enjoyed it.  Check it out.