Night of the Blood Monster

Director - Jesus Franco (Bloody Moon, Hellhole Women)

Starring - Christopher Lee (Tales of the Haunted, End of the World), Maria Schell (Superman, Liquid Television), and Leo Genn (A Lizard in a Woman's Skin, Psycho-Circus) 

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Horror will hold you helpless!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Filmmaker Jess Franco had many frequent collaborators over the years but the one that always stood out to me was Christopher Lee. The pair would collaborate on several films together and I've been lucky enough to review some of them over the years. Sometime back Full Moon released Night of the Eagle which also starred Star War's Mark Hamill, Dracula from Severin, and two FuManchu films released by Blue Underground. Sometime back Blue Underground was re-releasing The Bloody Judge on UHD under its alternate title Night of the Blood Monster. This Franco/Lee collaboration is one I had owned for some time on DVD but never actually took the time to watch it. I want to thank my friends over at Blue Underground and MVD for sending this one over for review. 

      The film follows an evil judge who uses the witch trials in England as a way to gain political power and seduce women. When his power fails to seduce a woman whose sister he just sentenced to death, she joins a group of rebels along with her boyfriend to stop him from using his power for evil. 

      I can't believe I was sitting on this one for as long as I did without watching it. I absolutely love anything centered around witches and the witch trials so the fact that I've owned this film on DVD for years and never took the time to watch it really bums me out. It was a fantastic flick that has one of greatest titles I've had the chance to review. While I don't really care for the Night of the Blood Monster moniker, I love The Bloody Judge and wish they would have stuck with that for this UHD release. Regardless of the title, this film is worth every minute. The acting in this is amazing. Christopher Lee never disappoints, and he once again shows his on-screen talents. While he delivers a memorable performance, he doesn't outshine Maria Schell, Leo Genn, Maria Rohm, and Margaret Lee to name a few. The story for this one has a lot of moving parts but I absolutely loved it. I love that the film takes place against the backdrop of the witch trials but not fully focused on it. We then have corruption, conspiracy, seduction, and so much more. It's a film with a lot going on but doesn't fill overcomplicated or busy. Finally, the film has some blood and make-up effects but that is really the extent of it. The film relies heavily on sets, costumes, and characters to sell the film instead of gore. Overall, Night of the Blood Monster is a fantastic film and another amazing collaboration between one of the world's greatest actors and one of the greatest exploitation filmmakers to ever live. I highly recommend this one especially the UHD release from Blue Underground. Check it out

Unquiet Death

UNQUIET DEATH promo trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director(s) - Ferid Boughedir (Sweet Smell of Spring, Villa Jasmine) and Claude d'Anna (Salome, Foursome)

Starring - Aly Ben Ayed (Tunis Top Secret, Play Dirty), Ursule Pauly (The Nude Vampire, The Rape of the Vampire), and Sophie Vaillant (Number 96, Nanou)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Crime/Drama/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      We just passed the halfway mark to Halloween a few days ago and I'm still trying to watch as many horror titles as possible before the month ends. However, that has been a bit of a challenge this year with the handful of dark dramas and mysteries that have been sent over for review. I don't mind these types of films but I primarily watch and review horror for the month of October. A few weeks ago Mondo Macabro sent over the Broken Mirror and Unquiet Death double feature for review. I was under the impression that these were genre titles but after I finished Broken Mirror I quickly learned that it was not. Regardless, I still enjoyed these films and I want to thank Mondo Macabro for hooking me up with these two fantastic dramas for review! 

      The film follows three sisters who visit their late uncle's estate. While there they are forced to deal with his former servant, which brings about uncomfortable interactions between him and the three. He eventually snaps and starts ordering the women around as if he is the owner of the lavish estate and they are his slaves. It doesn't take long before the three of them have enough and stand up to him. 

      Unquiet Death is another beautifully shot international drama that did not disappoint. While I thoroughly enjoyed it, it's another film like Broken Mirror that I will never revisit. It's a fantastic first time watch but once you know exactly what is going to happen it loses it's thrill. The acting in this one is great. The three female leads are fantastic together. They have amazing chemistry and go above and beyond to make the scene work. While the cast is fairly small, they are all firing on the same cylinder. Everyone carries their weight so to speak but these three lovely ladies make the film for me. The story for this one is a solid drama that bills itself as a mystery. While I don't see the mystery aspect of the film I still thoroughly enjoyed it as a drama. It was unexpected and something you never saw coming. It has smooth pacing, wonderful dialogue, and well written characters. Finally, this is another one that is not a bloody flick. This is character focused but it works. Overall, Unquiet Death is not what I was expecting but I still enjoyed it. It's a drama that does get dark at times. I highly recommend it. 

In the Folds of the Flesh

Director - Sergio Bergonzelli (Apocalipsis Sexual, School of Erotic Enjoyment)

Starring - Eleonora Rossi Drago (The Angels from 2000, Uncle Tom's Cabin), Pier Angeli (Shadow of Evil, Octaman), and Fernando Sancho (Black Commando, Cross of the Devil)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Certain boutique labels don’t get the respect they deserve. While most people, myself included, often praise labels like Vinegar Syndrome and Arrow Video while labels like Severin and Mondo Macabro often go overlooked. Honestly, I really enjoy MM and their releases even though I may not always enjoy the films. I appreciate their eye for international titles and bringing those to American markets. A few weeks back I received their blu release of In the Folds of the Flesh. 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 their support! 

      The film follows a group living in a villa who have a dark secret. Murder is not foreign to the three living there and when an escaped criminal arrives there attempting to black mail them he bites off more than he can chew when they get the upper hand. Soon the police is involved due to the amount of disappearances in the area bringing all their heinous crimes to light.

      When I was getting info together for my review, I saw that some call this film a trashy giallo. While I don’t see the giallo part I can confirm that it is trashy. Giallo is a popular Italian sub-genre of horror that focuses on the mystery aspect of the story. In the Folds of the Flesh is not so much a mystery but a story about how far the crazy family will go before getting caught. It was enjoyable but way too complicated when it had no need to be. The acting in this one is very enjoyable. The cast was a lot of fun to watch but their reactions in a lot of the scenes was a bit too overdramatic. It didn’t take away from the film but it did give me a few unintentional laughs when you mixed it with the English dub. The story for this one is very enjoyable, especially from an exploitation stand point, but there was a lot going on. In fact, some of the twists and turns could have been removed while keeping the overall story intact. I fucking loved the idea of the three psychopaths living in the same villa together when a criminal arrives and tries to black mail them. We then get some questionable turns like the rape scene that doesn’t really make sense in context of the film along with introduction of the police. It just feels like there is too many ideas being thrown in a pot hoping something sticks. It would have been a hell of a lot more enjoyable if it was more straight forward with the story. Finally, the film has a few death scenes that were surprisingly humorous but if you are looking for some serious blood and gore then you will be very disappointed. We have a beheaded corpse and an acid bath but that is really the extent of the carnage. They were funny in my opinion but nothing that will stick with you. Overall, In the Folds of the Flesh is not what you expect. If you snagged this one expecting a classic giallo then you will be very disappointed. However, if you want a trashy exploitation flick with a convoluted story then this one is for you. I highly recommend snagging the Mondo Macabro release if this one seems like it is up your alley.

The Ravager

Director - Charles Nizet (Help Me... I'm Possessed, Voodoo Heartbeat)

Starring - Jo Long, Pierre Agostino (Red Heat, Las Vegas Serial Killer), and Lynn Hayes 

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Just when you thought you've seen it all... You'll be shocked and excited when you see THE RAVAGER DOING HIS THING!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I look to Mondo Macabro for international titles that I would never see any other way.  However, they do handle some seriously underrated exploitation films from time to time.  Keep in mind, I've only been collecting Mondo Macabro releases for a few years but those few years I've been adding them to my collection was mostly international titles and the occasional exploitation flick.  The last batch of MM releases I received for review included two international titles and an exploitation double feature which is part of their sister label, American Arcana.  I had a lot of fun with Strangler vs. Strangler and Hotel Fear but I was really looking forward to The Ravager and The Bushwhacker double feature.  After watching both films I quickly tossed in The Ravager and hit play.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro and CAV for sending this one over.

     The film follows a Vietnam vet who becomes a serial rapist and murder after witnessing the brutal rape and murder of a Vietnamese woman.  Now, armed with patience and dynamite, he hunts down couples and has his way with the women.

     The Ravager is straight to the point and painfully repetitive.  I don't mind if a movie, especially a sleazy exploitation flick, uses the same gag once or twice but The Ravager is a one trick pony with most of the scenes being redundant.  I really wanted to like it but I was bored to fucking tears by the 20 minute mark.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect.  The cast is dedicated to their roles but inexperience does rear it's ugly head.  It's not horribly acted but there is a few awkward scenes where the cast struggles to find their footing.  The story for this one has a decent enough set up for an exploitation flick with a horror spin.  We get a demented veteran using the skills he learned in combat to kill those he stalks.  Toss in some explosions, blood, and boobs and you have the entire film in a nutshell.  However, once or twice of this would have been sufficient.  However, the film continues to throw that same set up down your throat until the very end with little to nothing new for the viewer to enjoy.  It's evident this was a rushed production with a half-written script.  Finally, the film has some blood splatter and explosions but that's the extent of it.  The boobs are nice to look at but the lack of practical effects was a big let down.  Overall, The Ravager may be a notorious exploitation film but that doesn't make it a good one.  I really wanted to write a positive review for this one but I just can't.  It wasn't for me at all.  

The Vampire Lovers

Director - Roy Ward Baker (The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires, The Monster Club)

Starring - Ingrid Pitt (The Wicker Man, Countess Dracula), Pippa Steel (Lust for a Vampire, Guns in the Heather), and Madeline Smith (Theater of Blood, The Dark Knight)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "If you dare... taste the deadly passion of the blood-nymphs!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

    Peter Cushing is a cinema legend appearing in countless genre defying films but many know him for his contributions to horror.  Many recognize him from his roles in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Dr. Who and the Daleks, and Tales from the Crypt.  However, his work with Hammer Horror will always be what I remember him most for.  He appeared in several of Hammer's partnership films with Universal and dozens more horror titles.  Several weeks ago Scream Factory announced the release of 1970's The Vampire Lovers.  This was a Hammer production that I was familiar with but it had been several years since my last viewing.  I reached out to Scream Factory and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  With my recent Shout/Scream Factory marathon I decided to revisit this one.  

     The film follows a wealthy family who finds themselves visited by a new family one night while throwing a lavish party.  However, the matriarch is forced to leave and asks to leave her daughter in their care while she is away.  He agrees and before long members of his family fall ill to a strange sickness before dying.  She moves on to another wealthy family and the illness repeats before the locals realize that there is a vampire among them.

     The Vampire Lovers doesn't have the following that many of the other Hammer releases do but I enjoy it very much.  I love the characters, the story, the sets, and the acting.  There is so much to enjoy with this one and it's one that I can see myself revisiting multiple times without tiring of it.  It's one of my favorite Hammer films behind Night Creatures and Kiss of the Vampire which is saying something.  The acting in this one is great.  Peter Cushing delivers another knock out performance but he's not as much a part of the story as other films from Hammer.  Regardless, he doesn't disappoint.  The star of the show, at least to me anyway, is Ingrid Pitt.  She makes this movie what it is with her mix of on screen charm and sultry stares.  When you combine that with the impressive supporting cast you find yourself with something unforgettable.  The story for this one is a little repetitive but the characters and ending makes it worthwhile.  The characters are so well written and the story progresses along nicely.  The dialogue doesn't over do it and the pacing is great for a Hammer film.  As I said earlier, it does get a little repetitive but it doesn't ruin the experience.  Finally, the film has some blood and light practical effects but that is it which is what you would expect from a vampire film from the late 60s and early 70s.  Overall, The Vampire Lovers is a fantastic Hammer release and one of the most underrated vampire films of the 70s.  I highly recommend grabbing this release from Scream Factory.  It's worth every penny.  

The Naked Zoo

Director - William Grefe (Sting of Death, Death Curse of Tartu)

Starring - Steve Oliver (Werewolves on Wheels, The Bloody Slaying of Sarah Ridelander), Rita Hayworth (The Wrath of God, The Bastard), and Fay Spain (The Godfather: Part II, Night Gallery)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Drama

Tagline - "The wicked games young swingers play..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As I work my way through the He Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe I find myself seriously having a good time.  I thought the set would be camp drive-in era monster movies but after the first two films I've worked my way through three drug-fueled films about drug dealing, drug abuse, and murder.  The Hooked Generation is a great film but the Psychedelic Priest really hit it off with me.  Now, I'm finishing the third film in the set that follows the same themes which is 1970's The Naked Zoo which features a guest appearance from one of my favorite bands Canned Heat.  

     The film follows bachelor Terry (Oliver) who is an author that is struggling financially but has used his sex appeal and charm to get his way through life with parties, sex, and drugs.  If necessary murder is an option as well but he prefers to fuck his way out of any situation.

     I was riding a high in some regards going into The Naked Zoo.  I was extremely impressed with The Psychedelic Priest and couldn't wait to the Naked Zoo especially once I discovered it had a small appearance from Canned Heat.  It wasn't a bad film.  In fact, I did enjoy it for the most part, but I did find it to be a little dull at times.  As you guessed it, it feels like it was rushed in several scenes which is something that is fairly common in Grefe's films.  The acting in this one is extremely uneven.  Oliver is inconsistent in his performance.  At times he delivers a seriously great performance but at other times he acts as if he is just tired and ready for the film to end.  I feel like this may be a result of the rushed production.  The supporting cast is the same way.  In some scenes they deliver fantastic performances and then other scenes they feel completely drained and uninterested.  The story for this one is all over the place.  Rita Hayworth's scenes were filmed differently from everything else and are added at random times which does nothing for the film while we bounce between each sex/drug use scene and the next.  It's chaotic at times and the story is difficult to follow.  However, if you stick with it you can find some fun in it.  Finally, the film does have a death or two but there is no blood or enjoyable practical effects.  Overall, The Naked Zoo is not the best film in the set but it doesn't disappoint and really does work as another great example of counter culture cinema of the late 60s and early 70s.  

Deadlock

Director - Roland Klick (Supermarket, Dear Fatherland Be at Peace)

Starring - Mario Adorf (The Devil Strikes at Night, Devil's Paradise), Marquard Bohm (Satan's Brew, Spider's Web), and Anthony Dawson (Dial "M" for Murder, Dr. No)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Western

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome has brought so many films to my attention that I had never heard before through their exploitation, horror, and sci-fi releases.  This is a company that I quickly fell in love with and eagerly await their monthly releases like a child waiting for their parents to return home from work.  Not only have they turned me on to hundreds of movies I had never heard of before but now they are bringing even more entertainment our way with their partner labels.  Sometime back Vin Syn posted the pre-order for the UHD release of the 1970 German western Deadlock from their new partner label Subkulture USA.  I had never heard of the film nor the company before but if Vin Syn has a hand in it then you can bet your ass I'm going to check it out.  Once I found a small window of opportunity in my work schedule I worked it some time to check it out.

     The film follows a man who finds another man wounded and towing behind a suitcase filled with cash.  He leaves the man to die in the desert with a bullet hole in his arm but he doesn't.  He follows the man home to retrieve his suitcase.  Eventually the two bounce back and forth as they fight over the cash but a third man arrives which completely changes everything.

     Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from Deadlock but I was giving it a chance considering Vin Syn was attaching themselves to it.  The movie was not a disappoint.  A little long winded and repetitive but I still enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is pretty well done.  The cast is relatively small and relied heavily on the three lead's and the way they interact with one another.  The characters are pretty generic for a western especially by the early 70s but the cast sticks with it resulting in some fun performances.   The story for this one is straight forward and plays heavily on the spaghetti westerns from the 60s.  We get some moments of action, drawn out scenes, and story progression.  With that being said, it does repeat itself several times without giving the viewer something new to grab on to.  Also, the movie does drag on at times which will try your patience.  Some of the scenes could have been trimmed down a good bit to help with pacing.  Finally, the film has blood but don't expect a gorefest.  It's focus is on story and character development over blood and gore.  Overall, Deadlock is a fantastic first time watch that I enjoyed.  It's not perfect and some may say it's better than it actually is but I enjoyed it.  I recommend snagging a copy and checking it out for yourself.  

The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful

Director - Robert Canton (Orgy Girls '69, A Run for the Money)

Starring - Harold Herbsman (The Defenders, A Woman in Love), Janis Young (The Boston Strangler, Another World), and Jennifer Welles (Confessions of a Young American House Wife, Sugar Cookies)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Drama

Tagline - "POLITICIANS -- Their private lives and loves -- their cruelties and perversions are... all exposed in... The Good, The Bad And The Beautiful"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     There has been a few instances where AGFA has released a double feature with the main film in the set was a bit of a disappointment but the second, or bonus film, was surprisingly fun.  It's not often that this happens but it has happened a few times.  After watching Love After Death I couldn't wait to check out the second film in the set in hopes that it was better.  Thought The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful was a better film it was still a difficult one to finish.  I was not a fan of this one.

     The film follows a politician and his wife who are trying to live the picture perfect life.  However, both of them are caught up in their own scandals.  The politician finds himself in an affair while his wife is being blackmailed by a man she doesn't remember about a night she can barely recall.

     The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful did have a better story than Love After Death but that's not saying much.  The improvement in the story is a welcomed change but the acting and pacing is all off.  The acting in this one is extremely awkward and put me in mind of day time soap operas.  The character over do their reactions in almost every scene which makes for a few laughs but that overstays it's welcome fairly early on.  The characters are very unlikable and the cast feels like they would rather be somewhere else.  The story for this one could have been a lot more entertaining if it would have focused on the drama rather than the scandal itself.  I'm all for sexploitation films doing what they do best but these "sex" scenes are a chore to watch and way too long.  I feel that the team behind the counter had no idea what kind of film they wanted to make and the end result is a mixed up film with an identity crisis.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  However, if awkward sex scenes are more your speed then you will be in luck.  Overall, The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful was a bit of a step up from the previous film but it's a real chore to finish.  I could recommend a few other AGFA releases to check out instead of this one.  

Queens of Evil

Director - Tonino Cervi (The Naked Sun, Butterfly)

Starring - Haydee Politoff (The Collector, Young Wolves), Silvia Monti (Blackie the Pirate, A Lizard in a Woman's Skin), and Evelyn Stewart (The Psychic, Syndicate Sadists)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love getting random ass horror movies in for review.  As a collector there is nothing more exciting than opening a package and seeing a new movie in the box.  A few days back I was surprised by a package from Mondo Macabro which I was not expecting.  I had requested their three newest releases but I never received word back on if they were coming or not.  I couldn't make my mind up on which movie to watch first and decided to go with 1970's Queens of Evil. 

     The film follows a hippie who accidentally kills a man in a car.  When the police arrives he flees into the surrounding woods to hide when he finds a shed.  He believes it to be abandoned and spends the night.  However, he awakens the following day to find three beautiful sisters who inhabit the house beside the shed.  The invite him in and welcome him into their home.  He is entranced with their beauty but feels as if something is off with them.  After a few days he of spending time with them in the day and sleeping in their shed he decided to venture into their home at night.  After finding it empty he goes into the woods to find them performing some sort of ritual.  They find him and invite him in for the night.  The next day he meets some of the other people from the local community and that night their real intentions are revealed.

     Queens of Evil is one I had never heard about prior to receiving the press release from CAV about the Mondo Macabro release.  With that being said, I fucking love this movie after checking it out.  It's atmospheric, intriguing, and ends in brilliant fashion.  I'm shocked more genre fans have not been talking about this early 70s underrated classic.  It's brilliant.  The acting in this one is absolutely amazing.  The three sisters carry every scene they are in.  They are mesmerizing in every second of screen time they have and their characters are so mysterious and enthralling.  Also, Ray Lovelock is amazing as the hippie with a curious side.  He works so well with the three sisters and does a fantastic job in the film.  The supporting cast doesn't have that much screen time but they are solid.  Nothing that memorable but not bad.  The story for this one makes you think it's going to go one way and be one type of film but changes on you.  You are given something completely different that is trippy and eerie at the same time.  This is the type of movie people are referring to as a "bad trip."  I loved the beginning, middle, and end.  The character development, reveal, and slow burn ending is absolutely brilliant.  Finally, this film has some blood but nothing that really stands out.  We have only one real death scene but it's the worst aspect of the film.  We have some blood and one of the lackluster death's I've witnessed in horror.  It doesn't take away from the fi lm but doesn't really contribute either.  Overall, Queens of Evil is an amazing and extremely underrated early 70s Italian psychodelic horror trip.  I fucking loved and I love the work Mondo put into this release.  Genre fans really did this release for their collections.  Well worth the price!

Satanis: The Devil's Mass

Director - Ray Laurent 

Starring - Isaac Bonewits, Anton LaVey (Invocation of my Demon Brother), and Diane LaVey (Witchcraft '70, MSNBC Investigates)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Documentary

Tagline - "The first film to ever lay bare the bizarre secrets of the pleasure cult!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

      With Halloween approaching I wanted to keep my horror binge going but decided to mix it up a little bit.  I recently watched The Films of Sarah Jacobson because I wanted to see I Was a Teenage Serial Killer this month.  I decided to follow up that viewing with another AGFA release.  This time it was their blu release of the 1970 documentary Satanis: The Devil's Mass.  I know some of you are thinking that this is a documentary and not a horror movie but you need to remember that I grew up during the whole Satanic panic of the late 80s.  Hearing suburban moms crying that Halloween was a night for Satan is something I commonly heard and this documentary really put me in a nostalgic Halloween spirit.  

     The documentary follows Anton LaVey and the Satanic Church.  We get a glimpse inside their home, their ceremonies, rituals, and how the neighborhood around them see them.  

     Satanis: The Devil's Mass is not the most informative documentary and doesn't dive deep into the history but the one thing it really does well is show you the look at the life of LaVey and the others in the Satanic Church.  The interviews we get in this one are on both sides of the coin so to speak.  We get people from inside the church and people that are opposed to it.  I really liked that we get interviews from locals who are against it.  It really gives the documentary ground and shows it's not biased.  The topics discussed are mostly current.  It's great if you are looking for an inside look at the church now but I, for one, would love to hear more about the founding of the church and how it came to be.  Finally, the editing in this one is pretty choppy.  The interviews and topics are not that smooth and the transitions doesn't help with the flow of the film either.  The movie, like LaVey himself, almost has an anarchic approach.  We jump from person to person and hear their testimonies with no real rhyme or reason as to why that person is talking about what they are talking about.  Overall, Satanis: The Devil's Mass is an intersting documentary but it's not without it's shortcomings.  I enjoyed what we get but some polish and an outline would have went a long way with this one.  The remaster of this one is not that impressive but AGFA is known for keeping that grainy look while preserving their films.  Check it out but don't expect a life changing experience.  

Scars of Dracula

Director - Roy Ward Baker (The Monster Club, The Vault of Horror)
Starring - Christopher Lee (The Wicker Man, A Feast at Midnight), Dennis Waterman (Canterbury Tales, Churchill's People), and Jenny Hanley (The Flesh and Blood Show, The Hanged Man)
Release Date - 1970
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Shock show of the year!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Here we go.  Jumping from the 3rd film in the Hammer Dracula to the 6th and I'm still going strong on my Dracula marathon.  As I stated in my previous review for Dracula: Prince of Darkness, many of the Hammer Dracula films were released on blu by two different companies.  Horror of Dracula, Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, Taste the Blood of Dracula, Dracula A.D. 1972, and The Satanic Rites of Dracula were released by Warner Brothers while Brides of Dracula was released by Universal in a box set unless you buy a region B blu.  The remaining films, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Scars of Dracula, and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires were released by Scream Factory.  My reviews for this series has been sporadic due to not getting Most of the Warner releases for review but I am working on ordering them for my collection and later reviews.  After Dracula: Prince of Darkness my next movie for review is Scream's Scars of Dracula.  Thanks Scream for sending this one over!

     The film follows two brothers, one that lives the good life by always finding the prettiest woman to sleep with and has no worries while the other has met the love of his life and strives to deliver a great life to his beloved.  When the carefree brother goes missing after visiting Castle Dracula, the brother and his girlfriend visit the castle to look for answers.  What they uncover is that Dracula, who was presumed dead, is still alive and well and has his sights set on the young man's beautiful young woman.  Now he must stop the king of the vampires before he can deliver the kiss of death upon her neck.

     This is another one of the films I remember binging sometime back and liking it but remembering it was one of the weaker Hammer films.  My revisit was still the same response.  It wasn't bad but extremely mediocre when compared to earlier Hammer releases.  The acting in this one is solid.  The characters, by this point, are repetitive and almost boring in a sense.  The cast has little to work with by this point which results in some extremely boring scenes.  We do get a fun performance from Patrick Troughton as Dracula's servant/slave Klove.  Christopher Lee, like some of the more recent sequels, does ride the bench most of the film but we do get Troughton to liven up the scenes.  The story for this one reminds me a lot of Dracula: Prince of Darkness where we follow people inside the walls of Castle Dracula when he miraculously appears after dying in the previous film.  I blame the lazy writing and greed on the mediocrity of this installment.  Finally, there is some blood, but not as much as previous installments, and the effects are tossed together.  It's evident that this is one of the films produced by Hammer as they started their descend.  Little to no imagination was used during the death scenes but they are common of typical vampire films.  Overall, Scars of Dracula is not a bad movie but it is definitely one of the weaker films in the Hammer Dracula series.  It lacks imagination and originality but does deliver on the amazing sets and wardrobe.  

Black Brigade

Director - George McCowan (Frogs, The Manhunter)
Starring - Stephen Boyd (Fantastic Voyage, Lady Dracula), Robert Hooks (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, The Flash), Susan Oliver (Star Trek, Freddy's Nightmares)
Release Date - War
Tagline - "In war, sometimes the enemy comes from within"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Blaxploitation can go so many different ways but the most popular follows a black protagonist who is fighting an evil white person or group due to a number of various reasons.  However, that is not the only type of blaxploitation.  Sometimes you get a really powerful drama that focuses on the struggles that the African American citizens face on a daily basis in the 70s that can still be seen to this day.  Case in point is the 1970 war drama Black Brigade which was a made for TV film released under the name Carter's Army.  This unusual blaxploitation flick stars a very young Richard Pryor, Bill Dee Williams, and Stephen Boyd.  

     The film follows Captain Carter (Boyd) who is tasked with securing a dam in Germany in World War II.  He is assigned to an all black unit and is ordered to take 6 men with him to secure the dam.  He enlists the lieutenant and 5 of his men.  The captain is racist and believes this group is going to get him killed but through their journey he countlessly puts their lives in danger and they save him on more than one occasion with minimal casualties.  By the end of their mission he has a new found respect for the black soldier and witnesses first hand how they are disrespected by white soldiers who are putting their lives on the line for their country just like they are.

      I honestly didn't know what to expect when I tossed this one in.  I can't recall any blaxploitation flick taking place in World War II but Black Brigade became my favorite in this set. The film is nothing like the typical blaxploitation flick that I love but it was still easily the best film in the set.  The acting in this one is fucking top notch.  The film was made for TV and not your typical exploitation flick so the cast is a step above most.  Stephen Boyd and Robert Hooks deliver unforgettable performances as the racist captain and lieutenant of an all black unit.  The supporting cast is just as fantastic.  It was cool seeing Richard Pryor and Billy Dee Williams deliver a more serious performance.  I loved the casting in this film.  The story for this one is a powerful story set against the backdrop of World War II.  The movie's main focus is how black soldiers were treated by white soldiers fighting the same war as them.  The war action really brings this rich story to a boil and the viewer will not be able to look away.  Finally, this one does have several on screen deaths.  They are not bloody and those looking for gore will miss out.  The kills fit with the war theme of the film but they are easily forgettable.  Overall, Black Brigade is a must watch for any movie fan regardless of the genre that you prefer.  Check this one out whenever you get the chance.  

The Deserter

 



THE DESERTER - Coming soon to Blu-ray from Mondo Macabro from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.
Director - Christos Kefalas (Snoken, Hemresa)
Starring - Hristos Politis (To the Last Man, Hell in the Aegean), Franca Parisi (Atom Age Vampire, The White Angel), and Stephanos Stratigos (Proud Eagles, Fire and Blood)
Release Date - 1970
Genre - Drama/Romance
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I had a bad taste in my mouth after watching The Wild Pussycat.  I love exploitation and all the creative sub-genres that spawned from it but I can quickly tell that Greek exploitation was something in it's own right.  The double feature from Mondo Macabro had a second Greek exploitation film titled The Deserter.  This 1970 film was another first time watch for me but I would be lying if I said I was excited to see it.  If The Wild Pussycat was the main attraction I could only imagine the quality of film the second billed film was going to be.

     The film follows a military deserter who is running from the horrors of war.  After running for what feels like forever he decided to stop by a small pond to cool off.  A woman that lives nearby spots him and the two immediately get a sexual attraction.  The woman is too shy to make her move so she decides to steal his clothes and run away.  The man wonders to a farm nearby where a lonely housewife takes him in and hides him in the barn where a relationship blooms.  Her husband often neglects her sexual needs for work so she seeks it out with the deserter.  However, the young girl from earlier is the housewife's cousin and a love triangle begins with the woman fighting for his attention.  The young, shy woman refuses to let go of him and turns to a witch to make him love her.

     I really do dislike writing negative reviews for movies sent to me for review.  I always try to remain respectful and find positive things within the film but I can't like everything sent my way.  The Deserter was a step up over TWP but it wasn't as good as I had hoped.  The acting in this one is a step up over the other film.  The characters are a little more detailed and the cast has something to work with.  They do a great job at taking those characters and taking them off the paper.  With that being said, they are still rather clichéd and their scenes are very predictable.  The story for this one does flow like a day time soap but tosses in a few twists here and there.  I really enjoyed the dark atmosphere centered around the witch but this aspect was not fully explored.  There is so many amazing possibilities with this and the film did itself a disservice by not fully exploring it.  The film movies at a slow pace and mostly hits like a romantic drama.  There is several scenes that are just too long and the interactions between the characters is just all wrong for the tempo of the scene.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you will need to seek it elsewhere.  However, if you want a character driven romance with some dark moments then you are in luck.  Overall, The Deserter is not an amazing film but it does deserve at least one watch.  It does have it's moments but no replay value what so ever.  

 



Take It Out in Trade

 



Director - Edward D. Wood Jr. (Night of the Ghouls, Plan 9 From Outer Space)
Starring - Edward D. Wood Jr., Michael Donovan O'Donnell (Dick Tracy, Cheers), Nona Carver (Revenge of the Virgins, Terrified)
Release Date - 1970
Genre - Comedy/Crime
Tagline - "Down and dirty!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     My tastes in films is very eclectic.  My passion lies with horror but I would be lying if I didn't admit that a huge portion of my life revolved around exploitation.  My taste in horror was shaped by many filmmakers ranging from George A. Romero, Joe Dante, Lloyd Kaufman, and many more but one that gave me the appreciation for the bad side of cinema is iconic filmmaker Ed Wood.  His eye for exploitation mixed with his quick filming style always made for a fun experience.  One film I had never seen of his was the 1970 erotic comedy Take It Out in Trade.  When American Genre Film Archive announced their partnership with Something Weird to release the film on blu I knew I had to have it.  Sadly, I forgot about it until the release of Blood Lake recently.  While getting a copy of that I went ahead and snagged this one.

     The film follows a half-asses private detective with an eye for young women who is tasked with finding his new client's daughter.  His investigation takes him to the seedy side of town where he encounters several nude women and a woman in drag (Ed Wood) before he carelessly continues on to find the girl.

     I love the films from the beginning of Wood's directing career.  They are rushed with completely disregard for their surroundings.  The sets are always just tossed together and most of the time the cast was unaware of what was going on.  His later films definitely fit in the exploitation category for various reason with Take It Out in Trade being the perfect example of what it meant to be an exploitation film of the time.  Honestly, the humor in this one made the film enjoyable.  Without it the film would be completely unwatchable.  The acting in this one is funny.  The cast seems to really enjoy themselves on set and they work very well together.  With that being said, Michael Donovan O'Donnell  carried the film on his sleazy shoulders.  His character was extremely fun and he looked like he was born to play Mac.  The story for this one works in a exploitation sense but would have been a boring watch if it wasn't for the humor.  The nudie film was a huge hit in the cinematic world in the late 60s so Ed Wood took part of the craze by writing several screenplays for other directors, as well as, making his own.  He cashed in on the craze in 1970 with this film which uses the nude aspect to carry the story without actually having a story.  It doesn't work because it is extremely bland.  The addition of the humor made it the movie very tolerable.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you are obviously an idiot because this is not that kind of film. If you want awkward nudity and some fun characters then you are in the right spot.  Overall, Take It Out in Trade is far from Wood's best but it was still enjoyable.  Fans of sleaze and trash will want to grab this release from AGFA.