The Devil's Exorcist

Director - Jorge Darnell (One Way, Veredicto Final)

Starring - Inma de Santis (Bloodbath, The Killer of Dolls), Maria del Puy (Vertigo, Barbarella), and Jack Taylor (Conan the Barbarian, Pieces) 

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed a lot of box sets and collections over the years from some of my favorite boutique labels but I've never crossed paths with one where most of the films, unless it was a franchise, where all the films were fun.  So far, even though I'm only five films deep, this set has been well worth it.  The Exorcismo documentary and two films were great while the one documentary, Far From the Trees, was a bit disappointing.  I went into The Devil's Exorcist hoping for another atmospheric mid-70s horror title and was greeted with just that  

     The film follows a school girl who finds herself becoming the obsession of an evil presence that was trapped inside a statue.  The young lady becomes violent which prompts her father to turn to a professional for help which fails.  As the doctor tries to help her, she adopts her only for the benevolent presence to jump to her.  

     I could only imagine what The Devil's Exorcist was about based on the title and all my assumptions about the film were completely wrong.  I did enjoy it for what it was which was a quickly produced Exorcist clone but it was far from perfect.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent but not in a scene to scene type of way.  Some of the cast is really fucking good and when I say really fucking good I mean really fucking good.  I rushed to imdb.com after watching the film to look through Inma de Santis' filmography.  She's phenomenal here along with Aria del Puy.  However, a good portion of the supporting cast is extremely stiff with poor dialogue delivery and zero emotional range.  The story for this one is a bit weak but they make up for it with creepy shots and great atmosphere.  What we have for a story is pretty simple and somewhat cliched even for an Exorcist clone for the mid-to late 70s.  A girl possessed killing people before an adult steps in to save her.  The only big difference between this one and the dozens of others like it is that this one doesn't really flock to religion.  We don't have a priest or team of priests performing exorcisms and the like.  That is a bit strange considering the title but I respect the different approach.  Finally, the film has a few deaths but don't expect to see a lot of gruesome effects and tons of blood.  However, if you have a soft spot for animals like I do then one scene may make you feel uncomfortable.  Overall, The Devil's Exorcist is another entertaining mid-70s film from the Exorcismo set.  While it was rough around the edges, it was still a lot of fun.  I highly recommend it.  

Forbidden Game of Love

Director - Eloy de la Iglesia (The Priest, Confessions of a Congressman)

Starring - Javier Escriva (Brigada Central, Obscene Desire), John Moulder-Brown (The Devil in the Fog, Miss Marple: Sleeping Murder), and Inma de Santis (Sonatas, Estudio 1)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm going to have my hands full with Spanish cinema the next few weeks thanks to some of my favorite boutique labels and I'm really excited for the opportunity to check these out!  Not only has my friends over at Severin Films released a fantastic box set of late 60s and early 70s cinema from Spain but my friends over at Mondo Macabro has released a trio of Spanish horror and thrillers from area and era.  I just watched and reviewed Mondo Macabro's release of I Hate My Body and decided to follow it up with their second release of the the three which is the 1975 dramatic thriller Forbidden Game of Love.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over!

     The film follows a young couple who are hitchhiking after classes when their wealthy professor picks them up.  He takes them back to his home where he puts them up for the night.  The following day they try to leave and he refuses to let them go.  He then offers them a proposal.  He will provide them with everything they need or want if they promise never to leave.  They refuse at first but he has his servant force them to stay.  Overtime, the two start to succumb to his torture and brainwashing.

     I'm not well versed on the history of Spain but from what I can gather was that Spain was under fascist rule until the mid-70s.  This time, known as Francoist Spain, saw heavy censorship with a lot of the more bold and boundary pushing films getting censored.  That is one of the many reasons I'm excited to see these films from the time.  Forbidden Game of Love is not the wildest or craziest film I've seen but I can only imagine how a conservative government would lose their mind over it.  The acting in this one is very well done.  The cast works very well together and bring to life some fantastic characters with their performances.  Honestly, I really enjoyed the cast and how each character interacted with one another.  It made the film for me.  The story for this one is not as wild as I was expecting but that be due to years of sexploitation has desensitized me.  We follow a wealthy man and his rather timid associate/servant as they "torture" and brainwash a young couple.  It's nothing that brutal or extreme by any standards but it's a solid watch especially with the acting we have.  Finally, the film has some skin but don't expect it to be a bloody affair like you would expect from most of the films I review.  The film is very story rich and character driven.  Overall, Forbidden Game of Love is the kind of film that I would never have the chance to enjoy if it wasn't for companies like Mondo Macabro.  It's a wild film that may seem tame by today's standards but did get some knickers in a twist at the time, so to speak.  I highly recommend checking this one out.  

Emmanuelle II

Director - Francis Giacobetti

Starring - Sylvia Kristel (Private School, Private Lessons), Umberto Orsini (The Damned, Solomon), and Frederic Lagache 

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Romance/Drama

Tagline - "The erotic masterpiece"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm only assuming here but over the course of a decade or longer I think I've reviewed close to 100 sexploitation films thanks to companies like Mondo Macabro, Blue Underground, Vinegar Syndrome, Severin, Synapse/Impulse Pictures, and so on.  These boutique labels really care about preserving cinema.  While most have an eye for horror and exploitation, they do frequently release films that are on the sleazy side of cinema.  A few years back I was lucky enough to review an Emmanuelle double feature from my friends at Umbrella Entertainment.  I can no longer find those reviews for some reason but I do remember really enjoying those films thanks to the salacious performance from Sylvia Kristel.  A couple weeks ago I was sent the Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection by Severin to check out.  This was a great reason to revisit these historic films in 4K.  I want to thank Severin for sending it over!  

     The film once again follows Emmanuelle (Kristel) who travels to Hong Kong to find her husband.  On the way she has sex with a woman who professes that she was once raped by several women and enjoyed it.  She then meets a young man and his mistress.  She quickly becomes close friends with them both and starts sleeping with her before she moves on to exploring Hong Kong where she will continue to explore her sexuality.

     A lot of the sequels I review never live up to the original film.  However, Emmanuelle 2 is one of the few instances where the sequel is just as good.  This is wild when you think about how this is the directors only film and it's an erotic drama from the mid-70s.  Most of these films rarely gain traction yet the original film spawned almost a dozen sequels.  I remember liking Emmanuelle 2 when I first watched it several years back but I really appreciate it as a film after revisiting them both.  Between the two films, this one is not as enjoyable but as a film it is leagues above the original.  The acting in this one is very well rounded.  Sylvia Kristel once again shines as the sexy star of the film.  Her character is what makes these movies so enjoyable and her performance here once again shines.  The supporting cast delivers performances that are just as good making the acting in this one more consistent than the previous film.  The story for this one does expand on the previous film some but doesn't really bring anything new to the table.  What made the first film so much fun was the way in which Emmanuelle was reluctant at first to the sexual exploits she was in.  In this follow up we have her more than willing to dive head first into these encounters while giving viewers a similar story as the first film where we follow her in a different country as she experiences new sexual situations for the first time.  A little drama in this one would have went a very long way.  Finally, there is a lot of skin in this one with some gorgeous women baring it all for us to take in.  There is no blood or gore for us horror fans but fans of exploitation will really dig it.  Overall, Emmanuelle II has better acting and cinematography but the story doesn't really give us something new.  It's still a fun watch but don't expect something that will stick with you like the original.  

The Broken Mirror

THE BROKEN MIRROR promo trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director - Claude d'Anna (Macbeth, Foursome)

Starring - Max von Sydow (Flash Gordon, Game of Thrones), Micheline Presle (Call Me Victor, The Blood of Others), and Francois Arnal (Pentimento)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Drama/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Every year for as long as I remember I've spent the entire month of October binging as many horror titles as possible. Most of the time I'm able to at least watch one movie a day but there have been some Octobers in the past that I was able to watch almost 90 films. Sadly, this year I may not hit my normal 31 films for the month due to the fact that I've watched a few non-genre titles expecting them to be horror releases. This time around it was another Mondo Macabro release that I still really enjoyed. A few weeks back Mondo Macabro sent over the Broken Mirror and Unquiet Death double feature for review. I was unfamiliar with both of these films and couldn't wait to check them out. I started with Broken Mirror and while it wasn't horror, I still enjoyed it. I wan't to thank Mondo Macabro for sending these over! 

      The film follows Anne who restores classic paintings. When she becomes pregnant and has a visit from her mother, she starts to remember a strange painting she had in her possession some time ago but doesn't remember what happened to it. As she starts to uncover the truth about the painting and the mystery around it she finds herself being followed by a stranger. 

      Broken Mirror is one of those films that you really appreciate as your watching it but once the dust has settled and you look back to reflect on it you find yourself impressed with the film but don't see yourself revisiting it. I really enjoyed the film and will recommend it to anyone who likes international films or mysteries. It's a beautifully shot and acted film but it doesn't have the replay value I often look for in a film. The acting in this one is great. The entire cast does a phenomenal job but Maire-France Bonin is the star of the show as the pregnant artist who restores old paintings. She carries the entire film on her back. She delivers an emotionally draining performance that really hits hard with the viewer. You put that in a mystery, and you have yourself a film that really pulls the viewer in. The story for this one is not as predictable as most other mysteries. While I did enjoy the premise and the overall film I do have an issue with the film's pacing. The scenes are extremely uneven, and a lot spend too much time on cinematography and random shots of the sets over the actual story. Don't get me wrong, the film is beautifully shot but this does take away from the story. Finally, this is not a bloody film. The main focus of this one is the protagonist and the mystery surrounding the strange painting. Overall, Broken Mirror is a beautiful film that has a great cast and a solid story. It could be trimmed down sum but isn't that bad of an experience as is. I highly recommend it 

A Haunted Turkish Bathhouse

Director - Kazuhiko Yamaguchi (Wolf Guy, Sister Street Fighter)

Starring - Naomi Tani (Flower and Snake, Skin of Roses), Misa Ohara (13 Steps of Maki: The Young Aristocrats), and Taiji Tonoyama (River of Fireflies, Tokyo Pop)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Mondo Macabro does one hell of a job bringing international films to genre fans. While I don’t always like the films they release, I still find myself excited to check out a film from across the globe. A week or so ago I received a few releases from Mondo Macabro and all three releases were international films. I decided to check out the 1970 exploitation flick In the Folds of the Flesh first before moving on to what was probably the film I was the most curious about which was A Haunted Turkish Bathhouse. The name and artwork really made my imagination work overtime. When I finished In the Folds of the Flesh I decided I couldn’t wait any longer and tossed it in. I want to thank Mondo Macabro and CAV for sending this one over. Thanks guys! 

      The film follows a young woman who marries a gambling addict. When he is assaulted for stealing money from a group of gangsters, she works to clear his debt to prevent them from killing him. Things seem to look up for the pair so she moves her younger sister in with her to help her get on her feet when her horrible husband rapes her. He then reveals that he has acquired an even bigger debt gambling and she needs to work at the local bathhouse to pay off his debts. However, he is secretly sleeping with the madame and she plans on torturing her, so she can be with her husband. Her punishment starts out severe and quickly escalates until her death. Soon those that wronged her in the bathhouse, along with her adulterous husband, are haunted by her evil spirit. 

      A Haunted Turkish Bathhouse is exactly what I was expecting while not being what I expected. I know that doesn’t make much sense, but it will after I explain what I mean. The film’s artwork and title was giving me serious Haus vibes and the film does have that Haus type of paranormal haunting during the last 20 to 30 minutes. However, the first hour or so is a classic pinku flick. A lot of torture and rape which was not what I was expecting but when you mix the two together you get a sleazy haunted house flick that is really difficult to compare to anything else. It is a very unique film but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. The acting in this one is surprisingly well done. The characters are pretty generic especially if you have seen any other pinku films. I’ve reviewed a dozen or so Nikkatsu films over the years so I’m very familiar with these and this is probably one of the better acted Japanese rape/revenge films I’ve seen. As I said earlier, the characters are a carbon copy of characters from the other films like it that I’ve reviewed but the cast is all in. The torture scenes are rather unnerving and not as cringy. I did find myself getting uncomfortable during these scenes as rape is something that I don’t find entertaining and the raw emotions shown here really gave these scenes a greater impact. The rest of the film is solidly acted as well. The cast gets along so well with each other and it shows in each scene even the more violent ones. The story for this one does not look like it would fill a standard-length film, but it does. It doesn’t over do it with the rape and torture scenes, but they do help move the story along while staling the ending. With that being said, the last 20 or so minutes is what really made the film for me. The haunted aspect of the film is fully utilized and fucking works especially with the lighting and imagery. Finally, the film has some great looking props and some blood but the film’s highlight is the makeup for the ghost and the atmosphere the film has during that time. What it lacks in blood and gore it more than makes up for with tension and imagery. Overall, A Haunted Turkish Bathhouse is a must see for genre fans and an essential purchase for collectors. This film was a blast and I’m glad Mondo Macabro brought us this release.

Playing with Fire

Director - Alain Robbe-Grillet (The Blue Villa, The Man Who Lies)

Starring - Jean-Louis Trintignant (Stranger Than Fiction, Dead Certain), Philippe Noiret (Step by Step, Dead Tired), and Anicee Alvina (The Terrorist, The Forbidden Room)

Release Date-  1975

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It took me a few days but here I am.  I'm finally on the last film in the Sylvia Kristel 1970's Collection from Cult Epics.  This release featured four films from the 70s that supposedly starred Emmanuelle actress Sylvia Kristel.  Two of the films so far featured her in a small capacity but it was still awesome to experience these films.  However, as I finish up my marathon I find myself hitting play on a movie that I honestly had no interest in watching.  I was hoping that 1975's Playing with Fire would be like Pastorale 1943 and catch me by surprise.  

     The film follows a wealthy man who finds his adult daughter the target of a kidnapping ring.  They take her back to a mansion where they drug and pimp the women out unless he can pay the ransom in a timely manner before they charge him interest.  

     Honestly, Playing with Fire wasn't a bad film but it was difficult to follow and the editing was very chaotic.  However, I still found myself enjoying it but I don't want to subject myself to this messy film any time soon.  The acting in this one is fairly well done.  The characters are painfully generic but the cast goes all in to their roll.  I enjoyed most of the scenes and loved watching the cast in this odd and intense situations.  It would have been far more enjoyable if some of the characters had more memorable personalities but I still liked the acting as it was.  The story for this one is all over the place but the basic premise is short and simple.  Honestly, I fucking loved the idea behind the film but it's hard not to think about how awesome this one would have been if it was a straight forward sexploitation film.  The writing and editing could be a lot better and coherent.  Instead, the movie is difficult to follow and at almost two hours long it could use a trim.  Finally, the film has some nudity but don't expect a bloody film.  It's not as sleazy as I would have liked but it's not a bad watch either.  Overall, Playing with Fire is the weakest film in the set but it's still fun for the most part.  It is a difficult watch at times but if you stick with it you will find some fun.  Check it out.  

School of Death

Director - Pedro L. Ramirez (The Jinx, The Fish with the Eyes of Gold)

Starring - Dean Selmier (Take a Hard Ride, The Hunting Party), Sandra Mozarowsky (Night of the Seagulls, Devil's Possessed), and Norma Kastel (Vengeance of the Zombies, The Girl from the Red Cabaret)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A dark tale of gothic horror set in a school for orphaned girls."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The last two weeks has been pretty entertaining for the most part.  I've been working on the last few releases from Mondo Macabro because my day job has picked up a lot over the last few months so I haven't been able to watch and review like I should be.  Last week I busted through three previously released MM titles then took a break to watch a few indie releases before moving on to the four newest releases from Mondo Macabro.  The first of these four that I decided to check out was the 1975 gothic horror tale School of Death.  It was one that was new to me so I was very interested in it.  Like always, I want to thank CAV and Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for me to check out.  

     The film follows a mad doctor who is severely burned that takes women from a London orphanage and subjects them to his strange experiments that ultimately wipes them of their memories.  He then fakes their deaths before his partner sells them into prostitution.  

     I knew nothing about School of Death prior to Mondo Mcacabro sending this one over for me to review.  I knew it was a Spanish horror film but that was it.  I was very pleased with the atmosphere and aesthetics of the film but the long, drawn out scenes made it feel a lot longer than it actually was.  I liked it, for the most part, but this is one of the many instances where some of the fat could be trimmed to make the film flow a lot better.  The acting in this one is solid.  The characters are fairly generic and flat but they fit the film very well with the cast does a decent job with their performances.  No one really stands out and a good bit of the character lack personalities but the cast does the best with what they had.  The story for this one is a gothic style mad scientist film with a fun little twist.  The movie makes the twist known fairly early but the ride to it is still worth it for the most part.  As I stated earlier, the movie is way too long during certain scenes and could benefit from a trim but it's not as bad as my complaint makes it.  It's tolerable but does break the pacing up.  Finally, the film has some make-up effects but that's about it.  The make-up effects are not the best looking and the doctor's face made me laugh.  It reminded me a lot of the monster from Frankenstein's Daughter.  I've seen much better in other films much older than this one.  I was a little disappointed in the lack of fun gore or deaths but the story doesn't really leave room for that.  Overall, School of Death has some things I liked and others I didn't.  It was a decent first time watch with some impressive atmosphere and scenery but it is long winded.  The Mondo Macabro blu looked fantastic which should be the only way you watch this film but go into it with an open mind.  

The Beast

Director - Walerian Borowczyk (Emmanuelle 5, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne)

Starring - Sirpa Lane (Nazi Love Camp 27, Beast in Space), Lisbeth Hummel (Immoral Tales, The Eagle and the Dove), and Elisabeth Kaza (Iron Warrior, Castle Freak)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A lot of these boutique labels has brought some seriously underrated films to my attention.  These movies have went unnoticed by the masses for years, even decades in some instance, and if it wasn't for these companies they would continue to gather dust.  Several years ago Cult Epics released the 1975 erotic comedy The Beast on DVD.  La Bete made some rounds in different horror groups for how strange it was but it wasn't a popular release like most of the other releases from Cult Epics.  Since then the film has been released on blu by Arrow Video and most recently by Umbrella Entertainment.  I had never seen the film but was really intrigued by the fact that several companies had their hands on the film.  I reached out to Umbrella Entertainment and they were kind enough to send over a review copy of The Beast which was part of their Beyond Genres line.  Thanks again, guys!

      The film follows a young woman who is forced to marry a wealthy man in order to inherit her father's estate after his death.  With excitement and uncertainty, she visits the family to begin her new life when she uncovers strange things happening around the family mansion.  Soon she uncovers a dark secret they are hiding. 

      My recent love for sexploitation flicks had me very interested in this one especially once I learned that Umbrella was doing a release for it.  I had heard some weird things about it which only fueled my desire to see how.  However, the movie just didn't do it for me.  It was all very underwhelming.  The horror, eroticism, and fantasy doesn't work well together here.  The acting in this one is pretty funny at times.  The cast looks as if they are having a good time in front of the camera which translates very well for the film.  Most of the humor comes in the form of the characters and their interactions with one another and the cast does a decent job at making their interactions feel natural yet comical.  The story for this one is way too long for the type of film it is.  Most of the film is awkward dialogue that takes up too much of the scene.  It destroys the atmosphere the film has and turns the viewer off.  I found myself losing interest countless times during the run time of this film because the dialogue was rubbish.  When you edit out about 80 percent of the dialogue of the film you will find an erotic comedy that is not as erotic as it claims to be.  It's an interesting idea but poor execution.  Finally, the film is not a bloody or gory mess.  We have a costume that is so fucking funny to look at but that's about the extent of the film.  You may see some light blood but that's about it.  Overall, The Beast has some things I liked but it wasn't enough to actually save the film.  It was extremely dull which is disappointing when you consider how it's a horror, fantasy, and erotic comedy.  The possibilities was endless but the film failed to pull it all together.  

The Suspicious Death of a Minor

Director - Sergio Martino (The Great Alligator, Slave of the Cannibal God)

Starring - Claudio Cassinelli (The Adventures of Hercules, The Scorpion with Two Tails), Mel Ferrer (Murder, She Wrote, Fantasy Island), and Lia Tanzi (Erotic Exploits of a Sexy Seducer, Psychout for Murder)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror/Comedy/Crime

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My October has been odd in regards to what I've been watching.  I've already dug into a sexploitation and a few gialli while I would be balls deep in zombies and slashers.  I don't mind it because I happen to love sexploitation and appreciate gialli more than I used to.  A few weeks ago MVD and Arrow Video hooked me up with the Sergio Martino Collection set on blu that included three of his more popular gialli.  I decided to hold off until October to check them out as part of my annual horror binge.  After digging into The Case of the Scorpion's Tail I decided to keep the Martino train rolling with The Suspicious Death of a Minor.  This would be the only film out of the three that I didn't like but seems to be the most popular.  

     The film follows a detective that is investigating the murder of a young prostitute.  His investigation leads him to several unsuspecting people and before long he uncovers a sex ring with ties to the city officials.  

     I went into this one expecting a stock giallo with Martino's amazing eye but what I found was an uneven film that I struggled to finish.  I see that imdb has this listed as a comedy which is an aspect that I did not notice.  Instead, what I saw was a messy crime drama with slight murder mystery moments.  I was not a fan which is a bummer because I wanted to love every film in this set.  The acting in this one left me scratching my head.  I had seen other films Cassinelli but here he was very awkward to watch.  Some scenes he would deliver a decent enough of a performance to make the film bearable but in other scenes he was very awkward to watch.  I found myself cringing more than actually enjoying the film.  The rest of the cast is solid enough but when Cassinelli was hamming it up I found myself completely oblivious to the other actors in the scene.  The story for this one doesn't really feel like a giallo.  Giallo is famous because of the murder mystery angles that were drawn from pulpy paperbacks.  However, this one doesn't really feel like a murder mystery.  In fact, aside from the original murder, it's mostly a crime dramedy with a focus on sex trafficking.  It could have been a fun film as it but the strange acting and unusual character development made is unenjoyable.  Hell, a giallo story with comedy sounds like a movie made just for me but the humor, if there was any, did not land well for viewers like me.  Finally, the film has some blood but it's not a bloody giallo like we are accustomed to.  It's obvious Martino had other plans than making his traditional gialli but it didn't land well for me.  Overall, The Suspicious Death of a Minor was not what I was expecting and it left me very disappointed.  The blu from Arrow looks great.  It has crisp images and fantastic audio but the movie itself is disappointing.  This is the low point in the set.  

Rancho Deluxe

Director - Frank Perry (Mommie Dearest, Skag) 

Starring - Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, R.I.P.D.), Sam Waterston (Serial Mom, Tales from the Crypt), and Elizabeth Ashley (Hey Arnold!, Touched By an Angel)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Comedy/Western

Tagline - "Oh! give me a home, with a low interest loan, a cowgirl and two pick-up trucks.  A color TV, all the beer should be free, and that, man, is Rancho Deluxe"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Sometime back Vinegar Syndrome announced their partnership with the newly formed Fun City Editions.  This partnership brought some seriously fun and enjoyable movies to my attention that I would have normally missed out on.  Since then they have released Alphabet City, Jeremy, Walking the Edge, Smile, and I Start Counting.  All have been phenomenal releases so when they announced the release of the 1975 western comedy Rancho Deluxe I was all in.  I quickly pre-ordered it and after watching a few other Vin Syn partner releases I went ahead and tossed it in.  It was another hit from this extremely underrated boutique label. 

     The film follows rustlers who poach cattle from the local wealthy cattle owner.  This pisses the ranch owner off to no end resulting in him bringing in a former horse thief turned straight to snuff them out.  The pair think they have a way in when they partner with the cattle-owner's ranch hands to snag a shipment of cattle but things are not as easy as they seem.  

     I believe that Rancho Deluxe is the first FCE release that I actually knew about prior to their announcement.  When I was younger I spent a lot of time at my grandmother's with my uncle who had a sizeable VHS collection and one of the tapes he had happened to Rancho Deluxe.  I never watched it but I was there a few times as he had it playing so I caught a scene or two.  With FCE behind the release I figured now was the best time to finally check it out.  I'm glad I did because it was a pretty fun modern western with some laughs.  The acting in this one is great.  Bridges has appeared in some of my favorite films over the years but this is probably my favorite performance of his aside from his performance of The Dude.  I loved how chaotic he was in this role and his characters dedication to living the free roaming life was really fun to watch.  I also enjoyed Sam Waterston's performance as well.  I'm not used to seeing Waterston in this type of role and I absolutely loved it.  The supporting cast is just as fun.  I loved the assortment of characters the film delivers along with the outstanding performances that everyone delivered.  The story for this one is mostly a loose western following two rustlers who kills cattle and use the beef to cover their expenses.  However, we get some romance scattered in along with some laughs and a very interesting crime aspect that doesn't really take hold until the later part of the film.  The pacing is smooth and the dialogue in this one is a lot of fun.  The characters really do make the story as fun as it is.  Finally, the film is not a gory one BUT there is a few graphic scenes featuring cows being shot.  A lot of blood and the practical effects work for these scenes but those looking for real carnage will need to look elsewhere.  Overall, Rancho Deluxe is a surprisingly funny and well put together.  The cast is great and this release from Fun City is a must own for movie collectors.  Check it out.  

True Story of a Woman in Jail: Hell of Love

 

Director - Koyu Ohara (Rope Hell, Fairy in a Cage)

Starring - Hitomi Kozue (Sanctuary in the Night, Nasty Relationship), Mihoko Arikawa (Lesbian World: Ecstasy), and Kumi Natsuki 

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Crime

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Impulse Pictures has released some solid sleaze over the years but I'm forever obsessed with the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection line they have.  These Japanese "pink" films has been some of the most entertaining sexploitation flicks I have ever seen with a few of them becoming some of my favorite films.  A few days back MVD sent over a few Impulse releases with one NEFC release in it which was 1975's True Story of a Woman in Jail: Hell of Love.  This is the third film in a trilogy following the character of Mayumi.  Sadly, I had not seen the previous two films but I was told that I can still enjoy this one without seeing the first two.  Thanks again MVD for sending this one over!

     The film follows a young bride who finds her husband in bed with another woman.  Her temper gets the best of her and blood is spilled.  She quickly finds herself in prison filled with lesbians, torturous guards, and more lesbians.

     Hell of Love may be the third film in a trilogy but it definitely stands out.  With that being said, I'm looking forward to checking out the first two films.  I really enjoyed this slice of Japanese sexploitation, or pink.  It was a lot of sleazy fun with just enough story to keep me watching.  The acting in this one is good enough to make the film watchable but bad enough to make it awkward at times.  I liked the characters and a few of them had a lot of fun in front of the camera.  However, you don't toss in a pink flick expecting to see award winning performances.  You do so for the skin...perverts.  The story for this one is the basis for so many women in prison films from all around the world.  A woman does something, usually killing a cheating lover, then finds herself in prison with a evil warden or guard and plenty of same sex love scenes.  I've reviewed at least a dozen films with the same plot from the U.S., Italy, Spain, and so on.  It's nothing knew but the fun characters and energetic love scenes makes it very enjoyable regardless of how many times you've seen the premise.  Finally, the film does have a little a little blood but the focus of this is more on the skin and the set up than blood.  Horror fans will not enjoy it but cult cinema fans will know exactly what to expect.  Overall, Hell of Love may not be one of the most well known Japanese pink films but it is one that fans will thoroughly enjoy.  Collectors will want to add this Impulse release to their collections!

Around the World with John "The Wadd" Holmes"

Director - Donald U. Canard 

Starring - John Holmes (Nasty Nurses, Disco Sex Party), Gloria Adams (Welcome Stranger), and Colleen Brennan (Killer Teens, Street Heat)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Erotic

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Modern adult cinema has seen the rise and sometimes fall of several notable names ranging from Jenna Jameson, Peter North, Stormy Daniels, and so many more.  Its a billion dollar business and a lot of big names are attached to that.  However, during the late 70s and 80s the adult film world consisted on very few known names but one that always stands out is Johnny Wadd.  John Holmes is a name that many people still talk about when adult films is mentioned.  I've been lucky enough to review several films he appeared in over the years.  A few days back MVD sent over the DVD release of Around the World with John "The Wadd" Holmes from Impulse Pictures.  Once again I want to thank MVD for sending this one my way.  

      The film follows John Holmes in his day to day life as an adult film star.  Secretly, he's looking for a woman that can take all of his schlong.  He continues his search as he travels the world working.

     I've seen some fun sexploitation flicks that had small roles from Holmes but I had never seen a film that was actually starring him.  This was filmed during the height of his popularity and I have to admit that it's one of the goofiest films I have ever seen.  I would often argue that there is no movie that is so bad that it's good and that if a movie is fun then it's doing it's job.  However, this movie is so fucking goofy that I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe.  Aside from the laughs, I was struggling to finish this one.  The acting in this one is simple and straight forward.  Ever scene begins with a little introduction by Holmes before a little acting then we move to the hardcore sex scene that is either narrated by Holmes or the woman he is fucking.  These narrations is the funniest shit I have ever witnessed.  I was in stitches listening to the women narrate their scenes with Holmes.  The movie is worth a watch just for this.  The story is just as straight forward as the acting.  Holmes "travels" to different places around the world and fucks.  The set up is always different but the basic premise never changes.  It's fun for the set up of the first scene but it's gets old fairly quick.  It's the same basic set up that Joe D'amato uses in Crazy Nights where we jump to different points of the world for nudity.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  However, we get plenty of skin and a lot of Holmes' sex face.  Overall, Around the World with John "The Wadd" Holmes is extremely funny but offers nothing else.  I would highly suggest giving this one a spin with some friends and a lot of booze but if you are wanting a serious sexploitation to check out then this one is not for you.  

The Girl in the Basket

Starring - Candy Allison, Rene Bond (Country Hooker, Flesh Gordon), and Ric Lutze (Different Strokes, Midnight Eyes)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Thriller

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the last few years I've found myself really enjoying more and more sexploitation flicks.  I've discovered that there is a lot of these films out there that are able to combine hardcore sex scenes with a story.  They are fun mix of cheap stories and sleaze.  A few days ago MVD sent over a box full of films they were handling and among those were a sexploitation flick from Impulse Pictures that I had never seen before starring a very familiar name.  I want to thank MVD and Impulse Pictures for sending over The Girl in the Basket starring the always lovely Rene Bond!

     The film follows a gorgeous "virgin" (Bond) who goes for a walk after a taking a long bubble bath.  However, she soon finds herself the victim of an abduction by Daddy and Honey.  They sexually assault her and Daddy forces himself on her.  After sometime she warms up to the couple and actually starts to enjoy their treatment of her.

     I was very excited to spin this Rene Bond flick that I had never seen before but this was not the movie I was expecting.  In fact, I wouldn't really call this a movie.  It has the makings of a sexploitation flick but just feels like an extended sex scene with nothing else to offer.  I was very disappointed in this one.  The acting in this one is pretty much non-existent.  The cast is small, consisting of only three, but there really isn't any "acting."  The movie goes from Rene Bond in the tub to the three fucking.  The sex scene has a lot of energy but no acting in a traditional sense.  With that being said, it's always nice to see Rene Bond on screen.  The story for this one starts out with a great sexploitation beginning but the film doesn't follow up with it.  It's mostly an hour long sex scene with nothing else to offer.  I love watching Rene Bond but after 15 or 20 minutes I was ready for the film to progress.  Finally, no blood or gore here.  We have a little bit of rough sex at first before moving on.  This is for people looking for skin over practical effects.  Overall, The Girl in the Basket could have been one hell of an exploitation film but in the end it's just an hour long sex scene that wears out it's welcome early on.  This is one I would skip unless you are a fan of Rene Bond.  

Smile

Director - Michael Ritchie (The Golden Child, Fletch)

Starring - Bruce Dern (The 'Burbs, The Hateful Eight), Barbara Feldon (Thriller, Get Smart), and Michael Kidd (Skin Deep, Movie Movie)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "An American dream, peaches and cream... Maybe she'll go all the way"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome is, in my opinion, one of the best companies releasing films right now.  They take gambles every month to release films that may not have ever been available on disc.  Hell, in a few cases their release is the only official release for several of these films.  Their brand has accumulated thousands of loyal fans and for good reason.  They also have a serious partnership with some new up and coming boutique labels that they have been working with for sometime now.  Several months back Vin Syn introduced us to Fun City Editions with the release of Alphabet City.  I've been hooked from that release on.  When they announced the 1975 comedy Smile starring Bruce Dern I had to jump on it.  I love Bruce Dern so this was a day one purchase for me and I couldn't wait to dig into it.

     The film follows a small town beauty pageant with contestants from all over the state competiting.  While the girls practice their speeches and talent segments of the contest we follow Big Bob who is a locally made business man who gives the contest all his free time while his son, Little Bob, sneaks into the pageant to snap pictures of the ladies to sell at school.  

     Smile is not a film most of you would expect for me to review here at Horror Society but as I stated earlier I'm a big fan of Bruce Dern and Fun City has yet to let me down.  Smile is no exception.  It was an extremely fun film that had beautiful cinematography and a lot of character development.  I really enjoyed it but this is one of those films I don't see myself revisiting anytime soon.  The acting in this one is top tier.  Bruce Dern and Geoffrey Lewis are absolutely fantastic.  Dern never disappoints and I was not expecting to see Lewis pop up on this one.  Damn shame his character didn't have a bigger role in the film.  The supporting cast is great as well.  The film is overflowing with amazing characters and the cast does a phenomenal job bringing them all to life.  The story for this one is billed as a satirical comedy but I only found myself laughing on occasion but I didn't really feel the satire.  I'm sure it was a lot more noticeable in the mid-70s when it was released but the satire doesn't really hold up well here.  I really enjoyed how the film follows so many assorted characters without feeling like it was throwing underdeveloped characters at you.  Many films, especially superhero flicks, struggle with how they handle multiple characters.  It's a very pleasant story that holds your attention well which is a plus since the film clocks in at almost two hours.  Finally, the film doesn't have any blood or gore for you sick fucks to enjoy.  The film is character centered so that is where the main focus is.  Overall, Smile is a film I didn't think I would enjoy but here I am.  Fans of Bruce Dern should really check this one out because it's a great film.  Fun City really out did themselves with this release and I can't wait to see what else they have in store for us!

Switchblade Sisters

Director - Jack Hill (Coffy, Foxy Brown)

Starring - Robbie Lee (The Get Along Gang, Big Bad Mama), Joanne Nail (The Visitor, The Gumball Rally), and Monica Gayle (Pinocchio, Nashville Girl)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Action

Tagline - "Mothers...lock up your sons.  Switchblade sisters are coming!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Jack Hill was a filmmaker that ruled the 70s exploitation scene.  His blaxploitation films Coffy and Foxy Brown are damn near iconic but his career is more than that.  His contributions to exploitation and horror are legendary after helming such films as Spider Baby, The Swinging Cheerleaders, The Terror, Alien Terror, and so many more.  When I was in college I snagged a few DVDs from a vendor at a pop culture convention.  The pop up event was for comics and collectibles but someone had set up a table full of DVDs that were clearly boots.  A lot of them were titles I had never of before but when I saw Switchblade Sisters was directed by Jack Hill I had to snag it.  When I mentioned it on a horror forum I discovered that most fans of the film had seen it on boots with no quality release of it around to snag.  A few weeks ago I caught word that Arrow Video was finally giving this classic Jack Hill exploitation film a blu release and MVD was kind enough to send a review copy over.  Thanks for giving this film the attention it needed and allowing me the opportunity to review it!

     The film follows a group of female gang members who are known as the Dagger Debs who are part of a much bigger gang known as the Silver Daggers.  A new girl in town shows promise and is brought into the Debs but soon causes ripples among the group when the leader of the Daggers shows a liking to her while dating the leader of the Debs.  She betrays the Debs to get even with the new girl but in the process killing her boyfriend and Dagger's leader.  The power vacuum of his death allows the new girl to take over the gang.

     I'm not going to be like those guys in these forums and pretend like I grew up on this film.  I didn't know it even existed until I found a piss poor boot at a random pop up event.  However, I've watched it a dozen times since then and I absolutely fucking love it.  Some of my college friends didn't care for it so most of the time I was watching it alone but I swear this is my favorite Jack Hill film right next to Spider Baby.  Every viewing of this film is like the first but watching this spectacular blu is like watching some of these scenes for the first time especially when you compare it to the shitty DVD.  This is, by far, my favorite Arrow release to date.  The acting in this movie is questionable at times but the characters are legendary especially among fans of exploitation.  The cast does struggle in a few scenes which is common of films of the time with this sort of budget.  However, the characters they bring to life are iconic.  When I think of exploitation movies of this decade I always think of Patch, Lace, and Crabs.  The entire cast does a great job at creating characters instead of just acting.  The story for this one is so much fun.  We get a dash of blaxploitation, some fun gangs, and a lot of action and drama.  The character development and story progression is what makes this one so much fun.  Without the cast and the amazing characters this story would fall apart.  The drama flows very well with the story and the action scenes are just the icing on the cake.  Finally, the film has some fun kills that mostly involve gun wounds.  The effects are minimal but they work for the film.  I really enjoyed the shotgun blast and the aftermath of that scene.  Overall, Switchblade Sisters is a must see for Jack Hill fans and movie lovers who enjoy exploitation flicks.  This release from Arrow Video is essential for movie fans.  I can't recommend this enough.  

Prostitution Clandestine

Director - Alain Payet (The Mark of Zorro, French Erection)

Starring - Claudine Beccarie (French Undressing, Femme Fatales), Martine Grimaud (French Nympho, Hard Love), and Tania Busselier (Wanda the Wicked Warden, Law Breakers)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was first brought on to Horror Society, almost ten years ago, I decided to shoot my shot with Vinegar Syndrome to review their releases.  I was shocked when they agreed and before long I was receiving their monthly releases for review.  Their horror and exploitation flicks were my main focus but in the coming months I would get several of their sexploitation flicks.  I was reluctant to check them out but once I did I found a new obsession.  Since then I've been sure to snag every sexploitation release they've put out.  Not all of these were great.  In fact, some of them miss their marks but a majority were great.  Sadly, this Alain Payet double feature just wasn't for me.  After I dug into Furies Sexuelles I was ready for Prostitution Clandestine.

     The film follows three working girls who are known to model but if the price is right they don't mind to work their hips for a little extra cash.  

     Most sexploitation flicks have stories set around the sex scenes.  The movies are mad for sex so it's no surprise that a lot of these films lack plot.  Furies Sexuelles and Prostitution Clandestine has enough story to get to the sex scene but for movie goers looking for just a little more story than sex you will find both films to be extremely dull.  The acting in this one is high energy in the sex scenes but rather slow and bland performances during the rest of the scene.  I know most people don't expect a lot from a sexploitation or vintage porn but I have seen some fantastically acted sexploitation films over the years.  The lack of enthusiasm in these scenes makes the movie extremely difficult to follow and watch.  The story for this one is rather lacking.  Most sexploitation films have stories that lead to sex.  However, the story for this one is sex.  We move from character to character and from room to bed with no real story.  Sure, we get some character development but those of you looking for the next SexWorld or Dixie Ray will be very disappointed.  Finally, the film has plenty of skin, sex, and more sex.  However, if you want blood you will be in for a rude awakening.  Overall, Prostitution Clandestine is a bit of a let down.  The lack of story and dry acting made the film feel a lot longer than it actually was.  The transfer from Vin Syn looks better than the movie actually is.  

Autopsy

Director - Armando Crispino (Frankenstein: Italian Style, The Dead Are Alive!)

Starring - Mimsy Farmer (Body Count, The Suspects), Barry Primus (Righteous Kill, The X-Files), and Ray Lovelock (Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, The Last House on the Beach)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It'll take you...apart"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the last six months or so I've found myself becoming extremely interested in giallos.  I would watch them on occasion but over the last six or so months I've been going out of my way to get them.  After watching a few back on the later part of last year I decided to go ahead and dig into the first Forgotten Gialli release from Vinegar Syndrome.  This soon spiraled into the second volume and now the third.  I received the third volume in just a few days ago and couldn't wait to see what was in store for me.  The first film I tossed in was 1975's Autopsy which was also released as The Victim and Tension.  

     The film follows a pathology student working on her thesis when a string of suicides strike Rome, Italy.  While investigating the death of a young women she becomes entangled in the search for a supposed killer by her brother, a Catholic priest.  The closer she gets to finding the real killer of the fake suicides the closer she gets to danger.

     I love the atmosphere and tension in a good giallo.  My introduction to giallo, like most Americans, was from the works of Fulci and Argento.  I often compare the giallos I watch now to these films that I first watched all those years ago.  Autopsy is a bit different.  The film is a little more colorful and bright than most of the other giallos I've seen but I really enjoyed it.  What it lacks in that traditional giallo lighting and atmosphere it more than makes up for in story and characters.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  Mimsy Farmer is fantastic as the student caught in the middle of an unlikely conspiracy involving murder.  I really liked her character and how she ranging emotionally.  With that being said, there was a few scenes where she overacted which resulted in an unintentionally funny scene.  The supporting cast is good but a little inconsistent.  Some of the cast is pretty well grounded and well rounded but there is a few scenes where the cast is a little over the top.  These overdramatic scenes were funny when it wasn't meant to be.  The story for this one is a solid whodunit that throws several red herrings at the viewer.  It's not predictable and you keep following each scene trying to figure it out before the killer is actually revealed.  I loved the story and character development.  Those, along with the pacing, makes for a great giallo flick.  The tone of the film may not be typical of those films but the story is very much a giallo.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood and some very disturbing images.  The film uses pictures of actual autopsies that some may find too gruesome.  Also, the film has some blood and fun practical effects that really enjoyed.  Sadly, the deaths are off screen so you bloodhounds will not get to enjoy those.  Overall, Autopsy is a fantastic murder mystery that has a great cast and a pretty involving story.  It's not perfect but it is fun especially for a late night watch.  The transfer from Vin Syn looks absolutely amazing.  I highly recommend it.  

Criminally Insane

Director - Nick Millard (Cemetery Sisters, Death Nurse)

Starring - Priscilla Alden (Death Nurse, Death Nurse 2), Michael Flood (.357 Magnum, If You Don't Stop It...You'll Go Blind!), and Jane Lambert (Kung Fu, Happy Days)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "250 pounds of maniacal fury"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5): 

     May years ago I received a couple of movies from Olive Films and Slasher//Video to review.  Several of them were from no budget filmmaker Nick Millard and I became obsessed with them  Even if I didn't like the movie I still had a lot of fun watching them.  After I reviewed what was sent to me I turned to Amazon to snag a few more of his films.  I grabbed a triple feature that included Satan's Black Wedding and both Criminally Insane films.  I just finished SBW and decided it was time to finally watch the 1975 classic Criminally Insane.  

     The film follows Ethel (Alden) who is released from the mental asylum to the care of her grandmother.  Ethel is obsessed with eating and when she is unable to obtain food she goes into a rage.  When her grandmother refuses to let her eat at will she murders her before making her way through the delivery boy and anyone else that gets in the way of her next meal.

     When you talk about the films of Nick Millard you often hear how great his Criminally Insane film is.  After finally seeing it I can safely say that this is, by far, his best film.  I'm already a day distanced from watching it and I can't stop thinking about it.  It's so simple and yet it's amazing.  I fucking loved it and I can see myself spinning this one again here soon.  The acting in this one is decent enough but there is plenty of room for improvement.  Priscilla Alden carries the film as Ethel.  She's hungry, mean, and forward in her performance.  The supporting cast is dedicated to their roles but they do have some awkward moments scattered throughout the film.  Inexperience does rear it's ugly head.  The story for this one is absolutely amazing.  It's so simple yet it has so many possibilities.  We have the woman who becomes extremely violent when someone comes between her and her food.  I feel like a good cannibal angle was missed here but it's still extremely fun as it is.  Finally, the film has some cheap kills with very minimal practical effects and lots of bright red blood.  They are bad but they are fun for the film.  Overall, Criminally Insane is a must see for genre fans.  It's an absolute blast.  I highly recommend it.