Blue Sunshine

Director - Jeff Lieberman (Squirm, Satan's Little Helper)

Starring - Zalman King (Galaxy of Terror, Trip with the Teacher), Deborah Winters (The Outing, Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo), and Mark Goddard (Strange Invaders, Lost in Space)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "After blue sunshine you're better off dead!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been accused of writing positive reviews for money which is absolutely absurd.  I wish I could get paid to do this but the truth is I do this for fun.  I've never received a cent from my work on Horror Society and all my reviews are my honest opinion.  I like what I like and some of my readers believe that my reviews are paid for.  Honestly, I just have weird taste in movies and I'm not ashamed of that at all.  The reason I'm saying this is because I'm about to write a review for Synapse Film's release of Blue Sunshine.  This is a film I first watch many years ago thanks to Elvira's Movie Macabre.  Since then I have snagged the DVD release of that episode along with a standard DVD release of the film.  I know many genre fans dislike the movie but I fucking love it and couldn't wait to check out this release from my friends over at Synapse.

     The film follows a man who is on the run after falsely being accused of murder he did not commit.  His friend, the real murderer, lost all his hair before going mad and killing their mutual friends.  Knowing something is going on, he starts investigating by himself while avoiding arrest where he uncovers a connection between him and other murders like it where the person lost all their hair and went mad.  He then learns that all the murderers had taken a drug called Blue Sunshine years before that may have triggered the murders.  

     I know Blue Sunshine has it's fans but I was under the impression that it was a genre title that was genuinely loved.  That changed after I posted on social media that I was checking out this release.  While no one said anything about the UHD release from Synapse, some genre fans were quick to bash the film.  This was shocking to me as I had always thought it was a film many of my like minded friends loved.  The movie itself is an awesome horror thriller that almost plays into the anti-drugs propaganda of the time.  It's extremely dated but that is what makes this one so much fun.  The acting in this one is great.  Zalman King is a fantastic lead.  He reminds me a lot of a young Sean Penn in some of the scenes which has always been a bit of a surprise to me.  His character doesn't show a wife range of emotions but he carries the film.  The supporting cast is great as well but it's King who is a one man show.  The story for this one is a horror thriller following a man trying to clear his name and get to the reason his friend snapped and killed several people before trying to kill him.  Toss in a "drugs are bad" message and you have a film that is frozen in time but is still extremely enjoyable.  It has great pacing and while it is predictable it still delivers a fun ride to it's destination.  Finally, we do get some blood but this is not a gruesome flick.  the film relies heavily on the story itself and the mystery surrounding the murders instead of the murders themselves.  It's because of this that we don't get memorable deaths.  Overall, Blue Sunshine is a film I absolutely love.  I'm blown away that genre fans don't dig it like it.  I know the movie has it's fan out there and this release is for you.  However, if you don't like it then I can only assume you smell your own farts for pleasure.  Check it out.  

Goodbye, Emmanuelle

Director - Francois Leterrier (The Hippies, The Bodyguard)

Starring - Sylvia Kristel (The Swing Girls, Sexy Boys), Umberto Orsini (The Bible Collection: Esther, Beyond Good and Evil), and Jean-Pierre Bouvier (The Divorce, Mail from the Sky)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Drama/Erotic

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Severin sent me the Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection, I had already seen the first two films in the set.  However, this collection features two Emmanuelle films that were new to me.  I do enjoy the first two films and had a lot of fun revisiting them which only made me even more excited to see these final two!  The next film in the set is the third Emmanuelle film from 1977 titled Goodbye, Emmanuelle or Emmanuelle III.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows Emmanuelle (Kristel) who is once again in an exotic location with her husband living the swinging life.  However, after Emmanuelle gets close with a filmmaker, her husband starts to become jealous and wants to keep her all to himself.  

     I know there is a lot of these Emmanuelle films but I wonder how many of them recycle the same stories?  Goodbye, Emmanuelle doesn't really bring us anything new but god damn was it still a lot of fun.  I went into this one thinking it was going to be the turning point in the series but I was wrong.  This is one of the instances where if it's not broke then it doesn't need fixed makes complete sense.  The acting in this one is more like the first film with Kristel really finds her groove as Emmanuelle.  She carries every scene she is in with her sultry sex appeal and natural charisma in front of the camera.  Sadly, the supporting cast is hit or miss in this one.  In some of the scenes the cast delivers stiff dialogue with zero emotion while other scenes are decently acted by the same cast members.  I don't know if these scenes are rushed, poorly written, or the cast is just over it by that point.  I can only assume but it's clear something is off.  The story for this one is just the same rehashing of the first two films with a little change.  We follow Emmanuelle and her husband in a different country as they get busy with different people.  However, this time we have the addition of the jealousy angle that takes up a very small portion of the film.  This little change does bring something new to the story but it's nothing that truly stands out when you sit back and compare it to the other films.  Finally, this one offers up just as much skin as the previous films.  Lots of beautiful women baring it all for sleazy movie fans to enjoy.  Overall, Goodbye, Emmanuelle is a solid entry in the iconic Emmanuelle series.  It's not a revolutionary sequel but it's still a fun watch.  Check it out.  

Cinderella

Director - Michael Pataki (Mansion of the Doomed, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries)

Starring - Cheryl Smith (Up in Smoke, The Incredible Melting Man), Yana Nirvana (Brewster's Millions, Another 48 Hours), and Marilyn Corwin (Mortuary, Doctor Detroit)

Release Date - 1976

Genre - Comedy/Musical

Tagline - "What the prince slipped Cinderella was not a slipper"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was originally brought on to review for Horror Society I was fully prepared to review movies that I had in my collection or movies that I picked up from store shelves. I never expected indie filmmakers, distribution companies, and PR firms would reach out to me to review their films. Every day I write for Horror Society is a day I never take for granted. This has been an opportunity of a life time and one that has opened the door to so many amazing films that I would have never seen on my own. Recently, Full Moon announced the release of the 1977 erotic musical Cinderella on blu. I was very familiar with Charles Band’s Fairy Tales and knew he has produced a few erotic films centered other fairy tales but had no idea there was one about Cinderella. As soon as I saw it was getting a blu release I quickly hit up Full Moon and MVD who was kind enough to send a copy my way for review. Like always, I want to thank them for supporting myself and Horror Society. 

      The film follows a beautiful peasant who finds herself blessed by her “fairy” godmother with great sex appeal and prowess. She attends the prince’s sex party and when she puts it on him she becomes his newest obsession. He begins a quest to fuck every woman in the village until he can find her and fuck her again. 

      I had no idea what to expect from Cinderella but I was not prepared to laugh like I did with this movie. Is this what getting old is like? Just sitting around watching erotic musicals and laughing like an idiot. I was laughing until I couldn’t breathe. It has been a long fucking time since I’ve seen a movie that had me light headed with laughter. The acting in this one is not the best I’ve seen but it was easily one of the most enjoyable. The cast is really having a blast in their roles which does reflect on camera. We get a lot of energy and positivity in the film. However, the dialogue delivery at time is extremely flat and at times it’s unintentionally funny. I had a few laughs at the expense of the cast and their stiffness delivering their lines. It doesn’t ruin the film but does bring a certain sense of humor to it that they were not expecting. The story for this one is the basic premise around the popular fairy tale Cinderella with sex smeared all over it. Honestly, it’s impressive how they were able to turn the iconic story into something so filthy and funny. I love the sense of humor the film has but the musical numbers did wear me thin at times. Finally, the film has a lot of skin and solid wardrobes but those of you looking for blood or gore will be very disappointed. Overall, Cinderella is a fucking must see especially for exploitation and sleaze fans. This release from Full Moon is a must have.

End of the World

Director - John Hayes (Grave of the Vampire, Garden of the Dead)

Starring - Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, The Wicker Man), Sue Lyon (Alligator, Crash!), and Kirk Scott (Quantum Leap, Heathers)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "There is everything to look forward to...except tomorrow"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’ve been a fan of Full Moon Entertainment for a couple decades now. It’s weird to say that but as I get older I find myself now referring to things in regards to years and decades. I was born in ’86 and lived through the video store age which was how I discovered Full Moon. Now, it’s been an easy 25 years or so since I first found the movies Side Show, Subspecies, Puppet Master, and so on. I absolutely love Full Moon’s original films and a good chunk of their distributed films but sometimes they get their hands on something that looks cool but isn’t. I’ve owned their DVD release of 1977’s The End of the World starring the late Christopher Lee for years now but never got around to checking it out. Lee is a fucking legend so a film he is in that never gets mentioned by genre fans is a huge red flag for me. However, when I saw that Full Moon was putting it out on blu I decided it was time to finally check it out. I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send over a copy for review. Like always, I want to thank Full Moon and MVD for hooking me up! 

      The film follows a scientist that researching sound waves from space when he receives a repeating message that he translates into “Large Earth Disruptions” that seems to coincide with natural disasters spanning the entire globe. They eventually cross paths with an odd preacher and soon uncover he is from another world with a sinister plan in mind.

     I was quick to see why this film is never mentioned by genre fans and those passionate about Christopher Lee’s body of work. The movie has some promise but looses sight of the film’s endgame fairly on. I really wanted to like it, and I found myself enjoying some of it, but the overall film is a huge waste of time. The acting in this one is one of the few highlights of the film. Christopher Lee is not in the film as much as you would expect considering his name is plastered all over the marketing material. It’s also said that he was not a fan of this film and only signed on as a favor for a friend. With that being said, I really enjoyed Kirk Scott and Sue Lyon’s performances. They carry the film and most of the film that I did enjoy was centered around them. They were so natural together that I had to look up if they were a real couple when the cameras were off. The supporting cast is decent at times but it’s these two that carry the film. The story for this one is fairly generic with that 70s flare. Most of the films featuring a similar story typically take place in the 50s and 60s. However, this one being centered in the late 70s has its own style that I really liked. The aesthetics are cheesy but I’m a big fan, but this could not save the film. At least 90% of the film follows the scientist as he suspects something bigger is at play but is grounded by his wife. It’s a decent set up but not for as long as the film runs. I’m fully convinced that most of the film’s story was left on the cutting room floor. Finally, we get a little blood and some extremely dated and corny visual effects but that is the extent of it. If you are expecting some fun practical effects and props that would fit a story centered around an alien invasion in the late 70s then you will be very disappointed. Overall, End of the World is a big missed opportunity for all involved. We get the wasted use of Christopher Lee and a story that goes nowhere fast. I would love to know what really happened behind the scenes with this one because this cannot be the film they set out to make.

Whiskey Mountain

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

Starring - Christopher George (Grizzly, Day of the Animals), Preston Pierce (Doomsday Voyage, Girls for Rent), and Roberta Collins (Saturday the 14th, Death Wish II)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Crime/Horror

Tagline - "Beyond the song and the legend... a search for treasure turn to terror"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm almost at the end of my journey as I work my way through the He Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe with just two films standing in my way.  One of those films is one that I was extremely looking forward to.  That film is the 1977 hixploitation horror flick Whiskey Mountain which features a theme song from Charlie Daniels.  The moment I finished Mako: The Jaws of Death I immediately tossed in the final disc from the set and hit play.

     The film follows two married couples who venture into the mountains looking for a cave that is supposedly the location of buried muskets from the civil war.  On their trip they find themselves surrounded by strange occurrences like random fires and so on.  They chalk it up to bad luck but when they finally reach the cave they discover that a group of hillbillies who use the mountain to grow pot.  They abduct the two couples and plan on murdering them to hide their secret stash.  However, the two men are able to escape and go into town to seek help from the local sheriff.  The local police are obviously in on it and refuse to help them.  They visit the local gun store and once they stock up on arms and ammunition they return to the mountain expecting war.

     Whiskey Mountain is a movie that I've wanted to see for several years now.    I discovered it when I was writing my review for the Incest Death Squad trilogy when I came across a list of hixploitation horror films.  It really caught my attention when I saw that it featured a theme song from Charlie Daniels and starred Christopher George.  There was several occasions where I had tried to buy the DVD through Amazon and other online retailers but the releases were not the best quality so I backed out.  When I saw that it was included in this set it made it even more intriguing and was the big push to review this one.  The film did not let me down and it's a damn shame this one doesn't get more love from other genre fans.  The acting in this one is probably the best of the Grefe directed films.  At least the ones I've seen and reviewed.  Christopher George never disappoints and his character here is a little more likable when you compare it to his other films like Grizzly and Day of the Animals.  His character is well grounded and down to Earth allowing George to show more of an emotional range than other films allow him to.  The supporting cast is just as great with a lot of the characters having a lot more personality for the viewers to enjoy than most Grefe films.  I especially enjoyed Robert Leslie's performance as the crazy old hermit.  He brought in some much needed humor and his character is the unofficial face of the film.  The story for this one works great as a hixploitation thriller that some will compare to Deliverance, which is understandable, but it still delivers on the entertainment.  Grefe has borrowed ideas from other films in the passed and this one was no exception.  The southern fed story mixed elements of his drug heavy films with that of the hillbilly thrillers of the late 70s that was becoming famous thanks to films like Deliverance and Smokey and the Bandit.  It's not the most original film but it still works especially if you are looking for something with horror aspects.  Finally, the film has a few death scenes but the kills are quick with little to no blood.  The deaths are not the focus of these scenes.  Instead, the deaths are meant to show the end of a character without the entertainment value of blood and gore.  Overall, Whiskey Mountain did not disappoint.  It's a bit of an odd ball film in the set but an enjoyable one nonetheless.  I highly recommend it.  

Fantasm Comes Again

Director - Colin Eggleston (The Wicked, Sky Pirates)

Starring - Rick Cassidy (Too Naughty to Say No, The Perfect Weekend), Con Covert (Repo Man, The Disco Dolls in Hot Skin), and Uschi Digard (Supervixens, Candy's Big Black Master)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "The adult couples movie!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm still not in the mood to watch horror so I'm continuing my sleazy adventure through Vinegar Syndrome's Peekarama release of Fantasm and Fantasm Comes Again.  I heard some of the Vin Syn fans that I know talk about how funny the first film was and I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that it was the funniest softcore flick I had ever seen.  However, a lot of the humor was missed and a good portion of the humor missed it's mark.  It was fun for a first time watch but I will never revisit it.  After checking that out I decided to keep it going and watch Fantasm Comes Again.  

     The film follows a newspaper editor and secretary as they comb through letters sent to them from sexually adventurous women for their sex advice column.  The stories range from library sex to gymnasts getting worked up while practicing.  

      The first Fantasm had some fun moments but that was about it.  Sadly, Fantasm Comes Again just didn't have the spark the first film did.  I really enjoyed the way they did the anthology in the first film with Margold "telling stories."  It was an interesting premise here with the newspaper editor and secretary reading stories but they lacked the personality that Margold brought to the first one.  The movie just fell short but it did have one or two laughs.  The acting in this one is basically the same as the first film.  The cast kind of drags their feet until the dry humping part of the scene then they come to life.  The cast tries to make their characters funny but they just come across as goofy and awkward instead of funny.  The story for this one delivers more of the unusual sex-capades of various women.  Some are interesting in theory while others were obviously used because they had previously filmed it for another project or they had the location and wanted to use it.  It is a bit lackluster and not as "wild" as the first film.  Finally, no blood and gore in this one but there is some nudity if that is more your speed.  Overall, Fantasm Comes Again is a worthy sequel to Fantasm but I just didn't have as much fun after immediately watching the first one.  It's heart is in the right place but the film just doesn't do anything for me.  Skip it.  

Day of the Animals

Director - William Girdler (Grizzly, Abby)

Starring - Christopher George (Graduation Day, Mortuary), Leslie Nielson (Stan Helsing, Dracula: Dead and Loving It), and Lynda Day George (Pieces. Wonder Woman)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The terrifying movie of a world gone mad!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Williams Girdler was taken from us way too soon.  He was only 30 years young when he perished in a helicopter accident but he was able to deliver 9 films to the world.  When I was younger I watched Grizzly with my grandmother and really enjoyed it.  Over the years I've seen a few more of his films but one I never got the chance to check out his 1976 film Day of the Animals.  Recently Severin released Girdler's Grizzly and Day of the Animals on blu and MVD was kind enough to send it my way.  After revisiting Grizzly it was time to finally watch Day of the Animals.

     The film follows a group of hikers going on a hiking trip deep into the woods.  What should be a typical outdoor adventure turns deadly when solar flares from the sun hit the Earth's depleted ozone causing animals that are above 5000 feet to become bloodthirsty and crazed forcing the hikers to fight for their lives.

     I fucking love post-apocalyptic tales and I've always been fond of when nature attacks stories so when I heard about Day of the Animals when I was younger I was all about it.  Sadly, I never had the chance to see it until now.  With that being said, I fucking loved it and I can see myself revisiting this one several more times.  Don't get me wrong, it's cheesy as fuck but it's so much fun.  The acting in this one is extremely fun.  We once again get a great performance from Christopher George who delivers a much more different character than we saw in Grizzly.  I really liked his performance and seeing him out act most of the cast in this one really makes me want to dig out more of his films to watch.  The surprise performance of this film comes from legendary funny man Leslie Nielson who had a wonderful and long career but was known for his comedic roles.  However, he delivers a much more intense and serious performance here that reminded me a lot of his character in Creepshow.  I'm not accustomed to seeing him take on these types of roles but he stole the show.  The supporting cast is just as great with no weak links in this chain.  The story for this one mixes nature run amok with sci-fi and I'm all for it.  We get a film that neatly fits into the mid-70s when nature attacks films that followed in the wake of Jaws before moving into the last portion of the film that has that same feel as The Crazies.  It was extremely fun, well paced, and a solid amount of action.  Finally, the film has some blood and a lot of animal attack but if you are looking for gore or great practical effects will be extremely disappointed.  Overall, Day of the Animals is an extremely entertaining and campy.  The film may have been a bit underwhelming at the time with the amount of other films like it but as someone who didn't live through the era I found myself thoroughly enjoying it.  I highly recommend grabbing this release from Severin.  The video and audio quality is fantastic which is how you would want to watch this film.  

Death Promise

Director - Robert Warmflash 

Starring - Charles Bonet (Way of the Black Dragon, Fists of Bruce Lee), Speedy Leacock, and Bill Louie (Bruce vs. Bill, The Old Master)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Action/Crime

Tagline - "Filthy rich landlords get away with murder.  It's time they pay for it"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's not often that Vinegar Syndrome releases a movie that I've heard about.  A good portion of their releases are films that I'm just hearing about when they make their monthly announcements.  However, there is, on occasion, a movie they release that I've seen floating around in the different movie groups on social media.  1977's exploitation flick Death Promise is one of those rare occasions.  I've seen this one pop up several times in various movie groups and I've always been curious about it.  Exploitation flicks has become an obsession of my over the years and it was this kind of film that inspired me to start writing reviews.  This release was included in the March release package so it only made sense to finally check it out after viewing Last Gasp.  

     The film follows a martial arts master and his best friend who live in an apartment building.  The tenets of the building are being harrased by the landlords to move in order to turn the building into something else.  When the landlord's hired goons accidentally kill his father the pair go on a bloody rampage killing all the big wigs that had a hand in his father's death.

     Death Promise is not the best exploitation or martial arts film to come out of the 70s but you can't deny how much cheesy fun it is.  I loved the acting, the story, and the action.  It does try a little too hard at times but I appreciate the effort it delivers.  The acting in this one is fun.  The characters are generic for an exploitation and martial arts film but they work very well with the story.  The action and fight scenes are really fun and the characters really do give the roles their best efforts.  With that being said, no one is winning any awards.  The characters may be memorable but they are far from perfect.  The story for this one is a blend of revenge, martial arts, crime, and a little blaxploitation brought together to make one highly entertaining yet cheesy experience.  I really enjoyed the story and the pacing.  The action scenes does a great job at holding the viewer's attention while moving the story right along.  Also, there is some cheesy aspects of the story that adds some unintentional humor which only adds to the fun.  I think most people love exploitation films because they were done so cheaply with no quality control.  Finally, the film has some deaths with a little blood but don't expect to see a lot of it or gore.  The film's focus is on the fight sequences and story.  Overall, Death Promise is another fantastic release from a fantastic company.  It's exploitation at it's finest and cult movie fans will really appreciate the type of movie this one is.  I highly recommend checking this one out.  

Crazy Desires of a Murderer

Director - Filippo Walter Ratti (Night of the Damned, Mondo Erotico)

Starring - Corrado Gaipa (The Godfather, Marco Polo), Roberto Zattini, and Isabelle Marchall (The Terror with Cross-Eyes, The Crimes of the Black Cat)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     As I work my way through the third volume of the Forgotten Gialli box set from Vinegar Syndrome I've found myself having a lot of fun with these films.  Autopsy was a fantastic giallo and The Murder Mansion really surprised me.  I absolutely loved it.  This left the third and final film in the set which is the 1977 giallo Crazy Desires of a Murderer.  I was riding a wave into this one.  The other two were fantastic films and I had high hopes for CDoaM but this one would let me down.  It is, by far, the weakest film in the collection.

     The film follows a young woman who brings her friends with her to her father's home.  Her father is wheelchair bound and reluctant to have visitors.  Also in the home is her brother who is a recluse with a knack for taxidermy.  When her friends start turning up dead some dark secrets are revealed by each of the guests.

     I was pretty pumped when I tossed this one in and by the 30 minute mark I found myself drifting off to sleep.  In fact, I had to turn it off and restarted it the following day in hopes I could appreciate it a little more when I was well rested.  Sadly, I did not.  The film was extremely boring and lackluster.  The acting in this one is the only redeeming quality in the film.  The characters are entertaining and the cast does a wonderful job bringing them to life.  As the film progresses you see some of the character change to fit the story.  The cast does a wonderful job at making these changes show.  The story for this one is a giallo paint by numbers.  However, this doesn't make this one enjoyable.  The scenes are drawn out and the dialogue is completely too drab and dull.  I found myself struggling through most of these scenes.  Finally, the film has some blood and practical effects but they are nothing that really stands out or that entertaining.  The kills try to be gruesome but they just fall short.  Overall, Crazy Desires of a Murderer looks great on blu bit is not that enjoyable. This is the week link in the set but the transfer from Vin Syn looks fantastic.  

The Last Wave

Director - Peter Weir (The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society)

Starring - Richard Chamberlain (The Towering Inferno, Nightmare Cinema), Olivia Hamnett (Return to Eden, The Ripper), and David Gulpilil (Crocodile Dundee, Mad Dog Morgan)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Tagline - "Hasn't the weather been strange...it could be a warning?

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Halloween is fast approaching and my month long horror/Halloween binge is going smoothly.  I've watched some great horror flicks, as well as, a few Halloween themed movies that satisfied.  Sadly, I've also seen a lot of duds over the month.  A few weeks ago my friends over at Umbrella Entertainment in Australia sent over a couple movies for me to check out.  The first I put on the chopping block is the 1977 thriller The Last Wave that was just released on blu.  Thanks Umbrella for sending it my way.

    The film follows a lawyer who was tasked with defending five aboriginals who are accused of murdering one of their own.  However, something else is at play here when freak storms and rumors of a long forgotten tribe start to take hold.  Did these five men murder the man and are they connected to his long forgotten dreams he had when he was younger?

     I knew this one wasn't a horror flick when I tossed it in but hearing that it was a thriller with a supernatural like twist I decided it would fit in nicely for this Halloween season.  It was a fun murder mystery with some great atmosphere.  It was well worth my time.  The acting in this one is absolutely insane at how good it is.  Chamberlin and Gulpilil are fantastic in their roles.  I almost feel bad for Gulpilil for being typecast as aboriginals but it does make sense.  He's an amazing actor and his performances never fail to entertain.  The supporting cast was just as entertaining and all the characters moved the story along as they should.  The story, at it's heart, is a murder mystery that is centered around ancient aboriginal tribes that are linked to dreams the lawyer had as a child.  The freak weather and supernatural atmosphere only adds to the overall story element.  With that being said, a lot of the scenes have additional segments that seem to draw out.  They are rather boring and stretches the film out longer than it needs to be.  Finally, those of you wanting blood and gore will surely be disappointed.  The film is very story and character driven and not one that focuses on bloodshed like most modern horror tales.  Overall, The Last Wave is not something you would to typically spin during October but if you are looking for something with some seriously dark atmosphere and a very rich story I highly recommend picking this one up.  The blu looks great and leagues better than the trailers I have found on YouTube.  It's a very nice release and fans of thrillers will really enjoy this one.  

Shining Sex

Director - Jess Franco (Incubus, Vampire Junction)
Starring - Lina Romay (Female Vampire, Snakewoman), Evelyne Scott (Swedish Sex Games, Devil's Kiss), and Monica Swinn (Paris Porno, Sexorcismes)
Release Date - 1977
Genre - Sci-Fi
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I just spent the last two days reviewing a few Lucio Fulci films that was sent my way from Severin.  I really enjoyed myself checking out these awesome movies from one of horror's greatest directors.  When I was finishing up with Demonia, Aenigma, and Fulci for Fake I was looking for something else to watch when I remembered that I had just got in a few Jess Franco sleazefests to review.  I decided that it was time to have a Franco marathon and the first movie on the chopping block is his 1977 erotic sci-fi shocker Shining Sex.  I once again want to thank Severin for sending this one my way.

     The film follows Cynthia (Romay).  Cynthia is a well known dancer who has done shows all over the world when she is approached by a couple.  They agree to a threesome and they go back to their apartment.  Cynthia and the other woman Alpha (Scott) play around.  Cynthia experiences the best sex of her life and becomes enthralled with Alpha and her male lover/servant.  What she doesn't know is that she was secretly given a serum in her vagina that kills anyone she has sex with.

      I was completely caught off guard when I received the press release for Jess Franco's Shining Sex.  The synopsis completely threw me for a loop and I couldn't wait to see this oddball sci-fi erotic romp starring Franco's muse Lina Romay.  Sadly, the film was nowhere near as wild as the story made it out to be.  The acting in this one is very well done.  We get another amazing performance from Lina Romay who, once again, bares it all for the camera.  Not only is she easy on the eyes but she's an amazing actress and can carry a scene.  The supporting cast is equally as great with so many colorful and entertaining characters.  The story for this one is pretty grounded considering it uses aliens.  We follow a couple who fuck an exotic dancer and implant her with something that can kill everyone she sleeps with.  With that being said, Franco approached it with his typical eye and what would be a story that could be light hearted and fun he turned it sleazy and sexual.  It works but there is plenty of dry scenes that does move at a snails pace.  Finally, no blood and gore in this one.  However, if  slow and sensual sex scenes are more your speed then you are in luck.  Overall, Shining Sex could have been something completely different but Franco added his own touch to a unusual story to make it his own.  It's still fun but thinking about what could have been really depresses me as a fan.  The blu from Severin looks fantastic and fans of Franco will need to add this one to their collections.  

Man from Atlantis

Starring - Patrick Duffy (Dallas, Vamping), Dean Santoro (The Incredible Hulk, Newhart), and Belinda Montgomery (Tron: Legacy, Stone Cold Dead)
Release Date - 1977
Genre - Adventure/Sci-Fi
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was born in the 80s but I was raised on a healthy dose of 70s television.  A majority of my family was huge fans of The Dukes of Hazzard and my youth was spent on watching The Incredible Hulk, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Six Million Dollar Man, Wonder Woman, and so on.  I was no stranger to this decade but I did not see everything the 70s had to offer.  One show I was not familiar with was Man from Atlantis.  The pilot aired in 1977 and the show ran for several series.  That same pilot, which was originally aired as a made for television movie, was recently released on blu by Warner Brothers as part of their Archive Collection series.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.
    The film follows a man who is found on the beach not breathing.  He is rushed to the hospital and it is soon discovered that he has webbed fingers and toes.  When they are unable to get him breathing they rush him to the water and discover that he is able to live in the water and only land for a short time.  The doctor takes a keen interest in him and soon the military is begging for his help to find a piece of expensive equipment lost in the sea.  He reluctantly agrees and goes looking for it only to find an underwater lair that is recruiting scientists as part of an evil eco-terrorists plans to destroy the world.
     When I tossed this one in I wasn't expecting a game changing film but I was expecting some cheesy fun..which is exactly what I got.  The acting in this one is solid for television shows of the time but no one really delivers a thrilling performance.  Patrick Duffy, though billed as the show's star, is rarely the center of attention.  For most of this pilot he is just there in the scene.  The entire cast has to act around him forcing them to carry the scene.  They do a decent enough job but there is several times where the cheese is just a little too unbearable.  The story for this one is simple and fun.  It focuses more to establish the character of Mark Harris who is played by Duffy and his relationship with some of the main characters.  It works and the little bit of action tossed in towards the end of film is fun as well.  I really enjoyed the characters but I do find it extremely difficult not to compare it to shows like The Incredible Hulk.  Finally, we get some nice film sets and some decent props but those of you looking for blood and gore will not find it here.  The film is purely character based with no carnage.  Overall, Man from Atlantis is a fun beginning to what I am sure is an entertaining show.  The blu looks surprisingly good and would make a fine addition to any 70s television fan or sci-fi looking for something they had never seen before.  Check it out.

Hard Soap, Hard Soap

Director - Bob Chinn (Tell Them Johnny Wadd is Here, Candy Stripers)
Starring - Laurien Dominique (Night Hunger, Calendar Girl), Candida Royalle (Tattoo Vampire, Outlaw Ladies), and John Holmes (The Devil in Mr. Holmes, Hot & Saucy Pizza Girls)
Release Date - 1977
Genre - Drama
Tagline - "Lather up, guys!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of  5):

     I've watched some exploitation, horror, and action flicks the last week or so and wanted to continue my movie binge with something different.  A few days back I had a sexploitation marathon and had a damn good time with these Vin Syn releases.  Around the time that I started the marathon I received the Hard Soap, Hard Soap and Disco Lady double feature on blu from them for review.  I had seen a VHS of Disco Lady, I believe, in a tape group a few years back so I was familiar with it in some aspect but both looked extremely fun.  As always I want to thank Vin Syn for sending this one my way to review.  It was another fantastic sexploitation film for my collection!

     The film follows two women who want to help as many people as possible only to find themselves tossed into several strange sexual desires of the people they are helping. 

     The idea behind Hard Soap, Hard Soap really intrigued me.  Soap operas were extremely popular in the 70s, 80s, and 90s but they are hardly parodied in pop culture so I was excited to see that there was a porn parody done in the late 70s.  Hard Soap did live up to the excitement and I found myself really enjoying it.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  I've started to notice that most of the acting in the Vin Syn sexploitation films they release is leagues above most of the other sexploitation films from the same time released by different companies.  I really enjoyed the cast and was even impressed by the big dick himself Johnny Wadd.  The entire cast delivers a solid performance which makes this fuck flick a little more entertaining than the rest.  The story for this one is silly but the intent works.  The scenarios the women find themselves in are a little on the goofy side but it does work as a porn.  I found some of the situations rather funny and brought a few laughs from me as the film progressed.  If the sex was completely removed from the film it would not have worked on it's own.  Finally, no blood and gore in this one.  However, if you are looking for boobs and money shots you are in the right place.  Overall, Hard Soap is another fantastic trashy piece of cinema from Vin Syn.  I highly suggest checking this one out during your next late night movie watch.  

Evil Town

 



Director(s) - Curtis Hanson (8 Mile, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle), Larry Spiegel (Spree), and Peter S. Traynor (Death Game)
Starring - James Keach (National Lampoon's Vacation, Walk the Line), Dean Jagger (Game of Death, Shaft), and Robert Walker Jr. (Easy Rider, Star Trek)
Release Date - 1977
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The place where terror dwells"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

 

     Vinegar Syndrome is a company that continues to deliver on obscure and unique films from the 70s, 80s, and early 90s.  Every month they release 4 or so movies and most are those are movies I have never heard of before.  When they do release a movie I had heard about before it is still something I had never seen due to it's obscurity.  A few months back Vin Syn announced a new line of films under their new Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection that will find their way into brick and mortar stores.  The first two films released as part of their VSA run is the 1977 horror film Evil Town and the 1987 action film Savage Harbor.  Evil Town is one that I had heard about but never actually seen.  Thank you Vin Syn for sending this one my way to check out.

       The film follows a small town that is occupied by elderly residents that kidnap young tourists that visit them to take to the local hospital.  The doctor there then extracts a liquid from their brains in hopes of achieving immortality.  In doing so he leaves his victims as mindless zombies that he locks away in the hospitals basement.  Stuck in the middle of this evil town is two couples who are having van troubles and are now forced to run for their very lives.

     About eight years ago I was very active in the Upcoming Horror Movies' message board when someone shared the poster for this film.  It was the artwork that featured the evil doctor holding his syringe while holding the woman.  I actually liked the image but as soon as I voiced my opinion on the poster I was hit with keyboard warriors who decided that because I thought the poster was cool that I had bad taste in movies.  If those fucks only knew.  Evil Town is a movie that I assumed was bad from how people talked about it in horror groups but I actually enjoyed it.  I can see why it gets hate but I honestly liked it and can see myself tossing it in again for a late night viewing.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part.  I actually enjoyed the entire cast with the exception of Dean Jagger.  The cast works great together and I liked the drive-in era characters that are generic but fit the story very well.  Sadly, Dean Jagger just seems so confused the entire time.  He has the passion behind his delivery but he just seems off the entire time.  The story for this one is the culmination of three different movies I believe that was edited into one.  It does seem a little jumbled at times but is still a fun watch.  The movie slows down at times but the story still holds your attention.  I can see myself checking it out again as a double feature with Nightbeast.  Finally, this is not a bloody one.  For a movie titled Evil Town you don't get a lot of evilness or blood.  We get some practical effects but nothing that really stands out for most horror fans.  Overall, Evil Town may not feel like a complete film but it is still fun for a late night watch.  Flaws aside, I really enjoyed it and recommend grabbing a copy on blu from Vinegar Syndrome.