Triangle of Lust

Director - Hubert Frank (The Story of the Dolls, Disco Fever)

Starring - Patricia Adriani (The Nest, August Moon) Barbara Rey (Dirty World, Little Lips), and Jose Antonio Ceinos (Black Venus, The Brother from Space)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The Exorcismo set from Severin Films really shows how fast the movie industry in Spain was quick to capitalize on the death of their dictator.  We went from films being heavily censored to films with gratuitous amounts of nudity.  This set features a few horror films, a couple documentaries, and a handful of action flicks but almost every one of them had some nudity for the sleazy fans to enjoy.  I've been working on this set for sometime and made it to the last five or so films with the next movie being the 1978 action flick Triangle of Lust from 60s and 70s erotica filmmaker Hubert Frank.

     The film follows a beautiful young woman traveling by a small plane when she finds herself having to jump for her life.  She is nowhere near her destination and her jump takes her to a small, secluded island.  She is not the only person there as she finds that a small group of criminals on the run have claimed the island as their own.  The group consists of rough and rowdy men and women afraid of clothes who see the new body as one they can play with when they are not fighting over her.

    This is one, like many, from the set that I knew absolutely nothing about.  I went into it only knowing the title and the film pretty delivered on exactly what I thought it would.  It was mildly fun for a first time watch but it's easily forgettable and not something I would want to watch again anytime soon.  The acting for this one is surprisingly well done which really surprised me.  The characters are, once again, not that very likable but the cast does a solid job.  They really work well with each other and in several scenes they brought out the best of each other.  I do wish a few of the characters had personalities that stood out but these types of films are not made to be memorable and a lot of time is never spent on the development.  The story for this one is fucking perfect for a sexploitation action flick that is light on the action.  An isolated island with a group of criminal and a beautiful woman falling from the sky just screams sleaze.  With that being said, the story is a one trick pony that relies heavily on the nudity to carry the scene over actual story telling.  While this may be enough for fans of sexploitation and nudie flicks of the late 60s and 70s, cinema fans need a bit more to grab onto.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  We have some skin, some fights, and more skin but that is all we have to see here.  If you want memorable deaths and great effects then you will need to look elsewhere.  Overall, Triangle of Lust is a solid entry in the sexploitation sub-genre but doesn't have the memorable story or performances that makes the others so iconic.  It's solid for a first time watch but doesn't have replay value.

Faces

Director - Juan Ignacio Galvan (El Embarazado)

Starring - Carmen Sevilla (The Devil's Cross, The Glass Ceiling), Juan Pardo (Escala en Hi-Fi, Dias de Viejo Color), and Barbara Rey (The Night of the Sorcerers, The Ghost Galleon)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I've been reviewing these movies in this Exorcismo set for what feels like weeks now and it's been a wild ride to say the least.  Some of these films were a lot of fun while others were a bit difficult to finish.  I didn't mind the negative ones because these films were pioneering for Spanish cinema after the death of Franco.  As I work through the last leg of the set I find myself about to watch the 1978 horror film Rostros, or Faces, from filmmaker Juan Ignacio Galvan.  I was unaware that Faces was the film Rostros but I had seen the original poster for this one in the Upcoming Horror Movies message boards many years ago.  I never had a chance to see it or knew the alternate title was Faces but once I realized it was the same film I was excited to check it out.

     The film follows a struggle artist who has mad a career out of sculptures.  However, he has worked so many faceless sculptures that he now struggles seeing the faces of the people around him.  This changes while on a flight when he encounters a woman of unimaginable beauty.  He becomes infatuated with her and tries to pursue her but the closer he gets to her the weirder things are as their lives are turned upside by a strange woman in white.

     Faces is nothing like I expected.  Honestly, I liked the basis for the story but the unlikable characters and poor pacing made this one extremely mediocre.  I can see why it would be included in the set and why it was mentioned on the UHM message boards back then but this one was not for me.  The acting in this one isn't bad.  In fact, it's pretty well done by most of the cast.  The cast really gets into their roles and the characters are written very well for the story.  Sadly, the characters are not that likable and the decent performances are lost to the scene.  The story for this one is very interesting when you look at the film as a whole but it's execution, similar to other films in the set, doesn't reach it's full potential.  The sculptor lost to his own creations only to find obsession with a random woman is poetic.  You then have the voodoo aspect tossed in that adds some layer to the story but is not fully explored like I had hoped.  With that being said, the story doesn't really want to commit to any aspect of the story.  We bounce around from theme to theme without dedication to any of it.  Personally, I wish it would have fully embraced the voodoo aspect and gave us a chilling folk horror tale about the artist and his love interest.  Finally, this one doesn't really have a body count or a gore.  It's a character driven piece with a story that is meant to hold the viewer's attention.  Fans of the red stuff will be very disappointed with this one.  Overall, Faces has a story that was pretty fucking clever and surprised me with the little voodoo angle but it couldn't put it all together into something enjoyable.  I seriously wanted to like it but couldn't.  

The Priest

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

Starring - Simon Andreu (Die Another Day, Vampire Academy), Emilio Gutierrez (Estigma, Lost Bullet), and Jose Franco (Hail Hazana, Climax)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Comedy/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I guess I've turned a corner on this box set as it seems like the last few films I've tossed in have not been horror.  I knew not all of these films would be horror but I'm shocked by the amount of documentaries that are included.  I love a good documentary so I don't mind that but it looks like we've reached the portion of the set where focus from horror may have shifted to other genres now that nudity and so on could be filmed.  After watching the sex comedy Sins of a Nympho, the next film in the set is another comedy of sorts.  This time it's the 1978 dramedy The Priest from Eloy de la Iglesia.  Iglesia is no stranger to Horror Society after I reviewed several of his films years ago that Severin also released on blu.  I was curious about this one once I realized he directed it.

     The film follows a priest, obviously, who has reached a point in his life where he is questioning his decision to become a man of the cloth.  He is starting to sexual desires that slowly start to take over his life.  He doesn't know what to do with these feelings at first so he turns to others in the church.  They offer up suggestions on how to deal with it but they are not helpful at all.  With his sexual tension rising, he starts to lust over a married woman who has an abusive husband.  

     I went into The Priest actually a little excited.  I had no idea what kind of film this was but I was hoping it would be better than Sins of a Nympho.  I got my wish because it was better but not by much.  It's not the most entertaining film but it was alright for a first time watch especially after watching a film that was damn near unwatchable.  The acting in this one is fucking fantastic.  Hell, it's about the only reason I was enjoyed it as much as I did.  Simon Adreau carries the film in my opinion.  While the supporting cast is fantastic and do a wonderful job at bringing to life many colorful characters, it's Adreau and his intensity that makes the film what it is.  The story for this one is one that speaks volumes when you say it out loud but watching it on film is like beating a dead horse.  We follow a priest who wants to get laid.  It's ALL he can think about and lets us know about it over and over again.  We do have a little bit of intrigue when he starts to fall for the married woman but that doesn't happen until later in the film.  I really wish we had more to the story than a horny priest and a battered wife.  Finally, this is purely a drama with some funny moments so don't expect a body count and memorable gore.  The film is purely a character piece and nothing else.  Overall, The Priest has a stellar cast and a story that should have been more enjoyable than it was.  It's very repetitive and doesn't give the viewer anything worthwhile.  I wanted to love it but couldn't get into it.  

Battered Flesh

Director - Javier Aguirre (Count Dracula's Great Love, Hunchback of the Morgue)

Starring - Esperanza Roy (X, Medea 2), Barbara Rey (The Night of the Sorcerers, ...And Give Us Our Daily Sex), and Tota Alba (Inquisition, Demon Witch Child)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Drama

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      When I was looking over the films in the Exorcismo set from Severin, I was shocked to see that it didn't have a women in prison film in it considering how popular they were in the 70s.  I've reviewed dozens of these films over the years from boutique labels like Severin, Vinegar Syndrome, and Blue Underground.  Hell, even Full Moon and Troma have a few in their catalogue of films.  However, as I worked my way through the set and reached the 1978 film Battered Flesh I was excited to see that it was a women in prison flick.  The title made me think I was diving into a horror film but I was wrong.  It was a pleasant surprise and a solid film for what it was.

    The film follows a woman who finds herself behind bars for what appears to be fraud.  Here she is beaten, degraded, and humiliated by guards and other prisoners.  While she does find some friendship inside the walls, transfers and releases keep an everchanging dynamic in the prison yard.

     Battered Flesh is pretty straight forward for a women in prison flick.  The story is nothing we haven't seen before, the characters are pretty cliched especially by the late 70s, yet I still had fun with it.  It's nothing original but still fun.  The acting in this one is very one sided.  Roy does most of the heavy lifting in the film.  She's delivers a solid performance but the lack of character development and personality makes her blend into the background.  The supporting cast is pretty bland but no one tosses in a women in prison flick for good acting.  The story for this one is nothing we haven' seen before especially in a film with a premise like this.  A woman who is wrongfully convicted or convicted of a small crime is sent to a women's prison where she is sexually and physically abused, degraded, and singled out.  It's clearly a vehicle to get women nude and it succeeds.  With that being said, the drams works and is just enough to hold the viewer's attention.  Finally, we might have a little of the red stuff but don't expect a movie with some fun deaths.  We have some skin and that is about the extent of it.  Overall, Battered Flesh is a movie that is not going to really stick with the viewer after but was fun especially for a first time watch.  Check it out.  

The Odd Job

Director - Peter Medak (The Changeling, Breaking Bad)

Starring - Graham Chapman (Monty Python's The Life of Brian, Monty Python and the Holy Grail), David Jason (Count Duckula, Dramarama), and Diana Quick (Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka, Kolchak: The Night Stalker)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "It's murder having the Odd Job man around"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I never realized just how legendary Peter Medak's career was.  I knew he helmed an episodes of the iconic horror series Masters of Horror, Tales from the Crypt, The Twilight Zone,  along with the classic horror films The Changeling and Species II.  I had no idea his career involved episodes of Breaking Bad, Hannibal, Carnivale, 7th Heaven, The Wire, and so much more.  His career is pretty insane when you sit back and look at it all.  He started in the mid-60s and was directing movies up until 2018.  That's incredible in it's own right but the quality of these films and television episodes are phenomenal.  I was extremely excited to check out this earlier films that was sent over for review from Severin Films.  I started my little marathon of his films with the 1978 comedy The Odd Job.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one my way!

     The film follows the dull and boring Arthur (Chapman) who returns home on his wedding anniversary to find his wife leaving him.  He's unable to cope with her absence and decides to kill himself.  However, he has a problem with that.  He's doesn't have the balls to do it. He then gets the idea to hire an odd jobs man to do it for him.  Things then take a weird turn when his wife returns to him forcing him to try to stop the hit he has on his own life.  That turns out to be rather difficult when he is unable to find the odd job man.  Now, he is wanting to live his best life again with his wife while keeping an eye over his shoulder looking for his would be murderer.  

     The Odd Job is a movie I knew I was going to enjoy before I even hit play on it.  I wasn't around during the height of Monty Python's fame but I did watch several of the movies growing up with my Dad.  I was a fan and would often revisit them during my high school and college years.  I still watch Holy Grail and Life of Brian from time to time and consider them to be timeless classics.  I was already familiar with Graham Chapman and was looking forward to checking out another comedy with this legend.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun.  We have an energetic performance from Chapman and David Jason.  These two made the film for me and their chemistry on screen lead to a lot of laughs.  The supporting cast is solid, with some laughs brought in by them as well, but it's these two that made the film what it was for me.  The story for this one is not something new especially by this point in the 70s.  I've seen several other films, mostly comedies, featuring films with someone that paid to have a hit on someone only to change their mind.  With that being said, this film was funnier than those other films but still painfully predictable.  The laughs does cover up the predictability but it just doesn't have the replay value of the other films I've seen with most of this cast in it.  Finally, this is not a film with a body count of bloodshed.  It's a comedic film based heavily on character interactions and development.  Overall, The Odd Job is a must see for fans of 70s cinema or those that find the Monty Python films and shows funny.  I highly enjoyed it and recommend checking out this release from Severin.  It's well worth it.  

    

The Last Romantic Lover

Director - Just Jaeckin (Emmanuelle, The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak)

Starring - Dayle Haddon (Cyborg, The Hitchhiker), Gerard Ismael (Money Talks, Lonely Hearts), and Fernando Rey (Star Knight, Honey)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Romance

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     While it may be October and I’m in full horror mode I still find myself taking the time to check out some other non-horror releases. I don’t mind especially during the month of October because I do tend to over do it in preparation for Halloween. Sometime back I received word that Cult Epics was releasing Just Jaeckin’s The Last Romantic Lover from 1978. This is one that had been on my radar once I was turned on to exploitation, especially sexploitation, cinema so I was really looking forward to this release. I reached out to Cult Epics and they were kind enough to send a copy my way. If I’m going to interrupt my horror binge it might as well be with a movie like this.

      The film follows a lion tamer with a dying circus. He was entered into a contest by his carnival family in hopes he would win and they could the much needed money to update their circus along with replacing their recently deceased lion. The contest is being put on by a women’s magazine and the lion tamer qualifies. He makes it to the top ten and soon romance blooms between him and the woman who put the contest together who is already in a relationship. 

      The Last Romantic Lover was a surprisingly well put together and shot film. The cinematography is amazing and the story definitely caught me off guard. I was expecting a sleazy adventure but was given a surprisingly sultry romantic flick with memorable moments and characters. The acting in this one is very well done. There is no weak links in this film. The cast has some great characters written for them and they do one hell of a job bringing them to life. The story for this one starts out setting the ground work for what sounds like a sleazy good time but the film switches it up and actually plays out like a romantic film with some skin. It’s not as nudie as I was expecting but the story and delivery really impressed me. It has decent pacing but a few scenes do struggle to find their footing. Finally, don’t expect blood in this one. We get a character driven story with romance and intrigue but that is it. Overall, The Last Romantic is going to be destroyed by horror trolls in the comment section because it’s not a horror title. However, it’s a lot of fun. Cult movie fans will really dig this one. I highly recommend checking out this release from Cult Epics.

Hotel Fear

Director - Francesco Barilli (The Perfume of the Lady in Black, Especially on Sunday)

Starring - Luc Merenda (Hostel: Part II, Tough to Kill) Leonora Fani (Giallo in Venice, Born for Hell), and Francisco Rabal (Dagon, Nightmare City)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been more open to international films in recent years but I'm still learning a lot and thanks to companies like Mondo Macabro I'm able to check out some seriously underrated and obscure films that I would have normally skipped over.  However, as fun as it is to check out an international film I had never heard of before I sometimes don't enjoy the film.  I can't like them all and I simply refuse to lie.  I'm always honest but respectful.  When Mondo's release of the 1978 murder mystery Hotel Fear arrived for review I figured I wouldn't care for it.  It just didn't look like something I would find interesting.  However, after I watched Strangler vs. Strangler I decided to go ahead and dig into it.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro and CAV for sending this one over.

     The film follows a young woman who finds herself in charge of a hotel during the tail end of World War II when her mother mysteriously dies.  Problems with her sexually aggressive tenants are the least of her problems when someone starts killing the guests when they cross the line.

     I was fully expecting to hate Hotel Fear.  It just didn't look like a film I would enjoy but I quickly found myself liking it.  It was entertaining and it's a movie I could see most genre fans, especially those that enjoy giallo and period pieces, getting behind.  I'm glad I took the chance and I'm even more grateful that Mondo Macabro was able to bring this one to us.  The acting in this one is very enjoyable.  I really liked the characters that the movie brings us and the cast is brilliant.  I really enjoyed how well the cast worked with one another and how far they went with their characters.  There were a few awkward scenes but I blame that on the language barrier instead of the actual acting.  The story for this one is a solid murder mystery but I did find it to be a bit of a dull ride at times.  I loved the story setting, the location, and the backstory.  However, the film spends too much time focusing on the tenants of the building and their overactive sex drives.  It would have been just as effective if half the time was spent on it.  Also, the dialogue is a bit dull at times.  The entertaining characters make up for it mostly but most of the dialogue is dull.  It doesn't take away from the entire film but you will catch yourself wanting to check social media as the film rolls on.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  The kills fit the themes of the film but it doesn't really offer up anything red or fun for horror fans.  Overall, Hotel Fear is a fun World War II entered horror film that focuses more on the murder mystery aspect than it does the war.  It's fun and the cast makes it enjoyable but if you are looking for a gruesome horror flick then this is not for you.  Honestly, I recommend this one and highly recommend snagging this Mondo Macabro release.    

Pastorale 1943

Director - Wim Verstappen (Black Rider, Blue Movie)

Starring - Frederik de Groot (The Little Riders, Star Cops), Leen Jongewaard (My Blue Heaven, Looking for Eileen), and Coen Flink (The Bluffers, Flanagan)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - War/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Back when I received the press release for this release I wasn't too keen on Pastorale 1943.  The artwork was boring and the synopsis just didn't sound that entertaining.  Hell, the only reason I even requested this set for review was for Julia and Mysteries.  However, when I finished both those films and tossed in Pastorale 1943 I was surprised by how great the film was.  It is one of the better films in the set and another prime example of why a movie fan should never judge a book by it's cover.

     The film follows a small Dutch village that is occupied by German forces in 1943.  We follow a group of unorganized resistance fighters who plan on assassinating one of their own because they are a Nazi sympathizer.  

     Pastorale 1943 is easily my favorite film in the set but it's far from perfect.  It suffers from timing issues and the movie is far too long for the type of story we are given.  I really did enjoy it but at over two hours long I found myself truly struggling to finish it.  It's a great period piece about Nazi occupation that many history buffs can appreciate.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  I loved the characters and how far the cast went to bring them to life.  Some of the scenes have light humor which they pull off perfectly but I was really impressed by how great the casting was here.  It is a bit of a shame how little Sylvia Kristel was in the film considering how the film is part of her box set from Cult Epics.  The story for this one is great. It's a war time drama with a lot of characters and a story that is easy to follow but worth the pay off.  The story could be condensed to fix the lengthy run time due to it's ridiculous length.  However, if it was around an hour and a half it would be more manageable.  I love the set up and premise but the pacing and timing is a little off for my tastes.  Finally, don't expect a bloody film or one with lots of skin.  It's focused on the story which has no room for blood or boobs.  Overall, Pastorale 1943 is another odd one that I was sent for review but I fucking loved.  I highly recommend this one especially if you are looking for something outside of horror.  It's a lot of fun.  

Mysteries

Director - Paul de Lussanet (Dear Boys, Alle Dagen Feest)

Starring - Rutger Hauer (Hobo with a Shotgun, Blind Fury), Sylvia Kristel (Emmanuelle, Dracula's Widow), and David Rappaport (Amazing Stories, The Bride)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Drama/Mystery

Tagline - "The romance.  The ecstasy.  The passion"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I originally saw the announcement for Cult Epics release of Sylvia Kristel 1970's Collection I was seriously interested in 1978's Mysteries starring Kristel and Rutger Hauer.  I've reviewed several films starring Hauer over the years but this was one I was very interested in.  The film was based on Knut Hamsun's novel and was surprisingly well received when it was originally released.  I don't think I had seen a Hauer film from the 70s so as soon as I finished Julia I was ready to toss in this drama.  Like always, I would like thank Cult Epics for sending this one over.

     The film follows a wealthy visitor to a small coastal town where he makes a name for himself by being mysterious.  He befriends a little man nicknamed Midget and before long becomes involved with two women but who is the man and why does he act so strangely?

     Mysteries is not the type of movie many of us would expect me to review for Horror Society.  However, it's exactly the type of film that I wanted to review when I started this journey a decade ago.  I wanted to review movies that were lost to time and Mysteries is just one of those films.  I appreciate that Cult Epics took the chance with this one and included it in their set because it was a lot of fun.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  Sadly, Kristel was not the star of the show with Hauer and Rappaport taking front and center.  She is in the film quit a bit but this is a vehicle for Hauer and he makes good use of his screen time.  It was strange seeing how young he was here and he still does a fantastic job.  The supporting cast is great as well but it's Hauer that pulls the viewer in.  The story for this one is well paced and put together but it does take a minute to get the ball rolling.  Once it picks up you find yourself pulled in and wondering what will happen next.  It's not predictable but once you've seen it you know exactly what to look for during your second viewing which does take away from it's replay value.  Honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it progressed.  It wasn't over complicated or too long.  It fit the run time perfectly.  Finally, don't expect a body count with this one.  It's a drama that looks like it was made for television with no blood or carnage. Overall, Mysteries will draw hate from many of you that read my reviews but for those of you looking for a drama will enjoy this one very much so.  It's a great film.  

     

Stunt Rock

Director - Brian Trenchard-Smith (The Man from Hong Kong, Night of the Demons 2)

Starring - Grant Page (Deathcheaters, Mad Dog Morgan), Monique van de Ven (Paint it Black, Wizards and Warriors), and Margaret Gerard (Out of the Body, Dawn!)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Musical/Action

Tagline - "Death wish at 120 decibels"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     My ozploitation journey, thanks to Umbrella Entertainment, has been very entertaining for the most part.  There has been a lot of wild movies ranging from romantic comedies, to horror, and sci-fi but very few are as weird and unique as 1978's Stunt Rock.  The film is a medley of musicals, mockumentary, highlight reel, and action all wrapped together.  It's a different film for sure but one I really enjoyed.  This one was recently released by Umbrella as part of their Ozploitation Classics line and they were kind enough to send a copy my way for review.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows Australian stunt legend Grant Page who travels the U.S. to help a fantasy inspired band grow their stage show to include magic tricks and explosions.  While helping the band the film showcases some of his wildest and memorable stunts and a bevy of interviews from those that know and work with him.

     I had no idea what this movie was going to be about but the poster and tagline sold me on it.  The movie what not what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it.  It doesn't have much of a replay value but it's fantastic for a first time watch.  The cast consists of the band members of the U.S. band Sorcery, Page, and several others that has worked with him in other films and projects.  They don't really have characters and the film doesn't really have in depth interviews with people so it's really hard to judge this aspect of the film.  I will say that it did open me up to the band and I know have some of their songs on my iTunes so that was a plus.  The story for this one pretty much just follows inserts of Page working with Sorcery, Page performing stunts, and Sorcery performing on stage.  It doesn't really deliver much more aside from that.  However, I will say that I would have loved this even more if it was about Sorcery instead of Page.  I know how much he has contributed to film and Australian cinema but Sorcery was the real star of the show here.  Finally, the film doesn't have any blood and gore for those of you interested.  Instead, we get some cool as stunts and some concert footage from Sorcery.  It's an odd film but really enjoyable.  Overall, Stunt Rock was not what I was expecting when this one showed up for review but I would be lying if I said I didn't like it.  It was a lot of fun and I walked away with a new band to enjoy.  I highly recommend snagging this release from Umbrella Entertainment.  

The Toolbox Murders

Director - Dennis Donnelly (They Came from Outer Space, Project U.F.O.)

Starring - Cameron Mitchell (Memorial Valley Massacre, Action U.S.A.), Pamelyn Ferdin (A Boy Named Charlie Brown, Shazam!), and Wesley Eure (Land of the Lost, PS After Dark)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Bit by bit... by bit he carved a nightmare"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I hate to admit it but there is hundreds of "classic" horror films that I've never been able to see for various reasons.  Some are a little more obscure and difficult to find but others are more popular and easily attainable.  It's not that I don't want to see these films because I do.  In fact, there is some films that I've actively tried to watch several times but failed to do so.  Several weeks back Blue Underground announced the release of the 1978 classic The Toolbox Murders.  This is one that I had tried to watch several times before.  The first time was when a friend snagged a DVD of the film dirt cheap on eBay when we were in high school but the disc was scratched beyond repair.  A few years later I tried again and picked up a copy of it used at FYE.  That night I was going to toss it in and and was surprised to find the remake that was directed by the late Tobe Hopper inside the packaging of the original.  Since then I have grabbed the correct DVD that works but with writing reviews it's hard for me to find the time to watch it. After the announcement I reached out to my friends over at Blue Underground and they agreed to send a copy over for me to check out.  Like always, I want to thank you guys for hooking me up with a copy to review.  

     The film follows the women of an apartment building who finds themselves at the hands of a mad man with a toolbox.  He goes from room to room stalking and killing them one by one with the contents of his toolbox.  As he progresses through the building he finds the underage and beautiful Laurie (not Strode) and kidnaps her.  Soon others in the building star looking for her and discovers who the real killer is.  

     The Toolbox Murders had the unfortunate timing of being released the same year John Carpenter's Halloween was.  Though it was shadowed by Halloween's success I believe TBM to be the better film. Halloween is a classic and for damn good reason.  It's a fantastic slasher and one I try to watch every Halloween.  It's great.  However, The Toolbox Murders is more my speed.  It's sleazy, bloody, and far more entertaining.  I'm not saying this to suck Blue Underground's ass but I enjoy the sleazier side of cinema and The Toolbox Murders delivers on it.  It's not perfect but neither are most exploitation and slasher flicks.  The acting in this one is decent for the most part but the cast has plenty of room to grow.  Most of the characters are written to be very generic but the cast does a great job with what they were given.  The female cast has a more demanding role and they are fully dedicated to it while the male cast still tries but are not a part of the scene as much as the female cast.  The story for this one is simple and straight to the point.  It's a grimy slasher with tons of nudity and a predictable story but that doesn't take away from it.  With films like this it's not the destination but the ride there.  Plenty of blood, a lot of boobs, and one tub masturbation scene makes this one a must see for genre fans.  It does hit a slow portion here or there but it's still well worth your time.  Finally, the film has a decent body count with a lot of blood.  The effects are nothing that stands out but the blood is a plenty and most of the time it's with nudity which makes up for the lack of effects.  Overall, The Toolbox Murders is a sleazy slasher that isn't necessarily overlooked but it doesn't get the respect it truly deserves.  I'm kicking myself for waiting this long to finally see it.  This release from BU is fucking perfect and a must own for genre fans.  I highly recommend it.  

Debbie Does Dallas

Director - Jim Buckley (Teenage Pajama Party, SOS: Screw on the Screen)

Starring - Bambi Woods (Debbie Does Dallas Part II, Debbie Does Dallas III: The Final Chapter), Christie Ford (Twilite Pink, Velvet High)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "Everyone on the team scores when her pom-poms fly!"

Format - Streaming 

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in late elementary school I found myself drifting toward becoming a movie fan and by the time I had reached middle school I was fully obsessed with collecting horror, exploitation, and sci-fi.  Things took a more serious turn when I joined the forums at Upcoming Horror Movies in the early years of high school.  It was here that I learned so much about horror, underground, and exploitation.  It was also during this time that I heard about Debbie Does Dallas which is probably one of the most popular sexploitation films to ever exist.  It's cultural impact can still be seen today.  Sometime back Vinegar Syndrome released Debbie Does Dallas Part II on blu as part of their Peekarama line.  I snagged a copy but before I dived into it I decided to finally watch the film that started it all.

     The film follows Debbie (Woods) who is wanting to go to Dallas so she can try out for the Texas Cowboys but her parents refuse to send her.  She decides to raise the money on her own and her friends chip in to help.  They all take on odd jobs but when they see that they are not raising the money fast enough they quickly change their methods when they realize that sex pays more. 

     I love reviewing exploitation and sexploitation flicks especially if they are films that have been lost to the sands of time but Debbie Does Dallas is one of the few sexploitation films that everyone has heard of.  However, I have a hard time watching a movie and not talking about it so here I am.  The acting in this one is one of the better acted adult films from the golden age of porn.  Bambi Woods was quick to rise to stardom after the release of this film but I found her to be the weakest part of the movie.  The supporting cast deliver better performances while carrying the film in my opinion.  Woods is beautiful but she's extremely awkward to watch most of the time and her sex scenes were no where near as energetic as her co-stars.  The story for this one works for a sexploitation film and the little touch of football is a brilliant way to market it to sports fans.  It's obvious focus is the sex but having the female cast working to make money and selling sexual favors works as a sexploitation flick.  It's a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyable.  Finally, those of you looking for a lot of sex will enjoy this one.  I liked the story but the sex scenes are underwhelming but not bad.  I've reviewed several dozens of sexploitation flicks and almost all of them feature sex scenes that are far more entertaining than this.  Overall, Debbie Does Dallas is a lot of fun and rightly deserving of the fame it as obtained over the decades.  I highly recommend checking this out especially if you are fan of the sleazier side of cinema.  

The Frenchman's Garden

Director - Paul Naschy (Howl of the Devil, Panic Beats)

Starring - Maria Jose Cantudo (Blade of Darkness, Bordello), Agata Lys (Trauma, The Holy Innocents), and Paul Naschy

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror/Crime

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     This house is and always will be a home for the legendary Paul Naschy.  Sadly, there is a few of his films that I don't care for but the ones that I do I absolutely adore.  His films have amazing characters, fantastic atmosphere, and the stories are almost always mesmerizing.  When Mondo Macabro announced that they would be releasing the 1978 Naschy flick The Frenchman's Garden I knew I was going to add it to my October horror binge.  I want to thank CAV and Mondo for allowing Horror Society the opportunity to check this one out.  

     The film follows Juan (Naschy) who owns a brothel and is married to a beautiful woman.  However, he has a secret life of sleeping with the ladies in the brothel and knocking them up.  When he doesn't make the money he wants he results to killing rich patrons to his brothel with the help of his right hand man.  

     I didn't know what to expect when I was going into The Frenchman's Garden.  Naschy is known for his flamboyancy and living in the limelight.  He loved the attention he received and always preferred top billing on his projects which is understandable.  However, with this one he opted to keep his name off the film to focus on the two female leads.  This lead me to believe that the film was centered around them more than Naschy which was not the case.  The acting in this one is great.  Naschy once again shines as the morally questionable business owner who will do anything, including murder, to cover his own ass.  I loved the character he portrays and he is so comfortable in the role.  The supporting cast is just as enjoyable but Naschy is center stage like always.  I thoroughly enjoyed him in this role.  The story for this one is more like a period piece with elements of horror and crime.  The horror does take the back seat while the drama and crime aspect take up a majority of the film.  Honestly, I enjoyed it but it is a story that we have seen before especially in other 70s based horror tales.  The pacing is damn near perfect and the scenes may dialogue heavy but they are very enjoyable.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments but don't expect to see memorable deaths.  The few deaths we get are quick with very little redeeming quality with very little redeeming qualities.  Overall, The Frenchman's Garden is a fantastic release from Mondo Macabro.  It's not the best movie to spin during your October viewing but I liked it.  I highly recommend snagging this one.  

Killer's Delight

Director - Jeremy Hoenack

Starring - James Luisi (The Hidden, Baywatch Nights), Susan Sullivan (Justice League, The Comedy Company), and John Karlen (Night of the Shadows, House of Dark Shadows)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Five girls this week!  How many next week?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome has done an amazing job at bringing long forgotten and relatively unknown films from the late 60s, 70s, 80s, and early 90s to many movie collectors over the years.  Some have not been good but a good portion of these releases were fantastic with almost all of them being first time watches for me.  When Vin Syn announced the release of Killer's Delight I was very curious about the film.  It was one I had heard about under the name The Dark Ride but had never seen.  After watching The Lamp I couldn't wait to finally check it out.  

     The film follows a small town detective in California who is dealing with a string of murders involving beautiful young women who was hitchhiking.  He teams up with a San Francisco detective to track him down before more young ladies become another statistic.  

     I didn't know what to expect from Killer's Delight when I tossed it in but I actually enjoyed it a lot.  the blending of true crime and police drama actually works for a late 70s horror flick.  It may not be up to speed for some horror fans but as someone who loves character driven stories I found myself pulled into this one.  The acting in this one is not the best.  A lot of the scenes feel goofy and awkward but it's far from being the worst I've seen.  The characters, the two male leads included, are easily forgettable and could be replaced with a number of other characters from films out the same time with little to no change to the film.  The story for this one is is a police drama that meets a true crime storyline.  We get a cop who is dedicated to his job who finds himself investigating a string of murders involving young women who happens to have a daughter the same age as the victims.  He takes it personal and starts searching for the killer relentlessly.  It works as a straight forward horror drama but it's clearly inspired by the murders of Ted Bundy.  I really enjoyed the investigation stand point and how they scattered the hitchhiking murders throughout.  The film does slow down to a snails pace at times but if you stick with it you find the story picking up before it causes damage.  Finally, the film is not bloody or gruesome.  The deaths take place off screen and we get just a little drop of blood here or there.  The film gets an rise out of the viewer by getting you attached to the character before they die.  Overall, Killer's Delight was an unexpected surprise.  I really enjoyed it but I wish this release would have used the other alternate title Sports Killer because it fit the film a lot better.  The release from Vin Syn is great and another must own for collectors.  Check it out.  

Patrick

Director - Richard Franklin (Visitors, The Lost World)

Starring - Susan Penhaligon (Doctor Who, Count Dracula), Robert Helpmann (Cinderella, The Ghost Sonata), and Rod Mullinar (Patrick: Evil Awakens, Killing Time)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "Patrick is nearly dead...and still he kills"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    When movie fans think of ozploitation they immediately think of Mad Max.  As much as I love Mad Max and even the horror minded film Razorback, I've always considered Patrick to be the quintessential ozploitation flick.  I'm not saying it's a better film or more popular but considering the time and how embedded it became in the horror genre I think it would be a crime to say anything else is the face of ozsploitation.  Anyway, this is one I had seen when I was in college and really enjoyed so when Umbrella Entertainment announced a blu release of it I had to revisit it.  I quickly hit them up and they were kind enough to send a copy my way for review.  Thanks guys!

      The film follows a nurse that is going through a divorce and rejoining the workforce.  She takes a job working at a hospital where a comatose patient, Patrick, has been a patient for three years.  An innocent enough job turns strange when minor occurrences happen around Patrick but soon she learns that he is able to do things with his mind and wants her all to himself...and willing to kill to get her.  

     Patrick is a fantastic film that blends some great horror tension with a sci-fi storyline and it works.  I really enjoy the characters and how someone stuck in a bed can still have a menacing tone about them.  It's a very effective film but it doesn't really have any replay value.  The acting in this one is great.  Penhaligon is fantastic as the nurse in charge of caring for Patrick.  I really enjoyed her performance.  She's absolutely gorgeous and her emotional range is truly astounding.  The supporting cast is just as impressive.  With that being said, Robert Thompson as Patrick is fucking nightmare inducing.  His bug-eyed blank stare is genuinely eerie and adds a whole new level of chills to the film.  He was perfectly cast for this film and his look still sends chills down my spine.  The story for this one is a medical sci-fi film with a deep horror influence.  The setting of the old hospital works in the film's favor but what really sets this one out for me is the bed ridden Patrick starring off.  These scenes were extremely effective for me.  The last act of the film is a little goofy but I personally enjoyed it for what it is.  I'm sure it was even more effective in the late 70s when it was released.  Finally, the film has some make-up effects and a few fun deaths but nothing that really jumps out at the viewer.  I thoroughly enjoyed the head nurses death scene the most especially seeing the make-up effects used but fans of blood and gore may be a little disappointed.  Overall, Patrick is a film that I have always recommended to genre fans and will continue to do so.  This release is leagues above the poor quality DVD release that I snagged some years back.  Umbrella did this film justice.  

Are You in the House Alone?

Director - Walter Grauman (Tales of the Unexpected, The Golden Gate Murders)

Starring - Kathleen Beller (The Sword and the Sorcerer, The Godfather Part II), Blythe Danner (Paul, The X-Files), and Tony Bill (Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Barb Wire)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     A lot of the made for television movies from the 70s and 80s get a bad rep from genre fans but there has been so many films from that time that were very entertaining.  I'm one of the biggest champions of sleazy movies but there is something fun about a horror or thriller that was made for cable.  Even though they lacked nudity and gore they still find a way to entertain.  When Vinegar Syndrome announced volume 1 of their Televised Terrors box set I knew I was adding it to my collection.  The three films in the set were new to me and I couldn't wait to dig into them.  The first one on the chopping block was 1978's Are You in the House Alone?

     The film follows a young high school student who begins to receive mysterious notes on her locker.  At first she suspects a former boyfriend but as the notes grow she suspects it was someone else.  Her suspicions ring true when her a friend of hers makes his way into her house and rapes her.  Forced with being ostracized for telling the truth or catching him red handed she sets out to capture pictures of him harassing other women.

     A lot of movies piggy back off other films and sometimes they are able to do it successfully.  Are You in the House Alone aired in 1978 and one year later the classic When a Stranger Calls was released.  Both films have similar stories but it's easy to see that When a Stranger Calls took one aspect of the film and turned it into every parent's nightmare while AYitHA gives the viewer a dark look into the horrors that almost every teenage girl has experienced to some degree especially during this timeframe.  It's a great film and one that pulls on your emotions.  As a father of two little girls I found myself very unnerved by this one.  The acting in this one is great.  Beller is a fantastic lead and does an amazing job.  She carries emotions very well in the scenes and makes the story so heartbreaking.  I really enjoyed her performance and I don't think the film would be nearly as intense if someone else was cast in the role.  The supporting cast does a decent enough job but the performance that really caught me off guard was from a very young Dennis Quaid who portrays a spoiled rich kid that uses his family's position in society to get away with incredibly vile acts.  I did not see that coming and he did a phenomenal job.  The story for this one keeps the viewer guessing as the story progresses.  We begin the film knowing she is raped but we go back to a time before it happens where the film sets up several red herrings to throw the viewer off.  It works for the most part and is a lot of fun guessing who the scumbag really is.  With that being said, the red herrings and dead ends do get a little dull as the film progresses.  Something new needed introduced to keep the viewers on their toes.  Finally, don't expect to see any blood with this one.  It's character and story driven with no blood or gore for the hardcore horror fans.  Overall, Are You in the House Alone? is a fun one if you give it a chance.  It's not the type of horror most of us would go out of the way for but it's entertaining if you are open for it.  I highly recommend it.  

Cyclone

Director - Rene Cardona Jr. (Treasure of the Amazon, The Bermuda Triangle)

Starring - Arthur Kennedy (Cave of the Sharks, Dirty World), Carroll Baker (Kindergarten Cop, Thriller), and Lionel Stander (The Transformers: The Movie, Treasure Island)

Release Date -1978

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "The terror storm was only the beginning... but the sharks would be the merciless end"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started the Rene Cardona Jr. triple feature I was really looking forward to checking out Treasure of the Amazon.  I started with that one and really enjoyed it.  However, the same can not be said for the second film in the set, The Bermuda Triangle.  It was a chore to finish but it did had a few fun moments.  I was on the fence with Cyclone after I watched the half-assed Bermuda Triangle but once I tossed in it I was surprised to see that this was the best film in the set.  I was not prepared for this hard hitting natural disaster masterpiece.  The Cardona Collection Vol. 1 was worth the price for this film alone!

     The film follows a group of tourists afloat on the open sea when a freak cyclone damages their vessel.  Sometime goes by and they find a small raft afloat with more survivors of a sunken ship and a downed aircraft.  They quickly find themselves without water and food.  When they start to die from the heat and malnutrition they result to cannibalism in order to survive.  

     I went into this one assuming it was going to be as stale as the other Cardona flick from 1978 but I was wrong.  Very wrong.  Cyclone had a straight forward story that had me sitting on the edge of my seat.  The acting in this one is phenomenal.  The cast was put through what looks like pure hell to pull off these shots.  Their dedication to their roles could never be questioned and the characters they portrayed were so enjoyable.  I loved the cast and they were a major factor in my love for this film.  The story for this one is so straight forward but the atmosphere and tension is so well done that you find yourself inching forward in your seat as the scene progresses.  The last 40 minutes or so of the film is absolutely fantastic and the dark realities of survival really makes this movie a must see for genre fans.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood and some light practical effects but they are not the center of the scene like most horror films.  Instead, the story and characters are the focus much like the rest of the film.  Overall, Cyclone is a fantastic film with a gripping story and an amazing cast.  This is the jewel of this set and I highly recommend it.