House of Seven Belles

Director - Andy Milligan (Blood, Dragula)

Starring - Dolores Barcia, Peter Barcia (Legacy of Blood), and Elaine Boies (Legacy of Blood)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Drama/Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As I prepared to toss in the final film in this set from Severin Films, I wondered if it would be a film that could be followed or another abysmal watch.  The movie was a bit different than the previous films in the set as it was shot in the late 70s before he ran out of money to finish it while the other unfinished films were shot in the 60s and fell on the cutting room floor as he moved on to other projects.  The film, House of Seven Belles, s a period piece horror drama that did not have an ending.  This intrigued me and made me think that it would be watchable until the last leg of the film.  I was mostly right.

     The film follows seven southern belles whose family was once prosperous but has since fell on hard times since the civil war.  However, they are all fighting for the little bit of inheritance that is left and along their journey is a various characters ranging from rapists, wounded soldiers, and a murderer who is stalking the property killing people one by one.

     I went into this one knowing absolutely nothing about it besides the fact that it was completely shot aside from the ending.  I had no idea it was a period piece about the deep south and filmed in New York but I found myself really enjoying it.  The acting in this one is very loud and stiff.  The cast is inexperienced and not really into their roles in a lot of the scenes.  We have a lot of screaming, flat dialogue, and no emotional range.  I really wanted to like these characters but it felt like a stage play with an anger management group.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting and found myself really drawn into it.  It's a period piece drama that has some slasher elements tossed in randomly.  It does not make a lot of sense and some of the scenes left me scratching my head but it held my attention which says something.  On the opposite side of the same coin, the lack of an ending is a bit disappointing.  Finally, the film does have a few deaths but they are not that memorable.  Honestly, I enjoyed them in the film itself but they don't really stand out and use minimal practical effects.  Overall, House of Seven Belles is not the film I was expecting from Andy Milligan.  It's an odd period piece set after the civil war with slasher tones and a lot of unlikable characters.  It's the biggest surprise in this set and one I would recommend watching.  It's still far from perfect and a movie I will never revisit but it's still wild for what it is.  

Arabian Adventure

Director - Kevin Connor (Motel Hell, The Land That Time Forgot)

Starring - Christopher Lee (The Wicker Man, Hugo), Milo O'Shea (Barbarella, Theater of Blood), and Oliver Tobias (The Wicked Lady, Robin of Sherwood)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure

Tagline - "Soar into a magical world of action, excitement and enchantment"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     This Christopher Lee collection from Severin Films has been a big surprise.  When I received this one for review I immediately noticed that I had only seen one film in the set prior to it's release.  Since then I've realized that I had seen another film in the set but it was under an alternate title.  With that being said, this set has been a lot of fun and only seems to be getting better.  As I hit play on the fourth film, Arabian Adventures from 1979, I was surprised to see how stacked this cast was and that it was directed by Kevin Connor.  I had never seen this one before but I couldn't wait to check it out.

     The film follows an evil ruler (Lee) who is after an ancient artifact that will grant him unspeakable power.  However, a young thief, his pet monkey, and an imprisoned prince to stop him from gaining the ultimate power and claiming the princess.

     I was really looking forward to checking this one out when I saw the cast list for it.  I figured the story for this one was going to be dated and steeped with unintentional racism that was common in American films from the 60s and 70s that represented other societies and cultures.  While it does show some of this to a degree, it was still a lot of fun for what it was.  The acting in this one is great once you look passed the white washing of the entire cast.  Lee as the evil ruler is absolutely brilliant and then we have fantastic performances from the entire cast.  While I would love to spend all day going over the cast alone for the film, I'm just too damn lazy to do so.  The story for this one is a lot like the classic film Thief of Baghdad where we have a prince who is being forced to find the ancient relic who befriends a young boy and his monkey to do it but must stop the evil ruler at all costs.  It's a fun fantasy adventure story with Middle Eastern customs that are white washed over in order to make them more appealing to western audiences.  Finally, the film is not one with blood and guts.  Instead, we get some really dated visual effects and camera tricks.  The film doesn't over do it in the special effects department due to budget issues but these gags does add to the fun of the film.  Overall, Arabian Adventure is a bit insensitive in regards to other races but is still a solid family friendly fantasy adventure.  I really enjoyed it and can see myself watching it a few more times before putting this set back on the shelf.  Check it out.

Sins of a Nympho

Director - Miguel Madrid (The Killer of Dolls, The Butcher if Binbrook)

Starring - Azucena Hernandez (The Night of the Werewolf, The Beasts' Carnival), Fernando Martin (Tango, Teatro), and Victor Petit (Street Warriors, Change of Sex)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I went into the Exorcismo set completely blind but I did have some assumptions after watching the documentary Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada "S."  I knew most of the films in the set were meant to push the boundaries of what would be allowed to be shown in cinema.  Considering the cover art for the set, I figured a good bit of the films were be horror or horror adjacent but I would be a fool if I didn't expect to see an erotic film or two.  Hell, every country has some sort of sexploitation to cash in on sex and it would only make sense that Spain would in the wake of Franco's death.  After watching a strange documentary about the changes Spain faced after Franco passed and a post-apocalyptic thriller with an angry blind mob, I was greeted with what I thought would be my first sexploitation film of the set.  This would be 1979's Sins of a Nympho.

      The film follows a conservative couple who finds is confronted by an older man.  He offers to pay them to attend a party.  They are reluctant to do so at first but decide to where they learn that the party is actually an orgy and the old man paying them is possibly a filmmaker wanting to film the sex acts.

     Sins of a Nympho is a strange film.  I was mostly expecting a sexploitation flick with too much nudity but what I found was a sex comedy with more sex than comedy.  I can see why this is included with the set but this one just wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is very one dimensional.  The characters are painfully cliched and the cast doesn't really deliver their lines with any sort of energy or conviction.  Sure, the nude scenes are more energetic but that is the only time.  The story for this one is somewhere between what we would have considered to be a sex comedy of the late 70s, similar to Porky's and King Frat, and the sexploitation films of the time.  The movie takes a little time to get going and by going I mean nudity.  We have very little in regards to story as we follow some very flat characters as they question if they should go to the party before eventually going.  The sex scene isn't that exciting and doesn't do enough heavy lifting for it's lack of story.  Finally, don't expect to see the red stuff in this one.  We get some skin and some awkward acting but that is the extent of it.  Overall, Sins of a Nympho is not what I was expecting.  Honestly, I believe the film was quickly shot to take advantage of the laxed restrictions that were placed on Spain's film industry following the death of Franco.  It's not a good movie but it's an important one.

The Power of Darkness

Director - Mario Sabato (To the Heart, India Pravile)

Starring - Carlos Anton (Breve Cielo, Alta Comedia), Cristina Banegas (The Two Popes, Dr. Lazarus), and Aldo Barbero (The Curious Dr. Humpp, Socias)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love it when a boutique labels focus on international titles.  For many of us it's the first or only time that some of these titles are brought to our attention.  I guess I could be more proactive and spend more time looking for obscure films but so many amazing companies like Mondo Macabro have done the work for me.  A few weeks ago I received the Argentinian thriller The Power of Darkness from Mondo Macabro with two other films from Spain.  I seriously love checking out films from decades ago from other countries and couldn't wait to dig into The Power of Darkness.  Like always, I want to take a moment to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a man who used to have it all but has found himself falling on hard times recently.  Struggling to to keep a roof over his head and food on the table, he is reintroduced to a childhood friend who tells him about a group of blind people who have entered a cabal to bring down those that can see.  He immediately starts thinking about the strange things that has happened to him recently and suspect that what he was told is actually true.  

     The Power of Darkness was nothing like I expected and was easily my favorite of the three films Mondo Macabro sent over for review.  It's a strange story with a solid cast and some great atmosphere that works as a late night watch or if you just want something different during the day.  The acting in this one is solid and very consistent.  While some of the performances were better than others, I still found myself really impressed by the cast.  Hell, even the supporting cast that only appears on screen for a brief moment delivers great performances.  The story for this one is very interesting for a late 70s film but feels right at home with our current political climate.  Here we have a film following a man that lost everything and is grasping at anything he can to get ahead when he is told about a group of blind individuals that are punishing those that are successful and not blind.  I'm sure it was a wild idea for the late 70s but in the world of Q, Trump as president, and the wild conspiracy theories we hear daily, it's something that feels not so wild.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  It has some great atmosphere and the location at the end of the film looks amazing but that is about the extent of it.  The film is a character piece and relies heavily on the protagonist.  Overall, The Power of Darkness is a fun watch with a story that is very unusual.  I really liked it but I know this one is not going to be for everybody.  I highly recommend it especially if you like movies that are unique.  

Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend

Director - Jeff Werner (Die Laughing, Kicking It)

Starring - Kristine DeBell (Meatballs, Trophy Heads), Jason Williams (Flesh Gordon, Danger Zone), and Anthony Lewis 

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Crime

Tagline - "Take them away for a weekend... then try and let them go!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     You can never judge a book by it's cover especially when you often blind buy movies like I do.  Sometimes movies paint a specific picture with it's cover art and name only to completely blow your mind when you finally watch it.  This just happened to me when I ordered a copy of Cheerleader's Wild Weekend from MVD.  This is part of their MVD Rewind Collection and looked like a fun late 70s or early 80s sec comedy.  However, once the film arrived and I tossed it in, I quickly realized that was not what this was.  Regardless, I still enjoyed it.

     The film follows two rival cheerleading squads on a bus to a competition when they find themselves kidnapped by a group of former football players for ransom.  However, as the police fumble to find the lost bus, the captors decide to host a sleazy beauty pageant with the cheerleaders while they wait for the ransom money.

     I went into this one expecting a Porky's/Malibu High type film. Instead, it was a raunchy crime thriller was still entertaining but not what I was really in the mood for.  I was expecting some cheap laughs and a lot of skin but a lot of skin and a bit of late 70s crime wasn't that bad.  The acting in this one is a bit better than I was expecting.  The characters are 100% forgettable but the cast is clearly having a lot of fun on set which translates very well to the scene  While the characters are one dimensional, it doesn't stop the cast from delivering decent enough performances.  With that being said, some of the cast is very inexperienced and it shows in several of the scenes.  The story for this one is not to be expected by the film's alternate title.  However, it's original title is more accurate to the film but it isn't as sexy.  The original title, The Great American Girl Robbery, perfectly sums up the actual film.  As for the story itself, the film has an average run time but the story could have been done in less than 40 minutes.  It's the random top less scenes that drags the time out.  I'm all for looking at beautiful women in next to nothing, or nothing for that matter, it does become a bit dull after the 20th or 30th time in the same film.  We needed more to it.  Finally, the film doesn't have a body count or any of the red stuff.  However, there is a lot of nudity and some raunchy puns for those interested.  Overall, Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend is a bit misleading but still enjoyable.  While the poster paints a much different picture, it still delivers on the beautiful women which is all that matter.  Check it out on blu from MVD now.  

Crocodile

Director - Sompote Sands (Space Warriors 2000, Hanuman vs. 7 Ultraman)

Starring - Nard Poowanai (Hands of Death, Ghost Hotel), Ni Tien (Human Lanterns, Corpse Mania), Angela Wells (Beyond Suspicion)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "From the slimy depths of the ocean.... nature explodes with savage fury"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    I've been a huge fan of the when nature attacks sub-genre for as long as I can remember.  I remember sitting with my grandma and watching Night of the Lepus with her.  From then on I remember watching countless movies featuring killer animals or common animals mutated by mad science or the like.  These campy, drive-in era films may not be perfect but very few people will deny how entertaining they are.  A few weeks back my friends over at Synapse Films sent over the blu release of the 1979 Thai horror film Crocodile from director Sompote Sands.  Like always, I want to thank Synapse for sending this one my way.  

    The film follows two doctors who are constantly working much to their wife's dismay.  However, they convince their dedicated men to go on vacation that would inadvertently turn into their last.  While at the beach both women are brutally attacked in the ocean and they suspect it was something other than a shark that did the heinous act.  When local fisherman start reporting large crocodile's in the ocean they soon realize they are dealing with something extremely unusual and deadly.  They quickly jump into action to catch or kill it when a small riverside village is attacked.

     Crocodile is one I had heard about for years but never had the opportunity to check it out.  It wasn't until Synapse sent over the blu release that I had actually seen the film in physical form.  This made me dig a little deeper into the release history on this one.  Honestly, I'm glad I waited until now because Synapse did a fantastic job and I'm glad it was their release that I watched for the first time.  However, I didn't really care for the film.  While I loved the giant croc carnage, the film was painfully dull.  The acting in this one was fairly well done.  The film is extremely campy and while the acting is a bit cheesy, some of the more action packed scenes does feature some solid acting.  The characters are a bit flat but the cast does their best to make them stand out and not blend in with the background.  The story for this one is pretty cliched by this point.  We've all seen movies where an animal, in this case it's a croc, that is mutated to bigger than normal sizes and terrorizes a small town.  It's textbook by this point.  However, most of these films are able to pull together scenes that are watchable.  Crocodile does not do this.  Instead, we get long, drawn out scenes full of the most pointless dialogue I've seen to date.  A lot of editing and trimming down of scenes would have help the pacing in this one tremendously.  Finally, the film has some blood and some fun camera tricks to make the croc look bigger than it actually is.  The miniatures are fun as well which adds to the appeal of the effects.  Overall, Crocodile has some fun effects and some solid acting but the story and editing makes it difficult to finish.  Sadly, this is one I would recommend skipping.   

The Crippled Masters

Director - Chi Lo (Black Magic, The Hell)

Starring - Sung-Chuan Shen (The Crippled Heroes, Fighting Life), Chao-Ming Kang (Raiders of the Shaolin Temple, Fighting Life), and Chiu Ho 

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Action

Tagline - "Two crippled brothers  one indestructible force.  Revenge against all odds!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've always had a fondness for old martial arts films.  I remember watching several of them with my dad as a kid and several more with friends during my teenage years.  When I was in college I remember snagging a poorly made DVD release of 1979's The Crippled Masters to watch with some friends while we were drinking.  I remember really liking the movie but hating that barebones release with VHS quality video.  I held on to it just in case I ever wanted to watch it again and forgot about it over time.  However, that changed when Film Masters sent over their new release of the film on blu.  This gave me the perfect opportunity to revisit it.  Like always, I want to thank Film Masters for sending this one over.  

     The film follows two men who find themselves severely disabled by a gang that they once proudly supported.  Now, one without arms and the other without the use of his legs, must work together to become one warrior and stop their former gang from terrorizing more people.

     I seriously enjoy this zany yet amazingly choreographed martial arts film.  Not only because of the great character development but because the fight scenes truly have to be seen to be believed.  The acting in this one is pretty cheesy at times but that's part of the charm that makes Hong Kong cinema so much fun.  The characters, for the most part, had a great back story which gave the cast a lot to work with.  When you mix these great attempts at serious acting with the language barrier and the kung fu films of the 70s and you get something that is wildly entertaining.  The story for this one is is pretty straight forward but so much fun.  Two disabled men working together to make up for their short comings to battle an evil organization that they were once apart of is pretty poetic if you ask me.  Sure, there isn't a lot of depth in other aspects with all the creativity placed on the two stars and their connection to the story along with the choreography but it's more than enough to hold your attention.  Finally, The film has a few  bloody moments and two really gags making using of the actor's disabilities.  They are extremely campy but they work very well for the film.  With that being said, this is not a gory flick so those looking for that will be very disappointed.  Overall, The Crippled Masters is an iconic piece of Hong Kong cinema that all genre fans can appreciate.  The release from Film Masters is the go to release for this one.  As I said earlier, the DVD release I had before was garbage with this one being night and day better.  I highly recommend it.  

Special Silencers

Director - Arizal (Trouble Everywhere, American Hunter)

Starring - Barry Prima (Hello Ghost, London Virginia, Eva Arnaz (Please Be Patient!, Forgotten Rules), and W. D. Mochtar (Hell Raiders, Revenge of the Ninja)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Action/Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started my writing career I was not very knowledgeable about foreign films but some binging of Asian splatter flicks made me realize that I cannot live on just American films alone.  Since then I've been actively searching for international films released by some of the boutique labels that I support.  A few weeks back my friends over at Mondo Macabro sent over the 1982 Indonesian action horror film Special Silencers.  The film, from what I can tell, finished production in 1979 but didn't release until 1982.  I don't know why but I'm glad it finally found an audience and I'm extremely grateful that MM took the time to release it.  It's a wild action oriented film that has horror elements planted deep in it.  I want to take a moment to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over.  

     The film follows an evil man who killed his grandfather, a wise mystic, in order to get his hands on little red pills known as silencers.  If you use them correctly and meditate they can turn you into a strong martial arts master.  However, using them without the proper training results in a large tree growing out of your torso.  When a stranger arrives and discovers that several people have died after a tree has sprouted through them, he sets out to find the cause of it and stop it.  

     Like a majority of the Mondo Macabro releases, I knew absolutely nothing about this one prior to reviewing it.  The title had me scratching my head but all the artwork I had seen for the film prior to my viewing painted one hell of a film.  While the film was not AS wild as the artwork, it was still a lot of fun.  The acting in this one is what you would expect from a low budget regional flick from Indonesia.  The cast has several credits to their names and had decades in the entertainment industry but the rushed scenes, poorly written characters, and inexperienced supporting cast made a lot of the scenes feel comical in a way and didn't really showcase what the cast is capable of.  The story for this one is a lot of fun.  While it does feel more like an action oriented drama, it did have some horror elements that worked well especially if you are a fan of martial arts cinema.  The characters are not that well written but the scenes and outlandish story more than makes up for it.  It holds the viewer's attention very well and the action is a lot of fun.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood and some fun effects with the tree like thing bursting through the victims like chestbusters from Alien.  These effects look great for the film and horror fans will appreciate them.  Overall, Special Silencers may not be the bloodiest and goriest Asian horror flick I've seen but it was so much fun.  The martial arts is enjoyable and the story is absolutely wild.  I highly recommend it.  

Gore in Venice

Director - Mario Landi (Super Sexy Market, Patrick Still Lives)

Starring - Leonora Fani (Hotel Fear, The House by the Edge of the Lake), Jeff Blynn (Weapons of Death, Blue Tornado), and Gianni Dei (Sex of the Witch, The Angels from 2000)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Full Moon is known for their little creature films like Puppet Master, Demonic Toys, Gingerdead Man, Weedjies, and Evil Bong along with monster movies like Subspecies, Castle Freak, and Killjoy. Aside from the occasional sci-fi flick and softcore porn, Full Moon is known the world over for their puppets and haunting horror tales that began with Charles Band and his Empire label. However, Full Moon has released the occasional giallo from time to time. These are fairly middle of the road films that are easily forgettable, but they are still enjoyable for first time watches. A few months back they released Giallo in Venice on blu under the title Gore in Venice. I had never seen this one before, so I reached out to my friends at Full Moon who were kind enough to send a copy my way. 

     The film follows a police detective investigating the murder of a young couple. The woman appears to have drowned while the man was violently stabbed. As they look for possible leads and speculate why they two were murdered, a deranged killer is going around town killing people after they have sex. 

      Gore in Venice is not what I would call a textbook giallo or even one I would consider a classic but the sleazy story and murders are enjoyable if you are looking for something for your late night viewing. I don’t see myself watching this one anytime soon but if some friends wanted to check it out I could sit through it without suffering. The acting in this one is extremely uneven. The film’s leads and supporting cast is done very well. In fact, I really liked Jeff Blynn as the egg eating inspector. With that being said, the performances from the smaller roles are horrible. Their eyes are bouncing all around the scene like they don’t know where to look while remaining emotionless and robotic. I think it would have been cheaper to cast cardboard cutouts instead of the talent they went with for these roles. The story for this one is sleazy and violent at times but the story feels almost like two films playing out simultaneously. The detective investigating the murder of the couple as who runs down leads, drug connections and so one was very giallo like. The mystery aspect is exactly what I would expect from a giallo. We then move over to what feels like a second story following the killer who murders those after they screw. It adds some skin and violence to the film but they never fully mesh until the end. Crossing paths throughout the film would have made it flow so much better. It’s still fun for what it is but the story just doesn’t flow like it should. Finally, the film has some skin and violent deaths. The effects are minimal, yet they find a way to work. They make your mind follow through with the acts while using classic camera tricks and angles. It’s not a gory film but it’s enough to hold your attention. Overall, Gore in Venice is not a gory flick but giallo fans will appreciate it. I liked it and those of you looking for something different would appreciate it as well. Check it out.

The Island of the Fishmen

Director - Sergio Martino (Torso, Hands of Steel)

Starring - Barbara Bach (Black Belly of the Tarantula, The Legend of Sea Wolf), Claudio Cassinelli (The Scorpion with Two Tails, Slave of the Cannibal Gods), and Richard Johnson (Zombie, The Haunting)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Killers from the deep guard the forbidden treasure on... "

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most people remember a movie and can be quick to pick out little details from the most random scenes.  Though, I have been known to do that with specific films, I often remember movies from a different perspective.  I remember what I was doing or the environment from when I first watched a film.  As a nostalgic person I like to reminisce about these memories.  The reason I'm talking about this is because I remember a friend of mine buying a VHS lot from someone.  I can't remember the specifics on where he got it from but I remember the movies that he got and we watched, or at least attempted to, one weekend.  He snagged Dawn of the Dead, Human Target, Die Hard, a Fu Man Chu flick, and Screamers.  Sadly, Screamers and the Fu Man Chu flick didn't work.  That movie stood out to me because the tagline didn't match the synopsis on the back.  Anyway, some time passed and I completely forgot about the film until Full Moon announced that it was getting a blu release under the title The Island of the Fishmen which is the film's original title.  The movie was also released under Something Waits in the Dark, however, Full Moon went with the more fitting original title.  I reached out to my friends over at MVD, who was handling the physical release, and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  

     The film follows a prison lieutenant and a handful of prisoners who find themselves stranded and an unknown island when their prison freight sinks.  The island is home to an eccentric man and a woman he longs to turn into his own.  He has turned the local population of primitives into his workers and they are secretly using a professor, her father, to trick a race of underwater creatures to bring them their valuables in exchange for a drug.  However, greed and lust gets the best of him and soon the lieutenant is forced to fight for his life as things come to a boil.

      I know, I know.  My break down of the synopsis is a bit confusing but the film is fucking wild.  I would be here all day picking it apart if I wanted to do it justice.  I loved it, so don't get me wrong, but the story is so fucking absurd and wild.  You truly have to see this film to appreciate how ambitious the story truly is.  I commend Full Moon for giving genre fans this underrated classic.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun.  I really enjoyed the wide array of characters and how the cast portrayed them.  What I enjoyed most about the film is that no one out stages the other.  Everyone is on the same level and which makes the scenes even more entertaining.  The story for this one is not what you would consider a straight forward horror tale.  We have elements of crime, sci-fi, drama, and a light dose of romance.  It really works together giving the viewer something a little different.  It doesn't really live up to the tagline for the Screamers release but we've all seen films that had false marketing.  With that aside, I really enjoyed the horror and adventure aspect of the film and how we have a nautical terror that wasn't a shark.  Finally, the film has a lot of campy deaths that have bright red blood and minimal effects.  The creatures were a lot of fun in a late night drive-in kind of way but don't expect a blood bath.  Overall, The Island of the Fishmen is a film I never hear genre fans talk about which is a damn shame.  I had a lot of fun with it and I hope other do themselves a favor and snag a copy of this from Full Moon.  It's worth every penny.  

Arrebato

Director - Ivan Zulueta (Aquarium, Frank Stein)

Starring - Eusebio Poncela (Their Golden Years, Law of Desire), Cecilia Roth (The Intruder, Killer Women), and Will More (Berlin Blues, Dark Habits)

Release Date - 1979

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Altered Innocence is one of the many companies that I had no idea existed until Vinegar Syndrome announced them as part of their partner label program.  Since discovering this label I've seen some great releases and not so great releases.  When I received the press release for their release of 1979's Arrebato I was very intrigued.  I was very interested in the horror fantasy aspect that was heavily steeped in drug usage.  I was going to order a copy but when the PR firm handling the press release said they would be willing to send over a review copy I quickly said yes!  

A low budget horror filmmaker gets in touch with an eccentric who is trying to film his consciousness during drug abuse. The eccentric get obsessed with the film of the low budget horror filmmaker and research what happened with the author which disappeared. The research will lead the characters to fall deeper in drugs addiction. Finally it is discovered that the low budget filmmaker was absorbed by his camera and the eccentric prepared himself to be absorbed too.

     Arrebato had a very interesting premise but I found myself tuning out more than I was paying attention.  The film drags on for so long and a lot of the dialogue heavy scenes really does try the viewer's patience.  I know a few friends that enjoyed this one, however, I know just as many more that did not.  The acting in this one is very well done.  It's natural and their on screen chemistry is great.  The characters are not really cliched and they are more memorable than the film they are in.  With that being said, I really wish they carried the film in a more linear direction for the viewer to better enjoy.  The story for this one really pulled me in but the way it was filmed made it extremely dull and difficult to finish.  At least, for me it did.  I know other genre fans felt the same way as I did but some people actually dug the slow build up and extremely drawn out scenes with heavy dialogue.  Honestly, the pacing is all wrong to be and a lot of the film could be cut out.  At almost two hours long a good bit could be trimmed.  Finally, the horror aspect comes from the story and the tension that build in several scenes but don't expect a bloody treat that many of you gorehounds are looking for.  Overall, Arrebato was not for me.  I'm sure it's because I lack the intelligence to fully comprehend it but it's bored me to tears.  It was such a difficult film to finish even though I really did enjoy the cast.  Collectors will want to snag this one but someone looking for something different to watch may want to check out another one of Altered Innocence releases.  

Star of David: Beautiful Girl Hunter

Director - Norifumi Suzuki (Sex & Fury, Roaring Fire)

Starring - Shun Domon (Daitokai - Tatakai no hibi), Natsuko Yashiro (Women in Prison, Rape!), and Asami Ogawa (Woman Who is Used, Attacked!)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I know this is going to sound corny or cheesy but I've learned a lot about myself after reviewing all these movies over the last decade or so.  My intentions with my blog, almost a decade ago, was to focus on 70s and 80s action and exploitation flicks that time has forgot.  However, my love for horror soon took over but over time I've received some CAT III and pinku releases that really opened my mind to international films.  Impulse Pictures, the sister company to Synapse Films, has released The Nakkatsu Erotic Films Collection on DVD and blu.  I started receiving them some years back and fucking loved them.  I often jump at a chance to check out the newest releases so when I heard that 1979's Star of David: Beautiful Girl Hunter I was quick to request it.  I want to thank MVD and Impulse for sending this one over!

     The film follows a young man who is the result of a rape when a deranged man escaped incarceration and broke into the home of a wealthy scientist and his wife.  The scientist resented the child his wife birthed and when she commits suicide he is extremely cold and bitter toward the child.  However, when he dies and leaves his fortune to his "son" he discovers in his diary entries that his father was a life long criminal and rapist.  This sparks a bloodlust in him.  He converts his basement into a torture chamber where he would lure women to their own hell before death.

      Star of David: Beautiful Girl Hunter didn't really give me much of an idea as to what I was going to get myself into when it arrived.  I figured it followed a man who kidnapped and tortured women hence the name.  However, I was very curious where the Star of David alternate title came from but it quickly made sense once the film started rolling.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one and it's probably my favorite of the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done considering that a good portion of the film consists of actresses known for adult films and other pinku flicks.  The female characters are pretty cliched and unoriginal but the cast really does dive straight into it.  They don't hold back which makes these scenes really intense.  Also, the film wouldn't be as entertaining if it wasn't for Shun Domon.  His portrayal of the product of rape is nothing short of brilliant.  He manipulating, charming, calculating, and ravenous.  It's a damn shame he never appeared in more of these films.  The story for this one rides the line like most of the other films in this collection where someone, regardless of who they are, kidnaps or lures women to a hidden place where they are raped, tortured, and murdered.  What sets this one apart from the others is having the man being a product of rape and having his studies into the holocaust stirring the homicidal urge inside him.  It is a bit of a character study but at the end of the day it is a classic torture porn.  Finally, the film has some surprisingly bloody moments but the real focus is the bound and tortured women.  The blood and bright red and the effects are very minimal.  Overall, Beautiful Girl Hunter a raunchy, violent, and depraved film that genre fans should take seriously.  I really enjoyed it and this release from Impulse is fantastic.  I would have preferred some more supplemental material with this release but I'll take it as it is.  

Apocalypse Now

Director - Francis Ford Coppola (Dracula, The Godfather)

Starring - Martin Sheen (Spawn, Tales from the Crypt), Marlon Brando (Superman, The Island of Dr. Moreau), and Robert Duvall (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, THX 1138)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - War/Action

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I went through a war movie phase.  It started with Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket and before long I found myself snagging up any war movie I could find.  When the local video store closed I was able to snag a super cheap copy of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now on DVD.  I had never seen it before but I figured for $3 I wouldn't be disappointed.  That weekend I stayed over at a friends house and we decided to watch it.  We both did not expect the movie to be as amazing as it was and to this day whenever I get a chance to revisit it I greatly accept the opportunity.  A few weeks back I received the press release that the film was getting a brand new UHD steelbook release as a Best Buy exclusive.  I reached out to the PR firm handling the release and they were kind enough to send a copy my way for review.  I'm glad they did because it had been a few years since I last viewed it.

      The film follows an Army Captain (Sheen) who is recruited on a special assignment to travel through Vietnam, during the height of the Vietnam conflict, to kill a rogue commander.  The commander has went awol and garnered a following of believers after proclaiming himself a god.  The mission takes him and his squad through the jungles of Vietnam where they suffer several casualties before reaching their destination on the edge of Cambodia.  Here he meets the eccentric and mesmerizing commander and his followers of natives and soldiers alike who will lay their lives on the line.  The captain becomes enthralled with him but refuses to give up on the mission that he is tasked with.

     I can already hear the attention seekers on social media bashing this one for not being horror but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to revisit this one.  It's such an amazing film with some of the best story and character development I have ever seen.  Every shot is a masterpiece and the movie is ridiculously long but doesn't feel that way.  It's absolutely brilliant.  The acting in this one is gives me chills.  This is my favorite performance of Martin Sheen.  He has appeared in other remarkable genre efforts like the first live action adaptation of Spawn but he will always be remembered as the army captain from Apocalypse Now.  The remainder of the cast is just as memorable.  Robert Duvall, Marlon Brando, and so many more deliver unforgettable performances that are unlike anything you have seen.  The story for this one is very layered but it's not overwhelming.  The movie flows almost as if it's told in chapters with one over arching storyline with mini-episodes spaced throughout it.  It has a long running time but the way the story is told it makes great use of time without overdoing it.  We move right along with situation to situation before finally reaching our final destination.  It works extremely well and once the film is over you are surprised to discover exactly how much time you have spent with the film.  Finally, this is not a horror flick but it is one with a body count.  We get lots of blood, some explosions, and gnarly practical effects that work for the gag.  Overall, Apocalypse Now is an amazing film that truly needs to be seen.  Collectors and fans of the film should really check out this Best Buy exclusive before it's too late.  

The Dark

Director(s) - John "Bud" Cardos (Kingdom of the Spiders, Mutant) and Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist)

Starring - William Devane (Marathon Man, Red Alert), Cathy Lee Crosby (Wonder Woman, The Last Horror Film), and Richard Jaeckel (Starman, Airplane II: The Sequel)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - "A chilling tale of alien terror"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     With October in full swing I'm spending all my spare time binging as many horror titles that I can when not spending time with my family and at work.  Several weeks ago MVD announced two new installments in their highly impressive Rewind Collection.  The first was 1982's One Dark Night which I had previously reviewed.  The second film was the 1979 horror/sci-fi flick The Dark.  Honestly, this looked like the perfect movie to dig into with Halloween approaching.  Like always, I want to thank MVD for sending this one over to review.

     The film follows a reporter and the father of a victim as they comb through the city at night searching for the killer known as The Mangler.  Their search eventually leads them, and the authorities, face to face with a being from another world.

      The Dark, much like One Dark Night, is a straight forward horror flick that entertains but doesn't deliver characters or creatures that stand out.  It's one of those movies you like but you don't really remember a lot about it a few days after watching it.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  The cast really goes all in to their roles but the characters are extremely flat and not that well written.  The film is really lacking characters that the viewer can latch on to but that's not the cast's fault.  The story for this one reminded me a light of Night Beast and Evil Night.  That late 70s and early 80s blend of horror and sci-fi in a slasher based late night creature feature is something that I'm extremely open to.  It does drag on in scenes and the predictability does take the impact away but it's still fun for what it is.  Finally, the film has several wild deaths with over the top practical effects.  They are not the best looking effects but the kills fit the film while delivering a little unintentional humor.  Overall, The Dark is a fun late night watch that would pair well with the likes of Night Beast and Evil Night.  Watching an alien run amok in the city is fun but it does get a little old before the film ends.  The blu from MVD looks great and I would highly recommend it.  

Heavenly Desire

Director - Jourdan Alexander (Needful Sins, Sex Heist)

Starring - Serena (Trashii, Hot Ones), Johnnie Keyes (Teenage Trouble, Behind the Green Door), and Seka (Princess, Pretty Looks)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Comedy/Western

Tagline - "Hotter than hell"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome has released some of my favorite adult films over the years with SexWorld being my favorite to date but they are still surprising me with some solid sexploitation.  I just spent an hour and twenty minutes watching the charming Taxi Girls from 1979 and decided to keep the Peekarama going with the second film on their newest blu release, Heavenly Desire, which is another 1979 release.

     The film follows two prostitutes working a brothel who are murdered when two stray bullets hit them during a duel.  Their ghosts awaken in the 1970s when the devil tasks them with corrupting two virgin sorority girls before they are married.  The sorority house is now located where the brothel was.  They set out to help the two young ladies spread their legs.

     Taxi Girls was a pretty fun flick that not only delivered on the story and humor but was extremely sexy.  Sex scenes aside, it was a seriously fun film that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I expected Heavenly Desire to be the weaker of the two films but I was wrong.  The movie actually made me laugh and it was just as fun as Taxi Girls.  The acting in this one is just a little more entertaining than TG.  I really enjoyed watching Johnnie Keyes as the devil.  His performance is charismatic and he really does steal the scene.  I also enjoyed watching ghosts Serena and Seka.  They are absolutely gorgeous and delivered some fun performances as well.  The supporting cast is just as fun with a lot of different personalities being displayed.  The story for this one is a mash up of many different genres.  We start the film as a western before moving to the horror-esque elements following the ghosts and the devil before moving into a college age sex comedy.  Honestly, it works and I really fucking enjoyed it.  I'm almost certain I watched an 80's teen comedy with a similar story but I can't remember the name of it.  Regardless, it was really fun and I greatly enjoyed it.  Finally, no blood and gore but if you went into this one expecting it then you have bigger problems on your hands than no blood or gore.  The film is full of sex, gorgeous women, and some humor that really does find it's place.  Overall, Heavenly Desire is a sleazy and fun film that is a great pairing with Taxi Girls.  The offbeat comedy and gorgeous women work very well together.  I highly recommend it.  

Taxi Girls

Director(s) - Jourdan Alexander (Junkyard Anal, The Maids) and Bob Chinn (Blondie, Country Girl)

Starring - John Holmes (The Devil in Mr. Holmes, Disco Sex Party), Nancy Suiter (The Ecstasy Girls, 800 Fantasy Lane), and Mike Ranger (Never So Deep, The Velvet Edge)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "Come ride with us... we'll make your meter run like never before"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I just spent the better part of a week watching and reviewing a handful of no-budget indie flicks.  Most were horror flicks but a few of them were thrillers or crime dramas.  Regardless, I enjoyed myself for the most part but I've horrored myself out a little bit.  I wanted to dive outside the genre for a bit and watch something a little different.  A few days ago I received my January package from Vinegar Syndrome which had the newest Peekarama release.  This was perfect.  It was something on the sleazy side of cinema while I recharged my batteries.  The first film in the set was 1979's Taxi Girls.

     The film follows a young working girl who is tired or working on her back only to get busted by the police.  She decides to take out a loan to buy some cars to use as taxis where the men customers could pay extra for...extra.  The business takes off and soon they are making money hand over ass until the rival taxi service starts coming up short.

     I was never one for the vintage porn or sexploitation but Vinegar Syndrome really opened my mind to these types of films.  I love when I go to movie collecting groups and you find those random members that think they are superior because they don't watch these types of films.  They are literally missing out because these movies are pretty fucking fun and well worth a watch.  Taxi Girls is another fine Peekarama release from Vin Syn.  The acting in this one is pretty fun.  The characters are very cheesy but the cast does a solid enough job in their roles.  I was really impressed by Nancy Suiter who made a huge splash in the adult world around this time and then disappeared.  She's absolutely goregeous and very playful in front of the camera.  I enjoyed her performance a lot.  The story for this one is, obviously, centered around sex but the character development and story really is entertaining.  I loved how the main character had dreams of becoming a stand up comedian as it mixed with her successful business venture where the rival taxi services becomes enraged by their success.  It was a really fun story that not only works as sexploitation but as a dramedy as well.  Finally, no blood or gore here.  However, there is plenty of skin, money shots, and several orgies.  Overall, Taxi Girls is a sleazy good time with a gorgeous cast and a pretty solid story.  I highly recommend this one.  

Frat House

Director - David Worth (Kickboxer, Shark Attack 2)

Starring - Bruce Dobos (Star Trek: Nemesis, Senseless), Michael Parker (Pro-Ball Cheerleaders, Ultre Flesh), and Turk Lyon (Taboo, Hot Dallas Nights)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "It's the HOTTEST frat at Faulk University.  Good ol' Faulk U!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     In 1978 director John Landis teamed up with writers Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney, and Chris Miller to create National Lampoon's Animal House starring John Belushi, Peter Riegert, and Tim Matheson.  The film was a hit and would go on to become the definitive college film.  The movie has spawned several parodies, cheap imitations, and direct rip-offs, as well as, influenced countless more.  In 1979 David Worth was tasked with creating an adult film that was obviously inspired by the the college comedy.  That film would be Frat House which was one of two releases in December from Vinegar Syndrome.  After watching High School Fantasies it only made sense to spin this one after.

     The film follows the brothers of the local fraternity who has an ongoing game.  That game is to see how many times they can get laid throughout the semester.  

     I had a lot of fun with High School Fantasies and was really looking forward to Frat House.  The film wasn't as fun but it was still extremely entertaining.  It made for a great sleazy double feature.  The acting in this one not bad but the characters are very linear and one dimensional.  It's obvious they are here for the sex scenes and put very little attempt at creating a character to carry the story.  That's one of the biggest problems with sexploitation.  You either get movies that are story driven with boring sex scenes or sex forward films with no story.  It's rarely even and consistent.  The cast makes this one sex heavy.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward and works on the sexploitation level.  A bunch of frat guys spending all their time trying to get laid is pretty well grounded and realistic.  It's fun, for the most part, and works on the sleazy side.  With that being said, the film does feel rather repetitive at times which makes it a bit dull here and there.  Finally, there is no blood and gore in this one as you would expect but there is plenty of nudity and sex if that is more your speed.  Overall, Frat House is a fun and sleazy good time from the folks over at Vin Syn.  The blu looks great and it's perfect pairing with High School Fantasies.  I highly recommend it.