After... Part Two: Tied Up and Tied Up Well

Director(s) - Cecilia Bartolome (Lejos de Africa, After...Part One: You Can't Be Left Alone) and Jose Juan Bartolome (En Pantalla, After...Part One: You Can't Be Left Alone)

Starring - Rafael Alberti (Teatro, Caudillo), Cristina Almeida (7 Vidas), and Santiago Bautista 

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror 

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I took the dive into this set for review, I never expected to see as many documentaries as this set contained.  What makes it even more surprising is the fact that the documentaries are for so many different topics besides the one sequel in the set.  Which brings me to the last film in the set which is the 1983 sequel After... Part Two: Tied Up and Tied Up Well.  The first doc was a bit lackluster but I was still excited to check this one out.

     This documentary continues to examine Spain after the death of it's dictator, Franco.  We look into how hard it was for the old powers at play to be removed, how the media played in big part in political, and social injustices that many citizens still faces after his death.

     While I wasn't really a fan of the first documentary, I was excited to check this one out.  I had hoped that it would fix it's inconsistencies the original had while making it a bit more enjoyable for international fans.  Sadly, that was not the case with this follow up feeling like it was made back to back with the first doc.  The interviews in this one is mostly from historians of the area or those that lived through the changes the country faced after Franco's death.  We also get interviews from people that are involved in different political parties, media, and so on.  It's a wide range of people being interviewed and they offer up a lot of insight into the matter.  The topics for this one pics up around the time the first film leaves off and we see the power vacuum from Franco's death and the subsequent consequences that followed.  It was a little more interesting in that regard but it's still a difficult doc to finish.  Finally, the editing in this one is rough and not very easy to follow.  Some of the interviews and topics bounce around creating some confusion.  Overall, After... Part Two; Tied Up and Tied Up Well is a documentary that I could see myself getting into if it was done a bit better.  The topics and interviews themselves are interesting but the confusing jump from topic to topic makes it a bit difficult to follow.  This is one from the set I would recommend skipping.  

Morbus

Director - Ignasi P. Ferre (Sitges-Nagasaki, Sota el Signe De)

Starring - Roman Ferre (Bloody Sex, Porno: Situacion), Carmen Serret (The Gypsy), Joan Borras (Change of Sex, Teatre)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the years I've learned that the 80s truly was a high point in horror cinema.  I'm not saying it was the best decade for the genre, because it honestly wasn't, but there was a lot of memorable moments.  Sometime during the late 70s several genre titles were released where they tossed in so many different horror tropes.  It never really caught on with some of these films falling into obscurity while others became cult classics.  However, this trend came somewhat popular with a lot of movies, especially direct to video titles, throwing "everything including the kitchen sink" into the story.  The writers couldn't make their mind up with which way they wanted the movie to go and we were given some wild films with stories that are extremely unpredictable.  As I work my way through this Exorcismo set I'm hit with another early 80s horror title that does the same thing.  I thought Morbus was another nudie flick due to the poster but once I hit play on that disc I realized it a nudie flick with an everything horror has to offer story.

     The film follows a prostitute who is running for her life when her friend, also a prostitute, and a John are killed by zombies after a scientist has created a serum that brings the dead back to life.  She finds her way to the home of a struggling writer.  The two try to leave before they are overrun by zombies but discover that his assistant has sabotaged their ride.  They are forced to stay and fight but zombies are the least of their worries as they soon encounter a Satanic sex cult.  

     I went into Morbus completely blind and while several films in this set surprised, none shocked me like this one did.  Morbus is not what I would call a good movie.  It's campy, with stiff acting, and a story that is all over the place but I had so much fucking fun with it.  This is the kind of movie that itf it was made in the US I could see Joe Bob hosting a showing of.  The acting in this one is extremely campy.  The characters are one dimensional and we don't get a lot of emotional range but it works for the film.  We don't have any memorable characters or performances but the story more than makes up for it.  The story for this one is all over the fucking place and that is why I enjoyed it so much.  We have an evil scientist, zombies, prostitutes, aspiring horror writers, Satanic bikers in a sex cult, and so much nudity.  The film does struggle with pacing and it has no idea how to put them all together in a coherent story but the unpredictable and absurd ride makes it worth your time.  Finally, the film has some blood, some decent make-up effects, and a lot of skin.  The zombies look decent in a way but are not that memorable while the effects are minimal.  They fit the film but nothing that most of us genre fans are looking for.  Overall, Morbus is a film that has so much going on and while is struggles with it's own identity, is still delivers on an experience.  It reminds me a lot of films like Spookies and Neon Maniacs.  It's a good film but far from perfect.  Check it out. 

After... Part One: Can't You Be Left Alone?

Director(s) - Cecilia Bartolome (Let's Go Barbara, Lejos de Africa) and Jose Juan Bartolome (After... Part Two: Tied Up and Tied Up Well)

Starring - Marcelino Camacho (Epilogo, Informe Semanal), Santiago Carillo (Angel Casas Show, Agora), and Felipe Gonzalez (Salvados, Franco's Settlers)

Release Date - 1983

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed box sets and collections in the past that featured a documentary around the filmmakers, genre, and so on that the set featured.  However, I've never reviewed a box set with as many documentaries as this set has.  This one started with two documentaries before I even got to a legitimate movie.  I was then able to watch three or so movies before I found yet another documentary.  This time the doc. is the 1983 film After... Part One: Can't You Be Left Alone? from Ceclilia and Jose Bartolome.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows first hand accounts of citizens of Spain who recount the transition from a fascist dictator to a loose democracy.  

     After... Part One: Can't You Be Left Alone? is an interesting documentary that is equally as depressing as it is frustrating.  I'm sure every review of this film associated with the Exorcismo box set will compare it to the bullshit going on here in the U.S. so I will try to refrain from it.  Don't get me wrong, it's a very interesting doc but it doesn't have enough going on to be as long as it is.  The interviews and so on shown in this range from people that lived through this transition to historians and so on.  This was interesting early on but as the film progressed these interviews seemed to become repetitive with very little new aspects shared.  The topics and history shared is very in depth, early one, but does follow the same footsteps as the interviews.  We find ourselves with certain topics and talking points becoming repetitive.  I don't know if this was an issue with editing or they felt it was so important that they mentioned certain things over and over again.  Finally, the editing and filming of this doc is a bit rough at times.  Some of the footage used is rough around the edges when compared to the footage used for the doc.  The editing is not the smoothest I've seen especially for a documentary which is usually very well polished.  Overall, After... Part One: Can't You Be Left Alone? was interesting for the first half of it's run time but repetitiveness and lack of polish made this one a tough one to finish.  Skip it.  

The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman

Director - Dasri Jacob (Angling Dharma, Rosita)

Starring - Barry Prima (Jaka Sembung, Hello Ghost), Advent Bangun (Without Mercy, Revenge of the Ninja), and Gudi Sintara (Escape from Hellhole, Golok Setan)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Action/Comedy
Tagline - "The Warrior, the man with supernatural strength is back"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I spend the entire month of October binging horror movies sent to me for review from various filmmakers, distributors, producers, and so on.  A lot of times these spill over into November where I spent most of the month playing catch up.  I love horror and I could never turn my back on my beloved genre but sometimes I do need a little break.  Mondo Macabro's Warrior trilogy couldn't have came at a better time.  I needed something fun and a bit different to watch so I could recharge my batteries before diving into the Christmas themed horror that is quickly approaching.  After watching 1981's The Warrior, I quickly moved on to the sequel which was 1983's The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman.

     The Dutch army is unable to defeat Jaka Sembung (Prima) so they hold a tournament to find a champion capable of beating him.  A blind swordsman comes out as victor and using magic he is able to trick the Dutch army into thinking he actually defeated Jaka Sembung.  However, when they find out they try to kill him.  He inadvertently teams up with Jaka Sembung and the pair terrorize the army together.  

     I had no idea how a film could be a follow up to Jaka Sembung but The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman fucking did.  It was bigger, bolder, and the humor was still able to find it's mark.  Honestly, this sequel was more enjoyable than the first film which is really saying something.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect in a follow up film to Jaka Sembung.  The acting is very cheesy with even more colorful characters added to this follow up.  We get some fun performances from the cast as they bring some of the most animated characters in movie history to life.  The story for this one is a solid continuation from the first film with the addition of new characters.  We continue to have the inclusion of magic and the martial arts is still the main focus of the film.  Also, the film doesn't shy away from the humor.  In fact, this installment seems to include more humor than the first film which is one of the reasons I enjoy it more than the first.  Finally, we don't get a lot of the blood and gore that some of us likes but we do get some great old school camera tricks and amazing choreography.  The fight scenes are a lot of fun and the main reason to watch any of the films from this trilogy.  Overall, The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman is a must see for martial arts fans especially if you like The Warrior.  I couldn't look away from this one and I know you will too.  Check it out.  

Village of Doom

Director - Noboru Tanaka (Tuesday Suspense Theater, Hard Scandal: Sex Drifter)

Starring - Masato Furuoya (Stairway to Heaven, Tales of the Bizarre), Misako Tanaka (Gonza the Spearman, The Horizon), and Kumiko Oba (Secret Detective, House)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror/War

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My October horror binge is in full swing as we reach the middle of the month.  So far this month I've seen some childhood favorites, a Mike Mendez double feature, a fun cabin in the woods flick, a few slashers, a fun UK anthology, a pornstar fighting the whoring undead and robotic skanks, and a disrespectful remake of Spider Baby.  It's been a wild ride so far and it was only about to get wilder.  I was recently sent a screening link for Unearthed Films upcoming horror thriller Village of Doom.  This 1983 Japanese horror film is one I had never heard of before but I was really interested in it so I added it to my October binge.  Like always, I want to thank Unearthed for sending this one over!

     The film follows Tsugio (Furuoya) who is too young to join the army like the other men in his village but desperately wants to when he is old enough.  However, with the men absent from their wives, he has found himself at their every need.  He soon starts an adulterous relationship with a woman in town and shortly after becomes ill.  The doctor diagnoses him with tuberculosis and the military doctor declines to enlist him in the army when he is old enough.  To make matters worse, the woman he loves has been promised to someone else and he can no longer see the woman he was sleeping with because her husband has returned from the war.  He soon finds himself alienated by his people and no longer considered a man because of his illness.  Tsugio cannot take it any longer and sets out to kill everyone in the village that has criticized him.

     Village of Doom may not be a straight forward horror title but god damn does it fucking rule.  Honestly, it was a highlight of my October binge and easily one of my favorite Unearthed releases behind their Guyver release.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  Furuoya is unforgettable as the films protagonist.  He embodies his role and makes the character his own creation.  I absolutely loved his emotional range and how he goes from an awkward teenager fumbling through sexual advances and other teenage issues to a murderous mass shooter.  The supporting cast is no joke either.  The village is full of amazing and colorful characters and the cast does one hell of a job bringing them to life.  The story for this one is a straight forward but is still an enjoyable ride.  We have a lot of time spent on character development and it doesn't destroy the film's pacing.  We then transition from a war thriller to the film's last leg which is a mass shooting that features many horror elements.  It's a fantastically shot film that holds your attention from beginning to end.  The editing is smooth as well and the film holds the viewer's attention from beginning to end.  Finally, the film has a lot of nudity and blood but those of you wanting a lot of gore will be very disappointed.  The kills are in style to the film but they are the most unimaginative part of the film.  Don't get me wrong, they look fantastic but not as gruesome of gory as I would have liked.  Overall, Village of Doom is a fantastic film and one of my favorite Unearthed properties.  I highly recommend this one so check it out.  

        

Stuck on You!

Director(s) - Michael Herz (The Troma System, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.) and Lloyd Kaufman (Tales from the Crapper, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead)

Starring - Irwin Corey (Jack, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion), Virginia Penta, and Mark Mikulski (C.H.U.D., Loving)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "You'll come unglued with laughter"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I have to admit that I didn't have as much fun with Troma's The Sexy Box as I thought I would.  I enjoyed The First Turn On!! but Waitress! was a bit of a disappointment.  It's because of this that I was on the fence about Stuck on You!  I had hoped that it would be another sleazy comedy with Troma's sense of humor but it did miss it's mark with me.  This may explain why Troma switched gears and went the horror direction.  Regardless, I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending the Sexy Box over for review.  I may not have enjoyed this flick but it was still an awesome experience to review another Troma film.

     The film follows a married couple on the rocks.  They seek a divorce and while appearing in court the judge decides to tell them different tales of love throughout the ages.

     Stuck on You! is an interesting concept and another comedy based anthology from Troma that has potential but doesn't really work like I had hoped.  I liked the idea behind the film but the segments are too short and the humor is the weakest of the three films.  It's obvious it was rushed out to cash in on the video rentals of the time but quality control was non-existent.  The acting on this is probably the most Troma-like of all their films.  The characters are over the top and very eccentric but they try so hard.  They are inexperienced but a lot of them would go on to appear in some decent films and television shows.  Honestly, the acting is probably my favorite part of the film and the characters.  The fact that they couldn't have been written into bigger roles.  The story for this one is one of those ideas that looks good on paper but doesn't translate well to the screen.  I was expecting the film to be sleazier than it and the lack of sleaze and humor made this one painfully dull watch.  The wraparound segment involving a judge was a clever set up for the other stories but the following segments lacked any sort of entertainment.  They were dull, generic, and rushed.  Finally, this isn't a bloody flick as you would have guessed.  Overall, Stuck on You! is a disappointment.  I want to praise Troma for everything they do but this one just wasn't for me.  This is one I would skip if I was you.  

The First Turn On!!

Director(s) - Michael Herz (Troma's War, The Toxic Avenger) and Lloyd Kaufman (Tromeo and Juliet, Terror Firmer)

Starring - George Harrell (Incoming Freshmen, Perfect Stranger), Michael Sanville (Dreams Come True, Outlaws), and Googy Gress (The Flamingo Kid, Wayne's World 2)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "It's always the wildest"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I joined a cult movie server on Discord and it was a lot of fun while it lasted.  It wasn't that big with just a few dozen members that were extremely nice and respectful of each other.  A few times a month the server would host a group watch where they would play a movie and talk about it while it streamed.  One of those films that we watched and talked about was Troma's The First Turn On!!  This was my first time watching it and it was a lot of fun in a virtual group.  Sadly, that Discord server would soon fall apart as horror hipsters and toxic fans took over the group turning a fun experience into something completely miserable.  When Troma announced the blu release of their Sexy Box I was looking forward to revisiting this one.

     The film follows a group of campers and their chaperone who find themselves trapped in a cave.  To pass the time they decide to share their personal sexually experiences with one another in comedic fashion.

     The First Turn On!! really embraces the sex comedy which really works.  It almost feels like an anthology film which in it's essence it is.  Fans of sleazy comedies will truly appreciate what Troma brings to the table.  The acting is this one is standard Troma.  The cast is inexperienced but their dedication to the role is what makes the film so much fun.  The laughs find their mark and the comedic timing is damn near perfect.  The characters are not as generic as you would think and the cast does a great job and brings them to life.  Hell, some are even memorable and their dialogue and one liners stick with you even days after watching it.  The story for this is an unexpected anthology that I really enjoyed.  It's not often that you find an anthology that is more of a comedy instead of a horror tale.  Some of the stories are a little more enjoyable than others but none of them are bad.  I laughed a great deal during this one but they are rather dated especially for an early 80s film.  Finally, don't expect a lot of blood in this one.  If you want some laughs and a little sleaze then you know where to find it.  Overall, The First Turn On!! is one of the better films in the set.  It's funny, raunchy, and one of the better written sex comedies of the early 80s.  I highly recommend this one.  

Human Animals

Director - Eligio Herrero (Jane, Mi Peguena Salvaje)

Starring - Carole Kirkham (Panic Beats, I Love Hitler), Geir Indvard (Jane, Mi Peguena Salvaje), and Jose Yepes (The Sea Serpent, Revenge of the Black Wolf)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Adventure/Drama

Tagline - "Two men... one women... and a dog.  It's the end of the world"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Mondo Macabro has brought some strange and unique films to genre fans and film collectors over the years but I think I found their oddest release to date. Several weeks ago I received the film Human Animals from CAV and Mondo Macabro to review.  I immediately fell in love with the artwork for the blu and my mind immediately started racing.  My imagination was running overtime thinking of possible scenarios for the film.  I wanted to start my MM marathon with this one but decided to go with Beyond Erotica.  As soon as I finished it I went ahead and tossed in Human Animals.  Like always, I want to thank CAV and Mondo Macabro for sending this one my way.

     The film follows a brother, sister, and a man who awaken in a world ravaged by a nuclear holocaust.  They begin a trek to find civilization and soon cross paths a dog before eventually coming to stop in an oasis.  With plenty of vegetation, wild game, and shelter they make a home for themselves.  Incest, bestiality, and jealousy all become a part of their lives and eventually they start tearing themselves apart.

     Human Animals is one of the weirdest post-apocalyptic films I have ever seen.  It's completely void of dialogue and the story itself is still able to be told without uttering a single word.  It's a different spin on the end of the world and a movie that I think exploitation fans would fucking love.  The "acting" in this one is a little different than traditional films.  The cast has no dialogue but they are able to communicate with facial expressions, body mannerisms, and with sounds.  I really enjoyed the casting and how they approached such a strange and unusual film.  The cast is small but their on screen chemistry is insane.  The story for this one is simple but is explores so many themes that are never explored among other post-apocalyptic films.  We follow three young adults who have survived a nuclear holocaust.  Isolation leads to incest, beastiality, and jealousy as they scavenge, farm, and hunt to survive.  I fucking loved the unique spin on this style of story.  It made the film very unpredictable, overly sexual, and very enjoyable.  I couldn't imagine a film like this being made today but as an early 80s exploitation film it's amazing.  It has solid pacing and the scenes work for the film even though there is no dialogue.  Finally, the film has some gruesome scenes of animals being field dressed but that's honestly about the extent of the blood.  A few spots here or there throughout the film but don't expect bloody or gruesome deaths that most of us crave.  Overall, Human Animals is a fucking wild and weird film that is an unusual take on the end of the world.  I highly recommend it and the Mondo Macabro release is the only way to watch it.  

Death Ride to Osaka

Director - Jonathan Kaplan (Night Call Nurses, In Cold Blood)

Starring - Jennifer Jason Leigh (Single White Female, Twin Peaks), Ann Jillian (The Twilight Zone, Killer in the Mirror), and Thomas Byrd (Twilight Zone: The Movie, Young Guns II)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Crime/Drama

Tagline - "Enter the frightening reality of the Japanese mafia and the white slave trade"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I knew the Primetime Panic set from Fun City Editions was going to be fun but I never expected to love these films as much as I did.  Freedom was a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyable but Dreams Don't Die was absolutely fantastic.  I could see myself revisiting that one again very soon and never tiring of it.  I was curious about the third film in the set and assumed that it would be the weakest link in the set after seeing how much fun the first two films were.  I was dead fucking wrong.  Death Ride to Osaka, aka Girls of the White Orchid, was a fantastic film and probably my favorite of the set.  Fun City Editions did an amazing job and fucking slayed this release.  

     The film follows the young and gullible Carol (Leigh) who is an aspiring musician living in LA and working at a small diner.  She responds to an ad from an agent searching for talent and finds herself heading to Japan to perform several times a night in an upscale club.  However, when she notices that many of the other ladies are sleeping with the rich business men that frequent the club she tries to leave.  She soon learns that her passport has been stolen and the money she is promised is used to cover her room and board.  Broke, and distraught, she turns to the American embassy who refuses to help her and when she turns to the police she finds herself on the wrong side of the law.  Cornered, with nowhere to go, her former boyfriend arrives and tries to help her leave but the Yakuza has other plans for her.  

     Death Ride to Osaka was just sleazy enough and crime filled to completely pull me in.  I found myself completely mesmerized by the story and the cast.  Honestly, I feel like this could have easily been a VS release but it fits in perfectly in the Primetime Panic set.  The acting in this one is great and probably my favorite in the film.  I know that a lot of cinema fans love Jennifer Jason Leigh but this was the first film I've seen her in that I actually enjoyed.  She fucking delivered on the character and it was a fantastic experience to watch each and every scene with her.  The same can be said about Ann Jillian.  I'm not too familiar with her myself but she was seductive and fucking killed in every scene she was in.  The supporting cast was solid but these two ladies stole the show and mesmerized the viewer.  The story for this one is a bit different than the other three films.  It's not a coming of age teenage drama.  It's centered for adults and features nudity, prostitution, and a forced sex trade.  I like how it mixed with Japanese mafia and wasn't that predictable.  Sure, you know exactly where the film is going but it takes a different path to the destination you suspected.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and could see this same story get a more modern adaptation and still be just as fun.  Finally, the film has a little blood and some decent make-up effects but don't expect a bloody flick.  It's focuses more on the character and story aspect over a body count.  Overall, Death Ride to Osaka was fucking fantastic and a highlight of the set.  I highly recommend Primetime Panic just for this film alone.  Check it out.  

The Rape of Virgin Girls

Director - Francisco Cavalcanti (The Hour of Fear, Sexo Sexo)

Starring - Salvador Amaral (Desejo Violento, Mulheres Violentadas), Francisco Cavalcanti, and Suely Conti (Bacanal de Colegiais)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Crime

Tagline - "Explicit!  Explicit!"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

     Exploitation and drive-in quality action flicks where what got me into writing reviews.  I was collecting box sets of these releases on DVD when I was in high school and college and I wanted to talk about them in some form.  I had saw the videos reviews of mrparka and the blog Celluloid Terrors so I decided to start something along those lines.  I wasn't comfortable in front of the camera for the video reviews so I turned to written reviews.  Exploitation is still my love but my obsession for horror has always been greater.  That's why I'm always on cloud 9 when an exploitation film I had never seen before arrives for review.  A few weeks ago One 7 Films sent over The Devil in Maddalena and The Rape of Virgin Girls.  The title of the last one made me a bit uncomfortable but I was still curious about this Brazilian exploitation flick.

     The film follows a man who is hired by a group of perverted men to kidnap "virgins" so they can rape and murder them.  This scheme has went on for sometime with several dozen women being kidnapped and dumped in the woods.  A dry-cleaner's neighbor is abducted and when he finds evidence of the kidnapping on the dry cleaning of one of the thugs he sets out to stop them before they rape and murder others.

     The Rape of Virgin Girls, or Abuser of Virgin Girls and Violentadores de Meninas Virgens as it is known, is not the film I was expecting when I tossed it in.  The title, artwork, and tagline made me think this was going to be a roughie that would make me uneasy.  However, the movie was not that but was a solid Brazilian crime film with a lot of exploitation.  It was a solid watch and one I can see myself revisiting.  The acting in this one is laughable at times but the fact that the cast was so dedicated to their roles says a lot about their commitment.  The characters are painfully generic but the cast does the best with what they were given.  The story for this one takes some liberties and reaches in several instances that results in some funny moments that was obviously unintentional.  The "virgins" in the films are women in  their late 20s and early 30s who are clearly not virgins.  I read one review that suspected they were local sex works which makes it even funnier.  Also, the crime aspect is very far fetched but enjoyable.  Having a random dry-cleaner take on a sex trafficking ring with the help of the local authorities is funny to me as well.  I don't know why but I was laughing at this.  Humor aside, I did enjoy the crime angle with the sleaze thought it was not as sleazy as one would expect from the title.  Finally, the film has some blood and boobs but nothing that will stick with the viewer.  Hell, the nudity in this one is nothing grand and the blood isn't that appealing either.  Overall, Rape of Virgin Girls is not the wild and sexually charged exploitation flick I was expecting but I thoroughly 

El Pico

Director - Eloy de la Iglesia (The Cannibal Man, No One Heard the Scream)

Starring - Jose Luis Manzano (Navajeros, El Pico 2), Jose Manuel Cervino (The Last Circus, Cold Winter Sun), and Luis Iriondo (Bar-Cel-Ona, Gran Sol)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Drama/Crime

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     For several years now I've spent my entire October binging as many horror titles as I can.  It's always been a fun experience but this year has been a bit unusual.  I guess with the pandemic still hindering some aspects of life we are given some non-genre titles as we approach Halloween. I don't mind it but it does slow my down from reviewing horror releases.  So far this month I've reviewed a sexploitation flick and now I'm given an opportunity to review three quinqui releases from Spanish director Eloy de la Iglesia that was kindly sent my way from my friends over at MVD and Severin Films.  The first film I get to check out is the 1983 crime drama El Pico starring the late Jose Luis Manzano.  I want to thank MVD and Severin for sending this over.

     The film follows Paco (Manzano) who is the son of the local civil guard.  His best friend Urko is the son of a famous politician and the two are addicted to heroine.  Their addiction eventually becomes so crippling that they rob their drug dealer at gun point where they accidentally kill him and his wife.  When they make off with the drugs they go on a binder leading to Urko's overdose.  This leads Paco to returning home and seeking help from his father.

      I had no idea what to expect from El Pico but I fucking loved it.  It was one hell of a film that I couldn't look away from.  It may not be the typical horror release that I would watch during my October binge but it was nothing short but amazing and I can't wait to dig into the sequel.  The acting in this one is absolutely amazing.  Manzano and Javier Garcia are fantastic together as the drug addled teens who make horrible decisions.  They carry the film and make it as enjoyable as it is.  Also, the supporting cast is absolutely amazing as well.  The characters are superbly written and the cast knocks it out of the park with their performances.  The story for this one is a deep look at the youth in the Spanish cities in the late 70s and early 80s which is where the sub-genre quinqui get their names.  It focused on drug use, violence, and clashing with authorities.  El Pico may not be one of the first films in quinqui but it really embodies what it meant to be one of those films.  We see the abusive civil guards, the liberal political party, the hatred to homosexuals, and the youth turning to drugs and other illegal reaches to have fun.  It's a riveting story that really pulled me in and I didn't want to look away.  It's a culturally significant film that is perfect for any fan of the genre.  Finally, the film has explicit use of drugs and needles checking the vein.  However, that is the only gruesome images we see.  Two gun shots are done off camera with light blood splatter but that is nothing memorable or enjoyable.  Overall, El Pico is a surprisingly amazing film that I can't recommend enough.  Please do yourself a favor and check this one out.  

Siege

Director(s) - Paul Donovan (Lexx, DEFCON-4) and Maura O'Connell

Starring - Tom Nardini (Kung Fu, Another World), Brenda Bazinet (Goosebumps, Friday the 13th: The Series), and Daryl Haney (Xtro 3: Watch the Skies, The Unborn)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Tagline - "Today, their city.  Tomorrow...yours!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     I've been reviewing Severin's releases for several years now and for the most part I always enjoy them.  However, they always release at least one movie in each batch that I don't care for.  So far I'm three movies deep into this batch of releases and each film seems to be better than the last.  After watching Born for Hell and Invaders of the Lost Gold I decided to spin Siege next.  This is another one I had never seen before but the artwork really made it look fun.  I want to thank MVD and Severin for sending this one over.  

     The films takes place during a police strike when a group of men enter a gay bar looking to cause trouble.  They kill everyone but one escapes and flees into a nearby apartment building.  They soon gather their numbers and place the building on lockdown while demanding they release the man forcing those on the inside to fight through the night.  

     Siege was not the movie I was expecting but holy fuck did I love it.  It's not a horror film in a traditional sense but it is an out of the box crime thriller that really took took on a subject that was taboo for the early 1980s.  I really enjoyed it and I'm checking it out for the second time as I type this.  The acting in this one is solid enough for the film but there was several dry scenes where the cast just wasn't delivering the best possible performances.  With that being said, I was really looking for characters that stood out from the others.  We get a lot of characters that resemble other characters or act too much like other existing characters.  There is not a lot of individuality in this one.  The story for this one mixes politics with home invasion.  We have the police in strike that answers the question "who will you call if the police isn't available?" which has been a political topic for decades.  Also, including a gay character as a main point of the story was almost unheard of for 80s cinema.  It did occur in some films but not as often as it does now a days.  With that being said, I absolutely loved the story and how it followed the group barricaded in their home and forced to fight off armed homophobes.  It was a lot of fun and I can see bits and pieces inspiring the holiday classic Home Alone.  Finally, the film has some bloody but graphic deaths that fit the theme of the film.  The kills don't stick with out or necessarily stand out but I absolutely loved them.  The effects worked in the kill's favor but I would have really enjoyed a little more blood or gore.  Overall, Siege is another fantastic release from Severin.  They really impressed me with this one and I can see myself spinning this one yet again in the coming weeks.  I fucking loved it and this release looks absolutely gorgeous.  

Mortuary

Director - Howard Avedis (The Fifth Floor, Kidnapped)

Starring - Mary Beth McDonough (The Waltons, West Wing), David Wysocki (Humongous, Money to Burn), and Bill Paxton (Aliens, Frailty)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "...where nobody rests in peace"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Some movies are made and become iconic upon release while others gain a cult following years or even decades later.  However, some movies are released and the movies themselves may not stick with viewers but their artwork becomes legendary.  When I was in high school a friend of mine got a few movie posters to hang around his house.  Movies like Skinned Alive, Dawn of the Dead, Zombi, and a few others.  One that stood out was the poster for the 1983 horror film Mortuary.  The poster was included in an eBay lot he won but none of us had seen the film.  With that being said, that was easily the coolest poster on his wall and we would often get drunk and make up stories about what the story for the film was.  I never did get to watch Mortuary so when MVD announced the blu release of it as part of their MVD Rewind Collection I had to jump on it.  I want to thank MVD for sending this one my way.

     The film follows a young girl and her boyfriend who suspects that her father's death was not accidental.  She tries to investigate but the closer she gets to answers the more she feels as if she is being stalked and harassed by someone.  She's convinced that someone is trying to scare her to stop her from looking but she soon uncovers that someone has killed her father and they have ties to the local mortuary.

     I've never heard people talk about this film so I always assumed it was bad but the original poster for this one is absolutely glorious.  With that being said, the film does fall a little short.  It has some fun moments but the overall film is a bit of a let down.  The acting in this one was actually very enjoyable.  Paxton was by far my favorite performance.  His character is annoying during the first half of the film but when we enter the last act his character is insane.  I loved the intensity he brought to the film.  With that being said, the main characters of the film are solid but they are not as memorable as Paxton and his final scene performance.  The story for this one feels like a bit of a slasher mixed with a made for television murder mystery.  We get some red herrings tossed in to throw the viewer off while the real story keeps rolling.  With that being said, we get a lot of long and boring scenes that do very little for the story.  The film would have been so much more enjoyable if it would have embraced the slasher style story.  Finally, the film has some red stuff, especially during the final scene, but the "death" scenes are not that memorable or entertaining.  With that being said, that last act with Paxton is bloody and slightly amusing.  Overall, Mortuary is not as fun as the poster but it does have it's moments.  I liked some things and disliked even more.  The release from MVD looks great so fans of this film should really check it out. If you've never seen the film I would highly recommend checking out this release if you want to watch it all.  

Surf II

Director - Randall M. Badat

Starring - Eddie Deezen (A Polish Vampire in Burbank, Zapped!), Eric Stoltz (Pulp Fiction, The Butterfly Effect), and Jeffrey Rogers (Friday the 13th Part III, The Karate Kid Part II)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "The end of the trilogy"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up on television shows from the 90s and whatever I could find at the local video store but I was very much obsessed with 80s movies.  When I was in middle school I found myself very much a horror fan but I found myself watching anything from the 80s.  I had romance, comedies, action flicks, and so on.  It if was made in the 80s I was going to watch it.  I loved the comedies that came out of the 80s that was modeled after John Landis' National Lampoon's Animal House.  This 1978 classis inspired a plethora of comedies in the years that followed like King Frat in 79 and Porky's in 1981.  Recently, Vinegar Syndrome announced the release of the 1983 surfer comedy Surf II.  I had never heard of this one before but when I was some familiar names I knew I needed it. 

     The film follows two high school surfers who are entering an upcoming surfing competition but the private beach they normally visit is closed after a surfing accident.  To make matters worse, some of the other students at school are turning into mindless zombies that will eat anything.  They suspect it's because of a new soda called Buzz Cola that was created by an evil nerd who was once bullied by the surfers.

     I heard a lot about this one once Vin Syn announced it's release but I was not ready for this outlandishly 80s wild ride that was before me.  I had a lot of fun with it but I can easily see why this one isn't talked about more.  The acting in this one is very fun and the characters are all enjoyable.  The cast is really dedicated to their roles and do a fantastic job at bringing to life what feels like live-action versions of cartoon characters.  They are all well written and great to watch on screen.  With that being said, the film is a little too full.  There is so many great characters to watch with such a huge cast that you often get caught up in the moment and lose track of the story.  The story for this one is more insane than the characters.  We get mad science experiments, teenage zombies, surfers, nudity, Eddie Deezen, and oddball humor.  The film is meant to be a parody of the surfer films of the 50s and 60s but finds itself fitting into the beach comedies of the mid-80s like Private Resort and Hardbodies.  It actually works as one of these films with the parody aspect getting lost among the chaos.  The humor finds it's mark for the most part but some of the gags did leave me stumped.  I'm sure they were pop culture jabs at the time.  The downside to this bat shit crazy story is that it was just one film.  There was no Surf which is a bit disappointing.  I would love to have more of this zany story.  Finally, the film isn't a bloody one but that doesn't stop it from being gooey.  We get some practical gags and some gooey mess but that is the extent of this one.  The focus is on the characters which is not a bad thing in this situation.  Overall, Surf II is an outrageous comedy that will leave most cult fans in stitches.  The humor isn't for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  This release from Vin Syn is a must have especially if you haven't seen the film before.  It was a lot of fun.  

Hunting Ground

Director - Jorge Grau (Love Letters of a Nun, The Rash One)

Starring - Assumpta Serna (The Craft, Wild Orchid), Victor Valverde (Heart of the Forest, Fox Hunt), and Luis Hostalot (The Ministry of Time, Going South)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The day I come to believe the world is just a hunting ground, life will lose all meaning for me"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started collecting movies back in my middle school and high school years I often found myself disappointed in the lack of older films.  I was grabbing indie horror films fist over foot from companies like Anchor Bay, Brain Damage, and Shock-a-roma.  However, aside of the normal genre releases consisting of The Evil Dead, Dawn of the Dead, The Exorcist, and so on I was a bit disappointed in how a lot of the older films were going unnoticed and neglected. That seemed to change when I hit college as boutique labels started taking advantage of the lowering cost of disc manufacturing.  Companies like Vinegar Syndrome, Blue Underground, Arrow Video, and Mondo Macabro started acquiring and releasing movies that never saw a release or died in the VHS era.  Mondo Macabro stands out from the others by delivering older international releases that most here in the states had never seen before.  Their releases are very exciting and always delivering something I had never seen before.  They recently released the Paul Naschy film The Howl of the Devil along with the 1983 home invasion horror film Hunting Ground from director Jorge Grau.  After spinning Howl of the Devil it only made sense to follow it up with Hunting Ground.  I want to thank CAV and Mondo Macabro for sending these over.

     The film follows a female lawyer who tries to see the good in people.  She wears her heart on her sleeve and thinks that most criminals are the victims of circumstance and poverty.  However, when a criminal finds an attraction to her during his hearing he stalks her before breaking into their home with some friends where her husband is accidentally killed.  The criminal's brother is arrested for the murder so his brother starts harassing her to get him out of jail.  Things go from bad to worse when the incarcerated brother suffers a seizure and dies in jail sending his brother over the edge.  He, along with a few friends, break into their home again but this time the lawyer is not giving up easily.  

     Hunting Ground is one I was looking forward to. I had seen others in different horror groups showing off posters and VHS if I remember correctly of the film under the title Code of Hunting.  The movie was not what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it.  It was different and the last 15 to 20 minutes were phenomenal.  The acting in this one is great from all around.  The supporting cast and the lead all work together fantastically.  Their chemistry on screen is great which makes for some very enjoyable scenes.  The criminals, female lead, her mother-in-law, and the kids all deliver unforgettable performances.  With that being said, the final act of the film is extremely intense and the cast's reactions to this will stick with you for sometime after viewing it.  The story for this one plays out like a home invasion thriller that has a crime aspect to it.  The first hour or so of the film, aside from the accidental death, pretty much feels like a crime drama with some thriller aspects.  Then we hit the final act that is exploitation fueled and shocking.  I wouldn't say it's the most brutal ending to a movie I've seen but it did have a few instances that really caught me off guard.  It's a slow start but not a bad start.  Finally, the film has some blood and two outstanding death scenes that make great use of camera angles and classic movie magic.  However, the "burning bush" was the thing that really sent a tingle down my spine.  Our imaginations runs away with this part and it leaves a lasting impression.  Overall, Hunting Ground is a must see with the Mondo Macabro release being a must own.  The movie may beat around the bush (pun intended) at first but it has one hell of an ending.  It's well worth your time and this release is absolutely fantastic.  I highly recommend it.  

Summer Camp Girls

Director - Gary Graver (Party Camp, Peeping Tom)

Starring - Kimberly Carson (Double Heat, Sinners), Tara Aire (Pleasure Zone, Dallas Schoolgirls), Shauna Grant (Flesh and Lances, Suzie Superstar)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "They learn about love in all the right places"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been horror overloaded the last few days with Vinegar Syndrome's newest releases along with a few other titles from Wild Eye and SRS Cinemas.  Don't get me wrong, I love my beloved genre but sometimes you really need to mix it up for fear of getting burned out.  Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.  Any way, when Vin Syn announced their April releases they included the sexploitation film Summer Camp Girls as part of their Peekarama label.  It looked like another fun release from them so I decided to toss it in after checking out a few no-budget indie horror flicks just to mix things up a bit.

     The film follows a summer camp where the women are sexually frustrated and will go to great lengths to score.  However, things get complicated when one of the young girls is abducted by one of the local goons right as her father arrives to see her sending everyone on a frenzy to find her.

     Summer Camp Girls is a rushed production with some moments and a lot of sleaze.  Sexploitation is something I've only recently got into over the last few years but this one is of the more entertaining ones.  The acting in this one is great.  The characters all reminded me of the type of characters you would find in the sleazy sex comedies from the early 80s.  They were funny when needed to be and sexy when the time arose.  With that being said, there was a few slow scenes with awkward dialogue and lazy acting.  The story for this one works for a sexploitation flick but it does rush at the end with no real closure.  I've watched countless movies that take place in the 80s with similar stories yet this one struggled to give us any real resolution.  Also, I would have loved to see more campy hijinks mixed in with the sexploitation.  Finally, the film has no blood or gore.  However, if you want to see beautiful women fully nude then this one is for you.  Overall, Summer Camp Girls is a fun and sleazy release from Vinegar Syndrome.  The video and audio looks great and the slipcover is perfect for collectors.  I highly recommend checking this one out.  

The Demons of Ludlow

Director - Bill Rebane (The Alpha Incident, Invasion from Inner Earth)

Starring - Paul Bentzen (The Devonsville Terror, The Godfather of Green Bay), Stephanie Cushna (Stingray, Hunter), and Carol Perry (The Game)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Can you escape the curse of Ludlow?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started Weird Wisconsin I was really looking forward to The Demons of Ludlow.  This is one of the notoriously bad Bill Rebane flicks that I've seen others in the various horror groups bash for sometime now.  The artwork was fun for this one but I was really excited at digging into one of his mostly disliked films.  With that being said, when it was all said and done I actually enjoyed this one.  Sure, it was bad but I enjoyed it.

     The film follows the small town Ludlow who is cursed stemming back to when it was first founded during colonial times.  As the town celebrates their bicentennial the local preacher is hellbent on warning the people about the evil spirits that live in an old piano.

     The Demons of Ludlow felt like a made for television movie that gave me the same vibes as Mr. Boogedy.  It's cheap and cheesy as fuck but most of you know that this is the kind of movie that I really enjoy.  The aesthetics and horrible acting made for a fun experience that I truly enjoyed.  It's not going to be for everyone but if you like campy 80s horror then you wont find a campier 80s movie than The Demons of Ludlow.  The acting in this one was not as good as the previous films in the set.  The cast is very inconsistent.  They would deliver solider performances in some scenes while other scenes were very dull and lackluster.  When you mix that with the generic characters you get a film full of fairly forgettable scenes.  The story for this one is what really pulled me in.  If the cast was a little better or directed it would have been one hell of a film.  We get a haunted house style story with pilgrims (?) living in a piano who come back for revenge on the families that did them wrong.  This was very different and another reason I was continuously thinking about the film Mr. Boogedy.  I loved the story and the pacing was actually fairly well done.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments with some very cheap practical effects.  The effects in this one are nothing like the others films of the time.  They were very cheap and amateurish but they fit the film oddly enough.  Don't expect gore but you will get a fun decapitation.  Overall, The Demons of Ludlow is not as atmospheric as the previous two films but it had it's own charm.  It's shitty but a fun kind of shitty.  I recommend it.  

Scalps

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Evil Toons, Haunted Fear)

Starring - Jo-Ann Robinson (The Devil's Dolls, Malicious), Richard Hench (Biohazard, The Tomb), and Roger Maycock 

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "They came out of the grave...to get REVENGE!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Some movies are just nostalgic for the viewer.  They may be horrible movies but you revisit them because you have fond memories of watching them with friends of family.  When I was in high school, and the year or so after I graduated, I had a group of friends that loved horror movies.  We would often get together to drink cheap beer and watch movies all night.  It was a damn good time.  On one of these nights a friend had purchased Fred Olen Ray's Scalps on DVD to watch.  I don't remember a lot about the movie but I do remember the drunken antics that took place that night.  I required that copy from my friend and often gave it a spin in college whenever I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders.  Sometime back Makeflix announced that they would be selling copies of the film on blu.  I knew my DVD was beat up and on it's last leg so I decided to upgrade and revisit it again for old times sake.

     The film follows a group of college students as they head out into Native American territory in search of burial grounds.  When they uncover an ancient relic they accidentally release an evil spirit hellbent on killing anyone on their sacred land.

     Scalps is an interesting spin on the early 80s slasher.  We are moved from the woods to the desert and the masked slasher is replaced with an evil Native American spirit.  This is some seriously fun ideas for a slasher but the scenes and dialogue is painfully dull.  The acting in this one is standard early 80s slasher.  The characters are very cliched and the performances are very unenthused.  The cast does their thing with some effort but they are not fully committed to their roles.  The way they deliver their dialogue is almost cringy.  They just say it and move on to the next portion.  Sadly, this is pretty typical of slashers of the time.  The story for this one, as I stated earlier, is a pretty fun twist on the slasher sub-genre.  I would have loved to see the Native American angle explored further with more of their mythology introduced into the film.  My biggest upset with the film is how they are in the middle of the desert with nowhere to run and as they are picked off by the possessed they don't seem to be venturing any further away from their stuff.  The scope of the film is so small when you consider how much space they have to go.  That's always been my biggest draw back with this film.  It's so constricting while the space is vast.  Finally, the kills are cheap but the scalping scene is pretty fun.  Similar to the effects in Ray's Haunting Fear, we get some genuinely cheap looking practical effects in a few of the death scenes but the scalping scene is a really fun gag.  It's cheap but I love how it looks.  Overall, Scalps is a mediocre slasher film from the golden age of slashers.  It has a lot of nostalgia for me but I also know that it's a tough one to finish.  The blu from Retromedia is not upscaled at all.  It's the same quality as the shitty DVD I've had for all these years.  It looks nothing like these other releases that I've reviewed.  Honestly, if you need it for your collection I would the cheapest route possible because this release is nothing to spend the extra cash for.