Bangkok, Date with Death

Director - Jesus Franco (Vampire Junction, Helter Skelter)

Starring - Jose Llamas (Slave of Crime, Angel of Death), Helena Garret (The Beast and the Magic Sword, Revenge in the House of Usher), and Eduardo Fajardo (Django, The Murder Mansion)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Jess Franco is a filmmaker that is never really consistent with me.  His career is legendary spanning multiple genres and decades.  However, I often find myself on the fence with his films.  For every film of his I like, there is a film of his that was damn near impossible to finish.  I respect the hell out of him but I'm not niave enough to know that every film of his is not for me.  A few weeks back I was sent the Jess Franco: From Bangkok with Bullets from my friends over at Severin Films.  I started with Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included and before throwing in the second film Bangkok, Date with Death.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows the wealthy daughter of a rich man who is kidnapped by a pirate of sorts.  Her father hires a private investigator to track her down instead of paying the hefty ransom they are demanding.

     I went into this one expecting the same sort of zany story without the intentional humor that made the first film in the double features as fun as it was.  Sadly, it wasn't and was easily the weakest of the pair.  As I said before, his movies are hit or miss with me and this set seems to be a miss.  The acting in this one is extremely uneven.  We have frequent Franco collaborator Lina Romay in a fun performance but that is about the end of it.  Everyone else in the film feels rushed through their performances.  The dialogue we have is extremely flat and most of the performances is extremely campy and not in a fun way.  The story for this one is a bit more straight forward that the first film in the set.  While we do have some beach karate and pirates, it's not as wild as I had hoped for.  Finally, this one doesn't have a lot of action and those of you wanting some fun deaths with great practical effects will be disappointed.  Overall, Bangkok, Date with Death was not the cheap action flick I had hoped for. I don't see this one improving with some edibles or booze.  Skip it.  

Trip to Bankgok, Coffin Included

Director - Jesus Franco (Down Town, The Devil Came from Akasava)

Starring - Howard Vernon (The Silence of the Sea, In the Eye of the Snake), Helena Garret (Angel of Death, Revenge in the House of Usher), and Jose Llamas (Slave of Crime, The Last Women in the Phillippines)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Adventure

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Jesus, or Jess, Franco isa filmmaker that I respect but I'm not the biggest fan.  His career is legendary spanning every genre and several decades up until his death.  While he was known for his sexploitation and horror efforts, he did take a crack at other genres from time to time.  Franco took to Bangkok in the mid-80s where he made a pair of action adventure films that recently found their way into the hands of my friends over at Severin Films.  Severin was kind enough to send me a copy of this double feature for review.  I was very cruious about this release and threw it on the chopping block as soon as I could with the first film Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a British officer who visits Thialand to investigate the murder of an ambassador.  He teams up with secret service and uncovers that the murder was carried out by a blind assassin that is part of a cult ran by an evil scientist. 

     I went into this one completely fucking blind and holy fuck is all I have to say.  I was not expecting this one to go the way that it does and a part of me actually enjoyed just how fucking random the movie is.  However, it struggles to find any traction which made it difficult for me to finish.  I seriously wanted to like it but it wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  Vernon and Garret are solid for most of their scenes but several other scenes were very disappointing and awkward.  The same can be said about the supporting cast.  Their dialogue delivery was awkward at time and most of them show zero depth.  The story for this one is not something I was expecting from Franco but I wish he would have fully embraced the bizare.  We have a blind assassin, a cult, and an evil scientist in a mid-80s action adventure film from a filmmaker that I admire due to his work in sexploitation and horror.  However, the story doesn't really ermbrace the weird like it could have and feels more like a cheap action flick that doesn't know what to do with the random humor.  Finally, don't go into this one expecting memorable kills and a lot of fun effects.  The film focuses heavily on the story and not so much on deaths and effects.  Overall, Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included is not the action adventure flick I was expecting.  It has a lot of aspects that I liked but they were just thrown away and never fully embraced.  Honestly, I would have loved it if it offered up more of the blind assassins and cult aspects.  It's worth a watch if you have an edible or some beers.  

Jungle Raiders

Director - Antonio Margheriti (Yor: The Hunter from the Future, Cannibal Apocalypse)

Starring - Christopher Connelly (1990: Bronx Warriors, Night of the Sharks), Marina Costa (The Final Executioner, Greggio e Pericoloso), and Lee Van Cleef (Escape from New York, For a Few Dollars More)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "In the heart of the tropical rain forest lies a world of endless danger, mysterious romance, and wild adventure"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The 1980s was a wild ass time and I hate that I was born halfway through the decade.  I would have loved to have lived through the entire 80s as an adult so I could truly appreciate everything as it was being released.  The first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released in 1981 and immedately became a hit.  So much so that it inspired a series of copy cat films which really took hold in Italy.  Director Antonio Margheriti helmed several of these films and my friends over at Severin released three of them in a box set.  They were kind enough to end it over for me to review and when I could I tossed in the first film that I pulled out which was Jungle Raiders from 1985.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows Captrain Yankee (Connelly) who scams rich adventurers into thinking they are exploring uncharted jungle for undiscovered treasure.  His easy meal ticket is thwarted when a real adventure presents itself and he is forced to uncover an ancient ruby for someone else. 

     I watched a few of these action adventure films growing up but I never realized that they were Jonesploitation.  However, now I can totally see that these films are and kind of appreciate them more than I originally did.  Jungle Raiders was a new one to me and I was excited to see it but it was a film that lost it's steam fairly early on.  The acting in this one is fairly inconsistent and unintentionally funny at times.  Connelly and Van Cleef deliver solid performances but the remainder of the cast is comical for the most part.  I went into this one sober and still found myself laughing during a few of the scenes due to the acting.  The story for this one borrows all the fun stuff from movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark but forgets to add a protagonist that the viewer can get behind along with something new for the viewer to enjoy.  The film starts out strong enough with the fake tours scamming the rich but soon loses it's gas as the film progresses.  The unlikable characters and predictable story makes this one difficult to finish.  Finally, the film is not one that memorable deaths or fun effects.  We have some cheap effects here and there but nothing that really stands out.  Overall, Jungle Raiders is a alright if you want something to watch but don't have access to Indiana Jones.  I wanted to like this one but it wasn't for me.  

The Warrior and the Ninja

Director - H. Tjut Djalil (Dangerous Seductress, Lady Terminator)

Starring - Barry Prima (Get Married 3, Jakarta Undead), El Manik (Buffalo Boys, Hell Raiders), and Rita Zahara (The Ghostly Face, Jungle Virgin Force)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      It's hard to find a trilogy or franchise where all the films are consistently good.  Most series become rushed garbage by the time it reaches the third installment.  The companies want to cash in on the film's previous installments so they skip quality control and focus more on quantity.  Sure, there is several series or trilogies that have solid third entries but it's not something that happens often.  I was very excited when I was sent the Warrior trilogy from Mondo Macabro.  I had never seen the films before and was looking forward to some non-horror to check out.  However, in the back of my mind I was hesitant about tossing in the third film.  After watching the first two films it was time for the third one to be placed on the chopping block...and I loved it.  

     The film once again follows Jaka Sembung (Prima) who is still fighting against the Dutch military.  He seems to have finally met his match but things take a turn in his favor when he is saved by a female ninja who helps him fight the good fight against the oppressive regime.  

     The Warrior and the Ninja may not be as good as the original films but god damn was it just as fun.  It takes a story with a lot of elements from the previous film and gives us more martial arts and black magic action.  As I said, it's not as good as the previous two films but its a lot of fun.  The acting in this one is consistent with the other two films.  Barry Prima once again hams up the screen with his cheesy interpretation of a classic action star.  His emotionless expression and stiff dialogue is so much fun when you add in the intentional and unintentional humor along with the action.  The supporting cast is more of the same with a lot of campy performances and uneven dialogue.  The story for this one does borrow parts from The Warrior Against the Blind Swordsman.  We see Jaka Sembung partner with a female ninja to fight the Dutch army.  While that is the only similarities to the story itself it still features several amazing fight scenes, humor, and cartoon like characters.  Finally, this is another one that uses classic movie tricks along with extensive choreographed fight scenes.  They are fun to watch but those wanting blood may be disappointed.  Overall, The Warrior and the Ninja is one of the few instances where the trilogy ends on a high note and doesn't feature a quick cash grab.  It's a lot of fun and still has all the qualities that made the previous two films so much fun.  Check them out!

Death Squad

Director - Max Pecas (The Fashioned in Saint-Tropez, Hot Dogs in Ibiza

Starring - Thierry de Carbonnieres (Highlander, How I Killed My Father), Jean-Marc Maurel (China Blues, Blue Helmet), and Lillemour Jonsson (Dog Day, Hello Beatrice)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love these odd and obscure titles that so many of these boutique labels bring us.  I'm always open to a lost early 80s slasher, a never released S.O.V. horror titles, a giallo that never made the jump the the U.S., or an unreleased title from the 90s that found itself in distribution hell.  That brings me to Mondo Macabro.  I've been reviewing their releases for years now and I've thoroughly enjoyed them for the most part.  A few weeks back I was sent a review copy of the 1985 crime thriller Death Squad.  The film is a French flick released under the title Brigade of Death and is one I had never heard of until Mondo released it.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a cop investigating the murder of three prostitutes and a fellow female officer.  The deeper into the seedy side of France he goes, he uncovers that these murders are connected and something much bigger is at play.

     I was not expecting to like Death Squad as much as I did but I did.  It's not the film I was expecting and I think that added to my enjoyment to some extent.  I was expecting a street vigilante film similar to the film Vigilante.  Instead, I was greeted with a sleazy crime thriller that had so much nudity that I often thought I was watching a softcore flick.  The acting in this one is extremely campy.  The cast really does ham it up in front of the camera but it adds to the fun of the film.  In fact, it's the acting in this film that I now suspect a lot of directors and actors model their performances from in the direct to video action flicks of the 90s and early 00s.  The story for this one is fairly predictable but it's one of those films that you still enjoy even if you know how it will end.  The character's interactions, the action, nudity, and so on comes together to hold the viewer's attention even if the last act of the film doesn't have that much of an impact.  Finally, the film has several gun wounds with minor effects and lots of nudity from both sexes.  The nudity doesn't really make up for the lack of blood for us genre fans but it's still fun to look at.  Overall, Death Squad is another must own release from Mondo Macabro.  It's a raunchy crime film that doesn't disappoint.  Check it out.  

Nail Gun Massacre

Director(s) - Bill Leslie and Terry Lofton

Starring - Rocky Patterson (Repligator, R.O.T.O.R.), Ron Queen (Trespasses), and Beau Leland (Dallas)

Release Date -1985

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Who will get nailed next?"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago, I was able to work out a trade with a member of the Upcoming Horror Movies' message board for a copy of Nail Gun Massacre on DVD. I had never seen this one before and was on the hunt for a copy. At the time it was out of print and a bit pricey, but I found someone not looking to get rich quickly who was also a member of the board for some time like I was. I traded him a couple DVDS and VHS for a few DVDs. When I finally received everything, I had traded for from him I was quick to check out the NGM DVD. I quickly fell in love with the film and before long I had accumulated a few shirts, hats, beanie, and even a poster or two for the film. I know it's not perfect and very cheesy but It's my kind of movie. A few weeks back Terror Vision announced that they would be releasing the film on UHD. I had to jump on this release. I pre-ordered it when it was available and once it arrived, I had to work it into my review schedule. 

      The film follows a small town that is being terrorized by someone in a motorcycle helmet and a nail gun. The sheriff is following every lead he can and surmises that these deaths are tied to a rape from several months prior with some of the victims being the men accused of raping a young woman. Now he must track down the suspect before more meet their end. 

      Nail Gun Massacre is one of the campiest slashers I've seen and what makes this one so enjoyable is how unintentionally funny it is. The movie has a lot of laughs, but it's not meant to be funny. It's a serious slasher that has gained a cult following due to its comical moments that were not planned or written into the film. The acting in this one leaves a lot to be desired but I honestly kind of liked it. I've watched a lot of no budget S.O.V. and regional horror films over the years and this may be among the better acting but that's not saying much. You can see a lot of inexperience and lack of direction in this one but that adds to it's charm. The story for this one is clearly meant to be taken seriously and draws inspiration from one of the greatest exploitation films of all time, I Spit on Your Grave. The film does switch the killer up to prevent it from being so predictable but anyone that has seen the two films can see how one influenced the other. With that being said, that is where the similarities end. The film takes on a much darker tone, but the atmosphere is lost when the killer talks with the robotic voice and you see the silly deaths. These unintentionally funny moments make the film as great as it is. Finally, the film has several deaths with a lot of blood, but the effects are pretty simple. The are nails cut to look like they are impaling the victims with blood splattered around them. While these kills do fit the film and offer up a few laughs, it does lack creative kills that make slashers so much fun. Overall, Nail Gun Massacre is one of my favorite horror films, but I love it for all the wrong reasons. The movie has no reason for being as good as it is but I'm glad a company like Terror Vision took the time to give fans an amazing release. I highly recommend snagging this one while you can

Fright Night

Director - Tom Holland (Child's Play, Tales from the Crypt)

Starring - Chris Sarandon (The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Resurrected), William Ragsdale (Fright Night Part 2, Screams of a Winter Night), and Amanda Bearse (Married... with Children, Here Come the Munsters)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "There are very good reasons to be afraid of the dark"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I first found myself becoming horror oriented at the tail end of elementary school I became obsessed with the book series Goosebumps and Shivers. This soon spilled over to the television adaptation of the Goosebumps series along with Are You Afraid of the Dark? Soon I was discovering Stephen King, serial killers, and classic horror. It was around this time that I watched Fright Night for the first time. It was on cable but I can’t remember the channel or the circumstances around it but I do remember becoming obsessed with it. A few days later it was playing again and I made damn sure that I recorded it on tape when it aired again. Since then I’ve upgraded to DVD but I never was able to snag the blu due to it going out of print so quickly. Lucky for me, I was able to secure a review copy of the UHD steelbook release of the film a few days ago. This was a perfect addition to my October horror binge. 

      The film follows teenager Charlie Brewster (Ragsdale) who suspects that his new neighbor is a vampire. His girlfriend and friend believe he is having a break down and confusing the real world with the horror films he is a fan of. He tries to enlist the help of horror host Peter Vincent but he declines. However, his girlfriend and friend is able to convince Vincent to go along with it and help convince Charley that his neighbor is not a vampire. This doesn’t go according to plan and they quickly realize that vampires are real and one just moved into their neighborhood. 

      Fright Night, and it’s underrated and not that well known sequel, are films that I fucking loved in my younger years. I watched them constantly with The Lost Boys, Return of the Living Dead, and Children of the Night to name a few. Fright Night is what shaped my love of 80 vampire flicks a few years before I discovered The Lost Boys and I’ve quoted this movie for most of my life. It’s a fucking classic and a movie that I truly believe is essential viewing for horror fans. The acting in this is great and it’s the cast that makes this movie as memorable as it is. Ragsdale and Sarandon’s chemistry is fantastic. Sarandon’s arrogant vampire and Ragsdale high strung teenage horror fan finally finding a creature that goes bump in the night is so much fun to watch. Seeing them interact is one of the best parts of the film. Roddy McDowall and Stephen Geoffreys’ performance in this is fucking iconic. McDowall channels his inner Peter Cushing and fucking destroys it. I always found it strange that Amanda Bearse was in the film. Sometime before I found Fright Night I was already a Married…With Children fan. I was familiar with her from the show and seeing her as a different character always caught me off guard regardless of how many times I’ve seen it. The story for this one is horror first and foremost but there is a hint of romance which is common in vampire flicks of the 80s. We have characters that are very well written, a story that is predictable but entertaining, and some seriously impressive death scenes. It doesn’t bring something knew to the sub-genre but it still finds a way to leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Finally, the film has several amazing death scenes with some of the best effects to come out of the 80s. The bat form near the end of the film and the death of the familiar are both fucking iconic. Overall, Fright Night is a fucking must own for genre fans. With Halloween just around the corner this is the perfect movie to get you in the holiday spirit. Check it out and be sure to snag the new UHD steelbook!

Hard Rock Zombies

Director - Krishna Shah (American Drive-In, Ironside)

Starring - E.J. Curse (Bones, Rules of Engagement), Geno Andrews (Dr. Alien, Martial Law), and Sam Mann (Roller Blade, Roller Blade Warriors: Taken By Force)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "They came from the grave to rock n' rave and misbehave"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in middle and high school I found myself obsessed with 80s horror.  Films from the 80s have always been a favorite of mine but when I found myself falling in love with horror I couldn't get enough 80s horror.  There are so many classic horror films from this long since passed decade like Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Hellraiser, Fright Night, The Lost Boys, and so many more.  However, there are other films that never make fans top ten lists but still deserve a watch.  One such film is the wildly outrageous horror comedy Hard Rock Zombies from 1985.  This is one I had seen many many years ago but didn't remember much about the film.  I knew it involved a hair metal band, Hitler, and zombies but that was it.  When Vinegar Syndrome announced that the film was getting a blu release I was ready to revisit it.  I ordered a copy and took advantage of my recent Vin Syn partner label marathon to finally check out the release.  

     The film follows a band that has a gig in a small town.  However, the townspeople do not like rock music and sets out to prevent them from performing.  However, Hitler has escaped Germany many decades prior and has been living secretly in this town along with his sex-craved dwarves and killer nazis.  When the band is murdered they come back from the grave to seek revenge against everyone in town.

     Hard Rock Zombies is far from perfect and the story is all over the place but it's a film that should not be slept on.  It's an unpredictable and chaotic film that does stand out but the flaws do stop it from becoming something truly memorable.  The acting in this one matches the film.  It's far from perfect but the cast is a lot of fun.  The awkward dialogue and over-dramatic emotions makes for some genuinely funny moments regardless if they were intentional.  Some of the cast does stick out from others but nothing that will stay with you once the film ends.  The story for this one is all over the place which is the film's best and worst quality.  I really enjoyed the chaotic story with Hitler, zombies, and hair metal but with so much going on it does lose its impact.  I would have loved a more zombie focused film with more backstory on Hitler.  However, the way the film is put together it mostly just throws everything at the viewer in hopes of something sticking.  It is a bit of an overload at times and the lack of detail makes it difficult to love.  It's fun for a cheap viewing especially with some beer but that's the extent of it.  Finally, the film has some questionable make-up effects but the lack of gore is my biggest complaint.  The film's flaws could have been overlooked if we had some enjoyable effects.  Overall, Hard Rock Zombies may be a polarizing film but if you dig cheap 80s horror with a lot of cheese then this one is for you.  I highly recommend it.  

Nothing Underneath

Director - Carlo Vanzina (The Gamble, Millions)

Starring - Tom Schanley (Dexter, Charmed), Renee Simonsen (Via Montenapoleone), and Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Prince of Darkness)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Thriller/Mystery

Tagline - "Chasing fame is murder"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome continues to impress me with their releases.  Their partner labels are mostly entertaining but every month I look forward to the actual Vin Syn releases.  They rarely release a movie I had previously seen and most of the ones they bring to my attention are usually a ton of fun.  You never know what they are going to release to fans and each month is greeted with excitement from collectors.  A few months ago Vin Syn announced the Nothing Underneath and Too Beautiful to Die double feature on blu and I was very curious about it.  I had never heard of these two films and was curious about them.  I heard other movie fans call them Body Double clones but that doesn't really bother me because I had never seen Body Double.  I snagged a copy but never had the time to check it out until recently.  After watching a few of their partner label releases I decided to turn that into a Vin Syn marathon starting with this double feature.  

     The film follows a forest ranger from the US who travels to Italy in search for his twin sister after he has a feeling that something bad had happened to her.  She traveled to Italy in hopes of hitting it big as a model and once he arrives he discovers that she has vanished.  He befriends another female model as he searches for his sister and uncovers a string of model's deaths at the hands of a scissor wielding maniac that is closing to him than he would like.

     As I stated earlier, I had never seen Body Double before so I had no preconceived notions of what this was prior to checking it out.  With that being said, I really enjoyed this one.  It was a little cliched with one dimensional characters but it was still fun.  The acting in this one is not bad but the characters are flat and often blend into the scene.  I did like Tom Schanley and Donald Pleasence but the story is the main focus here and not the cast which is a bit of a shame because both did fantastic jobs.  The story for this one is a murder mystery with a bit of a twist with the twin connection.  Using the connection that is said to be between twins as the basis for this murder mystery set against the back drop of professional modeling actually works for the most part.  It does drag it's feet from time to time but the killer reveal is worth it.  I don't see myself revisiting this one again but I did like it.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments and one scene with some awesome make-up effects but that's the extent of it.  The movie focuses more on the story than the body count which is a bit of a shame because it could have delivered on both and kept it's integrity.  Overall, Nothing Underneath is a solid watch especially if you grew up watching the late night thrillers that usually played on HBO and Cinemax during the late and early 90s before the softcore stuff came on.  It's worth a watch so check it out.   

Girls School Screamers

Director - John P. Finnegan

Starring - Mollie O'Mara (Escape from Safehaven, Found in Time), Sharon Christopher, and Mari Butler

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "How much gut wrenching fright can you stand?!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Since the first I've spent some time reviewing the Fantasm double feature from Vinegar Syndrome's label Peekarama before moving on to a Vin Syn's partner label release titled Commando Ninja.  After spending three days watching non-horror titles I figured it was time to finally get back into the genre I love.  This time around I decided to keep it Vin Syn and went with their release of Troma's Girls School Screamers.  This is a movie I had owned previously on DVD but never took the time to check it out.  However, this blu upgrade was the perfect excuse to finally check it out.

     The film follows a group of college girls who visit a lavish estate for the weekend to catalog the art and antiques in the home.  One of the young ladies discovers an old diary of a young girl that once lived there and soon hold a seance to speak with her.  Not long after this the girls start to go missing one by one leaving the others to believe that something supernatural is going on.

     I went into Girls School Screamers hoping to find another awesome Troma film that I enjoyed and could revisit from time to time like The Children.  Sadly, this movie was extremely dull and one that I actually struggled to finish.  I love Troma but not all of their releases are for me and this is one of them.  The acting in this one is solid and the cast does a great job at getting into their roles but the characters are very generic and cliched.  During some of the scenes we struggle to differentiate between the characters and they often blend into the background.  It's not the cast's fault because that is just how the characters were written.  The story for this one is a very interesting idea and one I could see myself fully enjoying it if was done in a different way.  However, the way it is makes for an extremely predictable and dull film.  I'm all for a supernatural horror film centered around college or catholic school girls but the scenes take too long to establish themselves and the pay off for most of them is non-existent.  It feels as if the film had and idea of what it wants to do and either budget or over reaching producers prevented them from delivering the film they wanted to.  Finally, the film has several deaths that are very unimaginable and are not as fun as you would expect.  By 1985 the horror genre was known for their amazing effects and memorable deaths but there is still some films that lack in this department with this film being one of them.  Overall, Girls School Screamers was a big let down.  I was so excited to check this one out in hopes of having a new Troma favorite but that was not the case.  The blu looks good and it's a great addition to the collection for Troma and Vin Syn collectors but not much of one to watch.  

Silip: Daughters of Eve

Director - Elwood Perez (Problem Child, Summer of Love)

Starring - Sarsi Emmanuelle (White Slavery, Nude City), Maria Isabel Lopez (Unveiling the Horse Demon, Captive), and Myra Manibog (Night Swimming, Naked Island)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Drama/Romance

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The first week of October is almost over and my horror binge for the month is still in full swing.  I have several horror flicks that I was sent to review that I'm very much looking forward to reviewing but I have received a few non-genre titles to review as well.  A few months back my friends Mondo Macabro announced two new films that they would be releasing on blu.  The first of the two releases was the 1985 sexploitation Silip: Daughters of Eve from the Philippines.  Though not a horror movie, I'm not one to turn down a sexploitation flick either.  I want to once again thank CAV and Mondo for hooking me up with this release!

     The film follows Tonya who lives in a small coastal village in the Philippines.  She teaches Christianity and practices abstinence.  She is sexually attracted to the young Simon who is known for having his way with other women around the village.  Things take a strange turn when Selda returns to the village along with her sexual energy and her American boyfriend.  

     Silip is not the movie I expected to be reviewing in the early days of October but I would be lying if I didn't admit how much I enjoyed it.  It's sleazy but it has a story that works.  It's not nudity and sex for the sake of nudity and sex.  The acting in this one is decent.  The cast does go all in and some of the scenes are fairly demanding.  Some of the characters are a little confusing and written to resemble each other but that's not the cast's fault.  That should be blamed on the writing.  The story for this one is fairly straight forward and to the point but the fact that it has a story is remarkable enough.  A lot of the different nudie flicks I review typically don't have stories attached to them.  However, this one has a story wrapped is morality and religion.  I did enjoy the story and how the two lead characters differed so greatly.  Sadly, the other characters clashed and the scenes were painfully dull at times.  Some of the run time could have been trimmed to help with the pacing.  Finally, the film begins with the brutal butchering of some sort of ox or bull but that is the extent of the blood in this one.  However, if nudity and skin is your thing then you are in luck.  Overall, Silip is a fun and sleazy flick from Elwood Perez that I truly enjoyed.  I liked it and this blu release from Mondo Macabro is the best way to watch it.   

Treasure of the Amazon

Director - Rene Cardona Jr. (Beaks: The Movie, Under Siege)

Starring - Stuart Whitman (Night of the Lepus, Deadly Intruder), Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Prince of Darkness), and Bradford Dillman (The Enforcer, Sudden Imapct)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "Their greed and lust for diamonds was more deadly than the perils of the jungle"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Sometime ago Vinegar Syndrome announced a new box set featuring three films from Mexican filmmaker Rene Cardona Jr.  I'm a sucker for box sets and anything from Vin Syn so it was guaranteed that I would be snagging this one up.  When my Vin Syn box finally arrived I couldn't wait to dig into it and decided to set my sights on the Cardona set.  The first film in the set is the 1985 action adventure film Treasure of the Amazon featuring a role from genre legend Donald Pleasence.  

     The film follows several groups of explorers who are traveling deep in the jungle in hopes of finding riches.  However, what they actually find is greed amongst each other and the local tribes that call the jungle their home.

     I was genuinely excited to check this one out and it didn't disappoint.  It was a lot of fun and not what I expected from a mid-80s action adventure film.  It really was a surprise.  The acting in this one is great.  Pleasence came out of nowhere with his German accent.  It does feel forced at times but it's a lot of fun especially if you have seen his other films.  He really dedicates himself to the role and I really enjoyed it.  Whitman is great as the film's star, Gringo.  He carries the film on his back and does a fantastic job.  Sadly, this film is not a typical 80s action flick so you don't see his name pop up like other 80s stars.  The supporting cast is solid but very inconsistent.  Some people are more dedicated than others which creates some very uneven scenes.  The story for this one is extremely entertaining and straight forward.  We have a lot of adventure as the cast navigates the perils of the jungle while the scene sets up character development.  It is predictable but the characters make it so much fun especially if you like the adventure films that spawned after the success of Indiana Jones.  Finally, the film has some blood and a few graphic death scenes that I was not expecting.  The practical effects look great and two death scenes really stood out.  I'd recommend watching this film just on those two death scenes alone.  Overall,  Treasure of the Amazon may not be everyone's cup of tea but I'm a sucker for 0s action adventure flicks.  This one was great fun with an amazing cast.  I highly recommend it. 

Walking the Edge

Director - Norbert Meisel (Night Children, The Devil Made Me Do It)

Starring - Nancy Kwan (Streets of Hong Kong, The Last Ninja), Robert Forster (Vigilante, Alligator), and Joe Spinell (Maniac, Rocky)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Crime

Tagline - "All hell broke loose when they stopped..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome has been known to destroy wallets and break up relationships with their steady stream of monthly releases.  I'll be the first to admit that I'm a huge fan of Vin Syn and I would be lying if I said I wasn't addicted to their monthly releases.  With that being said, I'm also obsessed with their partner labels.  Sometime back Vin Syn introduced the world to Fun City Editions and I've been hooked ever since.  This fairly new label has really impressed me with their releases of Jeremy, Alphabet City, and Smile.  When they announced the release of Walking the Edge I knew this would be yet another first day purchase from the rising label.

     The film follows city taxi driver Jason (Forster) who picks up Christine (Kwan) and soon finds himself in the middle of a shoot out between Christine and group of thugs that is responsible for killing her husband and son.  With a hit on his head, Jason soon finds himself hiding and fighting for survival as homicidal thugs search for him.

     Walking the Edge is a film I was only recently aware of after someone on Facebook shared the original poster for the film.  I love artwork from the mid-80s and I instantly wanted to see it.  Sadly, copies for this one were out of my price range which only fueled my day one purchase of the film from Fun City.  The movie did live up to the artwork and I really enjoyed it.  FCE did a fantastic job with this one and I can see why Vin Syn has partnered with them.  The acting in this one is great.  I assumed that Forster would be the one carrying the film but he's not.  He does deliver a memorable performance here but Kwan is the real star.  She's a woman that was pushed too far and witnessed the death of her son.  I've seen crazy before and Kwan does one hell of a job at portraying it on screen.  There was several occasions where her performance gave me chills.  It's also great to see another performance from the late Joe Spinell.  He was one hell of an actor and did a fantastic job here.  The story for this one is almost a female lead version of Death Wish.  We follow a woman who had her family ripped apart by gangsters who then goes on a killing spree to avenge their deaths.  Pretty similar to Death Wish except it's not as gritty and more character driven than story driven.  It was fun but there was a few scenes that felt rushed and very uneven.  I don't know if the crew was under a deadline or something but these scenes do stand out and interrupt the flow of the film.  Finally, the film has some bloody and some gun wounds but that's the extent of it.  The film is more concerned with the characters over blood.  Overall, Walking the Edge may not be the most action packed action flick to come out of the 80s but it does entertain which is all we can ask from it.  It has a great cast and a solid story that works.  The release from Fun City is gorgeous and should be on every collector's shelf.  

Church of the Damned

Director(s) - John Polonia (Splatter Beach, Hellspawn), Mark Polonia (Bride of the Werewolf, Bigfoot vs. Zombies), and Todd Michael Smith (Splatter Farm, Hallucinations)

Starring - John Polonia, Mark Polonia, and Todd Michael Smith

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Horror

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My SRS Cinema marathon is still rolling on with several more DVDs that are part of their retro line sent over from MVD for review.  After spending an hour with the acid trip sci-fi film Elliot I was ready to dive into some serious no-budget back yard horror.  The last several movies in my SRS marathon were all from the Polonia brothers.  The next one up on the chopping block is 1985's Church of the Damned.  This is one I had owned for sometime on blu but I never did get around to checking it out until now.  I'm glad I did because it is some seriously fun no-budget mayhem.  

     The film follows a small community that is seeing a rise in murders that are connected to a Satanic cult.  The local police are investigating the murders but the closer they get the more bloodshed they uncover.

     Before I go any further I have to say that this film is, without a doubt, one of the worst put together movies I have ever seen.  An introduction from director Mark Polonia about the film does put things into perspective but it's still a crude film.  It is fun backyard cult slasher with the Polonia flair but it's even more rough around the edges that the other films that put them on the horror map.  The acting in this one is pretty rough but it leads to several unintentionally funny moments.  The cast consist of high school aged Polonias and Smith taking on roles as adults which is comical.  Seeing them try to be hardened detectives on the force was really funny.  The story for this one is what really pulled me in.  I can't get enough of cults and seeing an early Polonia's film centered around cults really made my imagination work overtime.  I liked the approach the film had to small towns and their fear of Satanic cults with this one actually coming true.  This was very much a fear in rural America and suburbs at the time so it was cool to see it make it's way into this no-budget flick.  With that being said, it does drag at times and some of the scenes edited into it feel completely out of place.  Finally, the film has that Polonia splatter in it's infancy.  The kills are very bloody and really fit that mid-80s slasher vibe that we love.  The practical effects are very amateur but they are fun.  Overall, Church of the Damned is one of the first movies from the Polonia brothers and Todd Michael Smith.  It was virtually unfinished until Mark edited together for the SRS release.  It's extremely crude but it has that S.O.V. charm that many horror fans love.  It's a fun watch but don't expect much.  

Biohazard

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Bikini Frankenstein, Twilight Vamps)

Starring - Aldo Ray (Shock 'Em Dead, Blood Red), Angelique Pettyjohn (Repo Man, Star Trek: The Original Series), and William Fair (Matlock, Deep Space)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "Science gone very, very bad"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm still working my way through some of the films of Fred Olen Ray that I had ordered from Makeflix.  Some were cheap but extremely fun while a few were cheap and mediocre at best.  I never realized how many of Ray's films that I liked until I started this marathon and he may be one of the consistent filmmakers I've witnessed.  They don't stick with you like other filmmakers but they are always fun.  After watching Evil Spawn I decided to follow it up with 1985's Biohazard.  This is another one that I recently purchased from Makeflix and it was the perfect time to give it a spin.

     The film follows a science experiment involving a psychic.  The experiment works and she is able to pull a box of some sort through a machine she is hooked to.  The military takes it to run experiments on but something is inside it.  It breaks it's way out and goes on a bloody rampage while the military and the psychic search for it before more people die. 

     As I make my way through these Retromedia releases I found myself really looking forward to Evil Spawn and Biohazard.  Biohazard is one I had never seen before but I fucking love all the posters I've seen for it.  It really made my mind race and sparked my imagination.  Another horror sci-fi mash up from Ray really had me excited.  Sadly, this one drags it's feet a lot more than the other films I've reviewed up to this point and the story just doesn't feel complete.  The acting in this one is pretty consistent with the other films directed by Ray.  The male characters are all generic and the cast does very little at setting their characters apart from others.  Hell, there was a few times where I was confused because I got the characters mixed up.  The female characters are very few in this one but we do get a smoking performance from the late bombshell Angelique Pettyjohn.  I was unfamiliar with her prior to this viewing and I'm said to read that she passed away at 42 from cancer.  I fucking loved her performance here.  The story for this one is solid on paper but when it was adapted for the screen it was done in a way that it's just too goofy to enjoy.  I love a cheesy horror flick and I really enjoy the way Ray approaches his films but this one is just all over the place.  The way the film was edited it makes the story very chaotic and a few key points in the story has the viewer assuming instead of showing them.  Honestly, it doesn't feel like a completed film.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments with some fun make-up effects.  The kills aren't that memorable but they are fun.  With that being said, I loved the look of the alien creature and the body suit.  It looked great and one of the highlights of the film.  Overall, Biohazard is not as fun as the other films in my marathon.  It's very inconsistent, generic at times, and the story is very sloppy.  If you want to check it out yourself you can snag a copy at makeflix.com.  

Amazing Stories Season One

Creator(s) - Steven Spielberg (1941, Jurassic Park), Joshua Brand (Homeward Bound, A Year in the Life), and John Falsey (The White Shadow, A Year in the Life)

Starring - John Scott Clough (Phantoms, Quantum Leap), Robert Blossom (Christine, Home Alone), and Kelly Reno (The Black Stallion, Brady's Escape)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Comedy/Drama/Horror

Tagline - "As one experience ends... another adventure begins"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm a huge fan of Steven Spielberg which is true for most people my age.  Millennials grew up in the late 80s and 90s with Spielberg being a huge part of our childhood.  Regardless if he was producing or directing, you can bet that everyone's favorite movies or shows growing up was touched by this man in one way or another.  I was born in 86 so I did my growing up in the 90s.  Sometime in the early 90s I caught a few episodes of the short lived television series Amazing Stories.  I remember fucking loving it but the reruns were short and few in between.  As I got older I completely forgot about the show until recently when Umbrella Entertainment announced that they would be re-releasing both seasons of the show on DVD.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send over a review copy.  Thanks guys.

     The seasons follows different "amazing" stories ranging from a high school football star becoming magnetic after a meteor crashes into his room, an airplane gunner trapped under a plan that is about to crash land, to even a ghost train.  

     Amazing Stories is a fantastic television series that starts out wonderfully but starts to drag it's feet as the series progresses.  Don't get me wrong, the episodes that are truly amazing are absolutely unforgettable but some of the later episodes are pretty dull and lack that something that makes it stand out like the others.  It's a fun season but very inconsistent.  The acting in this show is absolutely amazing.  Just when you think a certain episode is the best acted you watch the next episode and see that it's just as good.  The acting is very consistent while the stories are not.  I would be here all day if I went from episode to episode picking apart the amazing performances.  The stories for this one is very inconsistent.  The season starts out amazing with stories of ghost trains, opposites attracting (physically), and so on but as we reach the half way point in the series the shows that stick with you become separated with some dull and forgettable tales that are not worth of the Amazing Stories title.  They are obviously tossed in as filler but just don't have that spark that the other episodes have.  Finally, this is not a bloody or violent show.  We get some visual effects, some make-up effects, and a lot of character development but not the bloody stuff most of you are looking for.  Overall, Amazing Stories Season One is absolutely spectacular.  I know some of the episodes are dull but the rest of the season is truly remarkable.  They really do need to be seen.  

Cemetery of Terror

Director - Ruben Galindo Jr. (Grave Robbers, Don't Panic)

Starring - Hugo Stiglitz (Lady of Steel, Open Fire), Jose Gomez Parcero (Renegade, Mexico City), and Bety Robles 

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Back in October I got my September Vinegar Syndrome releases in for review.  There was some serious releases among the batch but my favorite of the month was Grave Robbers, aka Ladrones de Tumbas.  This 1989 film from director Ruben Galindo Jr. really surprised me.  Vin Syn followed their September releases up with another Galindo Jr. film in October which was delayed a few weeks.  This time around they were releasing 1985's Cemetery of Terror, aka Cemeterio del Terror.  I couldn't wait to check it out because I knew it was going to be just as fun.

     The film follows a group of twenty-somethings who have rented an old house near a cemetery to party in.  However, they uncover an old book and decide to steal a corpse to use in some fun filled rituals.  What starts out is a little innocent fun and cadaver thievery ends up with a Satanic serial killer becoming resurrected and going on a bloody rampage.  

     I have no idea why I'm just now getting into the works of Galindo Jr. but I'm in fucking love with his movies.  At least the ones I've seen.  Grave Robbers was a fantastic film and Cemetery of Terror was almost as good.  I really enjoy his aesthetic and he really knows how to craft atmosphere.  The acting in in this one is cheesy but pretty solid.  I liked the characters and the cast really got into their roles.  As I stated earlier, the characters are cheesy but it works with the atmosphere with the film.  The story for this one is fun but is a little awkward.  The movie almost feels like two movies sharing the same story.  The first half of the film is the adults summoning the serial killer with the second portion following a group of kids faced with the same killer.  It's almost as if two shorts were put together to make a feature length film.  It's not a bad movie, because I really enjoyed it, it's just a little unusual.  With that being said, the story is a little ridiculous at times.  My favorite ridiculous moment is when the group decides to steal a body and how easy it was for them to find a corpse.  It does have some silly instances but the overall story is great for another Halloween treat.  Finally, the film has several bloody and fun death scenes.  The effects are nothing amazing but they work.  The stand out for me was the sets and atmosphere.  The film really had that haunted house look that worked.  I could really see myself giving this one another spin with Halloween approaching.  Overall, Cemetery of Terror is another fantastic release from Vinegar Syndrome.  This movie looks great and really captures that late night horror flick vibe.  The blu looks amazing as well which begs to be picked up by collectors.  Give it a go because you will not be disappointed.