The Devil's Exorcist

Director - Jorge Darnell (One Way, Veredicto Final)

Starring - Inma de Santis (Bloodbath, The Killer of Dolls), Maria del Puy (Vertigo, Barbarella), and Jack Taylor (Conan the Barbarian, Pieces) 

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed a lot of box sets and collections over the years from some of my favorite boutique labels but I've never crossed paths with one where most of the films, unless it was a franchise, where all the films were fun.  So far, even though I'm only five films deep, this set has been well worth it.  The Exorcismo documentary and two films were great while the one documentary, Far From the Trees, was a bit disappointing.  I went into The Devil's Exorcist hoping for another atmospheric mid-70s horror title and was greeted with just that  

     The film follows a school girl who finds herself becoming the obsession of an evil presence that was trapped inside a statue.  The young lady becomes violent which prompts her father to turn to a professional for help which fails.  As the doctor tries to help her, she adopts her only for the benevolent presence to jump to her.  

     I could only imagine what The Devil's Exorcist was about based on the title and all my assumptions about the film were completely wrong.  I did enjoy it for what it was which was a quickly produced Exorcist clone but it was far from perfect.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent but not in a scene to scene type of way.  Some of the cast is really fucking good and when I say really fucking good I mean really fucking good.  I rushed to imdb.com after watching the film to look through Inma de Santis' filmography.  She's phenomenal here along with Aria del Puy.  However, a good portion of the supporting cast is extremely stiff with poor dialogue delivery and zero emotional range.  The story for this one is a bit weak but they make up for it with creepy shots and great atmosphere.  What we have for a story is pretty simple and somewhat cliched even for an Exorcist clone for the mid-to late 70s.  A girl possessed killing people before an adult steps in to save her.  The only big difference between this one and the dozens of others like it is that this one doesn't really flock to religion.  We don't have a priest or team of priests performing exorcisms and the like.  That is a bit strange considering the title but I respect the different approach.  Finally, the film has a few deaths but don't expect to see a lot of gruesome effects and tons of blood.  However, if you have a soft spot for animals like I do then one scene may make you feel uncomfortable.  Overall, The Devil's Exorcist is another entertaining mid-70s film from the Exorcismo set.  While it was rough around the edges, it was still a lot of fun.  I highly recommend it.  

Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada "S"

Director - Alberto Sedano (The Land of All Demons)

Starring - Jose Luis Alcaine (Twisted Obsession, Star Knight), Mery Cuesta (Spanish Noir), and Jose Maria Cunilles (Hell of the Living Dead, Scalps)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Documentary

Tagline - "Narrated by Iggy Pop"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I rarely get to review documentaries anymore but this year I've been fortunate enough to review two.  Just a few days ago I was asked to review The Last Sacrifice by my friends over at Shudder.  It was a fun documentary that explored the connection between an infamous murder in the 1940s that many suspected to be a ritualistic killing to the pagan horror films that followed in the coming decades.  The next documentary is from my friends over at Severin Films.  They recently sent over the Exorcismo box set for review which consists of several Spanish titles from the mid to late 70s.  However, the first film in the set is the 2024 documentary Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada "S."  I decided to start the set with this before I took the dive into the films.

     The documentary explores cinema that followed in the wake of the death of Spain's Franco who was the dictator at the time.  Cinema, like many other aspects of life, was heavily censored.  However, following his death, there was a surge of boundary pushing films, at least for the time, that earned them the newly formed "S' classification.  

     I know absolutely nothing about the Spanish censorship under the rule of Franco nor do I know anything about the "S" rated films.  However, this documentary does a solid job at explaining all this to cinema fans who are curious.  This documentary gives the viewer a lot of information but the subject is something many may not be interested in.  The interviews in this one consists of many filmmakers, actors, actresses, producers, and historians who either lived through the events discussed or done a tremendous amount of research into the matter.  The filmmakers did a wonderful job at researching these individuals.  The topics discussed in this documentary are very informative and the film does a great job at approaching the from a chronological standpoint.  We go from just before the passing of Franco and how the films of the time were censored by the government to his death and the eventual laxing of the censors.  I would have liked to see a little insight on how other countries were dealing with their films internationally with these rules in place from Spain but I understand what the point of the doc was.  Finally, the film has some great editing and transitions that makes it flow very nicely.  It doesn't bring out anything memorable or noteworthy.  Instead, opting to give viewers a well rounded doc with no flair.  Overall, Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada "S" is a documentary that not many film fans are going to go out of their way to watch which is a shame.  It offers up a lot of insight to the films of the era and why Spain wasn't really known for ground breaking cinema at that time.  However, adding it to this collection is a great way to educate fans on the matter.  Check it out.  

Goodbye, Emmanuelle

Director - Francois Leterrier (The Hippies, The Bodyguard)

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

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Drama/Erotic

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

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

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

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

Emmanuelle II

Director - Francis Giacobetti

Starring - Sylvia Kristel (Private School, Private Lessons), Umberto Orsini (The Damned, Solomon), and Frederic Lagache 

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Romance/Drama

Tagline - "The erotic masterpiece"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm only assuming here but over the course of a decade or longer I think I've reviewed close to 100 sexploitation films thanks to companies like Mondo Macabro, Blue Underground, Vinegar Syndrome, Severin, Synapse/Impulse Pictures, and so on.  These boutique labels really care about preserving cinema.  While most have an eye for horror and exploitation, they do frequently release films that are on the sleazy side of cinema.  A few years back I was lucky enough to review an Emmanuelle double feature from my friends at Umbrella Entertainment.  I can no longer find those reviews for some reason but I do remember really enjoying those films thanks to the salacious performance from Sylvia Kristel.  A couple weeks ago I was sent the Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection by Severin to check out.  This was a great reason to revisit these historic films in 4K.  I want to thank Severin for sending it over!  

     The film once again follows Emmanuelle (Kristel) who travels to Hong Kong to find her husband.  On the way she has sex with a woman who professes that she was once raped by several women and enjoyed it.  She then meets a young man and his mistress.  She quickly becomes close friends with them both and starts sleeping with her before she moves on to exploring Hong Kong where she will continue to explore her sexuality.

     A lot of the sequels I review never live up to the original film.  However, Emmanuelle 2 is one of the few instances where the sequel is just as good.  This is wild when you think about how this is the directors only film and it's an erotic drama from the mid-70s.  Most of these films rarely gain traction yet the original film spawned almost a dozen sequels.  I remember liking Emmanuelle 2 when I first watched it several years back but I really appreciate it as a film after revisiting them both.  Between the two films, this one is not as enjoyable but as a film it is leagues above the original.  The acting in this one is very well rounded.  Sylvia Kristel once again shines as the sexy star of the film.  Her character is what makes these movies so enjoyable and her performance here once again shines.  The supporting cast delivers performances that are just as good making the acting in this one more consistent than the previous film.  The story for this one does expand on the previous film some but doesn't really bring anything new to the table.  What made the first film so much fun was the way in which Emmanuelle was reluctant at first to the sexual exploits she was in.  In this follow up we have her more than willing to dive head first into these encounters while giving viewers a similar story as the first film where we follow her in a different country as she experiences new sexual situations for the first time.  A little drama in this one would have went a very long way.  Finally, there is a lot of skin in this one with some gorgeous women baring it all for us to take in.  There is no blood or gore for us horror fans but fans of exploitation will really dig it.  Overall, Emmanuelle II has better acting and cinematography but the story doesn't really give us something new.  It's still a fun watch but don't expect something that will stick with you like the original.  

Emmanuelle

Director - Just Jaekin (The Story of O, Girls)

Starring - Sylvia Kristel (Dracula's Widow, Red Heat), Alain Cuny (Don't Touch the White Woman!, Cross of the Living), and Marika Green (Pickpocket, Rider in the Rain)

Release Date - 1974

Genre - Drama/Romance

Tagline - "X was never like this"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been reviewing exploitation for sometime now.  I started my writing career reviewing forgotten exploitation and action flicks.  Over time I was introduced to sexploitation and found myself truly enjoying them for the most part.  More genre fans would be open to them if they would get out of the mindset that these films are just porn.  These movies are story rich and highly entertaining even if you fast forward through the softcore dry humping.  Sometime ago I was sent the quintessential sexploitation film from my friends over at Umbrella Entertainment.  I reviewed the film at the time but it had been years since my last viewing so I was excited when Severin announced the release of their Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection.  I had only seen the first two films and really wanted to revisit them while seeing the other two films in the set.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send this set over.  I want to thank Severin for letting me check it out.  

     The film follows Emmanuelle who is married to a diplomat currently in Bangkok.  She visits him and when they finally see each other after several months apart, he is sad to learn that she has not explored their open relationship.  This soon changes after she meets several beautiful women and men who open her up to the world of sexual desire. 

     Sexploitation is a sub-genre that is often hated on by movie fans that tend to only watch popcorn flicks.  They hear nudity and instantly form an opinion about a film without seeing it.  These people are truly missing out.  As I said earlier, these films are a lot of fun and if nudity makes you feel uncomfortable, you can just fast forward through these scenes.  Emmanuelle is a fantastic movie that is a part of cinema history and one of the more popular sexploitation flicks.  Personally, I enjoy it but it's not one of my favorites but I can see why it became as popular and as important as it has.  The acting in this one is great.  Sylvia Kristel is a gorgeous actress with a lot of talent in front of the camera which is why I think the Emmanuelle movies are so much fun.  She's a great actress on top of making the sex scenes extremely hot.  Normally, I would fast forward through the sex scenes in sexploitation flicks but I can't do it here.  I have to watch.  The supporting cast is a bit uneven but in all fairness, no one watches these films for the acting.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward and clearly written to be an erotic film.  What stops this one from falling into obscurity as another skin flick lost to time is the character development and the performance from Kristel.  It works and is just as enjoyable the second and third time around.  Finally, this one doesn't have any of the red stuff many of you genre fans may want.  Instead, it's got plenty of skin and a lot of sexy scenes even for a film that is pushing 50.  Overall, Emmanuelle is not a film you toss in because it has a thought provoking story with passionate performances.  It's a skin flick with a gorgeous leading lady and a lot of skin.  It's fun and should be seen especially if you did exploitation.  This release from Severin is a must see! 

Eva Man

Director - Antonio D'Agostino (The Ceremony of the Senses, Fashion Movie)

Starring - Eva Robins (Tenebrae, Hercules), Ajita Wilson (Macumba Sexual, Hotel Paradise), and Ramon Centenero (Chocolate, Confessions of a Congressman)

Release Date - 1980

Genre - Action/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm no stranger to sexploitation especially the sexploitation and erotica from Italy.  While I've only been reviewing these type of films for about a decade, there is still plenty of them that I've never seen.  A few weeks back I was sent over the Eva Man double feature from my friends over at Mondo Macabro.  Eva Man is an erotic action comedy from 1980 Italy starring trailblazer Eva Robin's (that is how it's really spelled).   I had never seen this one before and couldn't wait to see what kind of batshit crazy fun I was about to get into.  I want to take a moment to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for me to check out.  

     The film follows Eva (Robin's) who is a hermaphrodite with a scientific device planted inside her to make her more potent sexually.   Eva's sexual conquests eventually reaches the ears of an impotent crime boss who wishes to kidnap Eva so he cant obtain her magical genitalia for his own needs.  

     Eva Man and it's sequel were completely knew to me.  I recalled getting the press release for these films previously but didn't really remember a lot about them.  However, after I watched the film and started working on my review I quickly realized that these films, along with Eva Robin's and Ajita Wilson, were revolutionary especially for their time.  Boutique labels are important for many reasons especially in regards to preserving physical media but one of their biggest reasons in existing is to bring obscure films to the masses.  This is a huge release from Mondo Macabro and I'm glad they took it on.  The film is absolutely wild and a lot of fun especially for what it is.  The acting in this one is inconsistent with some high and lows.  Eva steals the show.  She is so charismatic in front of the camera.  Ajita is is great in front of the camera as well but some of the scenes doesn't have the same energy as the others.  The supporting cast is nowhere near as fun as these two and don't bring the charisma like these two ladies.  The scenes need one of these two to work which is a bit of a shame.  The story for this one is a sexploitation gold mine that still blows my mind.  I've lived in the U.S. my entire life and never traveled abroad but I have enough sense to know that the outside world is more open than most of those in America.  I can only assume the said can be said about the world during the late 1970s and early 80s or this film would have never found footing.  Here we are, 40 some years later, and many here in the states would never be open to check this one out now.  That's a bummer because this story is raw sexploitation that is a lot of fun.  While I would have loved a little more of Eva and Ajita outside of the sex scenes but I'm not stupid enough to forget what I was watching.  It's sexy, funny, and chaotic but all in a good way.  Like most sexploitation films, the sex scenes are not my main focus and usually throw the pacing of the film off for me.  The film is an even mix of sex scenes and story so fans of sexploitation cinema who really enjoy the sex will really love this one.  Finally, no real effects for genre fans to marvel at.  The film is all wild story and skin.  If you want blood, gore, or visual effects then you will be very disappointed.  Overall, Eva Man is not for those that are closed minded or not open to films that are a bit different.  I'm comfortable enough in my sexuality to enjoy this one.  From that aside, it's an important piece of queer cinema that really needs to be in any movie lover's collection.  Check out the release from Mondo Macabro now!

Eye Witness

 

Director - Lamberto Bava (Body Puzzle, Devil Fish)

Starring - Barbara Cupisti (Cemetery Man, Mothers), Stefano Davanzati (Dagger Eyes, The Final Executioner), Alessio Orano (Lisa and the Devil, Summer Affair)

Release Date - 1993

Genre - Horror/Crime

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been fortunate to review several box sets and collections over the years but this High Tension: Four Films by Lamberto Bava from my friends over at Severin Films has really impressed.  It's not often that you find a set of films where every movie in the set is enjoyable but this one has done it.  You can say that I'm being a bit biased because I am a fan of Bava's but these films really are entertaining but I wouldn't call them all horror.  In fact, some of the films may have some horror aspects scattered throughout, but they are mostly crime thrillers or dark drama.  I just finished the fourth and final film in the set, Eye Witness.  This one, much like the first film, feels a lot like a classic slasher meets a crime thriller.  It was a great movie but not necessarily a horror tale.  Regardless, it was worth it!

     The film follows a pair trying to steal from a department store before closing time.  However, as one of them leaves, the other is left behind to wait for them to fetch the car when one of the employees is murdered.  She is there for the horrible crime but doesn't see it because she is blind.  However, she did hear and smell the killer which is the best the detectives can get for the crime.  The killer tries to cover up their lose ends and suspects that the blind witness can sense them resulting in a game of cat and mouse between the two.

     These four made for television films from Lamberto Bava were really strange to me.  I know every country has different rules and regulations but I can't see how Bava thought any of these films would be able to air on television.  This is not the most gruesome of the four films but it is one with a little more focus on sex.  Regardless, it makes sense why not all of these films aired on television and this one was another fun one to watch.  The acting in this one is very consistent.  I've seen movies and television shows where the cast is visually impaired and it was evident that was not the case here.  It was a bit campy at times watching react while pretending to be blind.  Also, a few of the scenes at the beginning of the film is a bit stiff.  I can only assume that the film was shot in order and the cast slowly became more comfortable in their roles.  The story for this one has some horror elements but it it's base is a crime thriller.  The movie gives you the killer fairly early on with the tension and buildup taking place as this woman who is visually impaired is stalked by the known killer.  It's predictable and while it was enjoyable for a first time watch, it doesn't really have replay value like the other films in the set.  Finally, this film does have a few deaths but they are not as gruesome as I was expecting.  The first film in the set really set the tone for what Bava could do with practical effects but the three films since have not really followed in it's footsteps.  This one has some skin, some blood, and that is about the extent of it.  Overall, Eye Witness feels like it wants to be a giallo of sorts but doesn't fully commit to it.  It's a solid film but it is predictable and doesn't really have any replay value.  Check it out but don't expect it to be your new favorite film.  

The Eye of Satan

Director - David Kent-Watson (The Assassinator, Firestar: First Contact)

Starring - Cliff Twemlow (G.B.H., Target Eve Island), Ginette Gray (The Ibiza Connection, Stay Lucky), and Max Beesley Snr (Shameless, The Sleeper Effect)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Is he man, beast or both?  Kane is the soldier of Satan"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My journey through Bloody Legend: The Complete Cliff Twemlow Collection has been an interesting one.  While I may not have liked these films, I still have fun watching these wild flicks from the 80s and early 90s.  One of the few disappointments I have with the set is the actual lack of blood.  It's a phenomenal time for fans of late 80s and early 90s action flicks but those wanting some decent horror will be very disappointed.  The next movie on this strange trip is the 1982 supernatural horror film The Eye of Satan.  I had high hopes that this one would offer up some blood.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a body guard who is tasked with protecting someone.  However, he is betrayed and sets out to get revenge with the help of his supernatural panther while he recovers an ancient jewel known as The Eye of Satan.  

     The Eye of Satan is the only film in this set that I had heard about previously but I knew nothing about it.  Sadly, it was not the bloody flick that I had hoped for.  It did have some fun S.O.V. moments but the overall film was just didn't do it for me.  The acting in this one is probably the best in the set.  While that isn't saying much, I found myself really digging the characters and the way the cast brought them to life.  The cast seems to be dedicated to their roles here unlike previous films where it felt like the cast was only involved to get a free vacation out of the deal.  The characters are generic but the cast does the best with what was written for them.  The story for this one is meant to be a horror film but it feels more like an action flick with a little espionage added.  I've seen so many movies featuring spies, special agents, and the link hunting for a rare priceless artifact stolen by a secret organization and so on.  Hell, isn't that the basis for most of the James Bond flicks?  Anyway, we have a former body guard endowed with special powers who is killing people in search of The Eye of Satan which is a priceless jewel.  On paper it sounds like a slasher but on film it does not feel that way.  It's slow, dialogue heavy, and difficult to finish.  Finally, the film features several deaths but they are not that enjoyable.  We see some broken necks and so on with no need for practical effects.  Those of us wanting to see some gnarly kills with be very disappointed.  Overall, The Eye of Satan is an odd film that feels like it was written to be a slasher but feels like a sci-fi cat and mouse.  I wanted to like this one but I couldn't bring myself to.  Skip it.  

Eating Miss Campbell

Director - Liam Regan (My Bloody Banjo, Self Induced Nightmares)

Starring - Lyndsey Craine (How to Kill Monsters, Book of Monsters), Lala Barlow (Metro Sexual, Get Krack!n), and Vito Trigo (Pig Pen, Return to Return to Nuke 'Em High aka Vol. 2)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Nostalgia is cancer"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get films in all the time for review.  Some are movies I request while others are sent my way to check out without my knowledge.  I'm always grateful for the films that I get in for review but sometimes I find a film I really want to see that isn't sent my way for review.  I typically watch them while I'm working on a review but every once in awhile I'll catch a flick that wasn't sent for review but I want to talk about it.  For a few years now I've followed Liam Regan and his film Eating Miss Campbell.  I donated to his campaign for the film and received a copy of it on blu along with his previous film My Bloody Banjo.  I put these up to watch at a later time and completely forgot about them until I was organizing some things.  As soon as I found the blu I quickly tossed it in  to check out.  

     The film follows a vegan goth high school student who is often the butt of the popular kid's jokes while living in aa cliched horror film that only she can see. As the new school year ramps up, she becomes infatuated with the new teacher, Miss Campbell.  She also discovers that she has a taste for human flesh and uses that to her advantage to get rid of a date raping jock.  She then plans on enrolling in a contest where she can win a gun so she can use it to end it all.

     Eating Miss Campbell is a truly unique horror comedy that pokes fun at America while paying homage to counter-culture cinema.  Honestly, I was not expecting the film to have as many layers as it does but I really enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is amazing.  I absolutely love the energy and intensity that Vito Trigo brings to his films.  He's a phenomenal actor that steals every scene he's in and Eating Miss Campbell is no different.  His character is the embodiment of all the problems that many American's face.  Honestly, as I sit here looking through the imdb page for the film I'm realizing that I will be here all night if I was to acknowledge every amazing performance the film has to offer.  Lyndsey Craine does a fantastic as the film's lead.  She's a natural beauty and extremely talented in front of the camera.  The supporting cast is just as great as well.  They do phenomenal jobs and bring about some very memorable characters.  The story for this one has a lot going on.  We have a lot of fourth wall breaking, school shootings, cannibalism, teacher student relations, and so much more.  The movie almost has too much going on but I do like the way it all comes together.  Honestly, some of the side stories could have been cut to improve the pacing but it's still fun the way it is.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood.  We get some solid practical effects at times but some of the props are laughable.  With that being said, the death are not that memorable but they are violent and bloody.  Overall, Eating Miss Campbell is a beautifully shot indie film that throws so much at the viewer who is not prepared for it.  It has one hell of a cast, an out there story, lots of blood, and self aware.  I highly recommend this one.  

The Emasculator

Director - Susana Kapostasy (Metal Maniac, Night of the Zodiac)

Starring - Brad G. Grinter, Carly Sonafelt (Bathtub Shark Attack, Crackcoon), and Desmond La-Fontane

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "He'll pull you up... by the root"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been reviewing films for well over a decade now and I still find films that completely surprise me.  I've been a fan of indie horror for a long time now and started seriously collecting these films when I was in high school.  Over the years I've noticed that I find myself drawn to several sub-genres of horror and the same can be said for exploitation.  Exploitation cinema is important to movie history and over the years has saw several amazing sub-genres pop up.  I'm a huge fan of blaxploitation, hixploitation, sexploitation, cannibal, and the most controversial of them all, rape and revenge.  Exploitation in it's own is controversial but every sub-genre that it created has it's own controversies with rape and revenge being one that gets the biggest emotional response from me.  Horror doesn't really pull an emotional reaction from me anymore but a well done rape/revenge film can leave me feeling some sort of way.  Sometime back I received an email from Makeflix about a new release of theirs.  The film, The Emasculator, looked like something I would really enjoy so I pulled the trigger and bought a copy.  I'm glad I did because this was one indie release I needed to see!

     The film follows a father who is struggling with the loss of his wife and has turned to drinking to cope.  His daughter, known around town for being a bit loose, goes on a date where she is drugged and raped while the act is filmed.  She tells her father and forces him to promise not to turn to the police due to the fact that it was the son of the small town sheriff that was in on it.  That night she kills herself leaving behind a grieving father.  He turns to the skills he learned in the military and his cattle emasculator to get his revenge on the aspiring pornographers.  

     I only had a vague idea as to what the film was about prior to watching it but I wasn't expecting it to be a rape/revenge flick nor was I expecting myself to connect with the killer in the way that I did.  I Spit on Your Grave is one of my favorite films and I've always loved how justice was served in the film.  The Emasculator does the same while giving the viewer a character they can associate with.  The acting in this one is a bit uneven but it's far from being bad.  Some of the cast does show inexperience but they are all fully committed to their role.  With that being said, I really liked the characters and what the cast did with their roles.  It's these characters that made the film so much fun.  The story for this one is a bit different than your normal rape/revenge flick.  Typically, the film will feature a woman who is defiled by a man or group of men and then sets out to kill those responsible.  Here, the film uses the father's love for his daughter to fuel his anger for revenge.  Honestly, I'm a father of two little girls and I couldn't imagine something like this happening to them so seeing a father go to the lengths he does here makes the film for me.  As much as I loved the story to this one, some of the scenes are a bit drawn out and boring at times.  Some editing and trimming down would help the pacing of this one out tremendously.  Finally, the film has some blood and with some decent practical effects but it's clear that this no budget feature didn't have the funds for serious gore.  While it does work for the film, I was expecting a little more in regards to the red stuff.  Overall, The Emasculator is a fantastic S.O.V. tribute to one of the most controversial sub-genres in cinema history.  It's depraved at times and a lot of fun for fans of underground cinema.  I highly recommend it.  

Ed Kemper

Director - Chad Ferrin (The Deep Ones, Pig Killer)

Starring - Brandon Kirk (H.P. Lovecraft's The Old Ones, Night Caller), Cassandra Gava (Conan the Barbarian, Night Shift), and Brinke Stevens (Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity, The Slumber Party Massacre)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Thriller

Tagline - "The true story of an American psycho"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     This looks to be the year of true crime for Horror Society and myself.  I've reviewed dozens, if not hundreds, of films about serial killers and madmen but I rarely get in true crime flicks to review.  Yet, here I am just four months into the year and I'm reviewing my second true crime flick.  Several weeks back Unearthed Films sent over Evilenko for review.  The film is based on the heinous crimes committed by Soviet serial killer Andrei Chikatilo.  It had been a very long time since my last true crime flick so I was really looking forward to it.  It was a solid enough film which made me turn to Tubi to watch a few more true crime flicks before I got back into reviewing.  A few days back I was sent the press release for the new Chad Ferrin film Ed Kemper.  I was really interested in this one so I reached out to Epic Pictures and they were kind enough to send over a link for me to check out.  I want to thank Epic for sending this one my way!

     The film follows Ed (Kirk) who is released from state care after spending years locked away for the murder of his grandparents when he was only 15 years old.  His mother blames him for his father leaving her and takes it out on her.  Ed gets a job and tries to get acclimated into society but finds himself drawn to female hitchhikers.  It doesn't take long before he is killing and then raping them before posing their corpses in different positions to photograph.  Eventually, his mother goes too far and he kills her before he is brought in by police.

     Ed Kemper is one very interesting guy.  Those that have met him in real life, especially those that have interviewed him for magazines and so forth, have stated that he is a very nice and well spoken individual even though he committed those horrible crimes.  What makes his story even more interesting is the fact that he narrates audiobooks for the blind and has over 5000 hours recorded on titles like Star Wars, Flowers in the Attic, and The Rosery Murders, and so much more.  This doesn't overshadow the atrocities he committed but it's not something you would expect from a gruesome killer.  This true crime thriller from Chad Ferrin really does capture the intelligent side along with how he used his charm to lure female hitchhikers into his car.  It's not my favorite true crime film but it's up near the top for sure.  The acting in this one is great.  Brandon Kirk steals the show with his portrayal of Kemper.  I had seen and watched videos of Kemper for years and while he does have some resemblance to the infamous killer, he doesn't really look like him.  With that being said, his demeanor and tone of voice does resemble Kemper.  I thoroughly enjoyed him here and look forward to seeing him appear in other genre efforts.  We also get a small performance from legendary scream queen Brinke Stevens along with a powerhouse performance from Cassandra Gava.  Gava and Kirk's chemistry on camera made the film for me.  The story for this one focuses on the relationship between the the deranged Kemper and his verbally abusive mother.  It makes this a huge part of the story without over doing it.  We then follow Kemper as he branches out to his murders, rapes, and photographing the corpses before his eventual arrest.  It has solid pacing, the scenes don't over stay their welcome, and the story is very easy to follow.  Kudos to the writers on this one.  Finally, the film does use some computer generated images to enhance a few of the scenes.  It's very noticeable but not bad.  We also get some great practical effects that are rather gruesome.  We don't get a lot of gory deaths but the prosthetics and props look absolutely amazing.  Overall, Ed Kemper is a top tier true crime flick.  I've been of a fan of the Ed Gein film starring Steve Railsback for years now and this one is up there with it.  It's got a great cast and does play close to the real story of Ed Kemper and his crimes.  Check it out.  

Tokugawa Sex Ban

Director - Norifumi Suzuki (Shogun's Ninja, Beautiful Girl Hunter)

Starring - Audrey Cruise, Ryoko Ema (The Transgressor, Graveyard of Honor), and Kaya Hozumi (Hiroshima Death Match, Terrifying Girl's High School: Lynch Law Classroom)

Release Date - 1972

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

     I've reviewed a lot of films over the years and I'm always surprised when I get a film in for review that I have never heard of before.  This is often the case with releases from Mondo Macabro.  They tend to release films that are often overlooked on blu and that is something I really do appreciate.  I may not always like the movies they put out but at least they are giving genre fans something they had never seen before.  Several weeks back Mondo Macabro sent over a couple new releases for me to check out and they were all new to me.  However, one stood out more than the others and really peaked my interest.  That film was the 1972 Japanese sexploitation flick Tokugawa Sex Ban which is also known as The Erotomaniac Daimyo.  I really wanted to see all three of these films but I had to move this one to the top of my list.  I once again want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over!

     The film follows a lord of a powerful clan who is recently married.  However, he struggles with his intimacy and cannot consummate his marriage.  He is provided a French slave to take in as a mistress and after some time he learns that sex is the ultimate pleasure.  It's because of this that he puts in place a ban on sex as he believes that commoners and those under him should not be experiencing it.  

     I knew absolutely nothing about Tokugawa Sex Ban prior to watching it but the artwork used by Mondo Macabro really made my imagination work overtime.  What kind of film was I about to watch and what the fuck was a sex ban?  Only watching the film would answer these questions.  The acting in this one is solid but I found myself laughing at the cast during several of the scenes.  The cast is fully dedicated to their roles in several scenes but in others they act as if they are getting paid by how quickly they complete the scene.  They rush through their dialogue with zero attempts at trying to stay in character with straight faces.  These scenes were so funny to me due to how out of place they are.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting at all which may be why I enjoyed it so much.  This erotic drama follows someone who finds a mistress that opens the door to his sexual fantasies.  He then decides that this is something too good for common folk, so he bans it.  Honestly, the story works for an erotic drama that uses nudity to pick up the slower scenes and rich dialogue to carry the story the rest of the way.  It might not be everyone's speed but those that enjoy sexploitation and Asian cinema can enjoy it.  Finally, those looking for blood and gore will be very disappointed.  However, is awkward acting and some nudity is more your speed then you will enjoy this one!  Overall, Tokugawa Sex Ban is another great film that I would have missed if it wasn't for Mondo Macabro.  It's not the horror title I was hoping for but it was still very enjoyable.  Check it out on blu now!

Evilenko

Director - David Grieco (The Ploy, Borgata America)

Starring - Malcolm McDowell (Halloween, A Clockwork Orange), Marton Csokas (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, Cuckoo), and Ronald Pickup (Doctor Who, Dark Floors)

Release Date - 2003

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The chilling story of the Soviet Union's most notorious serial killer"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Unearthed Films has really impressed me with their releases over the years but it seems they have stepped it up in notch of quality the last year or so.  Unearthed made a name for themselves releasing extreme and underground films.  Movies like 100 Tears, Hate Crime, La Petit Mort, and the Vomit Gore trilogy.  Now, they still release some of the most extreme indie films around, but they are dabbling in more popular titles like The Guyver, Homework, Calamity of Snakes, The Grand Tour, and several more I'm sure I'm forgetting.  I was a bit shocked when I received the press release for the UHD release of the 2003 true crime drama/horror film Evilenko starring the legendary Malcolm McDowell.  This is a film I was very familiar with but never actually seen it.  In fact, I had owned the DVD release for sometime but never took the time to open it and watch it.  Not long after I received the press release for the Unearthed release I received a copy of the film for review.  This was the perfect opportunity to finally check it out.  Like always, I want to thank Unearthed for sending this one over!

     The film follows a former school teacher that is harboring a dark secret.  The devout communist has been going all over the country killing and raping children and young women.  A special task force is established to catch him but they are unable to do so for years until one victim is able to escape.  Once convicted they learn that he possesses some sort of psychic ability but is sentenced to death regardless due to the nature of his crimes.  

     Evilenko is a film that finds its well deserved home at Unearthed Films along with all the other sick and depraved films.  The story, which is based around the real life serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, made me feel uneasy several times but fell short of being as effective as it could have been.  Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it but it stepped on it's own toes several times.  The acting in this one is great.  McDowell is one of the best to ever step in front of the camera and he is no exception here.  His portrayal as the deranged Evilenko makes the film what it is.  His line delivery is fantastic and seeing him in character gave me chills during certain scenes.  I was also impressed by Marton Csokas' performance.  His character was a great contrast to McDowell's and is probably my favorite performance from him to date.  The supporting cast is hit or miss.  Some have some great performances while a few scenes are a bit tough to watch.  It feels like the cast was in a rush to get through their dialogue and move on.  The story for this one is where the film struggles.  The film is based on the murders committed by Chikatilo which spanned years.  I understand it would be hard to put all that into a film without skipping years but the way it was done leaves out so much.  It's a bit difficult to follow and could have been done better.  In fact, I would rather had stuff omitted from the film rather than cramming everything in and having the story bounce from year to year.  Aside from pacing issues, there is moments in the film that really got under my skin which is saying something.  I don't know if it's the father in me or what but some of the scenes with the children really bothered me.  It's been a long time since I've felt that chill down my spine and I somewhat missed it.  Finally, the film has a few bloody moments but those looking for gore will be very disappointed.  The film uses the story and discussion of the gruesome acts to get a rise out of the viewer without showering them in gore.  Overall, Evilenko is a great film that does bounce around in the story but still delivers.  It has an amazing performance from Malcolm McDowell and Marton Csokas along with a few truly unnerving moments.  I highly recommend checking this one out especially the Unearthed Films release.  

Erotic Ghost Story II

Director - Peter Ngor (Legendary Couple, The Tragic Fantasy: Tiger of Wanchai)

Starring - Anthony Chau-Sang (The Mad Monk, Lamb Killer), Ichijo Sayuri, and Charine Chan (Happy Ghost 4, Return of the Fox)

Release Date - 1991

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     

     I'm three films deep into the Golden Harvest Volume 1: Supernatural Shockers from Shout Factory and I have to admit that I've really enjoyed it this far.  Sure, the first film was a bit of a dull watch but the second and third films were so much fun.  Erotic Ghost Story may have been a very misleading title but that didn't stop me from enjoying it.  This made me really excited about checking out the sequel that was also included in the set!

     The film follows the demon Wu Tang who has now taken another human form and falls for a human female.  She is then murdered by another god.  Lamenting at her death, Wu Tang turns to a village near his lair and forces them to send him a virgin every month and when they don't he sends down his succubus to destroy the village.  

     Erotic Ghost Story II, like most sequels, is not as good as the first film.  The story is all over the place, the characters are nowhere near as memorable, and the nudity is just there with little pertaining to the story itself.  While it may not be as good, it was still a fun watch especially for a first time viewing.  The acting in this one is solid but the characters are not as fun as the previous film.  The film focuses more on the random acts of nudity and sex over the characters and their development.  It's because of this that the cast doesn't have much to work with aside from baring their assets in front of the camera.  The story for this one is all over the place.  It continues the exploits and evil deeds of Wu Tang but that is about the only real connection to the first film.  The nudity happens for no reason with nothing connecting it to the story and we bounce from one thing to the next without really telling a coherent story.  With that being said, the humor and action really finds it's mark.  I probably laughed more at this one than I did the first film.  Finally, the film has a lot of skin and some blood but not enough to satisfy those of you looking for a body count.  Overall, Erotic Ghost Story II fits well in the Supernatural Shockers set. The title is still misleading but it has a lot of skin and some laughs.  It's well worth checking out.

Erotic Ghost Story

Director - Ngai Choi Lam (The Ghost Snatchers, Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky)

Starring - Amy Yip (Stooges in Hong Kong, Robotrix), Hitomi Kudo (Rape &  Rape Special 1, Kyosei Waisetsu Shimai), and So  Man (Erotic Ghost Story II, Ghost Story of Kam Ping Mui)

Release Date - 1990

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I ordered the Golden Harvest Volume 1: Supernatural Shockers, I thought I was getting into some sleazy horror flicks.  So far, that has not been the case and I'm not disappointed at all.  In fact, I've really enjoyed myself up to this point.  Granted, this is just the second film in the set but it was way better than the first film and even though it was nothing like I expected, it was still a lot of fun.  While Sex and Zen was a extremely dull, Erotic Ghost Story was more entertaining.  While the nudity was a given, the humor more than made up for the lack of supernatural elements that I was looking for.

     The film follows three fox spirits that have meditated for centuries to shed their fur and walk as a human.  However, they are tricked into following their carnal desires resulting in the three of them following for the same man.  After taking turns with the man for several days, they start to revert back to their fox forms before realizing they were tricked into sleeping with him,

     Erotic Ghost Story is not what I was expecting.  Hell, the title is so misleading that I had to check the disc after watching it to ensure I didn't toss in the wrong movie.  With that being said, I truly enjoyed it and while the title doesn't really represent the film, it fits this set perfectly.  The acting in this one fits the film very well but the "performances" are not memorable for the acting.  The three sisters are gorgeous in their own way and are not afraid to bare it all for the camera.  While Yip has her famous cut away, the other two are not afraid of the camera.  We also get some unexpected fight scenes that are well choreographed.  The cast does a fine job with those as well but the main focus is the nudity which isn't overdone like so many films before and after it  The story for this one reminds me a lot of the Witches of Eastwick but in a much more sleazier fashion.  While I enjoyed and found myself laughing, it does run it's course fairly early.  The nudity does help carry it a bit further but the movie could easily be cut down drastically.  Also, the title is misleading.  The erotic part fits but the three sisters are not ghosts in the traditional sense and calling them that takes away from a huge chunk of the story.  Finally, the film isn't a bloody one.  We do get some fun zombie props and transitions early on in the film but that is about the extent of it.  The focus on this one is the erotic and not the ghost portion of the title.  Overall, Erotic Ghost Story is a fun watch especially if you are wanting some beautiful women and some laughs.  While it doesn't satiate those looking for some horror, it still delivers on the skin and comedy.  Check it out.  

Early Morning Calm

Director - Brian Dorton (Trashology, Crazy Fat Ethel)

Starring - Lynn Lowry (Shivers, The Crazies), Scarlett Freeman (An Extremely Uncommon Set of Circumstances, All That Remains), and Lucas Dunaway (They See You, Wolf Hollow)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Nothing can prepare you for the terror in the..."

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's been awhile since I've been able to review a hixploitation horror flick.   I have reviewed several over the years but it's been a year or so since my last hixploitation flick and, honestly, we need more.  A few weeks back director Brian Dorton, who brought us the fantastic remake of Crazy Fat Ethel, messages the Horror Society Facebook page to see if we could review his newest film Early Morning Calm, which stars legend Lynn Lowry.  I quickly agreed to it and added it to my watch list.  Sadly, I wasn't able to get it in during my October horror binge but it's better late than never.  I would like to thank Brian for sending this one over!

     The film follows a father, his daughter, and his mother as they make the trip to his late father's favorite lake to spread his ashes.  However, they have car issues on the backroads to the lake and are forced to stop.  When they try to find help or someone to fix their car they accidentally come across a cannibal family who would love to have them over for dinner.

     I've reviewed several films from Brian over the years and he has always impressed me.  Many years ago I befriended the folks over at Olive Films who was releasing several of Brian's films on Blu at the time.  I fell in love with Trashology and found Brian on social media where I added him to keep up with his future projects.  Since then I've reviewed a great deal of his films and look forward to every project he announces.  I was super excited when he dropped news of Early Morning Calm and I was even more excited when he revealed that living legend Lynn Lowry would be starring in it.  When I finally got to watch it I was a bit underwhelmed by it but there was a few moments I enjoyed.  The acting in this one is solid but very inconsistent.  Lynn does a solid job and shows that she has decades of experience in front of the camera.  However, there is scenes meant to be funny but they couldn't find their footing. I wanted to laugh at these scenes but the comedic timing just wasn't right.  The rest of the cast is just as solid but we do have several scenes with awkward dialogue and one dimensional performances.  I don't know if they were rushed or or inexperienced but some of the scenes were not as well acted as others.  The story for this one is one we've seen many times before.  People traveling through rural America, or Appalachia, and find themselves lost, stranded, or both only to fall victim to a cannibal family is something that has went back to the late 60s.  Hell, some can even argue that films like Spider Baby may have inspired it while movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Wrong Turn brought similar stories to pop culture status.  Regardless, I love these types of stories and could have loved Early Morning Calm if it was a more traditional horror film.  However, the humor is out of place and a lot of the dialogue feels forced.  This brought the pacing of the film down drastically and made several of the scenes difficult to finish.  Finally, this one has some fun and kills you would expect from a story like this but if you are looking for memorable deaths and a lot of gore then you will be disappointed.  The deaths work for the film and can be fun if you are a fan of indie horror.  However, if you are expecting deranged deaths and buckets of guts then you are watching the wrong film.  Overall, Early Morning Calm has a great cast and a story I could really get behind but it struggles with it's own identity.  The humor is extremely out of place and the lack of memorable deaths makes this one a miss for me.  I seriously wanted to like it due to how phenomenal Brian is as a filmmaker but it's clear this film was not meant for me.