Triangle of Lust

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

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

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

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

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

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

Sins of a Nympho

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

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

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

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

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

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

The Benefactress

Director - Guerrilla Metropolitana (Bits, Dariuss)

Starring - Marie Antoinette de Robespierre (Dariuss), Juicy X (Corporate Torment), and Elektra McBride

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "An exposure of cinematic freedom"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed a lot of extreme horror over the years.  I can only assume that spending several decades watching horror has desensitized me but a lot of the films advertised as being extreme are nothing more than arthouse shock by filmmakers who never watched porn until they were well into adulthood.  What we usually have is a lot of rape and fake self-mutilation with no real plot.  A couple weeks back I was contacted by a filmmaker to review his film which he pitched to me as an artistic film that could be compared to pornography and so on.  I agreed to review it and he immediately deleted everything he said and blocked me.  I noticed that the film was being released by a mutual friend so I contacted him about the filmmakers strange behavior.  I assume he messaged me through his personal page instead of his filmmaking page.  Regardless, I have no idea what happened but my friends over at Blood Pact Films sent me a link to check it out anyway.  

     The film follows a woman who is married to an evangelist who finds a movie that is so perverse and shocking that it awakens something inside her.  She then starts exploring her sexuality and before long finds herself taking advantage of someone who is at her mercy.  

     I went into this one expecting something very unsettling and wild but what I found is a movie that was extremely dull and not shocking at all.  In fact, the film has nudity but isn't really that graphic or violent.  I can recommend dozens, if not hundreds, of films that are more extreme than this one.  The acting in this one isn't very good.  In fact, it's awkward to watch through most of the film.  The lead is very stiff and not that natural in front of the camera.  The story for this one is pretty much non-existent.  We follow a women, who we are lead to believe is a high society character, that finds herself in the middle of a sexual awakening that could tarnish her reputation if someone finds out.  It could be an interesting short if someone behind the camera actually had a grasp on what extreme cinema is.  Instead, we have a story that falls flat and feels like it was created by someone that only watches pop horror and has no idea what extreme horror really is.  Finally, we have a lot of skin but those that want to see some of the red stuff will be very disappointed.  This one doesn't have a body count and no memorable deaths.  Overall, The Benefactress is not the film they think they made.  It's not extreme, shocking, or even that graphic.  I've seen movies on Skinemax growing up that was rougher than this one.  You may find it extreme if you grew up watching only Full House and Saved by the Bell.  I wanted to like it solely because Blood Pact Films released it but it's not for me.  I highly recommend skipping it.   

Forbidden Game of Love

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

Starring - Javier Escriva (Brigada Central, Obscene Desire), John Moulder-Brown (The Devil in the Fog, Miss Marple: Sleeping Murder), and Inma de Santis (Sonatas, Estudio 1)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm going to have my hands full with Spanish cinema the next few weeks thanks to some of my favorite boutique labels and I'm really excited for the opportunity to check these out!  Not only has my friends over at Severin Films released a fantastic box set of late 60s and early 70s cinema from Spain but my friends over at Mondo Macabro has released a trio of Spanish horror and thrillers from area and era.  I just watched and reviewed Mondo Macabro's release of I Hate My Body and decided to follow it up with their second release of the the three which is the 1975 dramatic thriller Forbidden Game of Love.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over!

     The film follows a young couple who are hitchhiking after classes when their wealthy professor picks them up.  He takes them back to his home where he puts them up for the night.  The following day they try to leave and he refuses to let them go.  He then offers them a proposal.  He will provide them with everything they need or want if they promise never to leave.  They refuse at first but he has his servant force them to stay.  Overtime, the two start to succumb to his torture and brainwashing.

     I'm not well versed on the history of Spain but from what I can gather was that Spain was under fascist rule until the mid-70s.  This time, known as Francoist Spain, saw heavy censorship with a lot of the more bold and boundary pushing films getting censored.  That is one of the many reasons I'm excited to see these films from the time.  Forbidden Game of Love is not the wildest or craziest film I've seen but I can only imagine how a conservative government would lose their mind over it.  The acting in this one is very well done.  The cast works very well together and bring to life some fantastic characters with their performances.  Honestly, I really enjoyed the cast and how each character interacted with one another.  It made the film for me.  The story for this one is not as wild as I was expecting but that be due to years of sexploitation has desensitized me.  We follow a wealthy man and his rather timid associate/servant as they "torture" and brainwash a young couple.  It's nothing that brutal or extreme by any standards but it's a solid watch especially with the acting we have.  Finally, the film has some skin but don't expect it to be a bloody affair like you would expect from most of the films I review.  The film is very story rich and character driven.  Overall, Forbidden Game of Love is the kind of film that I would never have the chance to enjoy if it wasn't for companies like Mondo Macabro.  It's a wild film that may seem tame by today's standards but did get some knickers in a twist at the time, so to speak.  I highly recommend checking this one out.  

A Man for Emmanuelle

Director - Cesare Canevari (Killing of the Flesh, The Nude Princess)

Starring - Erika Blanc (Kill Baby... Kill!, A Dragonfly for Each Corpse), Adolfo Celi (The Phantom of Liberty, Madly in Love), and Paolo Ferrari (Nero Wolfe, Married to a Cop)

Release Date - Drama/Erotic

Tagline - "The queer... the erotic... the hippie... all turned her on!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I went into the Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection, I thought it was four films featuring Sylvia Kristel as the title character.  However, that was not the case at all.  The first three films in the set did feature Kristel in her iconic role but the fourth film really caught me off guard.  The final Emmanuelle film was actually the 1969 Italian drama A Man for Emmanuelle starring Erika Blanc as Emmanuelle.  I became very interested in the film especially when I realized that it was not one of the films starring Kristel.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows Emmanuelle (Blanc) who has her eye on someone.  Instead of approaching them like a rational human being, she starts sleeping with everyone she crosses paths with regardless of gender.  

     I went into this one not knowing what to expect.  Was this a film that would later inspire the Emmanuelle series that I know or would it just be a film that shares a common name?  I don't know the back story behind this one but I did like it as a film but it wasn't near as sleazy and enjoyable as the Sylvia Kristel films.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part and pretty consistent which is something you can't really say about the previous three films I reviewed.  Blanc doesn't really carry the scene like Kristel can but she is a hell of a lot better actress.  The supporting cast does a solid job as well but it's Blanc that's the focus of the film.  The story for this one is nowhere near as sleazy as the first film but does have some sexy moments.  With that being said, it does lack in the story department with what feels like an anti-sex message.  We have a woman bouncing from sexual partner to sexual partner as she explores her sexual freedom.  The further she goes into these encounters, the more her life is turned upside down.  The film seems to have a completely different message than the subsequent Emmanuelle films.  Finally, the film doesn't have the amount of skin as I was expecting but there is some.  Those of you wanting a sleazy watch may be disappointed just like those of you wanting some blood and gore.  Overall, A Man for Emmanuelle is nothing like I expected but it was still an enjoyable film.  While it doesn't live up to the Emmanuelle name, I can only assume that it inspired the now legendary franchise.  Check it out especially if you dig the other films.  

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! 

Return of Eva Man

Director(s) - Zacarias Urbiola (A Dragonfly for Each Corpse, House of Psychotic Women) and Antonio D'Agostino (Eva Man, The Ceremony of the Senses)

Starring - Eva Robin's (Hercules, Tenebrae), Ajita Wilson (Hell Behind the Bars, Passionate Lovers), and Ramon Centenero (The Night of the Werewolf, The Dracula Saga)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was not expecting the wild ride that Mondo Macabro was going to send me on when they sent over the Eva Man double feature.  These two films were new to me and I had no idea how important they were in the world of cinema and exploitation at the time.  However, after finishing the first film and working on the review I quickly learned that this film was very important to movie history which only made me even more excited for the sequel.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for review!

     The film once again follows Eva (Robbin's), the professor, and her friend as they fight and evade a group of criminals who are after them.  The professor used the technology from the first film to create a ray gun that when fired at someone awakens intense sexual desire.  

     Return of Eva Man, or El Regreso de Eva Man, is another wild film that does a decent enough job at furthering the already crazy story from the film film.  While it does take the same formula from the first film and makes small changes, those changes are just enough to make it work.  It's not going to win people over like the first film but it is still a lot of fun.  The acting in this one is consistent with the first film.  Robbin's and Wilson make the film.  Their charisma and personality makes every scene they are in.  The supporting cast is solid for the most part but it's these two ladies that makes these two films as fun as they are.  The story for this one is essentially the same as the first film with a few minor changes.  Both films follows a group of bad guys chasing Eva for different sexual reasons.  It's obvious they took what made the first film work and rush it into production while the iron was still hot so to speak.  It doesn't give us something new but it's still a solid sequel with some laughs.  Finally, no blood or guns in this one.  We get some skin, some laughs, and that's about the extent of it.  Overall, Return of Eva Man is no as historic as the original but it still deserves a watch.  It's not that original but still entertaining.  Check it out.  

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!

Sexomania

Director - Marios Retsilas (Guilty Relationships, I Ora Tou Lykou)

Starring - Maria Ioannidou (The Brightest Star, King of Liars), Vasilis Mitsakis (The Asphalt Fever, The Daughter of the Sun), Stavros Farmakis (Guilty Relationships, The Terrorists) 

Release Date - 1974

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started writing reviews, over 15 years ago now, I never expected that I would be reviewing films from different regions of the world.  I've been fortunate enough to reviews movies from the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Russia, Italy, Spain, and so on.  I've also been fortunate enough to review several titles from Greece thanks to my friends over at Mondo Macabro.  A few months back I was sent the erotic dramatic thriller Sexomania for review.  I had never heard of this 1974 flick before and was really looking forward to checking it out.  I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for review!

     The film follows a rich and successful man who has overlooked his wife's carnal needs resulting in her secret infidelity.  He takes her to a doctor to see why she is suffering mentally and everything about her secret life starts to unravel.  

     Sexomania was nothing like I expected but I did enjoy it.  It's not the sexiest film I had seen but it had a solid story, some beautiful cinematography, and the story wasn't that bad.  Sure, it's not a movie that I would normally review for the site but there will be some out there that dig sexploitation and international dramas.  The acting in this one is inconsistent but it's not bad.  In fact, I actually liked it for the most part.  There was a few scenes where the cast was a bit stiff an lacked any emotional range but the overall film was very well acted.  The story for this one is a bit all over the place but I still enjoyed it for what it was.  I liked the idea of the neglectful husband trying to save his wife's mental state with a professional only for her to spill her guts about being unfaithful.  The movie could have used a decent trim and some better editing to make the story a bit more cohesive but sometimes things are lost when you are forced to read the movie.  Finally, don't expect a bloody flick.  We get some skin and a lot of story rich scenes but that is about the extent of it.  Fans wanting some blood and gore should have been more diligent with what they were choosing.  Overall, Sexomania may not be one of those sexploitation films that sticks with you for days after watching but it is a solid first time watch.  Collectors and fans of sexploitation should really check out this release from Mondo Macabro.  

The Punishment

Director - Pierre-Alain Jolivet (Black Mirror, Le Grand Ceremonial)

Starring - Karin Schubert (The Panther Squad, Black Venus), Georges Geret (Little Roma, Stranger in the House), and Amidou (Victory, Ronin)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I just spent the entire month binging as many horror movies as I could while sneaking in several of the action flicks from the Bloody Legend boxset sent over from Severin/Intervision.  I love horror and have built a career out of reviewing horror titles for over 15 years but sometimes I do need a break.  That's why I love these boutique labels that not only release horror but other cult and often overlooked films.  A few weeks back I received a couple of the new releases from Mondo Macabro which featured a Bollywood horror classic and a few sexploitation films.  After my month long horror binge I decided to check out the French erotic thriller The Punishment from director Peirre-Alain Jolivet.  I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for review.  

     The film follows a young woman who finds herself bound in a prostitution ring.  She is then taken to a homemade dungeon in the basement of a mansion to be disciplined for not doing what was told to her by one of her Johns.  She is then subjected to various punishments and sex acts in order to discipline her for not performing.  

     I kind of knew what I was getting myself into by the name and artwork that was present on the Mondo Macabro release.  The film's original title. La Punition, and artwork paints a very straight forward picture which lets you know that the film does focus on the S&M side of sexploitation and have inspired the more popular The Story of O.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  The characters and their writing is not consistent but it doesn't take away from the film.  Some of the characters are rather flat and cliched while others are more developed.  This gives the cast a little more to work with and it shows.  I liked the acting for the most part but some of the more "graphic" scenes are a bit overacted.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward but it is still a fun journey.  Honestly, this is one of those films where you know where it is headed but the ride there is still enjoyable.  Honestly, it's a nudie flick for those into spankings with some blood.  Finally, the film has some blood and minimal effects.  This isn't something that really stands out or is memorable.  In fact, it does move the story along but it's not something that would need to be in the film.  Overall, The Punishment is a surprisingly entertaining early 70s French sexploitation flick.  It does try to be a roughie for the most part but fans of these types of films would have seen worse especially from this time.  I highly recommend checking out this one on blu from Mondo Macabro.  

Cafe Flesh

Director(s) - Stephen Sayadian (Dr. Caligula, Nightdreams 3) and Mark S. Esposito (Treasure of the Haunted House, TerrorVision)

Starring - Andy Nichols (Doctor Penetration, Student Affairs), Paul McGibboney, and Michelle Bauer (Demonwarp, Virgin High)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Sci-Fi

Tagline - "THE TIME... Five years after the nuclear war.  The survivors...post-nuke thrill freaks lookin' for a kick"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I started watching and collecting sexploitation flicks about 10 years ago when companies like Vinegar Syndrome, Severin Films, and Mondo Macabro started sending them my way for review.  These were films that I never had an interest in watching until I was sent some for review where I fell in love with them.  Since those days I've heard about the popular sexploitation flicks that many fans of the sub-genre would consider essential viewing.  Films like Waterworks, Sexworld, and the infamous Cafe Flesh.  I had never seen Cafe Flesh previously but when Mondo Macabro sent me the UHD for review, you bet your sweet ass I made time to finally check it out.  I, once again, would like to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over.

     The film takes place in a post-nuclear world where most of the people are called "negatives."  These people are unable to have sex and visit clubs where those that can, called "positives," perform various shows for them.  One night during the show, the host spots a couple and continuously mocks them between the various acts.  As the film progresses, we learn that one of them is secretly a positive who hides her secret from her negative spouse until her sexual desires overtake her.

     I was seriously excited to finally see Cafe Flesh.  I had heard so many great things about this one but could only find extremely edited or cut versions of the film online.  I decided to hold on until I could find a complete cut of the film.  Sadly, I found myself not enjoying the film after all this time of waiting.  I wanted to love it, especially for it's amazing story, but I found myself bored to tears.  The acting in this one is extremely entertaining.  In fact, it is one of the high points of the film for me.  The characters are all colorful and full of energy for the most part.  In the world of sexploitation and erotica, this is one of the most energetic casts I've seen.  The film has to be seen just for the acting alone.  The story for the this one is one of those films that I feel was amazing on paper but didn't translate that well to screen.  A sexploitation flick set in a post-nuclear wasteland where only a small group of people can screw around while the majority is forced to watch their shows is very unique.  You throw in a little character development and you have something truly unforgettable.  However, the film's unique style and semi-arthouse approach might be iconic among genre fans, it did make for a slow moving film that really did nothing to hold my attention.  The film, without the sex, could have been cut drastically to make the story a bit more fun.  Instead, it's a long and drawn out skin flick that bored me to tears.  Finally, the film has plenty of skin but if you want some blood or memorable effects then you are out of luck.  Overall, Cafe Flesh has a look and style all it's own with one hell of a story but the scenes are painfully too long and the story doesn't go anywhere.  I seriously wanted to like this one but it wasn't for me.  

Fatal Desires

Director - Sean Donohue (Naked Cannibal Campers, Swamp Woman)

Starring - D'Andre Noire (Psycho Science, The Legend of Skunk Ape), Alyss Winkler (Space Babes from Outer Space, Curse of the Weredeer), and Jessa Jupiter Flux (Murdercise, Debbie Does Demons)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Thriller

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love the time in which I grew up.  While the late 60s and early 70s exploitation and drive-in era is my favorite time for cinema, I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the films from when I was growing up.  Being boring in the 80s and raised in the 90s really gave me a chance to see some outstanding films.  I was lucky enough to live through the VHS age along with the 90s cable "box" boom that many of us have lovingly called Skinemax.  Premium channels would often get movies after their theatrical run but before they hit home video.  This was an awesome way to quickly see a movie without having to run to theaters.  However, on some of these channels, especially late at night, they would air erotic flicks and shows aimed toward their adult audiences.  Erotic thrillers and women in prison flicks were extremely popular at this time.  I know many of us that knew absolutely nothing about the ways of the world because due to our age would sneak into the living room late at night to get a peak of some skin.  A few months back Sean Donohue announced that he was working on an erotic thriller, similar to those that ran late at night on Skinemax, starring Erin Brown, Jessa Jupiter Flux, and Alyss Winkler.  This was the kind of film I knew GatorBlade would knock out of the park so I quickly said yes when he asked me to check it out!

     The film follows a young couple, Todd (Noire) and Hannah (Winkler), who is struggling with their marriage.  Todd is a professional photographer with a knack for sleeping with his clients.  This has put a strain on their marriage.  Hannah's friend Denice (Brown) suggests that they try a sex therapist in hopes of saving what is left of their marriage.  This is when things start to take a weird turn.  The therapist they hire is a woman that Todd recently hooked up with at his favorite bar and continues to sleep with during their sessions.  As they dive deep into their sessions, Todd finds himself at the center of a murder investigation when he finds one of his clients murdered.  As he tries to figure out what is going on  around him, he soon learns that his therapist has other plans for the two and it doesn't include saving their marriage.

     Fatal Desires was exactly like I thought it would be and I loved it.  It's the perfect tribute to the late night Skinemax flicks I grew up watching while keeping the GatorBlade identity alive.  The film really does feel like the erotic thrillers you could catch late at night during the late 90s and has the hottest cast in the indie scene.  It may not be my favorite GatorBlade flick but it's easily one of Sean's best films to date.  The acting in this one is great with many of my favorite actresses appearing in the film.  Being born in the late 80s and raised in the 90s means I hit my teenage years in the late 90s and early 2000s which was when Misty Mundae was making a name for herself with films like The Infamous Bondage Murders, Duck! The Carbine High Massacre, Satan's School for Lust, and Screaming Dead just to name a few.  I've been a fan of hers for over 20 years and I love seeing her continue to appear in genre titles.  She does a great job in Fatal Desires but I am a bit disappointed in how little she was used.  I would have loved to see her get more screen time.  I'm also a huge fan of Alyss Winkler and Jessa Jupiter Flux.  Both are phenomenal actresses that never disappoint.  They are just as gorgeous as they are talented.  With all that being said, the star of the show is D'Andre Noire who delivers a phenomenal performance.  His character is very grounded and he does a hell of a job bringing him to life.  The story for this one is simple and predictable but you don't watch films like this for a compelling story.  It is a fun story when you mix in the nudity and the great performances from the cast.  Finally, the film does have a little blood and some make-up effects but those wanting some great gore will be very disappointed.  However, if beautiful women showing it all is something you are interested in then this film is for you.  Overall, Fatal Desires is another great flick from indie heavyweight GatorBlade Films.  It's a fantastic flick that has plenty of thrills and skin.  I highly recommend it

Up!

Director - Russ Meyer (Motorpsycho!, Vixen!)

Starring - Edward Schaaf (Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Addams Family), Robert McLane (NET Playhouse, Blue Summer), and Elaine Collins (Fantasm Comes Again, Deep Jaws)

Release Date - 1976

Genre - Comedy/Erotic

Tagline - "A robust American fun movie!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I hear the name Russ Meyer I immediately think of classics like Vixens!, Faster Pussycat Kill Kill!, and Motorpsycho!  However, he had a career that spanned almost 60 years and directed over 30 films.  A lot of his films are new to me but I have yet to find one that I didn't like.  A few weeks back I received the press release for two upcoming releases from Severin Films that just happened to be two Russ Meyer's flicks.  One is a film I had seen several times from 1965 titles Motorpsycho! but the other was new to me.  That film was 1976's Up!.  A few days later I received both films in for review from Severin and added them to my watch pile.  I started my double feature with Motorpsycho! because it was one I was familiar with and liked.  However, Up! didn't look that interesting to me.  I was fucking wrong!

     The film begins with the murder of a sexual deviant named Adolf as a busty drifter wonders into town.  What she doesn't know is that everyone in town has their own kinks and the man murdered was a sex warlock hiding a secret.

    I went into Up! knowing absolutely nothing about it and it quickly became my favorite release of the year so far.  The movie was completely batshit crazy and very unpredictable.  The movie is very raunchy and remains off the wall from start to finish.  The acting in this one is very enjoyable.  We get a lot of memorable characters ranging from Adolf to the busty hitchhiker and all the sexual fiends in town.  The cast does a fantastic job while bearing it all in front of the camera.  Some of the scenes are a bit more inconsistent than others but the energy and humor more than makes up for it.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting at all and held my attention from start to finish.  The film is a comedy first an foremost with the nudity coming in a close second.  Not all the jokes find their marks but most of the film had me laughing.  We then get some quick character development, some mystery, and a lot of soap opera quality love triangles.  Honestly, it's a hard one to describe but it's a lot of fun.  Finally, the film has a little blood and a lot of skin.  The death we get is funny with no effects needed but those looking for beautiful women will appreciate what the film has to offer.  Overall, Up! was one of the most unexpected films I've reviewed this year.  It was so much and I highly recommend checking out this awesome release from Severin Films.  

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!

Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend

Director - Jeff Werner (Die Laughing, Kicking It)

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

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Crime

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

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     

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

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

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