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! 

His Motorbike, Her Island

Director - Nobuhiko Obayashi (House, Turning Point)

Starring - Kiwako Harada (Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, The Drifting Classroom), Noriko Watanabe (Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., True Horror Stories), and Riki Takeuchi (Battle Royale II: Requiem, Tokyo Tribe)

Release Date - 1986

Genre - Romance/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It was about 10 years or so ago that I found myself binging as many Japanese splatter films that I could find on Netflix.  I had always knew that Japan had releases a lot fantastic genre titles over the years but I never ventured into them until then.  Now, I'm always on the lookout for an Asian horror I can find but I rarely take the plunge into other genres because of my obsession with horror.  A few weeks ago my friends over at Cult Epics sent over the 1986 Japanese romantic drama His Motorbike, Her Island to review on blu.  I knew it wasn't a horror release but I was still curious if I would like it or not so I added it to my watch list.  I want to thank Cult Epics for sending this one over.  I really enjoyed this one and look forward to checking out other Japanese non-horror titles.

     The film follows a young man who breaks up with his girlfriend and uses his motorbike to travel around Japan.  He finds himself on a small island where he meets a young woman who is very much different than his ex.  He falls for her but soon worries that she may be more interested in his motorbike than him.  

     I went into this one completely blind not knowing what to expect and was greeted with a beautifully shot film that may not be a movie that I would typically watch but enjoyed it just the same.  I know a lot of my readers will quickly skip over this review but fans looking for something a bit different will not be disappointed.  The acting in this one is a bit inconsistent at the beginning but as the film progresses we get some great performances from the cast.  I didn't care for the characters, to be honest, but the cast did the best with what they had and delivered some grounded performances.  The story for this one is more of a drama than anything but the romance aspects do show up from time to time.  The film has great pacing and with the story we have we get a lot of dialogue heavy scenes that does work for the most part.  However, my lack of interest in the genre mixed with the unlikable characters made a few of these scenes feel like they were a lot longer than they were.  Finally, this is not a bloody one for you looking for the red stuff.  This character driven romantic drama is more about the story than anything else.  Overall, His Motorbike, Her Island is not something I would normally review but Cult Epics was nice enough to send it over and I was interested in checking it out.  It's not horror but I enjoyed it and the blu from CE looks great.  I highly recommend checking it out.

Lisa Frankenstein

Director - Zelda Williams (Kappa Kappa Die, Dark/Web)

Starring - Kathryn Newton (Freaky, Supernatural), Liza Soberano (She's the One, Everyday I Love You), and Jenna Davis (Stay At Home, M3gan)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "If you can't meet your perfect boyfriend...make him"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Diablo Cody has made a name for herself after penning several unforgettable films over the years. While I'm not really of fan of her dramas and comedies, I'm a huge fan of her forays into horror. Jennifer's Body may draw criticism from horror hipsters, but I enjoy it. I think it's a great popcorn horror flick. When I started receiving press releases for Lisa Frankenstein, the newest film written by Cody, I was very interested in it. I heard a lot of great things about it when it hit theaters, but I wasn't able to check it out during that time. However, I was lucky enough to land a review copy of the film on blu. 

      The film follows Lisa (Newton) who lost her mother to a deranged axe murderer some time ago. Her father remarried to a verbally abusive woman with a genuinely kind daughter. She spends her spare time at an abandoned cemetery near her new home. One evening while laying on a grave she makes a wish that she was with the guy buried there before the headstone is struck with lightning. That night the corpse awakens and breaks into her home after mistaking her plea for help with a proclamation of love. Now she must traverse high school in the 80s while trying to hide a living corpse that loves her so much, he is willing to kill for her. 

      Jennifer's Body is a seriously underrated pop horror flick, and I was expecting more of the same from Lisa Frankenstein. After diving into it I can safely say that I enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than Jennifer's Body. I'm clearly not the target audience for the film either but it is still enjoyable especially if you are in the mood for something with a bigger budget and a little on the family friendly side. The acting in this one is so much fun. Kathryn Newton is amazing as the film's lead while Cole Sprouse does so much while doing so little. These two are created together. We then had unforgettable performances from Liza Soberano, Carla Gugino and Joe Chrest. This is a fantastic cast and when you add them to the beautifully written characters you are left with something that sticks with you days after watching it. The story for this one has a lot that I can appreciate, not only as a genre fan, but as a movie fan in general. I love the playful name that reminds a certain age group of the folders, pens, pencils, and other school supplies they had from the late 80 and early 90s. You then have a lot of characters with very developed backstories and a story that fits the namesake very well. I do have some questions like why is a Victorian era corpse so fresh? I know it's a romantic horror comedy catered to the female demographic, and it takes liberties to make the story work but a moment to explain a few things would go a long way with some of the viewers. Finally, the film has a lot of make-up effects and few gags that look great but nothing that will impress the genre fans looking for blood and gore. I loved the look of the creature but that is the extent of the effects. Overall, Lisa Frankenstein is a fun pop horror flick that absolutely works. I seriously enjoyed it and I hope Diablo Cody continues writing horror titles.

Cemetery Man

Director - Michele Soavi (The Church, StageFright)

Starring - Rupert Everett (Dead on Time, Shrek 2), Francois Hadji-Lazaro (Brotherhood of the Wolf, The City of Lost Children), and Anna Falchi (Kin Novak is on the Phone, The Tracker)

Release Date - 1994

Genre - Horror/Comedy/Romance

Tagline - "Zombies, gun and sex, oh my!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Every movie buff, especially genre fans, have that one film they have tried to watch for years but never had the opportunity. The movie is either hard to find or various obstacles get in their way. I call these movies unicorns because they take on an almost mythical tone. My unicorn is the 1994 Italian horror/romance film Dellamorte Dellamore. When I was in high school I was an active member of the Upcoming Horror Movies message board. One of the other members had an image of what looked like a grim reaper in his signature. I was fascinated with that image for a few days and finally asked them what it was from. He told me about the film Cemetery Man from director Michele Soavi. I rushed to eBay with a friend where we pooled out money together to buy a copy of the film on VHS. It took a few weeks but the day it arrived we prepared to give it a watch. After about 20 or so minutes into our first viewing the VCR started to make a loud whining sound before it ate the tape. It would be several more years before the film would get a DVD from Anchor Bay but I was quick to pre-order it. When it finally arrived the post office was kind enough to customize the package and it’s contents for me resulting in a dislodged disc that wouldn’t play in my PS2 or my friends DVD player. Anchor Bay was kind enough to send over a replacement disc but that took several more weeks. When I was able to finally watch the film I feel in love with it. It was unlike anything else I had seen at that point. The DVD quickly became one of my prized possessions that I still appreciate all those years later. That changed recently when Severin released the film on UHD. While the DVD held some fond memories, I could not wait to add this release to my collection. 

      The film follows a caretaker at a small Italian town. He lives in a little shack on the property with his nearly mute assistant and they are tasked with keeping the dead…dead. Those buried in this particular cemetery return after 7 days to feast on the living. He puts them down with a quick bullet to the head so the town doesn’t get overrun by the undead and for fear he would lose his job. He eventually falls in love with a beautiful widow but when her husband breaks free of his coffin and bites her, the caretaker is forced to shoot her. Heartbroken, and struggling with his own mortality, he befriends a group of college women. One of them shares a striking resemblance to his now dead loved one so he goes with them back to their house. He spends the night with her and the following morning he learns that they are prostitutes that are paying their way through college by selling their bodies. He panics and burns the home down with them trapped inside. Once again heartbroken, he meets a young woman working as the mayor’s assistant. She too is identical to the woman he once loved. She mentions that she has commitment issues and does not want to be with a man sexually. Succumbing to rumors that his impotent, he seeks medical help to take away his manhood so he can be with her only to discover that she was raped and she liked it. Now, he’s heartbroken for the third time and without the use of his penis which forces him to go on a killing spree before trying to skip town. 

      I don’t say this a lot but Dellamorte Dellamore, aka Cemetery Man, is easily the most beautiful horror film I’ve seen in my short life. We have a not so typical horror story that blends comedy and romance in a way I had never seen before or since along with several gruesome scenes that reminds the viewer that they are in fact watching an Italian horror film. I might be a bit biased here but Cemetery Man is one of my favorite horror films and this Severin release is a must own for horror fans and collectors alike. The acting in this one is great. Rupert Everette is absolutely amazing as the romantic cemetery caretaker (he’s not an engineer). His character is what makes the film and his performance is nothing short of brilliant. When you add the fantastic performances from model Anna Falchi and the “Gna” from Francois Hadji-Lazaro you have performances that are truly unforgettable. The characters are so enjoyable and the cast truly gives it their all. The story for this one is a mix of comedy and romance with a lot of horror thrown in. The romance is a huge part of the story and while it does take the front seat, it doesn’t make the horror take the back seat. Both coexist in the film in a way that is rarely seen and never as successful as it is here. You then have the humor to break up some of the more drawn out scenes a little bit. They all work together very well without making the horror feel out of place which became normal after the success of Shaun of the Dead. While I do love SotD I will be the first to admit that the horror is second to the humor and romance. This film keeps it in the front. The film also has great pacing and doesn’t over stay it’s welcome. Finally, this film has some seriously great effects with a lot of gore and beautiful sets. I love the sets and locations used in the film. Movies don’t really look like this anymore and these locations and sets give this film the perfect gothic look and feel. This really works with the film’s atmosphere and tone making it even more effective. You add that with the fantastic make-up and practical effects and you have a film that can only be seen to be appreciated. Overall, Cemetery Man, or Dellamorte Dellamore, is one of the most underrated Italian horror films in cinema history. The film is absolutely amazing and this release Severin is essential for horror fans or fans of this film. Check it out.

Romeo's Distress

Director - Jeff Frumess (Am I Demon?, Beyond the Green Hole)

Starring - Anthony Malchar, Renee Mandel (Gouge Away), and Kimberely A. Peterson 

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "Why does love have to be this way?"

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’m still playing catch up from October which is extremely pathetic for a film reviewer. I know a lot of others that review films for sites, blogs, YouTube, and so on and they tend to stay on top of it. They can catch a film when it’s released and have a review up same day. I’ve never been that fast. To make matters worse, back in October I made a post looking for indie horror flick to review as part of my October horror binge and was greeted with over 100 films. I couldn’t turn them away so I added them to my watch list to slowly chip away at. One of those films is Jeff Frumess’ Shakespeare inspired fantasy horror film Romeo’s Distress. Sometime back I reviewed his film Gouge Away and was looking forward to checking it out. I want to thank Jeff for sending it over! 

      The film follows James. James seems to be lost in the world often catching a beating from another a young man when he’s not busy roaming the cemetery. James is in love with Jane but Jane is dead. Her father did not want the two together and after her death he vows to never let him linger around her final resting place. While the viewer feels sorry James, the film further reveals that maybe Jane didn’t love James back and he may have crossed the line. 

      Romeo’s Distress was not the film I was expecting but it’s a film that quickly gained my respect and admiration. I’m not cultured and I know I have the worst sense of taste when it comes to film and other mediums. I know nothing about Shakespeare or his work but I have seen a few horror flicks that parody or pay tribute to him in their way. While I couldn’t tell you how close this film is to the work it is inspired I can tell you that it’s one of the better indie dark fantasy films that I’ve seen. The acting in this one is great. I noticed that this was the first, and in a few instances only, acting credit for a good portion of the cast which is seriously impressive. While the whole film features a fantastic cast, I was seriously impressed by Anthony Malchar in the lead role. His character has many layers and he showed talent beyond his years with his performance. The story for this one is a gothic fantasy thriller that takes the viewer on a ride they would not expect. When the film starts the viewer is given a glimpse into the world of a lonely young man trying to find happiness in the world. It’s not until much later in the film that we see the sinister side. It’s brilliant and if you give it a chance the pay off is well worth it. Finally, don’t expect a film full of amazing effects and memorable deaths. Instead, we are given a character driven film that replies heavily on it’s amazing story. Overall, Romeo’s Distress is a prime example of what can be done with no budget and a brilliant story. I highly recommend it.

Desperate Souls

Director - Steve Hermann (Blood Sisters, It Came from Somewhere)

Starring - Angel Nichole Bradford (Wolf Hollow, Night of the Axe), Joe Rosing (Attack of the Corn Zombies, Flesh Fire), and Magdalena Conway (Morium, Nightmare)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Romance/Horror

Tagline - "Love to die for"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love the unique, unusual, and different indie horror films that I get in randomly for review. I’ve been fortunate to review some seriously impressive indie features over the years and when I asked for movies to watch during my October horror binge I was not expecting the response I received. Several people reached out to me and I found myself with over 100 films to review. Some of the films were horror but didn’t really fit in the Halloween theme but I was still grateful they reached out to me to review their projects. One of those films was the horror/romance flick Desperate Souls starring Angel Bradford and Joe Rosing. This would be a film that I surprisingly loved. In fact, I watched it twice before I started the review. I want to thank Angel for bringing this film to my attention and scoring me a review link. 

      The film follows a young man who is struggling with life. He’s constantly alone with his thoughts, which has resulted in him seeking professional help. His longing for death is only second to his desire to find love. Things change when he meets Moira (Bradford). She comes to him one night in his sleep leaving him to suspect that their encounter was a dream. However, it was anything but. She is a succubus and is drawn to his sorrow. The two fall in love which sends her on a murderous rampage killing anyone she suspects might come between the two. However, the more time they spend together, the weaker he becomes forcing her to break up with him for fear of killing him. 

      I never expected to love Desperate Souls as much as I did but here we are. It's not often that I find myself needing to watch a film a second time but this movie deserved it. In fact, as soon as I can add this indie romance horror hybrid to my movie collection. I know a lot of genre fans will hate it but fans of cinema in general will greatly appreciate this one. The acting in this one is uneven but not bad. The film's leads, Angel Bradford and Joe Rosing, work so well together. Rosing's character is a man that has been beaten down to the point he doesn't know which way is up. His sorrowful demeanor really does show on screen. He does a fantastic job in the role. The same can be said for Bradford. She's not a menacing figure if you've been lucky enough to meet her but she does pull off the sexy succubus with a knack for killing. These two almost fed off each other in each scene and their on-screen chemistry made the film as good as it is. The supporting cast is solid but there were a few scenes where the acting and dialogue were a bit awkward to watch. The story for this one is very well written. It flows like an early 2000's horror movie that you could find on store shelves from companies like Brain Damage Films with a romantic twist. The characters are written well into the story and the meshing of the romance with the horror works very well together. I typically find myself not interested in films with romance angles but it was so well written and captivating that I found myself pulled into it. Finally, the film has several bloody moments with minimal practical effects. The kills fit the film and we get some of the red stuff but the effects are nothing that stands out especially if you are a fan of gory horror. Overall, Desperate Souls is going to be a polarizing film among indie horror fans but I truly enjoyed it. It's not often that a horror film can portray love in a manner like Desperate Souls is able to. I highly recommend this one so check it out

Warm Bodies

Director - Jonathan Levine (All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, The Night Before)

Starring - Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, Clash of the Titans), Teresa Palmer (Lights Out, A Discovery of Witches), and John Malkovich (Con Air, Mindcage)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Romance/Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "Who say's romance is dead?"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Way back in 2013 I was in a rough spot. I’ve been a fan of zombie movies for as long as I could remember but the premier of the television adaptation of The Walking Dead turned zombies into a pop culture phenomenon. After that first season I found myself overwhelmed with indie zombie flicks for review along with the dozens of moderately budgeted zombie flicks that were lining the shelves at Walmart and Target. In 2013 we had some seriously enjoyable zombie flicks but there was so many. We had a film adaptation of World War Z, Bath Salt Zombies, The Dead 2, Buck Wild, Pro wrestlers vs Zombies, and the romantic zombie comedy Warm Bodies. I actually watched Warm Bodies in theaters and remember liking it. It was a fun popcorn flick that didn’t try to reinvent the sub-genre but contribute to it. I’ve watched the film a few times since that initial theatrical viewing and still find that it holds up. A few weeks back I received the UHD release of the film for review and used this opportunity to revisit it one more time. 

     The film follows R who is a zombie that is a bit different than the others. He was able to keep a bit of his past self and often reminisces about being human. He still has an insatiable taste for human flesh but once he has fed he goes back to mundane tasks until the time has come for him to feed again. Things change for him when a group of zombies he is with attack a group of survivors savaging for medicine where he spots the beautiful Julie. He saves her from the horde of the undead and takes her back to the airliner that he calls home. Soon a relationship blossoms and when he falls in love with her he finds his heart start beating again. It’s a race again time as the survivors and the zombies continue their war as they try to stop both sides from killing each other while they have a cure for the plague. 

      When horror fans talk about zombie flicks they often mention Romero’s Dead series, Fulci’s Zombi, The Dead Next Door, and so on. They want bloody and gory zombie flicks with amazing practical effects and an overwhelming sense of dread. However, as much as I love those films I still find myself floating toward the movies that take risks with weird stories. Warm Bodies is one of the few romantic comedies that I enjoy. It doesn’t over do the romance and relies on the story to get to the point. It’s a popcorn flick with zombies and some cheap laughs that don’t really find their marks. The acting in this one is very enjoyable. Surprisingly, I’m a big fan of Nicholas Hoult. He’s been in several films that I enjoy and I look forward to his newest film Renfield. I’m also a fan of Rob Corddry. Hot Tub Time Machine was one of my go to comedies for several years and I still randomly binge Children’s Hospital. The remainder of the cast is just as great, Malkovich included. The story for this one a goofy movie with zombies falling in love with their food and saving the human race. It’s that simple and straight forward. We have a side story about a war hungry human wanting to eradicate the undead with a similar threat in the zombies with the ghouls. It’s a fun film with a fairly generic story that finds a way to work. Finally, the film relies heavily on visual effects. We get some make up effects on the normal zombies but most of the deaths and the ghouls are CGI. This will be a turn off to most horror fans but those expecting a popcorn flick will not let it ruin the experience. Overall, Warm Bodies is a cute flick for people looking to shut their brains off for an hour and a half. It’s not Dawn of the Dead or Zombi but it’s fun for what it is. Check it out

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Director - Francis Ford Coppola (Dementia 13, The Godfather)

Starring - Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight, The Fifth Element), Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice), and Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "Love Never Dies"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      Since the initial release of Bram Stoker’s iconic novel Dracula there has been countless adaptations. Most were unofficial adaptations like the classic Nosferatu and the countless indie productions that spring up every Halloween season. However, there has been several official adaptations over the years like the classic Bela Lugosi lead Dracula and the underrated Spanish production that was filming on the same set as Dracula after hours. When I was a kid, I remember my grandmother buying Bram Stoker’s Dracula on VHS one year and we watched it a few times. I remember loving the sets, costumes, creature design, and the suspense the film delivers but thought it was a little too long for my childish brain to focus on for its entirety. Since then I’ve snagged the film on DVD and revisited it ever so often and I find myself loving it more and more with each viewing. Sometime back I received the press release that the film was getting an UHD Steelbook release. I quickly reached out to request a review copy and when it arrived, I had to work it into my month-long October horror binge. 

      The film follows Dracula Oldman), a former warrior for the church, who renounced God when his young bride killed herself thinking he lost his life in battle. We move forward several hundred years and Jonathan Harker (Reeves) travels to Transylvania to finish the process for Dracula to purchase property at Carfax Abbey. However, during Harker’s visit Dracula finds a locket with his fiancé in it. Her likeness to his lost beloved leads him to believe that she is the reincarnation of his lost love. 

     Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a fabulous film. Everything about this movie is amazing aside from the visual effects which I’m sure looked great at the time but did not age well. The locations, scenery, and costumes are amazing while the story delivers some fantastic atmosphere and tension. The acting in this one is legendary. The film has one of the biggest cast of stars that I’ve seen especially for a horror film. We have names like Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Waits, Cary Elwes to name a few. Everyone here delivers a legendary performance and there is no weak links. The cast is absolutely historic and they bring these literary characters to life in big ways. The original Universal Dracula is a great film and known for it’s performance from Lugosi but this film is the best acted Dracula adaptation to date. The story for this one truly fantastic. It’s a horror film but it also has a huge influence from fantasy and romance. The romance and fantasy influence is not overpowering. They leave their marks on the film but it doesn’t take center stage however. Also, it does follow the novel to a certain degree while taking liberties to make the story feel more genuine for film. I love it and think that the stand out changes works. Not only does it throw the viewer that has read the novel but it gives some good eerie moments and a lot of suspense. Finally, the film has a lot of blood, some amazing make-up effects, and dates visual effects that come together to create something that will entertain for generations. It’s not a gory flick but we have some seriously bloody moments and the creature make-up is fucking top notch. I love the looks we get in this film and the blood is just the icing on the cake. Overall, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is one of the most popular pop horror flicks of all time and for good reason. It’s massive budget is noticeable but not wasted. It’s a beautiful horror film that blends in fantasy and romance in a way that it doesn’t feel forced on you. I cannot recommend this one enough. Check it out.

The Last Romantic Lover

Director - Just Jaeckin (Emmanuelle, The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak)

Starring - Dayle Haddon (Cyborg, The Hitchhiker), Gerard Ismael (Money Talks, Lonely Hearts), and Fernando Rey (Star Knight, Honey)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Romance

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     While it may be October and I’m in full horror mode I still find myself taking the time to check out some other non-horror releases. I don’t mind especially during the month of October because I do tend to over do it in preparation for Halloween. Sometime back I received word that Cult Epics was releasing Just Jaeckin’s The Last Romantic Lover from 1978. This is one that had been on my radar once I was turned on to exploitation, especially sexploitation, cinema so I was really looking forward to this release. I reached out to Cult Epics and they were kind enough to send a copy my way. If I’m going to interrupt my horror binge it might as well be with a movie like this.

      The film follows a lion tamer with a dying circus. He was entered into a contest by his carnival family in hopes he would win and they could the much needed money to update their circus along with replacing their recently deceased lion. The contest is being put on by a women’s magazine and the lion tamer qualifies. He makes it to the top ten and soon romance blooms between him and the woman who put the contest together who is already in a relationship. 

      The Last Romantic Lover was a surprisingly well put together and shot film. The cinematography is amazing and the story definitely caught me off guard. I was expecting a sleazy adventure but was given a surprisingly sultry romantic flick with memorable moments and characters. The acting in this one is very well done. There is no weak links in this film. The cast has some great characters written for them and they do one hell of a job bringing them to life. The story for this one starts out setting the ground work for what sounds like a sleazy good time but the film switches it up and actually plays out like a romantic film with some skin. It’s not as nudie as I was expecting but the story and delivery really impressed me. It has decent pacing but a few scenes do struggle to find their footing. Finally, don’t expect blood in this one. We get a character driven story with romance and intrigue but that is it. Overall, The Last Romantic is going to be destroyed by horror trolls in the comment section because it’s not a horror title. However, it’s a lot of fun. Cult movie fans will really dig this one. I highly recommend checking out this release from Cult Epics.

Liar's Moon

Director - David Fisher (Toy Soldiers)

Starring - Matt Dillon (The House that Jack Built, The Flamingo Kid), Cindy Fisher (The Blues Brothers, Bad Ronald), and Hoyt Axton (Gremlins, Encino Man)

Release Date - 1981

Genre - Drama/Romance

Tagline - "They chose the most forbidden love a boy and girl could know!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When MVD announced their MVD Rewind Collection line I was pretty fucking excited for it.  MVD has handled distribution for a bunch of great indie labels and their Marquee line was great as well for some of those not so popular theatrical films that a lot of us were renting on release day from the local video store.  However, that MVD Rewind Collection was said to focus on films during the beginning of the VHS era that never gained traction on disc.  For the most part, the releases in the Rewind Collection have been phenomenal with only one or two that wasn't for me.  I'm a sucker for 80s cinema so when MVD announced the release of 1981's romantic drama Liar's Moon starring Matt Dillon I quickly jumped on it.  I want to thank MVD for sending this one over because it was a lot of fun.

     The film follows the lower working class Jack Duncan (Dillon) and wealthy Ginny Peterson (Fisher) who is the daughter of a wealthy banker.  Their parents want's them to date within their economic class but the two refuse to listen.  They let their hearts lead the way and they elope.  After some time their wedded bliss is struck down when a lie Jack's bother told comes back to put Jack's wife in danger.

     Liar's Moon was not what I was expecting at all but I really fucking enjoyed it.  It's a romantic drama that doesn't feel as corny as you would expect from an early 80s period piece.  I loved the characters, the predictable story, and the overall look of the film.  It was a lot of fun and another fantastic film from my favorite decade.  The acting in this one is great.  Matt Dillon and Cindy Fisher are fantastic as young lovers breaking their family's wishes is fantastic.  They do an amazing job at pulling the viewer in with their emotional range.  I loved them and their on screen chemistry.  The film also has an amazing performance from the supporting cast.  We have a small performance from Lilly Munster herself Yvonne De Carlo along with a memorable performance from Jim Greenleaf.  I fucking loved his character and personality.  The story for this one is predictable.  The romance is clearly there but it's not as mushy and corny as you would expect.  The drama is the star of the show.  I loved the characters and how they were written which made the story even more enjoyable.  However, once you discover one piece of the story the ending becomes predictable.  It's still great but you know where it is going.  Finally, the film has a little blood but that is it.  Don't expect a bloodbath in this one.  Overall, Lair's Moon is a great early 80s drama with romance mixed throughout.  Honestly, I kind of loved it and I can see other 80s movie fans enjoying it as well.  Check it out.  The MVD blu is the best way to see it.  

Dream a Little Dream

Director - Marc Rocco (Murder in the First, Scenes from the Goldmine)

Starring - Corey Feldman (The 'Burbs, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter), Jason Robards (Something Wicked This Way Comes, Circle of Fear), and Meredith Salenger (Lake Placid, Daredevil) 

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Comedy/Romance

Tagline - "With dreams like these, who needs reality"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As a fan of 80s cinema I've learned to appreciate the two Corey's at a very young age.  Both have appeared in some of the most iconic films from that decade with a great deal of them being personal favorites of mine.  I've seen most of the films that featured them both but a few have slipped through the cracks.  Several weeks ago Vestron Video announced that they would be releasing the 1989 romantic comedy Dream a Little Dream on blu.  This just happened to be one of the films that I had never seen before.  I was quick to reach out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Like always I want to thank Vestron Video for supporting myself and Horror Society.  

     The film follows teenage Bobby (Feldman) who is a bit of a nuisance to the older dream researcher Coleman (Robards) that lives nearby.    Bobby is struggling as a teenager in the late 80s while Coleman struggles to grasp what it's like to be a modern teenager.  One evening Coleman and his wife are performing an experiment in their yard when they are hit by Bobby and Lainie (Salenger).  When Bobby awakens he is no longer himself but the subconscious of Coleman in his body.  Now Coleman must pretend to be Bobby while trying to find a way to get back to his body.

     I know several social media friends that were very excited for this release.  I actually enjoy several 80s romantic comedies so I was really looking forward to giving this one a spin.  However, at just under two hours long I found the film to be very repetitive and drawn out while giving the viewer very little to hold on to.  I can see the appeal of the film to some people but not even the Two Corey's could save it.  The acting in this one is great.  Feldman is beginning his transition into the eccentric Jackson-esque Feldman but is still able to deliver a solid performance which does become a strain for him in later films.  Jason Robards is absolutely fantastic as the elderly dream researcher.  Honestly, his character made the film for me.  With that being said, I was a little disappointed in how little screen time Corey Haim had in the film.  I know he broke his leg prior to filming and some parts had to be changed but I wasn't expecting him to take the back seat in the film.  The story for this one really is at home in the late 80s.  It has that light supernatural spin on a romantic comedy similar to films like Heavenly Kid, Teen Witch, and to a great extent the Wraith.  I could see myself really getting behind it if both Corey's were in the film the same amount of time and was not a two hour film.  Some could have been cut and the story could have been a little more fluid.  Finally, this one doesn't have any blood and gore.  Hell, it doesn't really have much humor either.  It's billed as a romantic comedy but it's clearly a romantic drama.  Overall, Dream a Little Dream was not what I was expecting and not something I enjoyed.  It bills both Corey's in the film but Haim is barely utilized.  It's a cool film for your collection but it's not one I would revisit.  

Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge

Director - Richard Friedman (Monsters, Friday the 13th - The Series)

Starring - Rob Estes (The Twilight Zone, Uninvited), Kimber Sissons (The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Martial Law II: Undercover), and Pauly Shore (Encino Man, Bio-Dome)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "There was a nightmare at the mall.  Eric the phantom struck."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     What could be more 80s than turning a classic tale about love lost, revenge, and mystery into a slasher set inside of a mall?  By the late 80s the slasher was dying.  Franchises has killed the sub-genre that came into it's own in the declining years of the 70s and peaked in the early 80s.  However, as the 80s were coming to a close the sub-genre was getting over looked for other horror flicks.  That's is one of the many reasons that Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge is such an oddity.  You have a late 80s slasher, with a wild cast, and a story that doesn't belong there yet it somehow comes together to create a campy gem that doesn't deserve to be as enjoyable as it is.  When I heard that Arrow Video was releasing this one on blu I had to see it.  I reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send over a copy for me to check out.  Like always, I want to thank them for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to review it.

     The film follows a wealthy real estate developer who bought up property to turn into a shopping mall.  One house refused to sell and sometime later it mysteriously burns down killing the owner named Eric.  His girlfriend tries to go on with her life and eventually finds work at the new mall built on the ground where he died on.  Life has moved on but a journalist covering the opening of the mall also covered the fire that killed Eric.  He recognizes Eric's girlfriend and a relationship sparks between them with the pair trying to uncover the truth behind the fire and it's connection to the new mall.  The closer the two come to uncovering the truth they discover that something sinister is happening behind closed doors at the mall when employees turn up dead.  Is the mall haunted or is Eric still alive and seeking revenge?

     Phantom of the Mall is extremely fucking odd but it perfectly sums up the last year of the 80s.  I remember hearing about this film when I was younger when my friend ordered a bunch of older issues of Fangoria.  In one of these issues was an article about the film.  I was really curious about it but I never had the chance to see it.  I'm glad I finally got to see it and it was with an Arrow Video release.  It is campy, weird at times, but very enjoyable.  The acting in this one is decent but the casting is very uneven.  Before I get too far into it I want to mention that the small role from Ken Foree is a huge disappointment.  I would have loved him in a much bigger role than what he was.  He was underutilized and that was a huge disappointment.  Now, as for the cast.  I liked Pauly Shore, Rob Estes, Kimber Sissons, and the gorgeous Kari Whitman.  They deliver solid performances that worked for the film but none were what I would consider memorable.  Aside from them, I was not satisfied.  They were very underwhelming and just hogged the screen.  The story for this one is something else.  Imagine the classic tale the Phantom of the Opera set for a more modern audience with the opera being replaced with a shopping mall and instead of a tale of mystery and romance we get a slasher.  It very much is a typical slasher story. We follow someone that was wronged who returns later for revenge.  Now, toss in a little disfigurement, some light romance, and a body count and you have a film that combines the two visions into a campy late 80s slasher that may not be for everyone.  Honestly, I liked it but I can't deny that it is corny and extremely goofy at times but that is how I love my 80s films.  Finally, the film has some fun deaths.  The death scenes have some decent effects that work for the scene but they are nothing spectacular or stands out for the viewer.  Also, the make-up effects for Eric had me laughing.  I can't believe the production team saw the final product and decided to continue with it.  I love cheesy horror but Eric's face looks like a cheap mask that was used as production was rushed to be completed.  Overall, Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge is going to be a polarizing slasher for genre fans.  Those that enjoy the goofier side of cinema will enjoy it but if you want a more serious slasher then you will be very disappointed.  If this does sound like something you are interested in I would highly recommend the Arrow Video blu.  It's worth every cent!

Possession

Director - Andrzej Zulawski (The Devil, Theatre Macabre)

Starring - Isabelle Adjani (Nosferatu the Vampyre, The Last Horror Film), Sam Neill (In the Mouth of Madness, Jurassic Park), and Margit Carstensen Satan's Brew, Fear of Fear)

Release Date - 1981

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "Is it desire? or violation? Devotion? or bondage? You hidden fears will be aroused"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     There is hundreds of movies that have a fantastically large followings.  Some of them I believe deserve the praise they receive but others look dull or boring with something with shock value tossed in to get that certain crowd of horror hipsters to fall in love with it.  I've seen horror fans gush over Andrzej Zulawski's Possession for years but the artwork and trailer did not look like something I would enjoy.  The only thing that made me interested in the film was that it starred Sam Neill.  I know Criterion released the film previously and horror fans went rabid over the release.  I couldn't justify spending the Criterion prices on a film I had never seen before.  A few weeks ago Umbrella Entertainment announced that they would be releasing the film on blu as part of their Beyond Genres line.  Umbrella is a company that I actually like so I was curious about the release.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows business man Mark (Neill) who learns that his wife is no longer interested in being in a relationship with him and has moved on.  He is heartbroken and becomes obsessive with her resulting in him turning his back on his job and devoting his time to getting her back.  They have a son who is stuck in the middle of the horrible situation and just wants his parents to be there like they were before.  Over time Mark is able to move passed his wife and finds a new lover but is still concerned for her safety.  He contacts a private investigator and soon discovers that there is something dark and sinister lurking inside his ex-wife.

      I went into this one with an open mind but I quickly found myself not having fun.  The film was dull and lacking which I hate to say.  The movie had an interesting story that could have worked but it was stretched too thin for it's own good.  If some of the fat was trimmed from the overall film it would have been far more enjoyable but as it is it's a difficult one to finish.  I can see the appeal during certain parts of the film but the overall movie was painfully dull.  The acting in this one is flat in some scenes and exceptionally well done in others.  I really like Sam Neill especially in films from this era in his career but there is times where he is one dimensional and at other moments he is super intense.  During these scenes he does not disappoint.  The remainder of the cast is solid and, much like Neill, they have great scenes and not so great scenes. The story for this one has so much potential.  It could have been one hell of a dark and twisted film that was more of a metaphor of love and obsession at heart but a sadistic sexually depraved film.  Instead, it's mostly a dark drama during most of the film with some twisted elements scattered throughout the last leg of the running time.  The more interesting parts, which I'm trying to refrain from spoiling it too bad, involved the abduction and sexually ravished men but these scenes are quickly pushed through.  They are not fully explored and the viewers are left to use their imagination instead of being shown.  Honestly, I liked the idea but the finished product misses it's mark with me.  Finally, the film doesn't have a high body count but there is several scenes with some seriously impressive practical effects and prosthetics.  These few scenes are a little too fast for my taste.  I really wanted the scene to slow down so we could fully enjoy it.  They are truly an impressive moment in the film and one of the few redeeming qualities I could find.  Overall, Possession just didn't do it for me.  The cast is enjoyable and the story had some entertaining moments but it really missed it's mark.  It could have been something truly dark and unsettling but most of the film flows like a romantic drama with thriller elements before the film takes the horror twist we were looking for.  I'm not knocking you for liking it.  In fact, I wish I could but I don't.  Fans will want to check out this Umbrella release but if you are looking for something new to watch then I would suggest some other Umbrella release.  

The Roman Springs on Mrs. Stone

Director - Ray Harrison (Always on Sunday, What Really Happened to Baby Jane?)

Starring - Antonio Vierra 

Release Date - 1963

Genre - Comedy/Romance

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I had no idea what to expect when I ordered What Really Happened to Baby Jane? and the Films of the Gay Girls Riding Club.  I knew somewhat about the people behind it but I had no idea what the films in this set was going to be like.  I was underwhelmed by Always on Sunday but the set paid for itself with What Really Happened to Baby Jane?  I couldn't wait to dive deeper into these drag parodies and the third in the set was The Roman Springs on Mrs. Stone which was, as you guess it, another parody.  This time the film was a parody of The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone.  I was unfamiliar with the film it drew inspiration from but that didn't stop me from diving into it head first.  

     The film follows a woman who travels to Italy where she meets a young man.  He tricks her into loving him while he conspires with an evil woman.

     I actually enjoyed this one even though I was not familiar with the original film.  I'm sure there was aspects of the film that went over my head but I found it funny and charming the way it was.  The acting in this one is similar to Always on Sunday where we follow overdramatic and eccentric characters as they do extraordinary things.  The cast is fully committed to their roles even though it is apparent that they don't have a lot of on screen experience.  It's still fun to watch all their energy while they are having fun.  The story for this one is difficult to follow but it's mostly the characters and their interactions that makes this one enjoyable.  As I stated earlier, I'm not familiar with the original film so I can't attest to how close it is to it but as a drag film I would have to say it's fun and slightly funny at times.  Finally, the film has no blood and gore which is to be expected from a film like this.  However, if you are looking for an early 60s short with some laughs then this one is for you.  Overall, The Roman Springs on Mrs. Stone is not going to be for everyone and that's alright because it wasn't made for everyone.  It was made for people who like to have fun and have a taste for odd cinema.  It's unique but not replayable.  It's worth your time but nothing life changing.  

The Devil in Maddalena

Director - Jerzy Kawalerowicz (Night Train, Mother Joan of Angels)

Starring - Lisa Gastoni (Sacred Heart, Invasion), Eric Woofe (A Challenge for Robin Hood, The Avengers), and Ivo Garrani (Black Sunday, The Slave)

Release Date - 1971

Genre - Drama/Romance

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started writing reviews for Horror Society back in early 2013 I was excited to check out all the genre titles that would be coming my way.  For the most part I have not been disappointed in the wild horror and sci-fi flicks that show up for review almost daily.  However, sometimes I get in movies that I had never seen before or would even expect to review.  Case in point, a few weeks ago I received the 1971 romantic drama The Devil in Maddalena from director Jerzy Kawalerowicz and starring the beautiful Lisa Gastoni.  What caught my eye with this one was not the fact that it wasn't a horror film but it featured a score from the legendary composer Ennio Morricone.  I was extremely shocked by this and was very curious to see how this one would play out.  I want to think One 7 Films for sending this one over.  

      The film follows a beautiful young woman who is looking for someone to call her own but she soon falls in love with a handsome priest.  The two are unable to copulate due to his celibacy and this causes friction between the two while the priest questions if being in the priesthood is what he still wants to do.  

     I can already hear the comment section of this review blowing up by people crying about how it's not a horror movie.  However, I don't care.  One 7 was kind enough to send this one over for review and review it is what I'm going to do.  The acting in this one is solid.  The film has two characters that stand out while the rest of the cast blends into the background.  It's got some seriously great acting but a lot of the characters are dull.  The story for this one is a strict dramatic romance with nothing really redeeming for those of you looking for something along the lines of sleaze.  The artwork made me think this was going to be a fun sexploitation but that was not the case.  It was a solid romantic film that wasn't bad but not what I was expecting.  Hell, I enjoyed it and the score from Morricone made it fun.  Finally, the film has some blood, which was surprising, but it's nothing that will stand out for horror fans.  Overall, The Devil in Maddalena is not the movie you expect but it's not a bad movie.  I even recommend it but don't let the films artwork deceive you.  It's a straight forward romantic drama.  The blu looks good and as much as I think it's fun I still can't see a majority of you checking it out which is a damn shame.