Cecilia

Director(s) - Olivier Mathot (The Panther Squad, Midnight Part) and Jess Franco (Helter Skelter, Broken Dolls)
Starring - Muriel Montosse (Emmanuelle Exposed, Love Camp), Antonio Mayans (Night of Open Sex, Revenger of the Alligator Ladies), and Antonio do Cabo (Devil Hunter, A Virgin Among the Living Dead)
Release Date - 1983
Genre - Drama
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's so funny how some of you act on social media.  When I review a horror movie it rarely goes noticed on social platforms but are still read by people that access the site.  However, when I post a review for a sexploitation or sleazy flick it absolutely blows up on the site and on social media.  Some comment and shit talk the review like they are some sort of saint riding God's golden rod but the viewer still go up days later.  Hell, even today I posted a review for Jess Franco's Shining Sex and it's trending higher than my recent Lucio Fulci reviews.  You can act like you are above it all you want but deep down you are just as sleazy as I am.  Anyway, you can't just watch one Franco movie so after watching Severin's Shining Sex I decided to follow it up with Blue Underground's Cecilia.  I want to take a second to thank BU for sending this one over.

     The film follows the wealthy Cecilia who is picked up by her driver and taken to her house.  She is known for teasing the hired hands around her property by undressing and teasing them which resulted in two of the men getting fired when her husband found now.  Now the driver, the men's brother, is driving her home while she undresses.  What she doesn't know is that he plans on stopping the car so his brothers can rape her.  The unspeakable act unfolds as it should but Cecilia unexpectedly starts to enjoy it and soon finds herself more open to experience new sexual adventures that soon includes her husband and all their friends.
     I've collected a lot of the Blue Underground releases over the years but this is the first time I've ever came across Cecilia.  In fact, until I received the press release for their blu release of the film I had no idea this was a BU property.  I wish I had known before now because I actually really enjoyed this Franco flick and the blu looked fantastic.  The acting in this one is nothing memorable or noteworthy but it works for the film.  The cast appears to really be enjoying themselves which transfers very well to the scene.  The story for this one is one we've seen before and I'm almost certain it's been the plot for other Franco films where we follow a woman who finds sexual enlightenment after a violent act.  Regardless, the story works.  You really like the characters and their choices makes for a great sexploitation.  Finally, if you want blood then you are watching the wrong Franco flick.  However, if blood and softcore porn is your thing then you will be in luck.  Overall, Cecilia is one of the more fun Franco sexploitation releases.  I  really enjoyed the story and the sex scenes don't take their time running along.  The blu release looks absolutely fantastic.  This is another top notch release from Blue Underground.  Check it out.  

Shining Sex

Director - Jess Franco (Incubus, Vampire Junction)
Starring - Lina Romay (Female Vampire, Snakewoman), Evelyne Scott (Swedish Sex Games, Devil's Kiss), and Monica Swinn (Paris Porno, Sexorcismes)
Release Date - 1977
Genre - Sci-Fi
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I just spent the last two days reviewing a few Lucio Fulci films that was sent my way from Severin.  I really enjoyed myself checking out these awesome movies from one of horror's greatest directors.  When I was finishing up with Demonia, Aenigma, and Fulci for Fake I was looking for something else to watch when I remembered that I had just got in a few Jess Franco sleazefests to review.  I decided that it was time to have a Franco marathon and the first movie on the chopping block is his 1977 erotic sci-fi shocker Shining Sex.  I once again want to thank Severin for sending this one my way.

     The film follows Cynthia (Romay).  Cynthia is a well known dancer who has done shows all over the world when she is approached by a couple.  They agree to a threesome and they go back to their apartment.  Cynthia and the other woman Alpha (Scott) play around.  Cynthia experiences the best sex of her life and becomes enthralled with Alpha and her male lover/servant.  What she doesn't know is that she was secretly given a serum in her vagina that kills anyone she has sex with.

      I was completely caught off guard when I received the press release for Jess Franco's Shining Sex.  The synopsis completely threw me for a loop and I couldn't wait to see this oddball sci-fi erotic romp starring Franco's muse Lina Romay.  Sadly, the film was nowhere near as wild as the story made it out to be.  The acting in this one is very well done.  We get another amazing performance from Lina Romay who, once again, bares it all for the camera.  Not only is she easy on the eyes but she's an amazing actress and can carry a scene.  The supporting cast is equally as great with so many colorful and entertaining characters.  The story for this one is pretty grounded considering it uses aliens.  We follow a couple who fuck an exotic dancer and implant her with something that can kill everyone she sleeps with.  With that being said, Franco approached it with his typical eye and what would be a story that could be light hearted and fun he turned it sleazy and sexual.  It works but there is plenty of dry scenes that does move at a snails pace.  Finally, no blood and gore in this one.  However, if  slow and sensual sex scenes are more your speed then you are in luck.  Overall, Shining Sex could have been something completely different but Franco added his own touch to a unusual story to make it his own.  It's still fun but thinking about what could have been really depresses me as a fan.  The blu from Severin looks fantastic and fans of Franco will need to add this one to their collections.  

Fulci for Fake

Director - Simone Scafidi (Eva Braun, Zanetti Story)
Starring - Simone Scafidi, Sandro Bitetto, and Antonella Fulci (Sick-o-Pathics)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "He invented great stories.  Starting from his own"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Lucio Fulci is a filmmaker that has left a lasting mark on cinema specifically horror though he was not always in the business directing horror.  Regardless, his contributions to our beloved genre is unmatched by other filmmakers.  As much as a beloved filmmaker as he is his personal life has always been a mystery to many including his biographers.  Director and actor Simone Scafidi was cast to portray Fulci in a film and took it upon himself to do some research on Fulci to prepare for the role.  This lead him to piecing everything together in his documentary Fulci for Fake.  Severin recently released the film on blu and was kind enough to send a copy my way.  Why not give it a spin right after watching Demonia and Aenigma?

     The film follows filmmaker and actor Simone Scafidi as he prepares for a film role in which he portrays Lucio Fulci.  To prepare for his role he interviews friends and family of the late filmmaker to better understand him.  Through interviews and old home footage we get a glimpse of Fulci the filmmaker and Fulci the father and husband.

     Fulci for Fake is a great and informative documentary that sheds light on certain parts of Fucli's life that he tried to keep out of the limelight.  However, I did find myself becoming underwhelmed with some of the interviews.  The interviews we do get are informal for the most part.  I really enjoyed the interview with his daughter and best friend.  They told it like it was and shared a lot of insight into his personal life.  However, some of the interviews from colleagues and fans did blow a lot of smoke.  Sure, we all agree that Fulci was a phenomenal filmmaker and no one will ever hold a flame to his talent but hearing people go on and on about it is rather boring.  Just being honest.  The approach to the topics come in chronological order and I loved how the film tied everything in to the films that he was currently working on.  It helps fans put his personal life and the struggles in perspective to the films that we love.  We do get some answers to questions about his personal life and why he built a such a fantastical persona about himself.  Finally, the editing in this one is smooth and works very well but most of the interviews and home video footage is cut with clips of the director listening to recordings and so on.  They are painfully awkward to watch and, honestly, do nothing for the film itself.  Overall, Fulci for Fake is a solid documentary about one of horror's biggest names.  There is several things I would cut out of it but it's still full of great information.  It's well worth it for horror fans especially fans of Italian horror.  

Aenigma

Director - Lucio Fulci (The New York Ripper, The House By the Cemetery)
Starring - Jared Martin (Westworld, Knight Rider), Lara Lamberti (Red Sonja, A Blade in the Dark), Ulli Reinthaler (Zombie 3)
Release Date - 1987
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Possessed by revenge"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I upgraded my Zombie DVD.  Blue Underground had released the film around then on blu and I jumped on it.  While I was making the order on Amazon I went ahead and picked up a few more Lucio Fulci flicks.  I finally got my own copy of The Beyond in the awesome tin from Anchor Bay and Aenigma.  Sadly, I never made the time to watch Aenigma so it gathered dust on my shelf.  When Severin announced their blu release of the film I decided it was time to finally check it out.  I reached out to Severin and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!
     The film follows a young student who goes out on a date with her crush.  What she doesn't know is that her date is a practical joke by the girls in the boardinghouse.  The prank goes horrible wrong and she is struck by a moving vehicle.  She's hospitalized in a coma with no brain function.  Soon after a mysterious new student arrives as school and befriends the young girls.  However, nothing ordinary happens as the young girls fall prey to different mishaps while the new student struggles mentally.  It's soon revealed that even though she is in a coma she is controlling the new girl and is exacting her revenge on the students that did her wrong.
     Lucio Fulci has yet to let me down but I rarely venture into his more unknown films unless they are sent to me for review.  I blame my love for The Beyond, Zombie, The House by the Cemetery, and City of the Living Dead for the reason of never venturing out to these other films.  I know I love these movies and I rarely have time to watch a movie not for review.  However, after finally watching Demonia and Aenigma I can safely say I have two more movies to add to my favorite Fucli list.  The acting in this one is my favorite of Fulci's films.  I really enjoyed the characters and how the cast approached their roles.  The characters really carry the story and don't fall into clichéd performances.  I really liked their personalities and how it tied into the story itself.  Typical Fulci films revolve around one dimensional characters dying but this one delivers on the performances.  The story for this one is not something we have seen before especially during the late 80s.  In fact, by 87 there has been several supernatural and slashers using the premise of someone dead or in a coma who is controlling someone else and forcing them to kill.  With that being said, this one is done in Fulci's now iconic style.  It flows almost like giallo but the murder mystery angle is lost fairly early on.  Finally, it wouldn't be Fulci without some great practical effects and plenty of blood.  This is far from the bloodiest film my the godfather of gore but for those looking for juicy kills will enjoy it.  Overall, Aenigma is not the most original or depraved Fulci film but it still satisfies.  The transfer from Severin looks fucking gorgeous.  My friends over at Cultsploitation even compared this brilliant transfer to 88 Films release to show just how superior this release is.  Check it out.
      

Demonia

Director - Lucio Fulci (Don't Torture A Duckling, The New York Ripper)
Starring - Brett Halsey (Return of the Fly, The Black Cat), Meg Register (Boxing Helena, Running Scared), and Link Salemme (Demons, Delirium)
Release Date - 1990
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "No evil deed goes undone"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Lucio Fulci is a filmmaker that I greatly admire but I've yet to see all his films.  His movies Zombie, The Beyond, House by the Cemetery, and City of the Living Dead are some of my favorite horror films.  Sadly, I rarely venture into his other films aside from the ones sent my way for review.  I think it's because I love those films so much that if I'm watching something for myself and not for review I turn to films I already know I like.  Regardless, there is so many other Fulci films out there that I haven't seen yet.  A week or so ago Severin Films sent me over a few Fulci films to review that they just released on blu.  The first one I tossed in was the 1990 supernatural flick Demonia.  Thanks Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows a Canadian archeological group who travel to a small remote village in Sicily.  The locals are very superstitious and don't want them working around a on missionary.  However, they ignore their warnings and uncover the crucified remains of five nuns.  Now their evil spirits are hunting down everyone and brutally killing them.

    

     Lucio Fulci is a phenomenal filmmaker and his movies are a huge part of horror history but some of his films often get pushed to the side for his other films that are well known.  I've never heard other horror fans mention Demonia prior to Severin's announcement.  However, after I watched it I have to say that I absolutely loved it.  In fact, it has one of the most mind blowing death scenes I've seen in a movie.  I don't understand why this film doesn't get the praise it should.  The acting in this one is a little uneven but I enjoyed it.  The characters, aside from the five nuns, don't really stand out.  They do a great job in their roles but the story is what really pulls you in.  Their personalities and personas are nothing spectacular.  However, some deliver amazing performances during their death scenes.  The story for this one mixes the supernatural with religious.  It works and almost plays out like a slasher in a sense.  Most slashers, especially those from the golden age of slashers, followed someone that was wronged as they come back and kill.  This isn't that much of a stretch from comparing it to those slashers.  It works and the historical aspect really pulled me in.  I found myself enthralled with the story and refused to look away.  Finally, this film is not the blood soaked movie we typically get from Fucli.  However, the kills we do get are unforgettable and one kill in particular is the craziest scenes I have ever seen.  This one death in particular will be how I judge future films.  It's extremely gruesome and the effects are out of this world.  Overall, Demonia is not the best horror film from Fulci but it deserves it's own place in horror history.  The blu from Severin looks absolutely stunning which really makes the blood pop.  I highly suggest adding this one to your collection.  

True Story of a Woman in Soapland: Tear

Director - Takashi Kodama (Making the Grade, That's Roman Porno: Smile of Goddess)
Starring - Shinobu Wakana (Women in Heat Behind Bars, Time Escapade: 5 Second till Climax), Miki Higuchi (Bugging Mania: Friday Girl, Ganmen Shower Erect 10 Part 4), ad Masayoshi Takigawa (Flesh Dream, Beautiful Sisters: Panting!)
Release Date - 1987
Genre - Drama
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My sleazy marathon is coming to an end but I have another planned very soon!  I decided to take a few days off from horror to review a few of the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection releases sent over from my friends at Impulse Pictures.  After watching Women in Box 2 and Tokyo Caligula I decided to finish my sexploitation marathon with the 1987 film True Story of a Woman in Soapland: Tear.  Once again I want to thank Impulse for sending this one over!

     The film follows a man who is married and has a girlfriend on the side.  However, his life is once again flip around when he discovers that his old lover is now working in a soapland (brothel/bathhouse).  He tries to keep his new affair a secret from his mistress and wife but soon all three uncover his affairs with the others leading to a lot of drama for the man just looking to get his dick wet.

     True Story of a Woman in Soapland: Tear doesn't try to bring you a film that defies genres or reinvents the way you watch films.  It just tries to be sleazy and entertain.  Sadly, the sleaze comes easy but it was painfully dull.  Out of the three that I watched this one was the hardest to finish.  I found myself drifting off to sleep when I was wide awake when I tossed it in.  The acting in this one is what you normally get from an 80s sexploitation flick.  The characters are painfully one dimensional and only show any real life in the scene when they become nude.  The sex scenes are a little slow with romantic tones but these are the liveliest portions of the scenes.  The story for this one is similar to what you've seen before from previous Nikkatsu reviews.  We follow someone in the middle of a sexual triangle with plenty of nudity.  With that being said, the story we are given is not enough to cover the hour long run time.  It could have been cut down to half an hour easily.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  However, if you want soapy sex scenes and beautiful women then you are in luck.  Overall, True Story of a Woman in Soapland: Tear was not as fun as the other releases.  The story is clunky and uneventful while the sex scenes shows signs of life they still find a way to bore the viewer.  

Tokyo Caligula

Director - Koyu Ohara (Rope Hell, Sins of Sister Lucia)
Starring - Maiko Kazama (Out of This World, Filthy Pussycat), Asami Ogawa (Attacked!, Beautiful Girl Hunter), and Tsutomu Akashi (Station, Blazing Bondage Lady)
Release Date - 1981
Genre - Drama/Horror
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The sleaze keeps coming!  I've watched so many horror movies the last few weeks and really wanted to take a break to review something outside of the gore filled flicks that I love so much.  It was the perfect time to review a few of the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection that was sent my way from Impulse Pictures.  I just watched Woman in a Box 2 from 1988 and decided to keep the movies going.  Next on the chopping block is 1981s Tokyo Caligula aka Madame Caligula.  I once again want to thank Impulse Pictures for sending this one my way to review.  

     The film follows a woman madly in love with her husband but she doesn't know that he has secretly been seeing another woman for 2 years.  His girlfriend is obsessed with him and sneaks into their home to surprise him which reveals their relationship to his wife.  He is forced to pick a side and chooses his girlfriend over his wife.  Devastated, she turns to her friend for help and in doing so begins a wild and sexual ride of her own.  

     Tokyo Caligula was one that I was very curious about after receiving it for review.  The title especially peaked my interest and I have to say that it was very entertaining.  It doesn't deliver anything special or memorable but it is still entertaining in it's own sleazy way.  The acting in this one is a little better than the previous film but does leave plenty of room for improvement.  The characters are pretty standard and cliché but the cast does shine during the sex scenes.  The story for this one works for a sexploitation flick.  There is some rape and violence but that is just a small part of the film so those of you looking for some torture porn will be disappointed.  The story does move as a slow pace but the character interactions and set up works for what it is.  Finally, this one is not a bloody film.  However, the women are beautiful and bare it all for the camera.  Overall, Tokyo Caligula is not memorable but are any of these films really something that you think about days later?  It's fun when it's on and forgettable when it's off.  It's does it's job and a fun one to toss in if you are wanting some sleaze.  Check it out.  

Woman in a Box 2

Director - Masaru Konuma (Lost Love: Oil Hell, Wife to be Sacrificed)
Starring - Shihori Nagasaka (Exotic Mask in Hell, Moonlight Serenade), Miyuki Kawamura (Hot Staff: Kaikan Sex Clinic, Reijo Rezu-Gakuen), and Mami Ogawa (Hentai Telephone Sex, Angel to be Sacrificed)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been on a movie rampage lately.  Watching and reviewing up to 3 or 4 movies a day.  That's almost 3 times more than what I've done a day for the last ten years.  With that being said, I've kinda burned myself out on horror.  I needed something to recharge my batteries so to speak.  I decided to have a Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection marathon from Impulse Pictures.  A few months ago they sent over a few of their newest DVD releases.  The first I checked out is the 1988 film Woman in a Box 2.  This is a sequel to a film I previously reviewed and, coincidentally, is actually a horror movie.  I want to thank Impulse Pictures for sending this one over.  

     The film follows a manager of a ski resort that has a way with the ladies.  Even though they tend to say no he is still able to convince them to sleep with him.  However, their encounters never end there.  Eventually they find their way to his basement where he has various torture equipment along with a box that he keeps his pretty play things in.  

     I liked the first Woman in a Box: Virgin Sacrifice but I had heard when I was writing that review that the film released was not what the director had envisioned.  However, after the success of the first film the studio allowed him to make the movie he originally wanted to which was released as Woman in a Box 2.  The film was fun but I did not enjoy it as much as the first film so maybe there was something behind the studio making those changes?  The acting in this one is not the best.  The cast attempts to get into character but we all know that the dialogue is just there to get the characters nude.  The sex is the main focus of the film and the acting is second.  The story for this one is very similar to the first except it does feel a bit slow and drawn out where the first felt a little more entertaining with the characters.  I found myself zoning out by the middle of the film because it was very repetitive.  Finally, if you are looking for blood and gore you will be very disappointed.  However, if nude women being tortured is more your speed then you are in luck.  Overall, Woman in a Box 2 is a sleazy torture porn that embodies a lot of the first film but doesn't bring anything new to the table.  It's fun for what it is but don't expect a lot.  

After School Lunch Special

Director - Andrew J. Chambers (Dad Made Eggs)
Starring - Alex Abate, Nick Allen, and Jennie Barney
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "A movie so good you'll ask for seconds"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love the goofy side of indie horror.  Sure, movies like Se7en and Zodiac are highly entertaining and pull the viewer in but sometimes I want to watch a no budget horror comedy where the filmmaker turned a bad pun into a horror script.  A few weeks back Tromasterpiece Theatre director Addison Binek shared a picture of the movie After School Lunch Special.  It looked like something I would enjoy so I quickly ordered a copy.  I got it in a few days ago and decided I would wait before watching it but I couldn't put it off for too long.  I really needed to see this one now.

     The film follows an obese man and his elderly mother watching television.  They watch 8 tales ranging from large tapeworms voiced by Lloyd Kaufman to survivalists eating their own ass steaks.

     The second the film rolled on the fat guy stuffing his face while watching television I was sold on After School Lunch Special.  The movie doesn't take itself too seriously and I really enjoyed the segments they delivered.  This is a movie I could see myself watching over and over again without tiring of it.  The acting in this one is highly energetic and entertaining but the inexperience of the cast does make some of the dialogue heavy scenes feel awkward to watch.  The cast is really into their roles and go above and beyond for the film.  The characters are all fun and bring a lot of depth to the stories that we get.  The stories for this one are funny and punny.  As a dad I greatly respect turning a pun into a horror short.  Some of the segments were really funny and enjoyable while others were there as filler.  The weaker segments are not that long so it's fairly easy for the viewer to power through them to get to the better ones.  Finally, the film has a lot of practical effects.  We get a few scenes with a lot of blood and gore and then others have different creatures and make-up effects.  The make-up effects are far from perfect but what you would expect from any no budget movie featuring zombies.  Overall, After School Lunch Special is a no budget treat.  This is the kind of film that got me interested in indie productions.  It lacks budget but is overflowing with creativity.  I highly suggest that fans of Troma and Rock Bottom Video check this one out especially with some friends and a few beers.