Recent viewings

[FatFreddysCat]

"A Million Ways To Die In The West" (2014)

It's 1882 on the frontier, and a dorky, tenderfoot sheep farmer (Seth "Family Guy" MacFarlane) falls for the new girl in town (Charlize Theron).. unfortunately she's married to a vicious gunslinger (Liam Neeson). Naturally, there's going to be trouble!
MacFarlane also co-wrote and directed this Western parody, which is no "Blazing Saddles" by any means but it does have its share of raunchy laughs and a great supporting cast (incl. Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman, and Amanda Seyfried). This flick was an epic box office crash and burn back in 2014, but I dug it. Worth a look!

[javakoala]

Street Law (1974)

Franco Nero is taken hostage by a band of robbers who beat him and leave him behind as they escape. His pride insulted and his sense of security shattered, he goes on the offensive and learns through the school of literal hardknocks how to get in touch with the band.

This Enzo G. Castellari film takes a hard line tone against the police/legal system at the time. One of the more overtly political in its speeches, it was considered fascism by leftist commenters. Easy to see why when the middle portion shows a total police state enforced to find the location of the criminals.

One of the best I've seen so far. 4/5

[Rev. Powell]

Yesterday's year-end award's consideration triple-feature:

LOVING: The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, whose miscegenation arrest eventually (and reluctantly) leads them to the Supreme Court. This historical drama focuses on the couple as individuals, not as symbols; it's the right choice, although personally I could have done with more legal wrangling stuff. 3.5/5.

CAMERAPERSON: Cameraperson Kirsten Johnson highlights her favorite moments and images from some of the dozens of documentaries she's photographed, including trips to Bosnia and a Nigerian birthing center. An interesting scrapbook, presented without context, that will appeal to a specialized audience of cinematography and documentary groupies. 3/5.

I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO: Writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, discusses his views on race in the 60s, by way of notes he left behind for an unfinished book that was to be about the assassinated trio Medger Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, illustrated by appropriate archival footage. In a year of racially-charged documentaries (13TH, O.J. IN AMERICA), Baldwin's voice, coming from beyond the grave, is the most authoritative. 4.5/5.

And that will do it for 2016!

[javakoala]

Blood in the Streets (1973) (aka Revolver)

A warden (Oliver Reed) must help a prisoner (Fabio Testi) escape if he wants to see his wife again. He does so, but takes the criminal hostage to ensure his wife is released alive. Almost a buddy movie as the two men bond through a series of attempts to kill both of them. Heavy political storyline maneuvers the forces trying to take down the two heroes and ultimately results in a rather dark ending.

3/5

[javakoala]

The Cynic, the Rat and the Fist (1977)

Another Umberto Lenzi Eurocrime film. This one plays out a lot like "Yojimbo", with a supposedly dead police investigator playing two crime bosses against each other. Tomas Milian is the stand-out actor in this film; he plays his sleazy, double-crossing crime boss with such a casual air that you'd think he WAS his character.

Still, one of the better Eurocrime films I've seen. Lenzi should be remembered for these films than his dreadful horror films.

3.5/5

Three on a Meathook (1973)

Had to rinse my cinematic mouth out after watching all of these Eurocrime flicks, so I popped this one in. I've seen it a few times and find it to be fun. Most of the fun comes from Sherry Steiner's p**s-poor performance in the film.

For those who haven't seen it, country boy picks up a group of stranded city girls to stay the night with him and his pa. The girls are killed, and Pa claims Billy can't be trusted around women, so he sends Billy off to get supplies and to see a movie. Yeah, that's how to handle a multiple homicide in your home. Billy gets drunk and is taken home by his overly-helpful waitress (Ms. Steiner). They like each other, and, ignoring Billy's history of killin' them women folk, he invites her and her friend out to his house for the weekend.

You can see where this is heading.

2.5/5

Meet Him and Die (1976)

Ray Lovelock plays a pretty-boy young cop who goes undercover in jail to track and capture one of the biggest drug traffickers in the country. And, while he's at it, he's also after the guys who crippled his loving mother during a robbery. Pretty dull and by the numbers: Rogue cop shooting bad guys who really need to die. Meh.

2/5 simply because it was reasonably well photographed.

[FatFreddysCat]

"Hell Up In Harlem" (1974)
In this sequel to "Black Caesar," a New York City gangster (Fred "The Hammer" Williamson) wants to get out of "the rackets" and go straight, but his plans are complicated by a series of attempts on his life by the Mafia, by crooked NYC cops, and from within his own criminal organization.
A fairly typical "blaxploitation" flick, "Hell Up In Harlem" doesn't have much plot but Williamson is bad-ass and the movie has plenty of action, plus the way-cool funky soundtrack is performed by Edwin ("War! What Is It Good For?") Starr. An enjoyable retro watch.

[javakoala]

The House That Screamed (1970)

Great Spanish horror that's almost more women in prison than true horror. A strict school of girls has had a few girls go missing. Did they run away, or is something more grim happening? Lots of repressed sexuality from the girls straight up to the head mistress.

And the newly remastered Blu-Ray from Shout Factory! is beautiful. Some of the extended scenes were of minor quality, but the bulk of the film was stunning. Worth checking out if the only version you've ever seen was some dark dub from VHS or a TV version that may have been trimmed.

4/5 simply because I like this kind of warped stuff.

The Tough Ones (1976) (aka Rome Armed to the Teeth)

Here we go with Lenzi again. Lots of violence taking place in the streets and it all points back to a lunatic hunchback. A rogue cop decides to buck the system and get the bad guy any way he can. Been there, done that, but Lenzi really has a flair for this kind of thing, so it moves quickly and has some fine moments of action to keep you from dozing off.

3/5 simply because the theme has been done better.

Stunt Squad (1977)

Eurocrime. Police official puts together a special squad trained as marksmen as well as motorcycle experts. Nice idea, but the budget wasn't there. The biggest stunt I remember was them riding down stairs on motorcycles. Seriously. Not worth the time.

1.5/5

Crime Boss (1972)

Eurocrime. This one is meant to be more in the vein of "The Godfather" with its tale of two brothers who work their way through The Family to become trusted assets to Telly Savalas' character, the local Don. But there are those who think the Don's time to retire has come.

This one was a bit dull. And I'm finding that I do not care for Antonio Sabato. He has this constant expression of a gobsmacked kid who can't remember how much 2 plus 4 is.

2/5

[indianasmith]

Tonight Patty and I watched WISHFUL DRINKING, an HBO special written and performed by Carrie Fisher about six years ago.  Kind of a stand-up routine/autobiographical sketch, it was at the same time hilarious and downright sad.  What a difficult life she had, and how gracefully she came to handle herself!  Highly recommended.  5/5

[akiratubo]

Pinprick 2009

A well-endowed Hungarian man hides out in a teenage, English girl's closet.  You've probably already imagined a much better movie than Pinprick really is.  Nothing much happens.  This was probably intended to be a tremendously sleazy movie but, at some point, that idea was abandoned and we got left with ... nothing.  The only thing of note is The Most Authentic Sex Scene Between Two 40ish People Who Haven't Gotten Laid in a Long Time Ever.  It comes complete with awkward attempts at getting started, realizing that doing it in the kitchen floor isn't as much fun as it used to be, struggling to get pants undone, back cramps, and "I'm sorry this doesn't usually happen."

[lester1/2jr]

One Million years BC - Hammer knew how to make good comic book with more hot girls than comic books usually have type movies and this is certainly no exception. They seemed to hit their stride doing really basic stuff like "Dracula" or "Frankenstein" or this which is just a bunch of cave people.  This has a bigger budget than usual and they get all they can out of star Raquel Welch. She's in practically every scene, not that anyone's complaining. There's no dialogue except they occasionally say "akita!" or something similar.

The movie is exactly what you'd imagine it would be like: They go around finding food, having inter tribal disputes and with other tribes aand occasionally encounter Ray Harryheusen however you spell it created dinosaurs. They aren't weird  Clash of the Titans things just regular dinos. It does go from A to b to C in a logical story fashion. If not for all the (animal skin) bikini babes it could be quasi educational.

4/5

[FatFreddysCat]

"Foxbat" (aka "Operation Foxbat," 1977)
American, Russian, and Chinese agents race endlessly around Hong Kong, trying to recover a microfilm which contains plans for a high tech, top secret Soviet fighter plane. Unfortunately, the film is inside the body of a dorky Chinese cooking instructor, who accidentally swallowed it. D'oh!! I hate when that happens!
 This Hong Kong attempt at a James Bond style spy thriller turns into a hopelessly confused mess pretty quickly, until eventually it's just a poorly dubbed series of fistfights, car chases and shootouts. American tough-guy character actor Henry Silva seems to be having fun, but I doubt any viewers will say the same. Ignore, delete, destroy.

[javakoala]

Il grande racket (1976) (aka The Big Racket)

 Just as I was starting to feel slightly burned out on Eurocrime flicks, Enzo G. Castellari comes to the rescue. Yes, he did "Street Law" that I watched the other day, but this movie presses all the buttons and ultimately gives you a variation on "The Dirty Dozen". Can't be bad.

A group of scummy hoods are charging protection money and are busting up and burning the places that don't pay. Any time they are caught, their lawyer springs them, and it's back to business as usual. Anyone who helps the police are beaten, tortured, or have their loved ones killed. Police officer Fabio Testi is mad as hell, and guess who isn't gonna take it any more?

3.5/5

The Heroin Busters (1977)

Enzo G. Castellari and Fabio Testi are together again for a needlessly complicated story of a drug runner working his way through the ranks to the big bosses while an Interpol agent (David Hemmings) investigates. Nicely staged action sequences, but a bit drawn out overall. Fabio Testi looks like a goofball more often than not.

2.5/5

Madhouse (1974)

Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, and Robert Quarry. Need I say more? Okay, I will. Great fun to be had when a horror film star's signature character, Dr. Death, seems to be slaying everyone connected with the character's revival. Has the aging horror film star lost his mind, or is something else going on?

The only real bummer is that one of the cutest ladies in the film gets offed. I really wanted to see her live to the end. Other than that, a fine way to lose 90 minutes or so.

3/5

[javakoala]

High School Caesar (1960)

John Ashley as a pampered rich kid who runs a crime syndicate in his high school, but, deep down, he just wants daddy's love and attention. Other kids get tired of his crap, and he scrambles to maintain his empire of sand.

Fairly interesting and it moves at a spritely pace so its 71 minute run-time is mostly painless. Best part of the film: after Ashley and his gang rough up a kid for protection money, Ashley corrects his sidekick in the library by saying, "Don't point, Cricket. It isn't polite." Oh, those wacky kids!

2.5/5

High School Big Shot (1959)

This teen-goes-bad flick almost borders on film noir with its tale of a high school brain in love with a conniving girl who is only interested in using guys to get what she wants, and what she wants most is money. He overhears plans for a million-dollar drug deal, and works out a scheme to steal the money.

Ultimately, pretty bleak, but reasonably well acted and very straight-forward direction make it very watchable. Special note: check out Stanley Adams in a lightly humorous role as a well-known safecracker.

3/5

Date Bait (1960)

This is the heart-warming tale of Brad (a closet junkie and obsessive loon), Nico (Brad's overly-protective brother), Sue (a girl Brad thinks he owns after a couple of bad dates), and Danny (Sue's new boyfriend whom she is hot to marry). Brad wants Sue, Sue wants Danny, Danny wants Brad to leave Sue alone, and Nico wants all this crap with Brad straightened out so he can focus on peddling drugs.

Lots of fist fights, a couple of car chases, and a few lame attempts at humor to pad the running time. Watchable, but not top-shelf entertainment.

2/5

All can be had in this lovely offering from Something Weird:

[lester1/2jr]

Vampire girl VS Frankenstein Girl - whats important here is that the movie lives up to the title. it's not just people talking for an hour and a half and you feel stupid for renting it. Whatever criticism you may have, you can't deny it goes for the gusto and throws absolutely everything it has into making an insane movie. I'd say it succeeds in that too, at least most of the time.

At a Japanese high school, a new exchange student shows up and begins to vie for the attention of the most popular boy with some girl and her Mean Girl type squad. We meet various cliques like girls who cut themselves all the time, girls who think they're black and this is all I guess a comment on Japanese society.

The Vampire Girl is played by a porn star but the whole thing is pretty much pg 13. the vibe is somewhere between Dead Alive and a Bill Zebub feature. That is, very gory with lots of innuendo and makeshift sort of humor. The girls are pretty, the gore is totally over the top then taken farther with demented CGI.

the only problem is the story kind of runs out of steam halfway. I didn't watch the whole thing in one sitting. At one point I was wondering why he chose the one girl over the other then it occurred to me that the makers of the film didn't think about that for 2 seconds. Still, it's a colorful and fun movie. if it had been at a video store back in the day I would have rented it many times

4.5 /5

[indianasmith]

DON'T BREATHE (2016)  Three house robbers break into the home of a blind veteran, hoping to steal the huge settlement he got from the family of a rich teenager who killed his daughter in a car accident a couple of years before.  Instead of an easy mark, they find themselves in a nightmare of booby traps, hidden chambers, and a distraught kidnapping victim . . . honestly, the main characters were not very likable except for the girl, but the premise was semi-original and the movie was pretty fun.