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General: [Sticky] What's the last movie you've seen?
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The movies I watched those last two days...
“Torrents” (Serge de Poligny, France 1947)
Yann is in love with his cousin Sigrid but their relation is a curious mix of attraction and repulsion… discouraged, Yann, who became a doctor, mary naïve Léna in Bruges and then practice medicine in deep Africa. The couple has a baby and all seem to go perfectly till the child dies after he was bitten by a snake. Then They take a vacation in the Alps, homeland of Yann. Sighrid is now decided to take her love back… 7,5/10
“Le viager“ (Pierre Tchernia, Fance 1972)
1930, a doctor convince his family to take a life annuity with sixty years old Louis Martinet who owns a pretty house near St. Tropez… he’s quite sure that the old man won’t live more than two years… the newly retired Louis move to St Tropez and a new life begins for him… a long long life…. Hilarious and sometimes ferocious comedy 8/10
“Triple Justice“ (David Howard,, USA 1940)
A n ice RKO’s B western with George O’Brien is rancher Brad Henderson who rides to Star City to be the best man at the wedding of his boyhood friend, Sheriff Bill Gregory. Encountering Fred Cleary and Frank Wiley on the road, he rides with them unaware they intend to rob the bank while everyone is at the wedding. Brad walks into the holdup in which the cashier is killed and Gregory seriously wounded. He chases the bandits but is himself captured by the posse. Deputy Al Reeves, secretly the gang's leader, arrests Brad and Gregory, near death and unconscious, cannot identify him.7,5/10
“Le fric“ (Maurice Cloche, France 1959)
A classic small noir in the french way. An honest guy with an extremely big spender wife get involved in a diamond smuggling ring. But things go wrong and our poor guy must face many troubles… 7/10
“Douze heures d’horloge“ (Géza von Radványi, France/West Germany 1959)
Three guys escape from jail and take shelter in Nice and have only 12 hours to get back some money one of them gave to his girlfriend in order to take a boat for Italy… But thins will go wrong. A poorly known crime/dram with Lino Ventura… 7,5/10
“Die Bett-Hostessen“ (aka The Bed Hostess) (Erwin C. Dietrich, Switzerland, 1973)
Another poor erotic comedy… with a brief appearance of gorgeous Ingrid Steeger who is the only interest of the movie… 4/10
That's all for today... -
Some new movies I'v watched...
“Undertow” (William Castle, USA 1949)
After being released from prison, an ex-convict is framed for a murder. The man sets out to find the real killers before the police blame the crime on him. A classic story but worth watching tnaks to the efficient direction of William Casle. 7/10
“Flipper’s New Adventures” (James B. Clark, Leon Benson, USA 1964)
Not wanting to be separated from Flipper, Sandy, using his skiff, runs away with Flipper. A distraught Po returns home to look for his son. Meanwhile, the Hopewell family from Britain are vacationing in the area. Their sailboat is hijacked by three escaped convicts, who take the father, Halsey, hostage, and set the three Hopewell women - mother Julia, and teen-aged daughters Gwen and Penny - adrift, they who eventually land on the island where Sandy is hiding… The second feature of the adventures of Flipper is less interesting than the first one but still enjoyable. 6,5/10
“Il giardino delle delizie” (aka “The Garden of Delights”) (Silvano Agosti, Italy 1967)
Despite strong mutilation, a great and subversive movie about dissolution of love in a young couple… Amazing filming and huge huge soundtrack of Ennio Morricone ! 8,5/10
“Diary of a Madman” (Reginald LeBorg, USA 1963)
Simon Cordier is a well-respected magistrate who visits a condemned prisoner, Louis Girot, just before the man's execution. Girot again pleads his innocence insisting that he has been taken over by a spirit that forced him to commit his crimes. Cordier doesn't believe him and the man suddenly dies. Cordier does however note a rapid change in his personality during their short interview. In the following days, Cordier must face a number of strange occurrences in his home. He begins to wonder if he is sleepwalking but is soon hearing voices and begins to wonder about his sanity… Adapted from famous Maupassant story Le Horla a great movie of Vincent Price… 7,5/10
“Le roman de renard“ (Irene Starewicz, Wladyslaw Starewicz, France 1930)
In the kingdom of animals, Master Fox is used to trick and fool everyone. So the King, the Lion, receives more and more complaints about him. He orders that Master Fox is arrested and brough to him... One of the first animation film with puppets. The story is taken from a from a French medieval fable. Amazing animation movie stunning technical work ! A must to see and a lesson of film making a CGI time… 8,5/10
“Operazione Goldman“ (Antonio Margheriti, Italy/Spain, 1966)
A U.S. agent goes undercover as a rich playboy to stop a madman from destroying a NASA moon project. Surfing on James Bond trend, this movie is quite enjoyable even if strongly kitsch… 7/10
“Nous n’irons plus au bois“ (Ivan Govar, Belgium 1955)
A quite short movie about a guy who comes back in his hometown village after being in jail. He’s rejected by everybody except one friend who decides to hide him in a cabin in the woods… 7,5/10
“The Best Man“ (Franklin J. Schaffner, USA 1964)
Intellectual William Russell and down-to-earth Joe Cantwell are front runners for a party nomination that will almost certainly mean the Presidency. Cantwell is prepared to use anything to achieve his goal while Russell sees himself as a man of principle - though his philandering means he is relieved his wife is prepared to appear alongside him. Both men crucially need the support of the ailing President, and as the stakes become higher each team has to decide how dirty they are prepared to get…. Excellent movie good directing and acting and surprisingly very accurate and topical… 9/10
that's all for the moment... -
Some movies i watched those last weeks...
“Le scandale“ (Claude Chabrol, France 1967)
A champagne tycoon's partner suspects his partner's gigolo husband of murders he's been framed for. This movie was made for Universal with English and American funds and an international cast and therefore gets a wide audience it’s clearly not the best Chabrol’s movie despite a very good and surprising ending. 7/10
“Die Ratten“ (Robert Siodmak, West Germany 1955)
It’s an adaptation of a famous play of Gerhardt Hauptmann (1862-1946). Siodmak places the story in postwar Germany. The story is about an unwed mother whom baby is taken from her on lumpenproletarian background. Very good. 8,5/10
“Pas de coup dur pour Johnny“ (Émile Roussel, France 1955)
To escape police a thief claims that a poor orphan who just lost her mother is his lo,ng lost son… They both go to paris to visit the aunt (gorgeous Dominique Wilms) of the boy, his last relative…. 7,5/10
“90210 Shark Attack“ (David DeCoteau, USA 2014)
A cursed girl transforms in shark and kills other people… DeCoteau is certainly the Ed Wood of modern time… everything is bad there… 0,5/10
“Pasteur“ (Sacha Guitry, France 1935)
A nice biography of the famous scientist even if a bit hagiographic. The first movie of Sacha Guitry. 7,5/10
“Jurassic Shark“ (Brett Kelly, 2012)
When an oil company unwittingly unleashes a prehistoric shark from its icy prison, the Jurassic killer maroons a group of thieves and beautiful young female college students on an abandoned piece of land. Unable to escape the fearsome beast, the two groups of strangers must put aside their differences and come together to fight off the extinct, ferocious monster whilst battling for their lives. Ultra ridiculous moive. 1,5/10
“High School Confidential! “ (Jack Arnold, USA 1958)
A tough kid comes to a new high school and begins muscling his way into the drug scene. As he moves his way up the ladder, a schoolteacher tries to reform him, his aunt tries to seduce him, and the weedheads are eager to use his newly found enterprise, but he has his own agenda. Hilarious dialogs amazing acting and Jerry Lee Lewis as a guest star… A cult movie ! one of Tarentino’s favourite !! 8/10
to be continued... -
“Hibotan bakuto“ (Kôsaku Yamashita, Japan 1968)
After the murder of her father, the chief of a yakuza clan, Oryu start travelling from town to town to learn her new job of Yakuza and get involved in some troubled situations. In this episode she gets in with a local gang who happen to be at war with another over territory. She requests an audience with the boss leader and demands that the two gangs stop warring. Her hunt for her father's killer also continues, and it turns out that the killer may be closer home to than she first realised. Very good. 8,5/10
“Neuilly sa mère!“ (Gabriel Julien-Laferrière, France 2009)
The story of a boy who lives in the suburbs and who is forced to go to relatives in another upperclass suburbs… with all the clichés situation you can imagine. Too smooth to be good. 3/10
“Fallguy“ (Donn Harling, USA 1962)
A teenager trying to help an accident victim finds himself enmeshed in political corruption and racketeering and charged with a murder he didn't commit. A very cheap and poor noir but quite interesting. 6,5/10
“Hibotan bakuto: isshuku ippan“ (Noribumi Suzuki, Japan, 1968)
In this second episode, Lady Yakusa helps some farmers to firght agains a crooked gang of yakusa. A good one. 8/10
“Hibotan bakuto: hanafuda shôbu“ (Tai Katô, Japan 1969)
Continuing her travel throughout Japan, Oryu, the Red Paeony save a little blind girl and goes to a gambling tournament but lears that a card-sharp has taken her identity. During her investigation she lears that she’s the mother of the little girl and soon she gets involved in a gang war… 8/10
“Laura, les ombres de l'été“ (David Hamilton, France 1979)
Sculptor Paul meets a former great love again after a long time -- but is much more impressed by her 15 years old daughter Laura, who looks now like her mother when Paul was in love with her. Laura likes him very much too, but her jealous mother prevents any further contact. She allows him to make a sculpture of Laura, but only from photos… Hamilton was the king of classy erotism with his typical style. Girls are pretty and the whole is watchable despite poor script. 7/10
“Un été à Saint-Tropez“ (David Halmilton, France/West Germany 1983)
Another Hamilton movie in which in an isolated country house close to the shore near Saint-Tropez, seven young women share a bedroom. Over two days, they wake, shower, breakfast, play dress up, bathe in the sea, picnic, ride bikes, pick flowers, have a pillow fight, run on the strand, practice ballet stretches, groom themselves and each other, and laugh…. 6,5/10
“Survivors Exposed“ (Doug Hoffman, USA 2001)
A sexy parody of the TV show. Very bad but with gorgeous big boobed gals… the only interrest of the movie. 4/10
to be continued... -
“Mogliamante“ (Marco Vicario, Italy 1977)
Since her husband pronounced her frigid on her wedding night, Antonia DeAngelis has been an invalid. When he disappears, she believes him dead: she leaves her bed and takes over his business, traveling to see clients. She discovers her husband's passions, his political writing, mistresses, and his indifference to the peasants on her family's land. She improves their lot, begins an affair with a young foreign doctor, and publishes her husband's writings. All this time, he's hiding from a murder charge in a house across the square. Amazed, he watches her become his sexual and social equal. Poorly known but excellent movie with Lauran Antonelli and Marcello Mastroianni 8/10
“Hibotan bakuto: nidaime shûmei“ (Shigehiro Ozawa, Japan 1969)
Before becoming the new chief of her yakuza’s clan, Oryu must struggle to built a railroad despite crooked yakuza’s gang and the riot of the boatmen fearing to loose their jobs. 7,5/10
“Orgasmo“ (Umberto Lenzi, France / Italy 1969)
Kathryn West, a glamorous American widow, arrives in Italy several weeks after the death of her older, extremely wealthy husband. With the help of Brian, her lawyer, Kathryn moves into a luxurious villa and proceeds to lead a lonely, uneventful existence until one day, a handsome young man named Peter Donovan shows up at the front gate, looking for tools so he can fix his sports car. Kathryn lets him stay the night, and the next thing she knows, she's madly making love to him in the shower. Peter eventually moves in, and is soon joined by a free spirit he introduces as Eva, his sister. Kathryn enjoys their company and partying with them - until she begins to suspect that Peter and Eva aren't what they seem to be… excellent twisted plot for this early strongly erotic giallo. 8/10
“Le Altre“ (Renzo Maietto, Italy 1969)
Very unusual movie in wich two lesbians girls Erna Schurer and Monica Strebel excellent decide to have a baby. In order to do it they decide to try different men until they find the good one… Despite a bit disappointing ending a very good movie. 8/10
“Karei naru erogami-ke no ichizoku: Shinsô reijô wa denki shitsuji no yume o miru ka“ (aka “Erotibot”) (Naoyuki Tomomatsu, Japan 2011)
Poor erotic and gory movie about a girl who decides to corrupt her new robot servant… 2/10
“Comment les séduire“ (John King, France 1968)
Very strange movie with short stories in which some men seduce some girls in various way… the last sequence shows some of those machos get kidnapped by a group of ferocious women… 7,5/10
“La svastica nel ventre“ (Mario Caiano, Italy 1977)
A Jewish girl and an Aryan, both German, are in love in pre-war times. WW2 breaks up, he is sent to fight for the Nazi flag and she is arrested and sent to serve as a prostitute in camp 27 where disobedience is punishable only by death! She decides to give her body in order to survive hoping that one day she may tell the world what she have seen… strange nazi exploitaion movie… 7/10
that's all for the moment... -
Some other movies I watched recently...
“Engel der Sünde“ (August Rieger, West Germany 1968)
Strange german crime movie about journalists who want to approach a prostitution ring. Made in very realistic way, almost documentary and quite violent. 8/10
“The Longest Day“ (Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki, USA 1962)
Rewatched this all-star classic among the classics with great pleasure… 9,5/10
“After Earth“ (M. Night Shyamalan, USA 2013)
M. Night Shyamalan should stop making movies. 2/10
“L’arrière train sifflera trois fois“ (Jean-Marie Pallardy, France 1975)
Luu is the only prostitute of a small western town. One day, too tired, she decides to make a small breack. Then, John Kayket the brothel owner decide to hire the dalton sisters to replace Lulu. BNut Lucky Lucky wants to clean the town despite John Kayket is in love with her… Cult erotic movie from great director Jean-Marie Pallardy. 7/10
“Règlement de femmes à OQ Corral“ (Jean-Marie Pallardy, France 1974)
The second erotic western of Jean-Marie Pallardy more violent and serious than the previous one. A gang attack a bank and kill many people before going after kidnapping the daughter odf a ferocious bounty hunter who goes on revenge. But a mysterious indian fiollows also the small group… 7/10
“Infrasexum“ (Carlos Tobalina, USA 1974)
A bored middle aged guy live his home and wife and goes from an adventure to another in the hippies world, have free sex, smoke pot and takes som LSD… pure exploitation movie… 7/10
“The Executionner : Part 2“ (James Bryan, USA 1985)
A mysterious justicer make his law killing bad guy making them explose by putting a grenade in their pants. One of the most interesting thing in this movie is that there has never been a part 1…. 4,5/10
“Frozen Scream“ (Frank Roach, USA 1975)
Mad scientists turn people into frozen zombies and the zombies wreak havoc and kill people. Another Z grade horror movie from the vault… 6/10
tobe continued... -
“Tendres cousines“ (David Hamilton, France/West Germany 1980)
Another Hamilton movie in which during summer 1939 in the Provence, France, the 14 years old Julien has a crush on his cousin Julia, who lives together with his family in their small hotel. Unfortunately she ignores him, because she's several years older. Then the hotel guest Charles enters the competition, a slimy twenty-something who lusts for the girl, despite the fact that he's engaged. 7/10
“Revenge of the Virgins“ (Peter Perry Jr., USA 1959)
Rewatched this trus classic of early nudie cutie with much pleasure in a brand new wide screen transfert ! excellent. 9/10
P.S. Don't ask me why I love this movie it's definitively not rational...
“Teenage Zombies“ (Jerry Warren, USA 1959)
Even a Z grade like Jerry Warren’s teenage zomb ies is fun to watch in a brand new transfert version with original ratio. 6/10
“Chatterbox! “ (Tom DeSimone, USA 1977)
Amazing movie in which Penelope discovers one day that her pussy ‘Virginia’ can speak but furthermore is a great singer who want to have a career… Not as bad as you could imagine… and sometimes very funny. 7/10
“Premiers désirs“ (David Hamilton, France/West Germany 1983)
Three teenage girls decide to visit a romantic island and find love. They get shipwrecked and end up on different sides of the island. Each girl begins her own romantic adventure either with a man, a boy or even another girl. With gorgeous young Emmanuelle Béard. 6/10
“Hibotan bakuto: Tekkaba retsuden“ (Kôsaku Yamashita, Japan 1969)
In the fifth episode of her adventures, Lady Yakuza meet a retired yakuza and helps some farmers to figth against crooked land owner in conflict with yakuza gang… 7,5/10
“Hibotan bakuto: oryû sanjô“ (Tai Katô, Japan 1970)
Oryu seeks a young blind pickpocket she promised to help years before and get involved in a yakuza gang war… 8/10
to be continued... -
“Le colonel Chabert“ (René Le Hénaff, France 1943)
This first adaptation of Balzac novel is very good with an amazing Raimu “the best actor in the world” as Orson Welles said… 9/10
“Il est minuit docteur Schweitzer“ (André Haguet, France 1952)
Adaptation of the eponymous play the true story of famous alsacian doctor who devoted his life to cure poor people in deep Africa… 7,5/10
“Vertigo“ (Alfred Hitchcock, USA 1958)
Rewatched this classic once more… 10/10
“Double meurtre sur la ligne Maginot“ (Félix Gandéra, France 1937)
A small crime drama on militaru Background and witche takes place in the famous Ligne Maginot who should protect France from german invasion… Two officers are mysteriousely killed in a bunker… police and soldiers are on the case and in competition… of historical value. 7/10
“Les cauchemars naissent la nuit“ (Jesús Franco, Liechtenstein 1972)
Two exotic dancers embark on a erotic friendship which takes a turn when one of them begins having recurring nightmares of her killing people in which the line between realty and fantasy begins to blur to the most extreme. Not the worst Franco. 6/10
“Cigarettes, Whisky et p’tites pépées“ (Maurice Régamey, France/Italy, 1959)
In a girl school money is suddenly laking. But miraculousely one of the girl foind a huge stock of cigarettes and Whisky. The . The whole is a bit camp but fun… Annie Cordy is excellent as dancer… 6,5/10
to be continued... -
“Sound and Chaos: The Story of BC Studio“ (Ryan Douglass, Sara Leavitt, USA 2014)
We organized a nice event at our cineclub… we first proposed this nice documentary about Martin Bisi who, for over 30 years, has been recording music from his studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn. He has worked with many famous musicians, including Sonic Youth, Swans, Herbie Hancock, Brian Eno and the Dresden Dolls. Now though, he finds himself squeezed in by the approaching gentrification of his neighborhood. Then we had a small concert with Martin and his trio… 8/10
“Casque d’Or“ (Jacque Becker, France 1952)
We proposed this true classic at our cineclub. It was just great to watch it again on the silver screen. 10/10
“Who Killed Teddy Bear?” (Joseph Cates, USA 1965)
Amazing and sick exploitation movie with sulfurous Sal Mineo as sex maniac and killer. Great shooting in New York with nice photography and trully amazing soundtrack ! 9/10
“Die 3 Groschen-Oper” (aka “The Threepenny Opera”) (Georg Wilhelm Pabst, Germany 1931)
I enjoy a lot to watch for the first time this true classic of Pabst. Kur Weil and Bertold Brecht on screen in this fantastic opera on the silver screen, ! excellent. 9/10
“Une aussi longue absence” (Henri Colpi, France/Italy 1961)
Very sad and touching movie, the first direction effort of Colpi. A woman imagine recognize her lost husband disappeared during the war but he doesn't remember anything. 8,5/10
to be continued... -
“Staraya, staraya skazka“ (Nadezhda Kosheverova, SSSR 1968)
A young guy pick moneu from a witch and then have big time in town… He falls in love with the local princess who is definitively a cheeky monkey. But soon he spends all his money… Nice fairy tale mixed with musiacal… 7,5/10
“Le dos au mur“ (Edouard Molinaro, France 1958)
Jacques Decrey, an industrialist, finds out that his wife Gloria has a lover. Posing as a man named Berthier, he blackmails her. After a while, Decrey decides to make Yves Normand, a young unemployed actor and Gloria's lover, out to be the blackmailer. But doing so he has set off an infernal machine... Molinaro’s first film is quite a good one… 8/10
“Le long des trottoirs“ (Léonide Moguy, France / Italy 1956)
Moguy very often deals with teenagers in trouble like in this movie in which Helene, born into a well-off family has become a devoted and passionate social worker. Touched by the lot of Christine, a young girl in distress, she persuades her father to take her at his home. But things soon go wrong and Christine gets kicked out for a fault she has not committed. Too bad because Hélène, left to fend for herself, falls under the influence of a shady individual, Monsieur Roger. Now the man happens to be a pimp and what he is after is to force Hélène into prostitution… 7/10
“The Lone Ranger“ (Stuart Heisler, USA 1956)
Excellent western with Clayton Moore as the mythic heroe. He must fight crooked cowoys who, disguised as Indians steal cattle in order to start a new war to steal indian country rich of silver… 8/10
“Félicie Nanteuil” (Marc Allégret, France 1944)
Some kind of french A Star is Born in the theatre background. A famous acor falls for a young girl and becomes her Pygmalion. He decides to make her a star and manages to... But she falls in love with handsome wealthy count… Great ! 8/10
“Casino de Paris“ (André Hunnebelle, France / Italy / West Germany, 1957)
UIltra camp and kitch musical movie with amazing casting (Vittorio De Sica, Gilbert Bécaud, Caterina Valente…) about the rise of a cabaret girl who become a big star and who get involved in a love triangle… a bit too kitch 6/10
Tha's all for the moment... -
Some movies of the last few days...
”Santo en la venganza de la momia” (aka "Santo and the revenge of the Aztec Mummy") (René Cardona, Mexico 1971)
Ultra kitch adventure of wonderful Santo in the mexican jungle to discover a treasure in a mysterious tomb where lives a cursed azteck mummy who goes on rampage… 5/10
“Die Sex-Abenteuer der drei Musketiere” (aka "The Erotic Adventures of the Three Musketeers") (Erwin C. Dietrich, West Germany 1971)
Ultra bad sex-comedy by master producer-director Erwin C. Dietrich. The only interest is the frenh dubbed version with a mix of old French and “argot” (the French slang) that’s quite hilarious at some moments… The other interest is of cours Ingrid Steeger damn hot as usual… 4/10
“Traviata '53” (Vittorio Cottafavi, France/Italy, 1953)
Nice drama about a man who receive a message from a dying woman who was years before his lover…while travelling he remembers all the story… Nice drama “à la Cottafavi” 7,5/10
“Wartezimmer zum Jenseits” (Alfred Vohrer, West Germany 1964)
This krimi is not adapted from Edgar Walmace but from James Hadley Chase but is produced and directed by Alfred Vohrer. The nephew of a murdered millionaire decides to track down his uncle's killer. He faces many life-threatening dangers as he tries to break into the inner circle of the sinister criminal "The Tortoise."7/10
“Moy laskovyy i nezhnyy zver” (aka "The Hunting Party") (Emil Loteanu, SSSR 1978) Wonderfull melodrama in a pure russian way adapted from a novel from Anton Chekhov with huge filming ! Excellent. 9/10
"Das Verrätertor" (Freddie Francis, UK/West Germany)
Another krimi adapted from an Edgar Wallace’s novel. A businessman organises a caper to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. A perfect plan but a german tourist will make it fail at the end…. 7/10
That's all for the moment... -
Some movies I watched recently...
“Kamen Raidâ tai jigoku taishi” (aka “Kamen Rider vs. Hell's Ambassador”) (Minoru Yamada, Japan 1972)
Very famous japanese character in awesome adventures… lot of fight and non-sense but who care ? Excellent. 7,5/10
“The Dark Mirror” (Robert Siodmak, USA 1946)
We proposed on wide screen this excellent noir at our cine-club. A woman suspected of murdering her doctor boyfriend has an identical twin sister… Everybody enjoyed a lot. Olivia DeHavilland is awesome in this double role… 8,5/10
“Vampire Hookers” (Cirio H. Santiago USA / Philippines 1978)
Two marines must face Amazing John Carradine as an aged vampire who has a bevy of vampiric beauties who lure many of their customers back to his lair… Ultra camp movie ! 5/10 for Z fams much more !!
“Raw Force” (Edward D. Murphy, Philippines / USA 1982)
A group of martial arts students are en route to an island that supposedly is home to the ghosts of martial artists who have lost their honor. A Hitler lookalike and his gang are running a female slavery operation on the island as well. Soon, the two groups meet and all sorts of crazy things happen which include cannibal monks, piranhas, zombies, and more! One of the hihest peak of Philippian cinema…
“Death Force” (Cirio H. Santiago Philippines / USA 1978)
After being left for dead, the man is rescued by two Japanese soldiers, living on a remote island, who teach him the ways of the samurai. Upon returning to the USA, he quickly exacts a bloody revenge on his tormentors and reunite with his wife and son. Another masterpeace of the king of Philippian cinema… 6/10
“Cécile est morte” (Maurice Tourneur, France 1944)
Another nice adaptation of a Maigret novel by writer Georges Simnenon. Maurice Tourneur did this one for the Continental with Albert Préjean as famous inspecgtor Maigret. Cécile is a frightend girl who comes regulary to warn Maigret about supoosed people entering her apartment at night. Maigret doesn’t believe her… 8/10
to be continued... -
some other stuff...
“Hibotan Bakuto: Oinochi Itadaki masu“ (Tai Katô, Japan 1971)
Seventh episode of the adventure of Lady Yakusa. In this one, Lady Yakusa is involved in a ecological adventure by helping small farmers to fight industrails who polute their land with the help of crooked yakusa gang… 7,5/10
“Police Python 357“ (Alain Corneau, France / West Gernamy 1976)
Rewatched this great French crime moive with great Yves Montant as laconic cop who appears to be the first suspect of a murder he didn’t commit. A race against time begins for him to find the real culprit… 8,5/10
“Die Sünderin“ (Willi Forst, West Germany 1951)
A lost woman fall in love for an alchoolical painter and begins a new life. But soon he lears that his condemned to died soon from a tumor. They decides to comit eutahansia. A very scandalous movie which breaks lot of taboos, nudity, suicide, euthanasia… A the time politacals and religious authorities hhad a strong reaction against the film and actress Hildegard Knef who is excellent… 8/10
“Alraune“ (Arthur Maria Rabenalt, West Geramny 1952)
Another great movie with Hildegard Knef. A scientist creates a beautiful "perfect woman", but since she is artificial, she seems soul-less and with no sense of morality, she brings ruin to all around her. Very nice. 7,5/10
“Antoine et Antoinette“ (Jacques Becker, France 1947)
Working class couple Antoine and Antoinette dream of a better life. In the midst of constantly fending off the unwanted attention of men, especially the grocer Monsieur Roland, Antoinette purchases a winning lottery ticket. But when Antoine loses their ticket out of poverty, their dreams seem like they'll remain just that. As usual in Becker’s films all seems to be natural and fluent… it’s real people you see in this movie. 8,5/10
“Mélodie en sous-sol“ (Henri Verneuil, France/Italy 1963)
Rewatched this classic of heist movie…. Very good. 8,5/10
that's all for the moment... -
Movies I watched thos last two days...
'The Muthers (Cirio H. Santiago, Philippines, 1976)
The adventures of Pirates Women who get in a women’s prison truled by sadistc warden. A classic mix of Blaxploitation and women in cage movies by cult director Ciro H. Santiigo in one of it’s best effort. 7/10
"Showa onnamichi: Rashomon" (aka "Naked Rashomon") (Chûsei Sone, Japan 1972)
Very losely adapted from the classic Kurosawa movie. An erotic tale which takes place at the beginning of XXth century… 6,5/10
"Sûpâ robotto Maha Baronu" (aka "The Iron Man") (Koichi Takano, Hong Kong / Japan 1974)
Ultra kitsch giant robot movie… delightful with amzing ridiculous vilains… 7/10
"Tam tam mayumbe" (Gian Gaspare Napolitano, Folco Quilici, France / Italy 1955)
Adventure medecineman in deep Africa. A French doctor in a Doctoer Schweitzer way try to fight against a dangerous alcohol smuggler. A profoundly pro-colonialit movie in former French empire… Movie from a lost time. 7/10
"Muerte de un ciclista" (Juan Antonio Bardem, Spain 1955)
We proposed this classic to our cine-club, it was great fun to wtch it again and the spectators liked it a lot...
Thats all for today... -
Some movie I watched those last weeks... very few indeed...
"Syngenor" (George Elanjian Jr., USA 1990)
A scientist engineers a group of genetically engineered creatures for use as "supersoldiers" to fight U.S. wars in the Middle East. However, things get ugly when the creatures malfunction and turn on their creators. Not very good indeed over acted and blind script. 3/10
"Death Sport" (Allan Arkush, Nicholas Niciphor, Roger Corman, USA 1978)
Oponents are captured are force to fight in the deathsport a deadly fight on motorcycle. Two prisoner escapes and decide to join another city but soon are pursued by many motorcycles… David Carradine in another routine Z grande movie but entertaining. 6,5/10
"Warlords of the 21st Century" (Harley Cokeliss, New-Zealand, 1982)
Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age. Terror has a name Straker with his huge armored truck… Another poor Mad maw clone… 6/10
"Die Mörder sind unter uns" (Wolfgang Staudte, Germany 1946)
After returning from a concentration camp, Susanne finds an ex-soldier living in her apartment. Together the two try to move past their experiences during WWII. They then makes strange encounters, may be some nazi criminals… Excellent. 8,5/10
"Des hommes et des dieux" (Xavier Beauvois, France, 2010)
Under threat by fundamentalist terrorists, a group of Trappist monks stationed with an impoverished Algerian community must decide whether to leave or stay. They decisde to stay and pay the price. 8/10
"Picasso, l'inventaire d'une vie" (Hugues Nancy, France 2014)
Nice documentary about the work and life of one of the most important painter of the 20th century. Even if a bit too hagiographic very interresting and documented. 7,5/10
to be continued... -
"Up from the Depths" (Charles B. Griffith, USA 1979)
A series of mysterious aquatic attacks indicate the presence of some huge, previously unknown giant species of shark that has risen to the surface and is preying on tourists, fishermen, researchers, etc. A local beachcomber and scam artist, Sullivan, will have to put out to sea to defeat it. Another pathetic,,sequel of Jaws with a ridiculous prehistoric fish… Bad but fun 6/10
"Demon of Paradise" (Cirio H. Santiago Philippines / USA 1987)
Hunters become the hunted when illegal dynamite disturbs the ageold slumber of a carnivorous lizardman. Resort owner Angela, joins forces with Sheriff Keefer to save tourists from the beast's path of death. Santiago, the king of Philippian cinema makes is remake of the Creature from the Black Lagoon but it’s very bad. 4/10
"Deathstalker" (James Sbardellati, Argentina / USA 1983)
The warrior Deathstalker is tasked by an old witch lady to obtain and unite the three powers of creation - a chalice, an amulet, and a sword - lest the evil magician Munkar get them and use them for nefarious purposes. After obtaining the sword, Deathstalker joins with other travellers going to the Big Tournament to determine the strongest warrior. The false king holds the true princess in captivity, and plots to have Deathstalker killed, and Deathstalker must fight to free the princess.... Ultra kitsch clone of Conan the barbarian an excellent Z grade movie… 5/10 for Z fans 10/10
"Deathstalker II" (Jim Wynorski, Argentina / USA 1987)
Deathstalker helps Reena the Seer out of a few jams, and she solicits his help for a bigger task. She reveals that she is actually Princess Evie, but the evil sorcerer had her abducted and cloned in order to seize control of the kingdom. Together they travel to the evil sorcerer's stronghold to restore the princess to her rightful position, encountering challenges along the way both from the sorcerer's goons and the fierce Amazon women... The sequel is more pathetic then the first episode… 4/10
to be continued... -
"Monument Men" (George Clooney, USA 2014)
An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners. The plot is very similar to The Train (John Frankenheimer, Arthur Penn 1964) but is clearly weaker depite all-star cast. 4,5/10
"Santo contra los hombres infernales" (Joselito Rodríguez Cuba/Mexico 1961)
An early Santo movie in which the famous masker hero must face a dangerous spy ring. Filmed outdoor in the Batista’s Cuba a testimony of a lost time… 6/10
"Rapture" (John Guillermin, France/USA 1965)
Rewatched it once more. 10/10
"Cinderella" (Pierre Caron, France 1937)
A poor american girl is hired in theater as a sweeper and become a musical star but has also a secret life as a striptease dancer. Actress and dancer Joan Warner stars in this unknown film. At the time she went in great trouble with French justice. 7;5/10
" Le couteau sous la gorge" (aka "Knife on the Throat") (Claude Mulot, France 1986)
Poor erotic/crime moviein which erotic models are stalked by a maniac. Few interest in the movie except pretty naked gals. 4/10
"La tête d’un homme" (aka "A Man's Neck") (Julien Duvivier, France 1932)
Willy Ferriere is dead broke and his mistress costs a lot. One day, he says in a pub that he would give 100,000 francs to get rid of his wealthy aunt. Someone lets him know it's a deal. The aunt is murdered, and a poor chap is manipulated to be the perfect suspect. But Superintendant Maigret feels something is wrong. Another great adaptation of Simmenon’s novel Harry Baur and Valéry Inkijinoff are excellent. 8/10
"Poil de Carotte" (aka "Carrottop") (Julien Duvivier, France 1932)
Duvivier’s made the talking remake of his ilent Poil de Carotte filmed in the Alps in 1925. Here he films in the Morvan, the region where the action takes place in the novel. Poil de Carotte is a young boy persecuted by his family and abandoned by his father who loves him… Very good. 8/10
that's all for the moment... -
The movies I watched those last three days... few indeed but fun.
“Black Venus” (Claude Mulot, Bahamas / USA 1983)
Poor and barely faithful erotic adaptation of Balzac’s novel. A young black girl comes to Paris and falls in love with a poor missunderstood painter and then falls into prostitution… My first Bahamian movie ! 5/10
“I Love You, I Love You Not“ (James Bryan, USA 1974)
Ultra confidential sexploitation movie in which a girl has many sexual experiments in hope to find real love. But after she gets raped by a gang of bikers she realizes she’s alone… not bad indeed… 7/10
“La feldmarescialla“ (Steno, France / Italy 1967)
Ultra bad movie in which a young female singer who wants to escapes the nazis with a scientist, disguises as nazi officer… Francis Blanche and Terrence Hill are in the cast but can’t save the movie . 4/10 for Z fans more maybe.
“La course du lièvre à travers champs“ (René Clément, France / Italy 1972)
Excellent crime movie made as a direct homage to italian western and to Sergio Leone work especialy. A French guy, Tony, is persued by gypsies because he accidentaly kill their children and escapes to US. There he witnesses a murder and is kidnaped by the gang who did it and then get involved with them in the kidnapping of an important witness for a trial… 8/10
“Santo contra los jinetes del terror“ (René Cardona, Mexico 1970)
Some lepers ecape from thier sanitarium and get on rampage in the area. They are soon kidnaped and replaced by a crooked guy and his gang who exploite the fear of the people in the neibourghood. Santo is called by the local police to stop them. Santo is here alone to play the Mangnifiscient Seven in this ultra kitch and improbable adventure… 6,5/10
“Pierre et Jean“ (André Cayatte, France 1943)
Nice drama filmed by a young Cayatte for the Continental in 1943. Adapted from famous Maupassant’s novel and transposed in the present times a nice story of brotherhood, treason and love… 8/10
“The Warrior and the Sorceress“ (John C. Broderick, Argentina / USA 1984)
Ultra camp an kitch movie with once more David Carradine as the mighty warrior Kain who crosses the barren wastelands of the planet Ura, where two enemies, Zeg and the evil degenerate Balcaz, fight incessantly for control of the village's only well. Kain sees his opportunity and announces that his sword is for hire...but his eyes stay clearly on the beautiful captive sorceress Naja…. 3/10 but for Z grade fans a true must to see !! 10/10
“Bôrei kaibyô yashiki” / “Black Cat Mansion” (Nobuo Nakagawa Japan 1958)
Ultra strange japanese fantasy movie in which the descendant of the servant of a cruel and vicious samurai returns to the town where she was born, only to find that a cat who is possessed by the spirits of those murdered by the samurai is trying to kill her… filmed in strange tinted blue and colors a very weird and unusual movie ti discover… 8/10
“ Morgan il pirate“ (André De Toth, Primo Zeglio France / Italy 1960)
Camp and kitsch adventure of famous captain Morgan the pirate played here by Steve Reeves… Purchased as a slave in the Panama market by Inez ter daughter of the Governor, Henry Morgan soon finds himself in love with her. Soon after however he commandeers the ship transporting him and other slaves and soon they are the scourge of Caribbean looting and attacking the mighty Spanish Empire. The pirates soon find themselves acting under the authority of the English and Morgan has only one goal: to attack and take control of Panama… certainly not DeToth’s best work but armless fun. 7/10
That's all for today ! -
The movies of the last two days...
“Santo vs. la hija de Frankenstein“ (Miguel M. Delgado, Mexico 1972)
Increible pelicula ! In this amazing movie Lady frankenstein the grand daughter of the famous doctor after failling some similar creatures as her ancestor is victim of a curse and need fresh blood to stay young forever. She discovers that she need Santo’s blood to an eternal youth… So she decides toi kidnap our heroe’s girlfriend to force him to come to her hideout… Simply incredible… 6,5/10
“Densô ningen“ (aka “Secret of the Telegian”) (Jun Fukuda, Japan 1960)
Detectives must stop a homicidal madman called the "Telegian" from his killing rampage, while trying to save the intended victims and solve the mystery of the madman's true intentions and origin. The Telegian uses a mind-transmitting machine to teleport himself to his victims, whom he is out for revenge. A good small sci-fi movie mixed-up with crime an revenge movie… considered a the sequel of Honda's "The H-Man" but quite different. 7,5/10
“The Telephone Book“ (Nelson Lyon, USA 1971)
Amazing erotic movie about the story of a day in the life of a lonely, sensitive, exhuberent, attractive, young 18 year’s old gal. Her exploits, encounters, and frustrations as she attempts to find a mysterious “John Smith”, a pervert phone caller who has "class", as she puts it… Huge filming and very thrash humour in this excellent nudie ! 8/10
“La chambre ardente“ (Julien Duvivier, France 1962)
Don’t look at IMDB for the plot of this one : it’s wrong. A group of people visit a weird old man whom ancestor condemned a woman for poisoning her family. Before dying she cursed him and his relatives for générations. The man lives in an ancient castle. Soon he suddently dies. The waitress says she has seen a mysterious woman giving him a glass and then disappearing through the wall and one of his nephews find poison in glass and so they decide to make an autopsy themselves. But the body has disapparreared from the grave… Adapted from the “Burning Court” novel of John Dickson Carr this is an interesting whodunit. Not the best Duvivier’s movie but certainly not a bad movie either with nice cast too. 8/10
That's all for today... -
Some other movies I watched recently...
“Noroi no yakata: Chi o suu me” / “Lake of the Vampire” (Michio Yamamoto, Japan 1971)
After a coffin is delivered to a sleepy little Japanese town, one of the locals discovers that its occupant isn't dead yet. Unfortunately, the only witness to the vampire invasion gets bitten, along with several other people in town. Only one woman, Akiko, knows the truth, but even she doubts what she is seeing. Can the village be saved before it's too late? Strange vampire tale indeed in a pure Japanese way… 7/10
"Neuf garçons, un cœur" / "Nine Boys and One Heart" (Georges Friedland, France 1948)
During the Christmas season, Christine, a singer and her friends find themselves penniless. She falls asleep and dreams that she goes to heaven, followed by her friends. Waking her back on the ground and in reality. Miraculously, a generous customer is their commitment. A feelgood movie only for fans of Edith Piaf and old French songs… 6,5/10
“Onna kyûketsuki” / “The Woman Vampire” (Nobuo Nakagawa Japan 1959)
On his way to his fiance Itsuko's birthday party, Tamio's taxi runs over a strange woman crossing the street. Upon inspection, the woman has suddenly disappeared. Shortly after Tamio arrives at the Matsumura household, it is discovered someone has entered a locked room upstairs that hasn't been occupied in years. Itsuko's father, Shigekatsu, finds a young woman in there; and to his shock, it's his wife, Miwako, who has been missing for twenty years and now looking the same as when she disappeared. Very nice adaptation of Soto Tachibana's 1950 novel and with an amazing Shigeru Amachi who is suitably worthy of the Dracula title But in this version of the classical vamp is turned by the bright of the moon, casts reflections in mirrors, and uses golden crosses as a means of punishment for the enslaved women that betray him! Very good 8/10
“Kairyu daikessen” / “Battle of the Monsters” (Tetsuya Yamanouchi, Japan 1966)
In ancient Japan, a good lord is killed and his throne is taken by the trecherous Yuki Daijo and his wizard friend Oroki-maru. The young prince Ikazuki-maru is rescued from the jaws of death by a magic bird sent by a wizard. Ten years later, Ikazuki-maru embarks on an adventure to avenge his parents and the wizard's death with his magic powers he learned from the wizard. He kills Yuki Daijo but then must battle Oroki-maru in a battle to the death. A bit camp and kitch fantasy movie but much enjoyable and armless entertainement. 7/10
Soon some iother stuff... I'm a bit late in my rewiev ! ;) -
I saw this movie yesterday, can you guess it? :D :D
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I saw Princess Arete (Japanese, 2010) last friday:
"Imprisoned by a sorcerer who fears she will rob him of eternal life, guileless young Princess Arete befriends a villager who helps her plan an escape." -
I'm now back from the mountains... I managed to watch few movies during the season...
“Les gros bras” (Francis Rigaud, France 1964)
During a flight between Rome and Paris a thief put a precious necklace in the handbag of a girl. Then a race after the jewel begins in Paris and in a luxuous hotel. A routine French comedy with Francis Blanche. 6,5//10
“Scacco alla regina” (aka “The Slave”) (Pasquale Festa Campanile, Italy / West Germany, 1969)
26 year old Silvia has it all, but is still discontent, and daydreams about BDSM sex. When her husband is away on a business trip, she goes to a castle outside Rome to work as a secretary. Here she is turned into a slave. Pervert but beautifully filmed movie with pretty Rosanna Schiaffino as the mistress and Haydée Politoff as the slave. 7,5/10
“A couple of Trouble” (Nick Millard, USA 1969)
The dramatic adventures of a young drug addict and her dealer who abuse of drugs and sex… pure sexploitation movie of the 60’s… very good. (note : The video remake with famous Erin Brown (aka Misty Mundae) is quite good and faithfull to the original). 7/10
“Ce sacré grand-père“ (Jacques Poitrenaud, 1968)
A great father invite his grandson and his wife to spend some vacations in his house in Provence. He’s not duped by their apparent happiness and will try to make themselves love again. Good feelgood movie with Serge Gainsbourg and Michel Simon… 7/10
“Dead Man’s Gold” (Ray Taylor, USA 1948)
im Thornton, having found gold, has sent for Lash. But when he and Fuzzy arrive they find him dead. Lash knows that Conway and his gang are involved but that they have a boss. Lash thinks he knows who it is and sets a trap to flush him out. First of the 13 westerns Lash Larue Made as an independent after leaving PRC. Quite a good small B 7/10
“Les aventuriers du Mekong“ (Jean Bastia, France 1958)
In Viet-Nam, An adventuress recruits some suckers to a treasure race in a dangerous jungle… Exotic adventures for beautiful Dominique Wilms… 7/10
“Schulmädchen-Report: Was Eltern nicht für möglich halten” (Ernst Hofbauer, West Germany 1970)
Mockumentary about German schoolgirls openly talking about their scandalous sexual experiences. Some of these are illustrated through inserted vignettes. Also, a street reporter asks actual common folk about their views on sex… Quite interesting even if a bit dated a good document of lost times… and the beginning of a long (13) serie of movies… Soon on WTM !! 6,5/10
“Schulmädchen-Report 2. Teil - Was Eltern den Schlaf raubt” (Ernst Hofbauer, West Germany 1971)
10 vignettes about scandalous behavior of horny German schoolgirls. First, a strict, conservative teacher is lured by three of his beautiful, nubile young female students into a compromising situation with tragic results. Then… Second of the 13 movies of the serie… 6,5/10
to be continued... -
some other stuff...
“Kaidan hebi-onna” (aka “Snake Woman's Curse”) (Nobuo Nakagawa, Japan 1968)
The movie follows the plight of a Japanese family that is indebted to a feudal land owner and forced to work for him as slaves. After the father of the family dies, the land owner tears down the wife and daughter’s house, and forces them to work for him weaving clothing for the next ten years to pay off their debt. The mother is killed by the landowner while trying to rescue a snake from being killed and then the daughter kills herself after being raped repeatedly by the landowner’s son. But soon, ghosts of the unfortunates begin to haunt the house… 8/10
“Xing xing wang” (aka “The Mighty Peking Man”) (Meng Hua Ho, Hong Kong 1977)
Word of a monster ape ten stories tall living in the Himalayas reaches fortune hunters in Hong Kong. They travel to India to capture it, but wild animals and quicksand dissuade all but Johnny, an adventurer with a broken heart. He finds the monster and discovers it's been raising a scantily-clad woman, Samantha, since she survived a plane crash years before that killed her parents. In the idyllic jungle, Johnny and Samantha fall in love. Then Johnny asks her to convince "Utam" to go to Hong Kong. Lu Tien, an unscrupulous promoter, takes over: Utam is in chains for freak show exhibitions. When Lu Tien assaults Samantha, Utam's protective instincts take over: havoc in Hong Kong…. Ultra camp and kitch but enjoyable… 7/10
“Baby Love” (Alastair Reid, UK 1968)
Libidinous 15 year old English schoolgirl Lucy finds her single mother dead. They never had a good relationship, but this still unbalances her. She moves in with the family of her mother's old friend. She hates him and seduces his wife. Quite very pervert movie but very good. 8/10
“Obsession” (Edward Dmytryk, UK 1949)
Clive Riordan plans a devilish revenge against his wife's lover. Quite suspensfull and tensed-up crime movie with excellent Robert Newton. A classic of british chillers with a fine touch of perversion. 8/10
“Des Teufels General” (Helmut Käutner, West Germany 1955)
Harry Harras is a renowned general in the Luftwaffe during World War II. His expertise in turning out top-notch planes has made him a legend in Germany. However, he finds himself caught between two extremes: on the one hand he has earned the enmity of fanatic SS officials because he is by no means a Nazi, and on the other hand he finds himself being used, albeit unwillingly, as a symbol for those Germans resisting the Nazi regime… Quite interesting even if talky movie. 7,5/10
“Valahol Európában” (aka “Somewhere in Europe”) (Géza von Radványi, Hungary 1948)
A band of runaways and orphans of the war scour the countryside in search of food and shelter. They invade and then taken in by a musician and former concert pianist who's hiding out in a ruined castle. After the initial altercation between them the gang accepts his guidance and he wins their respect by protecting them from the elements. However, disgruntled townsfolk want to chase away the gang who has been - in their search for survival - laying waste to their crops. A battle ensues ending in the death of a little boy - and resolution. Just excellent. 9/10
“Szegénylegények” (Miklós Jancsó, Hungary 1966)
Rewatched with great fun this amazing movie… 10/10
“Historias minimas” (Carlos Sorin, Argentina / Spain 2002)
Three people and a baby set off on separate journeys, along the same road; their disparate dreams and stories intertwine amidst the breathtaking deserted Patagonic route. Just excellent. Furthermore I was in most of the places mentioned in the movie so… souvenirs. 10/10
“Dias de pesca“ (Carlos Sorin, Argentina / Spain 2012)
Marco Tucci is the standard tourist type, on his way to Puerto Deseado where he intends to fish for sharks. Or at least, this is the way he looks. But he is not well trained for game fishing and this fifty-two old traveling salesman seems a bit frail for the task. Couldn't he have a hidden agenda ? Didn't he go for a 2099 km drive all the way from Buenos Aires to Patagonia because Ana, his estranged daughter, lives there, with a view to reconnecting with her...? Another wonderfum Movie I rewatched with much pleasure… I was in Perto Deseado, Fitz Roy and all the places in the movie… I even ate in the same gas station at the beginning of the film as the heroe does… once more lot of souvenirs. 10/10
to be continued... -
“Golgotha“ (Julien Duvivier, France 1935)
First talkie adaptation of the passion of the Christ with LeVigan as Jesus and a young Jean Gabin as Ponce Pilate… Quite amazing filming. 8/10
“Le blé en herbe“ (Claude Autant-Lara, France 1954)
Based on the novel by Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. Friends since infancy, Philippe and Vinea have always regarded themselves as brother and sister. But as adolescence segues into puberty, the two youngsters fall in love… Interresting romance… 7/10
“Le cercle vicieux“ (Max Pécas, France 1960)
A young and poor painter becomes a gigolo and marries a rich old countess but secretly loves his young and poor model. When he accidentaly murders his wife he drives away with his lover but they have a car accident… Quite interesting early Max Pecas movie when he still had some ambitions… Surprisingly forbidden to people under 18 at the time of its release… 7/10
“Liebesmarkt” (Hubert Frank, West Germany 1973)
Another erotic aventures movie about a couple of swingers who get involved in many erotic experiences… With gorgeous Ingrid Steeger. 5,5/10
“Marco Polo” (Piero Pierotti, Hugo Fregonese, Italy / France 1962)
Very loosely adapted from the life and adventures of the famous explorer. Rory Calhoun is a quite libidinous Marco Polo who’ll have many adventures to save the doughter of the Great Kahn. Not very good even if entertaining. 6/10
“Les amazones du temple d’or“ (Alain Payet, Jesús Franco, France 1986)
A woman, raised by an Amazon tribe after they killed her parents, seeks revenge on the tribe for their deaths by joining an expedition looking for the tribe's secret golden temple. Very broke erotic movie by two masters of the genre… for fans only. 6/10
“Good Day for a Hanging” (Nathan Juran, USA 1959)
After claiming his daughter's childhood-sweetheart killed the marshal, one man finds himself in conflict with his daughter, his fiancée and many of the townsfolk. Quite good western with great Fred MacMurray… 7,5/10
to be continued... -
“Face of a Fugitive” (Paul Wendkos, USA 1959)
A robber in custody, becomes wanted for murder when his younger brother kills a deputy sheriff to help him escape. And after his borther is killed, he changes his identity and reach a small town and helps the local marshal to fight a greedy rancher… Another good western with Fred MacMurray 8/10
“Threes” (Nick Millard, USA 1968)
A swingers couple has almost no life together anymore, as the open marriage guarantees only that they have someone to whom tell their individual sex tales. But that starts to take a toll on their emotions and they try to deal with it only by sinking evermore into depravity. Things can only end in the worst possible manner. Another great rough nudie of Nick Millard. 7/10
“Riti, magie nere e segrete orge nel trecento...” (aka “The Reincarnation of Isabel”) (Renato Polselli, Italy 1973)
A group of vampires keep the body of a witch in a castle cellar. They require virgin blood to resurrect her. A party of people arrive and things kick off. Visualy very interesting the movie is a bit confuse and full of non-sense… 5,5/10
“The Velvet Trap” (Ken Kennedy, USA 1966)
Waitress Julie gets raped by her drunken short order cook boss. After managing to escape, Julie hooks up with regular patron Brad Collins and heads off to Las Vegas for an impromptu wedding. However, Brad leaves Julie high and dry in a cheap motel the very next morning after coercing her into posing for a few nude photos. But that's just the start of poor Julie's woes. No hope in this dark rough nudie that some could find a bit mysoginistic. 6,5/10
“Project X” (William Castle, USA 1968)
A spy is brought back from cryogenic suspension after being almost killed in a plane crash returning from a mission to learn about a deadly new weapon being developed in the East. But the vital memories are being suppressed, so the authorities use ultra-advanced technologies to try to uncover the secret. A very interesting pre-cyber punk movie. 7/10
to be continued... -
“The Sexploiters” (Al Ruban, USA 1965)
The exciting and explicit adventures of a beautiful young woman named Lynn who has a penchant for expensive items. To pay for her upscale tastes she turns tricks in New York City, operating under the guise of a model. Her agency encourages her to satisfy every client's fantasy and she eagerly complies. A pure sexploitation movie of the 60’s exploring many sexuals practices… 6,5/10
“Brigitta” (Nick Millard, USA 1967)
Brigitta is a single woman, sexually repressed, employed but lonely. She drinks. She meets a man who charms her. This fellow has a hypnotic effect on her, sweeping her first in passionate sex with him. Then, he has her whoring to pay off his debts while he moves on to another girl for his personal pleasure. Brigitta enlists a friend, and the two are companionable prostitutes, living a depraved life of sex and drugs. The friend gets VD, which Brigitta uses to infect her pimp as revenge. Tragic and amazing rough nudie. 7/10
“… und noch nicht sechzehn” (Peter Baumgartner, West Germany 1968)
Rosy isn't 16 yet, but has already experienced much in life. The precocious teen escapes the protectory and finds shelter at Helens, a singer. But her care is just temporary. An older man who pretends to be a bank director, causes her new sorrow. He forces her to have intercourse with several men and blackmails the suitors afterwards. Then Rosy meets a student, who she really likes. Can he help her and free her from this plight? A strange movie from the german vault which is a nudie and a musial at the same time… 6,5/10
“Angel Baby” (Paul Wendkos, USA 1961)
A woman who believes she has been chosen by God to heal people is taken in by a greedy promoter and his shrewish wife to make the rounds of the rural South - she to save souls and heal the sick, he to make as much money as he possibly can. Amazing and underated movie : some kind of perverted Elmer Gantry but very ambiguous indeed… Further more an interesting cast with especialy Salome Jens amazing as Angel Baby, an aging Joan Blondell excellent, Mercedes McCambridge evil as usual and a young Burt Reynolds damn sexy already. A true curiosity. 8/10.
“L’affaire du collier de la reine” (Marcel l’Herbier, France 1946)
The most faithful adaptation of this classic affair in a pre-revolution France. Viviane Romance is simply excellent as crooked Jeanne de la Motte. And certainly the best post-war L’Herbier movie. The last half an hour is excellent and the endind much surprising… 8/10
“L’éternel retour“ (Jean Delanoy, France 1943)
This is a retelling of Tristan and Isolde, set in 1940’s France. The script was written by Jean Cocteau. Jean Marais is quite good as “Tristan”. A classic story of tragic love… 7,5/10
to be continued... -
“Un choix d'assassins“ (Philippe Fourastié, France / Italy 1967)
Absolutly unknown crime movie adapted from a William P. McGivern novel. Set in Morocco a man get drunk for several weeks after a car accident in wich his wife died.. one night he gets so eager to have a drink that he proposes to commit suicide for… A local crook decides to save him and make him a killer… ultra strange movie set in Tangier in the 60’s where drugs, alcohol and other beatnicks were quite common. Also a good performance of too soon disappeared Bernard Noël. A pure curiosity not bad at all. 7,5/10
“L’état sauvage“ (Francis Girod, France 1978)
In a recently independent African state, whites still hold major positions in the administration : the brutal mercenary Tristan is in charge of the army; the cynical police commissioner Orlaville monitors the manoeuvres of the establishment; the director of the airport acts as factotum for Modimbo, the treacherous minister of information. As for trafficker Gravenoire who is well-placed to grab an exclusive contract for the uranium mines of the country. All of them openly despise the black population and its weak government. Only health minister Doumbé is trying a bit impulsively to protect the interests of his country. When UNESCO delegate Avit Laurençon arrives, he is immediately entangled in a web of intrigue and passion in which his wife Laurence plays a significant role. The movie made quite a scandal at it’s release because it was strongly anti-colonialist. Now it remains an interesting document (even if most of the practices have not really changed) about those troubled times. A good casting too with Michel Picoli, Jacques Dutronc and Marie-Christine Barrault. 7,5/10
“The Underwolrd Story” (Cy Endfield, USA 1950)
The story of the fight of a small-town newspaper to free an innocent black girl of a murder charge, with the publisher of a metropolitan city newspaper heading, by forced circumstances (his son is the murderer), the opposing forces. Classic story of courageous newspaper man against the world… But nice acting with a great Dan Duryae as the good guy which is quite rare. Furthermore Stanley Cortez is at the photography and that gives a certain noirish touch to the movie… 8/10
“La bonne tisane“ (aka “Good Medicine“) (Hervé Bromberger, France 1958)
A famous thief comme back to France after an exile in South America and wants to make his come-back in the affairs. But some people consider things differently and he is injured after a gufight. At the same time a young trainee nurse has his first night in the central hospital of the city. A curious movie mix of crime and noir, romance and comedy that makes the whole thing quite enjoyable with Bernard Blier as the tough guy and beautiful and tragic Estella Blain as the nurse. A curiosity. 7/10
“Flashman“ (Mino Loy, Italy / France 1967)
You know that I love Super Heroes movies but the true ones and Flashman is one of those true jewels. In London a scientist who created an insisibility serum is murdered and the secret stolen by the leader of a gang who begins to rob banks. At the same time a gang of pretty counterfeiters seduce some cashiers and change good money with false one allthrough the city… Luckyly a brave super heroe, Flashman, and his exentric sister are on the case also with a ridiculous Scotland Yard inspector. If you liked Marvel Super Heroe movies this one is (not) for you, it’s as ridiculous but much more fun and gals are damn’ pretty. 7,5/10
to be continued... -
“Return of the Secret Society“ (Peter Woodcock, USA 1968)
Sexy Babette is involved in New York City's underground sex business-photos, phone sex, go-go dancing, orgies… Babette will do pretty much anything with pretty much anyone if there's enough money in it and thrills to be had. A quite good immersion in the 60’s forbidden world of sex and perversion… for nudies fans. 7/10
“Inquisición“ (aka “Inquisition“) (Paul Naschy, Spain 1978)
The first movie as a director for mythic Paul Naschy… In this one he his a cruel inquisitor during a plague epidemy. He is especialy cruel with women he likes to torture and burn. But soon, he falls in love with a beautiful woman who is also a which… Faithful to his character and his world Paul Nashy delivers a pure jewel of euro-thrash exploitation cinema. For fans. 7/10
“Ambush at Cimarron Pass” (Jodie Copelan, USA 1958)
The survivors of an Army patrol ambushed by Indians hook up with a group of cowboys who have also been attacked, and together they try to get to safety at the fort. Unfortunately for them, they're carrying a shipment of several dozen rifles that the Indians want, and are determined to get. Quite a good small B western of Regal Pictures in pretty b/w scope, the specialty of the company. Also the occasion to watch a young Clint Eastwood stil not known. Indeed, the credits at the beginning of the movie have bieen changed in the 60’s after he get recognition… 7;5/10
“Vicious Lips” (Albert Pyun, USA 1986)
A band finally gets the opportunity for that breakthrough gig if they can make it to an "in" club on another planet in time... a strange Sci-Fi, horror and musical movie by cult director Albert Pyun a pure thrash of the 80’s with amazing hairdressing which should have desserved a special academy award !! enjoyable for fans of B-grade. 6/10
to be continued... -
the last ones...
“The Million Eyes of Sumuru” (Lindsay Shonteff, UK 1967)
Sumuru is a beautiful but evil woman who plans world domination by having her sexy all-female army eliminate male leaders and replace them with her female agents. Strange UK/Hong-Kong production involving the mythic Shaw Brothers. Ultra camp and kitch adventure movie with macho secret agent and full of cliché but muche entertaining ! 7/10
“La fille de Dracula“ (aka “Dracula’s Daughter“) (Jesús Franco, France / Portugal 1972)
A young woman visits her gravely ill grandmother at the family estate. On her death bed, the old woman reveals to her granddaughter the family curse: they're all vampires. The young woman decides to move into the estate with her uncle and her cousin, and soon finds herself falling victim to the curse. Britt Nichols is gorgeous and Howard Vernon is a bit static as count Dracula and doesn’t say even a single word in the movie ! For Franco’s fans only. 6/10
“Female Jungle“ (Bruno VeSota, USA 1956)
Several persons, including an off duty policeman and a weird rich guy, are suspects in the murder of a beautiful actress. Quite interesting small , almost filmed in real time about an investigation solved in few hours during a long night… VeSota also play I the movie and appears in some of the caricatures… quite enjoyable with one of the first appearance on screen of gorgeous Jayne Mansfield. 7/10
“Le don d’Adèle“ (aka “Adele’s Gift“ ) (Emile Couzinet, France 1951)
The gift of the title is sometimes used in modern thrillers to prevent crimes or to arrest serial killers (as in Mentalist for exemple) : second sight. A farm girl, Adelehas the gift but it went against her and she’s accused of bringing bad luck. She is almost excommunicated by the local priest. She takes refuge in a bourgeois home where the missus wears the pants. Adele's gift may help her exploit her property in Egypt (why ??) It also allows her to discover what her husband and her children do when they are away... Emile Couzinet was an amazing character in French cinema history. Living in Bordeaux he owned some theaters in the area and simply decided to fill them with his own films so he becomes studio boss, producer, director… and made a few dozens of films on his own. A documentary about his life is (hardly) available and is absolutely amazing. Otherwise some called him the French Ed Wood and I must admit that his movies are often delirious with hysterical (often local) actors usualy overacting, amazing plots and so on but worth of watching indeed. 7/10
“Prends ta rolls et va pointer” (Richard Balducci, France 1981)
In an old barn, a poor worker finds an old model of a very rare Rolls Royce which he buys for a ridiculous price. Then after a breackdown, the company send a couple of ingeneers who proposed to buy the car and give a brand new model to the guy… Another great French comedy with Jean Lefebvre… only forn fans… 3/10 for fans 8/10
That's all for the moment... A pretty good summer indeed. -
So, Two weeks back in plains and I could watch some movies...
“Al tropico del cancro” aka (aka “Tropic of Cancer”) (Giampaolo Lomi, Edoardo Mulargia, Italy 1972)
A couple who vacationing in Haiti happens to stumble upon an old doctor friend. Dr Steffen has cooked up a powerful new hallucinogenic drug and there are quite a few different parties interesting in acquiring the formula. Quite entertaining exotic adventure movie with gorgeous Anita Strindberg a regular of italianb giallo and movies of the 70’s. 7/10
“Dabide no hoshi: Bishôjo-gari” (aka “Beautiful Girls Hunter”) (Noribumi Suzuki, Japan 1979)
One dark and stormy night, a middle age prison escapee haphazardly breaks into the luxurious mason of a wealthy and privileged family and rapes the young wife in front of her bound husband. A year later, the son conceived by the rapist comes into the world. At the age of sixteen, he studies Nazi atrocities in history class, and feels the awakening of his inner brutality. The time has come. He launches a journey to let off a long-held grudge against the abusive foster father and to seek out a reunion with his genetic dad. He lures out his real father through newspaper ads and invites him to the secret torture chamber in the basement of the house where he confines abducted girls. Ultara perverted Japanese pinku with strong sexual deviances, necrophilia and so on. A must to see for fans of the genre. 7,5/10
"N’oublie pas ton père au vestiare…" (Richard Balducci, France 1982)
Another huge patahtic French comedy with Jean Lefebvre about generation conflict. A young boy is fired from home after he failed his exams. But soon a new life of work and lust begins for him and he manages to get independent. Soon the parents and especualy the father begon to miss him… 3/10 for fans of the genre 8/10
"Last of the Comanches" (André DeToth, USA 1958)
The remnants of a massacred cavalry troop and ragtag group of stagecoach passengers fight for survival against fierce Comanches at a desert ruin. Even with few budget and na star DToth manage to direct an excellent western full of action and suspense. Furthermore most filming is on location and with amazing photography and colors/ Very good. 8/10
"J’irai cracher sur vos tombes" (aka "I'll Spit on your Graves") (Michel Gast, France 1959)
Joe Grant, a light-skinned African-African, heads to a small Southern town to investigate the lynching death of his brother. He draws the attention of a gorgeous heiress whom he learns may have been involved in the killing. The screen adapatation of Boris Vian novel (as Vernon Sullivan) and to which he participates in the writing of the screenplay is far from the originalm noval and if you liked the book you ‘ll find the movie not very good. But out of theis context the movie is not as bad and can be watched as a small noirish movie on background of sexual pervertion and racim. 7/10
"Rock ‘n’ Roll Highschool" (Allan Arkush, Joe Dante, USA 1979)
A group of rock-music-loving students, with the help of the Ramones, take over their school to combat its newly installed oppressive administration. Yeeah, it’s bad in many senses but it IS the movie with the RAMONES and therefore it’s a great movie ! and a pure guilty pleasure. 8/10
to be continued... -
"Célestine… bonne à tout faire" (Jesús Franco, France 1974)
Celestine is a prostitute pursued by police and who takes refugee in the barn of the manor of a countess. The gardener find her and fuck her. Then he make her hire by the countess as a maid and now she begins to care about all the sexual perversions of the inhabitants of the manor. A very hard and arrascent work indeed. A fresh and armful sex-comedy loosely adapted from Octave Mirbeau’s novel. Of course we are far from Bunuel’s movie but Lina Romay is absolutely gorgeous. 7/10
"Le deportate della sezione speciale SS" (aka “Deported Women of the SS Special Section”) (Rino Di Silvestro, Italy 1976)
Young women in Nazi-occupied countries are packed onto a train and shipped off to a prison camp, where the sadistic commandant uses them as rewards for his lesbian guards and perverted and deviate troops. Another movie with women who endure all the cruelty and perversions of a nazi camp. Not original at all but worth watching ofr fans of the genre. 6/10
"Coffy" (Jack Hill, USA 1973)
A black nurse takes vigilante justice against inner-city drug dealers after her sister becomes their latest victim. I rewatchd with great pleasure this movie and has the good surprise to notice it’s still very good and effiscient. Pam Grier is gorgeous ! 8/10
"13 Frightened Girls!" (William Castle, USA 1963)
While attending a school for diplomats' daughters, the teen-aged daughter of the American ambassador uses her access to various embassies to engage in espionage. Strange movie by Castle which looks often like a family movie but with some moments of true violence that make the whole very strange. A curiosity. 6,5/10
"Mars Attacks!" (Tim Burton, USA 1963)
Earth is invaded by Martians with unbeatable weapons and a cruel sense of humor. I didn’t watched it since 1996 (or 7??) when it was released and despite some good moments it much weaker as in my souvenir and I was a bit disappointed. 6/10
"Pete Kelly’s Blues" (Jack Webb, USA 1955)
In 1927 Kansas City Pete Kelly and his jazz band play nightly at a speakeasy. A local gangster starts to move in on them and when their drummer is killed Kelly gives in, even though this also means taking the thug's alcoholic girl as a singer. Kelly soon realises he has made a big mistake selling out in this way and that rich girl Ivy is now the only decent thing in his life. Very interrestoing movie mixing music and crime perhaps not fully realistic but veryu enjoyable and with huge stars as Peggy Lee or Ella Fitzgerald in the cast… 8/10
"Prostitutes Protective Society" (Barry Mahon, USA 1966)
Prostitutes are victims of racketeers and thugs gang and dicide to organize themselves in selfdefence and begins to kill the guys. Weird rough nudie from master of the genre Barry Mahon. 6,5/10
"La guerre des boutons" (Yves Robert, France 1962)
The school boys of two villages in France are fighting. Their trophy are the buttons they will snatch from the enemy. This fight will bring those kids to everlasting friendship...eventually. I rewatched with great pleasure this great French family movie of my childhood. Definitivly the only version to watch. 8,5/10
"Mission : Killfast" (Ted V. Mikels, USA 1991)
From Astro-Zombies director Ted V. Mikels comes this adrenalized tale of a high-kicking CIA agent, vengeful Las Vegas gangsters, unhinged arms dealers, terrorists with nuclear weapons, explosions and bikini clad beauties. With Mikels movies you’re never disappointed. It’s always bad but entertaining enough indeed. 7/10 for Z grade fans... otherwise 4/10
to be contunued... -
"Wendy’s Palace" (Kenneth Schwartz, Ray Wells, USA 1970)
Small town gal Wendy resorts to prostitution after moving to New York City. Wendy gets busted by corrupt vice cop Vince and winds up spending 90 days in jail. In the wake of finishing her sentence, Wendy decides to quit working the streets by owning and operating her own brothel instead. It begins with the classic story of poor country girl commint o town but here she manages to be a Madame and rules the world of prostitution. But love is still around… Quite interesting nudie. 7/10
"Mademoiselle strip-tease" (Pierre Foucaud, USA 1957)
This classic French sex comedy is a charming frolic through luscious Parisian cabarets with outstanding striptease performances. Agnes Laurent plays a spoiled young provincial girl. Otherwise the story os quite classic and without any surprise. 7/10
"Le grand jeu" (Robert Siodmak, France 1954)
Pierre Martel is a brilliant lawyer in Paris who has fallen in love with a ravishing Italian girl, Sylvia Sorrego and they take up housekeeping on a luxurious scale beyond his means, and Pierre commits a few irregularities and is asked to resign the Bar Association. He heads for Algeria and tells Sylvia to sell everything they own and join him there. Sylvia is a no-show and Pierre, broke, with a dishonored name and having lost the woman he loves, dons the hair-shirt he wears the rest of the film and becomes a human wreck, and he joins the Foreign Legion. One day he meets Helena, a prostitude who, partialy lost her memory and who looks exactly like Sylvia… Was it usefull to make a remake of the eponymous Jacques Feyder’s movie of 1934 ? Perhaps not but nevertheless, the movie is not bad but of course is not as good. Gina lolobrigida is quite convincing in her double role of Helena Sylvia. 7/10
"Howling II: Stirba - Werewolf Bitch" (Philippe Mora, UK/USA 1985)
A young man whose sister was murdered by werewolves helps an investigator track down a gang of the monsters through the United States and Europe. Quite ridiculous and a shame for Christopher Lee but Sybil Danning has definitively nice boobs. 2/10
to be continued... -
"The Electric Horseman" (Sidney Pollack, USA 1979)
Sonny Steele used to be a rodeo star, but his next appearance is to be on a Las Vegas stage, wearing a suit covered in lights, advertising a breakfast cereal. When he finds out they are going drug the horse in case its too frisky, he rides off into the desert... The movie looks a bit like Lonely are the Braves but less good. Neverthelss it has it’s moments and is quit entertaining. Not Pollack’s best at all but worth watching. 7/10
"Le septième juré" (Georges Lautner, France 1962)
In a moment of madness a respectable pharmacist kills a young woman who is sun-bathing by a lake. Unable to take in what he has done, he flees from the scene of the crime and behaves as if nothing has happened. Excellent crime movie and an ferocious critic of the small town bourgeoisy. Excellent Bernard Blier too. 9/10
"Psychedelic Sexualis" (aka "On her Bed of Roses") (Albert Zugsmith, USA 1966)
A young man lies by a highway with a rifle, shooting people in cars. As the police close in, he kills himself. In flashbacks, his girlfriend explains why it all happened. If the beginning is absolutely amazing with the mad guy going on rampage and killing people without any reason the rest is sometime a bit boring but with some nicely fimed sequnces. 6,5/10
"L’homme et l’enfant" (Raoul André, France / Italy, 1956)
A classic crime movie without originality about drug and girl smugglers on the french Riviera. Eddie Constantine has been better in many othe movies. The only interest is the bright color cinemascope and the filming on location. 5,5/10
"Shadow of a Doubt" (Alfred Hitchcock, USA 1943)
Rewatched with great plesure this classic. 8,5/10
"Les nuits brûlantes de Linda" (aka “Who Raped Linda”) (Jesús Franco, France / Italy 1975)
A young woman is hired to care for an elderly man who lives on an island off the Greek coast. When she arrives there the man warns her that his daughters are evil and dangerous. The woman discovers that one of the daughters is a crazed nymphomaniac who pursues, and seduces, everyone in the house, including her crippled sister. Another weird and disturbed movie of master Z grade cinema Jess Franco. Alice Arno and Lina Romay, two Franco’s muses, are goergeous. 6/10
to be continued... -
"The Baby" (Ted Post, USA 1973)
A social worker, still reeling from the loss of her architect husband, investigates the eccentric, psychedelic Wadsworth Family, consisting of a mother, two daughters, and an adult son with the apparent mental capacity of an infant. Don’t let you abuse by the title and the plot It’s a true jewel of the 70’s. A truly sick movie and a pure guilty pleasure with amazing ending. A must to see for all “bizarre” cinema lovers. 9/10
"Sorceress" (Jim Wynorski, USA 1995)
This is another look at the occult as inspired by Roger Corman and his view of the dark side. Jealous witch Erica uses her powers to influence her unwitting husband Larry and his colleagues, who all work for a big law firm. Linda Blair is, lost in this ridiculous movie and Julie Strain’s fake boobs are huge. By the way the only interest of the movie is the bunch of big boobed girls. 2/10
"Urge to Kill" (Vernon Sewell, UK 1960)
A small UK B movie adapted from an Edgar Wallace novel in which a psychopathic killer murders three girls and make the police believe a simple minded guy is guilty. Not bad despite a lack of means. 6,5/10
"Clue of the Twisted Candle" (Allan Davis, UK 1960)
Another small UK B movie adapted from an Edgar Wallace novel about a classic story of closed room murder… 6/10
"Il tuo vizio è una stanza chiusa e solo io ne ho la chiave" (aka "Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key") (Sergio Martino, Italy 1972)
Oliviero is a burned-out writer, living at his estate near Venice, his dead mother dominating his imagination. He is also a degenerate: sleeps with his maid and his ex-student, hosts Bacchanalia for local hippies, and humiliates his wife Irina in front of strangers. She lives in terror. When a young woman is murdered, police suspect Oliviero. Things get complicated when his young, beautiful, and self-confident niece, Floriana, come for an unexpected visit. A silver-haired stranger observes. More women die, and thoughts of harming Irina give Oliviero new inspiration. What's Floriana's game and who's the observant stranger? Watching all is a black cat named Satan. A quite strange title for a strange giallo quite interesting and certainly the best Martino’s movie. Furthermore Edwige Fenech and Anita Strindberg are gorgeous and even have a small lesbians scene ! 7,5/10
"La nuit est mon royaume" (Georges Lacombe, France 1951)
Raymond Pinsard (Jean Gabin) drives trains and loses sight in an accident. The doctors promise him an operation within one year but it’s a lie to calm him. He first becomes neurasthenic refusing to go to a special center for blinds. But soon the meeting of a young blind teacher working there open him back to the world. A feel good movie not bad at all. 7/10
"La tour de Nesle" (Abel Gance, France/Italy 1955)
This movie is adapted from Alexandre Dumas work and is only partly faithfull to the true hidtorical events. The Queen of France and her friends trap young lovers in the tower of Nesle and the bodies of the young guys are found the day after in the Seine, but one day one of them a tough captaine manages to escape and beging to blackmail the queen. A dangerous game of treachery and death begins like in a greek tragedy. Yes, it’s Abel Gance’s Swan’s Song but the movie is certainly not as bad as some consider it. Gance makes a great job with fake but beautiful settings in a colorfull movie you still can see the art of tze master here. A movie which is certainly worth of watching. 8/10
"The Incredible Sex Revolution" (Albert Zugsmith USA 1965)
Troubled young lass Margaret 'Peggy' Bardot candidly discusses her sexual hang-ups with a psychologist. Bardot's past negative experiences are related in flashback while the psychologist does his to figure out the root cause of her problems. Some good parts in this sexy movie but too speacky with some supermarket psychology (but is there any other?). 6,5/10
That's all for the moment... -
I managed to watch few movies this week...
“The Untouchables” (Brain de Palma , USA 1987)
Rewatched with great pleasure this quite good movie 8/10
“Necromancy” (Bert I. Gordon, USA 1972)
Orson Welles plays the head of a witches' coven in the town of Lilith, where he needs the powers of Pamela Franklin to raise his son from the dead. Orson Wells certainly was in great need of money to play in this movie which has also ome interesting moments. 6,5/10
“Io Semerami“(aka “Slave Queen of Babylon”) (Primo Zeglio, Italy 1963)
A poorly known sword and sandals movie about General Onnos who returns from a successful military campaign to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. He presents King Minurte with a number of newly-captured slaves including Kir, defeated king of the Dardanians. Kir attracts the attention of Semiramis, a beautiful young woman who's a member of Minurte's court and who has imperial ambitions. She persuades Minurte to give her a province and then uses slave labor, including Kir, to build herself a city which becomes Babylon. Not bad for fans of the genre 7/10
“The Beguiled” (Don Siegel, USA 1971)
Rewatched it with great pleasure one of Eastwood best performance. 9/10
“Play Motel” (Mario Gariazzo, Italy 1979)
A reporter and his girlfriend investigate deaths surrounding a hotel where several prominent people go to have sex. But soon girls are murdered… A good and sleaze movie. 7/10
“Teseo contro il minotauro” aka “Minautaur, Wild Beast of Crete” (Silvio Amadio, Italy 1960)
King Minos sacrifices the 'required' virgins to the Minotaur. As his wife lies dieing, she confesses that her daughter has a twin she has secreted to avoid giving one of the girls to the Minotaur. The daughter raised by Minos tries to have her twin killed, but failing in her first attempt, continues to try to have her given to the Minotaur. Theseus, the Greek hero, tries to prevent it. A bit camp and kitsch but gorgeous Rosanna Schiaffino saves all the movie 7,5/10
“Che fine ha fatto Totò baby?” / “What Ever Happened to Baby Toto?” (Ottavio Alessi, Mario Castellani, Paolo Heusch, Italy 1964)
Toto Baby is a famous thief that police wants to catch for years and years. One day his dumb young brother steals a case with a dead body in it… things are going worse and worse when the enter a community of drung addicts… but thing goes still worse when… An amazing movie with apocalyptic ending… 7,5/10
“Lemon Groove Kids Meet the Monsters” (Peter Balakoff, Ray Dennis Steckler, Ed McWatters, USA 1965)
Funny kiddie movie with the Lemon Groove Kids directly onspired from the Bovery Boys. Quite funny movie with trhree parts like three small episodes of a TV serie. In both of them they face classic monsters like gorilla or mummy or some kind of Vampira from outer space directly inspired form Ed Wood or Rat Fink & Boo Boo movies… Quite a lot of non sense and farce but entertaining. 7/10
to be continued... -
“Five Golden Dragons” (Jeremy Summers, Liechtenstein / UK / West Germany 1967)
A naive young American playboy in Hong Kong finds himself caught up in the middle of an international crime. Bob Cumming is 57 and not credible as the young amrican playboy. Amazing cast for this armless exotic adventure movie with Christopher Lee, George Raft, Dan Duryea, Klaus Kinski and gorgeous Margaret Lee. 7/10
“Le règlement intérieur“ (Michel Vuillermet, France 1981)
Very strange movie about a weird story whichh takes place in a remote town in east France. One day an entire class of the college disappears for one day and then comes back the day after as if nothing happened. A free thinking teacher and a mathematics geek inspector are both on the case… A strange thing full of apparent nonsense about the decay of a society where nothing more can happen. If you lived in the 80’s you’ll certainly feel a strange malaise. Much worth watching for my generation otherwise a bit difficult. 8,5/10
“L’idiot“ (aka "The Idiot") (Georges Lampin, France 1946)
A very good adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel even if in a more French way than a Russian one. Muichkine, a young Russian prince, returns home to Petersburg from a mental institution, determined to spread decency and kindness in the harsh and cruel world. He becomes betrothed to an innocent young girl while trying to save a less-innocent woman from her own travail, but jealousy and his own naivete conjoin to bring about unimaginable tragedy.Gérad Philippe in his first great role is very convincing and Danielle Darieux too is excellent, the scene when she sells herself for marriage is awesome and the ending beautiful. 9/10
“Le désordre et la nuit“ (aka "A Night Affair") (Gilles Grangier France 1958)
A vice inspector for the Paris police takes special interest in the plight of drug-addicted Lucky whom he considers to be more victim than criminal. Classic but effiscient crime movie even if some improbables things. 7,5/10
“Joysticks“ (Greydon Clark, USA 1983)
There's trouble in town and it's video games. High school students spend so much time with the electronic monsters that there's no time for schoolwork. Shucks. Except the piece of nostalgia of the arcade games times and some pretty boobs, the movie is quite ridiculous with strong dose of salacious humour. 4/10
“Dédée d’Anvers“ (aka "Dedee") (Yves Allégret, France 1948)
I had to create this true classic in WTM and that’s quite incredible. I re-watched this nice story of Dedee a prostitute, working in Monsieur Rene's night club on Antwerp's harbour. The porter is Marco, her pimp. Dedee is not happy, until she meets Francesco, an italian sailorman. They fall in love and Dedee begins to dream about an escape of her daily dullness. Very good drama. Simone Signoret is excellent as Dedee. 9/10
“Raboliot“ (Jacques Daroy, France 1946)
Happily married to Sandrine, Pierre Fouques aka Raboliot is the father of two young children. He would live a steady life if he hadn’t a strong passion for poaching, which gets him into a lot of trouble. Because of the nastiness of Bourrel, the gamekeeper, of the jealousy of other poachers, he becomes a hunted man who, in order to defend himself, is driven to commit a crime. Adapted from a famous novel written by Maurice Genevoix a quite good movie. 7,5/10
“Les pépées font la loi“ (Raoul André, France 1955)
In this film, a waitress is abducted by gangsters and her pals go on rampage to release her. A women's film, with chicks as men's characters who carry guns, speak wild slang. Girls are pretty, especialy gorgeous Dominique Wilms. The whole is entertaining. 7/10
“Clue of the New Pin“ (Allan Davis, UK 1961)
TV journalist Tab Holland assists Scotland yard with the murder of a reclusive millionaire whose corpse is discovered locked in a vault. The key to the vault is mysteriously found on the table beside the corpse. Another small closed room murder, not very original indeed. Something unusual by the way, Louis de Funès in a bad guy role that is not very common indeed. 6,5/10
“Havana“ (Sydney Pollack 1990)
Cuba, December 1958: The professional gambler Jack visits Havana to organize a big Poker game. On the ship he meets Roberta and falls in love with her. Shortly after they arrive in Cuba, Roberta and her Cuban husband, the revolutionary Arturo, are arrested and tortured. Arturo is reported "shot while trying to escape," but Jack manages to get Roberta free again. He can't, however, keep her from continuing to support the revolution. Jack has to make a choice between Robert and the biggest poker game he never made… Quite interesting worth of watching and better than it’s reputation. 7/10
That's all for the week... -
Movies of the last three days...
"Cheri-Bibi" (Léon Mathot, France 1938)
Cheri-Bibi (Pierre Frenay) is an escaped convivct who owns a bar in Paris under a fals name. Betrayed by his brother-in-law who murdered a banker his send to penal colony in French Guyana. He failed to run a mutinery in the ship and is sentenced to 20 years more in a remonte working camp in the jungle where people die of maltreatment and fevers… He meets there the nephew of the banker (Jean-Pierre Aumont) wrongly condemned to 20 years too. They decide to escape to take revenge... A quite good exotic adventure movie.
"The War Wagon" (Burt Kennedy, USA 1936)
The story of a man who was shot, robbed and imprisoned who returns to steal a large gold shipment from the man who wronged him. The gold is transported in an armored stage coach, the War Wagon. Quite a good and entertaining western with strong dose of humour and two giants at the cast : John Wayne and Kirk Douglas ! 7,5/10
"The Fourth Square" (Allan Davis, UK 1961)
The Police investigate a theft of emerald jewelry which had led to a murder. The killer let on the place two myterious little squares sticked on the wall. 6/10
"The Butler" (Lee Daniels, USA 2013)
Great performance of Forest Whitaker, but why this perpetual need to re-write History ? it’s a shame. 6/10
“Can You Keep It Up for a Week?” (Jim Atkinson, UK 1975)
Blundering idiot is set an ultimatum by his girlfriend. Keep a job for a week or she leaves him. Only innuendo and comedy pratfalls can stop him. Quite funny little sex comedy with pretty gals and a dose of british humour. The French tittle is quite hilarious and ridiculous you can translate it as : “keep your pee-pee stiff if you want to use it… “ all a programme indeed… 7/10
"Forbidden World" (Allan Holzman, USA 1982)
On planet Xarbia, an experimental life form, Subject 20, has been created by an elite group of researchers in hopes of preventing a galactic food crisis. However, when Subject 20 becomes deadly, the best troubleshooter in the Galaxy is called in to investigate. Produced by Roger Corman another Z grade movie some kind of Alien of the Z. for fans only. 4/10
"Hand of Death" (Gene Nelson, USA 1962)
Alex Marsh has just created a serum combining hypnotic drug and nerve gas. Unfortunately he uses himself as a guinea pig and the drug transform him into a murderous monster. Another great B-monster movie with awesome John Agar as the poor Alex Marsh… A must for fans of the genre… 7,5/10
that's all for the moment... -
Movies of the last four days...
“BattleQueen 2020” (Daniel D'Or, USA 2001)
After a civilization is all but wiped out by a comet, evil forces take advantage of the weak. A powerful woman fights back for the sake of the vulnerable. Quie ridiculous mix of sci-fi and softcore movie. Julie Strain has very big fake boobs otherwise the film is sometimes very funny (unintentionnaly of course). 4/10 (for the boobs)
“La vieille dame indigne“ (René Allio, France 1965)
After the death of her husband andyears of submission, Berthe Bertini (Sylvie excellent) an, 80 years old woman, decide to gather all the money xshe’s got left and to live her own way, she goes to town, makes shopping, meet a young woman and sympathiszes with her. Tocgether and with some new friends they go to cinema, makes parties… her struggling sons and grand son are outraged by such behavious they juge “unworthy…” Between Pagnol and Guedigian there was Maurice Allio, another great director from Marseille. A nice touching adaptation of Bertold Brech work. Just excellent. 9/10
“Les collégiennes“ (André Hunnebelle, France 1957)
A beautiful and sophisticated teenager is placed in a regimented French girls' boarding school after her father apparently commits suicide over a business scandal. She immediately gains admirers -- a lustful middle-aged artist, a handsome young composer, a fellow female student -- as well as a jealous rival. With the help of her schoolmates, she attempts to elope with the composer, but the adults catch on to the plot, and she is locked into her room at night. Typical movie for starry-eyed teens and a bit dated indeed. Nevertheless a nice gallery of young and talented actresses as Marie-Hélène Arnaud, Estella Blain, Christine Carère or Agnès Laurent and the first apparence on screen of a young Catherine Deneuve… 6/10
“Sugar Coockies“ (Theodore Gershuny, USA 1973)
A film producer murders his star actress during an erotic "game" and makes it look like suicide. The dead girl's lesbian lover discovers what happened, and plots her revenge. Quite good and weird movie with a good dose of sex and perversion. Mary Woronov as the revengeful girl is quite convincing. 7,5/10
“Brigade des moeurs“ (Maurice Boutel, France 1959)
In the 50’s in France there was a bunch of movie about white slave trade. Most are not very good as this one which try to be some propaganda movie about the Interpol and the cooperation of all the polices of Europe to face this phenomenon. The movie is interrestong by the presence of Eddie Barclay and his orchestra a famous figure of Paris by Night and a young an still unknown Dalida as a cabaret singer who gives us a famous Bambono ! for fans of a lost time only. 6/10
“La Goualeuse“ (aka “Street Singer“) (Fernand Rivers, France 1938)
A rich banker let himself accuse of the murder of a blackmailer instead of his son he abandoned at his birth. The young guy is in love with a street singer la Goualeuse. Famous singer Lys Gauty stars in this drama/romance quite interesting even if not very original. A nice depiction of the world of the boatmen. 7,5/10
"Kiss of the Tarantula" (Chris Munger, USA 1978)
John Bradley operates and lives in a mortuary along with his wife, Martha, and daughter, Susan, who collects tarantula spiders and has always been ostracized by her friends because... well she's a little bit strange.When Susan discovers that mommy dearest is plotting to have dear old dad killed by her secret lover, who is also dad's brother, she places a tarantula in mommy's bed while she sleeps. Abruptly awakened by the spider, mom dies of a heart attack… Now sha begins a murderous carreer… Cheap little horror flick worth of watching for fans of the genre. 7/10
“Mondo Keyhole” (Jack Hill, John Lamb, USA 1966)
Howard Thorne is a rapist in Los Angeles: he meets women at work and at parties or he sees them walking down the street, and he follows them, terrifies them, and assaults them. He ignores his heroin-using wife, Vicki, who tries everything she can think of to get his sexual attention. Howard and Vicki go separately to a costume party where she learns the full truth about his nature and where he is stalked by one of his recent victims… Another rough nudiy from the golden age of the genre quite well filmed and photographed. 7/10
“Captain Phillips” (Paul Greengrass, USA 2013)
The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama. Well, the second part of the movie in the lifeboat is clearly made to allow Tom Hanks to deliver us a great (over)acting performance. Otherrwise despite it is adapted from true events, the movie is transformed in a simple thriller of Hollywood mainstream with a clear message to potential pirates and masses : no one can defy US Navy OK ? A bit too long an finaly boring 6/10
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The movies of last week... few things but quite interresting
“It’s a small world” (William Castle, USA 1950)
The story pf Harry Musk a child who stop growing and become a dwarf. His father sent himin a roadshow from whrere he escapes and then get involved in a pickpocket gang… Weird movie in the filmography of William Castle. And the first appearance of former DJ Paul Dale on the silver screen (and the last one…) 7/10
“For Whom the Bell Tolls” (Sam Wood, USA 1943)
During the Spanish Civil War, an American allied with the Republicans finds romance during a desperate mission to blow up a strategically important bridge. Classic adaptation of Hemigway’s novel. Quite a good war time movie. 7,5/10
“Creatures that World Forgot” (Don Chaffey, UK 1971)
In prehistoric times two brothers a more or less good (the blond one) one and a more or less bad one (the brown haired one) fight each other for the leadership of their tribe. Not as bad as it’s reputation. Quite entertaining even if a bit kitsch. 7/10
“Kamikaze Hearts” (Juliet Bashore, USA 1986)
Tough and cynical veteran Mitch and her more naive, yet eager partner Tigr are a couple of porn actresses involved in an intense lesbian relationship. Their already strained relationship reaches the breaking point as substance abuse and the pressure of working in the sex industry begins to take a heavy toll on both women. Just amazing movie ! A troubling immersion in the world of porn cinema in the 80’s an a touching and ravaging look at a profession that deeply affect those who make it in sometimes cvery differents ways. Notorious pornstar Sharon Mitchell is absolutely fabulous in this over all excess performance… a must to see, Tigr as the young raptured lover is touching. The direction of Juliet Bashore makes you constantly wonder if you’re in a documentary or not, just excellent. 9/10
“L’umanoide” (aka “The Humanoïd”) (Aldo Lado, Italy 1979)
Hoping to overthrow his brother as ruler of the planet Metropolis, the evil Graal enlists the help of the insane Dr. Kraspin, who has invented a chemical capable of turning an ordinary person into a perfect soldier. They test this chemical on the pilot Golob, turning the unsuspecting victim into a mindless but indestructable automaton possessing superhuman strength. The people of Metropolis must somehow outwit Graal before he can create an army of these soldiers, or their planet will be destroyed. This movie is clearly a rip-off of Star Wars but it’s much more funny and less pretentious ! Ultra camp and kitsch ! a must to see ! 7/10
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"Wilbur and the Baby Factory” (Tom McGowan, USA 1970)
As an alternative to being drafted, a young man is given the job of fathering 2000 children for a future perfect race. Ultra weird movie made as a comedy but more serious as what it seems to be… a bunch of pretty gals as a bonus. 7/10
“Les disparus de Saint-Agil“ (aka “Boys' School“) (Christian Jaque France 1938)
In a college, three friends form a secret society. Their objective - going to America. A night, after one of their secret meetings, one of them see a man coming out from a wall. Then the day after he talks about it, he disappears. Then the second one vanishes. Are they gone to their dreams? That's when the art teacher is murdered. Suspicions now are too high so the third one decides to investigate. A wonderful adaptation of famous Véry’s novel one of the best movies about schooldays (which remains the best of our lives) and one of the best movie of Christian Jaque if not the best. 9/10
“Escape to Passion” (James Bryan, USA 1970)
Leo dreams to be a gangster like James Cagney or Edward G. Robinson in the movies… but he’s only a loser. Abandonned by his gorgeous girlfriend he saves a go-go dancer in a nightclub and decides with her and some friends to attack a bank and become a great gangster. But things go wrong and it is a massacre… the group takes refugees in a big house where a lustful fat guy has a sex orgy with some friends and gals… ultra weird and violent nudie. An excellent underground gem. 7,5/10
“Veerana” (aka “Vengeance of the Vampire”) (Shyam Ramsay, Tulsi Ramsay, India 1988)
A beautiful young girl, unfortunately possessed from her childhood by a vengeful spirit, wanders around lonely places to seduce and kill people and thus, gradually becoming lost into a dark world of revenge and lust. One the the best movies of the famous Ramsey’s Brothers, the kings of Indianhorror cinema… 7,5/10
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“Purani Haveli” (aka “Mansion of Evil”) (Shyam Ramsay, Tulsi Ramsay, India 1989)
Anita Kumar now lives with her paternal uncle, Kumar; his wife, Seema; and Seema's brother, Vikram. The family's business is taken over by Kumar, who uses some money to buy an old mansion deep in the countryside of Rana. Then, when Kumar goes to take possession of the mansion, Anita's friends Shobha and Anand ask her if they can visit the mansion. They also invite several other friends, including, Sunil, his assistant Manghu and travel via a bus. What the group does not know that is the mansion holds an evil secret, locked in a dungeon, lies a monster, evil beyond imagination who eats human flesh… Not asgood as Veerana another masterpiece of Indian Horror by Ramsey’s Brothers… 7/10
“Il mondo de Yor” (aka “Yor, Hunter from the Future”) (Antonio Margheriti Italy/Turkey, 1983)
I rewatched this cheezy movie with much pleasure… 4/10 or 10/10 depending of your mood face to this kind of movie… ;)
“Sorceress” (Jack Hill, USA/Mexico, 1982)
To maintain his powers, the evil wizard Traigon must sacrifice his firstborn child to the god Caligara. His wife runs away after giving birth with her twin daughters. Before dying, she hands the girls over to the warrior Krona who promises to raise them as great soldiers. Twenty years later, Traigon returns and begins hunting down his daughters once again. Will the twins, with the help of the Barbarian Erlik and the Viking Baldar, be able to defeat their father? Ultra camp and kitsch and with bunch of ridiculous clichés. A must for fans of Z grande movies. 3/10 or 10/10 and more for fans !
“The Body Shop” (J.G. Patterson Jr., USA 1972)
Emminent plastic surgeon and mad scientist Don Brandon loses his wife Anitra in a tragic accident. He and his faithful humpbacked and drooling assistant Igor busy themselves experimenting with re-animation experiments. Once ready, the good Doctor begins luring young women back to the lab with hypnosis in order to gather select parts to create a New and Improved Anitra. In an Hershel Gordon Lewis way a cheap horror movies in a pure Z-Frankenstein way ! for fans only 6,5/10
“Constance aux enfers“ (François Villiers, France 1964)
A 40 year old widow sees through the window her young neibourgh killing his slutty girlfriend. She decides not to denounce him and they become lovers… Losely inspired by Hitchcock’s Rear Window, a quite interesting crime movie with twisted plot and a good Michèle Morgan. 7,5/10
“Salt“ (Phillip Noyce, USA 2010)
It could have been a laughtable movie like Die Hard or those kind of ridiculous stuff but it takes itself too seriously to be funny. Just the usual boring action blockbuster that turns you in a mindless idiot. 3/10
“Bad Boys II“ (Michael Bay, USA 2003)
Two black narcotics cops (Will Smith and Martin Lawrence) completely “freewheel” investigate the flow of Ecstasy into Florida. Nothing new in this blockbuster, the usual stuff with lot of action scenes and some heavy humour. 6/10
that's all for the moment... -
Wait a minute, you watched a 2000+ American comedy by Michael Bay and it got a passing grade?!
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Of course ! Clever plot not clichéed at all, fine humour it's great stuff...There weren't those millions of wasted money it could be So Bad That It's Good, really... :D
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The movies of the last two days...
“Beasts of the Southern Wild” (Benh Zeitlin, USA 2012)
I re-watched with much pleasure the adventures of little Hushpuppy and her father through the delta… 8/10
“Chéri“ (aka“Darling“) (Pierre Billon, France 1950)
Fred Peloux nicknamed Chéri, the handsome son of Charlotte Peloux, a former demimondaine, lives in the small circle of his mother's friends, all high class prostitutes past their best. He has an affair with Léa, a waning beauty, who loves him both as a mistress and a mother. But the age difference takes its toll on their union. To please his mother, Chéri accepts to marry young Edmée without actually caring for her. After a while, the young man tries to return to Léa... Adapted from a novel from famous french writer Colette, a fine and cruel portrayal of human relationship centered on the cruel and coward character of Chéri. Good acting. 8/10
“Microwave Massacre“ (Wayne Berwick, USA 1983)
Fed up of his wife's bad cooking, Donald kills her and turns to cannibalism to satisfy his appetite. A good “bad taste movie” from the grand children of Hershell Gordon Lewis… 3/10 for fans of the genre much more like a 8/10 !
“Prisonners of the Lost Universe“ (Terry Marcel, UK 1983)
Three people are transported into a parallel reality, where they find they must use modern technology, but medieval weapons, in order to save the citizenry from a murderous warlord. Ultra camp and kitsch fantasy movie wih almost no means… very funny indeed. 4/10 for fans of B-grade at least 8/10
“Jusqu’au dernier“ (aka “Until the Last One“) (Pierre Billon , France 1957)
A man doublecrosses his accomplice after a bank heist and then hide in the circus where his sister works. But some of the vilains escape the police he sent to them and want to find him and the money too… classic French crime movie of this time with young Jeanne Moreau. 7/10
“I Walk the Line” (John Frankenheimer, USA 1970)
Henry Tawes is the sheriff in a small town in Tennessee. A man of strong moral fibre, he is always quick to judge others and follows the law zealously. Then he meets Alma, a young beautiful girl who turns his world upside down. Unable to ignore his feelings, he starts having an affair with her. But in a small town nothing is secret for long. After the Gypsy Moths two years earlier, the second incursion of Frankenheimer in the deep America and a similar result : a fine depictation of a denoted and ignored society, not very pretty indeed bt so real. Excellent performance of the trio of actors Gregory Peck, Tuesday Weld and Estelle Parsons… 9/10
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Today's movies...
"The Monster of Piedras Blancas" (Irvin Berwick, USA 1959)
The monster, which looks like a nastier version of "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," invades a sleepy lighthouse town. The superstitious lighthouse keeper is worried for the safety of his beautiful teenage daughter, so he leaves food for the monster, who dwells in a nearby cave. When bodies wash up ashore, the locals take notice. I rewatched in a brand new transfert this cult horror movie of Late 50’s… A must to see for fans of the genre. 8/10
"The Altar of Lust" (Roberta Findlay, USA 1971)
Produced, directed, written, photographed, and music composed by : Roberta Findlay. A sexually confused young woman in a session with her psychiatrist relates her tale of coming to New York City from Sweden after being raped by her stepfather, falling in love with a young man named Don and then realizing that she is finding herself attracted more and more to women… A classic rough nudie of those times by a mistress of the genre !! 6,5/10
thats all for today... tomorrow at Lyon's Festival for a bunch of movies... -
I was in Lyon festival to watch some movies... It was a good edition.
First to movies with great actor Eddie Constantine
“Je suis un sentimental“ (John Berry, France/ Italy, 1955)
Michel was just released from prison when he is suspected of having killed his wife as she was the one who brought him into prison. She also betrayed him with Rupert, a journalist not wanting to become a part of the newspaper stories. Thus Rupert asks the reporter Barney to find proof for Michel's inocence. But the police already sees Michel back in prison... John Barry manages to make a good movie in a typical american-noirish style very similar to Cy Endfield’s The Underworld Story (see bellow) with a dose of humour. Quite entertaining. 7,5/10
“Lucky Joe“ (Michel Deville, France 1964)
Lucky Jo and his three friends are little criminals, who try to live from small burglaries. But they never have luck - ever so often something inpredictable happens to Jo and gets one of them arrested. While Jo is in prison once again, they decide they'd better do without him in future. He decides to help them secretly...and unfortunately. Very good movie with great Eddie Constantine with a nice touch of nostalgia and some sad moment, luckily mixed with some dose of humour for example with the two Brasseurs (Pierre and Claude) as cops who call themselves father and Junior ! Very good 8/10
Then two movie of poorly known italian director Antonio Pietrangeli
“Io la conoscevo bene“ (Antonio Pietrangeli, Italy/France/West Germany, 1965)
Adriana, a naive Italian country girl, moves to Rome to become a movie star and experiences the dark side of the business. Touching and movie portrait of a girl at the times when comedy and western were on top... Stefania Sandrelli is simply worderfull as free and fragile heroine... 8,5/10
“Il sole negli occhi“ (Antonio Pietrangeli, Italy, 1953)
A young and shy girl Celestina arrives from her small home village to Rome to become a housemaid. Her inexperience and naivety causes her to change her employers quite frequently. As she is moving from one family to another she makes friends with other Roman maids and falls desperately in love with a handsome plumber Fernando. But Fernando isn't telling Celestina that he is already engaged to another woman. Very similar to the previous one even if less tragic, a nice protrait of a girl victim of men and a superficial society of consommation... great. 8/10
to be continued... -
Then I watched a serie of movies of Dorothy Arzner who was the only female director at studio era. All the movie involve a nice portrait of women facing many difficulties and situations...
“Anybody's Woman“ (Dorothy Arzner, USA 1930)
A drunken lawyer wake up the morning married to a prostitute he met the night before… An early talky for Arzner in a pure pre-code style and the best of the serie thanks to 1°) Zoe Akins hezr regular writer who gives us a nice and touching story and beautiful dialogues… and 2°) the strong performance of awesome Ruth Chatterton as the prostitute on redemption… very good 8,5/10
“Working Girls“ (Dorothy Arzner, USA 1931)
The struggle for life and love adventures of a group of girls in pensiuon and especialy the two Thorpe sisters June (Judith Wood) and Mae (Dorothy Hall)… A small precode romance with no stars in the casting for Arzner. Working Girls and Paul Lukas complete the cast. Not the best a f the serie but quite a good one. 7/10
“Merrily We Go to Hell“ (Dorothy Arzner, USA 1932)
A drunken newspaperman is rescued from his alcoholic haze by an heiress whose love sobers him up and encourages him to write a play, but he lapses back into dipsomania... Not the best of the serie despite a good cast with Sylvia Sidney and Frederic March (playing the drunk was not very difficult for him…) 7/10
“Christopher Strong“ (Dorothy Arzner, USA 1933)
A famous female flier and a member of Parliament drift into a potentially disastrous affair. The movie refers without mentioning it to the life of famous American pilot Amelia Earhart and the movie is someway prophetic involving Hepburn in a flight around the world she succeeds and the tragic end of Earhart in a similar flight in 1937. The androgynous look of Katharine Hepburn fits perfectly to the role. A good one 8/10
“Craig's Wife“ (Dotothy Arzner, USA 1936)
A domineering woman marries a wealthy man for his money, and then uses her position to further her own ambitions for money and power. A cruel fable and one of the few Arzner movie with a sympathetic male character… Rosalind Russell gives a great performance making the spectator hate and love her from moment to another… 7,5/10
“The Bride Wore Red“ (Dorothy Arzner, USA 1937)
Count Armalia believes that the luck of birth is all that separates the rich from the poor. To test his theory, he sends Anni, who is a singer in a dive, to a ritzy resort for two weeks. With fancy new clothes and ersatz status, Anni decides that she likes the rich life. But with time running out, she needs a rich husband and Rudi is the one she chooses. A good performance of Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone despite the both were in big struggle in real llife ! 7/10
“Dance, Girl, Dance“ (Dotothy Arzner, USA 1940)
Judy O'Brien is an aspiring ballerina in a dance troupe. Also in the company is Bubbles, a brash mantrap who leaves the struggling troupe for a career in burlesque. When the company disbands, Bubbles gives Judy a thankless job as her stooge. The two eventually clash when both fall for the same man. The most famous film of Arzner, at least the ost well known but not the better. Story is a bit classic but Maureen O’Hara and Lucile Ball are good… 6,5/10
to be continued... -
“Szerelem“ (aka “Love“) (Károly Makk, Hungary 1971)
The wife of a political prisoner tends to her mother-in-law and keeps from the old woman the truth about her son, whom she believes is in New York making a film. Wonderfull movie dealing with many subjects as the end of life, political repression in eastern Europe, human relashioship etc… Amazing performance of the actors. Much humanity on this movie. 8,5/10
“The Driver” (Walter Hill, 1978)
"The Driver" is a specialist in a rare business: he drives getaway cars in robberies. His exceptional talent prevented him from being caught yet. After another successful flight from the police, a self-assured detective makes it his primary goal to catch the Driver. He promises remission of punishment to a gang if they help to convict him in a set-up robbery. The Driver seeks help from "The Player" to mislead the detective. This movie was shamelessly riped off by Nicolas Winding Refn for his 2011 Drive (I’m surprised nobody noticed at the time, it it’s so obvious). The whole is entertaining with those metaphoric characters and nice car chases… It was also great to ear Walter Hill introducing his movie. 8/10
“L'uomo dei cinque palloni“ (aka "Breack Up") (Marco Ferreri, Italy 1965)
Mario is a Milan industrialist who is constantly testing balloons to see how much air one can take before busting... with this existentialist question Marco Ferreri delivers an amazing movie as usual with an additional part in a nightclub simply amazing and comletly crazy. Marcello Mastrionai is excellent. A doomed movie who deserve to be warched... 8/10
“Tiempo de morir“ (Arturo Ripstein, Mexico 1966)
After serving his conviction, a former gunman returns to his town planning to live a quiet life, however, the sons of a man hi killed have other plans. The first movie of Ripstein is the adaptation as a western of the famous novel of Gabriel García Márquez novel 'Crónica de una muerte anunciada' why a western ? beacause Ripstein's father who produced the movie wanted him to do a western. If you're a fan of classic or les clasiic western perhaps won't you appreciate. If you're a fan of Marquez perhaps a little more. 7,5/10
Then I had a double bill grindhouse program with Quentin Tarantino who was there to present and watch the movies...
“L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo“ (Dario Argento, Italy/ West Germany 1970)
I rewatched this one with great fun, known as the first giallo and the bginning of a carreer for Argento. 8/10
“The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun“ (Anatole Litvak, France/USA 1970)
A secretary takes her boss's car for the holiday in the Mediteranean, oddly retracing a journey she has not taken, and is recognized by people she has not met before. When a body turns up in her trunk, things get serious... Last movie for great director Anatole Livak adapted from a novel of famous french crime-novelist Sébastien Japrisot. The movie movie with ultra-twisted plot could have been called a giallo if the term had been already created... a suprising movie despite a too much explicative (but necessary) ending. 7,5/10
to be continued... -
some other movie I watched in the festival
Two movies of Buster Keaton in brand new restored copies and with a fine live music score on piano.
“Our Hospitality“ (Buster Keaton, USA 1923)
A man returns to his Appalachian homestead. On the trip, he falls for a young woman. The only problem is her family has vowed to kill every member of his family. 7,5/10
“Seven Chances“ (Buster Keaton, USA 1925)
A man learns he will inherit a fortune if he marries. By 7 p.m. Today. 7,5/10
Then two poorly known movies of Edward L. Cahn in his pre-war carreer...
“Afraid to Talk“ (Edward L. Cahn, USA 1932)
Corrupt politicians resort to murder and blackmail when a young boy accidentally witnesses them taking payoffs. No concession in this pure pre-code movie : everybodiy's corrupted and rotten till core... excellent. 8/10
“Laughter in Hell“ (Edward L. Cahn, USA 1933)
In the late 1800s, a man is sentenced to life at hard labor for killing his wife and her lover. Amazing movie a mix of romance, prison breack movies etc... on a frantic rythm... 7,5/10
“Der Dibuk“ (Michal Waszynski, Poland 1937)
In a Polish shtetl, two young men who have grown up together betrothe their unborn children, ignoring the advice of a mysterious traveler not to pledge the lives of future generations. Soon after, one of them dies, and the wife of the other dies in childbirth. The children grow up in different towns, without ever knowing of the betrothal, but the power of the vow leads them to meet each other when they are marriageable. The young woman, Leah, is promised to another man, but Channon, the son of the father who died, is a practitioner of mysticism, and seeks to win his bride through sorcery. The most famous yidish film of the history based on the eponymous play. A nice and sad story of possession and exorcism a bit disaéppointed if you're not aware of yiddish culture... 6,5/10
“The Liberation of L.B. Jones“ (William Wyler, USA 1970)
A Southern lawyer uncovers the truth about a slain undertaker. The last movie of William Wyler and we only can regret it. One of the finest depiction of racism of those times with black people facing ALONE racism without the omnipresent right-thinking white man to help them... that's the principal force of the movie that makes it still so accurate and sadly so contemporary. Actors give a fine interpretation. 9/10
“Intimní osvetlení“ (Ivan Passer, Czechoslovakia 1965)
In this original sad comedy in a small town after ten years encounter two classmates - musicians: one is a member of the regional symphony orchestra, the other made it to the director of local music school puts family villa, playing at funerals. Full of poetry, music, and nostalgia. A great piece of art. 9/10
“La Marie du port“ (Marcel Carné, France 1950)
Henri Chatelard is well in his forties, owns a restaurant and a cinema in the city, and appreciate women. When he meets Marie, a 18ish stronghead who just lost her father in a small fishermen village, it is not clear who is the hunter and who is the prey. An interesting movie with crude and strong dialogue for that time… Nicole Courcelle is cute… 8/10
“Ikarie XB1“ (Jindrich Polák, Czechoslovakia 1963)
The year is 2163. Starship Ikaria XB 1 embarks on a long journey across the Universe, to search for life on the planets of Alpha Centauri. Beautifull Sci-Fi movie which is one of the inspiration source of Kubrick's 2001... 8/10
That's all for this year... next festival in 2017 !!