“Un assassin qui passe” (Michel Vianey, France 1980) The story of a serial killer but bears little resemblance to a slasher movie. We know almost at once who the killer is and the emphasis is not on the murders but on his psychology as he falls in love with one of his prospective victims - a weakness which, of course, will be his downfall. Classic crime movie but with good cast : Jean-Louis Trintingnan, Richard Berry and Carole Laure… 7/10
“Dandy in Aspic” (Anthony Mann, Laurence Harvey USA 1968) Double-agent Alexander Eberlin is assigned by the British to hunt out a Russian spy, known to them as Krasnevin. Only Eberlin knows that Krasnevin is none other than himself! Accompanying him on his mission is a ruthless partner, who gradually discovers his secret as Eberlin tries to maneuver himself out of a desperate situation. The last Anthony Mann movie (he died during the filming and the movie was finished by Harvey…) A complex and slow paced spy movie much better than it’s reputation… 8/10
“Pleins feux sur Stanislas“ (Jean-Charles Dudrumet; France 1965) Sranislas, a famous French spy is writing his memoirs. All would have een be fine if a young and pretty journalist with whom hefalled in love had not been kinapped by members of a secret organization The 13 columns… Deads, chases, full action, stunts and pretty Nadja Tiller… Armless spy comedy… 6,5/10
“The Blue Sextet” (David E. Durston, USA 1971) Jeffrey Amber jumps to his death and the police have no problem thinking that it was suicide. His friends gather shortly after his death and discuss their last moments with him and we slowly begin to wonder whether it was suicide or murder… Some kind of psychedelic and sexy Rashomon tale of the poor Blue Sextet is a true rarity worth of watching for underground movie fans… 7/10
“Zombie” (aka “I Eat Your Skin” “Zombie Bloodbath” “Caribbean Adventure” and so on…) (Del Tenney, USA 1964/1971) A cancer researcher on a remote Caribbean island discovers that by treating the natives with snake venom he can turn them into bug-eyed zombies. Uninterested in this information, the unfortunate man is forced by his evil employer to create an army of the creatures in order to conquer the world. The movie was made in 1964 and released only in 1971… as a second feature at the bottom ogf the bill below the cult horror trash I Drink your Blood. And as usual with Del Tenney , it’s ultra broke movie but enjoying one for all B fans… 4/10 but 8/10 for B fans…
Wow, almost five months I didn't post anything... But I'm back... for some movies more I watched during the period...
“Adieu poulet“ (Pierre Granier-Deferre, France 1975) When political thugs murder an opponent's volunteer and also kill a cop, chief inspector Verjeat believes the politician who hired them is as guilty as the murderous goon. Verjeat's pursuit of the councilman, Lardatte, gets him a warning from his superiors. When he embarrasses Lardatte while disarming a hostage (the dead volunteer's father), Verjeat is told he's being transferred within a week. He speeds up his hunt for the goon and, with Lefévre, one of his young detectives, he engineers a complicated scheme to buy more time before the transfer… Very good crime movie “à la française” with good tandem Lino ventura and Patrick Deawaere… 8,5/10
“Blue, White and Perfect“ (Herbert I. Leeds, USA 1942) Detective Michael Shayne boards a Hawaii-bound ocean liner on the trail of stolen industrial diamonds and a Nazi smuggling ring. It’s quite good small crime movie with an excellent Lloyd Nolan as Shayne. 7,5/10
“Running on Empty“ (Sidney Lumet, USA 1988) The Popes are a family who haven't been able to use their real identity for years. In the late sixties, the parents set a weapons lab afire in an effort to hinder the government's Vietnam war campaign. Ever since then, the Popes have been on the run with the authorities never far behind. Today, their eldest son wants a life of his own although he is aware that would mean that his parents would either get caught or he will never see them again. We proposed this one at our cineclub. I presented and animated the debats which was passionate… I enjoy ed the movie quite mor than the first time I watched it… Excellent. 10/10
“Runaway“ (Michael Crichton, USA 1984) In the near future, a police officer specializes in malfunctioning robots. When a robot turns out to have been programmed to kill, he begins to uncover a homicidal plot to create killer robots... and his son becomes a target. A bit camp and kitch but entertaining Sci-Fo movie in a furure wormd not so faraway maybe… 7/10
“L’ardoise“ (Claude Bernard-Aubert, France 1970) Philippe, a student, is sent to jail for manhandling his father's business partner, who blackmailed the poor man and caused his death... Nothing exceptional there but worth a look for the unexpected ending… With the presence of famous singer (at those times) Salvatore Adamo… 6,5/10
“Le rendez-vous des quais“ (Paul Carpita, France 1955) The lives of some workers in the post-WWII France on the port of Marseille. Their fight and struggle against bosses, and colonial wars… The movie was mostly shot on location and during troubles and was censored for more than 20 years in france because of it’s more than clear political involvement… Great ! 8,5/10
“The Phantom Cowboy“ (Robert J. Horner, USA 1935) Bill Collins meets up with his look-alike the Phantom and is soon involved in his fight with Buck Houston... Ultra cheap B-Western of cult director/producer Robert J. Horner (read all what you can about his life it’s amazing !!) only for fans… 5/10
“Pas de grisbi pour Ricardo“ (Henri Lepage, France 1957) Ricardo, a swaggering guy from Marseille wins a small local singing contest. He is crooked by a rotten agent who promises to get him a great contract in a famous cabaret in Paris. Then a long journey to Paris begins for our heroe and his friend… A cheap and armeless little comedy… 6/10
“Cattle Drive“ (Kurt Neumann, USA 1951) A cowboy finds the spoiled son of a railroad magnate lost in the deserted hills and teaches him survival skills and hard work values. The last movie as a child star for Dean Stockwell. A nice family B western with a good performance of both leads… Stockwell and McCrea… 7,5/10
“Le Carrefour des enfants perdus“ (Léo Joannon, France 1944) In Marseille during WWII an ex soldier and ex-orphan decides to create a special place for all the orphans of war wandering in the streets of town… The movie is the first lead performance of Serge Reggiani and was a command of Marechal Petain’s government… Interresting look at the “occupation” cinema… and the values defended by the regime and through that the political means to reach it. 7/10
“les bronzés font du ski. “ (Patrice Leconte, France 1979) Rewatched once more this cult classic french comedy and and mostly cruel satyre of some part of the bourgeoisie and hypocrisy of human relationships… 8,5/10
“Grand Gala“ (François Campaux, France 1952) Pierre Bouvais is an ingeneer who works in French north Africa. As he’s on business in Paris he meets his old lover Monique who’s now an dancer in a club but who is still willing to become a real dancer… They fall in love again and go to north Africa together… but there Monique begins to be bored… Quite interesting movie in which a woman will have to choice between love and her career. In an amarican movie this choice doesn’t exist but in a French one yes. Quite a good one with great great dancer Ludmilla Tchérina… 7,5/10
“La bella i la bestia“ (aka “ The Beauty and the Beast“ ) (Luigi Russo, Italy 1977) There are 4 deviant stories in this erotic movie which have very few concern with the classic tale : 1) The Slave: A sex crazed queen subjects the king to some degradation for one day and pays with her life the next day. 2) Zoorastia: The wife of a king is imprisoned by him with only a horse and two large dogs for company, leading to sexual antics that drive her mad. 3) La Fustazione: A boy spies on his mother while she masturbates or copulates with her lover and discovers he enjoys the pain inflicted by his all too willing cousin. 4) The Promise: Giovanna, a very young and spotless bride, appreciates the caresses of the female dressmaker who is sewing the dress and disdain her future husband. She would like to be deflowered by her cousin, Eric. Her persistence will have the desired effect, but Eric takes her virginity in a different way, thus preserves the honor of her cousin. A quite perver movie even if quite soft indeed. 7/10
“Invisible Invaders“ (Edward L. Cahn USA 1959) Aliens, contacting scientist Adam Penner, inform him that they have been on the moon for twenty thousand years, undetected due to their invisibility, and have now decided to annihilate humanity unless all the nations of earth surrender immediately. Sequestered in an impregnable laboratory trying to find the aliens' weakness, Penner, his daughter, a no-nonsense army major and a squeamish scientist are attacked from outside by the aliens, who have occupied the bodies of the recently deceased. I re-watchend this interesting small movie in a brand new wide screen format. Interresting as a kind of prequel of Romero’s The Night of the Living Deads, maybe the first one to deal with the earth invaded by zombies… Quite good even if very cheap and with many typical aspects of the Sci-Fi of the 50’s… 7/10
“Questo mondo proibito“ (aka “This Forbbiden World”) (Fabrizio Gabella, Italy 1963) An early mondo movies just following Mpndo Cane, a fake documentary about the evil in our society through all it’s aspects… economy, sex, family… but which dpoen’t fully escpape to all clichés. 6,5/10
“Le roi de Cœur“ (Philippe de Broca, France/ Italy 1966) During the latter part of World War I, Private Charles Plumpick is chosen to go into the French town of Marville and disconnect a bomb that the German army has planted. However, Charles is chased by some Germans and finds himself holed up at the local insane asylum, where the inmates are convinced that he is the "King of Hearts." Feeling obligated to help the inmates, Charles attempts to lead them out of town, but they are afraid to leave and frolic about the streets in gay costumes. Amazing movie in which of course the mad are certainlmy not the one we expect to be… Very nice casting and acting, very inventive movie concerning the settings, costumes… A true curiosity. 8/10
“Alvarez Kellly“ (Edward Dmytryk, USA 1966) Suave Mexican cattleman, Alvarez Kelly, has little interest in the Civil War except to make some money. But after a long drive to deliver cattle to the Unionists he finds himself kidnapped by Confederate Colonel Tom Rossiter. With his hungry troops surrounded in Richmond the Colonel intends, one way or the other, to persuade Kelly to help steal the herd and move it into town. In the mid-60’s the western was no more in the US but mostly in Europe… the genre was on a downward turn and thios movie doesn’t make an exception. Despite Dmytryk was a good western director, this one is certainly his weakest. Despite a good story too, Dmytryk doesn’t seem interested in what he was doing… the movie lacks obviously of continuity and “spirit” and is somewhat saved by some gret action sequnences. 6,5/10
“Menaces…“ (aka “Threats”) (Edmond T. Gréville, France 1940) Menaces is one of the few movies which deals with the months before WW2 : the fear of the impending war never leaves the guests of an hotel in Paris. The Munich agreement, Poland invasion, Danzig ,and the calling up provide a good background. Erich Von Stroheim is the stand out wearing a mask which covers the half of his face ,he "represents" peace and war. He has the best lines of the dialogs : "Now it's time to show my "War side" ,he says,removing his mask. He portrays an Austrian doctor who was wounded in WW1 and he knows that if war breaks out again,he will become the enemy… The movie burnt few times being released in 1938 then some scenes had to be filmed again, then the germans burned it once more in 1940 shortly after his release… Then some scenes were added when it was once more re-edited after war… One of the best movie of Edmont T. Greville (with his English Thriller “Noose”) who will have to continue his career on exile in Great Britain after this one… 7,5/10
“Cani arrabbiati” (aka “Rabid Dogs”) (Mario Bava, Italy 1974) A gang of thieves hijack a man's car after botching their getaway from a robbery. They take a woman prisoner and command the man to drive them to safety. The man must try to cope with the bad situation he is in as well as trying to get help for a sick child that he is caring for. Formali excellent, a breathtaking thriller by Master Bava. A lesson in filming. 8,5/10
“River’s Edge” (Tim Hunter, USA 1986) A group of high school friends must come to terms with the fact that one of them, Samson, killed another, Jamie. Reactions vary, as Layne is intent on protecting Samson and smuggling him out of the state, while others think it's best to go to the police. Matt's tough little brother also finds out about the body and no one knows quite how the police will learn about the murder or who will be blamed for it. Quite disturbing movie even if the last sequence announces a more conventional future for the young protagonists… 8/10
“The 30-Foot Bride of Candy Rock” (Sidney Miller, USA 1959) In one of his rare performances without Bud Abbott, Lou Costello plays a rubbish collector and inventor. When radiation in a nearby cave turns his girlfriend into a giantess, antics ensure as he tries to shrink her using one of his inventions. Last Costello movie not very good but quite entertaining… like a last hommage to the parodies he did with Abbott…. 7/10
“The Old Dark House” (James Whale, USA 1932) Seeking shelter from a pounding rainstorm in a remote region of Wales, several travellers are admitted to a gloomy, foreboding mansion belonging to the extremely strange Femm family. Trying to make the best of it, the guests must deal with their sepulchral host, Horace Femm and his obsessive, malevolent sister Rebecca. Things get worse as the brutish manservant Morgan gets drunk, runs amuck and releases the long pent-up brother Saul, a psychotic pyromaniac who gleefully tries to destroy the residence by setting it on fire. A seminal movie which will have a bunch of “sequels” and a prolific posterity… 8/10
“La bataille de San Sebastian” (aka “Guns for San Sebastian”) (Henri Verneuil, France/Italy/Mexico/USA, 1967) International production for Henry Verneuil, far from his usual job. And that’s not bad at all and very entertaining even if no great surprises in this sort of Magnifiscient Seven for one men only !!. Nice casting too with Anthony Quinna and Charles Bronson. 7,5/10
“The Fastest Guitar Alive” (Michael D. Moore, USA 1967) Confederate super-spy Roy Orbison and his partner in crime Sammy Jackson travel to San Francisco near the end of the Civil War, masquerading, respectively, as a singer/guitar instructor and a magic-elixir vendor. Once there, Orbison dons a fake wig, beard, and mustache and steals Union gold to bring back to the South, aided by a guitar that doubles as a gun. The end of the Civil War tragically ruins their plan to hand over their ill-gotten loot to a Southern general. Amazing movie with a weird plot and incredibly camp and kitsch… one of the few movies to hacve it’s own (on line) museum… It was Roy Orbison’s only movie even if five were planed by MGM, this was was a critical and public flop so the company decides to give up. 8/10 if you like strange movies and Roy Orbison songs of course (he’s a wonderful musician indeed!!) … otherwise much less I’m affraid… ;) http://thefastestguitaralive.com/
“Code Two” (Fred M. Wilcox, USA 1954) The adventures of motorcycle cops, from their academy days, to chasing crooked truckers. Quiet fast paced and well made B-movie especialy the action scenes which are well directed. Even if not very original and somewhat clichéd but quite good. 7/10
“L'homme de nulle part“ (aka “The Man from Nowhere“) (Pierre Chenal, France 1937) Mathias Pascal, saddled with a stupid wife and a nagging mother-in-law, leaves home and is extremely lucky at several gambling resorts. He returns home and discovers that a drowned man, fished out of the river, bears an uncanny likeness to him and is being buried by his family as him. This, to him, is a pleasant turn of events and he goes to Rome, where he falls in love with Louise Paleari. Count Papiano, a jealous suitor of Louise's, threatens him with arrest unless he produces credentials to prove his identity…. Adapted from Pirandello’s play by famous writer Armand Salacrou a great and ferocious comedy. Piradello himself should watch the shooting of the movie but he died in 1936 just before it was made… 8/10
“La bande à papa“ (aka “Daddy's Gang“) (Guy Lefranc, France 1956) A shy, timorous bank clerk, Fernand Jérôme, prevents -unwillingly of course - a gang led by "Le Grand J" from robbing the "Crédit Populaire", where he works. Having become a hero out of the blue, this new status allows him to woo Renée, the daughter of chief inspector Merlerin. What Merlerin does not know is that the man he has been trying to arrest for years, "Le Grand J" is in fact Joseph Jérôme, Fernand's father, who has disappeared for years... Quite funny comedy with two great stars Fernand Reynaud in his first movie and Louis de Funès. And with Fredéric Dard and Michel Audiard at the script it’s logical. 7,5/10
“Les Baisers“ (aka “The Kisses“) Claude Berri, Charles L. Bitsch, Jean-François Hauduroy, Bertrand Tavernier, Bernard Toublanc-Michel, France / Italy 1964) Five short stories, five kisses, directed by five directors. 1° Summer Kiss, a married woman bet with friend she’ll kiss a shy young man before evening, 2° Juda’s Kiss A betrayed woman deceides to denounce her lover a famous gangster but must pay the price… 3° An Evening’s Kiss with Barbara Steele ! One guy bets with another friend that he will kiss the strange woman who appear at a party but things go complicated… 4° A 16 years old’s Kiss A young guy is on a hurry to get a girl to kiss while his parents are away… 5° Dear Kiss, At the train station, a guy meet an aupair girl arriving to Paris, they get rapidly very close… Quite interesting… 7,5/10
“Captain America: The First Avenger” (Joe Johnston, USA 2011) Steve Rogers, a rejected military soldier transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a war monger and a terrorist organization… Acceptable premices that soon run on empty… But what could I expect from a Marvel movie… not much indeed and on that point I wasn’t disappointed… as the first time I watched it the same note… 4,5/10
“Cry Danger” (Robert Parrish, USA 1951) "Rocky" Mulloy is framed for a murder and a holdup he didn't commit and pulls a five year stretch in prison. He is finally pardoned when a friend returns from overseas to corroborate his testimony in court. "Rocky" then goes hunting for the real culprits so this his prison buddy, believed to be innocent, can also be pardoned. Nancy Morgan, wife of his friend, falls in love with him along the way, and he also has a few bullets fired at him by an oily character. "Rocky" finds the guilty party in a place he didn't think about looking… Not a true Noir but a great crime movie with great Dick Powell and Robert Conrad, lot of action, plenty of tough talk, night scenes (not a lot indeed but nice), femme fatale and double crosses… The first Parrish movie as a director but as many said, mostly directed by Powell himself. 8/10
“Bons baisers de Hong-Kong“ (aka “From Hong-Kong with Kisses “) (Yvan Chiffre, France / Hong Kong / UK, 1975) The Queen of England has been kidnapped. As you know who is dead, the British S.I.S. ask the French secret service for help, which comes with four bumbling secret agents, and a cleaning lady who is a perfect match for the Queen. The chase will lead them from Spain to Hong Kong with many broken cars, boats and planes along the way…. Another pachydermic comedy of the Charlots ! An amazing parody of James Bond Movie… Excellent with Mickey Rooney and Clifton James as guest stars… 4,5/10 or 10/10 or more for French comdy fans…
“Un de la légion“ (Christian Jaques, France 1936) Fernand Espitalion is miserable as totally whipped husband of a dragon 'passed on' -like cloths- by his late cousin. She often leaves him waiting outside like a dog when she does business. While she sees a notary about an inheritance, he's seduced to a bar by a shady man. The rogue gets Fernand drunk, knocks him out and switches costumes and papers. He's now Robert Durand, a voluntary Foreign legion recruit. After failed attempts to explain, he tastes military life and finds it less disciplined and more enjoyable then, marriage. But will that last when his wife tracks him and his unit is sent to action in tribal Algeria? A movie to the glory of Foreign legion on a comical style with Fernandel great as the poor guy becoming a hero… A good propaganda movie for the Foreign Legion… Certainly not Jaques’s best effort but it has its moments. 7/10
“The Toolbox Murders” (Dennis Donnelly, USA 1976) A lunatic runs around an apartment complex, apparently home only to attractive flight attendants with a tendency towards exhibitionism. While there, the lunatic tries to kill all the tenants with the contents of a toolbox. Based (probably quite loosely) on a true story the movie is a classical little horror and slasher story with quite original way of murders. Acting is quite bad but the whole is watchable. 6/10
“Frontier Feud“ (Lambert Hillyer, USA 1945) Traveling incognito to a once-peaceful valley now torn by a murderous conflict between two ranchers, U.S. Marshals Nevada Jack McKenzie and Sandy Hopkins find the dead body of Zane Jenkins, killed by gunman Slade Burnette. Don Graham, part owner of one ranch with the innocent Bill Corey, has started the war with the intent of gaining control of the valley. Corey's daughter Blanche is in love with the owner of the other ranch, Joe, who is suspected of being behind the troubles. Nevada claims to be the brother of the slain Jenkins and is deputized by Sheriff Clancy. Both ranchers warn Nevada to keep out of their business and back up their warnings with violence. Sandy gets a job with Joe, and is able to help Nevada get evidence that Graham is being assisted by town banker Chamers in the plot to take over both ranches. Minor western for Johnny Mack Brown, the 18th over 19 he made in the serie of Marshal Nevada McKenzie with usual sidekick Raymond Hatton as Sandy. Quite entertaining even if not the best of the serie. 6/10
“Heidi“ (Luigi Comencini, Switzerland 1952) Heidi lives happily in her mountains with her grand’pa and Peter the shepperd. But his aunt, who’s a cook in a rich family in town, decides to bring her there to be the companion of a sick girl in a wheelchair… soon the two girls become friends despite the oldfashoned housekeeper… But Heidi miss her mountains and her happiness. Luigi Comencini does a good job with this classic story and the on location filming is great. The little Elsbeth Sigmund is excellent… 8/10
“Les assassins de l’ordre“ ( aka “Law Breakers“) (Marcel Carné, France 1971) A man is molested by cops and die. The Weadow goes to justice and a judge is dedicates to the case… But he finds that the deeper he digs, the more roadblocks he finds… The subject of the movie is cruelly highlighted by the recent events… If of course not Carné’s best movie but a good one better than it’s reputation… 7,5/10
“The Last Posse” (Alfred L. Werker, USA 1953) When the anxiously awaited posse returns with neither prisoners nor the stolen money, we learn in flashback what happened. Having been cheated by Sampson Drune, a father and his two sons have robbed him and fled. A posse led by Drune took off after them and although unwanted, the town's drunken Sheriff joined them. The Sheriff's influence on Jeb, the adopted son of Drune, was the key to Jed later revealing who killed Drune, the robbers, and what happened to the money. Excellent but poorly known western with astrange Noir narration and an excellent Broderick Crawford simply amazing. 8/10
“Sudden Fear” (David Miller, USA 1952) Actor Lester Blaine has all but landed the lead in Myra Hudson's new play when Myra vetoes him because, to her, he doesn't look like a "romantic leading man." On a train from New York to San Francisco, Blaine sets out to prove Myra wrong...by romancing her. Is he sincere, or does he have a dark ulterior motive? The answer brings on a game of cat and mouse; but who's the cat and who's the mouse? Very nice film noir mixed-up with thriller. Nice race in the night to conclude a dark story. Joan Crawford played many times in thos kind of movies in the 50’s and she did it well. Jack Palanc eis terrifying as usual. 8/10
“7 morts sur ordonnance” (Jacques Rouffio, France 1975) Dr. Brézé and his sons, all surgeons with limited abilities fight any competition on their sector with all means. Especially a well-known operating surgeon Pierre Losseray, which wants to operate again after a cardiac infarct and a longer recovery break. Night for night he is terrorized by the old Brézé with calls, being accused by him of the murder of patients, threatens with measures of the physician chamber…. Quite interesting movie I watched on TV many years ago. This is a strange movie which shows how jealousy and greed can make some people push other to fatal extremities even murders… Nice casting with three generations of actors, Charles Vanel, Michel Piccoli and Gérard Depardieu are very good. 7,5/10
“Death Takes a Holyday” (Mitchell Leisen, USA 1934) Death decides to take a holiday from his usual business to see what it is like to be a mortal. Posing as Prince Sirki, he spends 3 days with Duke Lambert and his guests at his dukal estate. Several of the women are attracted to the mysterious prince, but shy away from him when they sense his true nature. But Grazia, the beautiful young woman whom the Duke thought was to marry his son, loves him even when she knows who he is. Amazing plot for this beautiful movie, full of fantasy, mystery and some poetry. Very nice filming of Leisen (see for exemple the first appearance of the Death which is simply amazing… and very nice and luxuous settings as often at the Paramout. Frederic Marsh as the Death is excellent… Evelyn Vanable beautiful. A true curiosity of the fantasy genre 8,5/10
that's all for the moment... Enjoy reading... (hope so...)
“Echappement libre” (aka “Backfire”) (Jean Becker, France / Italy / Spain / West Germany 1964) A greedy gold smuggler hires a handsome hero to transport a stolen fortune to a new hideout in this thrilling adventure. But the hansome guy travels with an ahandsome girl so they fall in love and decide to keep the gold… Nice to watch the magic couple of Breathless back on screen but the movie’s far from that… More like The Sucker at Belmondo’s “sauce”… Entertaining. 7/10
“Star in the Dust” (Charles F. Haas, USA 1956) The sheriff of Gunlock is planning to hang Sam Hall, who shot three farmers found on cattle land, at sundown. At the casino, betting is 8 to 3 he won't make it. The cattlemen are set to rescue Sam; the farmers hope to lynch him before he can be rescued; and Hall schemes for escape with his girl Nellie. But Sheriff Jorden is most concerned with finding out who hired Hall: a leading suspect is the sheriff's future brother-in-law. Very nicz plot fir this B-Western quite well made in some kind of Hig Noon Way. An unusual role for Mamie Van Doren. 7/10
“Desert Gold” (James P. Hogan, USA 1936) Chet Kasedon is after the Indians hidden gold mine but Chief Moya will not reveal it's location. He has also hired mining engineers Gale and Mortimer to locate the mine. When Gale sees Kasedon's cruelty to Moya, he switches sides. A pur B western adapted from a novel of famous writer Zane Grey. Buster Grabbe as Indian chief Moya is good and the rest of the cast is made by regular of B grade movies, Tom Keene, Monte Blue… and Robert Cummings in an unusual role of comic side-kick. For B fans… 6,5/10
“Bait” (Hugo Haas, USA 1954) Marko (Hugo Haas), is searching for a lost gold mine with his young partner Ray Brighton (John Agar) and, despite the fact that Haas appears no more at home playing a prospector than Raymond Hatton would playing a Bulgarian diplomat, they find the mine. But Marko decides he doesn't want to share with his partner and figures out a devious and complicated scheme to get rid of him. Quite Cheap movie produced, written, directed and acted by Hugo Haas. John Agag is not very convincing as usual. 6/10
“Rebecca” (Alfred Hitchcock, USA 1940) I rewatched this great movie with luch pleasure, but everybody knows it. 8,5/10
“L’enfer” (Claude Chabrol, France 1994) Paul, an irritable and stressed-out hotel manager, begins to gradually develop paranoid delusions about his wife's infidelity. As he succumbs to green-eyed jealousy, his life starts to crumble. Each step on his downward spiral to madness seems to accelerate, driving him further along the path to a personal hell. Finally, the former shell of his personality cracks completely, with tragic consequences. Chabrol takes over the project left by Clouzeau with Romy Schneider for the lead role… Here François Cluzet (a bit over-acting as usual) and Emmanuelle Béard (good) star in this quite good movie… 7,5/10
“Betty” (Claude Chabrol, France 1992) When Betty is caught with her lover, her bourgeois in-laws and husband force a divorce settlement upon her and bar her from seeing her two daughters. She is rescued from an alcoholic stupor by Laure, a middle-aged woman who takes Betty to her hotel lodgings, extends friendship and care, and listens to her story. Laure's lover, Mario, the proprietor of the bar where Betty and Laure met, is first a friend, then Betty's next conquest…. A cruel satyre of bourgeoisie filmed in many imbricated flashbacks and a nice portrait of a downfall almost cursed woman… Marie Trintignant is moving. 8/10
“Microscopic Liquid Subway to Oblivion” (John W. Shadow, Bahamas 1970) The use of dope is running rampant at a small college. Convinced the college's reputation is at stake, Professor Dr. John takes it upon himself to get the college's biggest user to go straight. Obscure and cult object only for geeks of strange cinema. The movie is in fact certainly Italian… The title is certainly one of the most strange ever imagined… A terrible title song also and a gorgeous Ewa Aulin (Candy of the eponymous movie of 1968) one of strangest star of B movies of the era… A true curiosity. 3/10 or much much more if you’re a fan of the bizarre…
“Psychomania” (Don Sharp, UK 1973) A gang of young people call themselves the Living Dead. They terrorize the population from their small town. After an agreement with the devil, if they kill themselves firmly believing in it, they will survive and gain eternal life. Following their leader, they commit suicide one after the other, but things don't necessarily turn out as expected... Ultra weird movie, really strange and tortured… The last movie of great George Sanders released after his suicide…. A true, true curiosity and a guilty pleasure… 7/10
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (Marc Webb, USA 2014) Spiderman must share his time between his girlfriend Gwen and supervailains like Electro who terrorize New York. It’s a hard lif to be a superhero you know… but soon he realize all those bad guys have a common point… The mysterious Oscorp… Hi hi, hi…. Cheap chep cheap… hop, hop, hop !! … It wa so hard for me to finish watching this stuff… Painful. 4,5/10
“Les révoltés de Lomanach” (Richard Pottier, France/ Italy 1954) 1799, during the french civil war after the french revolution the war between the republicans and the royalists is ferocious. Bonaparte sends a general to mast the rebals but soon he meet a young aristocrats who comes undercover to kill him and the fall in love… Underated movie quite entertaining even if the actirs are not all very good, the stings are very nice and the filming (especialy the colors) are very good… 7/10
“My Sweet Pepper Land” (Hiner Saleem, Iraq, France, Germany, 2013) Baran, a Kurdish independence war hero, is now sheriff in Erbil, the capital city. No longer feeling useful in this society now at peace, he thinks about quitting the police force, but instead agrees to be stationed in a small valley, at the very borders of Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. It is a lawless territory, right at the heart of illegal drug, medication and alcohol smuggling. Having arrived in the small village, he refuses to bow down to Aga Azzi, the seriously corrupt tribal chief and absolute ruler of the area. Baran meets Govend, the village school teacher, who is also rejected by the villagers. Like Baran, she represents another law, that of the young and autonomous Kurdish state. Govend is all the more vulnerable as she is not a married woman. Both become closer. A classic western story sets in the Kurdistan. As usual in many western the story is quite simple, the shérif, the girl, the local bad men but the transposition works and the whole is entertaining. 7,5/10
“La route impériale“ (Marcel l’Herbier, France 1935) In Iraq, some rebels are entrenched in the fortress of Ksur. The leader of the rebel is the friend of a british officer who decides to fight his former friend to clear up his reputation in the high commandment. There he meets some officers, some friendly other hostile but mainly his ex-girlfriend now married to the local colonel… Then he becomes volunteer for a suicidal mission… Enter Ksur to estimate the ennemy’s forces… A classic adventure movie with strong patriotic value, honor and romance. Some good battle scenes. 6,5/10
“Provocazione” (aka “Summer Temptation”) (Piero Vivarelli, Italy 1988) In a villa on an island, inhabit Vanessa, a young widow, and stepdaughters Kikki and Vivi. Vanessa had married their father above all because it was very rich. After her husband's death, Vanessa decided to keep him Vivi and Kikki and also call Roberto, her former lover, now a professor with the aim of preparing the two girls to the maturity examination. Shortly after his arrival, he establishes an atmosphere heavy with half-empty Island the villa that seems almost a luxury prison do understand immediately that the stepmother and stepdaughters will hate and despise each other. Classic erotic crime movie with only one great interest, the presence of famous Italian pornstar Moana Pozzi at the casting…. 5/10
“Heidi” (Werner Jacobs, Austria 1965) Heidi lives happily in her mountains with her grand’pa and Peter the shepperd. But his aunt, who’s a cook in a rich family in town, decides to bring her there to be the companion of a sick girl in a wheelchair… soon the two girls become friends despite the oldfashoned housekeeper… But Heidi miss her mountains and her happiness. Jacobs’ movie is a faithfull copy of Luigi Comencini’s 1952 movie… but in color. The scenes and dialogs are almost the same. Not as good as the original but much entertaining. 7/10
“Rider on a Dead Horse” (Herbert L. Strock, USA 1962) Interresting small B western in wich two greedy prospectors must hide their gold because of Apaches, but then one tries to kill the other who is saved by an asian girl working at the railroad camp… Then he meets another greedy bounty hunter who tries to doublecross him… Quite interesting western which look a bit like European western (location, atmosphere, ugly and dirty faces,…) but also interesting because of the strong references of racism in it, the bad guy are true racists in this movie, they kill their black partner at the beginning because he’s black, the vilains hurts the chinese girl and so on… A very unusual western even if very low budget and a lame tittle song too… 7,5/10
“The Group” (Sidney Lumet, USA 1966) It's 1933, and eight young women are friends and members of the upper-class group at a private girl's school, about to graduate and start their own lives. The film documents the years between their graduation and the beginning of the World War in Europe, and shows, in a serialized style, their romances and marriages, their searches for careers or meaning in their lives, their highs and their lows… Much underrated movie much ahead from it’s time dealing with abortion, lesbianism, trotskysm, violence in the couple… A good directing and editing and huge settings and costumes. Actress are fabulous especialy Candice Bergen and Joan Hackett… A great one. 8,5/10
“Méfiez-vous des blondes“ (aka “Beware of the Blondes“) (André Hunnebelle, France 1950) Back from a stay in the Far East, a woman who knew the names of the chiefs of a drug ring is murdered. Georges Masse, the famous reporter, decides to investigate, accompanied by his faithful photographer P'tit Louis. He will come across some unappetizing characters like M. Dubois, a killer, Luigi Costelli, a dangerous trafficker and a beautiful but dubious lady, Suzanne Wilson. After being himself suspected, Masse will make the truth triumph. A cripme comedy involving the reoccurring character of Georges Masse (Raymond Rouleau) a famous journalist and investigator (he appeared in three movies). Armless little crime movie indeed. 6,5/10.
“Le boulanger de Valorgue“ (aka “The Wild Oat“) (Henry Verneuil, France 1953) A small village is torn apart by a quarrel between the baker and the italian grocery tenant, mother of a pregnant young girl. She accuses the baker's son, doing his military service in Algeria, to be the father of the child. Offended, the baker refuses to deliver bread to the villagers standing on the mother's side. Sort of mix of Pagnol’s “La femme du boulanger” and “La fille du puisatier”, a quite entertaining movie even if not the equal of its predecessors.. 7/10
“Santo y Blue Demon vs Drácula y el Hombre Lobo” (aka “Santo & Blue Demon vs. Draculan and the Wolfman”) (Miguel M. Delgado, Mexico 1973) Dracula and the Wolfman are back together from the grave and decides to get petners in crimes… But Santo has also a tough partner: Blue Demon… The vilains should be more careful… Ultra cheezy movie as usual with this mad Santo… for fans only. 6/10
“The Tiger Woman” (Philip Ford, USA 1945) A singe rin a night club calls private Detective Jerry Devery. But the man is found dead apparently from suicide… But the singer and her lover disguise it in crime to get the money of life insurance… but is it a suicide or not… our detective will have to discover it. Nice little B-Noir movie from Republic Pictures. The now forgotten Adele Mara is a gorgeous femme fatale… 6,5/10
"Equinox” (Jack Woods, Mark Thomas McGee, Dennis Muren, USA 1970) Four teenagers go on a woods hike and encounter a creepy forest ranger and a crazy old man. The old man is a scientist who had found a mysterious book bound in human skin, the Necronomicon, and when he had read its cryptic symbols it conjured monsters into existence. The teenagers keep the book, and are then persued by monsters, a demonic cult, and the ranger. The ranger turns out to be a red flying devil in human disguise…. Ultra broke and kitch but remarkably enteraining horror movie. Low budget but quite convincing special effects and interesting script… A true curiosity for fans of strange cinema. 7,5/10
“The Boston Strangler” (Richard Fleischer, USA 1968) Boston is being terrorized by a series of seemingly random murders of women. Based on the true story, the film follows the investigators path through several leads before introducing the Strangler as a character. It is seen almost exclusively from the point of view of the investigators who have very few clues to build a case upon. We proposed this one to our cineclub. I presented it to the public and the discussion was very interesting. Partly adapted from true event a great use of split-screen and huge perforpmance of Tony Curtis… 9/10
“Supercroc” (Scott Harper, USA 2007) A team of soldiers must stop a giant, bloodthirsty crocodile from reaching a nearby city, while trying to avoid being a meal for the beast themselves. Supercroc, yeah Superbad… 1/10
“Dinocroc” (Kevin O'Neill, USA 2004) After an African dinosaur ancestor of the crocodile is found, Dr. Campbell uses its DNA to create prototypes at Paula Kennedy's Genetic Research Co. (Gereco) lab. However one must be put down after killing someone, another escapes and the information is kept from sheriff Harper. His daughter, county dog catcher Diane Harper, helps her ex (welding artist Tom Banning) with his kid brother Michael's beloved dog. They bump into Campbell and discover the dinocroc is growing, having escaped down a tunnel. Although Gereco hires Australian crocodile specialist and intrepid hunter, Richard 'Dick' Sydney, the beast proves impervious to bullets, so the body count rises alarming. Another Roger Corman production so you know what to expect… It’s not completely bad but not good either… 3,5/10
“Vaudeville” (Jean Marboeuf, France 1986) The husband, the wife, the lover… the classic love triangle of the vaudeville… but heoroes are tired of playing their role and try to change the the course of things but that’s not that easy… A nice little movie underrated in my own opinion full of quiet disillusionment… 7/10
“Alligator II: The Mutation“ (Jon Hess, USA 1991) A giant alligator runs riot in a small town with a lake connected to a sewer/drainage system. Typical plot; nobody believes the sightings until lots of people have been killed. As many of them this sequel was unnecessary… 3/10
“Beach Red“ (Cornel Wilde, USA 1967) American Marines storm ashore on a Japanese-held island and push inland while their enemy plans a counterattack, in this look at warfare. Fighting men on both sides are haunted by memories of home and the horrifying, sickening images they experience in combat. Very interrestong mobvie without any doubt a source for Terrence Mallick Thin Red Line (same story, many narrative tricks in common) and Spielberg or Oliver Stone… Quite Good. 8,5/10
“Nathalie Granger“ (Marguerite Duras, France 1972) Two women (Jeanne Moreau and Lucia Bosé) They have two children, among them Nathalie Gr anger à tough little girl who is violent at school… the women want to put her in a boarding school. Her only interest seems to be music… On the other hands on the radio they continually speack about two young murderers on the run in the nearby…. Great 8,5/10
“La bête de miséricorde” (Jean-Pierre Mocky, France 2001) After a car accident, Jean Mardet (Mocky) must kill his wife because she was to badly injured and suffered too much… Then he becomes a serial killer… If you’re happy you’ve got nothing to fear… but if you’re in trouble or desperate he may stop your pain… forever… Another amazing movie from Mocky deliciously disrespectful. 7,5/10
“D'où viens-tu... Johnny?” (aka “Where Are You From, Johnny?”) (Noël Howard, France 1963) Johnny is a young musician in Paris, France. Besides he is enjoying life, he is always in need of money. Occasionally he does some errands not knowing that he is working for the mafia. One day the police overshadows him and he realizes that he is carrying drugs all of which he throws into the Seine. Now he has some mafia killers hunting him. He tries to hide in the Camarque, where his uncle lives. First movie of Johnny Halliday and with Sylvie Vartant too… Even if a bit camp and kitsch, the whole is quite well filmed in glorious cinemascope both b/w and colors… some kind of modern western between Paris and Camargue with some cult songs of the star ! For fans of a lost time… 7/10
“Indian Uprising” (Ray Nazarro, USA 1952) It's 1885 in Arizona and an Army Captain has dispersed his troops to keep the whites off of Government land thereby keeping the peace with the Apaches. But there are those in Tucson that want the miners back looking for gold and they put pressure on officials in Washington. Soon a new commander arrives, the troops are recalled, and the miners go after gold. Whites then kill a miner with an arrow so they can attack the Indians hoping the troops wipe them out when they retaliate. Another pro-indian western one of the first in the 50’s. Even if there are some historical errors it’s qiuite an entertaining western filmed in glorious SuperCineColor a rare competitor of Technicolor but few movies were filmed with it indeed… 7,5/10
“L.A. Confidential” (Curtis Hanson, USA 1997) As corruption grows in 1950s LA, three policemen - one strait-laced, one brutal, and one sleazy - investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice.I rewatched with pleasure this quite faithful adaptation of Ellroy… 8,5/10
“Dværgen” (aka “The Sinful Dwarf”) (Vidal Raski, Denmark/USA 1973) The Dwarf Olaf and his mother run a boarding house and a white slavery ring. They also smuggle heroin to keep the addict girls happy so they do not try and escape. A young couple move into the house and the evil landlords take a liking to the female. Unfortunatly this movie is taged “Adult” for one explicit scene. So you won’t have any shot on WTM. But in its genre (dwarfploitation) it’s certainly the best of the best. Ultra sick movie but a must to see for all fans of strange cinema… 7,5/10
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, UK 1975) I rewatfched this one with so much pleasure… but everybody kows it. 10/10
“Promises..... Promises!” (King Donovan, USA 1963) After a drunken spree on a cruise ship, two women discover that they're pregnant, and set out to find who the fathers are. A little comedy with Tommy Noonan a comic actor famous at this time but not for a long period. The only (but major) interest of the movie is of course Jayne Mansfield who appears nude on screen for the first time… 6/10
“Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies” (Jesús Franco Spain/France 2012) The once dissolute private detective Al Pereira over time, becoming more conservative and moral. Once in his life into shameless female alligators, sent by his father to Pereira went back to a depraved life... Second movie of the adventure of depraved detective Al Pereira and last movie of the great Jesús Franco. Certainly not its best work but not the worth too. But someone moving like all swan songs…. Especialy when he appears, filming, on his wheelchair in a mirror. 6/10
“Les abysses“ (Nikos Papatakis, France 1963) Two sisters are maids in the old house of a couple of wine-growers who are ruined and want to sell their house. But the two sisters who haven’t been paid forthree years have other plans and makes many discourtesies. But when the buyers are coming to visit the house they become cray and murderous… Adapted in a very strange way by Nikos Papatakis from a famous real crime story (The Papin sisters). For that ime the film is very violent and it creates a scandal when it was released… Amazing performance of Francine and Colette Bergé as the two sisters driven mad… 8/10
“Tous peuvent me tuer” (Henri Decoin, France/Italy, 1957) The holdup of the bank is a success. All happened according to plan. Now, Cyril Gad and his four accomplices must secure an alibi. What better place than a prison cell? As a result the five gangsters have themselves arrested on minor charges and start waiting until they are released. But soon they die one by one… Quite entertaining crime/prison movie with nice plot. And very nice photography. 7,5/10
“Bonnie and Clyde” (Arthur Penn, USA 1967) We proposed this one at our cine-club. Everybody knows it there… The public enjoyed a lot and the discussion after the movie was very interesting. 9/10
“Les lien de sang” (Claude Chabrol, Canada / France, 1978) Montreal: Late at night the teenage Patricia flees into a police department, covered all over with blood. She states together with her cousin she took shelter from rain in an entry way on their way home from a party, when an unknown man threatened them, forced her cousin to perform oral sex and then killed her. Patricia could barely escape. The police starts searching among the known sex criminals - but then Patricia changes her statement and states her brother Andrew, who had an affair with his cousin, was the murderer. Inspector Carella doesn't quite believe both the statements. Adapted from a novel of Ed McBain in the 87th Precinct serie… Not the best Chabrol movie at all but interesting cast. 7/10
“C'est facile et ça peut rapporter... 20 ans“ (Tomás Aznar, Jean Luret, Canada / France / Spain 1983) Alfredo Moreno is a simple policeman, divorced for one year and who loves with his new girlfriend. Soon he learnqs that her wife has been found drowned in Spain. There he finds in her bags a winning ticket of lottery… But a nice playboy soon lusts after his girlfriend… Ultra pathetic frendh comedy writen and acted by Robert Castel a true quality guarantee… 2/10
“Blow Out” (Brian De Palma, USA 1981) A movie sound recordist accidentally records the evidence that proves that a car accident was actually murder and consequently finds himself in danger. Lots of visual and narrative foindings and nice moments but somethong laks in this movie to make it really great. Despite what many says there is a great distance between this one and the movie it is inspired Blow-Up or The Conversation… or even an Hitchkock thrillers… 7/10
“Profondo rosso” (aka “Deep Red”) (Dario Agento, Italy 1975) I re-watched this one with much much pleasure… But everybody knows it… 9/10
“Yôkai daisensô” (aka “Big Monster War”) (Yoshiyuki Kuroda, Japan 1968) When a Babylonian vampire comes to old Japan, an army of Japanese demons and ghosts gather and battle him. Weird and entaining fantasy movie as only Japanese can make it. 8/10
“7 jours ailleurs“ (Martin Karmitz, France 1969) Jacques is a young composer and pianist married to a nice woman Michèle and father of a little girl. But he is boring. A tour with other musiancians is the occasion he choses to make the assessment of his life. Fine and accurate view of the social pressure of modern life. Before becoming a rich man Martin Karmitz was an engaged director with maoist tendances… Interesting as the perfect cinema od a certain time… Some can find it pompous and pointless of course but I found it quite interesting. 8,5/10
“Peeping Tom” (Michael Powell, UK 1960) We proposed this masterpiece to the public of our cine-club… I presented the movie and we had a very nice and interesting discussion with the publkec after the movie… But Everybody knows it. 10/10
“L’amour à la mer“ (Guy Gilles, France 1964) It’s Algerian war… A young girl meets a young sailor during Hollydays. They fall in love, they spend some days together then are separated. He lives in Brest and she lives in paris, they write eachother waiting to meet again… Simple love story are the most beautiful, it’s once more the same in this simple and movieng movie…. Very nicely filmed and with a nice play on colors by a too soon disappeared director. 9/10
“V.D.” (aka “Damaged Goods”) (H. Haile Chace, USA 1961) A high school track star's wedding plans are capsized by venereal disease and a bad, beautiful new girl in town. His coach and a physician steer him into the light again. Syphilis was real health problem at that ime… this movie is quite good in it’s genre a lost genre for a lost cinema… As the girl says in the movie “Times have changed”…For fans of weird cinema. 6,5/10
“Yôkai hyaku monogatari” (aka “100 Monsters”) (Kimiyoshi Yasuda, Japan 1968) he local yôkai interfere to avenge a murder and thwart the plans of corrupt officials who wants to evict some poor villagers to get their land…The first of the serie the monsters takes their time to come in the movie but the ending is excellent. 7,5/10
158°) “Sangre de vírgenes” (aka “Blood of the Virgins”) (Emilio Vieyra, Argentina 1967) Ofelia's wedding day is approaching and she is to be married to Eduaurdo. She has some pre-wedding jitters during a meeting with her lover Gustavo but decides to tie the knot anyways. On her wedding night, Gustavo shows up in their room, murders Eduardo, and proceeds to turn Ofelia into a vampire so that they can be together forever. In the present day 1960's, a group of young men and women take shelter in an abandoned lodge after their van breaks down. Soon, Ofelia appears and seduces one of the guys and meanwhile the girls go missing. Ultra weird and cheap argentinian Vampire movie set in the glorious “Alpine” town of san Carlos de Bariloche (I was there some times…) some kind of Chamonix of the Andes… The whole is quite entertaining even if a bit slow pace… 6,5/10
“Détournement de mineures“ (aka “The Price of Flesh“) (Walter Kapps, France 1959) A classic crime story about naive girl who believe she’s got a contract as a dancer in a troup ready for touring and who becomes a prostitute in Tangier. Hoppefully she’s got a brother in law who’s a newspaperman and who’ll investigate… 6/10
“Y'a pas le feu...” (Richard Balducci, France 1985) A pyromaniac troubles the quietness of Boneuil, a small French village. The mayor decides to hire a team of young benevolent firemen, unfortunately more interested about chasing girl than putting fires out…. Another ultra pathetic French comedy of the golden age by a true specialist of the genre… Great cast of bottom of the barrel and amazing inept screenplay… 3/10
“Crocodile 2: Death Swamp” (Gary Jones, USA 2002) After a bank robbery, four criminals escape to Mexico, but a storm causes an accident which takes down the plane where several die in the crash. The criminals take it into their own hands to continue when one survivor is attacked and eaten by a crocodile. The criminals kill it, but from then on the mother Crocodile is on a killing spree with a goal to kill each survivor… Just bad, not awful but just bad… 4/10
“Marguerite de la nuit” (aka “Marguerite of the Night“) (Claude Autant-Lara, France/Italy 1955) A new vision of the Faust myth adapted from a novel of Pierre McOrlan (Pierre Dumarchais). In France, during the roaring 20’s, the last survivor of the Faust lineage signs once more a pact with the devil (Yves Montand) now owner of a nightclub where Marguerite (Michèle Morgan) is working… the eldery man now a young handsome playboy seduces Marguerite but when she realizes what he has done she decides to sell her soul to the Devil too… Despite it’s a long movie (more than two hours) it’s great story and huge filming and amazing settings some kind of mix of german expressionism and technicolor like in Powell/Pressburger movies… Much underrated movie. 9/10
“On l’appelle catastrophe“ (Richard Balducci, France 1983) By many mistakes a gentle and goofball guy is taken for a dangerous thief, a gang leader, a dangerous terrorist and so on… Another pathetic French comedy of the golden age by king Balducci and with “supposed to be funny” famous French comic Michel Leeb. 2,5/10
164°) “The Bridge on the River Kwai“ (David Lean UK/USA 1957) After settling his differences with a Japanese PoW camp commander, a British colonel co-operates to oversee his men's construction of a railway bridge for their captors - while oblivious to a plan by the Allies to destroy it. I rewatched this one with much pleasure… I didn’t do it for years. Quite a good one, but everybody knows it. 9/10
“The Night Walker” (William Castle, USA 1964) A wealthy woman is terrorized by recurring dreams regarding her jealous, blind husband who supposedly burned to death in a recent fire. She tries to convince her attorney that the nightmares are real. Excellent William Castle thriller with huge cast Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck in her last movie on the silver screen… Interresting. 8/10
“Tôkaidô obake dôchû” (aka “The Legend of the Yokai”) (Yoshiyuki Kuroda, Kimiyoshi Yasuda, Japan 1969) After her grandfather is deadly injured by thieves on a sacred land, a little girl is send by the dying man to her father in a city far away. She gets an important paper from her grand father and then is traked by the thugs… A swordman and a boy decide to help her but the help of the vengeful Yokais will be required… The last episode of the serie is a bit less interesting because the Yokai are not often on the screen. But the whole is entertaining. 7/10
“Le fou du roi“ (Yvan Chiffre, France 1984) Dieudonné is the shy son of D’Artagnan the famous musketeer who dies at war… king Louis XIV calls Dieudonné at his service but many plots agains the king and his mistress… A ridiculous parody of historical adventure movies… With pathetic Michel Leeb as Dieudonné… Barely funny. 3/10
“La ville est tranquille“ (aka “The Town is Quiet”) (Robert Guédigian, France 2000) A dark tale of working-class life in Marseilles, a city in crisis. Interesting characters include a hard-bitten but compassionate fish market worker with a drug addicted daughter and a moody bartender with a shocking secret life. Very dark and disturbing movie about the dying working class… no hope there. Great movie !! 9/10
“Enter the Ninja“ (Menahem Golan, USA 1981) After just completing his training at a ninja school, an army vet travels to the Phillippines and finds himself battling a land grabber who wants his war-buddy's property. He must also fight his rival. First Ninja movie of the Cannon which will make seven other… Already bad but truly enjoyable ! with Franco Nero going on the loose… 6/10
“Days of Heaven“ (Terence Mallick, USA 1976) Rewatched once more this masterpiece. 10/10
“Les portes de la nuit“ (Marcel Carné France 1946) A fine an cruel depiction of post-WWII France… winter 1945 Jean Diego meets up with his friend Raymond Lecuyer again. A tramp, pretending that he the Destiny, predicts Jean will meet the most beautiful girl in the world. The same evening, Jean meets Malou. He soon discovers that her brother Guy was the one that gave Raymond away to the Gestapo... Great movie with huge cast but which could have been more huge ‘cause Gabin and Dietrich, in love at that time were supposed to have the lead roles… but Marlene pulled out the project and Gabin followed her… but still you can find Pierre Brasseur, Serge Reggiani, Yves Montand, (pushed by Edith Piaf) Nathalie Nattier, Saturnin Fabre, Raymond Bussières, Jean Vilar and so on… And an unforgettable song “Les Feuilles Mortes” 9/10
“Deliverance” (John Boorman, USA 1972) We proposed this classic and great movie at our cineclub… Was great to watch it again on the silver screen ! 9/10
“Partners of the Trail” (Lambert Hillyer, USA 1944) Kate Hilton, returning to her ranch in Springfield via stagecoach after learning of the murder of her father, meets U.S. Marshal Nevada Jack McKenzie. The stage is held up and robbed of the rancher's money, but Nevada manages to bring it in after the driver has been killed. Sandy Hopkins, also a U.S. Marshal, is posing as a cook at the only café in town, both have been hired to investigates about those mysterious murders… Quite entertaining small B western with Johnny Mack Brown in the serie he made for Monogram as Mareshal Nevada McKenzie… 7/10
“Au pan coupé“ (aka “Wall Engravings“) (Guy Gilles, France 1968) A young girl remembers her love fort a young rebel who’ll refuse till death the world he was livong in… Great movie very moving and fine… great use of coler ans tinted pictures. Macha Méril and Patrick Jouané are very good… 8,5/10
“Qui? “ (aka "Who?") (Léonard Kiegel, France/Italy 1970) Serge is looking for the truth about the death of his brother. He's suspicious about his brother's wife Marina but soon falls for her... They make their life together but one day...Quite entertaining Hitchcokian thriller with good Romy Shneider as Marina… 7,5/10
“The Hard Road” (Gary Graver, USA 1970) A cautionary tale. At 17, Sherman Oaks high schooler Pam Banner has a baby out of wedlock. The baby is adopted... A “educational” movie that wars youth and the adults of the dangers of drugs and V.D… and the connection of both… with gorgeous big busted Liz Renay… for fans of sexploitation 7/10
“Paul“ (Diourka Medveczky, France 1969) Weird movie in which a young guy (Jean-Pierre Léaud) is bored in his bourgeois life and leaves Paris. He meets the Pilgrim and his band of hippies wandering across the land and also living outside th society… He decides to join them and meet Marianne (Bernadette Lafont). But things and people are no always as they are supposed to be… Quite strange and also ferocious movie about the quest of happiness in a world that cruelly lacks of it… but also an ironic point of view of some ways to reach it… 8/10
“Revenge of the Ninja” (Sam Firstenberg, USA 1983) After his family is killed in Japan by ninjas, Cho and his son Kane come to America to start a new life. He opens a doll shop but is unwittingly importing heroin in the dolls. When he finds out that his friend has betrayed him, Cho must prepare for the ultimate battle he has ever been involved in. Yeah, it’s a pure Cannon movie and it’s not very good but nice action scenes and enjoyable for fans of brainless movies… 5,5/10
“The Ride Back” (Allen H. Miner, Oscar Rudolph, USA 1957) A Sheriff goes into Mexico in search of a man wanted back in the States. Finding him, he starts back. But it's a long way back, he has a reluctant captive, and there are unfriendly Indians along the way. The Sheriff admits his life has been a failure but this mission he plans to accomplish. Much unusual western with good psychological background and a good acting of William Conrad and Anthony Quinn who makes a real ,story with this classic ans simple plot. Adapted by Conrad from an éepisode of the famous radio serie he was the heroe “Gunsmoke” with the help of Robert Aldrich’s independent production company. All in all an excellent small B western. 8/10
“Little Big Horn” (Charles Marquis Warren, USA 1951) n 1876, during the Great Sioux Wars, captain Phillip Donlin serves at Fort Abraham Lincoln. His duties take him away from his wife, Celie Donlin, who feels neglected.She is having an affair with Lieutnant John Haywood.Unknown to them, her husband overhears their conversation and confronts them. Heartbroken, he leaves the next morning on another patrol. His latest mission is to arrive at Camp Yellowstone and warn General Custer and his 7th cavalery of the large build-up of Sioux forces gathering at the Little Big Horn River…. Excellent small B western directed by great writer and producer Marquis Warren (Gunsmoke, Rawhide…). Good story, good acting and filming despite few means… 8/10
“The Centerfold Girls” (John Peyser, USA 1974) A depraved religious fanatic sets out to punish all the "immoral" women who have posed for the center-fold of a men's magazine. Quite sick sex and blood movie… But very interesting for fans of the genre. 6,5/10
“Superchick” (Ed Forsyth, USA 1973) Tara B. True is a flight attendant who makes a weekly swing through New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. In each city, she has a man: Edward, older and wealthy; Johnny, a beach bum with gambling debts; and, Davey, a rock musician on the cusp of success. Tara is a free spirit, faithful to each man in her own way, and so stunning that she dresses in a wig and ill-fitting uniform while she's working so men won't harass her constantly. The low-life whom Johnny is in debt to figures out a way to use Tara to help him execute a daring in-flight robbery. But will Tara stand by helplessly, or is superchick ready for action? Ultra camp and cheezy movie in all the ways… even with it’s some kind of feminist approach it is still a pure sexploitation movie typical of those 70’s… for fans only. Note the presence of very big boobed Russ Meyer’s Uschi Digard… and John Carradine of course !! 5/10
“Slime City” (Greg Lamberson, USA 1988) Alex, an art student rents an apartment from a seemingly sweet old Lizzie to try to sway his girlfriend Lori into 'sleeping' over. Roman and Nicole, the building's other two youth residents invite Roman for eating green pudding and haunted Crème de Menthe. Roman explains the goo is Himalayan yogurt made by Lizzie and the wine is made by her dead alchemist father Zachary. Staggering back to his apartment, Alex runs into Nicole. Then they take off their pants and run into each other a few more times. Alex wakes up the next morning covered in slime. He decides to go out for tea and murders a hobo. Before the hobo's blood is dry, Alex is back to normal…. Cheap gory movie in the Troma style… for fans of 80’s trash. 5,5/10
“Hatari!” (Howard Hawks, USA 1962) Sean Mercer (played by John Wayne) runs a business in East Africa. He and his team capture wild animals for zoos. It is dangerous work - on of his men almost dies after being gored by a rhino. He accepts a request from a photographer to join his business and capture their experiences but is very surprised, and bit inconvenienced, when the photographer turns out to be a woman. However, over time he grows fond of her. Meanwhile, plans to capture certain animals lead to all sorts of plans and adventures…. I didn’t watched this one soince I was a child… good movie for all ages… 8/10
“Black Patch” (Allen H. Miner, USA 1957) A New Mexico Town Marshal, Clay Morgan, known as 'Black Patch' since he had lost an eye in the Civil War, takes his job seriously, especially after an old friend, Hank Danner, arrives in town with his wife, Helen, who formerly loved Morgan. Danner is suspected of a bank robbery and Morgan has to arrest him. Crooked saloon-owner , "Frenchy' De Vere, sees a chance to get the bank loot, and he helps Danner escape and then kills him. Morgan is accused of the killing but nothing is proved and the bank money remains missing. Carl, a young man who Danner had helped, goes to Helen, who also thinks Morgan killed her husband, and gets Danner's gun and starts practicing with it until he becomes the fastest-gun in town, with one possible exception...Morgan, the man he intends to kill. Quite good western with very interesting plot and atmosphere… 8/10
“The Bonnie Parker Story” (William Whitney, USA 1958) In the 1930s, amoral blonde tommy-gun girl Bonnie Parker cut a swath of bodies across the South-West. Starting out on gas stations and bars with side-kick Guy Darrow she graduated to bank hold-ups with Darrow's brother and, after bloodily springing him, her jailed husband. But there was never any doubt who was in charge… Losely adapted from the true events the movie is after all quite faithful to the spirit and atmosphere of the times and is made with much less romantism than it’s more apologetic and famous successor 9 years later… This is almost a documentary movie we have there. Dorothy Provine makes a very good Bonnie. All in all a quite good B movie worth of watching. 7,5/10
“The Thrill Killers” (Ray Dennis Steckler, USA 1964) Three psychotic murderers escape from a mental institution and stalk women in Los Angeles. At the same time a lonesome serial killer, goes on rampage… Ray Dennis Steckler, wrote, directed, produced and acted as the serial killer in this violent movie for that time. Ultra weird and ahead from its time… a movie to discover… 7/10
“Gun Smoke” (Howard Bretherton, USA 1945) U.S. Marshals Nevada Jack McKenzie and Sandy Hopkins come upon an overturned stagecoach with the driver and the passenger dead. They learn that the passenger, Hinkley, an archaeologist, has discovered an old Indian site that contains gold relics, and a gang has robbed him of the relics he was carrying. Jane Condon, daughter of Hinkley's partner who was also murdered, tells Nevada that an old Indian guide, Shag, is the only one who knows where the site is… Entertaining small B-western for Johnny Mack Brown… A quite good one. 6,5/10
“In Old Montery” (Joseph Kane, USA 1939) The Army wants the ranchers land and the Borax plant for their maneuvers. Stevenson is dissatisfied with their offer for the plant and has his men blowing up ranches making it look like the work of the Army. He hopes when the ranchers rebel the Army will raise their bid to avoid trouble. Gene has been sent to investigate but the eviction day has arrived and the ranchers prepare to fight the Army. A pre-war effort for Gene Autry the famous singing cowboy. He must prepare the country to the coming events showing how every citizen must support the army… 6/10
“Raiders of the South” (Lambert Hyllier, USA 1947) Johnny Brownell, former Confederate officer turned Federal agent, is sent to Texas during the reconstruction years to obtain evidence against a gang of raiders who have been making life difficult for the local carpet-baggers. He saves the life of Shorty Kendall, an unreconstructed rebel about to be hanged, and this wins him the gratitude of Belle Chambers, a widow whose husband was killed in the Civil War who hates all Yankees with a fever. It is she who heads the gang of Raiders, but Johnny soon proves she is a pawn of a conscienceless lawyer, Preston Durant, who is using Bell's raiders to cover up his own schemes. Reno Browne is on hand as Belle's daughter Lynne, billed as Reno Blair, as she always was in any film with Johnny Mack Brown. B-remake of Court-Martial (George B. Seitz, 1928) which stared Jack Holt… In this one the title role is for Johnny Mack Brown. Quite good. 7/10
Then I was in Lyon at the 10th "Hallucinations Collectives" Festival... it was the occasion to watch some (few) films on the silver screen...
“Opera” (Dario Argento, Italy 1987) A young opera singer (Betty) gets her big chance when the previous star of a production of Verdi's Macbeth is run over by a car. Convinced the opera is bad luck she accepts, and becomes the target (in Argento's unmistakable style) of a psychopath - a man she has been dreaming of since childhood. Despite bad acting still entertaining Argento movie. Still the master touch in the murder scenes which are excellent… 7/10
“Il grande silenzio” (Sergio Corbucci, France / Italy 1968) Bounty killers led by Loco prey on outlaws hiding out in the snowbound Nevada mountains. After Pauline's husband becomes Loco's latest victim, she hires a gunman for revenge; Silence, mute since his throat was cut as a child. I rewatched this one on the silver screen with great pleasure in a brand new copy… 8/10
“Epidemic“ (Lars von Trier, Demnark, 1987) A film director and a script writer (performed by Lars von Trier and Niels Vørsel themselves) write a screenplay, in which an epidemic spreads about the whole world. Like the protagonist ... Quite funny movie full of cynicism… 7/10
“Non si Sevizia un Paperino“ (aka “Don’t Torture a Duckling“) (Lucio Fulci Italy 1972) In the backward village of Accendura, the boy Bruno Lo Casio goes missing and the police inspector and the local commissioner and the village Captain Modesti investigate the case. When his father receives the request of a ransom, the police arrest the local Giuseppe and realize that he is innocent. Then the boys Michele and Tonino are also murdered and the police suspect of the local witch Maciara, who practices black magic, might be the killer but they find she is also innocent. However the superstitious and ignorant locals brutally kill her. Meanwhile that village is crowded of journalist, including the experienced Andrea Martelli from Rome… certainly one of the best Fulci movie even if not an horror one. Very interesting on many levels and with good cast : Tomas Milian, Florinda Bolkan, Barbara Bouchet… 8/10
“Un Prophète“ (aka “A Prophet“) (Jacques Audiard, France 2009) Nineteen year-old Franco-Arab Malik El Djebena is just starting his six year prison sentence in Brécourt. Although he has spent the better part of his life in juvenile detention, this stint is his first in an adult prison. Beyond the division of Corsicans and Muslims in the orison, he has no known friends or enemies inside. Due to logistics, the head of Corsican inmates, a sadistic mafioso named César Luciani, co-opts Malik as part of the Corsicans' activities, not only regarding what happens inside the prison, but also continued criminal activities outside. The innocent Malik has no idea what to do but cooperate. Good jail prison showing how imprisonment, far from curing people can lead them to more crime… Classic tale but well done. 7/10
“Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot” (Jacques Tati, France 1953) I rewatched this great comedy with much pleasure… 8 ,5/10
“Samourai Cop” (Amir Shervan, USA 1989) Joe Marshall and Frank Washington are two police detectives who must stop the ruthless activities of the Katana, a renegade Yakuza gang composed of violent and sadistic killers who want to lead the drug trade in Los Angeles. A bunch of thank you to Amir Shervan for this awesome So Bad That It’s Good movie ! A pure guilty pleasure of bad script, bad acting, bad filming… and with one of the most bad actor of all times Mathew Karedas himself !! 2/10 but 10/10 and a must to see for all Z grade fans !!!
“The Food of the Gods” (Bert I. Gordon, USA 1976) Morgan and his friends are on a hunting trip on a remote Canadian island when they are attacked by a swarm of giant wasps. Looking for help, Morgan stumbles across a barn inhabited by an enormous killer chicken. After doing some exploring, they discover the entire island is crawling with animals that have somehow grown to giant size. The most dangerous of all of these, however, are the rats, who are mobilizing to do battle with the human intruders. Cheap horro movie but entertaining. For B fans by a specialist of the genre… 6,5/10
“Salto nel vuoto“ (aka “ Leap Into the Void”) (Marco Bellocchio, France / Italy / West Germany 1980) Mauro, a judge, is worried about his older sister Marta, who took care of him since he was a boy, and is now affected by psychic problems and suicide fantasies. She seems to recover from her depression when Mauro acquaints her with Giovanni, a brilliant actor at the edge of legality. Mauro become unconsciously jealous of this relationship, and try to get Giovanni arrested... A difficult movie about possession, madness… A great performance of Michel Picolli and Anouk Aimée… 8/10
“Le complot“ (aka “The Conspiracy“) (René Gainville, France 1973) By the early 1960s, the OAS is desperate to stop de Gaulle's freeing of Algeria. A small group, mostly from the military, steal weapons and rob a bank to prepare for a raid on Tulle prison to set General Challe free and spark civil war. OAS members within the police try to help their cause. The government appoints a mission director, Paraux, to track them down; he must work with the police, led by Lelong. The head of the secret OAS operation is Clavet, a decorated general. For him, it's a cause of honor, but he cannot control all OAS activities, and terrorist acts do occur. The police put the screws on informers and close in… Very interesting movie about true events… Perhaps a bit hard to follow if you’re not aware of the events of those times… Good casting too with famous actors of this time… Michel Bouquet, Michel Duchaussoy, Raymond Pellegrin, Jean Rochefort, Marina Vlady, Maurice Biraud… 8/10
“Un amore a Roma” (aka “A Love in Rome”) (Dino Risi, Italy/France/West Germany 1960) Marcello is a young and handsome count leaves in Rome writing chronics and who courts lo of pretty rich gals… One night he meets Anna a young girl from the country coming to Roma to be a movie star… They fall in love but soon he realizes that she’s a free girl offering her body to many other men… A strange relationship of lova and hate begins… An early Risi movier before he becomes the king of Italian comedy… Quite interesting Mylène Demongeot is gorgeous and has a gret performance… 7,5/10
“Les araignées de la nuit“ (“The Spiders of the Night“) (Jean-Pierre Mocky, France 2002) During the campaign for the election of the french president are assassinated one by one…The inspector has some questions : Is the winner involved in the crimes ? is he linked to lany robberies that happened few times before… Who’es the mysterious criminal names the spider ? Another weird crime movie of subversive Mocky… Not the best movie he made but still enjoyable. 6,5/10
“The Big Sky” (Howard Hawks, USA 1952) I presented yhis great movie to our cine-club. It was great pleasure to watche it again and everybody enjoyed to the movie and the discussion… 9/10
“The Pleasures of a Woman” (Nick Millard, USA 1972) After the death of her uncle, young Lynn meets her aunt Martine and they have many sexual adventures. Very hot and sexy movie from lost times. With gorgeous Ushi Digart. For nudies fans only. 6,5/10
“Cave of Outlaws” (William Castle, USA 1951) Released after serving 15 years in prison for train robbery Pete Carver being the only survivor of the gang goes looking for the loot in the caves where it was hidden. Interresting small B western and early realization of William Castle mostly known for his horror movies. Nice filming in Carlsbad caves… 7/10
“Ambush at Tomahawk Gap” (Fred F. Sears, USA 1953) Hodiak, Brian, Derek and Teal have just been released from prison. They return to Tomahawk Gap, now a ghost town, to retrieve the money that they stole and was buried by a partner somewhere in the town. While hunting, the Indians attack, and a life and death battle ensues…. Quite interesting B-movie for many reasons. First the movie takes place in a ghost town and second that’s not the guy you’ll think who’ll survive at the end… Quite good indeed. 7,5/10
“The Brasher Doubloon” (John Brahm, USA 1947) Philip Marlowe is hired when a rare doubloon is stolen, and he soon discovers that it is being used for blackmail purposes. Marlowe's involvement has him encounter a girl who goes into hysterics when touched by a man; a domineering mother; three corpses; a couple of scuffles in which he gets his clock cleaned; a secretary who killed her boss, which is the reason Raymond Chandler called his story "The High Window", and a rich boy (who qualifies as a S.O.B. by two definitions) who is having trouble with the Mafia. So, what's not to like. A B-movien for this famous detective Philip Malrlowe. Even if it doen’t reach the level of other more prestigious productions of the 40 it’s still a good lttle crime movie. 7,5/10
“Gojira tai Mekagojir”a (aka “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla”) (Jun Fukuda, Japan 1974) Aliens intend to take over the planet and, just in case Godzilla tries to interfere, have built a mechanical version of him to put an end to his interference. The Earth humans summon the legendary King Seesar to assist Godzilla in the battle. This episode is very kitsch but much enjoyable for all fans… 7/10
“Four Guns to the Border” (Richard Carlson USA 1954) At a desert inn, Cully's outlaw gang meet former associate Simon Bhumer, now planning to retire on a farm with his wild, luscious daughter Lolly. On a stormy night, Cully and Lolly almost have an affair, broken up by Simon who still has a fast draw. But later, as the gang heads for the border after a bank robbery, they encounter the Bhumers and a band of renegade Apaches. It's soon a question of who is pursuing whom. Routine western for Rory Calhoun with a good dose of humour at least at the beginning, the movie going darker at the end. Some sexual allusions too… An early effort for actor Richard Carlson as a ditrector. 6,5/10
“Black Aces” (Buck Jones, Lesley Selander, USA 1937) When Len Stoddard wins Ted Ames ranch in a poker game he sends his brother Jake along with Ted to take over the ranch. When Jake is found murdered he offers a reward for the capture of Ted who now is believed to be a member of the Black Aces gang. Ted finds the probable location of the gang's hideout and sets out to clear himself… Buck Jones produced, directed and acted in a serie of western in the late 30’s.. This one is quite interesting even if completely broke. For B fans only. 6,5/10
“Tutto a posto e niente in ordine” (aka “Everything Ready, Nothing Works”) (Lina Wertmüller, Italy 1974) A group of immigrants from the south of Italy live collectively in the Milano's suburbia in the 1974. Not only they share the house, but also hopes and troubles that in those years where part of the Italian society. Loves and fights among them are the mirror of the difficult environment in which the poor south Italians found themselves in the 70s in the industrial cities of north Italy. Quite interesting and engaged movie… sadly still very actual.. nothing has changed. 8/10
“Boudu sauvé des eaux“ (aka “Boudu Saved from Drowning“) (Jean Renoir, France 1932) Boudu, a tramp, jumps into the Seine. He is rescued by Mr Lestingois, a gentle and good bookseller, who gives shelter to him. Mrs Lestingois and the maid Anne-Marie (Mr Lestingois' mistress) are far from delighted, for Boudu is lazy, dirty and salacious... Rewatched this great ‘anarchist’ movie with much pleasure… 9/10
"Louisa, een woord van liefde” (aka “Louisa, a Word for Love”) (Paul Collet, Pierre Drouot, Belgium / Netherlands 1972) Just before WWI young Isabelle escapes from orphanage and joins two trampy entertainers. Then they meet bgorgeous Louisa a girl from rtiche family who wants to escape an arranged wedding… Then they begin a ménage à trois… with gorgeous Willeke van Ammelrooy 7/10
“L’étreinte” (aka “The Embrace”) (Paul Collet, Pierre Drouot, Belgium / Netherlands 1969) Young Gisèle comes to the big city and works as a maid into the house of an excentric and bored young rich man… The innocent girl becomes soon his sexual slave but thing won’t go as he expected… Some touch of O in this erotic Belgian movie. Gorls are gorgeous
“Les anges du péché“ (aka “Angels of Sin“) (Robert Bresson, France 1943) Rich young Anne-Marie thinks she has found her vocation when she joins a Dominican convent as a novice. The convent specialises in rehabilitating female prisoners, and Anne-Marie becomes especially fascinated with Therese, trying to get her to join the convent to redeem her for her sins - but Therese protests her innocence. However, when released, Therese shoots the man who committed the crime for which she was imprisoned, then joins the convent, where she is reluctant to tell anyone her secret, least of all Anne-Marie. Meanwhile, outside the convent, a police search is widening... An early Bresson work, quite different from things to come. All in all an excellent nuns movie even if very different from the ones I usualy watch. 8,5/10
“Sometimes a Great Notion” (Paul Newman, USA 1972) Hank Stamper and his father, Henry Stamper own and operate the family business by cutting and shipping logs in Oregon. The town is furious when they continue working despite the town going broke and the other loggers go on strike ordering the Stampers to stop, however Hank continues to push his family on cutting more trees. Hank's wife wishes he would stop and hopes that they can spend more time together. When Hank's half trouble making brother Leland comes to work for them, more trouble starts. Great drama the second film of Newman as a director is quite different of the others but excellent with great casting, Newman, Henry Fonda, Lee Remick, Michael Sarrazin… 8,5/10
“Yume no ginga” (“The Labyrhinth of Dreams”) (Gakuryû Ishii, Japan 1997) Tomiko is a conductor in a rural bus driven by the handsome Niitaka. Tomiko had received a letter from her best friend Tsuyako, a conductor in another bus company, just after Tsuyako was killed in a bus accident. Tsuyako wrote that she felt that her fiance and driver, Niitaka, planned to kill her. Tomiko therefore plans to take revenge on Niitaka. However Tomiko falls in love with Niitaka, even though she also suspects him of being the Tokyo bus driver serial killer, who killed his female conductors after tiring of them. Moody movie with great B:w photography. 8,5/10
“Die Blechtrommel” (Volker Schlöndorff, West Germany/France/Poland/Yugoslavia 1979) Danzig in the 1920s/1930s. Oskar Matzerath, son of a local dealer, is a most unusual boy. Equipped with full intellect right from his birth he decides at his third birthday not to grow up as he sees the crazy world around him at the eve of World War II. So he refuses the society and his tin drum symbolizes his protest against the middle-class mentality of his family and neighborhood, which stand for all passive people in Nazi Germany at that time. However, (almost) nobody listens to him, so the catastrophe goes on... rewatched this great movie with much pleasure… Amazing and terrifiying indeed… 9/10
“Arrête ton char... bidasse!” (Michel Gérard, France/ West Germany 1977) Four young conscripts are making their duty in West Germany. They deploy a lot of imagination to make the ordeal less painful and more fun… with the help of some local girls… A true French pathetic comedy with Darry Cowl, Pierre Tornade and Robert Castel a sign of quality… and by a specialist of the genre who already commited “Soldat Duroc, ça va être ta fête!” or “Les vacanciers”. 2/10. But a true 10/10 for fans of ultra bad cinema…
“Zeder” (Pupi Avati, Italy 1983) Stefano, a young journalist, buys a used typewriter and accidentally sees that some text is still readable on the ribbon. He manages to reconstruct the story of a scientist, Paolo Zeder, who in the 1950's discovered that some types of terrain have the power to revive the dead that are buried in them. Stefano's investigations bring him in contact with a group of renegade scientists that are still making experiments to prove Zeder's theories. Excellent horror movie but not a zombie one as often told… Excellent script and a very suggestive direction with aswimming pool scene referring clearly to Tourneur’s Cat People. WXith excellent Riz Ortolani’s soundtrack… Frightening. 8,5/10
“Les passagers“ (aka “The Passengers“) Serge Leroy, France 1977) A man and his stepson driving across Europe are terrorized by a man following them in a pickup truck. Quite interesting movie with good suspense and a Bernard Fresson as the mad man truly terrifying. 7,5/10
“Le bourreau des coeurs” (Christian Gion, France 1983) Vittorio is an obscure actor who dreams to become famous. One day, he wins a TV-quiz about cinema. Thanks to he's good looking, he becomes the center of attention of women. He's hired by a producer to become the stunt double for a movie in Tahiti. Vittorio succeed in becoming the star of the movie and finds love in the arms of the leading actress. At the premiere of the movie, he's dream of fame has become reality. Aldo Maccione has “la classe” once more in that excellent and deep movie about social ascention and struggle… 4/10
“L’alibi” (aka “The Alibi”) (Pierre Chenal, France 1937) Paris, 1937. Winckler kills his enemy Gordon, a Chicago mobster, from the stage of a Parisian music hall, where he performs telepathy. He pays another artist, Helene, so that she tells the police they've spent the night together, which doesn't fool Callas, the police officer who investigates the murder. He hires one of his fellow officers in order to seduce Helene. Interresting crime movie about a small lie… With great confrontation between Erich von Stroheim and Louis Jouvet… 7,5/10
“Wild River” (Elia Kazan, USA 1960) A young field administrator for the TVA comes to rural Tennessee to oversee the building of a dam on the Tennessee River. He encounters opposition from the local people, in particular a farmer who objects to his employment (with pay) of local black laborers. Much of the plot revolves around the eviction of an elderly woman from her home on an island in the River, and the young man's love affair with that woman's widowed granddaughter. We proposed this masterpeace at our cine-club. I made the presentation and the discussion after the movie with the public was very interesting. I was very happy to watch it once mor on the silver screen. Certainly one of the best Kazan’s movie even if not the most praised… Montgomery Clift is excellent and Jo VanFleet amazing.10/10
“Cadaveri eccellenti“ (aka “Illustrious Corpses“) (Francesco Rosi, France / Italy 1976) Movie based on Leonardo Sciascia novel "Il contesto". Inspector Rogas (Lino Ventura) is assigned to investigate the mysterious murders of some Supreme Court judges and a series of judges's Homicide. During the investigation he discovers a plot that involves the most important politics and military establishment.This was the “Lead Years” in Europe and the movie is a pure product of the decade as many other movies abiut conspiracy… A very good one. 8,5/10
“Schoolgirls in Chains” (Don Jones, USA 1973) Two deranged brothers, who are under the domineering influence of their crazed mother, kidnap young girls and keep them captive in chains in their basement, where they subject them to depraved "games" that often end in torture and murder. Writen, produsced and directed by Don Jones a pure Redneck movie and as many movies of the genre it’s quite dull and not very interesting and clichéd but it also has its interesting moments... For fans of the genre. 5/10
“Mil sexos tiene la noche” (aka “Night Has a Thousand Desires”) (Jesús Franco, Spain 1984) A telepathic nightclub act becomes the backdrop for murder. Franco’s make some king of remaque of it’s own Les cauchemars naissent la nuit he made 12 years before. But this one is more “arty” and sexualy explicit and with Franco’s muse Lina Romay… For fans of the master… 6,5/10
“Daddy's Deadly Darling” (aka “Pigs” , “The 13th Pig”) (Marc Lawrence, USA 1972) Lynn Hart is a disturbed young woman who escapes from a mental hospital where she was committed for killing her abusive father who raped her. Stealing a nurse's uniform and car, Lynn ends up in a small California town where she meets and shacks up with Zambrini, an old farmer who runs the local motel and roadside café. Zambrini also owns a group of pigs that he keeps in a pen behind his house who have somehow developed a taste for human flesh. When Lynn begins killing a number of men who remind her of her dead father, Zambrini helps her out by disposing of the bodies to the pigs. Investigating the disappearances, the local sheriff eventually becomes suspicious of Lynn's past and a private investigator, hired by the hospital to find her, slowly close in on Lynn. Unusual Redneck movie and for one time a very good one… ultra sick and twisted plot with sick characters well acted by Toni Lawrence and Marc Lawrence, her father himself who plays the mad Zambrini… Laurence was a regaular actor who directed some strange movies… “Pigs” is unfortunately his last effort and the first for his daughter. A true little gem for fans of trash cinema 8/10.
“Quando i califfi avevano le corna... “ (aka “Curse of the Red Butterfly“) (Amasi Damiani, Italy 1973) After he has surprised his wife in a sexual orgy, the calife becomes crazy and murders every one… Then he only can find pleasure in killing his lovers… The calife of Bagdad sends his daughter Sheherazade to cure the maniac… after a crazy night of love she begins to tell 1001 stories… Not very good inded, this slightly erotic version of Arabian Nights is a bit dull and not very funny. 5/10
“Grand Guignol“ (Jean Marboeuf, France 1987) Baptiste is a writer of Grand Guignol plays illustrating all his macabres and horrific fantasms. Sarah his wife begins to be bored of this life of perpetual touring and sirdid hotels… Around them a gallery of weird characters as M; Albert who still dreams to be a famius actor, Charlie a funny guy who as often hide a sad soul… A true curiosity. 7,5/10
“Les possédés“ (Andrzej Wajda, France, 1988) This story begins in 1870 at a little town somewhere in Russia. It processed the real "Nyecsajev story". A group of young revolutionists wanna ruin the system with violence. They think this is the only chance to reform the old Russian Society. The leader of this group is Pierre. Adapting Dostoïevsky on scree is always a challenge and adapting the Possessed is a double Challenge because it’s one of the most complex and profuse novel of the famous writer. Wajda make a good work even if the movie should have been double more long to avoid to let some part of the story obscure especialy if you have read the book and fell therefore a bit frustrated. Or he should have remove some characters he doesn’t ave time to develop. Some still worth watching especialy because of the nice reconstitution and filming and also the goo Russian spirit present in the movie. 7,5/10
“Seizure“ (Oliver Stone, USA 1973) A horror story writer, Edmond Blackstone, suffers from a recurring nightmare in which three bizarre figures terrorize him and his family. When Blackstone begins to write, the three figures appear at his home and the dream becomes reality. First Oliver Stone movie, Seizure is a small horror movie about our fears and stereotypes of violences coming ti life… Quite interesting. With the French dwarf star Hervé Villechaize the famous Tatoo of cult tv serie Fantasy Island. For fans of weird cinema. Also with gorgeous Martine Beswick as the evil queen and Mary Woronov also pretty. 7/10
“Doomwatch” (Peter Sasdy, UK 1972) The waters surrounding an island become contaminated by chemical dumping, and people who eat fish caught in those waters become deformed and violent. Of cruel actuality a little british horror movie worth of watching. Despite some weakness a good creepy atmospheric ecological thriller on a remote island… 7,5/10
“Les jeux sont faits” (aka “The Chips Are Down“) (Jean Delannoy, France 1947) Eve and Pierre are killed independently at the same time. They learn to know and love each other in the afterlife. They get a second chance back in life so they can prove their absolute love. But can they put their pasts behind them ? Novels and plays of Jean-Paul Sartres have been often adapted on screen but he rarely personnaly invests in writing for cinema. This movie is an exeption because he wrote the script and the dialogs. Very strange movie that make you think at Carnival of Souls or The Sixth Sense with the deads among the livings. The movies show the difference of of a love born among the deads where all people are equals and the same love among the livings… In his famous play “Huis-Clos” where dead peoples were forced to live together for eternity Sartres said "l'enfer c'est les autres"(hell comes from the others") it’s a very similar idea which is developed here and the titles of the movie is sadly announcing the bitter end. Very interesting…. 9/10
“Brigade des moeurs” (aka “Vice Squad“) (Max Pécas, France 1985) Some transsexuals are brutally killed in the Boi de Boulogne. One was a police informer… A violent and dangerous investigation begins for the inspectors of the vice squad. Max Pécas make a very perverted and bloody crime movie better than his usual stuff. Some plot holes and clichés but not bad for à Pécas movie. 7/10
“Chair de poule “ (aka “Highway Pick-Up”) Julien Duvivier, France 1963) After a hold-up that finish bad… Daniel Boiset is arrested and condamned for murder at the place of his friend. Hes condmned to 20 years but escape and hide in a remote garage in Provence where he has been hired by Thomas who’s married to pretty and young Maria. She recognizes him and blackmails him. She asks him to kill her husband and rob the money hidden in the safe… Quite good noir under the sun… As usual with Duvivier human nature is shwn at its darker side…. 8/10
“Peau d’espion” (Edouard Molinaro, France 1967) Charles Beaulieu, who served as an Army officer during the Algerian War, has become a novelist. Unfortunately for a playboy who lives in a big way like him, his books sell poorly. His need for money makes him accept an offer by Major Rhome, his former superior in Algeria, now one of the heads of the French counter-espionage agency. Charles' mission will consist in preventing the defection of laser specialist Henri Banck's defection to Red China... Quite entertaing spy movie even if not exeptional, especialy because of the romance between the two main characters that takes too much importance. There is also a strange casting including Louis Jourdan, Senta Berger, Edmund O’Brien and Bernard Blier… 7,5/10
“La famille Fenouillard“ (aka “The Fenouillard Family“) (Yves Robert, France 1960) The story takes the Fenouillard family to Paris where they want to see the Eiffel tower;but they take the wrong train (after the laborious explanations of the station master),winds up on a ship who sails away to Brazil:here ,they get lost in the virgin forest which looks like an exotic garden ,complete with parrots,boas and cannibals who put them on their menu . Saved by convicts escaped from a penal colony ,they try to get back home on a ship which takes them to the North Pole ,where they live,as tradition has it,in an igloo;then Madame gets drunk with sake in Japan ,dressed up as a geisha ;as there's no boat when they get to the harbor ,they will "walk" their way home via Africa rivers ,the pyramids,the road to Damascus - When they have arrived ,they will have seen the whole world ,everything but the Eiffel Tower… Ceretainly one of the best adaptation of a comic-strip. The settings, the craziness of the plot and the acting the tremendous rhythm… very funny !!! The note on Imdb is very low but don’t believe it ! 8,5/10
"Charade" (Stanley Donen, USA 1963) Regina is about to divorce her husband when she finds that he has been murdered after converting every penny they owned to cash, which is also missing. She meets Cary Grant who changes his name every 15 minutes or so and is interested in her husband's money, which seems to have come from a WWII payroll he stole. His partners in crime are also very interested in where the money is, as he stole it from them as well. Everyone assumes Regina MUST know where the money is. The situation becomes more tense when the searchers begin turning up dead. I enjoy a lot to watch it again… 9,5/10
“Attack of the Crab Monsters” (Roger Corman, USA 1957) Scientists become trapped on a shrinking island with intelligent, murderous giant crabs. One of the most famous mivies directed by Roger Corman himself… I enjoyed a lot to watch it again in a brand new tranfert… Gret guilty fun 7,5/10
“Dillinger” (Max Nosseck, USA 1945) John Dillinger begins his life of crime as a petty thief, meets his future gang in prison and eventually masterminds a series of daring robberies. Even if not completely faithfull to the truth, this version of the life of the famous criminal is very good, crude and quite violent for the times it was released. Tough Lawrence Tierney finds here one of hiis’ best role. 8/10
“Dark Intruder” (Harvey Hart, USA 1965) Police call an occult expert to help solve series of murders. Quite good mix of crime and fantasy in this small B movie with nice gothic atmosphere. 7/10
“Maria, Mirabella“ (Ion Popescu-Gopo, Romania, SSSR, 1981) Two little girls - Maria and Mirabella - go to the woods for a walk and encounter several magical characters, among them a frog with his feet frozen in ice, a fireworm whose shoes keep catching fire, and a butterfly who's afraid of flying. To help their new friends, the girls must carry them to a sorceress who lives deep in the forest. Excellent small movie for children… Nice mix of anime and real character. The two little girls Gilda Manolescu, Medeea Marinescu are convincing. 8,5/10
“Les patates“ (aka “The Potatoes“) (Claude Autant-Lara, France 1969) France, 1942. During the Nazi Occupation, the Ardennes falls in the "forbidden zone" between the German Occupied North and the Vichy governed South. Its inhabitants face starvation as movement of people and supplies into the area are strictly controlled. To save his family, Clovis risks his life crossing the boundary to get hold of potatoes which he intends to plant in a patch of unused land. Knowing that his family's survival depends on the success of his scheme, Clovis becomes increasingly obsessed with his crop of potatoes. The movis is based on tragic true, porrly known facts, wich would have deserved a better treatment. The movie never chose between being serious or a xcomedy and the choice of the lead actor, the well known French popular singer Pierre Perret doesn’t help at all… A the end a issed rendez-vous. 5,5/10
“The Udertaker” (Franco Steffanino, USA 1988) A deranged undertaker kills various people to keep as his friends in his seedy funeral home. Quite sick horror movie with great Joe Spinell just before his tragic death. 7/10
"El coleccionista de cadáveres" (aka "Cauldron of Blood") (Santos Alcocer, Spain/UK/USA, 1970) A blind sculptor works on his magnum opus unaware that the skeletons he has been using for armatures are the remains of the victims of his evil wife and that he is the next target. Curious small horror movie not as bad as expected and with very strang cast from Jean-Pierre Aumont to Boris Karloff in one of his last effort (the movie was released after his death) and Rosenda Monteros… A curiosity. 6,5/10
“The Queen” (Stephen Frears, USA/UK/France/Italy, 2006) After the death of Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II struggles with her reaction to a sequence of events nobody could have predicted. So-so pseudo-historial drama. For those who are foud of british monarchy may be interrestong or scandalous for pthers a bit obscure and boring. 6/10
“Multiple Maniacs” (John Waters, USA 1970) Lady Divine becomes enraged when her boyfriend cheats on her, and descends into a life of murder and mayhem. The third movie of John Waters is just amazing… ultra trash and weird. A must to see for all fans of Waters/Divine… 7,5/10
“The Boy Who Cried Werewolf” (Nathan Juran, USA 1973) Richie Bridgestone (whose parents are divorced) goes to spend the weekend with his father at his secluded mountain cabin. During a moonlight hike, they are attacked in the darkness by a creature that he recognizes as a werewolf. During the struggle, the werewolf falls into a ravine and is impaled by a wooden fence, but not before biting his father. Upon investigation, they find their attacker to be human and the sheriff concludes their attacker was an insane drifter. He spends the rest of the film trying to convince his mother, and his therapist that his father is now a werewolf. Not as bas as you can imagine wth a tittle like that and a director like Nathan Juran. To be honest, the movie is clearly entertaining, and quite manain a certain suspense and is not badly filmed at all. Just try it ! 7/10
“Psychic Killer“ (Ray Danton, USA 1975) A former mental patient uses astral projection to destroy the people he believes have wronged him. Interresting small horror exploitation movie with a nce plot idea even if cheaply made it is still worth watching. 7/10
“Mononoke-hime” (aka “Princess Mononoke”) (Hayao Miyazaki, Japan 1997) On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime. Honnestly, I have nerver understood the “craziness” about Miyazaki’s movie and especialy this one… Anime is nothing exeptional (compared to Paprika or host in the shell for example), the “philosopy” of the movie may touch a 15 years old teenager at most… nature vs progress, nothing and nobody is completely black or white, the usual characters you meet in much of the mangas… nothing exeptional at all… I won’t make me friends there but... not important 4/10
“Diana” (Oliver Hirschbiegel, UK/France/Sweden/Belgium, 2013) During the last two years of her life, Princess Diana embarks on a final rite of passage: a secret love affair with Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan. Well, If you’re seeking some revalation about Dina’s life you’ll will be disapponinted, the movie is mainly a romance using famps characters… And the movie is strangly almost most centered on the surgon character than on Diana’s one… 6,5/10
@Asmodai, those old "eastern" animes are always great...
Some movies I watched those last months...
“Stryker” (Cirio H. Santiago, Philippines, 1983) The world's water supply has dried up due to some sort of apocalypse. A beautiful woman holds the secret to where one of the last springs being guarded by a group of Amazons. A "Road Warrior" like crew captures her and tries to make her talk through brutal torture. A tough roady, Stryker, unites with some of the Amazons and frees the woman and the final battle can begin.. Another post apocalyptic movie not the worst but not the best either… 6,5/10
“Occhi dalle stelle” (aka “Eyes Behind the Stars”) (Mario Gariazzo, Italy 1978) A photographer and his model are on a photo shoot in a forest when they get the feeling they are being watched. The feeling becomes so strong that they decide to cut their session short and leave. Later, when they develop the photos they took, they discover what looks like alien creatures in the background. The movie begins like Blow Up but that’s all… the rest is more… well entertaining in this curious mix of giallo and Sci-Fi 6,5/10
"Le moine" (aka "The Monk") (Adonis Kyrou, France, Italy, West Germany, 1972) Acurious movie in which a very rigourous monk as a secret second life : a strong passion for women and evec very young ones… He hide his lover disguised as a novice in the monastery… he meet the youngdaughter of a countess and fall in love for her… the problems begin… Luis Bunuel is on the script for this strange anticlerical movie of couse very perverse and ironic. Franco Nero as the monk is quite improbable but the whole is watchable. 7/10
“l gatto dagli occhi di Giada” (aka “Watch Me When I Kill”) (Antonio Bido, Italy 1977) A pharmacist is murdered, and a woman happens to see the culprit leave the scene. She soon finds herself being stalked by the killer, and when her boyfriend tries to discover who the murderer is and stop him, he begins to find out that there is much more to the murder than the ordinary killing it first appeared to be. This late giallo looks very like Argento’s “Profondo Rosso” and is still enjoyable even if not very original. 7/10
“She he ba bu” (“Arts of the Snake and Crane”) (Chi-Hwa Chen, Hong-Kong/Taïwan, 1978) Jackie Chan stars as the young warrior Hsu Yiu Fong. Hsu has been entrusted with the book of the "Art of the Snake and Crane," after the mysterious disappearance of the eight Shaolin Masters who had written it. He must fight off numerous clans who are all attempting to steal the book from him, to find out the true reason for the disappearance of the Shaolin Masters. All te ingrediets for a classic martial arts movie with a young Jacky Chan… a good one for fans. 7,5/10
“Suddently, Last Summer” (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, USA 1959) Rewatched with much pleasure this amaing movie….the final monologue is definitively amzing… 10/10
“Οι βοσκοί” (aka “Thanos and Despina”) (Nikos Papatakis, France/Greece, 1967) Katina, an impoverished Greek woman, tries to arrange the marrage of her shepherd son, Thanos, to Despina, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. But when Despina's father, Vlahopoulos refuses to give his blessings and wants Despina to marry a more wealthy gentleman, named Yankos. The wealthy and spoiled Yankos plots to break up the romantic union between Thanos and Despina any way posible while the young lovers plot to run away in a futile attempt to being a new life for themselves. A cruel sight at the greek society, the superstitions and hypocrisy of the traditional customes… Great filming too. 8,5/10
“Week-end à Zuydcoote” (Henry Verneuil, France/Italy, 1964) Rewatched this great movie with much pleasure… One of Belmondo’s best. 8/10
“Nightbirds” (Andy Milligan, UK 1970) While living rough on the streets of London's East End, a young man, Dink encounters the mysterious Dee and they begin a relationship. When tenderness gives way to cruelty they become consumed by darkness…. Inerresting and weird little movie by a master of the underground cinema… I enjoyed a lot t watch it once more. 7/10
“Requiem for a Village” (David Gladwell, UK 1976) The keeper of the graveyard of a small english village remember his youth and the story of the village… Ultra weird movie with sow pace and some fantasy parts… Great. 8/10
“Sorority Babes in the Slimeball BowlORama” (David DeCoteau, USA 1988) As part of a sorority ritual, pledges and their male companions steal a trophy from a bowling alley; unbeknownst to them, it contains a devilish imp who makes their lives a living Hell. DeCoteau is the modern Ed Wood and all his movies are bad. This one too of course. 2,5/10
“Xue di zi” (“The Flying Guillotine”) (Meng Hua Ho, Hong-Kong 1975) Chen Kuan-tai battles assassins that use a deadly, beheading weapon to kill dissidents. Based on true events, the film's weapon was completely fabricated because in real life, no one ever survived to tell what the weapon actually looked like. A must-see for all fans of the genre ! 7,5/10
“Μικρές Αφροδίτες“ (aka “Young Aphrodites”) (Nikos Koundouros, Greece 1963) During a merciless drought, the brute nature of man and the delicate essence of the woman will yield under the omnipotence of the carnal instinct. The movie delivers a beautiful vision of eternal myths with great filming ... Just excellent 8/10
“Schizo” (Pete Walker, UK 1976) A recently-married woman who has been labeled as mentally unstable, begins to suspect that someone close to her is the culprit in a sudden string of murders. Nice little thriller with good suspense. 6,5/10
“El Dorado” (Howard Hawks, USA 1967) I watched this one once ore with much leasure… but everybody kows it… 8,5/10
“Perawan rimba” / “Jungle Virgin Force” (Danu Umbara, Indonesia 1988) A curious mix of martial art, voodoo, black magic, tribal war… a female Tarzan, a treasure… crocodiles… Only Indonesians knows the secret of such mixture… Amazing. 2/10 or 10/10 if you’re a Z grade fan…
“Impulse“ (William Grefé, USA 1974) Most actors have a movie in thier carreer that they would have never done… I’m sure this is the case here for William “Captain” Shatner. He’s here a womanizer who kills his rich wives… Bad movie for sure. 3/10
“Gloria mundi“ (Nikos Papatakis, France 1976) Hamdias, a producer, has just started a movie whose main theme is torture. But filming is soon interrupted first because of a lack of capital but mainly because Hamdias is killed in tragic circumstances. After a while, Gaila, his friend and also the main actress of his film, sets about continuing his work… A metaphoric movie about the torture practiced by French soldiers during Algerian war… and also a typical movie of the strange period of the “years of Lead” in Europe… A hard movie. 7/10
“Ninja Cheerleaders“ (David Presley, USA 2008) Three college cheerleaders (and after-school go-go dancers) use their martial arts skills to save their Sensei from mafia kidnappers, but must keep their extracurricular activities a secret to realize their Ivy League dreams at Brown. As you can imagine it’s not very good… 4,5/10
“La piscine“ (Jacques Deray, France 1969) I watched once more this classc with much pleasure, but everybody know it… 8,5/10
“2019 - Dopo la caduta di New York“ (2019: After the Fall of New York) (Sergio Martino, France/Italy, 1983) After a nuclear war, society breaks down into two groups, the evil Euraks and the rebel Federation. A mercenary named Parsifal is hired by the Federation to infiltrate New York City, which is controlled by the Euraks, to rescue the only fertile woman left on Earth. Another post apocalypse movie not bad not good either. Some very kitsch moments… 6,5/10
“The Pack“ (Robert Clouse, USA 1977) The residents of vacation spot Seal Island find themselves terrorized by a pack of dogs -- the remnants of discarded pets by visiting vacationers. Qite interresing B movie with some very frightening moments. 7/10
“The Bamboo Saucer“ (Frank Telford, USA 1968) A flying saucer hidden in a Red Chinese peasant village is sought by teams from the United States and U.S.S.R. On finding it, they band together to explore the saucer and take a trip into space. Interresting movie but which seems to be 15 years too late… bu also a nice message in those cold war times… 6,5/10
“Ben“ (Phil Karlson, USA 1972) A lonely boy befriends Ben, the leader of a violent pack of killer rats. A quite interesting sequel of Willard but less terrifying. Veterant Phil Karlson does a nice job… 7/10
“Little Girls Blue“ (Maria Lease, USA 1978) Two young girls at the Townsend School for Girls, a private high school, plot to escape for the evening with their dates, shunning their younger friend Buffy because she's still too young and "still a virgin." Indignant, Buffy decides to prove herself by seducing her history teacher in exchange… Nice little porn quite well made with some arty sequences… But no shots for WTM. 6,5/10
“Tenement“ (Roberta Findlay, USA 1985) A drug selling and violent street-gang terrorize the renters of a big trashy apartment-house. Violent and nasty movie by cult producer/director Roberta Findlay… 6,5/10
“Run All Night“ (Jaume Collet-Serra, USA 2011) Mobster and hit man Jimmy Conlon has one night to figure out where his loyalties lie: with his estranged son, Mike, whose life is in danger, or his longtime best friend, mob boss Shawn Maguire, who wants Mike to pay for the death of his own son. So-so mvie with much improbable part in the plot… 6/10
“Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life “ (Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack, USA 1925) The struggles of a hardscrabble Iranian nomadic tribe as they journey through bleak country to reach the grasslands that will save their livestock. Amazing documentary a must see… 9/10
“Kad budem mrtav i beo“ (“When I’ll Be Dead and Gone“) (Zivojin Pavlovic, Yugoslavia 1967) The story about Jimmy the Dingy, a young vagabond who works as a seasonal worker. Having been sacked from the job, his dreams are to become a singer. As most of the things in the Balkans happen, he is destined to failure. Excellent and sad road movie of a loser… Excellent. 9/10
“Massage Parlor Murders! “ (Chester Fox, Alex Stevens, USA 1973) A deranged and ferocious killer terrorizes the red light district of Times Square in New York City by savagely bumping off the lovely young ladies who work at massage parlors located throughout the area. It's up to grouchy veteran detective Rizotti and his more cheerful younger partner O'Mara to figure out the maniac's identity and apprehend the fiend before he strikes again. Weird early slasher quite cheap but entertaining... 6,5/10
“La plante humaine“ (Pierre Hébert, Canada/France, 1996) A recent retred man spends his time in front of TV… the avalanche of images is conditioning his life… Strang ix of movie and anime… 8/10
“Who's Crazy? “ (Thomas White, Allan Zion, Belgium/USA, 1966) Patients from an insane asylum find refuge at a farmhouse after escaping from a bus. Before One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest there was Who’s Crazy?... Amazing experimental movie filmed by an American in Belgium… 8/10
“Escalofrío“ / (Aka “Satan's Blood“) (Juan Piquer Simón, Spain 1978) A young couple is tricked into going into a sinister house where a coven of devil-worshipers waits for them. Little horror movie by a master of the genre but nothing special here… 6/10
“De l'usage du sex-toy en temps de crise“ (Éric Pittard, France 2013) Autobiographical movie of the director Erice Pittard about the last years of his life wen he discovers he ‘s got a cancer… frontal an very moving movie… Great 8,5/10
“Darktown Strutters“ (William Witney, USA 1975) Syreena must investigate the disappearance of her mother, Cinderella. A series of wild complications follow… Ultra camp and kitch blaxploitation movie ! Amazing…. 5/10
“Húsz óra“ (“Twenty Hours“) (Zoltán Fábri, Hungary 1965) A journalist comes back in his village and invests about a murder comminted some years ago… souvenirs and secrets are soon back… Just excellent by one of the best Hungarian director ever. 9/10
“Le rosier de Madame Husson“ (Dominique Bernard-Deschamps, France 1932) Mme Husson (Françoise Rosay excellent), the local bigot, decide to elect the ”Rosière” of the village, the purest and nicest girl of the village… but she can’t find any. So the mayor and the ton council decides to elect Isidore the local simpleton… The yung guy drink a bit and vanishes with his 500 francs price… A nice lttle adaptation of Maupassant’s novel and a quite good satyre of the small town bourgeoisie and the place of woman in the society… The movie is the fourth appearance on screen of Fernandel as Isidore and his first great role. It will make him a star… Nice little movie to discover… 7/10
“Ercole e la regina di Lidia” (aka “Hercule unchained”) (Pietro Francisci, Vittorio Cottafavi, Itay, France 1959) While negotiating peace between two brothers contesting the throne of Thebes, an amnesiac Hercules is seduced by the evil Queen Omphale. He forgets his mission and even his young bride Iole. As usual a camp and kitsch sword and Sandals… Fans will enjoy a lot ! 6,5/10
"The Thin Red Line" (Terrence Malick, USA 1998) Rewatched it once more… The more I watch it the better it is… 10/10
"Ne réveillez pas un flic qui dort" (José Pinheiro, France 1988) This movie tells the story of a group of right-wing cops have begun carrying out vigilante justice on drug dealers and other crime figures who might otherwise avoid punishment for their misdeeds. Police inspector Grindel understands the feelings which motivate these deeds, but does not approve. However, he is not highly motivated to put an end to the group's activities until it begins to appear that they are now attacking fellow cops for reasons which are unclear. Grindel sets to work to uncover the culprits, and in a climactic scene, confronts his colleague Scatti. Alain Delon loves Alain Delon as an actor so this movie is made for Alain Delon and in fact by Alain Delon…. Alain Ddelon is a tough guy… If you have any doubt about that watch this movie… At the end a little movie sometimes entertaining… 6/10
"Bladerunner" (Ridley Scott, Hong Kong, USA 1982) Good to watch the original again… Great pleasure. 8,5/10
"Parole de flic" (José Pinheiro, USA 1985) Retired police officer Daniel Pratt's teenage daughter is killed by a gang of hooded men. Pratt begins his own investigation to find the killers and who ordered them to do it - and take personal revenge out of the judicial system…. You can cut/paste my coments on “Ne réveillez pas un flic qui dort” just above… 6/10
"Shen wei san meng long" (aka "The Clones of Bruce Lee") (Joseph Velasco, Hong Kong Bruce Lee has just died, but the BSI is swinging into action to salvage the situation. Aided by the brilliant Professor Lucas, cells from the martial arts master's body are removed and grown into three adult Bruce Lee clones. After undergoing training to bring their skills up to the level of their 'father', the three are sent out to battle crime, with one sent to take on a gold smuggler, and the other two teaming up to shut down an evil mad scientist…. Amazing psychotronic movie for fans of So Bad That It’s Good… Just great… The occasion to see together three of the most prolific real clones of Bruce Lee… 3/10 for Z grade fans 10/10 !
297°) "La part des lions" (aka "The Lions’ Share") (Jean Larriaga, France/Italy, 1971) As childs, a famous writer and a bank robber were raised and hidden durng WWII by and old man. They meet again at the burial of their “father” and for curious reasons teams up to make a big capper…. But as usual thing go wrong. Quite interesting small crime movie with good cast : Charles Aznavor as the writer, Robert Hossein as the bak robber, Michel Constantin as the cop… and Raymond Pelegrin and Michel Peyrelon as the bad guys…
I was then to Lyon's Festival Lumière... It was the occasion to watch or watch again some reat movies...
"Le duel" (Pierre, Fresnay, France 1941) Daniel is a priest who is still a man ,in spite of all he says to everyone around.He becomes the "spiritual adviser" of a deserted wife whose husband ,an aviator , is a celebrity.Enter the priest's brother, a "heathen" surgeon who confesses his love to the woman (on the Eiffel tower!).But the holy man is not prepared to accept it even when the husband dies in a plane crash:he urges her to leave this world for higher "spiritual" concerns,that is to say to become a nun. Amazing (and a bit ridiculous) movie about a priest who’s still a man opposite to his “pagan” brother in a love four angled triangle ! Raimu is also in the cast as well as Yvonne Printemps Fresnay’s wif in the real. It was first and last directing attemps of Fresnay, perhaps it’s better so. 5,5/10
"Mädchen in uniform" (Leontine Sagan, Germany 1931) At an all-girls boarding school, Manuela falls in love with a teacher, to terrific consequences…. The movie is clearly in avant-garde showing homosexual relashionships without ambiguity but also is an accuation of the traditional Prussian way of life, raising people in an atmosphere of hate… Good one. 7,5/10
"Speedy" (Ted Wilde, USA 1927) Harold "Speedy" Swift, a fan of Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees, saves from extinction the city's last horse-drawn trolley, operated by his girlfriend's grandfather… Excellent comedy which runs on a frenetic rhythm… 9/10
"Battling Butler" (Buster Keaton, USA 1926) A love-struck weakling must pretend to be boxer in order to gain respect from the family of the girl he loves. Keaton is the king of slapstick comedy… another proof of this evidence here. 9/10
"La formula secreta" (Rubén Gomez, Mexico 1964) Excellent exerimental movie about mexicans people and the mexican way of life… against american imperialism… Great ! 8/10
"Night Tide" (Curtis Harrington, USA 1961) A young sailor falls in love with a mysterious woman, performing as a mermaid at the local carnival. He soon comes to suspect the girl might be a real mermaid, who draws men to a watery death during the full moon. Rewatched with much pleasure on a brand new copy this great little fantasy movie quite very well done even with few means… and the mysterious end is great. 8/10
"The Nest of the Cuckoo Birds" (Bert Williams, USA 1965) Johnson, an agent for the Liquor Control Department, comes across the remote Cuckoo Bird Inn after escaping from a band of cut-throat moonshiners and a mysterious killer. He realizes there that he must discover the identity of the killer before it, or the inn's demented occupants turn him into another display in the grotesque Chapel Of The Dead… Cult obscure movie for the punk generation almost everything was made by Williams in this movie even bad acting, bad editing, bad filming… long thought lost and thankfully, a 35mm print was found at an abandoned theatre in New York. He brought to us in a restored version by Nicolas Winding Refn… for Z grade fans only… 3/10 or 10/10…
"L’affaire du courier de Lyon" (Claude Autan-Lara, Maurice Lehmann, France 1937) Historical drama based on a true case of miscarriage of justice, the "Joseph Lesurques case" of 1796. Very iterresting movie about a man wrongly accused of murder and executed… Even if some actors strongly “overact” a nice movie to discover… 8/10
"Premier de cordée" (Louis Daquin, France 1944) Zian Servettaz is a dedicated mountain man. His Italian-born wife Bianca does not adjust well to his mountain village in France, and to the ever life-threatening dangers presented by his mountain guiding and climbing. Even if the story is quite classical, the filming on location and in the mountain even during the climbings is simply still amazing... Great 8,5/10
"Le pont du nord" (Jacques Rivette, France 1981) A woman recently released from prison and a strange young female street urchin keep running into each other on the streets of Paris and finally become companions in a very strange and very weird mysterious adventure that includes a secret map of Paris, and murky figures from the criminal world. Another great movie from Rivette, very similar to Out 1 Noli Me Tangere in it’s purposes… great acting from Bulle Ogier and his daughter Pascale Ogier too soon disappeared… 9/10
"La ciociara" (aka "Two Women") (Vitorio De Sica, Italy, 1960) In the Italy of WWII, a widow and her lonely daughter seek for distance between them and the horrors of war. Strong and powerfull drama…. Just great as usual with De Sica… 9/10
"Blast of Silence" (Allen Baron, USA 1961) A hired killer from Cleveland has a job to do on a second-string mob boss in New York. But a special girl from his past, and a fat gun dealer with pet rats, each gets in his way. Rewatched with much pleasure this great little inependant movie in a pure New Wave style… 9/10
"A taste of Honey" (Tony Richardson, UK 1961) A pregnant teenage girl must fend for herself when her mother remarries, leaving the girl with only a new male friend for support. Uwed mother, interracial love, homosexuality… this great movie is miles ahead from its time… Excellent. 9/10
"Skuplaci Perja" (Alexandar Petrovic, Yugoslavia 1967) Bora the Gypsy is married to an older woman, and he falls in love with the younger Tissa, who is being offered in marriage by her father, to a young gypsy man. This marriage arrangement is according to custom. Tissa rejects her husband, claiming he is not able to consumate the marriage, and Bora joins her. They get a monk in the mountains to marry them. Unable to return to the Gypsy camp, Tissa tries to reach Belgrad on her own, but a couple of truck drivers rape her, and she does return in misery to her tribe. Meanwhile, Bora defends his honour the traditional way, in a knife duwl, and kills his opponent. Therefore he, too, must leave the tribe. And yet, we'll find happy gypsies…. Impossible to believe this is a movie from the 60’s… It cold have been done yesterday… It’s like an Emir Kusturica movie but much better (and despite all what Kusturica said, he must have watched this movie)…. 10/10
"Parcheta Lyobov" (Ivan Chekelov, Bulgaria 1989) Three young couples, who live almost like one family, are isolated from the external world. They are on the edge of breaking their relationship. Nobody is happy with this, but nobody tries to change anything. Very depressing movie but a very accurate vision of the lost generations born after WWII in the east block… 8/10
"Körhinta" (Zoltán Fábri, Hungary 1956) In a rural scenery in the throes of difficult changes lives a humble but promising young farmer girl called Mari Pataki. Her father forbids her from seeing the man she loves. The father, above all preoccupied by work on the fields and prospective wealth, decides to give his daughter in marriage to an old but rich man with whom he does business. Land marries land, he says. This seems to be the unyielding rule of the Hungarian peasantry. But the young lover is ready to stand up to any challenge to keep Maris love. Great movie by a wonderful director… 9/10
"Ila ayn ?" (Georges Nasser, Lebanon 1957) A family lives poorly in a village in the Lebanese mountain. One day the father abandons his family and leaves for Brazil, considered an Eldorado by a great number of his compatriots. Twenty years pass. The mother raised her children with great difficulty: the elder has a family and the younger one is getting ready to immigrate to Brazil. One day a ragged old man arrives to the village. The first Lebanese feature movie… With non professional actors a nice vision of the problem of immigration, still actual. 8,5/10
"Obchod na Korze" (Jan Kadar, Elmar Klos, Czechoslovakia 1965) Slovakia during WW2. Tono lives a poor life, but the authorities (his brother in law in fact) offer him to take over the Jewish widow Lautman's little shop for sewing material. She is old and confused and thinks that he is only looking for employment and hires him. The odd couple begin to like each other. But some time later the authorities decide that the Jews must leave the city. What should he do with the old lady? Very strong and moving movie… what to say except… watch it ! 10/10
"Krvana Pani" (Viktor Kubal, Czechoslovakia 1980) A nice but poorly known anime movie adapted from the famois Slovak legend of the Countess Bathory some kind of female Dracula… Great but not for children of course… much poetry and fantasy. 8,5/10
"Nightmare in Wax" (Bud Townsend, USA 1969) The disfigured curator of a wax museum murders his enemies and then uses their bodies as exhibits in his museum… A cheap creepy horror movie with great Cameron Mitchell… 6/10
"Poor Pretty Eddie" (David Worth, Richard Robinson, USA 1975) A wrong turn on a jazz singer's road trip results in her car breaking down near an isolated lodge run by a faded starlet and a young, homicidal Elvis impersonator…. A strange redneck movie with aging Shelley Winters… 6,5/10
"Moi, fleur bleue" (Eric Le Hung, France 1977) A man hires a P.I. to find a hot woman he fell in love with. The woman lives with her underage teen sister who dreams about having sex for the first time, but wants a real man. That's when the P.I. shows up and stirs up the household. Not very good cominf of age movie… 6/10
"Touch’pas à mon biniou" (Bernard Launois, France 1980) The pathetic adventures of a lazy guy and the custumers of an hotel along the french coast… The tittle mays make you suppose the movie is bad… and you’e perfectly right… trully ridicylous movie. 1,5/10
"Les paumées du petit matin" (aka "The Escapees") (Jean Rollin, France 1981) On the run from an asylum for the insane, a feisty young girl and a forlorn female companion embark on a surreal journey with a group of traveling erotic dancers. Wandering from the fantastic to the farcical and back again… Not the best Rollin movie for sure but not bad eighter. 6,5/10
"Les mille et une perversions de Felicia" (aka "Felicia") (Max Pécas, France 1975) Paul and Gabrielle, a young married couple, take in their neighbor's teenage daughter, Felicia, for a few weeks in the summer. It isn't long before the precocious and seductive Felicia sets her sights on the two of them. The classic story of the pervert young girl and the libertine couple… Famous erotic actress Mary Mendum is great and Béatrice Harnois as Felicia is damn hot…. 6/10
"Le jour se lève et les conneries commencent" (Claude Mulot, France 1981) Three thirty-year-old friends with a strong appetite for women and leisure life, supported by different people, live very well. Until one of them is forced to work. His two mates will do everything to free him from this calvary. A must to see for all fans of pathetic French comedy at it’s best. 1/10 or 10/10 for fans…
“Booby Trap” (Dwayne Avery, USA 1970) A crazed military explosives expert heads for Los Angeles with an RV full of explosives, intending to blow up a rock festival and kill all the "hippies". An army officer is sent to stop him…. Very cheap B (C) grade movie from the vault… with amazing script… but entertaining… worth a look. 6/10
“Corridor of Mirrors” (Terrence Young, UK 1948) A man falls in love with a beautiful young woman and begins to suspect that he may have also loved her in a previous life. The first effort of Terrence Young is a good one a nice dark story very well filmed and with a touch of fantasy… 7,5/10
“Vsichni dobrí rodáci” (Vojtech Jasný, Czechoslovakia 1969) Various scenes in the life of a tight-knit community in Czechoslovakia exploring the human spirit in the backdrop of the political changes that they experience. They were seven friends between the joy of the end of WWII and the installation of the communist regime the movie shows how friendship, oppinions, changes for the best but also for the worth… Great. 9/10
"The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" (Peter Jackson, New Zealand/USA, 2014) This time in long version but it doesn’t changes my opinion and note… 3/10
"Sugar Hill" (Paul Maslansky, USA 1974) A girl uses black magic and zombies to get revenge on the thugs who beat her boyfriend to death… Ultra camp Blaxploitatio movie from the vault. A must ot see for all fans. 6/10
“Concerto per pistola solista” (aka “The Weekend Murders”) (Michele Lupo, Italy 1970) A family goes to a British estate to hear the reading of a will and while there they are murdered one by one. Very unusual giallo in an Agatha Christie style… and a ood dose of humour… Nice 7/10
“الأرض” (aka “The Land”) (Youssef Chahine, Egypt 1969) A small peasant village's struggles against the careless inroads of the large local landowner, The Land shows why political oppression does not necessarily lead to a sense of solidarity among the disinherited. Excellent movie still actual indeed… Very movieng ending… 9,5/10
“La femme du boulanger“ (The Baker’s Wife”) (Marcel Pagnol, France 1938) In this little Provencal village, a new baker, Aimable, settles down. His wife Aurelie is beautiful and much younger than he. She departs with a shepherd the night after Aimable produces his first breads. Aimable is so afflicted that he can not work anymore. Therefore, the villagers, who initially laughed at his cuckoldry, take the matter very seriously (they want the bread) and organize a plan to find Aurelie and to bring her back to the bakery. One of Pagnol’s best effort with amazing Raimu in it’s best performance making Orson Welles say that hhe was th best actor in the world… 9,5/10
“Les pornocrates” (Jean-François Davy, France 1976) This movie is an inteeresting look behind the scenes of the French adult film industry during the 70’s the golden age of the genre… 6,5/10
“Le Bagnard“ (Willy Rozier, France 1951) The practice of Dr. Julien, a GP of Marseilles, consists mainly of drug-addicts. One day, one of his patient dies at his surgery and Julien yields to the temptation : he steals the dead man's money and hides the corpse in a trunk. But the whole thing is discovered and ... misinterpreted. The doctor is condemned for killing the junkie and sent to the Cayenne convict prison, from which he escapes. The Indians give him shelter and he is soon given the opportunity to return their good deed when a yellow fever epidemic strikes their tribe. A young woman helps to fight the disease and, thanks to her, Julien starts considering that a new life is possible for him. Much improbable movie with incredible story of redemption… For fan of the famous independent director… 6,5/10
“Quai des orfèvres“ (Hanri-Georges Clouzot, France 1947) I rewatched this one with much pleasure. Great 9/10
“The Naked Cage” (Paul Nicholas, USA 1986) Another great Cannon production in wich a young woman is wrongly convicted of a bank robbery and sent to a maximum-security prison run by a corrupt warden, where she is forced to suffer various indignities. Another classic woman in cage movie… not bad not good eighter… 6/10
“The Moonshine War” (Richard Quine, USA 1970) A federal agent attempts to make some real money before the alcohol ban is lifted so he sets his sights on the whiskey cache of an old army buddy. Adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel, a forgotten little gem from the vault with a great Patrick McGoohan… 8/10
“Red Roses of Passion” (Joseph W. Sarno, USA 1966) A man-hungry suburban woman feels frustrated since she lives in the home of her prudish aunt and cousin, who interrupt and criticise her amorous liaisons. A co-worker brings her to a tarot-card reader, who introduces her to a club of women who meet occasionally to share an intoxicating brew, tease each other erotically with long-stemmed roses and honour the heathen god Pan. The occultist manages to corrupt the aunt and cousin, and lure the woman into full-fledged membership so she might participate in its climactic ritual. Nice fantasy movie from master Sarno… Very nce cinematography and a weird unusual tale. Actresses are pretty… For fans. 7/10
“Psy” (Philippe de Broca, France 1981) Marc runs a psychotherapy course at a large country house belonging to his wife Colette. His clients are depressed and his job is to cure them of their neuroses. Small little comedy with nice actors like Patrick Deaweare in a comic role and Annie Duperey. A light satire of post-68 culture adapted from a comics book by Gérard Lauzier. Note the presence of Jean-Pierre Daroussin and Catherine Frot at their debuts… The movie has it’s moments… 6,5/10
“Murder Weapon” (David DeCoteau, USA 1989) Two daughters of mobsters get out of the sanitarium after having killed a boyfriend in the shower, supposedly cured and on the right track... David DeCoteau might be a model for all people who want to make films… He managed to direct dozens of movies each worst than another… A pure genius of 7th art ! This gory-talky one is not an exeption… 2/10
“L’année du bac“ (Maurice Delbez, José-André Lacour, France 1964) In the college of a small countryside town, students of different social classes gather in school. During a party organized by one of them everyone begins to tell what he knows about the others… Adapted from the eponymous play written by Lacour, the movie dels with conflicts between generation during late 50’s… with the participation of famous French snger Sheila ! for fans… 6,5/10
“Rat Fink” (John Landis, USA 1965) This gritty character study chronicles the ruthless life of an ambitious, cold-blooded rock singer who will do anything to make it to the top. He heads for Hollywood and engages a top agent; he soon begins an affair with the agent's wife. At the same time, he also impregnates a teenager who he takes to a veterinarian for an abortion… Dark and quite unique this incredible tale is well supported by lead actor Schuyler Haydn, who made only two movies before dying… some more cult elements for this movie long presumed lost… certainly worth a look ! 7,5/10
“Il trionfo di Ercole” (Alberto De Martino, France/Italy, 1964) After he murders the king of Mycenes, evil Milo organize a tournament In which the winner will marry Ati the king’s daughter… He trick the tournament to allow his man Gordio to win… But Hercules has been warned by Mlo’s opponent and will fght the usurpator who his helped by his magic and the dreadful hundredhands giants… It’s Dan Vadis, a regular actor of Italian sword and sandals who is Hercules in this movie… Quite cheap but entertaining for the fans of the genre… 6,5/10
“Le corbeau“ (aka “The Raven“) (Henri-Georges Clouzot, France 1942) A vicious series of poison-pen letters spreads rumours, suspicion and fear among the inhabitants of a small French town, and one after another, they turn on each other as their hidden secrets are unveiled - but the one secret that no-one can uncover is the identity of the letters' author... I rewatched with much pleasure this great movie… But Everybody knows it… 9/10
“Rat Fink” (John Landis, USA 1965) This gritty character study chronicles the ruthless life of an ambitious, cold-blooded rock singer who will do anything to make it to the top. He heads for Hollywood and engages a top agent; he soon begins an affair with the agent's wife. At the same time, he also impregnates a teenager who he takes to a veterinarian for an abortion… Dark and quite unique this incredible tale is well supported by lead actor Schuyler Haydn, who made only two movies before dying… some more cult elements for this movie long presumed lost… certainly worth a look ! 7,5/10
“Il trionfo di Ercole” (Alberto De Martino, France/Italy, 1964) After he murders the king of Mycenes, evil Milo organize a tournament In which the winner will marry Ati the king’s daughter… He trick the tournament to allow his man Gordio to win… But Hercules has been warned by Mlo’s opponent and will fght the usurpator who his helped by his magic and the dreadful hundredhands giants… It’s Dan Vadis, a regular actor of Italian sword and sandals who is Hercules in this movie… Quite cheap but entertaining for the fans of the genre… 6,5/10
“Le corbeau“ (aka “The Raven“) (Henri-Georges Clouzot, France 1942) A vicious series of poison-pen letters spreads rumours, suspicion and fear among the inhabitants of a small French town, and one after another, they turn on each other as their hidden secrets are unveiled - but the one secret that no-one can uncover is the identity of the letters' author... I rewatched with much pleasure this great movie… But Everybody knows it… 9/10
“The Devil’s Rain” (Robert Fuest, USA 1975) A bunch of Satanists in the American rural landscape have terrible powers which enable them to melt their victims. However one of the children of an earlier victim vows to destroy them. The movie is not very good but cast is interesting with Ernest Borgine, William Shatner and an aging Ida Lupino. The filming is not bad eghter with some nice shots… 6,5/10