Reviews

OK for starters the movie entertains me lots, but i still think that, between all the silly dialog of this characters and their morality problems resides just a silly movie full of clichés and a beautiful cinematography.

The movie, based on a famous bestseller from the 50s, is full of rape, misogyny, murder, abortion ... a lot of topics for a trashy exploitation movie. This is not exploitation, even if all the topics are included here. The thing is that are so, but really so outdated, that you cant avoid the jiggle.

Still, the performances are very good, the Cinemascope photography is gorgeous, and, at the end, the direction takes for more thank two hours of material like this. So, it's trashy but catchy.

A 7.

As simple as it sounds, this is a film version of the Broadway classic with Raul Julia inspired in Fellini's 8 1/2 ... it means that is this, at the same time,a musical remake from Fellini's film.

Daniel Day Lewis is Guido, an existentialist, problematic film director who loves women very much. And, in between, there are musical numbers from his women.

This just don't work. There are songs (Specially BE Italian) that are well staged, but is at least what you must receive from a movie directed by Rob Marshall. And the performances, there are a lot of great acting flesh, but the plot line is treated with contempt (And that is because the original plot, as Fellini's do it, was yet, for me, a little complex).

So, Penelope is just gorgeous and sexy (The best of the movie) and is Sophia Loren in it, but Judi Dench is not Edith Head, Fergie is not Saraghina ... and, the Kate Hudson number is catchy, i know, but that cant make the picture. Though i really like the ending, but, again, that was borrowed from Fellini's original film.

8 1/2 for me, is not Fellini's best work, but is an important, very well made film and i recommend, at least, that before seeing this forgettable musical, you see it's point of inspiration.

I really want to love this ... and maybe, because i was having so many hopes in this film, the effect on me were of abrupt sadness. Megan Fox is a sexy student girl who is kidnapped by some evil characters, and some changes occurred to the relationship between she and her nerdy friend (Amanda Seyfried).

Definitely, there is material to work on, but not even the clever little notes around pop culture from blogger Diablo Cody, saves the film from ... well, i really don't know yet; but i'm almost convinced that is the rhythm where the story is leading. The climax is not climax at all, i still think that WE WANT to know more about the relationship of this two and, besides, some of the CGI is horrible.

It got it's things - Fox and Seyfreid are great, and actually, opens very good until the first 15 minutes or so. After the poor Jen is kidnapped, the movie is just ruined for me. Is like if i felt that from that moment the spice that got in its introduction just fell apart from the rest of the story.

I cannot really recommend this film.

Seymour loves plants, but works in a flower shop reign by the furious Mr. Mushnik and have an alcoholic mother at home. But there is the lovely Audrey to save the day ... and of course his extravagant never seen before plant who loves human blood. This cheap (Very cheap) movie is not only one of Corman best; it got witty, is funny, is entertaining and it proves you can do movies without nothing of money at all. The acting is average but Jonathan Haze is perfect in his role (And much better that Rick Morains in the 1986 musical version of this). The script, written by Charles B. Griffith is really a know-out. See a young Jack Nicholson without teeth before he write THE TRIP and goes out with Susan Stransberg in PSYCH OUT. Beware of public domain prints! Also available a version in computerized color.

Directed by Roger Corman. Also starring Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles, Dick Miller. Black and White.

It'an innocent final 70s movie, where Linda Blair moves to skate with her boyfriend, expert roller skater Jim Bray and her friends making a plan to safe the disco palace where a devilish business man tries to build a Shopping Mall there. At the end of the night is the roller skating championship. Evertything must go perfect. The movie is bad, but you cannot denied to be amazed about the disco music, the roller skates and Linda. There's innocence in this movie. This kids loves sport, to hangout with girls not only for sex and loves have fun drinking a soda in the roller boogie place. This are times hard to get now, and the nostalgia wins a 10. Maybe will bore some, but still got it's cheesy magic.

Directed by Mark L. Lester.

In this (Reportedly a remake of a Greek film of the 60s) Joe D'Amato guilty pleasure, goes a beautiful mature agent woman Emanuelle (Rosemarie Lindt - exploiting only the famous name) making a plan against an evil, giant playboy (Habitual George Estman) for murder her sister Françoise of solitude. Is undeniably kinky and trashy, but the music, the photograpahy (Of D'Amato itself) and the composition makes more than worthwhile and it really works! Still, be sure this is not for every taste ... Is a D'Amato film, and one of his best.

With Patrizia Gori and Mary Kristal, in color by Luciano Vittori. Still a hard to get DVD overseas. Also known as Emanuelle's Revenge.

This is certainly a misunderstood film. It got all the violence and sex for the hungry gorehounds, but this is certainly not an exploitation flick for 42nd street crowd. It certainly tells a simple story: An attempted beautiful writer (Camille Keaton) goes to a house by the river and is gang raped very violently by four men. She want to revenge and believe me, she got it. That's it.

I can't denied that this is a perfect topic for an exploitation flick, but can't say it is because of Meir Zarchi's direction. He treats the issue as a real problem of life. He understand the pain of it's heroine. This movie HATES men, but not even in a feminist way. The violence is sincere, the images are not exploitative. Where a pubic female hair in a Grindhouse flick tries to be exploited and trying to be erotic without understanding here it is alone in it's pity; we don't want to see her suffering anymore and her revenge cannot be overlooked. She got it's reasons and we, finally, understand her. There are problems, of course and it could be a better film. But certainly this is not a bad one. Eastmancolor; a famous Video Nasty in the U.K.

DIABOLIK is a magical film from one of the most magical storytellers of all time.

Bava directs this with his usual colors and glory camp about what it could be the most iconic anti-hero of the XX, Diabolik (John Phillip Law), is a hunky, sensual, smart and cool thief who, with his beautiful blonde go go girlfriend Eva(Marisa Mell) go to steal the bourgeoisie, laugh of the cops and go to they're secret cave to have sex in a lake of dollars. Evil Valmont goes to the police and tries to trap Diabolik trapping the poor Eva and now Diabolik must use his bizarre, psychedelic powers to rescue her and, at the same time, giving a lesson to the government. We can't denied it: We love bad cool guys fooling the right hand cops. How can you denied the pleasure to see this movie? ... And it is, indeed, a pleasure. Groovy soundtrack by Ennio Morricone.

There is a Godard that we cannot stand. He loves to talk about politics in his movies, but in much of them he talk with passion but without pity and let that the spectator forget about his voice and the message goes beyond redemption. Nothing of this happen in this masterpiece.

Here, Godard told us the story of a man (Leaud, in a very Antoine Doinel aura) and woman (Beautiful yé-yé singer Chantal Goya)in 15 scenes. And the experience is breathtaking. It incorporate the politics in the sex of each one, at the end, their souls and their bodies are fulfilled of this mentality. And we believe him, because we are men and women ... and we understand it.

And of course, our characters, love be young. Love to run, to sing, to have sex, love to love and to be loved. With the thing that made BANDE À PART a great experience, MASCULINE FEMENINE is in definitive one of Godard best work. The less pretentious, enjoyable and human. Criterion got an excellent copy of it.

This is the cult musical by Rodgers and Harts that no one knows. It is based on the novel of the same name that tells the story of an Oriental group of persons living in the States. The story could be fun, and there are actually songs that work - I ENJOY BEING A GIRL and Sunday are the best, you get the CHOP SUEY very sticky too - but the movie goes long, and we get bored.

There 30 to 40 extra minutes in this film. And the sweet character of this film (NO, No Nancy Kwan, who is wonderful here)it doesn't get to be sweet. Is annoying. Still there is the choreography by Hermes Pan. A 5 for that.

I hate Ruggero Deodato, i still think that is one of worst filmmakers of all time. The 90% of his filmography is pure trash (And yes, i'm including his infamous CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST there). Though i think HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK is in th other 10%.

The plot here talks about two punks (Hess and Radice) who gets to enter in the party of an unknown, society people. The men begin terrorized the crowd with evil tricks.

The film is widely known for 1) it's director (Just because he directs CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, the same year he released this one, despite all the problems he have in the moment) and 2) because it is a Video Nasty. It is too known as a LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT rip-off, but it's got it's differences, Hess is even meaner than in the 1972 classic. But the thing here is that the film, even if is known for all this "grindhouse" mark, is very well directed, very well photographed and well acted (in some quarters). The thing that is happening to them can be real, and, in the first piece of the movie, the tension is well introduced. We believe the thing.

And then it don't get down, but one begin to realized serious problems with the script (Beside of a final shot with the face of Hess in slow motion ... Sure, that hurts, but it's just plain silly). But as i say, there a very managed tension, but also, there are evil in this movie. Dude, there are those Grindhouse that all that Violence makes you laugh because of it's sensationalism. Here you feel very uncomfortable. There is a moment, when the Cindy characters arrive, that the things get very very ugly and we really begin to hate Hess with all our hearts. The performances by Hess and De Selle, specially are very good. Radice is always a pleasure to see and you must name that his character here was very difficult.

HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK is not a very distinguished movie between Grindhouse fans, and that's because maybe they're hoping more violence and blood. There little blood and, if you go for the "body count" thing, there are only two deaths in this movie. Is a heavy realistic movie, with problems, of course. It shows too, that Deodatto got a very good hand for directing films. It's a pity that he don't show us in the same in the other things he do. Shriek Show got a nice copy of this movie. Music by Riz Ortolani (With that sick song MUCH MORE).

Based on the famous, big hit, stage musical written by two gals from ABBA, the plot follows a young girl who is going to be married in a Greek island, where she lives. She never knew her father so, based in an old diary of her mother (Meryl Streep), she send letters to three possible men.

The plot is not an important thing, most of all because if the music of ABBA weren't here, the movie would be just a mess. Though the plot is more than stupid, you got a nice interpretations from the cast (In some level) but the film get even the "camp" category in every form you'll see (The acting can be good but that doesn't care when the characters don't think about themselves). Even, the Greek island is beautiful, and songs like DANCING QUEEN, SUPERTROUPER, WATERLOO, OUR LAST SUMMER, LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME (Though this number have the most idiotic dance in a musical in a long, long time), CHIQUITITA, S.O.S and SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS (Though the beautiful THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC can be heard only in the end credits). For the rest, there's northing. I mean, NOTHING.

A camp movie musical with one of the best songs of ABBA (Even if my favorite HEAD OVER HEELS is not here). A 7, but only for the music (And the scenery).

Coming from the Powell-Pressburger team you shouldn't be surprised. This is not only one of the best dance films ever, is THE film about artists. It tells the story of a unknown ballerina (Moira) who becomes who is between the love of two possessive men: A composer and famous ballet producer. Art imitates life.

The movie could take the Anderson beautiful tale in form as Powell do with THE TALES OF Hoffman or maybe what Bergman do with THE MAGIC FLUTE, but Powell-Pressburger uses the tale as a metaphor of the future confrontation of our leading lady between her life, her job or her love. And the ending is a heart breaker. And are the Technicolor sets and, what it could be the typical MGM musical long dance sequence is masterful, beautiful scene that keep your senses out of orbit.

A MUST. A CLASSIC. Though Criterion Collection can be observed as an easy choice with their fame, their print is definitely not the best (Actually is kind of poor) ... There's an European edition that, it seems, contains the best negative.

Is difficult to tell you about the qualities of a film like this. I mean if you want to hear the true, EMANUELLE IN America is only another exploitation flick with some notorious points. The rest is pure Grindhouse in all it's glory, and even, maybe that it's charm.

O.K, i know that maybe this sound odd, but actually i don't find Emanuelle Nera movies so erotic as much say. Actually, being a Joe D'Amato flick i only can look at it as an weird mixed up of adventure and horror with some hadrcore/softcore sex. And, that is the most wonderful/bad thing of this film. The plot is just a mess, it got none just Emanuelle as a reporter that finds trapped in four well divided adventures (From horse lovers to snuff films). At the end, Emanuelle seems like nothing happens to her, but that is a typical aspect of this films (Even more noted in EMANUELLE AROUND THE WORLD).

I only can say this. This film is pure exploitation and is kind of boring unless if you can be shocked by the obviously shocking things (The horse thing ... well, is just not my thing if i can say something). The rest, see it for the beautiful Gemser, the great music Nico Fidenco and the gorgeous and perfect Joe D'Amato's photography. A kind of guilty pleasure but i must admit is simply an empty movie.

I don''t know why this movie is treated with such respects by admirers of slasher film. It maybe were polemic and it maybe make that a lot of angry moms and Siskel and Ebert make a fuss of it, but that doesn't make it controversial. It tells the story of a young boy who see how a thief disguised as Santa robbed and rape her mother in Christmas Eve and then years later the boy is becoming crazy in Christmas Eve and begin to kill like a mad man.

Sure, HALLOWEEN do his job with the Boogeyman, but this Santa is just annoying. I don't have a taste for slasher films. Much of them are empty but at least SOME are fun. This movie has none of that kind of qualities. This was banned and i think it were a Video Nasty as well (I'm not sure) ... but it's just plain silly. Sure you get the gore if you just want it. The most surprising thing is that got like four sequels! Just awful film. Even for Linnea Quigley fans, there i a very dumb scene of a couple having sex. But ... well, if you want rabid nuns maybe this is your cup of tea. Besides, it was not the first time that someone try to do an horror film in Christmas eve, Bob Clark has done a superior film years before with BLACK Christmas.

For gore and dying 80s slasher fans only! I think Anchor Bay got a nice copy of it, i don't know and i really don't care.

Virginia is a girl who, since child, has an strange power to see the past, the present or the future. Driving through a subway, she finds ans strange vision of a murder. In the visions, she thinks to see a very recognizable room. It is one of the rooms of her husband's old houses. She goes there and find a skeleton behind the wall. Now she must re-think all her vision to find out the mystery.

Maybe is not a thing of surprise only of style. We know how is going to end all, is a revision of OEDIPUS REX and is a successful bet that Fulci and writer Sacchetti do here: You cant's fool destiny. Thoug you must go until the end to find out if is true or false. And you just don't believe it! This is one of the most beautiful films of Lucio Fulci. Along with his masterpiece THE BEYOND, this films got it all - O.K there is no gore for those "fans" of Fulci who love him only for that, but there's style and in great form. Jennifer O'Neil was probably selected after seeing Visconti's THE INNOCENT.

Don't loose by any chance this movie. A great giallo. The Severin copy, even if not have the original Italian soundtrack, is the best print to find in remastered forms.

Very recommended!

This is a thriller about two brothers who try to steal a jewelry with terrible consequences.

I know a lot of people like this and i just don't understand it. Surely Lumet directed it well, the stealing-killing scene is effective and the performances are great (Specially by Hawke as a pathetic divorced dad) ... But for the rest is repetitive, boring and bloody and just in a very disgusting way. You see this people killing each other and i ... simply don't believe them. And simply the narrative structure - i see it like a kind of puzzle thing - doesn't help. In one moment i just become being disgust with all this. This is surely not a crowd pleaser ... though i'm not one of the crowd either.

I'm sure there's a better Lumet.

I love camp movies, believe me and the usual technicolorian gore of Gordon Lewis don't bother me at all, but this is just one of his most stupid movies, even more than BLOOD FEAST, i'm not kidding. THE GORE GORE GIRLS is about a mad person who kills a lot of go(re) - go(re) girls of a night club. A detective and a reporter tries to find out the big secret. Maybe the performances here are slightly better than the usual average acting H.G Lewis films, but that is not saying much. The camera work is even dreadful.

But at least is kind of watchable with the go go girls acting ... you going to pass a good time with it, and the killings are just absurd in a very, very bad way: A girl is killed with a wooden hammer punching in her butt (!) and just don't let me talk about what it does with the nipples. You going to laugh like anyone with this. But the better of all this mess is a scene that i only love of it's campness: the go-go girl before being attacked by a lot of feminists dancing in a very American way. Though is important to note that this was one of the first films that got an X rating because of it's violence.

ONLY if you want lo laugh and pass a good time (But only with a lot, A LOT of beers).

This is a very unknown Sharon Stone movie before she became kind of iconic with BASIC INSTICT. Stone is a trammed girl who locks alone in his apartment collecting scissors and making weird dolls. At the opening, she is attacked by a stranger who attempts to rape her in a elevator but her neighbor saves her. He becomes very interested on her but she just't don't keep him attention. Searching for a job she goes to a good looking, futuristic apartment and suddenly she got lock in there.

There are suspense to feed you even if we have seen this before in films like REPULSION or GASLIGHT. Stone is very good in her role and all the last part in the apartment is very atmospheric and intriguing. The direction is really good and tries to innovate in a very good way. This movie is hard to find so if you find it for any chance try it.