M 1931 (CRITERION) BLU-RAY

One of the most powerful films ever made.

Fritz Lang directed this German classic starring Peter Lorre as Hans Beckert, a very sick killer who preys on children. This film is as timely today as it was 92 years ago.

Lorre is excellent as the killer and as usual with and Lang film, there are some unforgettable scenes in which nothing is shown. Your imagination fills in the gaps.

The police in the movie are unable to stop the killer so the criminal underground gets involved because they are tired of the police raiding their places instead of finding the child killer.

They finally manage to capture Beckert and put him on trail. This is a VERY powerful scene. This dark film ends with a warning of "watch your children, and protect them".

The ending is left open as the police snatch Beckert from the criminals during the trial and you never hear what the judge says to the felon. It's all very dark and brooding.

I really think everyone should see this film, but I can also say it isn't for everyone. It was uncomfortable watching this back when I first saw it in the 70's and now with the terrible state of this country, it's even worse.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Anne Helm is 85, Christopher Neame is 76 and Alenandra Delli Colli is 66.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Earl Holliman is 95 and Charles Dierkop is 87.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Tiffany Shepis is 44 and Lola Falana is 81.

G MEN VS. THE BLACK DRAGONS 1943 (TUBI)

Another fast and furious Republic serial.

Spencer Gordon Bennett and William Whitnry directed this serial which is considered to be one of the best ever made.

During the course of 15 exciting chapters Rod Cameron stars as Government agent Rex Bennett, who along with his partners Agent Chang Sing (Roland Got) and Agent Vivian Marsh (Constance Worth) fight the evil yellow peril fron Japan under the guidence of Oyama Haruchi (Nino Pipitone).

Haruchi is always trying to foil the US war effort as well as plan for an invasion from Japan. However, Bennett and his friends are there to stop him at every turn.

This is a super fast paced serial that has some excellent stunt work and a plot that fits right into the time it was made. Haruchi is the perfect criminal for this serial and just ignore anyone who says it's racist. They say this because they are watching this thru the eyes of 2023.

The 15 chapters are 1. Yellow Peril 2. Japanese Inquisition 3. Arsenal of Doom 4. Deadly Sorcery 5. Celestial Murder 6. Death And Destruction 7. Iron Monster 8. Beast Of Tokyo 9. Watery Grave 10. The Dragon Strikes 11. Suicide Mission 12. Dead On Arrival 13. Condemned Cargo 14. Flaming Coffin 15. Democracy In Action.

There are some great set pieces including Vivian using a tommy gun to blast the villians and the black bird Haruchi uses to kill his enemies and deliver secret messages.

I enjoyed this a lot and I think you will too if you give it a try.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Judy Geeson is 75, and Fred Olen Ray is 69.

RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON 1952 (MILLCREEK)

One of my favorites.

Another super fun 12 chapter serial from Republic.

George Wallace stars as Commando Cody, who using his flying suit must stop an alien invasion from the moon headed by a creature named Retik (Roy Barcroft).

Many places on Earth have been the sites of natural disasters and these are being caused by Retik and his race so they can soften up the Earth and invade it.

Retik has sent Krog (Peter Brocco) to Earth to start the invasion with the help of ex-con Graber (Clayton Moore). There is planty of action with non-stop fist fights, gun fights and car chases.

Republic would only make serials for about 3 more years before that kind of entertainment died off. I really do love the Republic serials from the 50's. Clear your mind and have fun watching this exciting adventure.

The chapters are 1. Moon Rocket 2. Molten Terror 3. Bridge Of Death 4. Flight To Destruction 5. Murder Car 6. Hills Of Death 7. Camouflaged Destruction 8. The Enemy Planet 9. Battle In The Stratosphere 10. Mass Execution 11. Planned Pursuit 12. Death Of The Moon Man.

The rest of the cast includes beautiful Aline Towne, Don Walters, Tom Steele and Baynes Barron.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

David Emge is 77.

FORCE OF EVIL 1948 (KINO) BLU-RAY

A film noir gem finally makes it to Blu-ray.

John Garfield stars as Joe Morse, a mob attorney who is disliked by most people including his brother Leo (Thomas Gomez).

No matter what Leo thinks, Joe is always trying to help his small gambling racket and Leo refuses. However during a particular 4th Of July weekend, the numbers have been rigged and Joe knows Leo will be ruined.

He manages to force Leo into the bigger number racket and then finds that things are starting to unravel. Leo and his crew are arrested numerous times by the crooked cops in order to force Joe into doing certain things for the mob bosses.

Things get even worse when the mob kidnaps Joe's brother and threaten to kill him. There are a lot of twists and turns as the films turns darker and darker.

In the end, as is usual for this type of movie, all is lost and every single life has been destroyed in some way. Garfields performance is top notch and this is the kind of role he was born to play.

Abraham Polonsky directs the film with razor sharp dialogue and a great supporting cast including Beatrice Pearson, Marie Windsor, Roy Roberts, Paul Fix and Howard Chamberlain.

The Blu-ray presentation is simply the best I have ever seen this movie and if you're a fan of film noir all I can say is check this out. Kino comes thru again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Heather Thomas is 66, and Rachel Hunter is 54.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Dario Argento is 83, Thordis Brandt is 83, and Luigi Cozzi is 76.

RIP GAYLE HUNNICUTT 1943-2023

The beautiful actress has passed away.

Gayle had quite a varied acting career and she will always be remembered as a beautiful and talented women.

Gayle starred in several genre films including "Eye Of The Cat", "Legend Of Hell House", and "The Love Machine".

She also did a lot of TV including such shows as "Thriller", "Matt Houston" and many more. Gayle Hunnicutt passed away on Aug. 31, 2023 at the age of 80.

RIP JIMMY BUFFETT 1946-2023

The King of Margaritaville has died.

The man who was part of the soundtrack of my life has passed away but he leaves such a great musical legacy behind.

Buffett had great chart songs as "Margaritaville", "Fins", "Come Monday", "Cheeseburger In Paradise", "Livingston Saturday Night" and "Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes" plus so many more.

A true Icon of the 70's music scene, and he will be missed. He passed away on Sept. 1, 2023 at the age of 76.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

William Devane is 84, George Lazenby is 84, Scott Reiniger is 75, and Lone Fleming is 78.

HONEYMOON OF HORROR 1964 (TUBI)

Simply dreadful.

A few months ago I reviewed a movie called "Honeymoon Of Terror" and it was ok. This one however is not so hot.

This Florida lensed film is about a young woman who marries an artist and then soon finds someone wants her dead. Lilli Duvre (Abbey Heller) stars receiving phone calls from someone who never says anything and it terrifies her.

Her husband Emile (Robert Parsons) is an odd duck that lets any of his friends simply walk in the house whenever they want. Lilli doesn't think too much of this or anything else Emile does, but she still loves him.

Things spiral out of control as some women are murdered and Lilli is still a target. This movie moves along at a snail pace and it really isn't a horror film, but more of a murder mystery, but sometimes it just feels like a standard drama.

After a while it's easy to figure out who the killer is and that hurts the film even more. If you have 74 minutes of your life you want to waste, then by all means watch this...otherwise avoid.