Saturday, July 31, 2021

SCARED TO DEATH 1981 (TUBI)

I haven't seen this film since 1982.

Over the last 39 years I had completely forgotten about this movie, and it was like watching something new. It's not too bad at all.

This is the feature film debut for director Willim Malone, and it's a good showcase for his future endevors.

A series of brutal killings occurs and the police have absolutely no idea who is behind them. Detective Lou Capell (William Moses) tries to enlist the aid of a former cop, Ted Lonergan (John Stinson) who has now become a writer to help him on the case.

Ted refuses for a very long time until a female friend of his is attacked, and then he takes action. The investigation leads to the discovery of a genetically created monster that has an urge to kill.

It lives in the sewer of the city and Ted decides to flush (no pun intended) it out. The creature costume isn't too shabby but during the movie I did find it hard to care about any of the characters.

Walker Edmiston plays the police chief and I hadn't seen him in a film since the 1965 gem "Beach Girls And The Monster". It was good to finally see this again and when I first saw it it was under the title Syngenor which stand for Synthetic Genetic Orgamism. Check it out if you're so inclined.

Friday, July 30, 2021

ZOMBIE NIGHT 2013 (TUBI)

The Asylum made this for the SYFY channel, and it's not too bad.

Suddenly one night without explanation the dead begin to rise and look for human flesh.

Anthony Michael Hall is a man with his daughter and a friend in the car who happen upon a traffic accident and that is when the dead start to rise. The three try to escape and find themselves in a cemetery and surrounded by the dead.

In the meantime his wife played by Daryl Hannah and her mother played by Shirley Jones are trapped in their home by a mob of zombies. Hall attempts to get back home with his daughter during the zombie invasion.

The plot is that simple. There are some interesting gore effects and the acting isn't bad for as Asylum movie. I was surprised to see Daryl Hannah in a low budget zombie film however.

The good points are these are slow moving zombies, as they should be and they all die when the sun rises, which is very bizarre, but a good twist. Shirley Jones' character of the blind woman was annoying, but she dies early on and you don't have to listen to her ranting and ravin for long.

All in all not too bad of a film for the SYFY channel, and if you're a zombie film fan this might catch your attention.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Elizabeth Berkley is 49, and Lisa Gastoni is 86.

THE INDIAN TOMB 1959 (TUBI)

Not too shabby of an adventure/romance film.

Fritz Lang directed this gem starring Paul Hubschmid Harald Berger, a German architect who has run away with a beautiful dancer named Seetha (Debra Paget).

The problem is Seetha was the finacee of the maharajah of Eschnapur and he vows to get her back at all costs. Maharadjaj Chandra (Walter Reyer) is a cold blooded leader, but he is nothing compared to his brother.

After a long and perilous journey Harald and Seetha are captured and returned to Eschnapur where Harald is thrown in a dark dungeon while Seetha refuses to marry Chandra.

Haralds relatives come looking for him and they soon discover what is going on and what has happened. Dr. Walter Rhode (Claus Holm) and his beautiful wife Irene (Sabine Bethmann) decide to help Seetha. Meanwhile Chandra's brother is plotting to oveerthrow the kingdom and this causes more problems.

Harald finally escapes the dungeon and he is reunited with Seetha. Chandra fights to save his kingdom, which he does, but it has humbled him and he seeks a religious leader for guidence.

There is a lot going on in this West German/French/Italian film shot in India. The sets are magnificent and so is the incredibly sexy dance number Paget does to hypnotize a snake. My God, she had me memerized!!

This is actually the second half of a film that was made into two features. I now have to watch the first film, TIGER OF BENGAL, which I will do and review it here.

This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED adventure and I hope you seek it out.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

CHALLENGE THE DEVIL 1963 (SEVERIN) BLU-RAY

I first got a chance to see this movie when Sinister Cinema released a beautiful print last year.

Now Severin has included a gorgeous remastered print of this Italian classic with English subtitles and if you have seen the Sinister print and thought it was top notch, this one beats it.

A group of violent youths beat up a man by the roadside for no reason then proceed to a strange castle that they find is inhabited by an old man (Christopher Lee) who is actually Mephistoles.

The six people are then trapped inside the castle and their sanity slowly falls apart as they cannot find their way out. The room of mirrors is a standout scene.

There is a lot of bizarre imagery here and sometimes the story is hard to follow, but it's so damned weird that one feels compelled to watch and see what happens next.

The print is excellent and the entire presentation is a credit to Severin. This wonderful film is included in the "Eurocrypt Collection of Christopher Lee".

This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED thriller that any Christopher Lee fan should see.

Monday, July 26, 2021

COMING ATTRACTIONS...

This one is a MUST BUY DVD!!!

After YEARS of waiting the 1953 epic ROBOT MONSTER is finally getting a Blu-Ray release and in 3-D to boot!!

More info to come...

THE ONES BELOW 2016 (AMAZON PRIME)

Ginger and I stumbled onto this movie while looking at Amazon Prime, and it was a pleasent surprise.

A young couple move into an apartment. Kate (Clemence Posey) and her husband Justin (Stephen Campbell Moore) are expecting their first child. After they move in they meet their neighbors who live below them.

Their names are Jon (David Morrissey) and Theresa (Laura Birn). They are also expecting their first child. The couples decide to get together and have dinner, which starts off fine, but gets really personal.

As Theresa gets ready to leave the family cat scares her at the front door and she falls down the stairs. She loses her baby and this sets up a very bizarre movie.

Jon and Theresa pretend to be happy about the birth of the other couples son and slowly Theresa worms her way into babysitting for Kate. There are a lot of twists and turns and things get very dark as Kate believes there is a conspiracy to take her child.

I won't give away the ending, but it is a good one in my opinion. Laura Birn is very sexy and oh so evil. If you get a chance, check it out. You might indeed like it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Linda Harrison is 76, and Susan George is 71.

Saturday, July 24, 2021

LEGACY OF BLOOD 1978 (SEVERIN) BLU-RAY

Andy Milligan remakes his spaltter film entitled "The Ghastly Ones"!!

Three women and their husbands are invited to a mansion for the reading of their fathers will.

They arrive and make a good time out of spending time together, but there is always tension between them. They meet with the family lawyer and are told they must spend 3 days together in the mansion before the final will is read and the monies given out.

As usual there is a black hooded killer running around and killing people in various was such as a pitchfork in the throat, disembowelment, cutting off hands and so fourth.

The gore effects are about standard for a Milligan film, but they are quick so as to hide a lot of flaws. The film is almost a scene for scene remake of "Ghastly Ones" and even the ending is just as abrubt.

The film looks really good in its remastered form, and I did enjoy it. There is a lot of confusion between this film and another film with the same title that stars John Carradine.

As I continue to delve into the "DUNGEON OF ANDY MILLIGAN" blu-ray set, I am more and more amazed at the fine job Severin did with these little films. Recommended!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Lynda Carter is 70, Torrie Wilson is 46, and Mark Goddard is 85.

Friday, July 23, 2021

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE DEADLY NECKLACE 1962 (SEVERIN) BLU-RAY

This was the only time Christopher Lee played the famous detective.

Holmes and Watson (Thorley Walters) are called on to investigate a very strange case.

They learn that the old enemy Prof. Moriarty (Hans Sohnker) is planning to steal a valuable necklace that was found in the burial tomb of Cleopatra, and they race to stop him.

The movie was directed by the always great Terence Fisher, and it shows his usual flair for making great films. Lee is fine as Holmes and he and Walters' Watson make a very good team.

The print is in German with English subtitles and it looks spectacular. Severin has done an excellent job with a film that I never expected to see in a beautiful rematered way.

This movie should please every Holmes fan and it is highly recommended for them as well as any mystery fan. The rest of the cast includes Senta Berger, Leon Askin, Hans Nielsen and Linda Sini.

The Eurocrypt Of Christopher Lee set is easily one of the best of the year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Charisma Carpenter is 51, Ronny Cox is 83, Lydia Cornell is 68, and Erika Blanc is 79.

Thursday, July 22, 2021

10 VIOLENT WOMEN 1982 (TUBI)

Strange film from Ted V. Mikels.

This film starts off with several women deciding that they want more out of life and decide to go on a crime spree. The rob a jewelry store and then try to get rid of the merchandise with a fence named Leo (Ted V. Mikels).

He attempts to rip them off and one of the women kills him by stomping him to death with a high heel shoe. Five of the women are arrested and sent to prison.

In jail they and the viewer are introduced to the head screw named Bri Terry (Georgia Morgan) who has very sadistic impulses for women. She makes life hell until the women decide to escape, which they do.

The film moves along well, but it really doesn't know what it wants to be. The cast also includes Sherri Vernon, Dixie Lauren, Melodie Bell, Sally Alice Gamble and Jane Farnsworth.

This isn't as bad as some people claim, but I admit it's a muddled picture that would have been excellent if it was played as a straight WIP film.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Tisa Farrow is 70, Erica Gavin is 74, and Mary Collinson is 69.

Thursday, July 15, 2021

RIP JOYCE MACKENZIE 1929-2021

Tarzan's Jane has died.

MacKenzie starred in such classic films as "Destination Murder", "Broken Arrow", ""The Racket" and many more.

Most people remember her as Jane in the film "Tarzan And The She Devil" in which Lex Barker was Tarzan. She quit acting in the early 1960's and began a career in teaching.

She passed away at the age of 91. I don't have a date of her death available as of this writing.

CRYPT OF THE VAMPIRE 1962 (SEVERIN) BLU-RAY

Another great film in the Severin collection entitled "The Eurocrypt Of Christopher Lee".

I first saw this many years ago as "Terror In The Crypt" and was impressed with it...now seeing it restored and beautiful makes this viewing even better.

Lee stars as Count Ludwig Karnstein who hires a man to come to his castle and delve into his family history. When Friedrich (Jose Campos) arrives he immediately falls for the Counts incredibly sexy daughter Laura (Adriana Ambesi). Laura is always dreaming she is a vampire and the housekeeper believes she is possessed.

Soon a carriage has an accident and a young woman named Ljuba (Ursula Davis) has to stay with the Count and his daughter. Laura and Ljuba develope a special friendship and it becomes clear that Ljuba is more evil than she seems.

This all works it's way to a great little ending that pays off well. This is very loose adaptation of Sheridian Le Fanu story "Carmilla" and yet it still works very well.

The film reeks of Gothic atmosphere and great black and white photography. Everyone plays their part well and I swear to God Ambesi was one of the sexiest women to EVER appear in Italian cinema.

The print from Severin is delicious and I can't see any horror fan not wanting to see this little gem. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Patrick Wayne is 82, Lori Cardille is 67, Andra Martin is 86.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Lynn Loring is 77, Roosevelt Grier is 89, Helga Line is 90, and Jeff Jarrett is 57.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

GURU THE MAD MONK 1970 (SEVERIN) BLU-RAY

One of my favorite Andy Milligan films!!

I have written about this film before when it was included on a Sinister Cinema Double feature DVD with "Headless Eyes". This rematered Blu-ray release is the best you'll ever see this film look.

In 1460 the Church Of Lost Souls is run by a demented priest called Father Guru (Neil Flanagan). I say demented because he has a one eyed hunchback named Igor (Jack Spencer) whom he abuses whenever he can.

He also has a resident vampire named Olga (Jaqueline Webb) who seems to not be able to get enough blood. Father Guru lets he feast on the blood of people who wander into the church as well as that of freshly executed "sinners".

This film has tons of sub plots in it's brief 57 minute running time and it races along very quickly. In typical Milligan fashion we have some bad dialogue, a prisoner in corduroy pants, some modern equipment and a motorcycle sitting in the background as two people talk.

These are things that make the film one of my favorites. There is even a scene where Olga has to hold in her plastic fangs as she attempts to drink blood!!. Yes indeed, this film is fun from start to finish. It looks the best I have ever seen it in it's rematsered form from Severin.

I'm telling you, Severin's "DUNGEON OF ANDY MILLIGAN" set is simply a MUST HAVE.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Robyn Hilton is 77, and Malisa Longo is 71.

Monday, July 12, 2021

THE OLD DARK HOUSE 1932 (TUBI)

Believe it or not I had never seen the James Whale Universal horror/comedy.

It's a very simple story. Several people, because of a terrible storm find themselves stranded with a most unusual family.

The family is named Femm, and they are an odd bunch indeed. Ernest Thesigar is Horace Femm, the head of the household along with his demented sister Rebecca.

Boris Karloff shines as Morgan, the butler who cannot talk, but is very menacing. This film was not well received when first released and then for a very long time was thought to be a lost film. Since it has resurfaced, it has been called a great classic.

The top notch cast also includes Raymond Massey, Charles Laughton, Lilian Bond, Eva Moore, Gloria Stuart and Brember Wills (in a standout performance).

The print on Tubi isn't too bad and it is available on Blu-ray as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Cheryl Ladd is 70, Denise Nicholas is 77, and Taso Stavrakis is 64.

RIP PAUL ORNDORFF 1949-2021

The pro wrestling legend has died.

Anybody who knows old school wrestling will know the name "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff.

Orndorff wtestled in the southern belt for many years and held various championship titles.

He is best known for his involvement with the "Rock and Wrestling Connection" in the 1980's for WWF. He passed away on Jult 12th, 2021 at the age of 71.

RIP WILLIAM SMITH 1933-2021

A great American actor has died.

Bill Smith was in almost every kind of film you could name.

His career in front of the camera began in 1942 with an uncredited part in the Universal horror film "Ghost Of Frankenstein" and he never looked back.

His credits are too long to mention here but some of the movies he starred in include "Seven", "Invasion Of The Bee Girls", "Grave Of The Vampire", "Gilda", "Eye Of The Tiger", "Commando Squad" and so many more.

Smith always played a tough guy and he garnered a large following of fans over the years. He passed away on July 5th at the age of 88. He will be missed, but he has left a great big and small screen legacy.

Thursday, July 8, 2021

MAN WITH TWO HEADS 1972 (SEVERINE) BLU-RAY

More Andy Milligan style horror

Yes I reviewed this before but since it's part of the tremendous "DUNGEON OF ANDY MILLIGAN" blu-ray set from Severin, I am talking about this film again.

Denis DeMarne stars as Dr. William Jekyll, a scientist who is hoping to create a drug that can take the evil out of people's minds. He succeeds, but one of his students accidentally destroys the paper the chemical is written on and tries to duplicate it, but alas, it doesn't work.

Jekyll uses the potion on himself and become Danny Blood, a totally sadistic killer who loves to abuse women. He meets April Conners (Julia Stratton) a singer in a local pub and immediately starts to abuse and humiliate her. He even makes her get on her knees and bark like a dog.

Blood decapitates a couple of people and it seems that Jekyll cannot control when his evil side takes over.

I have to admit that Milligan's take on the Stevenson classic tale is quite interesting. It has a good story and the film moves along at a good pace. The quality is the best I have ever seen and that is including the Code Red blu-ray I reviewed a while back.

Severin has done all Milligan fans a favor by bringing this set to the public. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

ON THIS DAY IN1996 (7/7/96)

I used to be a big professional wresling fan.

I still love the old stuff from the 40's thru the 90's and I was lucky enough to see the world of the business change on this day in 1996.

It was at the PPV spectacular called BASH AT THE BEACH in Florida that Hulk Hogan turned heel and along with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall formed the NWO. That sigle night changed the business forever and what a great time to be a fan of the sport.

Hogan, Hall and Nash were the most believeable heels to come along in quite a while. For about 4 years, they dominated the wrestling scene and WCW wiped out WWE for 83 straight weeks.

Wrestling has become a joke now like everything else, but my oh my, back in 1996 it was hotter than hell. It's very hard to believe that it's been 25 years since that night, but I will never forget it.

Since that day I have been "NWO 4 LIFE" and I guess I always will be. GREAT STUFF.

DEEP BLOOD 1990 (TUBI)

I have read a LOT of bad things about this film.

Four children make a blood pact and many years later they are reunited, but one of them killed by a shark.

The shark happens to be an ancient Indian God and the remaining three must do what they can to kill the very large maneater. That's the plot in a nutshell.

As I mentioned, I have read a lot of bad things about this Joe D'Amato film, but I didn't think it was too bad. I don't consider this a JAWS ripoff as much as I consider it to be a very unoriginal action/horror film.

I was surprised to see Charlie Brill and Mitzi McCall in this film as one of the young men's parents. I remember both of them from many game show appearances in the 70's.

If you're looking for shocks and gore, you won't find it here. To me anyway, it's a good little tale of friendship, determination and loyalty.

Check it out, you might not be disappointed. I know I wasn't.

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

GIRL IN GOLD BOOTS 1968 (TUBI)

A hit and miss Ted V. Mikels film.

A young woman leaves her job at a small diner and heads for L.A. and the big time. Michele Casey (Leslie McRay) accepts a ride from a patron of the diner named Buz Nichols (Tom Pace) and they head for the city.

Along the way they meet a young man with a broken down mototcycle named 'Critter' Jones (Jody Daniels) and then the tension starts between Buz and Critter about Michele.

When they arrive in L.A. Buz sets it up so Michele can live her dream of becoming a Go Go dancer in a nightclub. After this the movie kind of changes gears and it becomes a gangster tale about drug use and drug pushers as Buz gets involved in that business for the nightclub owner.

Everything comes crashing down and Michele finds herself getting pulled into the drug world, but Critter saves her from that fate, and Buz gets his just desserts.

I liked this film but it really doesn't have much holding power when it comes to plot. McRay is a lovely woman and she does well with the material she is given. I like Mikels films but this was really all over the place, and there are several plot holes that are never filled in.

The running time of 90 minutes is too long. I think 75 would have been much tighter and it would have helped the movie flow better. However, I have seen worse.