BEAST OF BORNEO 1934 (SINISTER CINEMA)

This was an odd movie.

The story is very simple and I guess it has to be since the running time is only an hour.

A crazed scientist needs a primate to experiment on so he can prove some of his bizarre theories. He organizes an expedition to the jungle to capture one, but things don't quite go as planned.

He finds his girlfriend falling for the expedition leader and so he arranges for him to be killed by a monsterous orangutan. That my friends, is the plot.

As usual for this kind of movie, there is a LOT of stock footage of animals. There isn't much more to add to this except to say, as I always do, it's something you might want to check out, but don't expect anything great.

VENGEANCE OF DOCTOR MABUSE 1972 (SINISTER CINEMA)

Very strange movie from Jess Franco.

Jack Taylor stars as Dr. Mabuse who is using a name of Farkas. This time Mabuse and his female assistant Leslie (Beni Cardoso) along with a Frankenstein-like monster Andros (Moises Augusto Rocha) are kidnapping women and using them in experiments to perfect a mind control ray.

This movie is really all over the place and makes little sense. However, there are gorgeous women and a great jazz score to keep you interested.

The ending seems very rushed and really doesn't bring the movie to a close. Taylor does a good job with his role, but it just seemed to be missing a lot of background. The Sheriff is really odd and played like a western, which isn't explained at all.

If you're looking for a time waster, this is it. You never know, you might like it. The rest of the cast includes Fred Williams, Ewa Stromberg, Gustavo Re, Monica Swinn, and Eva Garden.

The print is in widescreen and looks very, very good. It's in German, but has English subtitles.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Jenny Agutter is 72, Pamela Austin is 83, Angel Tompkins is 82, and Lucy Pinder is 41.

CAMP BLOOD 666 2016 (ALPHA)

Oh my God why did I watch this?

To be honest I watched it because of Tina Krause.

This Godawful "movie" is about a masked killer wearing a clown mask that has some magic powers. He kills a number of people while the police look for him.

A young woman named Betsy (Shoshanna Green) and her friend go looking for her missing brother who joined a Satanic Clown Cult. Good heavens what a goofy plot.

Oh well, this movie will steal 76 minutes of your life away. It's not well made and I understand there were 5 other movies in this series. I can tell you this will be the only one I ever watch.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Kristie Swanson is 55, and Elaine Joyce is 79.

ALMOST HUMAN 1974 (SHAMELESS)

High powered and sometimes shocking Italian crime film.

Umberto Lenzi directed this Italian gem that stars Tomas Milian as a totally crazy small time hood named Giulio who is despised by almost everyone on both sides of the law.

After a botched bank robbery and a wild car chase Giulio is beaten up by the men who hired him to pull off the job. He returns to his girlfriends' apartment. Her name is Iona and the character is well played by the lovely Anita Strindberg.

Giulio treats her badly, but she still loves him. He gets the idea to ht the big jackpot when he and two others plan the kidnapping of a young woman named Marilu (Laura Belli). She happens to be the daughter of a very wealthy man, and Giulio wants a big payoff.

During the kidnap attempt Giulio tortures and kills 5 people and this outrages Police Inspector Walter Grandi (Henry Silva) wo never seems to be able to prove it was Giulio.

There are a lot of shocking scenes in this film, but the most shocking was the killing pf the people at a private party and one of their small children.

Milian really goes over the top in his performance and this was only one of 7 films he and Lenzi made together. The ending is a flashback to the US made "Dirty Harry" films with Grandi taking things into his own hands.

This is a highly RECOMMENDED thriller that no Italian crime film fan will want to miss.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Victoria Pratt is 54, Trish Stratus is 49, Steve Austin is 60, Rob Van Dam is 54, and Leonard Maltin is 74.

THE WAR GAME 1966 (SINISTER CINEMA)

A hard hitting docudrama that EVERYONE should see.

Peter Watkins made this chilling anti-nuke film for the BBC, ut it was so well done and shocking that the BBC refused to air it and it went to theaters instead.

The horrors of nuclear war are very well presented in this black and white movie that once seen is never forgotten. I know everyone who reads this has probably seen this movie so no deep detail is needed.

In 1966 this was shocking stuff, and it still is, even though we have had "The Day After" and "Threads". Watch this and take it all in. This is not entertainment, but education.

One of, if not the best film of it's kind ever made. Director Watkins also made the effective "Punishment Park" which is also worth seeking out. I reviewed it here a few years ago.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Milla Jovovich is 49.

RIP JILL JACOBSON 1954-2024

Nurse Sherri Martin has passed away.

The talented actress appeared in many movies and TV shows in her 30 plus year career.

Some of her movies include "House Of Usher" the 2008 version, "Instinct To Kill", "Perfect Victims", "Policewoman Centerfold" and the movie in which she debuted and made horror history, at least with me "Nurse Sherri".

She starred as a nurse possessed by an evil spirit that kills patients at a hospital. Al Adamson directed. I love that movie.

Jill Jacobson passed away on Dec. 8, 2024 at the age of 70.

RIP GABRIELLA LICUDI 1941-2022

I have just now received news of her passing.

She may not be a household name to most American movie fans, but she did have some great roles in many fims.

She appeared in such TV shows as "One Step Beyond", "Ghost Squad" and "Edgar Wallace Mystery Theater".

Her movie appearances include "Candidate For Murder" and "Casino Royale". However her most famous role was as the alien in the 1964 gem entitled "Unearthly Stranger".

The beautiful Gabriella Licudi passed away on September 18,2022...just 4 days after she turned 81.

TOYS ARE NOT FOR CHILDREN 1972 (ARROW) BLU-RAY

With a title like this, you know you're in for something bizarre.

Marcia Forbes stars as a woman/child named Jamie Godard. She has an unhealthy fixation on her long absent father and she loves the toys he bought her even more.

She gets a job in a toy store and decides to marry a young clerk named Charlie Belmond (Harlan Carey Poe). Needless to say they cannot consummate their marriage because Jamie has her issues.

Things spiral out of control to where Charlie seeks attentiion elsewhere and so does Jamie. She hooks up with Pearl Valdi (Evelyn Kingsley) who is a hooker.

Jamie decides to become what Pearl is after Pearl tells her that she knows her father. Jamie is anxious to meet her father, whom she hasn't seen for years after her mother threw him out of the house.

This sometimes complex movie ends on a shocker that is expected, but not expected...if that makes any sense. I recommend you see this little movie and decide for yourself.

Believe me, this movie is not what you'd expect. Check it out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Gail Thackray is 60.

BEATRIZ 1975 (TUBI)

This was a very strange movie.

This is a tale of a friar who is attacked by a group of wandering thugs. He manages to kill 2 of them and then finds his way to a home where a girl named Beatriz lives.

Beatriz (Sandra Mozarowsky) becomes possessed by a demonic force and it seems everyone blames the friar.

This is a lush and well photographed movie, but the horror elements are really played down most of the time which I thought was very odd indeed.

There is not too much violence here, but the sexual tension is very high and you can see it in all of the female players. The ending is rather abrupt and I don't believe anything is resolved except that the spirit leave Beatriz.

You may like this movie much more than I did and I will say it is well worth a look just to see something different.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO..

Helen Slater is 61.

MACUMBA LOVE 1960 (SINISTER CINEMA)

It has been a very, very long time since I saw this.

Walter Reed stars as a writer named J. Peter Weils who travels to an island in the tropics in order to expose a voodoo cult as fake.

Weils is dating a beautiful woman named Venus de Viasa (Ziva Rodann) who is drawn to the cult for reasons she doesn't understand and she flirts a lot with Weils son Warren (William Wellman Jr.) much to the dislike of his wife Sara (June Wilkinson).

Weils finds a dead body washed up on the beach so he goes to see the leader of the Voodoo cult. Her name is Mama Rota-loi (Ruth de Souza) and he warns her that he is not easily manipulated and he will see her cult exposed for what it is.

The ending is very interesting and it's only then that we see what and who Mama Rota-loi really is.

I really like this film a lot. Many years ago I owned the original lobby cards for this movie. Some people find it a slow going movie, and it is, but I like time for the story to develope.

The acotrs all do well with their roles, and de Souza is very good at being evil as the Queen of the Voodoo cult. There is a lot of talk about June Wilkinson in this film, and don't get me wrong, she looks great and does a good job, but I have always been crazy for Ziva Rodann.

Rodann is my main reason for wanting to see this movie. I've seen her in a lot of stuff, and this is one of her best roles. I wish she had done more. A very lovely woman indeed. The rest of the cast includes Ricardo Campos, Clea Simoes, Pedro Paulo Hatheyer and Pedro Santos.

The print for this movie is washed out and not in the best of shape, but it is very watchable. This really needs a blu-ray release, but it's one of those movies that I don't think it will ever happen to.

This is a highly recommended, obscure horror movie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Dee Wallace is 76, Janette Scott is 86, and Alan Ormsby is 81.

TREASURE OF THE JAMAICA REEF 1974 (DARK FORCE ENTERTAINMENT) BLU-RAY

I have read a lot of bad things about this movie and after watching it I don't understand that.

Four people, Hugo (Stephen Boyd), Josh (David Ladd), Victor (Chuck Woolery) and Zappy (Cheryl Ladd) obtain information about a vast treasure hidden inside a sunken ship off the coast of Jamaica.

The entire movie centers around their expidition to find that treasure and the many dangers they have to face. The photography is simply beautiful and Cheryl Ladd in a bikini ain't bad either.

There is flavor to this movie I really cannot describe, but for me anyway it moved along just fine and it really held my attention, unlike most people I guess.

There isn't a lot of action or suspense, but this is a good time waster and I hope you aren't turned off by all the negative reviews on the internet.

This was not Cheryl Ladd's debut film despite what the credits say, but my my does she look damn good. I can never get enough of a bikini clad Cheryl.

The rest of the cast includes Rosie Grier, Art Metrano and Darby Hinton.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Dick Van Dyke is 99, Lynn Holly Johnson is 66. and J.J. North is 60.

RIP MARIA SOCUS 1959-2024

The gorgeous actress has passed away.

The beautiful Socus wasn't well known outside of her native Argentina, but she did appear in three fulms that genre fans remember well.

Those movieds are "Warrior And The Sorceress", "Wizards Of The Lost Kingdom" and "Deathstalker 2: Dual Of The Titans". Socus had a 34 year career and I wish she had appeared in more American productions.

Maria Socus passed away on December 10, 2024 at the age of 65.

HUMANOIDS FROM ATLANTIS 1992 (TEMPE) BLU-RAY

Ultra low budget film that is its own worst enemy.

J. R. Bookwalter made this film and I admire that is was done for under 1300 dollars. The movie is about a young man who is filming a documentary about a lake when he encounters a strange being.

The monster is the last survivor of Atlantis according to a female doctor played by Christine Morrison who turns out to be something more than just a doctor.

The opening credits are self mocking and that is a major no-no in my book. This is a short 48 minute film and the ending just really let me down.

It seems the director just gave up or something. A movie should never be self deprecating no matter how bad it is. Oh well, if you're so inclined watch this film and see if you agree with me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Wings Hauser is 77, Sarah Douglas is 74, and Sheila E is 67.

THE ITALIAN CONNECTION 1972 (KINO) BLU-RAY

What a spectacular and wonderful movie!!

A small time pimp named Luca (Mario Adorf) suddenly finds himself targeted for death by two hitmen from the United States, and he has no idea why.

The two hitmen are played by Woody Strode and Henry Silva. They make quite a team as Strodes' character of Frank Webster is a very serious man with no other interest except in killing Luca.

Silvas' David Cantania is a free wheeling man who is obsessed with women, but he is stil very cold blooded. When they arrive in Italy they are met by a gorgeous woman named Eva Lalli (Luciana Paluzzi) who is sort of a guide for them as they look for Luca.

Top crime boss Don Vito Tressoldi (Adolfo Celi) isn't pleased that thw two men are in his town. Luca them becomes hunted by both the Americans and members of the Tressoldi crime family.

Luca has a very sexy call girl as his companion. Her name is Nana (Femi Benussi) and she tries to help Luca up to a point, but then leaves him after she is beat up by Frank and David.

Things really spiral out of control when Luca's ex-wife Lucia (Sylva Koscina) and their daughter are killed by Tressoldi's men. It's a graphic and very brutal scene as are many of the latter parts of this movie.

It's a violent and brutal film that ends on a not so happy note. All of the leads are great and there is not a bad performance to be seen. This film is a great combination of fast action, brutal violence and beautiful women. Strode and Silva make a great team

Boy, they sure don't make them like this anymore. A VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED movie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Donna Mills is 84, and Lynda Day George is 80.

SILENT MADNESS 1984 (VINEGAR SYNDROME) BLU-RAY

Odd little slasher film shot in 3-D that seems to have been forgotten in horror history.

This isn't too bad of a thriller, but I really didn't get what the point was. A mad killer is accidentally released from a mental hospital and goes on a killing spree.

His doctor, played by Belinda Montgomery tries to find him while the hospital denies it ever happened and even make a phoney death certificate to prove it!!

The hospital also sends two crazy employees to find the madman and kill him. This film is really beyond bizarre, and that may be the reason it has been forgotten.

The actors do very well with their roles, especially Montgomery and Sidney Lassick who plays a small town sheriff who refuses to believe the killer has returned. There is also an interesting twist ending.

The rest of the cast includes Viveca Lindfors, Solly Marx and Tori Hartman. You might want to check this out if you're a slasher completist, but otherwise you might feel like I did.

It's ok, but that is about it. I must also point out that I watched the 2-D version as I cannot see things in 3-D anymore.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Susan Dey is 72.

STREET LAW 1974 (CODE RED) BLU-RAY

I was hoping I'd enjoy this movie more than I did.

It stars off very good and then it just seems to go on far too long.

Franco Nero stars as Carlo, a man who is severly beaten by thugs who take him hostage in a bank robbery. After getting the run around by the police, he diciees to take matters into his own hands.

He keeps screwing up and is almost killed two more times by the same guys who attempted to kill him in the first place. There are some very good scenes in here abd I was surprised that I was bored by the entire thing.

Nero makes a very good heron in the film, but I have to give it a bad recommendation if you're looking for a well made item.

The best thing about the movie was gorgeous Barbara Bach as Nero's wife.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Kurt Angle is 56.

WARRIOR OF THE LOST WORLD 1983 (TRINITY)

After a lot of thought I gave this movie a try.

I guess I didn't think enough...lol. Robert Ginty stars as a nameless name called "The Rider" who rides around on a high tech supersonic motorcycle in a dystopian world of the future.

He is recruited by a small band of peaceful people to help overthrow an evil ruler named Prossor (Donald Pleasence) who is intent on making everyone left alive either his slave or dead.

There isn't much dialogue in this Italian epic, and that helps, but this is put together so badly I doubt anyone even cares. Fred Williamson shows up as a nameless mercenary and Persis Khambatta is the lovely damsel in distress called Nastasia.

She spends most of her screen time being tortured by Prossor who wants to turn her into a mindless slave worker. This is a bad movie all around. I liked the cast, but good god what a mess.

The ending, which I won't give away is as bad as it gets in any film. It's just laughable in it's over the top silliness. You can check this out if you want, but be warned you'll lose 90 minutes of your life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Teri Hatcher is 60, Kim Basinger is 71, Mary Woronov is 81, Belinda Belaski is 77, and Michelle Deighton is 39.

RIP PAUL MASLANSKY 1933-2024

The producer/director of some real gems has passed away.

Maslansky began his producing career with the 1964 film "Castle Of The Living Dead" starring Christopher Lee. He then went on to produce such fare as "The She Beast", "Sudden Terror", "Damnation Alley" and "Deathline" to name a few.

He also produced the "Police Academy" movies as well as directing one film which was the horror gem "Sugar Hill" in 1974. Maslansky was also a unit manager on the original "Jason And The Argonauts".

His career was wide and varied. Paul Maslansky passed away on December 2, 2024 at the age of 91.