TRAILER - The Stranger and the Gunfighter (1974)

This is what Shanghai Noon would have turned out like had it been dragged through the mud and then sprinkled with a little guts. An offbeat kung fu/spaghetti western mash up starring a rather jovial Lee Van Cleef and Lo Lieh (of 5 Fingers of Death fame), The Stranger and the Gunfighter was co-produced by Shaw Brothers and an Italian production company and shot in China and Spain. Featuring one of the oddest plot devices to come out of a film of this sort, the story has Van Cleef and Lieh teaming up to find a hidden treasure. The only clues to the treasure's were abouts are tattooed on the back sides of four lovely ladies. A bit of a missed opportunity, as the fights and gun battles are nothing new and Lieh never really gets to shine minus one decent battle towards the beginning. Still, it's hard to dislike a film like this and it can be fun if you check out your brain before hitting play. Also known as Blood Money.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE PROWLER (1981)

You may think your safe, but you're dead wrong.



Following THE PROWLER, Director Joseph Zitto would make arguably the best film in the FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise: FT13TH IV: THE FINAL CHAPTER. THE PROWLER is more than a warm-up act though. It has some classic kills that rival other horror films (the bayonet through the head is one of my favorites, it comes complete with post-kill gurgles), a smart story, and effects by Tom Savini (who also worked with Zitto on FT13TH IV). Zitto had a real gift for horror that he would later abandon for more traditional action films (MISSING IN ACTION, INVASION USA).

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe's Trailer Trash: Electra Glide in Blue (1973)

Before Robert Blake was on the wrong side of the law he was the shortest motorcycle cop on the force while patrolling the Arizona desert in Electra Glide in Blue. A failure with critics when first released, the film has garnered a cult following in recent years and is now considered a forgotten cop classic from the early 70s. Featuring a great performance from Blake, a wild motorcycle chase and wonderful soundtrack, Electra Glide in Blue was the only film to be directed by record producer James William Guercio. The ending is a shocker.

TRAILER - THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE (1972)

Till Death Do They Part!



If you have to ask yourself if your marriage is nothing more than legalized rape, it may not be the best situation for you. If you have to ask yourself if your new wife is a vampire who may like bumping with other chicks, well that may not be the worst thing in the world..until..she tries to kill you...but I think that goes without saying. A cool film with an interesting take on the vampire mythos.

See you on forty deuce,
G

Sunday's Siskel and Ebert Classic Review - 52 Pick-Up (1986)

And now, our weekly tribute to the two guys in the balcony, Mr. Gene Siskel and Mr. Roger Ebert.

Poe's Saturday Cartoon and Flashback: Tea for Two Hundred (1948)

While growing up as a kid in the 70s and 80s, Saturday belonged to Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo, Fat Albert, The Pink Panther etc. Sunday on the other hand belonged to Micky Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Dumbo, Lady and the Tramp and all of the great characters you saw on The Wonderful World of Disney. Shown Sunday evenings, one could always count on those last few hours prior to bedtime before that first school night of the week to be filled with magic and fun. The Wonderful World of Disney ran on various networks for over 30 years, making it the second longest running prime-time show in the history of television. The classic cartoon compilations were always a favorite, particularly the ones that showcased Goofy or today's star of the the Saturday Cartoon: Donald Duck.

The Disney cartoon shorts from film's golden era were a hit and miss bunch. Compared to the fast paced and violent cartoons being produced at rival studios like Warner Brothers and MGM, the Disney shorts could seem rather tame at times. The exceptions were the shorts featuring Goofy and Donald Duck. Directors such as Jack Kinney and Jack Hannah increased the pace of their cartoons and put the Goof and Duck though some of the similar pacing that Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry were going through in their cartoons. Goofy's shorts were more consistent, but Donald could be just as funny, particularly when he was being a sadistic jerk, like in today's cartoon: Tea for Two Hundred. Produced in 1948 and directed by Donald's regular director, Jack Hannah, the short was nominated for an academy award. A bit racist at the beginning, the short was definitely a product of its time. Noteworthy for containing one of Donald's all time best "pissed off" moments. Enjoy!

TRAILER - CRY UNCLE (1971)

This is a touching story about (cue sound of record skipping) a sloppy detective, sex, drugs, and a patriotic vibrator. This film is an early entry into the sex comedy genre by Troma (released before they really got going). By the way, if somebody tries to break in my front door saying they're the mattress man, I shoot the bastards that's my policy.

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe's Trailer Trash: Death Wish 3 (1985)

Bronson is back and he's older...I mean meaner than ever. From the "so bad it's good" school of film making, Death Wish 3 is the third and final film in the series to be directed by Michael Winner. The movie is so over the top that is almost plays like a comic book movie at times. Bronson is our avenging angel protecting the good people of New York from a vicious street gang led Gavan O'Herlihy. Watching the film recently, I couldn't decide whether or not Winner and company were taking themselves seriously when they made this. Take the finale for instance. It is a lengthy street battle that plays likes something out of a Rambo film. Bronson mows down more scum in this sequence than in almost all of the other films combined. While the original Death Wish is a better film, Death Wish 3 is more fun. Catch it!

TRAILER - THE GAUNTLET (1977)

"You see we've got a problem, you and me. We don't like each other much but we have to take a trip together. Now you can come along peacefully or you can be a pain in the ass. But I'm warning you: You mess around and I'll put the cuffs on you. You talk dirty - I gag you. You run - I'll shoot ya. My name is Shockley and we've got a plane to catch. Let's go." Clint Eastwood as Ben Shockley

See you on ofrty deuce,
G

TRAILER - FORBIDDEN WORLD (1982)

Another sleazy classic from Roger Corman. FORBIDDEN WORLD has everything a lover of trash cinema could ask for: gore, nudity, violence, sex, cheap special effects and more. Jesse Vint plays a galaxy trotting trouble shooter who is called to investigate a murder at a research station on a remote desert planet. Once there, he immediately beds the only two women on the planet and fights a giant spider like monster. How he kills the creature is one of the oddest scenes I've ever seen. Originally titled Mutant, the film is highly recommended for fans of low budget science fiction.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS (1977)

Science fiction becomes science fact...at least...so says the trailer. William Shatner is Captain Kirk, confused about why he is on earth and calling for Spock on a communicator he doesn't have. Actually, he is "Rack" Hansen, a veterinarian going head to head with a giant invasion of spiders. Let me say right at the top, Rack's name is awesome and is only rivaled by Charlie Sheen's character's name in TERMINAL VELOCITY: Ditch Brody. Anyway, Shatner is not terrible playing the vet, he works hard in this film to not over power the rest of the cast. This film delivers some pretty creepy moments that are made even more effective with the use of real spiders. Makes you wonder why they scrapped an idea for a sequel in the late 80's. Actually, no it doesn't. I have included the poster as well. Looks like Rack is about to jizz a fountain of flames.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - SCHLOCK (1973)

John Landis wrote, directed and starred in this spoof of such monster ape films as KING KONG and TROG; this was his first film. Though not as consistently funny as some of his future outings, the film was a good start for the then 23 year old director and features some solid laughs. Schlock's visit to a movie theater is particularly memorable. The ape suit was created by none other than Rick Baker. Also known as The Banana Monster.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - CELLAT aka TURKISH DEATH WISH (1975)

Cellat! Cellat! Cellat! This trailer is for a Turkish film from 1975 called CELLAT! For those unfamiliar with the film, it is called CELLAT! And for those of you who are wondering what it is about, it is a Turkish version of Death Wish and it is called CELLAT! Did I mention it is called CELLAT! I’m not really sure what Cellat means in Turkish, maybe “big mustache”? But what I do know is that this film is called CELLAT!

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN (1976)

In 1946 he killed 5 people. Today, he still lurks the streets of Texarkana, AR. Unlike other classic horror films which suggest they are based on facts, THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN actually is. This is a great and often overlooked film, but if you are a horror fan you have seen this more than once. The killer is a classic and is one of the first to wear a mask which is a burlap bag, it would inspire the one worn by Jason Voorhees in FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2.

Unless I am forgetting something, this film features the only scene ever made of death by trombone which is both awesome, gruesome, and creative. Director Charles B. Pierce (who started with THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK) would never make anything that came close to this film. In fact, he is probably best known for writing the Dirty Harry film SUDDEN IMPACT and coming up with the line "Go ahead, make my day." Dig it.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - BARE KNUCKLES (1977)

Zack and Black...Manhunters...Back to Back. Robert Viharo and his mustache star as Zachary Kane, a bounty hunter in Los Angeles who sets out to track down and stop a masked serial killer who murders women with his kung-fu moves. This film is well known for it's hard fights and brisk pace. John Daniels is not used much in this film despite second billing. His character is creatively named "Black". The narrator of the trailer mentions Daniel's name like he just told his wife he hit the strip club. This film kicks 12 kinds of ass. Pull a Don Edmonds double feature with ISSLA: SHE WOLF OF THE SS!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - CHINESE SUPER NINJA (1982)

Easily one of the of the craziest and most creative kung fu movies ever made, CHINESE SUPER NINJA is director Cheh Chang's ultimate masterpiece of heroics and bloodshed. Full of Chang's trademark action and bloodletting, the film was his first effort produced after the disbandment of his famous "Venoms" team (though the film does feature that team's strong man: Lo Mang). Newcomer Tien-chi Cheng is just as skilled an acrobat and weapons expert as the best of the Venoms, and he proves it during some of the most explosive weapons battles ever filmed. The finale against the "five elements" must be seen to be believed. A true classic from Shaw Brothers.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE EXTERMINATOR (1980)

Move over Paul Kersey cause there's a new vigilante in town and they call him....The Exterminator. Incredibly brutal film from the same director who brought us the 80s action classic "Shakedown". Cold blooded and mean, THE EXTERMINATOR was released to controversial reviews upon its release due to its brutality. The opening flashback scene alone features one of the ugliest decapitations in film history. Writer/Director James Glickenhaus pulls no punches as his lead character systematically exterminates the scum of New York. Makes Death Wish look like a Disney film at times. Catch this on a double bill with another Glickenhaus trash classic "The Soldier".

Zevk,
Poe

G's Siskel and Ebert Classic Review - From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

For me, From Dusk Till Dawn is ***, I love how this film starts as a road story and then storms through the doors with guns blazing into the vampire genre. Plus, Salma Hayek as a vampire stripper!?! Brotha please.

Kill Bill 1 (2003) & Kill Bill 2 (2004)

Without Tarantino, I wouldn't have the love of film that I have. I was working in the local video store when I came across a new release called Reservoir Dogs. After experiencing that film I went deep into the rabbit hole and never came out. Yesterday, I read the news on Tarantino's twitter site (@tarantinoq) that The Bride will back. This is Steve fucking McQueen cool, the bride deserves another picture and I cant wait to see what Q does with this. Now, this could be an impostor account, it could be a giant pile of cigarette butts, so take it with a grain of salt. Kill Bill 3 though looks to be a legit possibility. Jump on his twitter page and read for yourself. Until then, peep the trailers, remember The Bride and prepare for her return.

TRAILER - THE ARENA (1974)

Steve Carver's first film is still my favorite from his catalog. BIG BAD MAMMA may get all the attention, but Grier and Markov together again (the two paired BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA) against some scantily clad gladiator chicks defines perfection in my book. Dig it!

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe's Saturday Cartoon and Flashback: Robot Rabbit (1953)

Waking up on Saturday morning as a kid used to be a ritual for children who grew up in the 70s and 80s. First, you make sure the folks were still in bed, second, you grab your cereal and milk (hopefully it was a sugar cereal like Froot Loops or Sugar Smacks) and finally you settle down in front of the television for a morning of cartoons! And no cartoon show was more fun than the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner show on CBS. Kids knew they were in for a whopping 90 minutes of good times as soon as Bugs and Daffy busted into "This Is It", followed by Bugs introducing his fast feathered friend: The Road Runner. Other cartoons produced exclusively for Saturday morning could be fun, but none touched the greatness of this collection of old Warner Brothers shorts.

Today's cartoon is a 1953 Bugs Bunny short entitled Robot Rabbit. It features Bugs in another one of his long running battles with Elmer Fudd. Directed by the great Friz Freleng, the short is one of the few Freleng cartoons to have a science fiction theme. Friz wasn't a fan of pitting Bugs against Elmer, thus his reason for creating Yosemite Sam. He always felt that Elmer was too dumb to butt heads with Bugs and that the rabbit came across as a bully when heckling him. With that being said, all of his Bugs/Elmer cartoons are still incredibly funny, this short being no exception. Try not to laugh out loud at the bit with the donkey. Enjoy!

TRAILER - SISTER STREET FIGHTER (1976)

A spin-off from THE STREET FIGHTER series this SISTER is actually better than STREET FIGHTER'S LAST REVENGE. Estuko Shiomi has pretty stunning skills and holds her own in the fight scenes. In fact, this film gets pretty creative although there is some wire-work along the way. Chiba is back but plays another character and is only in the film briefly. A solid kick all around.

She's a one woman death squad!

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe's Trailer Trash: Yog, Monster From Space (1971)

An alien composed of pure energy invades a space probe returning from Jupiter, causing it to crash in the South Pacfic. With nothing better to do, this alien, named Yog, decides to posses the bodies of three sea creatures: a squid, a crab and a turtle. It then sends the now giant creatures on individual rampages on a south seas island. Eventually the monsters battle each other after humans find a way to break Yog's spell over them by using bat sonar. No, I'm not making this up.

Another wacky giant monster movie from the Godzilla school, this was one of the last films to be directed by Ishiro Honda, the director of the orginal Gojira. One can see why he stopped making these things after viewing Yog. Originally titled Space Amoeba, the film feature three of Toho's least intersting Kaijus and a plot that makes little sense. With that being said, the film is still colorful fun on a juvenile level and worth catching for undemanding fans of the genre. Just don't expect another Gojira.

G's Trailer Trash (cont): The Street Fighter's Last Revenge (1974)

Chiba completes the trilogy with Last Revenge. He is hired to find tapes dealing with making heroin, but he is double crossed and his girlfriend is murdered and things go to shit after that. Tomorrow and Sunday we look at the two spin-offs Sister Street Fighter and Karate Warriors.

TRAILER - RETURN OF THE STREET FIGHTER (1974)

Sonny Chiba is back as Tsurugi...and he is meaner than ever. It's Tsurugi versus the cops and the Yakuza as THE STREET FIGHTER continues!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE STREET FIGHTER (1974)

You beat a man, they call you tough. You beat an army, they call you...THE STREET FIGHTER! Starring grindhouse and martial-arts legend Sonny Chiba as Tsurugi, a bad-ass for hire who comes to the rescue of a kidnapped heiress. THE STREET FIGHTER was the first feature to be given an X rating on violence alone, due mainly to the scene where Tsurugi castrates a brotha in the act of raping a lady. This film CANNOT be viewed individually. You have to sit down with some chow-main and do it right: Triple Feature! THE STREET FIGHTER was followed by two direct sequels: RETURN OF THE STREET FIGHTER and THE STREET FIGHTERS LAST REVENGE (in addition to two spin-off films SISTER STREET FIGHTER and KARATE WARRIORS).

If you've gotta fight... fight dirty.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - SQUIRM (1976)

Some may squirm by the title alone, but this low budget horror film about killer worms is suprisingly well made and plays much better than many of the other eco-horror flicks so popular in the 1970s. Director Jeff Lieberman manages to stage some effective shock sequences, particularly near the end when a home slowly fills up with title critters. R.A. Dow turns in a scary performance as the "worm man" who threatens the leads at the climax. Interesting side note: Sylvester Stallone and Kim Basinger auditioned for the lead roles!

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - ACROSS 110TH STREET (1972)

Get your Koto on! Although it is lumped in with the blaxpoitation genre, ACROSS 110TH STREET is really more of a crime film. Since it's '71 release it has gained a very large following and heaps of critical praise (although only based on 5 reviews it has a 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes).

An early buddy-cop film, the film stars Yaphet Koto as Lieutenant William Pope who is partnered with racist Captain Frank Mattelli played by Anthony Quinn. The two are tracking down three suspects who killed seven people in the heist of $300,000 from a mafia owned bank. Gritty action and a smart plot plus, you get an early glimpse of the duo that would eventually have a 70's variety show called KOTO & QUINN'S GIGGLE HOUR.

See you on forty deuce,
G

Review - Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) ****

Imagine sitting down in a theater today and watching members of the Frat Pack battle against such modern day monsters as Jason, Freddy or Michael Myers. And then imagine if that idea actually worked and you were successfully scared and amused at the same time. Well that's the experience audiences had back in 1948 when Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was released.

So how do you combine a comedy team from the world of burlesque with three of the most famous monsters to ever grace the silver screen? That's the question writers Robert Lees, Frederic Rinaldo and John Grant were trying to answer after Universal producer, Robert Arthur, approached them with the idea of pitting the studio's famous comedy team against their most popular ghouls. The filmmaker's answers were simple. First, you leave the comedy to the comedians and the horror to the monsters. Second, you hire the actors who made the monsters famous in their original films to play the beasts. Thus Lon Chaney Jr. was secured to play Lawrence Talbot, aka The Wolf Man, Bela Lugosi got to play Dracula again and since Boris Karloff had long since retired from the role, Glenn Strange was asked to portray the Frankenstein Monster for the third time after having done it previously in House of Frankenstein and House of Dracula. Third, Charles Barton, Abbott and Costello's best director, is given the film to direct. And fourth, you eliminate some of the burlesque routines that Abbott and Costello relied on for laughs in their films and instead write original comedy set pieces that were fresh and didn't date the film.

With these answers in place, A&C Meet Frankenstein was made and released to very accepting audiences and was one of the biggest hits of 1948. Abbott and Costello are more energetic in this film than in some of the movies that proceeded it, and though Lou Costello actually hated the script, he gave one of his funniest performances. His scare takes in the movie are second to none, and he and Bud's timing is as amazing as always. Highlights include the team's moving candle routine (one of the few burlesque routines that made it into the film), a hilarious bit where Lou sits on the Monster's lap and a wild chase finale in Dracula's castle. Barton directs with a sure hand and though the film was Universal's second cheapest production of the year, it has the look of an A feature due to Arthur's expertise as a producer. Also worth mentioning is Frank Skinner's wonderfully atmospheric score.

Today the film is still loved by monster and comedy fans alike. Many adults who grew up in the 60s, 70s and 80s watching old Abbott and Costello movies on television will tell you that the film was their introduction to horror films. Quentin Tarantino sites the film as one of the first movies he remembers loving as a child, and it taught him that horror and comedy can overlap, and when done right, with great results. Ranked number 56 on American Film Institutes's 100 greatest comedies of all time, A&C Meet Frankenstein remains a timeless classic and is only rivaled by Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein as the greatest horror comedy of all time.

Zevk,
Poe

REVIEW - True Grit (2010) - ****

“It's a hell of a thing, killing a man,” said Eastwood’s Bill Munny in Unforgiven .“..Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.” Too often in films a gunshot is a passive exercise. Rarely do characters reflect on taking a life. Rooster Cogburn knows what it’s like, you get the feeling he doesn’t like it much. You also get the feeling that he would take you down fast and hard if you cross him which makes just as dangerous as any criminal. True Grit is a masterpiece and a remarkable achievement for the Coen brothers who continue to produce some of the most brilliant films I have ever seen.

The setup is simple. Jeff Bridges plays U.S. Marshal Cogburn who is hired by smart and surly 14 year old Mattie Ross played by Hailee Steinfeld to track down her father’s killer. It is the way the Coen Brothers build the momentum of the plot that keeps what really is a basic western storyline utterly fascinating. They do this not with large sweeping action scenes (which isn’t their style) but using punchy and smart dialogue that is just as effective as a fistfight. Sure, there are a few gunfights and they are done really well (not as well as the hotel shoot-out in No Country For Old Men) but the dialogue is some of their best work. Watching newcomer Steinfeld negotiate the sale (and return) of her Father’s ponies in the beginning of the film is one of the most fascinating scenes I have seen in some time. For almost 5 minutes there are essentially two shots as two sides negotiate. Little Mattie Ross has the upper hand from the get go yet you are wrapped up in the strength and wit of this little girl.

All of the performances are what you would expect. Jeff Bridges is nearly unrecognizable yet we feel we know him very well. As I mentioned, Bridges brings a danger to the film and to the character. It’s a refined danger though, we would feel comfortable if we were around a campfire with Cogburn but fucked if he were pointing a gun at us. This is the film he should have won an Oscar for. Matt Damon brings a controlled nervousness to his character (a bounty hunter) who never seems to stop talking about his latest triumph. Josh Brolin is the target of Cogburn and does a great job as does Berry Pepper (WHO!?!), in fact his performance is so good you wonder where the hell he has been. The show belongs though to Hailee Steinfeld who delivers honestly one of the best performances of the year and certainly the best performance by a child since Henry Thomas in E.T.

Coen brothers, along with a select few, have been an enormous force in my love of film. They have made so many masterpieces that I continue to watch year after year. Blood Simple, Fargo, Raising Arizona, Big Lebowski, Miller’s Crossing, and more. Any Director would be happy to have one of those films but the Coen’s own them all. Outside of Miller’s Crossing I think this is the first time they have taken on a particular genre and they put that down with the strength of a six shooter. This film is a modern day masterpiece. I had the feeling when I was watching it that I would one day be watching this with my sons, although I will be watching it annually until they are ready.

G

Poe's Trailer Trash: Black Mama, White Mama (1973)

Before Jonathan Demme started directing such little known films as Silence of the Lambs and Philadelphia, he cut his teeth writing or directing films in the women in prison genre for Roger Corman's New World Pictures. Demme was one of the writers for Black Mama, White Mama, a crazy mix of the blaxploitation and WIP (women in prison) genres. Basically a reworking of The Defiant Ones starring Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis, with the lovely Pam Grier and radiant Karen Brent in the Poitier and Curtis roles, the film is more of an adventure film than a true WIP, though we do get the obligatory shower and catfight scenes early on to satisfy fans of the genre. Grindhouse legend Sid Haig turns up as a gangster.

TRAILER - ROLLING THUNDER (1977)

From a remarkable Paul Schrader script (TAXI DRIVER, THE YAKUZA, HARDCORE) and Directed by John Flynn (THE OUTFIT), ROLLING THUNDER is a grindhouse masterpiece that has one of the greatest finale's of all time. Incredible performances by William Devane and young, though already weathered Tommy Lee Jones. Devane plays Rane, who is just home from war when a group of thugs rob him and kill his wife and son, now he's pissed. Time to belly up to the bar for a tall drink of revenge!

Major John Rane has come home to war.

See you on forty deuce,
G

REVIEW - Vengeance (2009) ****

A French chef is in town cooking up a meal of revenge with some pissed off gravy and a double shot of bullets in Johnny To's Vengeance. His name is Costello, and after learning that his son in-law, and grandchildren are murdered and his daughter gravely wounded by the mafia, he swears vengeance by her hospital bed. Costello hires three hit-men to help track down those responsible.

Costello is played by Johnny Hallyday who is known as the "French Elvis." Alain Delon was originally to play the part of Costello but dropped out. Hallyday has a grizzled look and very few lines, but he conveys so much emotion through his eyes you get the feeling that any heavy dialogue would get in the way. In fact, the film as a whole has little dialogue. It uses nods by the characters, looks at one another filled with expression, and the landscape of the city to do the talking.

This is a remarkable piece of film-making, Johnny To clearly has the intention of bringing the audience through a chaotic series of events but the payoff is huge. Along the way we get plenty of action and one of the most creative gun-fights I have seen in some time, strike that, we get two of them. This film is dangerous. Do yourself a favor and see this one, then buy it, then watch it again and make it part of a double feature with Death Wish.

G

G's Trailer Trash: Hobo with a Shotgun (2011) COMING SOON

Hobo with a Shotgun is the second trailer from Grindhouse to get the full theatrical treatment following Machete (which is also getting a sequel). Rutger Hauer is homeless person who becomes a violent, shotgun-wielding vigilante upon entering a crime-ridden city. Because that's exactly what you do when you are in a crime-ridden city. Suck on this.

TRAILER - RACE WITH THE DEVIL (1975)

So what is one to do if you find yourself being chased by a devil cult in an army of souped-up vehicles...why you try and outrace them in a Winnebago, that's what! At least that's what Peter Fonda, Warren Oats, Loretta Swit and Lara Parker are forced to do after they witness a satanic ritual murder during a road trip vacation.

Wild little thriller that seems to have slipped under the radar over the years for both horror fans and car chase enthusiasts alike. Well worth a look for fans of both genres. The climatic chase where the cultists commit a full scale attack on the careening Winnebago predates THE ROAD WARRIOR and its similar tanker chase by seven years.

Zevk,
Poe

In Stores Now Sucka! Tuesday's New DVD/Blu Ray Releases

Welcome to Tuesday which ain't Friday and yeah that sucks, but it is new release day so lets look in the bag of tricks and see what we have...

At the top of the list we have some new Corman Classics...



Roger Corman's Cult Classics Triple Feature: Attack of the Crabs (see above) - War of the Satellites - Not of this Earth. Hit this to pick it up: http://amzn.to/hrlbfz

Corman also has a Double Feature Disc out today...



Roger Corman's Cult Classics Double Feature: Up From the Depths (see above)- Demon of Paradise. Hit this to pick it up: http://amzn.to/hrlbfz



Army of Crime: They may suggest a bunch of Basterds on the cover, but these guys aren't looking for Nazi scalps, but they are taking a few Nazi's out which is good enough for me. Hit this to pick it up: http://amzn.to/dUzO6C . Also on Netflix Streaming.



Buried: Ryan Reynolds is trapped in a box. I also heard he was in Sandra Bullock's box, but I digress. This setup is pure Hitchcock. Reynolds is kidnapped and put in a box several feet underground with a cell phone and he has to call the Feds to convince them to pay the ransom. Haven't seen this one yet but I am anxious to see if it works or not. Hit this to pick it up: http://amzn.to/fu5N0b

And finally, the film of the week for me. Nominated by as AFI (Australian Film Institute) as Best Film and by The Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actress. Animal Kingdom (2010)



A 17 year-old is sent to live with his Grandmother after Mom overdoses. Unfortunately, Grandma is the patriarch of a notorious Melbourne crime family. To pick up this new crime classic hit this link: http://amzn.to/hSZm9D

For a full list of the release schedule hit up Amazon right here: http://amzn.to/fM8Wru

Back next Tuesday with more knowns and unknowns from the freaks and geeks of cinema.

G

TRAILER - CONTAMINATION (1980)

Just what we need, another gory Alien rip-off, right? Yes, right. This science fiction/horror Italian import is a lot of fun, and will satisfy both fans of hard core gore and cheesy science fiction. Directed by Luigi Cozzi, the film is a crazy mixed bag of gore, horror, espionage and monster elements. Creepy soundtrack by The Goblin helps with atmosphere. Worth a look.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI (1983)

This trailer may be the worst pile of shit you have come across since that visit to the taco truck with highly questionable meat. The film is LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI, featuring the hit song I Don't Want This Night to End by John O'Bannon...wait...what? Yeah you read that right, some dude who sings like a jazzed up Barry Manilow laying down tracks for a terrible 80's sex scene contributed to the sound track. Which begs the question for the characters of the film: You are in the fucking Kingdom of Demons and you don't want the night to end? Really? REALLY? Craptastic!

See you on forty deuce,
G

G's Siskel and Ebert Flashback: Silent Night Deadly Night

TRAILER - DEATH RIDES A HORSE (1967)

Tough, gritty spaghetti western stars John Phillip Law as a young man out to avenge the death of his family by a gang of ruthless outlaws. Lee Van Cleef, great as always, plays a gunfighter who helps him on his quest. Full of the kind of violence and gunfights one expects from a film of this sort, DEATH is one of the better westerns from the era and was a major influence on Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill epic.

Zevk,
Poe

Poe's Saturday Cartoon: Cock-a-Doodle Dog (1951)

Hilarious Tex Avery cartoon from 1951 features a sleep deprived Spike, Avery's regular go to character from the early 50s, battling a stubborn, ever crowing rooster. Full of Avery's fast paced and violent gags, Cock-a-Doodle Dog is a prime example of why "old school" cartoons are still the tops.

TRAILER - WEREWOLVES ON WHEELS (1971)

If you're hairy you belong on a motorbike!



Genre mash-ups can be good or they can go horribly wrong, this one is Johnny Cash cool.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER: GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER (1971)

Godzilla fans are usually very divided on this film, the eleventh in the series. Some praise its odd mix of monster action, trippy animated scenes, psychedelic imagery and music and its "save the Earth" message about pollution. Others find it childish and just too weird for its own good. Either way, the film is the most unique in the series and Hedorah, Godzilla's garbage pile adversary, is fun. Make sure to catch the scene where Hedorah tokes it up on some smoke stacks.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - CUT-THROATS NINE (1972)

A wagon of convicts are being escorted through the mountains by a Calvary troop when they are attacked by a group of bandits. Only the Sargent, his wife, daughter, and seven of the worst murderers on that wagon survive. Now the Sargent has to find a way to not only fight the continuing attacks by the bandits and protect his wife and daughter, but get those seven convicts back to prison. Cut-Throats Nine is excessively violent, as were a lot of westerns following The Wild Bunch. This is an often overlooked western, and more dangerous than a six-shooter.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - FIVE DEADLY VENOMS (1978)

Arguably Shaw Brother's most popular film, FIVE DEADLY VENOMS was the first movie to feature a team of actors who in later years were dubbed The Venoms or the Venom Mob. Three of the five Venoms attended the Peking Opera School in Taiwan as youths and were highly skilled in acrobatics and weapons. Director Chang Cheh took full advantage of their skills and showcased the team is some of the most amazingly bloody and dizzy kung fu films every made.

This first film in the series is not as action filled as some of the later efforts, but its a cool plot about five kung fu experts skilled in individual "animal styles" of fighting has made it one of the all time great cult films to come out of China. Highly recommended.

Zevk,
Poe

G's Trailer Trash: Suspiria (1977)

A coven of witches are bent on chaos, death and destruction, but all Suzy wants to do is dance. Suspiria is a hugely influential Italian horror film directed by the legend Dario Argento. Part of the famed "Three Mothers" trilogy (Suspiria is followed by Inferno, and The Mother of Tears), Suspiria is one of the most effective horror films ever made and a frequent guest on "best of" horror lists.

TRAILER - DEATHSPORT (1978)

A follow up of sorts to the 1975 cult classic Death Race 2000, Deathsport reunites some of the same creative team from that film, including legendary B Movie Producer Roger Corman, for a trashy good time. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the film follows the adventures of Kaz Oshay, played by David Carradine, and his love interest, Deneer, Playboy Playmate Claudia Jenning, as they battle B Movie bad guy veteran Richard Lynch in the Deathsport, an event that has replaced the death penalty and allows criminals to battle for their freedom. Full of futuristic motorcycle chases and cheap special effects, the film is a trash lover’s dream. Jerry Garcia, from Grateful Dead fame, contributes to the soundtrack. Another trashy win from Corman.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - BLACK BELT JONES (1974)

Jim "The Dragon Kelly" is ready to clobber the mob with one bad broad. Jim Kelly is Black Belt Jones, in a classic genre mash-up, one part martial arts, one part blaxpoitation, and 100% soul. Kelly had skill and natural charisma so it made perfect sense for him to essentially drop out of films and become a tennis instructor....yes I am serious.

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe's Trailer Trash: Laserblast (1978)

Made to cash in on the runaway success of science fiction films such as Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Laserblast is a low budget mess that features good stop-motion effects by David Allen. The story of a teenager who becomes obsessed by a laser gun and pendant left behind by an alien spaceship features some of the worst acting since Ed Wood's troupe were hitting the silver screen. The film ended up getting the Mystery Science Theater 300 treatment. David Allen, now considered one of film's greatest stop-motion animators, also animated the science fiction sex adventure: Flesh Gordon.

G's Trailer Trash: The Fast Sword (1971)

They took his home, killed his father, and took his mother's sight. Now Nan Kung Cheng is out for blood. This film is clearly not as good as anything the Shaw Brothers did, partialy because it lacks the budget. But what it lacks in dollars it makes up for in death. The action is fast and quick which makes up for the unpolished feel of the film. Sammo Hung shows up in the film as one of the henchmen of the Warlord and is also credited with the fight direction.

TRAILER - VICE SQUAD (1982)

The trick is staying alive!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - MACHINE GUN MCCAIN (1969)

Even the mafia calls him Mister. Hank McCain is in the pen doing ten but the mob wants him out for one last score. What the mob wants, the mob gets. The score is a casino but the risk is too high so they drop the plans and McCain picks them up. This film is 12 kinds of tough and a grindhouse classic.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - ARMED RESPONSE (1986)

Car crashes: check. Explosions: check. Veteran B movie action stars: check. Formulaic 80s production values: check. Revenge plot line so typical of 80s action films: check. Worth seeing for undiscriminating fans of 80s trash: check.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - LADY SNOWBLOOD 2: LOVE SONG OF VENGEANCE (1974)

Lady Snowblood is about to give up the fight after the slaughter of 37 people. After surrendering to police she is rescued by an admirer and urged to again grab the blade for one more mission. Like the Street Fighter films, Kill Bill 1&2, or the Lone Wolf and Cub films, this isn't really a sequel. You just have to look at 1&2 as essentially one film of Snowbloody goodness.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - LADY SNOWBLOOD (1973)

She's ten miles of bad road with a blade. This film is very high in the Top 50, and a grindhouse classic.After her husband and son are murdered, Sayo is taken by one of the killers to work for them, she later stabs him with a knife and is sent to Prison. While in Prison she gives birth to Yuki and makes the other women promise to care for Yuki and train her for vengeance, the usual death bed request. Six years later Yuki is taken to a priest to be trained for revenge. At the age of 20, she is ready for blood...snowblood...actually just blood.

Now, we have all been taken to a priest to train for revenge but this girl is only 6! Remarkable! This film is full of very well choreographed duels but they still feel organic. The acting and directing is also on a very high level. See this, then see your priest and thank him for the training.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - BARBARIAN QUEEN 2: THE EMPRESS STRIKES BACK (1992)

Before Phil Spector lied to the jury and stated that Lana Clarkson "kissed the gun" in his mansion and killed herself with one of his firearms, this amazon beauty was Queen of the Bs (and double Ds) in the 80s and early 90s. Lana's two Barbarian Queen films are what she is best remembered for, due mainly to the actress's undeniable "charms". Film two in the series is quite awful, yet still a must-see for anyone wanting to see Ms. Clarkson mud wrestle or spend time on the rack. And no, Lana doesn't find out that some evil warlord is her "father" as the title might lead you to believe.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE CAR (1977)

During the 1970s, every studio wanted to make another JAWS or THE EXORCIST to cash in on the massive success of those films. Universal, the studio that produced JAWS, tried to cash in on past glories with this action/horror hybrid about a demonic, driver-less car haunting the American Southwest. Yes, The Twilight Zone did something similar, and better, but the film is still fun for fans of this kind of stuff.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - Teaserama (1955)

In the early and mid-50's, Grindhouse was defined by skin...lots of it, and Irving Klaw knew it. Best known as being one of the early pioneers of the adult industry (he sold nude pictures via mail-order), he was also a photographer and filmmaker. In 1955 he put together Teaserama, a collection of Burlesque acts that feature a break out star: Ms. Bettie Page. Though she was in Striporama and Varietease, this is considered the film that made her famous.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE (1958)

The year is 1973. One of the first rocket ships to reach Mars takes off after a rescue mission with two extra passengers. As luck would have it, one of those passangers is a blood thirsty Martian that has hidden in the ship's air ducts and begins picking off the crew one by one. Sound familiar? It should, as years later a writer named Dan O'Bannon stole this basic idea and wrote his own little alien in a spaceship story, turning it into a film called ALIEN (1979).

The film that inspired O'Bannon, IT! THE TERROR FROM BEY0ND SPACE , is an effective science fiction thriller that doesn't always get the credit it deserves as it is under produced and usually gets lumped in with a lot of the sci fi cheapies produced during the 1950s. The flick offers up some decent atmosphere and features a memorable monster that is played by Ray "Crash" Corrigan; an actor famous for appearing in gorilla costumes throughout his career. It! was his last film.

Worth a look for monster lovers and fans of ALIEN (1979).

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - VIGILANTE (1983)

Robert Forster, Fred Williamson. Done and Done. Forster does the DEATH WISH thang when he partners up with Williamson who is leading a gang of ex-cops out to right the wrongs of the justice system vigilante style. Directed by DG favorite William Lustig (MANIAC, MANIAC COP 1&2), this film is tough as nails and has some pretty intense fights. As brilliant as MANIAC COP 2 is, VIGILANTE may be the better film.

If the law won't get them... we will!

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe's Trailer Trash: Destroy All Monsters (1968)

Originally released in Japan as Attack of the Marching Monsters, this Toho produced daikaiju eiga movie (monster movie) is the Oceans Eleven of giant monsters movies as it features eleven of the studio's rubber suited stars. The year is 1999. A race of female aliens who call themselves Kilaaks decide to invade and conquer Earth, and naturally they focus on an island called Japan as their initial target. And how else to invade our planet then to brainwash and unleash all of Japan's giant monsters upon the world. Thus, Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, Anguirus, Minilla, Baragon, Varan, Gorosaurus, Manda and Kumonga are sent on rampages around the globe, destroying New York, Moscow, Paris and other important cities with their rubber feet and beaks. Luckily, Captain Yamabe and his spaceship, Moonlight SY-3, are on hand to break the monster's spell and turn the tables on the invaders. As a least resort, the Kilaaks sick space monster King Ghidorah upon the Earth monsters for a final battle royale.

Destroy All Monsters is the ninth film in the Godzilla series. The film was originally to be the Toho monster gang's last hurrah, but luckily for fans of these crazy monster bashes, the series has continued on to this day. The film has it all: city rampages, gun battles, spaceships, female aliens (strangely they all look Japanese) and the mother of all monster battles. The film throws in everything but the kitchen sink for the sake of a good show and it was the last of the colorful 60s films that are still considered the best in the series. So if you're in the mood for some loud monster mayhem, grab yourself a sixer of Sapporo Lager and a buddy or two who can handle watching Rodan eat a dolphin and throw in Destroy All Monsters.

TRAILER - STARCRASH (1979) aka THE ADVENTURES OF STELLA STAR

In Space...the Hoff...is Hassled. David Hasselhoff stars as Simon, the Emperor's only son, and only survivor of Zarth Arn's assault on his ship, and Caroline Munro is Stella Star who knows you have more freedom of movement when you are wearing a couple thin strips of fabric and boots. Awesome right? This film is classically bad but along with BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS it is a crowning achievement when it comes to STAR WARS rip-offs.



See you on forty deuce,
G

Trailer: The Mechanic (2011) - REDBAND

Jason Statham is back but this time in a slicked up remake of a Bronson film (which although dated is still effective). While this trailer is better than the one released last month, it still reminds me of a microwavable salisbury steak dinner. Yeah you can eat, but it's not going to taste great and may give you the shits twelve ways to Sunday.

G's Trailer Trash: Machete (2010)

Danny Trejo - Michele Rodriguez - Jeff Fahey - Robert De Niro - and introducing Don Johnson - with Cheech Marin - Lindsay Lohan - and Steven Seagal

That cast is close to geek paradise. The film is geek paradise. Robert Rodriguez directed an ode to Grindhouse that Planet Terror only grazed. This film delivers 105 minutes of a badass Mexican delivering decapitations, bullets, and a few truck loads of rumble.

G's Trailer of the day; Usual Suspects (1995)

Alien 3, In the Name of the Father, Last of the Mohicans, Jurassic Park: Lost World, but to me, Pete Postlethwaite will always be Kaiser Soze's assistant Mr. Kobayashi. Postlethwaite passed away on January 2nd after a long battle with lung cancer (a life long smoker). Steven Spielberg said of him "he is the best actor in the world." He always brought a muted danger to the screen. I wish he would have been given the chance to star in a film, but I don't think he was that kind of guy, I think he was content to be a part of a film and practice the craft he clearly loved. For more on his career, check out wikipedia's page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Postlethwaite

REVIEW - Restrepo - ****

Restrepo is not only the best documentary of 2010, I think it is one of the most powerful films I have seen in over a decade. Sebastian Junger (author of Perfect Storm) spent a year embedded with the Second Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (airborne) of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in the Korangal Valley in Afghanistan. The film follows the 2nd Platoon defending OP (outpost) Restrepo, named after PFC Restrepo who is KIA before the film begins.

Junger follows the 2nd Platoon as they fight to defend OP Restrepo against 4-5 attacks a day. The Korengal Valley is remote and a largely unknown section of Afghanistan, the valley is very close to Pakistan. The OP was positioned to serve as notice to Al-Qaeda, a geographical middle finger. Al-Qaeda responds by attacking, and moving closer and closer. There is never victory for our soldiers, only the call to another fight. In the end, the valley is abandoned, we gained nothing. 50 soldiers died in that valley and I cant help but think about their families.

This blog is not right or left, it is good film or bad film. A forum for debate on films with a particular focus on Grindhouse and Exploitation cinema. It also is a spot to review films that impact us or we think are worth your time. Restrepo is worth your time. Hopefully, it causes you to think what you are doing with that time, and what others are doing in the name of security to ensure you have that quite moment of pause.

See you on forty deuce
G

TRAILER - MAGIC (1978)

This remains my favorite role in the long career of Anthony Hopkins. This is a great film from Richard Attenborough that never seems to get the credit it deserves. Gene Siskel listed this as the 9th best film of '78 which I will use as validity for my position.

Fats: Fasten your seatbelts, everybody. It's going to be a bumpy night.

See you on forty deuce,
G

G's Trailer of the Day: The Great Silence (Il grande silenzio, 1968), or The Big Silence

Though Django is his most famous character, Sergio Corbucci's The Great Silence is by far his best film. To avenge the death of her husband, a women hires Silence, a mute gunslinger, to kill the man responsible. One of the rare westerns to feature a snowy landscape. The contrast between the clean snow and violent images is stunning.