TRAILER - THE STEWARDESSES (1969)

Now At Last On The Wide-Screen--The Most Talked About Girls In America--The One, The Only, the X-Rated...THE STEWARDESSES!

See you on forty deuce,
G

MARQUEE SHOT - CUT-THROATS NINE (1972)

Another great night at Hollywood. Thanks for providing the CUT-THROATS NINE Terror Mask!



See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE MONOLITH MONSTERS (1957)

Mammoth skyscrapers of stone thundering across the earth!

Interesting little science fiction film from Universal International about an alien meteor that turns into crashing monoliths of stone when exposed to water. Slick production values and offbeat story makes THE MONOLITH MONSTERS one of the more unique monster pictures produced by Universal during this period. Jack Arnold is credited as one of the writers. Offers up an interesting subplot about how the meteor effects humans.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE AMAZING WORLD OF PSYCHIC POWERS (1976)

The most incredible displays of psychic power ever filmed!

But...not really. Hosted by Raymond Burr, this is a cool little documentary that jumps into subjects like telekinesis, telepathy, and astral projection. The scenes are all recreations which gives it a schlocky feel but that's just the way we like it on TDG.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE 10TH VICTIM (1965)

A trippy and futuristic take on the short story "The Most Dangerous Game", THE 10TH VICTIM stars Marcello Mastroianni and burn-the-house-down-hot Ursula Andress. This is coming out on Blu-ray on 8/30 from William Lustig's Blue Underground.

It's the 21st century and they have a licence to kill.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE FOOD OF THE GODS (1976)

Welcome to the Bottom of the Food Chain!

Bert I. Gordon takes yet another stab at the giant monster movie with H.G. Well's THE FOOD OF THE GODS. This time he's blowing up rats, wasps, worms and even chickens to mammoth proportions and sicking them on a group of unlucky patriots stuck in a farmhouse. Poor special effects abound. Final sequence involving an exploding dam is especially bad. H.G. is still probably rolling in his grave.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE DEVIL TIMES FIVE (1974)

What Wendy just saw them do will make you sick to your stomach...if it doesn't make you faint first!

It's a well known fact that kids who create death traps to knock off adults are jerks...and these kids are the jerkiest. This is well south of a good film which makes it a TDG classic. There is a slow-motion-never-ending death scene that is one of the worst shots I think I have seen.

See you on forty deuce,
G

Classic Fight Scene - WAY OF THE DRAGON aka RETURN OF THE DRAGON (1973)

TRAILER - NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS (1987)

Chuck Russel's directorial debut (followed by 1988's THE BLOB and '94's THE MASK) is my personal favorite of the ELM STREET sequels. It plays almost like a comic book infused horror film. The writing is smart and the story moves fast. Watch this one to wash the bad taste of ELM STREET 2 out of your mouth.

"Sleep. Those little slices of Death. How I loathe them" -Edgar Allan Poe

See you on forty deuce,
G

Clip - DEATH RIDES A HORSE - Van Cleef Smokes A Quick 4!

MARQUEE PIC - DEATH RIDES A HORSE (1967)

TRAILER - LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA (1982)

Solid Shaw Brothers kung fu epic directed by the great Lau Kar-Leung. Fans of weapons heavy martial arts films will really dig this one as the film is filled with a number of delirious weapons battles. Kar-Leung also stars and wrote the screenplay. Features strong support from Shaw superstars Gordon Liu and Alexander Fu Sheng. Climatic battle featuring the weapons of the title is a highlight.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE FEMALE BUNCH (1971)

Another Al Adamson classic and the last film from Lon Chaney Jr., THE FEMALE BUNCH is a modern day western about a group of ladies who decide to live outside of society while smuggling drugs across the Mexican border. This is a rough and tough film that makes little sense ... but sense is overrated. This was shot on the Spahn Ranch during the same time the Manson family lived there. Drugs, sex, guns, whips, and branding irons...all in a days work.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - COBRA (1986)

George P. Cosmatos first teamed up with Stallone in RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II, not a year later, they would together again in COBRA. Stallone wrote the script for this after drinking a 12 pack and shooting some roids. Only way to explain the cheesy dialogue ("your the disease...and I am the cure") and lame action scenes. Still, this has a secure spot in my annual viewing schedule. Cosmatos would go on to direct TOMBSTONE seven years later. Stallone would go on to make OVER THE TOP the next year.

Night Slasher: The court is civilized, isn't it pig?
Cobretti: But I'm not. This is where the law stops and I start - sucker!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - CYBORG (1989)

Van Damme is the ridiculously named Gibson Rickenbacker in Albert Pyun's post-apocalyptic (aka we can film in the desert and don't need sets) VHS classic CYBORG. This is a short (86min), tough film and thankfully Van Damme doesn't have a lot of dialogue and the movie benefits from that decision.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE BEING (1983)

A creature spawned from toxic waste terrorizes a small Idaho town in this cheaply made ALIEN ripoff. Director Jackie Kong would go on to direct the camp classic BLOOD DINER. You've got to wonder how hard up Martin Landau was to appear in this one.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE DOBERMAN GANG (1973)

What do you do if you're a failed bank robber who cant pull off a heist? Train a pack of a dobermans to do it for you. Woof, woof, ROB!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE DORM THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (1982)

When the kidding stops... the killing starts!

Crafty kills and Christmas. A match made in grindhouse hell!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE MACHINE GUN GIRL (2008)

It's payback time!

Taking a cue from GRINDHOUSE, this chick also as a fully automatic weapon for a limb. Crazy, over-the-top bliss.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - DEMENTIA 13 (1963)

Francis Ford Coppola's first true directorial debut is a solid goth-horror film that makes you wish he hadn't strayed away from the genre. Coppola, though an obviously brilliant director, has a tendency to get lost in the ideas and themes of his work. He never accepts the stories for what they are like he did here with DEMENTIA 13, a straight forward tale of terror.

You Must Pass the "D-13" Test To Prepare You for the Horrifying Experience of Dementia 13. If You Fail the Test...You Will Be Asked to Leave the Theater!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - EL TOPO (1970)

The Colonel: Who are you to judge me?
El Topo: I am God!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - HOLY MOUNTAIN (1973)

Drug Master: The Cross was a mushroom - and the mushroom was also the Tree of Good and Evil.

A more complete film than EL TOPO, HOLY MOUNTAIN is my favorite between the two despite an attempt by both films to explore similar themes.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS

I think Spike Jonze is the only other director who would be able to pull this off, but he couldn't have come close to the brilliance of Terry Gilliam.

Raoul Duke: One of the things you learn from years of dealing with drug people, is that you can turn your back on a person, but never turn your back on a drug. Especially when it's waving a razor-sharp hunting knife in your eye.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - BLOW OUT (1981)

A Brian De Palma masterpiece. Now you here it...now you don't.

Murder has a sound all of its own!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - WOMEN IN CAGES (1971)

White skin on the black market!

Typical WIP flick from Roger Corman's New World Pictures is memorable for featuring Pam Grier as the nasty warden this time around. Though director Gerardo de Leon doesn't seem to have the same handle as Jack Hill would over the material, WOMEN IN CAGES is still full of all the staples that makes these flicks pure trash. This one is particularly heavy on the sadism. But where is Sid Haig when you need him?

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - EATEN ALIVE (1977)

The third film from Tobe Hooper is far less iconic than TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE but just as creepy. EATEN ALIVE reunites Hooper and Marilyn Burns (Sally from TCM) and also features Robert Englund, four alarm fire Roberta Collins (THE BIG DOLL HOUSE, CAGED HEAT, DEATH RACE 2000), and an insanely creepy Neville Brand as the Inn Keeper of the Starlight Hotel where you check in alive...and check out dead. Ring up another classic for Hooper.

See you on forty deuce,
G

THE NEW RELEASE WALL FOR THE WEEK OF 4/25

It’s Tuesday, and that means sites and stores will be full of new goodness to tickle your eyeballs with. So sit-back, relax, and take a look at what’s good enough to stick in the movie playing machine.



There are two releases this week that we have our eyes on, both from Criterion. First up, Brian De Palma's BLOW OUT (1981) on Blu-ray. This film plays like simultaneous homage to both Hitchcock and all of De Palma's other influences. It contains stunning camera work and Travolta's best performance of all-time. Hands down my favorite De Palma film, pick this one up ASAP.

Here's what you get-

New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director Brian De Palma, with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition

New hour-long interview with De Palma, conducted by filmmaker Noah Baumbach

New interview with star Nancy Allen

Cameraman Garrett Brown on the Steadicam shots featured in the film within the film

Select on-set photos from photographer Louis Goldman

Original theatrical trailer

PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Michael Sragow and Pauline Kael’s original New Yorker review

You can pick the disc up from TLA Video here: http://bit.ly/fP2lec



The second release of the week is Terry Gilliam's FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (1998). Criterion finally gets this visually stunning film to Blu-ray. I can't think of a better director to bring this novel to the screen than Terry Gilliam. He has such a wonderfully altered way of using the camera and telling a story. Thompson and Gilliam seem like a perfect match. This film had trouble finding an audience in the theaters, but my guess is that we still be talking about this one twenty years from now.

Here's what you get-

Digital transfer, approved by director Terry Gilliam, with a DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack and an optional 5.1 mix

Three audio commentaries: one with Gilliam, one with stars Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro and producer Laila Nabulsi, and one with author Hunter S. Thompson

Deleted scenes, with optional commentary by Gilliam

Selection of Thompson correspondence, read on camera by Depp

Hunter Goes to Hollywood, a short documentary by filmmaker Wayne Ewing

A look at the controversy over the screenwriting credit

Profile of Oscar Zeta Acosta, the inspiration for Dr. Gonzo

Collection of artwork by illustrator Ralph Steadman

Audio excerpt from the 1996 spoken-word CD Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, featuring filmmaker Jim Jarmusch and actor Maury Chaykin

Fear and Loathing on the Road to Hollywood, a 1978 BBC documentary with Thompson and Steadman

Storyboards, production designs, stills gallery, theatrical trailer, and TV spots

PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman and two pieces by Thompson

You can pick up the disc from TLA Video here: http://bit.ly/g48Cv7

Here's what else we are tossing into the cart or adding to the Netflix queue-



Roger Corman's THE TERROR (1963) finally makes its way to Blu-ray. With everyone from Corman himself, to Coppola, Jack Hill, Jack Nicholson, and Monte Hellman taking turns behind the camera, the film lacks a single consistent tone and is a bit of a mess. In the end, it still works on some weird level and remains a Corman classic.

You can find this one at Amazon here: http://amzn.to/ieg8VW



Taking a cue from GRINDHOUSE, this chick also as a fully automatic weapon for a limb. Crazy, over-the-top bliss.

You can find this one at Amazon here: http://amzn.to/gnfzaU

Next up, two films from Alejandro Jodorowsky, HOLY MOUNTAIN and EL TOPO:






HOLY MOUNTAIN is my favorite of the two films. It expands on the themes and ideas from EL TOPO and just feels like a more complete film. Having said that, EL TOPO is still amazing and worth a watch.

You can find HOLY MOUNTAIN from TLA Video here: http://bit.ly/hlRH8y

You can find EL TOPO from TLA Video here: http://bit.ly/ezXKQo




Produced by Roger Corman, this is Francis Ford Coppola's directorial debut and it is unlike anything he would ever do again which is a shame. This is some really well done gothic horror. This has been available previously on some really cheap transfers so I am curious to see how this one looks. Like THE TERROR, this has been available previously on a sub-par transfer, anxious to see this one in Blu though.

You can find this at Amazon here: http://amzn.to/fdbEeM





A crafty slasher film filled with bloody goodness. Horror Empire had this before Amazon so I have had a chance to take a look at this disc and it is well worth the grab. Nothing better than a horror film set at Christmas time!

You can pick this one up from Horror Movie Empire here: http://bit.ly/gxQq8k



Finally, Best Buy's exclusive on SIN CITY Blu-ray has expired so its now available on Amazon to pick up. Make sure to grab this one, the transfer is great though I wish they put out a Blu-ray edition of the DVD release that included one of the Frank Miller graphic Novels.

You can pick this up on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/gqdzMR

That's it for this week kids. Next week is kind of quiet but includes THE GREEN HORNET, a shitty, shitty transfer of FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, HALLOWEEN: H20 and a double feature of STUDENT BODIES and JEKYLL & HYDE TOGETHER AGAIN.

Here's to happy watching this week, salute!

See you on forty deuce,
G

Classic Car Chase - BLAZING MAGNUM (1976)

TRAILER - ROADIE (1980)

Just a few years after his classic Bat Out of Hell album, Meatloaf decided to jump into the B-Movie shit-pile and he landed a classic. ROADIE features Blondie, Alice Cooper, Roy Orbison, and Hank Williams Jr.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE TERROR OF THE TONGS (1961)

Tough little Hammmer thriller pits sea captain Geoffrey Toone against a secret society called "The Red Dragon Tong" circa 1910 Hong Kong. The always great Christopher Lee is his usual villainous self playing the leader of the Tongs. Bloody and violent; a must for Hammer fans.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE CORPSE GRINDERS (1971)

This is a true grindhouse, bat-shit crazy, total fucking bananas classic from Ted V. Mikels (DOLL SQUAD, BLOOD ORGY OF THE SHE DEVILS). Truly epic.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - TROUBLE MAN (1972)

Robert Hooks is the original Mr. T. He may not have a mohawk and gold swinging from his neck, but he has plenty of attitude and can kick 12 kinds of ass!

Billy Chi, Chalky's Goon: Chalky sent me to say he wanted to see you on some business, Mr. T.
Mr. T: You go tell Chalky he can kiss my black ass.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE CROW (1994)

"People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest. Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right." Sarah, THE CROW

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - CHILD'S PLAY 2 (1990)

Sorry Jack, Chucky's back!

See you on forty deuce,
G

G's Siskel & Ebert Classic Review: CHILD'S PLAY 2 (1990) and THE CROW (1994)

Siskel & Ebert was on channel 2 at 11:35pm every Sunday. Here is our weekly tribute to the two legends. Film school starts now.





G's Take: CHILD'S PLAY 2 - The original CHILD'S PLAY was an inventive entry into the horror genre. Though it always made me want to watch Anthony Hopkins and his evil dummy Fats in MAGIC, I thought it was very creative and genuinely sadistic. CHILD'S PLAY 2 takes all the elements that worked in the first film and hits the repeat button. Usually this wouldn't work but CHILD'S PLAY 2, in a way, is even more fun than the first. It has a cool style and one of the best endings in the franchise. THUMBS UP!



G's Take: THE CROW - Brandon Lee's death gave this film an eerie feel the permeated the entire picture, but this film would have been just as good had that on-set tragedy never happened. Brandon Lee gives such a powerful, and toughing performance that this almost certainly would have made him an action star. Alex Proya's created a darkly stunning film that truly reflects the tones of it's graphic novel origins. If the film has a flaw it's that the villains are text-book (though there deaths are certainly not). Michael Wincott is good as the leader of the ruthless gang of fire-starters, but his henchmen could have been more smartly written. THUMBS WAY UP!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - DEBBIE DOES DALLAS (1978)

Everyone on the team scores when her pom-poms fly!

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe's Saturday Cartoon: REBEL RABBIT (1949)

Today on Poe's Saturday Cartoon we continue our "seven deadly sins" series by focusing on the sin known as pride. Seeing that Easter is tomorrow it seems only appropriate that I show a Bugs Bunny Cartoon and no short in the rabbit's filmography demonstrates his sense of pride better than 1949's REBEL RABBIT.

Directed by Robert McKimson, REBEL RABBIT showcases Bugs at his most mischievous as he demonstrates to the world why the bounty on a rabbit should be more than just two cents. His sense of pride eventually gets the best of him and his upcommance is quite a surprise as this is one of the few shorts where Bugs looses in the end. Like other McKimson Bugs Bunny shorts made around this time, the cartoon features a more aggressive and stockier rabbit; quite different from the always victorious character featured in the Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng cartoons. McKimson would eventually tone Bugs down as well in both temper and size and it's a shame as his angry Bugs cartoons are among his best.

So sit back and enjoy watching animation's greatest character show off the bitchier side of his personality. If only Daffy had been featured in this one as well; I imagine he would have enjoyed watching Bug's plight.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - AMERICA 3000 (1986)

From the writer of DEATH WISH 2 and OVER THE TOP comes the only film (unfortunately) directed by David Engelbach. This is a post-apocalyptic film done in the style of MAD MAX with half the talent but it's a VHS classic.

"Nine hundred years after the Great Nuke. The world man created, he destroyed. Out of the darkness and ignorance of the radioactive rubble emerged a new order...and the world was woggos."

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982)

An underrated classic, HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH is s stand-alone entry in the horror franchise starring the great Tom Atkins (NIGHT OF THE CREEPS, MANIAC COP).

The night no one comes home.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - POINT BLANK (1967)

John Boorman takes the classic noir and puts it through a psychedelic grinder only to create one of the toughest, grittiest neo-noirs ever to be filmed. Based on Donald Westlake's Parker novel "The Hunter"(writing as Richard Stark), Lee Marvin is Walker who is double-crossed and left for dead, now he wants the money owed to him and he isn't going to stop until he gets his $93,000.

Parker has come to the screen before in various incarnations. The character has been played by Mel Gibson (PAYBACK), Robert Duvall (THE OUTFIT) and others, but those films never captured the toughness that Marvin brought to the role. POINT BLANK is in my all-time top 20. For the uninitiated looking for lesson in style, Boorman does a masterful job. For those that have never read Westlake's Parker novels, I couldn't be more jealous. The first time I hit "The Hunter" was a feeling of discovery that has rarely been reproduced.

There are two kinds of people in his up-tight world: his victims and his women. And sometimes you can't tell them apart.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE BLACK GESTAPO (1975)

They are the Ghetto Warriors... some call them The Black Gestapo!



Another classic from the exploitation team of Wes Bishop (Producer) and Lee Frost (Director). This one of the toughest, most violent Blaxpoitation titles around. Dig it.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - DIXIE DYNAMITE (1976)

They got 'em mad ... now there's no stoppin 'em!



From Wes Bishop (Producer) and Lee Frost (Director), the legendary exploitation team that brought us THE THING WITH TWO HEADS, POLICEWOMAN, RACE WITH THE DEVIL, and more comes another grindhouse classic. DIXIE DYNAMITE is a surprisingly tame film for the dynamic duo but that doesn't stop if from going all out on the action. Chases, chicks, revenge, and Warren Oates ... sign me up!

Geek note: This film has an unbilled performance by Steve McQueen as a motorcycle racer. He took the gig after a few years of not working and was paid less than $200.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - IMMORTAL COMBAT (1994)

First, there was Gibson and Glover. Then, Stallone and Russel. Now, Piper and Chiba. "Rowdy" Roddy Piuper and Sonny Chiba (credited as Sonny "JJ" Chiba) team up to fight an army of immortal ninjas. This film is a mess but it does have some decent fights from both Piper and Chiba, both have been in better films...obviously.

Indestructible warriors programmed to kill. This is no game.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - TARANTULA (1955)

A scientist experimenting with a growth formula commits a big oops when one of his test subjects, a tarantula (what the hell was the guy thinking), escapes and begins chewing up the southwest desert countryside as it grows to epic proportions.

Classic monster movie from genre master Jack Arnold is second only to THEM (1954) in the giant bug genre of films. Full of Arnold's atmospheric direction and some very effective special effects, TARANTULA is one of those perfect rainy day afternoon flicks. And yes, that is Clint Eastwood as the leader of the jet squadron at the end.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THEY LIVE (1988)

THEY LIVE is the last film in John Carpenter's epic 80's run that included: ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, THE THING, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, and more. THEY LIVE is filled with social and political suggestions, it is an incredibly smart film that features one of the best (and longest) fist-fights in film history.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper rented at my video store back in the late 80's (his favorite film was Disney's BLACKBEARD'S GHOST). He said originally he only did THEY LIVE because he needed the money but he was always surprised how well it turned out. That is an understatement, THEY LIVE is a classic.

You see them on the street. You watch them on TV. You might even vote for one this fall. You think they're people just like you. You're wrong. Dead wrong.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER

The last horror film directed by Joseph Zito (shot just after his horror classic THE PROWLER) before he turned to action films, THE FINAL CHAPTER remains the best FRIDAY THE 13TH film hands down. It is inventive, creative, and Jason has never been as simultaneously funny and horrific as he is here.

Three Times Before You Have Felt The Terror, Known The Madness, Lived The Horror. But This Is The One You've Been Screaming For.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - TELEFON (1977)

Taut Don Siegel thriller about a mad KGB officer using brainwashed Russian operatives to commit acts of sabotage in the US. If the story seems familiar that's because the Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker team borrowed it for The Naked Gun!

Made toward the end of Siegel's career, TELEFON isn't as action heavy as some of his other vehicles, but its interesting storyline provides a fair amount of thrills.

"The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep. Remember. Miles to go before I sleep."

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - BRAIN OF BLOOD (1972)

From legendary grindhouse director Al Adamson (FIVE BLOODY GRAVES, BLACK SAMURAI, and other awful goodness) comes another crapterpiece. This film actually features some gruesome surgery scenes and some individual moments of creepiness, but they are quickly shit on by bad acting and a lame story.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - LEGEND OF THE FIST: RETURN OF CHEN ZHEN (2010)

COMING THIS FRIDAY!

TRAILER - BORN TO RAISE HELL (2011)

A duty to protect. A hunt for vengeance.



Outside of MACHETE, Steven Seagal really hasn't made a good film since he was in EXECUTIVE DECISION for 5 minutes back in 1996. Based on this trailer though, he may have just made something slightly north of crap.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - TOKYO GORE POLICE (2008)

Before this film, director Yoshihiro Nishimura was known for his effects work on films like MACHINE GUN GIRL. He is known as the Tom Savini of Japan. His directorial debut is appropriately chaotic and about as fucking bananas as you could imagine.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN (1977)

And yet another trashy science fiction flick from the "so bad it's good" school of filmmaking. The one creative positive is the make up of Rick Baker; gruesomely good. A perfect midnight movie for undiscriminating horror fans.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - THE TOUGH ONES (1976) aka ROME ARMED TO THE TEETH

Killers are bad news, especially the psychotic machine-gun carrying hunchback ones.

Though director Umberto Lenzi is probably best known for CANNIBAL FEROX, THE TOUGH ONES is probably my favorite film of his. It is hyper-violent and doesn't pull any punches.

See you on forty deuce,
G

THE NEW RELEASE WALL FOR THE WEEK OF 4/18

It’s Tuesday, and that means sites and stores will be full of new goodness to tickle your eyeballs with. So sit-back, relax, and take a look at what’s good enough to stick in the movie playing machine.



The big releases this week are both THE KING'S SPEECH and RABBIT HOLE, but the release of the week for TDG is Donnie Yen in IP MAN 2. Yen said in an interview for the film that “Ip Man 2 will incontrovertibly become a classic, bettering the first.” I had similar hopes going into Ip Man 2. The first film in the series (which will become a trilogy sans Yen) had a magic to it, a quiet intensity that escalated to a near perfect ending. IP MAN 2 is not a classic, it's half the film that the first film is, but it's still better than most of the crap that comes out of Hollywood.

IP MAN 2 does have some very creative fights that were choreographed by Golden Harvest legend Sammo Hung who also appears in the film. Unlike the first film however, the fights here seem hollow. They are void of any real consequences which is a let down considering how intense and personal the fights in the first film were. I don't hate this film, I just wish it was the classic Yen thought he was making. This is more than worth watching, just double it up with a Shaw Brothers film or watch the original IP MAN first and you will see what I mean.

Here are the other releases we have our eye on...



TOKYO GORE POLICE is bug ass nuts. This has been out for a while on DVD but it's now out on Blu-ray. This film is full on fucking bananas.



You cant even look at the cover-art for this without that damn theme song in your head. This is not a great film, it's pure sensory overload but it still works for what it is. Plus it has Talisa Soto which is always a plus. MORTAL KOMBAT: ANNIHILATION is also out today, but that one is just straight crap.



GOEMON is based on Robin Hood, I have not seen this yet but it looks like a slick, effects filled film. The director Kazuaki Liriya made 2004's CASSHERN which was cool, so this is worth a look.



It's been four years since her last picture but Sofia Coppola is back. Though I think she can be inconsistent, when she works in the space of the entertainment industry like LOST IN TRANSLATION, she taps into this emotional disconnect which is fascinating to watch. SOMEWHERE is familiar territory for Coppola, it's about a daughters relationship with her father, a famous actor. This is a fascinating film, Coppola lingers on her subjects, almost like a documentary. While re-watch on this one may not make you jump out and buy it, it deserves to be added to your Netflix queue.



Spike Lee's follow-up to his very touching and sad 2006 documentary WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE: A REQUIEM IN FOUR ACTS which talks about the damage of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. IF GOD IS WILLING AND DA CREEK DON'T RISE is a reminder of what's left to be done, and what promises remain unfulfilled.



Steven Seagal is back in another direct-to-video release. However, and I may regret this, the trailer doesn't look too bad. Proceed with caution.



Finally, Criterion is out with a gorgeous transfer of one of the best British films of all time. KES follows a fifteen year old who, lacking a bond with his father, searches for a spiritual escape. This is a haunting, and memorable film.

That's it for this week. Next week Criterion unleashes some amazing Blu's: BLOW OUT, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, and we also have new Blu's of THE TERROR, THE SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY, EL TOPO, HOLY MOUNTAIN, and MACHINE GIRL.

Here's to good watching, Salute!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - NEMESIS (1992)

In the future... it pays to be more than human.



In the future, chaos is rampant as 'information terrorists' threaten to destroy order in society. From the director of CYBORG comes another film that was marketed as a Terminator-like knockoff but NEMESIS is much more. This is a well thought out sci-fi film with crazy action and some pretty cool characters. This was a true VHS classic back in the day. It is now out-of-print on DVD (new copies start at $95) but you can still find it relatively cheap on VHS with new copies starting at $28 over on Amazon.

Germaine: It's not over Alex. There are many more of us. More than you can terminate.
Alex: But I've been doing a pretty damn good job of it.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - ZOLTAN: HOUND OF DRACULA (1978) aka DRACULA'S DOG

I hate when road crews stop traffic for 20 minutes just to move a truck. I also hate when they accidentally unearth Dracula and his dog, really fucks with my day.

Man's best friend is now man's worst fiend...

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA (1984)

As boys, they made a pact to share their fortunes, their loves, their lives. As men, they shared a dream to rise from poverty to power. Forging an empire built on greed, violence and betrayal, their dream would end as a mystery that refuse to die.



Though THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY is my favorite Leone film of all-time, this is hands down his masterpiece and most complex film. For a full write up, jump over to Roger Ebert's review that is featured in his Great Movie's section: http://bit.ly/fmzBUd

Noodles: It's true I have killed people, Mr. Bailey. Sometimes to defend myself, sometimes for money. And many people used to come to us. Business partners, rivals, lovers. Some of the jobs we took, and some we didn't. Yours is one we would never touch, Mr Bailey.
Max: Is this your idea of revenge?
Noodles: No. It's just the way I see things.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - STREETS OF FIRE (1984)

Though it flopped at the box-office, this is now considered by Hill's sizable fan-base to be among his best. A Rock & Roll fable!

See you on forty deuce,
G

G's Siskel & Ebert Classic Review: STREETS OF FIRE (1984) & ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA (1984)

Siskel & Ebert was on channel 2 at 11:35pm every Sunday. Here is our weekly tribute to the two legends. Film school starts now.





STREETS OF FIRE – Walter Hill is one of my favorite directors. His first film since 2006 comes out next year, Hollywood is better off with Hill behind the camera. STREETS OF FIRE was conceived during the shoot for 48 HRS and shot just after production wrapped. STREETS is a chaotic blend of influences from drama, to comedy, action, musical, and old school biker exploitation. Walter Hill somehow gets all of those genres to play nice together in a film that by all intents and purposes shouldn’t work at all. Diane Lane and Michael Paré have real chemistry together, and Willem Dafoe is a nutty kind of evil as Raven, the leader of the motorcycle gang. Though it flopped at the box-office, it has since gained a sizable cult following and is considered to be one of Hill’s best among his fans. THUMBS UP!

ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA – Sergio Leone turned down THE GODFATHER to direct this film. This is an epic masterpiece of violence. The narrative of this film is so complex it requires multiple viewings, it requires discussion, it requires you tell all your friends to see this if they haven’t witnessed the genius of this film. Leone’s cut of this film clocks in at 227 minutes. It was released here in the states in a chopped up, mess of a film that clocked in at 90 minutes. This film was just recently released on Blu-ray, Leone’s cut is on full display. Leone’s version: THUMBS WAY UP! U.S. Version: Thumbs way, way down.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - 2069: A SEX ODYSSEY (1974)

Interplanetary Women Looking For What Only Earth Men Can Give...



"What is this ‘lay’?”

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - WHITE LINE FEVER (1975)

Carrol Jo Hummer--A working man who's had enough! Don't confuse this film with WHITE NIGHTS, the Mikhail Baryshnikov film about a Russian dancer. Should that happen, you will be punched in the face.

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe’s Saturday Cartoon: THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS (1934)

Today on Poe’s Saturday Cartoon we continue our “seven deadly sins” series by focusing on the sin that most of us are guilty of committing on a Sunday afternoon: sloth. To do this we will be showing a classic Disney Silly Symphonies short: THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS.

The Silly Symphonies are the main reason Disney was king of the animation world throughout most the 1930s. The first of the Hollywood cartoons to be filmed in the full Technicolor process and feature strong story lines along with great character animation, these shorts were light years ahead of any other animated series being produced at the time. In terms of high production values and beautiful artistry, they were second to none. The series featured 75 shorts in all and ran from 1929 to 1939. Though none of the regular Disney players were featured as stars in the shorts, many, including Pluto and Donald Duck, made their professional debuts in the series.

THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANTS was the 42nd entry in the series and one of the earlier color cartoons. Based on the famous Aesop fable, the short is noteworthy for featuring Pinto Colvig, best known as the voice of Goofy, as the grasshopper. Unlike the original fable, in which the ants refuse to take pity on the starving grasshopper after he fails to work and save food for the winter, the Disney short offers up a sympathetic ending. The ants end up offering the lazy, six legged bastard a hand out in the end. So according to Disney, it’s ultimately okay to bum food off of others just because you don’t like to work. I don’t think Jiminy Cricket would have approved.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - BURY ME AN ANGEL (1972)

A howling hellcat humping a hot steel hog on a roaring rampage of revenge!



This is a biker film told with a slight feminist slant and it kicks 12 kinds of ass. Director Barbara Peeters (HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP, SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHERS) knew how to deliver 100% exploitation goodness.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - GUNS (1990)

An Andy Sidaris classic that features those famous 8 words: That's it for me! I'm hitting the shower!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - STONE COLD (1991)

Piece of shit early 90's trash that played on our local drive-in with HARD TARGET. Why I am taking up valuable mental space with that knowledge I am not sure. Lance Henriksen though turns in another classic bad-guy performance as Chains Cooper. Worth a watch.

Brian Bosworth will burn you...cold!

See you on forty deuce,
G

G Presents: The Double featuring GET CARTER (1971) & HIT MAN (1972)

Welcome to The Double. As always, if we had a theater this is what we would have on the marque for Friday and Saturday night. Today, The Double features one of the best British gangster films ever made and a nearly scene-for-scene remake done in the tune of Blaxpoitation. It's the unlikely pairing of Michael Caine, and Bernie Casey. Let's get it on.

First up, Sir Michael Caine in GET CARTER. This is not only largely recognized as a high water mark in British crime films, I have always felt this is one of the best tales of revenge that I have seen. This isn't business for Caine, this is family, and he is going to do what it takes to make the wrong things right. The journey of Caine's character from calm to crazy, and the situations that create that, are very well written and directed by Mike Hodges. This film has a high re-watch for The Daily Grindhouse, so let's roll...

What happens when a professional killer violates the code? Get Carter!



Now the main event, HIT MAN. This is a GET CARTER remake done in the Blaxpoitation style. Though it's not one of my favorite in that genre, it works as a straight crime film and it's cool to see some of the scenes executed nearly shot-for-shot. In GET CARTER, the violence is a bit muted, it has a narrative push that carries the character to those moments. Director George Armitage (MIAMI BLUES) deals with HIT MAN's gun-play with a little more bluntness but that's what you came to see....in addition to Pam Greir naked. Never a bad way to end a night.

He aims to please!



Here's to good watching this weekend, SALUTE!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - STAKE LAND (2010)

THE MOST DANGEROUS THING IS TO BE ALIVE



This is coming soon from IFC Midnight. We are suckers for Zombie movies and the western influences here have the geek-meter going nuts. Looking forward to checking this one out.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - LET'S DO IT AGAIN (1975)

Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby are at it again in this uproarious follow up to UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT (http://bit.ly/gXNsnI). Funnier than its predecessor, the film plays like an Abbott and Costello movie set in the 70s as it thrusts its two bumbling lead characters into one dangerous yet hilarious situation after another. Wonderful supporting performances includes a great turn by John Amos as gangster Kansas City Mack. Followed by A PIECE OF THE ACTION (1977).

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - BLACKENSTEIN (1973) aka BLACK FRANKENSTEIN

To stop this Mutha, takes one bad Brotha!



This is a classic horror-blaxpoitation mashup that is better than it deserves to be. There is some bad acting and the story stalls a bit but it's worth catching. The lab in this film is the same one used in the original FRANKENSTEIN film from 1931.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE BEACH GIRLS AND THE MONSTER (1965)

Go! Go! Go! The Coolest Monster Shindig of Chicks and Chills!



Anybody else think the monster sounds like a TIE-Fighter? That sound was actually taken from THE LOST WORLD (1960). This is a classically bad film that works only after multiple beers and/or a bottle of NyQuil.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - PLANET OF THE APES (1968)

Somewhere in the universe there must be something better than man. In a matter of time, an astronaut will wing through the centuries and find the answer. He may find the most terrifying one of all on the planet where apes are the rulers and man the beast.

The original classic.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - SCUM OF THE EARTH (1974)

Not to be confused with the Herschel Gordon Lewis film of the same name, this is the CITIZEN KANE of Hixploitation films. This is a backwoods classic that features every redneck stereotype in the book.

This is the actual tagline used to promote the film: In the tradition of "The Godfather Part II" & "Walking Tall Part II"

That's just a hint at the genius behind this gem.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - DAMNATION ALLEY (1977)

The magnificent epic of five people who survive the nuclear holocaust and their incredible odyssey through the nightmare world it created. And now, you will not only see it, you will feel it, live it--in "Sound 360"--a revolutionary sight and sound experience!



Maj. Eugene Denton: Tanner this is Denton! This whole town is infested with killer cockroaches. I repeat: KILLER COCKROACHES!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - RODAN (1956)

Classic kaiju flick made when Toho Studios were still taking their science fiction films seriously. RODAN was their first monster movie in color. Special effects master Eiji Tsuburaya stages some great destruction sequences in this one, particularly during Rodan's rampage through Fukuoka City. The giant pterodactyl would go on to be a regular participant in the Godzilla series. A loud and colorful good time for monster fans.

Thundering out of unknown skies--The super-sonic hell-creature no weapon could destroy!

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - CORRUPTION (1968)

"Corruption" Is Not A Woman's Picture! Therefore: No Woman Will Be Admitted Alone To See This Super-Shock Film!



Long before he was an SS Commander of a legion of Nazi zombies, and before he blew up the peaceful planet of Alderaan, Peter Cushing was a creepy as hell Doctor rebuilding his fiancé’s badly burned face…person…by…person. Considering when it was released the film is surprisingly gory, and Cushing delivers another solid performance which serves to illustrates why he was such a legend in the genre.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - LE CERCLE ROGUE (1970)

No place to hide..Nowhere to run..

Melville's heist masterpiece is full of stunning scenes that are so well shot and executed they have been jacked and mimicked countless times since, though never duplicated. This is a flawless film that doesn't have a single over the top performance. These are criminals being criminals, and cops being cops. No gray area, no ambiguity.

Le chef de la police: All men are guilty. They're born innocent, but it doesn't last.

See you on forty deuce,
G

THE NEW RELEASE WALL FOR 4/12

It’s Tuesday, and that means sites and stores will be full of new goodness to tickle your eyeballs with. So sit-back, relax, and take a look at what’s good enough to stick in the movie playing machine.



The release of the week for TDG is Criterion’s Blu-ray of LE CERCLE ROGUE: http://amzn.to/f9hQaF. This is by far my favorite heist film of all time and may in fact be my favorite Melville film of all time as well. Though LE SAMOURAI has a muted brilliance to it, LE CERCLE ROGUE is stunning in the way it captures the act of criminals doing what they do best. I dare anyone to watch this and not have a strong urge to pick up a pack of smokes and pop a heater in your mouth while contemplating illegal activity. Here is a breakdown of what’s on this disc:

Restored, complete, uncut version, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Excerpts from Cinéastes de notre temps: “Jean-Pierre Melville”
Video interviews with assistant director Bernard Stora and Rui Nogueria, the author of Melville on Melville
Thirty minutes of rare on-set and archival footage, featuring interviews with director Jean-Pierre Melville and stars Alain Delon, Yves Montand, and André Bourvil
Original theatrical trailer and 2003 Rialto Pictures rerelease trailer
PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by film critics Michael Sragow and Chris Fujiwara, excerpts from Melville on Melville, a reprinted interview with composer Eric Demarsan, and an appreciation from director John Woo

Here is a list of the other titles that are sitting in our cart this week…

DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY/RACE WITH THE DEVIL ACION PACKED DOUBLE FEATURE - http://amzn.to/h4CF16 - If we could get these on Blu-ray I would hump the leg of the person that made that commitment, which may explain why we can’t get these on Blu-ray. This is a great double feature though and the disc is dirt cheap at $10.99.

THE INCREDIBLES (Blu-ray) - http://amzn.to/flST7o - One of my favorite superhero films of all time (Top 5). This film works on multiple levels and Disney does a great job with their releases.

JIMI HENDRIX AND THE BAND OF GYPSIES: LIVE AT THE FILLMORE - http://amzn.to/gyuqv2 - This performance capture Hendrix in his prime and features the only known footage of the entire group in concert. Here is the full track list:

1.Who Knows
2.Machine Gun
3.Them Changes
4.Power of Soul
5.Stepping Stone
6.Foxey Lady
7.Stop
8.Earth Blue

BEHIND THE BURLY Q - http://amzn.to/fT06p7 - A great documentary from Leslie Zemeckis (wife of Robert) on the history of Burlesque.

Last but never least, we have heard rumblings on the Blu-ray release of BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS - http://amzn.to/eQsIw2 - This was way off my radar and the link provided shows that amazon is out of stock which I find hard to believe since it was just released today supposedly. We will stay on this and let you know what’s up.

That’s it for this week kids, next week we look at the release of IP MAN 2 and some other titles you are going to want to grab.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - TARGETS (1968)

White knuckler of a thriller about a homicidal sniper and his run in with an aging horror star remains a horrific portrait of America's youth gone bad. Masterfully directed by Peter Bogdanovich, the film was made only after Bogdanovich agreed to utilize left over footage from Roger Corman's THE TERROR (http://bit.ly/fgsM4N) and hire Boris Karloff for two days of shooting upon the legendary producer's request. The finished product is the crowing achievement of Karloff's career and one of the best thrillers to come out of the 1960s. Amazing climax at a drive-in theater.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS (1973)

Experience the unexpected terror of rising rotting flesh...


Bob Clark could genre hop better than most, and when he did, he usually set the bar for everyone else. BLACK CHRISTMAS, PORKY’S, A CHRISTMAS STORY, those are all films that represent some of the best work in their respective genres. It wouldn’t be until his third film that Clark would try his hand at horror, and it would last through, coincidentally, only three films (ending with BLACK CHRISTMAS, godfather of the slasher genre). The first horror film that Clark directed was CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS that features some incredible effects considering it’s $70,000 budget. This is a smart, witty little horror-comedy.

See you on forty deuce,

G

TRAILER - DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (1973)

Like DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW (http://bit.ly/dYCFPm), DON'T BE AFRAID was also a made-for-television movie, this time for ABC. The whispering creatures in the dark corners of the house are only shown in shadows except for a few scenes including one where they argue over killing Kim Darby in the shower with a straight razor which is a classic. This film plays like the ultimate monsters in the closet movie and could have easily been released theatrically.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - ALIEN (1979)

In space no one can hear you scream.

Still terrifying.

Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - SATAN'S CHEERLEADERS (1977)

From the director of the Blaxpoitation classic BLACK SHAMPOO ( http://bit.ly/gKEkzs ) comes another grindhouse staple. The monk you get a glimpse of in the trailer is played by Sydney Chaplin (son of Charlie) in his last film.

When these girls raise hell... there's the devil to pay!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - LADY TERMINATOR (1989) aka NASTY HUNTER aka SNAKE TERMINATOR: THE SNAKE WENCH DIES TWICE

She mates...then she terminates!



Max McNeil: We've seen more dead bodies than you've eaten hot dogs, so shut up and eat.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - CRONOS (1992)

The debut film from Guillermo Del Toro is a near perfect film and one of the best original vampire films of all time. I have always felt that this is the type of vampire story Coppola would have told had he made an original film instead of his take on the classic Bram Stoker story.

Narrator: [over the opening sequence] In 1536, fleeing from the Inquisition, the alchemist Uberto Fulcanelli disembarked in Veracruz, Mexico. Appointed official watchmaker to the Viceroy, Fulcanelli was determined to perfect an invention which would provide him with the key to eternal life. He was to name it... the Cronos device. 400 years later, one night in 1937, part of the vault in a building collapsed. Among the victims was a man of strange skin, the color of marble in moonlight. His chest mortally pierced, his last words... Suo tempore. This was the alchemist.

See you on forty deuce,
G

G's Siskel & Ebert Classic Review: BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA (1992)

Siskel & Ebert was on channel 2 at 11:35pm every Sunday. Here is our weekly tribute to the two legends. Film school starts now.







G’s Take: This film has always felt a bit like a missed opportunity. It has all the pieces in place for an epic experience: amazing sets, stunning cinematography, some of the best actors in the business (Gary Oldman as Prince Dracula, Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing), and incredible special effects. However, it also has a story that goes nowhere, Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves who stall the film, and an editor who is asleep at the wheel. The classic story of Dracula has been done so many times that it seems to be a struggle for even Coppola to bring something new to the tale. This film made me wonder what Coppola would have done with an original vampire tale, I think it would have resembled Del Toro’s CRONOS which remains one of the best vampire films to this day. It is still worth seeing though for the visual appeal of the film and Oldman’s performance as Dracula. A marginal Thumbs up.

See you on forty deuce,
G

Poe’s Saturday Cartoon – THE MECHANICAL MONSTERS (1941)

Today on Poe’s Saturday Cartoon we continue our “seven deadly sins” series and focus in on that one sin that beats up on gamblers, politicians and criminal masterminds: greed. To do this I will be showing a classic Fleisher Studios Superman cartoon titled THE MECHANICAL MONSTERS.

The Superman series produced by the Fleishers in the early 1940s were among some of the most strikingly animated films of their time. Hugely influential, the shorts have inspired such later day artists as Frank Miller, Hayao Miyazaki and Alex Ross. Produced early on in Superman’s career, the cartoons were actually responsible for the man of steel being able to fly, as the early comics only had him “super leaping’” around from place to place. Fleisher animators found this ability difficult to continuously animate and with permission from DC Comics they gave Clark Kent’s alter ego the ability to soar through the air.

THE MECHANICAL MONSTERS is the second short in the series. In it, Superman does battle with a criminal mastermind who is using a robot army to rob museums of their priceless jewels. Full of action and realistic animation, the cartoon features some incredible visuals including a wonderful bit where a number of policemen battle a robot with Tommy Guns (this sequence inspired the 2004 film: SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW). Also noteworthy is the excellent background animation in the criminal mastermind’s secret lair.

So buckle up cartoon and comic book fans for one of film’s greatest interpretations of a super hero. And I have to wonder; if the Fleishers had given us their take on Batman, would he be flying around today as well?



Zevk,
Poe

TRAILER - ESCAPE FROM DEATH ROW (1973) aka MEAN FRANK AND DIRTY TONY

Lee Van Cleef is 12 kinds of cool regardless of the film he is in. Outside of his work with Leone, this is one of my favorite Cleef performances despite the story being a mess.

Crazy enough to take on the cops and the mob... Mean enough to whip 'em!

See you on forty deuce,
G

G Presents: The Double featuring SERPICO (1973) & DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975)

Welcome to The Double. As always, if we had a theater this is what we would have on the marque for Friday and Saturday night. Today, The Double is paying tribute to New York like only The Daily Grindhouse can: Tough, gritty, and full of Pacino as directed by Sidney Lumet. That's right ladies and gentlemen, today it’s SERPICO and DOG DAY AFTERNOON.

First up, Pacino stars as Frank Serpico taking on corruption in the rank and file of New York's finest. Lumet almost redefined realism with this film. The locations are all popping with energy and Pacino delivers a performance that is both sensitive and troubled. His character has real difficulty trying to reconcile the point of his work in a department that is more corrupt than a bookie on the street. In a lesser film this would have been presented by lengthy monologues but Lumet let's Serpico burn slow and work through the situation. .

Frank Serpico: The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry - it just gets dirtier.

Many of his fellow officers considered him the most dangerous man alive - An honest cop.



Now the film you came to see, DOG DAY AFTERNOON. Arguably Sidney Lumet’s best film and Pacino's best performance (I like him in this more than THE GODFATHER films), and considering when it was made, it took guts to take this story to the screen. Al Pacino is Sunny, a gay man holding up a bank to get money for his boyfriends sex change. Lumet used shots of everyday people in opening credits followed by a shot of Pacino and his pals (one of which is played by John Cazales who worked with Pacino in THE GODFATHER) sitting in their car, waiting to hit the bank just at closing time. He thought this was the only way to make the audience at the time identify with Pacino, he was just another guy in a car.

This film is fascinating study of not only the celebrity that can follow criminals once the media gets a sniff of the story, but also about the curious bond that happens between hostages and the hostage taker. The people in the bank grow to like Sonny, in fact they care about what happens to him which is what makes this film so fascinating and one of my favorite films of all time. So let’s complete our New York tribute with DOG DAY AFTERNOON.

Sonny: I don't wanna talk to some flunky pig trying to calm me man.
Det. Sgt. Eugene Moretti: Now you don't have to be calling me pig for...
Sonny: [Notices other officers moving toward him] What is he doing?
Det. Sgt. Eugene Moretti: [shouts at officers] Will you get back there!
Sonny: What are you moving in there for?
Det. Sgt. Eugene Moretti: [Runs toward closing officers] Will you get the fuck back there! Get back there will you!
Sonny: [Addresses other officers moving toward him] What's he doing? Go back there man! He wants to kill me so bad he can taste it! Huh? ATTICA! ATTICA! ATTICA! ATTICA ATTICA! ATTICA! ATTICA! ATTICA! ATTICA! ATTICA!
[Yells it too cheering crowd]
Sonny: ATTICA! ATTICA! REMEMBER ATTICA?

The robbery should have taken 10 minutes. 4 hours later, the bank was like a circus sideshow. 8 hours later, it was the hottest thing on live T.V. 12 hours later, it was all history. And it's all true



Here’s to good watching this weekend, salute!

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE BIG BIRD CAGE (1972)

Jack Hill directs. Pam Grier and Sid Haig star. Let the mayhem begin.

Zevk,
Poe

THIS FILM IS RESTRICTED

TRAILER - TENTACLES (1977)

No, this isn't the trailer for a new Charlie Sheen documentary, it's the preview for yet another JAWS ripoff about a giant octopus and its bad habit of sucking the bone marrow out of a number of bathers at a resort called Ocean Beach. Poor direction, cheap special effects and a weak plot highlight this Italian production. The final battle between the octopus and some killer whales goes nowhere. And your guess is as good as mine as to how such high calibre actors like John Huston, Shelly Winters, Bo Hopkins and Henry Fonda ended up in this one.

It's Turning the Beach ... Into a Buffet!

Zevk,
Poe

Always great to see a classic grindhouse title on a marquee

TRAILER - YOR, THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE

He was a powerful warrior from the future, trapped in a prehistoric land, battling for the survival of his people.



He has played such characters as Maj. Muprhy Black, Dave Ryder, Sgt. Michael Ransom, and other characters that have stubble, smoke cigarettes, drink domestic beers, and nail pretty blondes in the latest 80’s fashions. Now, Reb Brown is…..YOR, THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE. This movie is 12 kinds of cheese but played with KRULL, BEASTMASTER and SWORD AND THE SORCERER…well…it still sucks…but in the best way possible.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - SEVEN (1979)

DEATH IS THEIR WAY OF LIFE!



Andy Sidaris is best known for the classic Girls With Guns genre. He has directed some epic films full of T&A and explosions including HARD TICKET TO HAWAII, PICASSO TRIGER, and the Sybil Danning classic MALIBU EXPRESS among many others. His second film out of the gate was SEVEN. This film actually has a decent story but some terrible acting, and perhaps one of the worst chases in cinematic history, gets in the way of execution which of course makes this even better in the twisted eyes of The Daily Grindhouse. A Quick note for film geeks, SEVEN has the original "swordsman Vs. gun" scene that would later be made famous (and improved) by RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - GONE WITH THE POPE (started in 1976, completed in 2010)

Either you're in...or you're in the way!



GONE WITH THE POPE stars Duke Mitchel who was a comedian, crooner (he provided the singing voice for Fred Flinstone), and would eventually become a film director. Mitchel started shooting GONE WITH THE POPE (GWTP) in 1976 but passed away before it was completed (though he did complete his second film THE EXECUTIONER in 1978). Sage Stallone and his partner, film editor Bob Murawski (THE HURT LOCKER) discovered the negatives GWTP on a tip from Mitchel's son in 1995. Murawski then spent the next 15 years completing the film and prepping it for it's long overdue release.

see you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - INVASION OF THE FLESH HUNTERS (1980) aka CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE

In the jungle, or in the the city, still they must EAT!



Come for the Saxon, stay for the flesh eating cannibals. It’s all kinds of bad news when Saxon is bit by his buddy in the jungles of Vietnam only to bring the cannibal virus home with him to Atlanta, GA. Saxon as always maintains a perfect head of hair that is well parted, he also turns in another solid performance. Saxon seemed to always be in films that played to the extremes, either really good (ENTER THE DRAGON, BLACK CHRISTMAS) or really bad (THE GLOVE, INVASION OF THE FLESH HUNTERS). Here on the DG, we love bad and we are all over this non-zombie flesh eating masterpiece.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE TERROR (1963)

A diabolical plan of torture ... inconceivable ... unbelievable!



While THE TERROR isn’t one of Corman’s best films, the making-of is now legendary. With everyone from Corman himself, to Coppola, Jack Hill, Jack Nicholson, and Monte Hellman taking turns behind the camera, the film lacks a single consistent tone and is a bit of a mess. In the end, it still works on some weird level and remains a Corman classic.

See you on forty deuce,
G

THE NEW RELEASE WALL

It’s Tuesday, and that means sites and stores will be full of new goodness to tickle your eyeballs with. So sit-back, relax, and take a look at what’s good enough to stick in the movie playing machine.

Yes, TRON: LEGACY is out today. Yes, it is geek crack, but there are other titles out there so let’s hit it.



Travis Bickle: Loneliness has followed me my whole life. Everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There's no escape. I'm God's lonely man... June 8th. My life has taken another turn again. The days can go on with regularity over and over, one day indistinguishable from the next. A long continuous chain. Then suddenly, there is a change.

The Must own for me this week is the release of TAXI DRIVER on Blu-ray: http://amzn.to/hALOe4 Your license to be a film fan will be pulled unless a purchase is made of this film, exceptions apply only to those that may own it already. In addition to a new transfer (detailed here: http://bit.ly/ffNcGv) the disc is packed with both new extras and some that have been ported over from previous editions. Here is the breakdown:

Original 1986 Commentary with Director Martin Scorsese and Writer Paul Schrader recorded by The Criterion Collection
Interactive Script to Screen
Feature Length Commentary by Writer Paul Schrader
Feature Length Commentary by Professor Robert Kolker
Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver
God's Lonely Man
Producing Taxi Driver
Influence and Appreciation: A Martin Scorsese Tribute
Taxi Driver Stories
Making Taxi Driver
Travis' New York
Travis' New York Locations
Storyboard to Film Comparisons with Martin Scorsese
Animated Photo Galleries

There are a few other titles coming out that have the Daily Grindhouse stamp of approval:

Roger Corman’s catalog dump continues with a new triple feature including GEORGIA PEACHES, THE GREAT TEXAS DYNAMITE CHASE and SMOKEY BITES THE DUST: http://amzn.to/eg8VX1

THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS Starring Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, Tom Courtenay, et al. (1967) : http://amzn.to/hJIScT

THE HEROES OF TELEMARK Starring Kirk Douglas, Richard Harris, Ulla Jacobsson, et al. (1965) : http://amzn.to/f3tJV4

MIRAGE Starring Gregory Peck, Walter Matthau (1965) : http://amzn.to/hC9anG

Next week we have the Criterion Blu-ray release of LE CERCLE ROGUE, an action-packed double feature, and a classic Hendrix performance.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE (1973)

Ann Barrett: What did he do to make this house so evil, Mr. Fischer?

Benjamin Franklin Fischer: Drug addiction, alcoholism, sadism, beastiality, mutilation, murder, vampirism, necrophilia, cannibalism, not to mention a gamut of sexual goodies. Shall I go on?

Ann Barrett: How did it end?

Benjamin Franklin Fischer: If it had ended, we wouldn't be here.


A Horror classic. This film doesn't rely on gore and cheap thrills. This is made in the tradition of THE HAUNTING, careful and subtle effects combined with steady direction by John Hough who would make DIRTY MARY, CRAZY LARRY the next year. The film is based on the novel by Richard Matheson (I Am Legend) who also wrote the screenplay which was toned down to make the film more brooding. For the sake of your sanity...pray it isn't true.

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE SINFUL DWARF (1973)

A young bride left alone to the lewd passions of an evil dwarf!

This film sparked all kinds of outrage from the little people community when it was released. Where they trying to tell us that not every little person runs a boarding house with their Mother that doubles as a white slavery ring while simultaneously smuggling heroin to keep the addicted girls happy so they don’t try and escape. Ahhh…well…thanks so much for setting the record straight. This film is a grindhouse classic that features a very good performance by Torbin Bille who plays Olaf (the sinful dwarf).

See you on forty deuce,
G

TRAILER - THE VALLEY OF GWANGI (1969)

The year was 1976 when my dad sat me down one Saturday evening and told me to watch a cowboy movie that was playing on one of the local television stations. I had no problem watching a western and enjoyed the shootouts and horse chases these films usually featured. Secretly though, I would much rather have been watching a monster movie. So the movie started and I slowly realized that maybe this wasn't your usual run-of-the-mill western when a tiny, prehistoric horse appeared on my television screen. Twenty minutes later my interest level increased ten-fold when a Pteranodon swooped into the screen and plucked a boy off of his horse. And then a few short minutes later a blood thirsty Allosaurus jumped onto the screen, gobbling up another dinosaur. At that point I was completely hooked. I couldn't take my eyes off of the screen and when the end credits appeared I knew I had experienced something special. For that was the day I discovered the work of special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen.

The film that blew me away, THE VALLEY OF GWANGI, is one of Harryhausen's most impressive works and remains a favorite among many of today's special effects artists. Based on a story by Willis O'Brien, the plot is basically KING KONG (1933) set in the old west, with Gwangi the Allosaurus replacing Kong and his Forbidden Valley standing in for Skull Island. Arguably the film is technically better than KONG as Ray's dinosaurs are some of the most impressive stop motion creations ever put on the screen. Never has his work seemed so alive and fluid. It's hard to imagine these creatures are only inches tall and created by just one man, one frame of movement at a time. The famous dino round up scene where the cowboys try to lasso Gwangi is a Harryhausen tour de force and remains one of the most impressive special effects sequences ever created.

Sadly the film wasn't a hit when first released as it was poorly marketed and featured on a double bill with a biker film. Luckily for Harryhausen and dinosaur fans, the movie is now recognized for the mini classic that it is and stands as one of the greatest special effects films of all time.

Zevk,
Poe

G's Siskel & Ebert Classic Review: HARD TARGET (1993) & FACE/OFF (1997)

Siskel & Ebert was on channel 2 at 11:35pm every Sunday. Here is our weekly tribute to the two legends.







G's Take: HARD TARGET (1993) - ** 1/2 - Van Damme has turned in decent performances when nothing much is expected from him (BLOODSPORT or KICKBOXER) and he nailed playing himself in JCVD but he is well south of a good actor. Having said that, I don't think he is terrible in this role but like the film itself, he is hit and miss. This is John Woo's first big Hollywood film and unfortunately the script doesn't have the strong story or subtext of his earlier efforts. It is made up of ideas for action scenes that are never connected to a larger story. The script does give us a great villain played by Lance Henricksen in one of my favorite roles from his catalog (after ALIENS and NEAR DARK). Henricksen just chews up every scene and seems to personally loathe Van Damme. So while the story is not great, the action and Henricksen really make this film worth catching, THUMBS UP.





G's Take: FACE/OFF (1997) - *** - This is John Woo's best film from Hollywood. Though the science behind the film doesn't make a lot of sense, it also doesn't need to. This is a vehicle for Cage and Travolta to embrace their crazy and unload clip after clip and it works really well. FACE/OFF has one of my favorite shoot-outs of all time (the loft shoot-out set to Somewhere Over the Rainbow) that comes as Cage and Travolta come face to face in their new shells. I think this film is technically brilliant in the way it approaches the action on both land and sea. This is a smart action film with great performances by the two leads. THUMBS UP!

See you on forty deuce,
G