[Justin101]

Originally Posted by Frankie Teardrop

22/10/21

BLOODY MOON – The reason I like ‘Bloody Moon’ is that it really does answer the question “what would it be like if Jess Franco did a cheap American-style slasher, and would it be amazing?” – well, a film this outrageously dumb has to fall a little short of ‘amazing’, but watching him dally with the mainstream with something quite linear but still steeped in his trademark seedy expressionism is quite gratifying. ‘Bloody Moon’ may be atypical Franco in a way, but is also a good introduction for those who can’t necessarily be arsed with his excesses (if you want those there’s plenty to choose from, see below).

KILLER BARBYS – This is Jess Franco being Jess Franco – rampant atmosphere, doesn’t make sense at all, attempts at eroticism that are just dull or slimy, and absolutely no f*cks given. The ‘Killer Barbys’ (sic) are a punk band who end up stranded in the crumbling mansion of a Princess Bathory type; various gothic goings-on ensue, along with bits of really cheap, rubbish gore. One line goes that most of this, from the lame humour to the overlong scenes of not-even-very-visible people shagging in the back of a Winnebago, is abysmal. But somehow Franco’s morbid poetry shines through it all. Somehow, he is able to weave a threadbare tapestry of decaying opulence, shots of grotesque little objects, and mist-shrouded exteriors, and make it seem far more alluring than anything else put out in 1996. Many others won’t share that view, but this is definitely one for the fans.

So i think an Uncle Jess double-bill is on the cards I've not watched Killer Barbys yet but I do have the DVD. I loved Bloody Moon though, it's currently only a fiver from the Classic Films Direct sale if anyone wants to pick up a copy, the Severin bluray is very nice.