Attachment 244678

SAY WHAAAAAAAAT

Visually stunning and bizarre.

How do you review a film like this you can't really it just has to be experienced and what an experience it is good or bad I don't know yet it may take some time to process but it will definitely stay with me for awhile. You really have to be in the mood to watch this and I'm still trying to figure out what mood that is :lol:

Turning shit into gold /10

What does that mean ? After the Holy Mountain what does anything really mean?

Nice choice of viewing Nordi, you can watch this over and over and probably get the meaning eventually. Think the magician is showing his young apprentice the way the people represent the stars represent the 7 deadly sins in a strange way, it is a mind f@$k of a film that is nicely shot and good use of colours and does stick with you, I thought about putting my Mrs through the film :lol:

A Candle for the Devil (1973)

Two religious sisters who run a small hotel in rural Spain take exception to the "sins" of British holidaymakers and decide enough is enough.

This Spanish film from director Eugenio Martin, probably best known for the Cushing / Lee classic Horror Express (1972) is an absolute gem of a horror thriller. More of a study of deranged religious ideals than a straight ahead horror film, this makes the film creepy and a sense of unease pervades throughout. The sisters, Marta (Aurora Bautista) and Veronica (Esperanza Roy) are brilliantly played, Marta the devout Catholic who sees sin in everyone and Veronica although more timid finds the time to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh with a young man half her age.

Judy Geeson plays the heroine of the piece although she is slightly under used and goes missing for the middle third. The Spanish village of El Pauler near Madrid is the fourth star of the film, its decaying streets add to the highly charged atmosphere in fact this could also be a companion piece to Who Can Kill a Child (1976) as both films have the same eerie ambiance to them.

The film is quite violent in places and has its fair share of murders, some of dubious taste, for example killing a mother in front of her baby son, with the camera alternating between the gruesome killing and the childs pannicked face. naturally where there's horror and religion there's always sex and the film has its fair share of this too. The films pacing although quite slow to begin with eventually quickens and had me on the edge of my seat once again.

Sadly the Blu-ray from 88 Films is awful. The print isn't HD quality, it's so soft and has way too many lines in it throughout the film. It's not even dvd quality, more average vhs. It does look better than the old Odeon dvd but it's still really disappointing.

They Live

Rowdy Roddy Piper finds out that Aliens are amongst us in human form and using subliminal messages to keep us under control. With some sunglasses and a group of resistance soldiers, he fights back. This is one of those never got around to watching this before and with 2023 eyes, it's not bad but not as violent as I thought it would be. Also being able to kill them normally doesn't help things either.

Ocean's Eleven

George Clooney and Co attempt to rob 3 Casinos at once, using elaborate scams in order to complete their mission. I really love this Film, it's such an easy watch and it's not complicated with some of the twists.

May try to obtain the original. Got a feeling that with the technological differences, I don't think that it's a carbon copy.

Body Of Evidence

Madonna is accused of murdering her lover with her lovemaking. As it was covered last week, this is a pretty good Movie, I think it got negative reactions critically is because they don't want to be seen to like it. Also it has Julianne Moore in it as well.

Rocky V

Rocky Balboa is retired after sustaining too many injuries but he ends up training an up and coming Boxer who ultimately betrays him and goes with a Promoter who wanted Rocky to continue.

This is the Rocky Movie that doesn't exist anymore and it has a bad reputation but TBH, I don't know why?. Other than the unrealistic Boxing scenes, there is a lot of realism due to Rocky going broke, caught in two minds about making a comeback and the somewhat shadiness of Boxing.

And I thought El Topo was impactful but this blows that out of the water :lol:

I think i prefer the original to any of the remakes although the story comes a lowly second to The Rat Pack themselves.

It's as much about the camaraderie of Sinatra, Davis Jr, Martin, Lawford etal as it is the story. A buddy comedy made by buddies. It's got that cool sixties swagger that's impossible to replicate. Now ain't that a kick in the head to modern movie makers.

Have you seen Alejandro Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre? That one I can recommend, bit more of a mind screw but decent enough for a good viewing.

No still not seen that shame it wasn't in the Arrow set.

SS is his "sanest" film imho :nod: though that's nae saying much ahem.


2 revisits ...

Mate wanted to see "something Cannon" so on went ....

Avenging Force (1986, Sam Firstenberg)

WHY didn't Steve James never get a lead role, he's made for the screen boo hoo.
I digress. When a right wing cabal set their sights on Senator James, MD pops up to sort them out. Lots of fun here as every one involved goes for it. John P Ryan chews that scenery as the main baddie. Real people on fire etc etc. Recommended.



Prince Of Darkness

What I really liked about this BD was my mate saying "this looks impressive", which pleased the demon greatly. As with most blus, the sound was an improvement, and the level of detail was decent enough.
An assortment of clever types hole up in an abandonded church when a strange anomaly is discovered in the basement.
As I've said before, this has grown in stature over its lifetime for me and this just added to that. Thanks again Nord ETC :nod::nod::loveeyes:

Sanity is not a word I'd associate with him :lol:
As long as there is less naked kids I'll be very happy :lol:

I love Santa Sangre, If El Topo is Jodorowsky's obsessions filtered through a western and The Holy Mountain a dissection of religion, then Santa Sangre is primarily a Psycho/Horror film.

It's still totally nutzoid but it is more easily accessible and slightly more straight forward, basically the story of a boy who is consumed by the shadow of his twisted family, his father is a circus performer and mother a religious fanatic.

The circus stuff draws in influences from Freaks and the mother fixation is Psycho inspired in my mind.

There are some murders mixed in, but the beauty of scenes with the boy and a young girl are really touching, I haven't seen it for a while but think I might have to have a rewatch soon now i'm thinking of it.

Recommended from me. :pop2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR6NeM3-wOE

Buy the Severin 4k disc :lol:
Produced by Argento's brother Claudio, they wanted it to be a giallo-esque slasher, but they got much more than that.

I forgot Severin released it on 4K, good call there Justin :thankingyou:

I have the UK blu too which looked pretty good but the 4k is like seeing for the first time it looks amazing! The reds really pop and for a film about blood that’s quite a good thing! The scene outside of the church looks spectacular!

Mortal Kombat. Simon McQuoid. 2021.

The latest attempt to bring the classic video game franchise to the big screen.
Our world, the Earthrealm is but one of a series of other worlds. At intervals throughout history a tournament is held to decide control of the realms. Outworld, ruled over by the evil Shang Tsung has won 9 straight tournaments. One more and Shang Tsung will gain control of Earthrealm forever, and presumably lots of bad things will happen and it will be unpleasant for humanity.
Step in Cole Young, a former pro MMA fighter and unbeknownst to himself the descendant of Hanzo Hasashi a formidable and legendary ninja warrior.
Cole Young (an original character created for the film) is joined by ex special forces operatives Jax and Sonja Blade and sets out to fulfill his destiny and kick some Outworld butt. All this is largely irrelevant, a silly plot for a silly film. Is that a bad thing? Not one little bit. Mortal Kombat is loud dumb and stupid entertainment and it doesn't attempt to be anything else really. The opening ten minutes or so are probably the highlight of the film if I'm honest, set in feudal Japan we meet Hanzo Hasashi (Hiroyuki Sadana), aforementioned fearsome ninja who appears to have settled down to a life of peace with his family. Within minutes Chinese warriors from a rival clan have invaded his compound and we are treated to some superb fight choreography as Hanzo chops and lops limbs off as blood, albeit cgi enhanced, splashes around the place. The whole opening sequence looks amazing and promises something grander than is ever delivered. Were the rest of the film not such an easy entertaining watch then the disappointment would have been much higher.
I've always had a soft spot for the original Mortal Kombat movie from 1995 made by Paul W.S.Anderson. If you enjoyed that then you should find plenty to entertain here, its of a similar vein to much of Paul W.S.Andersons work and say what you will that sort of stuff rarely disappoints.
There's some ropey effects here and there, plenty of humour and a surprising amount of gore, though being the games never shied away it shouldn't really be a surprise.
Entertaining, recommended if you find it cheap. Rather forgettable if I'm honest bit then that's not always a bad thing. Means I can watch it again. Perfect film to watch when the brain isn't firing on all cylinders.

Not reading that review ^ as i haven't watched my Blu yet. :lol:

What you like it for then man? [emoji1787]
I've tried to avoid spoilers. I generally try to even on older films everyone has seen. I remember watching Star Wars (Episode IV as it's now known) for the first time in 1998. I genuinely didn't know what was coming. Some bugger who happened to walk into the room decided to tell me.

Se7en. 1995.

Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman star as the veteran and rookie detectives who are partnered together until a body is discovered of a obese man then a high class lawyer both killed under a sin, Sloth and Greed which sends them on a path to find who is killing people under the deadly sins.

David Fincher who nearly gave up directing after the problems on Alien 3, gave us this tense psychological thriller written well by Andrew Kevin Walker and shows how good of acting the both leads are. Kevin Spacey who turn up 3/4 of the film as "John Doe" who enjoys playing the mind games as will as playing his own sadistic games.

The film takes place in a dark bleak present city that's never really named and always seemed to be in constant rain. The two detectives are not really buddy buddy and try to rely on their education and literature knowledge which is something that's hardly done even though it does seem to tend on biblical matters and purgatory beliefs. One film I forgot about how good this was.

Attachment 244691

Because you took the time to write a review and it's appreciated.

Baba Yaga (1973)

Utter nonsense about a middle aged seductress calling herself Baba Yaga - God knows why, someone clearly doesn't understand their folklore - who becomes infatuated with a local photographer so much so that she gives her a porcelain doll in bondage gear which enables Baba Yaga to control her.

A semi fetishistic fantasy with a fun almost Dickensian performance from Carroll Baker as Baba Yaga whilst Isabelle De Funès is Barbarella like as the photographer. It's great to see George Eastman playing against type as an uncharacteristic heroic leading man.

It's based on a comic and feels like it with it's almost surreal bubblegum style atmosphere of sleek seventies chic, but not once is it scary or even tense and it's really only the final scene that makes you remember it's supposedly a supernatural thriller.

All told Baba Yaga is a bit of a mess but it's a stylish and cool mess.

I was disappointed not to see a house on chicken legs.

Is this the Shameless presentation you watched that came with some added scenes that were Italian audio? I'm sure the Blu-Ray version is fully uncut. I actually enjoyed it for its use of the gothic dark atmosphere towards the end but it is a slow film.

Thought would watch some fantasy films this month

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDnYMbYB-nU

A bunch of rowdy dwarfs and manipulative wizard lure hobbit Billbo from his cozy hobbit hole on a mission to free there homeland and confront a dragon .

It's enjoyable but like all the hobbit movies it's not a patch on the Ring movies strangely the effects seem to have aged worse than those in the rings films.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHb7WlgyaUc

Well this has to be one of the best animated films I've seen in years . thought provoking, Inspiron , uplifting and bitter sweet.

Push in Boots has come to the last of his nine lives and retires , but he soon becomes restless and sets out to restore his nine lives.


Now watching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFsmuRPClr4

Yes, the Shameless Blu-ray. It's the third Shameless release of the film i've owned having bought the original release then the directors cut on dvd and now upgraded to the Blu-ray of the directors cut.

That opening five minute scene which is newly added really doesn't bring anything to the table except a bunch of Italians playing cowboys and Indians (?) and the only notable addition is of a Carroll Baker full frontal scene in long shot.

It's one I need to re-watch, In its full uncut and clear headed, I gave my self a double bill of Italian night with Baba Yaga and Danger Diabolik.

Do the Time Lords give Puss in Boots a whole new set of regeneratio...er' another nine lives?

I think the second Hobbit film is terrific. That escape in wine barrels from the wood elves as Orcs attack is wonderfully thrilling.

Danger Diabolik's a proper way to do stylish comic book chic.

Desperate for a bells and whistles Blu-ray of that.

The Whip And The Body. 1963.

We got a director known for creating masterpiece movies Mario Bava and a actor known for playing excellent roles Christopher Lee who isn't afraid to use a whip outside. This does have its nice gothic setting castle with plenty of dark atmosphere, secret tunnels nice cinematography, this should work but it doesn't. After the first 15-20 minutes the film just went on a slow go pace that became a bore fest for me, the 88 Italian collection of this film was released but I decided to stream this online and glad I didn't go with a blind buy as I usually do. This was a big disappointment for me.

Attachment 244693

I quite like it but not enough to buy the new 88 Films release at twenty five quid. I'm happy enough with my Screenbound Blu.

It's certainly not "one of the greatest films of legendary director Mario Bava" as 88 Films claim on the back cover blurb.

I'm not really convinced by the colours of the Blu-ray either, 88's clip although seemingly better than the Screenbound and Kino versions is still a bit too blue and very dark with much detail seen on the dvd lost in darkness.

This was a blind watch movie and one I'd gladly buy a Blu-ray release without any hesitation

Dead Ringers. 1988.

David Cronenberg turns away from his horror genre with a psychological tale based on a true story of twin doctors Stewart and Cyril Marcus. Jeremy Irons plays the gynocologist twins Elliot who is over confident and charming while Beverly is quiet and shy but both share everything from work to women. Genevieve Bujold plays the actress and new patient to the twins and turns their lives upside down.

Right from the start we are introduced to the twins in their childhood and their exploration to adult theme which does play a part to their adult life with medical features and sexual pleasures. As the film goes on it does dwell into heavy drug addiction and withdrawl symptoms that is done in a careful way as to not upset the audience. Irons plays both parts really well and certainly knew how to play a straightheaded character and a person going through a detox programme. The film does have Cronenberg's trade of body modification gore but it's not over done and lasts seconds.

Attachment 244694

Straight Time (1976, Ulu Grosbard)

Adapted from No Beast So Fierce, Eddie Bunker's autobiography (he pops up in a small role), Dustin Hoffman finds life difficult when he is released from prison. M Emmet Walsh plays his parole officer, a man who made being slimy and disengenious his thing ahem.
After he tries the straight life to little effect, returning to the only life he knows. Filled with familiar faces, this I recommend certainly. I've watched it a few times over the years and it still stands up.




Skinamarink (2022, Kyle Edward Bell)

That poster intrigued me. I think I might have enjoyed it more if it hadn't been for my mate complaining about it :pound:
It's not for everyone alright. Yes, I felt there was a touch of Begotten, but I cannot say why :rolleyes: for certain. This I will rewatch on my own, but the mere fact it got a cinema releae gives us some hope ahem.

I remember that sequence getting a bit of stick somewhere at the time. Can't remember where I'd read it but the reviewer was complaining it felt like a video game. Personally I thought it was fantastic. Fantastic trilogy really.

Cherry Tree (2015)

Irish/Dutch horror from the director of Hammer's Wake Wood (2009). It's a story of a high school girl who learns her father is dying and is approached by her new hockey coach (Anna Walton) who might have a way to save him.

The film then delves into folklore and witchcraft territory as a coven of witches headed by Walton are practicing the dark arts in an underground cavern below the roots of an ancient cherry tree.

Although it ventures on grounds also tread by the aforementioned Wake Wood it certainly doffs it's cap to Rosemary's Baby (1968) as well. It is however a more gruesome proposition than both those films. Cherry Tree doesn't skimp on the gore nor on the satanic orgy aspect. People with an aversion to insects, centipede's in particular, should steer well clear as the large creepy crawlies climb into human orifices on several disgusting occasions.

Cherry Tree is a well made film with a decent budget which thankfully delivers chills, a lot of creepy crawlies and stomach churning horror and even on this second viewing it seemed very refreshing.

That's part reason why I don't watch anything with one of my friends, instead of just watching the show/film he criticises everything, general yaps all the way through about sod all, sits there and says stuff like what ****s that pratt in the background doing, why he done that ? people these days are just idiots, and general gets wound up for some unknown reason.

Try working in a cinema during a kids Saturday morning matinee!!

My Bloody Valentine. 1981.

Time of the year to brush off the dust on this nicely seasonal slasher that comes with not so great acting but nicely made twist to the end and the reveal of the killer. I prefer the original over the remake as it is gory but tries too hard with the effects, besides this has the ballad of Henry Warden thats quite a catchy song :lol:

Attachment 244702

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPVWy1tFXuc

Second in the hobbit movies, having escaped the Orcs , the hobbits and Bilbo are caught by elves and escape but end up waking the dragon . The ending is a bit sudden .

The best of the hobbit movies for me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCxm7cTpBAs

Well this has been the worst of the conjuring universe movies for me, not at all scary or interesting and the daughter and her friends were just very unlikable . Poor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFsmuRPClr4

Well from the worst to what I think is the best. This was very atmospheric and unnerving with some great scenes , the nun painting scene stood out. They did a good job of capturing 70s England , but why did all the holmes seem to be one step away from shit holes do they not think we know what paint and wallpaper is?

Now watching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFnRAzcaEc

If you enjoyed The Conjuring 2 have you seen this

Attachment 244703

Certainly worth a watch, Anna belle Comes Home is exciting as watching paint dry.:lol:

Think dem or someone recommend this in a post sometime back. It's got Timothy Spall which is usual a good sign.

Not me, never seen it.