What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Suite Française (2014)

A beautifully crafted WWII drama set, as the Germans begin their French occupation, in a sleepy little town on the outskirts of Paris.

As bad as the occupying forces are everything that happens is down to the gossip and scandal mongers of the town. Whilst early scenes show the beginning of the occupation it's not as harrowing as similar events later in the war as the German soldiers begin a new life in the town and naturally romances bloom with the locals, in particular Michelle Williams and the slightly more er' adventuress and fairly unrecognizable Margot Robbie. Matthias Schoenaerts' Lieutenant who moves in with Williams is depicted with sympathetic care as someone who doesn't really wish to be involved in the Nazi occupation but even his confused loyalty to the Reich is put to the test when Williams decides to help a typically mumbling Sam Reilly escape the town when a manhunt begins.

Suite Francaise has an old fashioned feel to it and at times comes across as a slightly racier version of the classic tv series Secret Army or Enemy at the Door, but it's well acted and had a script which ensured my attention.

[MrBarlow]

The Pit And The Pendulum 1991.

Spain 1492, during the witch hunt Spanish inquisitor Torquemada imprisons a young girl believing her to be a witch but is more mesmerised by her and believes she is using magic on him.

Based on the story by Edgar Allen Poe, this was a decent movie about the famous inquisitor and his method of torture and madness. Lance Henriksen plays the lead pretty well even offscreen he stayed in character and had some mad moments in public. Jeffrey Combs appears in a small role but his talents weren't wasted and Mark Margolis appears and seems to enjoy using his whip. Stuart Gordon did a good job of been giving a low budget and create this film, may not be a masterpiece but it's worth a watch. 7 out of 10.

[Dave Boy]

IT (1967)

Weirdo museum curator Roddy McDowall ignores advice and brings an ancient Golem statue to life. He uses the Golem for his own ends before realising that the Golem has to be destroyed..

Quite a strange film this one. Roddy McDowall is a Norman Bates type character who keeps his mothers corpse at home while dressing her with gems from his museum.
Neither really creepy or atmospheric, the Golem statue does look good though. The music by Carlo Martelli is almost a note for note copy of his score for Hammer Films 'Blood From The Mummy's Tomb'.
A low budget oddball curiosity British horror that is worth checking out.

[Demoncrat]

Black Jack (1968)

Spag western. Double dealin' an' poker an' a devious Injun all play their part. Generic. Decent enough print.



All Of Me (1984)

Steve Martin unveils his feminine side in this 'body swap' flick which is interesting as a curio revealing that periods mores. Littered with cliches, this is Hollywood at it's most appalling imho. Unrecommended!!



Semi Pro

Basketball based comedy with Will Ferrell. Yes, I laughed at bits but still .....

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Dark (1979)

A largely uneventful sci-fi horror film in which an unscary alien with red eyeballs tears off victims heads before disintegrating them with a laser.

The type of film they don't really make these days. Low budget fantasy with a decent cast of players - William Devane, Richard Jeackel and Keenan Wynn give gravitas whilst Cathy Lee Crosby runs round Tinseltown looking perplexed. It's the actors and the performances that make a film like this worth watching and the dialogue is a high point.

However the whole thing is let down by motiveless killings and we never see anything of the creature in what amounts to a Jack the Ripper style police investigation.

Disappointing yet good at the same time.

[Nordicdusk]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Satan's Slave (1976)

Poor Candace Glendenning. If she's not being pursued by a murderous mutant round a foggy lighthouse she's being groomed for a devil cult by Martin Potter and Michael Gough.

Directed by the legendary Norman J Warren, Satan's Slave is a sordid exploitation epic chock full of nudity, graphic gore and salacious Occult sacrificial ceremonies.

Satan's Slave is one of those rare examples of a film that actually delivers the goods promised by it's sleazy poster.

Highly recommended for any lover of British sadism.

I really need to compose a proper review of this for the Gothic Thread.

Recorded this on the horror channel the other night I'm going to give it a watch tonight.

[Nordicdusk]

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At a private party a director is showing an early screening of his latest horror film based on the true story of his ancestor who was burned at the stake for witchcraft. Once the film is over someone at the party tries to show of his skills of hypnosis by putting his girlfriend under his spell which is proven to be just a scam but he is determined to prove he has a gift and is convinced to hypnotise the directors cousin which back fires horrible when she tries to cut her cousin down with a broadsword. Was this a result of hypnosis or are there a more diabolic presence within the house.

What starts as a supernatural horror suddenly morphs into a slasher with woman getting chased through the woods and taken down with a butcher knife after a few more deaths it more reminiscent of a gallio then we are once again thrown back into a supernatural horror again. It really is a mixed bag and it seems like the director was a bit lost in his vision switching direction so quickly.

When it comes to the kills I really enjoyed them they do happen in a flurry of flashing blades but the pay off and a very blood soaked corpse which is always great

A big standout for me was the lighting the use of colour really popped in some of the scenes and looked beautiful feeling like an Argento of a Bava film.

I would of prefered a straight up supernatural affair but Terror is still an entertaining film at the end of the day just a little more focus would of made it flow a bit better.

6/10

HAS ANYONE SEEN MY KNICKERS

Booby count 1
Bush count 0
Bit disappointed with that but there you go

[trebor8273]

Fantastic, a haunting a beautiful shot gothic masterpiece oozing atmosphere, being shot in black and white only adds to the atmosphere. One of Bava's best.

Barbara Steele is gorgeous and haunting in her duel role, a true horror queen. 10/10

Now watching the house that screamed.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Brain Machine (1955)

A taught Brit Noir about a doctor taken hostage by a smuggler after she discovers via a new brain research experiment that he's psychotic.

This isn't science fiction, the brain machine of the title is only in this film during the opening scenes as it becomes clear that a new patient (Maxwell Reed) has something wrong with him. The bulk of the film is a crime thriller that zips along at a breathless twisty turny pace.

Elizabeth Allan is a strong female lead for the most part but ultimately gets lost in the mayhem as the thoughtful plot makes way for shoot outs with the police.

All in all, The Brain Machine is a fine example of a pulpy British crime thriller.

[Dave Boy]

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THE SHUTTERED ROOM (1967)

Carol Lynley returns to her isolated mill house home after many years away.
The locals give warnings to stay away from the mill, with talk of a curse. She and her husband are constantly intimidated by Oliver Reed and his group of thugs while something is lurking, chained in the room upstairs..

I had not seen this movie in many years so was good to watch again.
The old mill looks very creepy and is quite atmospheric inside.
Oliver Reed, his sex starved mates and his pursuit of Carol Lynley do take up a lot of screen time, but the main story is wrapped around and it all comes together nicely for the fiery climax.