What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[cloud]

Ah Virgin Among The Living Dead, how much persuading did I have to do to get you to watch that! Never doubt the judgement of the cloud . Mansion is nowhere near as good as that, a million miles away and unlike Virgin it contains a shitload of tedium in amongst the visual dreaminess. It has its moments though and there's a meat cleaver scene which I think is brilliantly done.

Have you seen The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus? That's another good early b/w Franco flick that has more than a hint of Giallo about it. If not then get it, you won't be sorry.

The Awful Dr. Orlof is one of my very favourite films, it's up there with all the old Universal, Hammer, Amicus classics imo. I think he's done some great stuff actually though I best not start listing them all!

Paganini Horror is ****ing woeful! I have the German disc and it was given far more respect than it deserves though seeing Cozzi talking on camera for an hour (not including commentary track) about how good he thinks it is just compounded my misery. It had the potential to be good but failed in every area, very very very dull in my opinion.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Door Into Darkness, you're in for a real treat!

[dracucarr]

Originally Posted by cloud

Ah Virgin Among The Living Dead, how much persuading did I have to do to get you to watch that! Never doubt the judgement of the cloud . Mansion is nowhere near as good as that, a million miles away and unlike Virgin it contains a shitload of tedium in amongst the visual dreaminess. It has its moments though and there's a meat cleaver scene which I think is brilliantly done.

Have you seen The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus? That's another good early b/w Franco flick that has more than a hint of Giallo about it. If not then get it, you won't be sorry.

The Awful Dr. Orlof is one of my very favourite films, it's up there with all the old Universal, Hammer, Amicus classics imo. I think he's done some great stuff actually though I best not start listing them all!

Paganini Horror is ****ing woeful! I have the German disc and it was given far more respect than it deserves though seeing Cozzi talking on camera for an hour (not including commentary track) about how good he thinks it is just compounded my misery. It had the potential to be good but failed in every area, very very very dull in my opinion.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Door Into Darkness, you're in for a real treat!

Oh christ yeah about Virgin of the Living Dead! Way back when on the ABUK forums wasn't it. You were right to plague me about that film though because I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed it. One of my fave Euro-cult endings of all time to boot. I'm still gonna doubt your judgement though Mr Bloodsuckers loather you I'm suddenly going off Mansion a little as it's the tedium in these Franco flicks I can't stand. I promise to watch it in your honour though.

Oh I have The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus! The Image DVD cover always reminds me of Peter Lorre! I haven't watched that one though but considering his other black and whites I maywell think that's a cracker too. I'm so hunting out Awful Dr. Awloff again as any strong link to the Hammer classics is inspiration enough. I did like it though, but it was a while since I last watched it.

I'm gutted to hell with what you say about Paganini Horror. I was so looking forward to it. Here's to hoping I find something more of interest in it then, but with it being Cozzi I am not at all shocked by your revelation. I'll certainly keep you informed about my thoughts on Door Into Darkness.

And reaper I've needed some sedatives recently! This counting sheep crap hasn't worked since I was 4 years old and there I've gone and sold the worst of Franco What an idiot! Maybe I'll watch Paganini Horror tonight because the more I think about it the less I think Argento's Sleepless is a good idea

[cloud]

The only freedom I'm seeking is freedom from ever viewing Incense Of The Damned again . Do watch Baron Von Klaus, it's actually quite creepy in parts and shows what Franco was capable of doing with a good plot. The bits around the swamp are very well done and there's one tense scene that even Mario Bava would have approved of - or am I going over the top now? regardless, put it to the top of the pile.

Out of interest, what's your opinion on the Eugenie '69? I had high hopes for it seeing as I always tend to enjoy the Franco/Lee/Towers films (Blood Of Fu Manchu included!) but that one was really dire I thought. His usual dull Sexploitation fare with a few brief Christopher Lee appearances.

Paganini Horror should have worked, it had Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi, a good storyline and had an '80s Metal soundtrack but somehow Cozzi made what looked like a surefire bit of entertainment into something extremely boring. Anyone could have directed that, there was no style, crap pacing and dull characters. Given how much Cozzi has worked in close proximity to Dario Argento you'd think he'd have learned a thing or two. Incidentally, I was gonna submit a review of it a couple of months back but due to the lack of comments I've been receiving decided not to bother.

[dracucarr]

I hate the Freedom Seekers as a title I have to say, but I am going to walk away in the opposite direction from this Bloodsuckers bile of yours, lol. Macnee and the mule will always be a film highlight that will never be taken away from me Oh and please take that back! Jess Franco and Mario Bava should never be used in the same sentence - I'm letting myself off just this once he he - let alone compared in a positive manner . But yeah, I'll soon giv Mr Klaus a spin.

My opinion of Eugenie is a low one. I just don't enjoy films of this ilk whether by Francom or anyone, particularly though by Franco. Christopher Lee's brief appearances are welcome relief, but it's not something I'm ever in a hurry to watch again. I'd have loved to have seen his face when he was first made aware of what he was talking to. That porno moment he discusses always makes me laugh. It's soft core though so he shouldn't fret too much. George Sanders was meant for that role anyway. Christopher Lee is way more watchable than George Sanders so I'd have taken that as a personal insult to be the consolation prize. If I've offended any George Sanders lovers I apologise in advance. I love him in Village of the Damned and Psychomania .

I'm not a fan of the Lee/Franco/Towers collaborations in the main anyway. I really do not like Blood or Castle of Fu Manchu either so i'm starting to think that as cult fans we appreciate different things Rafa! I think though that on Cozzi we are pretty similar and I would be most interested to read your review of Paganini Horror as I'll certainly respond when I watch it sometime this weekend. We might agree on a lot of your thoughts for a change while we're at it

[cloud]

Hey enough of that! Early Jess Franco was masterful, as far as gothic horror goes I think he's up there with the best. In particular Diabolical Dr. Z, The Awful Dr. Orlof, Orloff's Monster and The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus (and I won't give away what scene I was referring to re Bava but wait and see, you'll be surprised). Unfortunately he went in a different direction (or as Lee said "he's made some weird films") and concentrated on the trashier/sleazier side of cinema. I'm not dismissing his later films because as I say I've enjoyed the vast majority of his horror output. Films like Oasis Of The Zombies, Devil Hunter and Bloody Moon for example are bad from a technical point of view but at the same time they're unique and most definitely entertain me. Even bottom of the barrel Franco such as Dracula: Prisoner Of Frankenstein (with Dennis Price well and truly slumming it) works well for me because it's so visually incredible and so unbelievably bad it becomes entertaining. When I watch his early gothic horror big 4 I sometimes wonder what could have been had he continued churning out that kind of film but then I wonder what the world would have been like without some of his later trashier epics. One thing I think we and just about everyone can agree with is that Franco's work as a whole has been a mixed bag with a lot of crap in amongst the gems. If it wasn't for me being a completist then I would never have touched half the Franco films I own on DVD and VHS!

Oh and finally regarding the Towers era... I didn't like Castle Of Fu Manchu so I'll give you that, but Blood Of Fu Manchu is so much fun. It's demented in fact. It's like a badly done Western with Fu Manchu's character used as an afterthought. I loved it! I won't get you going on Bram Stoker's Count Dracula but what about The Bloody Judge? OK I won't get ahead of myself and put it up there with Witchfinder General because it's nowhere near as good but as a standalone I think it's a damn good film. It was one of my earliest Franco experiences and considering I began with the likes of Bloody Moon and Devil Hunter I couldn't believe I was watching a film from the same director. I was actually quite disappointed at first because I wanted more trash.

Two more Franco recommendations that may improve your opinion on him - Love Letters Of A Portuguese Nun and Jack The Ripper...

We don't seem to be agreeing on much at the moment but we can't agree on everything and who cares? It's good to exchange notes and it's great to see you posting again.

MIKE ASHLEY FOR KING OF ENGLAND!!!

[Gigantor]

TREMORS 1 to 4

Yeah these were fun movies I havent watched them for a while

[mark meakin]

Originally Posted by Sam

My latest buy was On the Buses - the complete series box set, which should keep me busy for a bit! If there's no announcement on a UK release for My Bloody Valentine, I'll be getting that on import too.

On The Buses is HILARIOUS.I've no time for these snobby film & tv critics who slate the films & series.Brilliantly cast & wonderfully un p.c.

[cloud]

On The Buses is alright, a bit samey though it definitely has a lot of charm and some memorable characters, I love Blakey and Arthur. The DVD box set took me aaaaggggeeees to get through, it was a fun journey though. I regard Love Thy Neighbour as a better comedy and I think it is more important now than ever in these overly sensitive times. Now if only those DVDs would come down in price.....

[mark meakin]

Originally Posted by cloud

On The Buses is alright, a bit samey though it definitely has a lot of charm and some memorable characters, I love Blakey and Arthur. The DVD box set took me aaaaggggeeees to get through, it was a fun journey though. I regard Love Thy Neighbour as a better comedy and I think it is more important now than ever in these overly sensitive times. Now if only those DVDs would come down in price.....

Yes I only have the film & about two series of Love Thy Neighbour as they're so bloody expensive.Regarding Franco,of all his stuff I've seen I like Faceless,Bloody Judge,99 Women & Blood Of Fu Manchu.Amazingly I've never seen his earlier apparently better films,a situation I'll have to rectify.I also like Jack The Ripper because of the amazing blindman who makes Sherlock Holmes look amateurish !

[Wilson Bros]

I was chatting to a good friend of mine yesterday, and he heard from a brother of his who claims that Love Thy Neighbour has been quite severely edited on DVD, with punchlines missing, etc.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Kev W