Trailers:
Satan’s Bed
I Spit On Your Grave
Erotic Nights of the Living Dead
(Biker/Revenge)
43. MAD FOXES (1981)
Had a feeling it was gonna be a long time till I finally got to see this. But was amazed to find out that Netflix has a copy!
Alright, to make a short story shorter:
Our “hero” Hal accidentally (Or perhaps intentionally) runs a harrasing biker off the road to his death while Hal was on his way to the disco along with his date. Afterwards, the nazi-biker gang retaliates by beating Hal up and raping his date. Hal then calls up his kickboxing buddies to beat the shit out of the biker gang (Which they do–Along with castrating the biker leader and making him chomp on it like a midnight snack) But then the next day, the bikers retaliate again! And back and forth and back and forth they go…
Well, if you have a story this simple, might as well go as far as you can because the filmmakers sure don’t pull a punch with this politically incorrect sleaze-fest! Even though the biker gang (With their hilarious electro-funk theme song) are definetly some sadistic b!tches who slaughter a dozen folks without even questioning it, check out why I put those hero-quotations on Hal. Because, apparently, he was looking to get that first date a lil’ drunk so he can make some moves on her–Only to find out (After the kickboxing victory) that he already has a woman waiting for him in bed! And if that wasn’t enough to satisfy him, he picks up a new chick on the road and constantly bangs her throughout the movie! I mean…Wow! More power to ya!
Alright, on to the 2nd half of the movie which goes into Hal’s “Roaring Rampage of Revenge”. Some similar results in the same vein as I Spit On Your Grave star to occur. Such as the same notion of getting rid of the most identifiable bad guys first and saving the weak scraps for last. Wonder why this happened so often? Also, the results of Hal’s bloodlust is fairly weak I might add. Although I give credit for a car chase involving Hal’s stingray and a biker on high speed though the hills. The photography actually looked pretty good for this sequence. And one biker (Who loves to show off his goods) recieves a worthy exit thanks to a hand gernade.
Probably the big stunner for me was the final scene. Every review I had read prior to seeing the movie never talked about the ending. So by the time “The End” appeared on screen, I just let out the biggest “Ohhhhkay” I’ve ever said outloud.
But despite all the cruelty and bad filmmaking, this one could really be a good time (If you’re in the right mood and right state of mind) and especially if you’ve got the english dub on!
(I forgot what DVD company put this out but it might be a bootleg from the current uncut version from Switzerland)
Trailers:
Yellow Emanuelle
Substitution
The Dirty Mind of Young Sally
(Sexploitation)
44.STREET OF A THOUSAND PLEASURES (1970)
The genesis of this masterpiece appears to have originated with (I’m guessing) a 45-minute “titilating” short film where a camerman, using a provocative POV style, roams a fictional slave-market filled with nothing but buck-naked chicks. And just about with every chick that he sees, he’ll make the camera zoom in on various body parts of the gals to make it seem as if we’re gettin’ some! Yippie!
Apparently some wise guys decided to make a movie surrounding the footage by shooting and adding new scenes, and viola! Here’s the result! Plot: A field geologist (Not a shoe salesman as some reviews have said) ends up saving a shiek from assassination and the sheik immediately gives the life-saver a reward by taking him to this “street of a thousand pleasures” so he can pick out which chick he wants to buy. It’s here where that POV footage kicks in and welp…That’s about it as far as plot goes. We’re then treated with some annoying commentary on the POV footage where the idiot says the same shit over and over. It’s either, “Oh, she’s nice” or “God, there’s so many of them!” in broken-record fashion.
Thankfully you can just mute the damn movie and still find some enjoyment looking at the gazillion nekkid ladies.
But to the filmmakers credit, they added a few more nude bodies along with some sex scenes to try balance out this horny-ass movie. So even though a plot to this mess is a thousand miles away, it still succeeds on being a gem that could spark up the perv in you.
(Something Weird Video)
Called it quits,Pete? Still got a week to go! 8)
Took yesterday off but I’ll get back at some flicks tonight. I had hoped my goal would have been 75 by the end of the month, but jeez, didn’t even come close. I’m just about out of trailers to watch too :’(
Ill watch some tonight. Just took a break. 
Trailers:
God Told Me To
Its Alive!
Black Caesar
Q: The Winged Serpent
47. BONE (1972) This debut film from Writer-Director-Producer Larry Cohen (Black Caesar, Its Alive, Gold Told Me To, Q The Winged Serpent) was originally marketed (falsely) as a Blaxploitation genre film, and soon after when the film didnt attract black audiences it was retitled “Housewife” and re-promoted as a Sexploitation genre film. Cohen even explained to overseas promoters that the film was not a Blaxploitation or a Sexploitation film and it should be marketed as what it was: a black comedy. The foreign marketers then ignored Cohen’s requests and went on to promote the film as Dial Rat For Terror, a horror genre picture! Needless to say, Bone never did well in any of the markets and while watching it, its easy to see why. Larry Cohen is a legend to genre film fans. His film work in the 70s and 80s gave us many classic Exploitation films. Cohen was also a very imaginative and experimental director and sometimes when big ideas and interest don’t mix, you get films that just can’t get through to people. Bone is that kind of movie.
Bone is a film based on dreams. The film doesn’t play by the rules whatsoever but instead of being an exciting exercise, it becomes very tedious and boring. The real story of Bone is about the different classes in society most notably between whites and blacks. An upper class Beverly Hills couple Bill (Andrew Duggan) and Bernadette (Joyce Van Patten) are taken hostage by a black man (Yaphet Kotto) the “Bone” of the title. Cohen uses Bone as a metaphor for all the black men that whites are afraid of. Bone taunts Bill and Bernadette and threatens to rape Bernadette if Bill doesnt pay him money. Bone holds Bernadette hostage and lets Bill goto the bank alone to get the cash. While at the bank, Bill meets a young beauty (Jeannie Berlin) and instead of rushing back to save Bernadette, Bill gets a drink with the unnamed girl and they begin to get to know each other better. Meanwhile, Bone and Bernadette are getting to know each other better as well. The film is the standard, “black man teases, taunts and tells his problems to the rich white woman and they end up making love”. There is no solid plotline for Bone, its basically one long dream sequence where the characters may be real or may not be. As strange and convaluted as the film is, the acting is great, especially by Yaphet Kotto. You’ll have to watch and find out for yourself. This isn’t a film I highly reccomend, but if you’re a big fan of Larry Cohen’s work you may want to see this one.
An interesting occurence in the film as pointed out by Larry Cohen on the commentary track is that the ending of Bone is very similar to the end of Bertolucci’s Last Tango In Paris. Who knows, maybe ol’ Bernardo saw Bone and liked it!
Trailers:
Mad Max
The Road Warrior
BMX Bandits
Dead End Drive In
Body Melt
48. THE CHAIN REACTION (1980) After a sudden earthquake, a deadly leak is created deep inside a nuclear testing facility known as WALDO. One of the facilities workers, Heinrich Schmidt (Ross Thompson) goes to try to stop it, but he is caught in the middle of a flood of toxic fluids. The plant’s organization takes Heinrich into their medical ward to monitor his condition but then find he will only live approximately three days before dying of exposure. Heinrich realizes that the toxic waste that leaked out into the plant will be seeping into the area surrounding the plant and will slowly kill everyone that comes in contact with it. Heinrich manages to escape from the plant in a cargo truck and goes on the road to spread the word to the people of Australia.
Meanwhile, a car mechanic named Larry Stillson (Steve Bisley) and his wife Carmel (Arna-Maria Winchester) are going on a vacation to their cabin up in the mountains. Larry and Carmel hop in their suped up truck and take off to the cabin. Viewers may know Steve Bisley from his role in Mad Max as “Goose”. If you look closely during his introduction, you will also spot several other actors from Mad Max including a young guy named Mel Gibson.
While evading WALDO’s hitmen, Heinrich has contacted an Nuclear Energy protest leader named Eagle (Mad Max’s Toecutter himself: Hugh Keays-Byrne). Eagle plans on helping Heinrich get the word out about the impending dangers, but before he can find him, Heinrich finds Larry and Carmel in their mountain cabin where they are enjoying their time off. You’ll notice that this film has alot of nudity which is interesting because most Hollywood films are just the opposite in this regard. When Heinrich makes his presence known to Larry and Carmel, this is where the trouble begins for everyone involved. The WALDO Organization has already begun looking for Heinrich and they will stop at nothing to keep the Nuclear leak quiet. You will notice that WALDO sends out groups of men dressed in these white anti-nuclear suits, these images reminded me alot of the characters from George Romero’s The Crazies.
The Chain Reaction was released in 1980, right around the same time as Mad Max and it even has a similar theme to that film as well as American films like The China Syndrome in regards to the whole Nuclear-Apocalyptic storyline. Writer-Director Ian Barry didn’t have a very big budget to work with, but he did a great job making a film about ordinary people affected by something they have no control over. For extra help and to save time, Director George Miller (Mad Max) was brought on to shoot the film’s car chase sequences (you’ll notice that most Aussie genre films always feature car chases!) These added an exciting edge to the film that it may not have had otherwise.
The Chain Reaction is an entertaining Ozploitation film that also carries a message with it. The performances by Steve Bisley, Arna-Maria Winchester, Hugh Keays-Byrne and Ross Thompson are all top notch. If you like films like The China Syndrome, you’ll want to check this film out!
Trailers:
Oily Maniac
The Hot, The Cool and the Vicious
Dirty Ho
Eagles Claw
Boxer From Shantung
49. THE FIVE VENOMS (1978) The Five Venoms are: The Toad, The Lizard, The Scorpion, The Snake and The Centipede. They have trained for several years under the teachings of the Poison Clan leader. In that time they have become some of the most extraordinary kung fu artists ever to walk the Earth. After the Venoms leave, they hear that their old trainer is going to to die, and so the group want to find where his secret treasure is hidden. The master tells his youngest student who isnt quite finished training to go track down all the Venoms, instructing him that several of the Venoms are to be trusted, but to also find the ones who arent.
Each of the characters in the film (played by Chiang Seng, Lu Feng, Philip Kwok, Sun Chien, Wei Pai and Lo Meng) came from different countries, a few were from Taiwan, one from Korea and two from China. This gives you an idea of their different backgrounds in martial arts and acrobatics.
By watching the movie, you can easily notice that these men have great martial abilities and also good acting skills. No wonder why Chang Cheh used them in many following productions. Still today, some of these actors are still active in the movie industry as film company heads or action directors. Probably the most recognized figure today is Phillip Kwok, who worked on many Kung Fu productions since the 1980’s as an action director. FIVE VENOMS is a great and introduction to these actors. I suggest to those new to the genre to find films directed by Chang Cheh, as they have been cherished and recognized as masterpieces.
There are just a few major fights in the movie; all of them are extremely well shot with the performers giving everything they can. However, more fighting would have probably fastened the pace of the movie. At least, the movie ends with a final battle between the good Venoms and the bad Venoms, all of them displaying their martial art techniques at his best. As for the animal techniques, except for a few key moments that the Venoms actually use their special moves, there’s not that much attention put on the different styles, which is a shame as they could have pushed the idea much further. The fighting is very traditional, with the exception of a minority of moves, so you can expect realistic fighting all along.
Trailers:
One Armed Boxer
Fists of the White Lotus
Shaolin Master Killer
Shaolin Vs Wu Tang
Black Dragon
50. CRIPPLED AVENGERS (1978) Crippled Avengers is another classic Shaw Brothers hit that came out right after Five Venoms (aka Five Deadly Venoms). You cant say you love kung fu without experiencing the old school films of Chang Cheh. Filled with blood, flamboyant characters and amazing kung fu action, Crippled Avengers is a prime example of 70s kung fu at its most stylized and fun.
The films story follows the “crippled master” storyline we first saw in films of the Japanese Pop Samurai genre, for instance “Zatoichi The Blind Swordsman” series of the 60s-early 70s. In that film series the main character is a blind masseuse, but he is also a deadly samurai who can take out anyone dares challenge him. With Chang Cheh’s Crippled Avengers we see that story sort of adapted into ancient Chinese history. The film also features the main stars from The Five Venoms: Lu Feng, Phillip Kwok, Chiang Seng and Sun Chien and Lo Meng.
At the opening of the film things start up fast, no waiting around for a story to unfold here. Three thugs attack Tian Du’s family chopping off his wife and sons arms. Tian Du returns home and kills the attackers. While his wife dies, his son survives, Tian Du then creates two metal prosthetic arms for his son Dao Chang (Lu Meng) to wear. The arms also shoot metal darts. The father and son terrorize anyone who dares make a problem for them. The first victim of their senseless wrath is a young salesman named Chen Shuen (Phillip Kwok) who is blinded by the attack of Tian Du and Dao Chang. The next is a blacksmith Wei Jia-jie (Lo Meng) who is made deaf and dumb. The next is Sun Chien who has his legs chopped off. Their only friend Wang Yi (Chiang Sheng) goes to avenge them but he has his head put in a vice and he becomes mentally retarded. Unable to make a living, they all make their way to Wang Yi’s master who agrees to train them in kung fu in order to get revenge.
The legendary Director Chang Cheh uses the stars unique personalities and fighting styles to create extraordinarily cool action sequences. The great acrobatic work of Phillip Kwok, Chiang Seng and Lu Feng is the main attraction. The men use only their own natural abilities and theres is no fake looking CGI like we see 99% of the time these days in action films. BLAH!
While there are some brilliant action sequences in the film, the group also use weaponry to fight their foes. Things such as iron rings, and all kinds of other custom made iron attachments to help them fortify themselves after being crippled by their enemies.
Crippled Avengers takes us through the standard revenge plotline, but still the reinvention of that storyline by Chang Cheh is excellent and witty. No scene plays out like you think it will and the breathtaking action with the wily, acrobatic, crippled avengers will be sure to have any kung fu lover enthralled. A classic old school Shaw Bros. kung fu film from beginning to end. I reccomend watching this back to back with The Five Venoms. It would sure make a great Chang Cheh-Venoms double bill!
Trailers:
Night of the Living Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Day of the Dead
The Beyond
City of the Living Dead
51. ZOMBI 2 (1979) The late Italian director Lucio Fulci started working in the Italian film industry as an apprentice to cinema legends like Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini and Mario Bava. Fulci began his own directing career in the 50s making screwball sex comedies and then he slowly began to branch out into other genres of cinema including Spaghetti Westerns, Adventure Films and Thrillers known in Italy as Gialli. In the 70s Fulci directed several classic genre films like the giallo Dont Torture a Duckling (1971), a Spaghetti Western called Four of The Apocalypse (1975) and one of his best giallos entitled Sette Note in Nero (1977) aka The Psychic. These were very well crafted films and Fulci became known for his great style. Fulci had a decline in popularity with studios after the failure of The Psychic, that is until 1978 when George A Romero’s zombie film Dawn of The Dead was released. The film caused a huge sensation across the globe and in Italy, there were several studios who wanted to create their own Zombie genre films and cash in on the craze. The great genre director Enzo Castellari was one of the directors asked to direct a Zombie film. Castellari was not really interested in Horror films at the time, he was more of a crime/adventure genre director, but he knew of someone he felt could take the project and turn it into something really special. Castellari directed the studio to his friend Lucio Fulci. The rest is history. Fulci along with his Screenwriter Dardano Sacchetti wrote the screenplay for the film and the production of Zombi 2 aka aka Zombie aka Zombie Flesh Eaters aka Woodoo went into production with Il Maestro Lucio Fulci at the helm. An interesting thing about Zombi 2 is that it was primarily made as a low budget subgenre film that was not expected to be a huge hit. Lucio Fulci’s talents and his crews work showed that with even on a small budget and with not many resources, Lucio Fulci could make an above average film. One really cool aspect of this film was the fact that Fulci and his film crews didnt even have permits to film the scenes in NYC. They just went for it and made the movie. After its release in 1979, Zombi 2 went on to be a box office smash earning $30 Million worldwide.
The films pre-credit sequence opens in the Carribean island of Matool, where Dr. Menard (Richard Johnson) shoots Dr. Bowles, who has been turned into one of the living dead. After the main credits, we are taken to New York City’s harbor on a beautiful sunny day as a lone yacht floats along unmanned. As the camera circles around the boat, we see that police have noticed this and they board the boat to find out what has happened. As the police search the boat they can sense somethings not right. Theres slimy centipedes on a piano, a bloody severed hand on the floor and various other nasty things. You can almost smell the stench as you watch. While one officer stays on the top of the boat, the other looks through the cabins below deck. After opening the wrong closet door, a very large zombie (Captain Haggerty) attacks the officer. While the officer is on the ground, the large zombie bites his neck, ripping the flesh out. In trademark Fulci style, the red blood spurts out all over. The large zombie slowly climbs the steps to the top of the boats deck, when the other officer sees him, he freaks out and tells him to “freeze!”. This demonic zombie doesnt wanna listen, he wants to eat, so he shuffles towards the cop. Fulci’s great close up on the zombies bloody face is sure to delight gorehounds. The cop fires at the zombie several times and the zombie falls backwards into the water. What an opening!!!
A young woman named Anne Bowles (Tisa Farrow) is looking for her estranged father. When she finds out about the boat coming into NYC from the island of Matool where her father is, she realizes she needs to investigate further to see if she can find out if her father was involved. Anne goes aboard the boat to see what has happened, but she still is unaware of the status of her father, like whether hes living or dead. When the press get ahold of the news about the boat, they decide to cover the story. One of their crack reporters is the British Peter West (Ian McCullough). West convinces his boss (played by none other than Il Maestro himself Lucio Fulci), that he needs to check this thing out. His boss gives him the go ahead and later on that night West decides to climb aboard the boat and see what he can find. Little does he know that Anne has the same idea. When they both go aboard the boat, they startle each other. Anne explains she thinks she has clues about what has happened. Peter explains they should both work together on this and try to solve the mystery at hand. But before they can get off the boat without being noticed, a security guard comes aboard. Peter has an idea. When the security guard finds them, they are necking like teenagers to show theyre just an unknowing couple having fun. The next day, they quickly book tickets to St. Martin and Peter has the newspaper pick up the tab. Off they go to the Carribean on their adventure!
Back on the island of Matool, Dr Menard and his wife (Olga Karlatos) are quarreling about the current state of terror spreading across the island. The news is that the residents of the island are being posssesed by a voodoo curse. Dr. Menard doesnt believe the voodoo nonsense, he thinks the people are infected by a strange disease. His wife is very scared and she starts to drink to try to calm herself down. Dr. Menard explains to his wife that he needs to get to the bottom of this problem so he has to leave and travel to a small hospital in the swamps of the island. She freaks out and he slaps her, trying to convince her things will be alright.
…Peter and Anne arrive in St. Martin and decide to charter a boat to Matool. As they drive along in their cab, they inquire if the cabbie knows anyone who could take them where they need to go, but the cabbie explains this time of year its tough to find charter boats because its so busy. Peter and Anne are dropped off at a local harbor where they find a couple who appear to be getting ready to leave the dock. These two are Brian (Al Cliver) and Susan (Auretta Gay). Peter explains that they need to get to Matool and Brian quickly tells him that the island is said to be bad luck by natives of the area. Using his charm, Peter gets Brian to take him and Anne to Matool, even though they arent sure exactly where the island is located. The group set sail onto the deep blue ocean. In one telling shot, we see as the boat passes, a native sees them and blesses himself in an ominous way. The films score at this point is really bouncy and fun to listen to. Its Carribean styled music that sets a free spirited mood. After the gang get out on the high seas, Susan tells Brian she wants to stop for a little while and go scuba diving. When you see Susan remove her clothes and get naked you will forget about zombies for sure!! What a sexy babe!! Susan jumps into the water and begins to look around under the surface. She swims along until something tells her shes not alone. She looks behind her and sees its a huge shark! Susan immediately tries to evade the shark and she swims to the surface and screams to the others that theres a shark after her. As the shark swims towards the boat, Brian takes out his rifle and tries to shoot the shark several times, but misses. Susan tries to go back down and hide under the water in a patch of coral and plankton. As the shark floats above her menacingly, suddenly a decaying hand grabs Susans shoulder. Its a underwater ZOMBIE!! The zombie clutches to Susan and wont let her go, but Susan manages to poke the zombie in the face with some coral and she gets free. What follows is one of the most surreal and cinematically cool sequences in the history of horror cinema. Since the zombie can’t eat Susan, he goes after the next best thing: The shark! Its the famous shark vs. zombie battle! The zombie grabs the shark and tries to bite him after wrestling with it awhile, he manages a mouthful. Only, one chunk of shark flesh isnt enough for this zombie! Hes hungry! This scene is just one of the best ever. After they fight it out, the shark finally bites the zombies arm off, spreading blood through the water. Susan then emerges from the water and she cant talk. Shes in true shock now. She tells the others there was a man underwater. They cannt believe what shes saying.
On Matool, we can see the zombies are beginning to spread out across the island. Fulci creates an atmosphere on the island that is completely captivating and chilling. Dr Menard is trying to save the dying natives, but its not working. The only thing he can do is wrap them up in sheets and tie them down. Each one of the dead begin to move, so he has to shoot them, he somehow knows that hitting them in the head is the way to go. Back at his house, his wife is taking a shower, trying to relax. As the camera watches her like a voyeur from outside the house, we see a dead hand pressing on the window. This entire sequence is directed brilliantly by Fulci and its just shocking. As she dries off, she hears noises in the house, shes not alone. She runs into the bathroom and tries to shut the door, but somethings not letting her. The tension rises as she keeps trying to push the door closed. We never see the zombies face or body, just shadows of the door with the decayed hand in the door jam. She finally crushes the zombies hand, and we hear the knuckles crunching and we see blood spurt out. Quickly, she tries to push a dresser against the door to hold it closed. As she tries in anguish to keep it closed, the zombie outside pounds and begins to crack the door apart. With a big crash the zombie grabs her through the hole its punched and pulls her hair with force. She tries to fight it, but slowly the zombie wrenches her face closer and closer to a huge wooden splinter in the door thats sticking out right inline with her eye. As the camera zooms in, the splinter meets eye and in true Fulci style, it punctures it, squishing it. This scene is pure Fulci occular terror!!
In the awesome closing shot of the film, we see legions of the undead slowly making their way towards the city on the George Washington Bridge. What else can I say? This film is a masterpiece!!! (edited)
Trailers:
Female Scorpion: Beast Stable
Sister Streetfighter 2
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
Lady Snowblood
52. FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION 701: GRUDGE SONG (1973) In this last installment of the Scorpion films, The Scorpion aka Nami Matsushima (Meiko Kaji) is on the run once again. At the opening of the film, after the melancholy title theme “Urami-Bushi” (Her Song of Vengeance) sung by Kaji herself, the police are looking everywhere for Scorpion. They find a church where a ceremony is in progress and they immediately barge in and begin looking for her. They find her in one of the rooms and she tries to escape but they grab her and detain her. As the police make their way back to the prison with The Scorpion, Inspector Kodama (Yumi Kanei) taunts Scorpion telling her that she won’t get away again. About 10 seconds after he says that, Scorpion hits the men and their car drives off the road and crashes. Scorpion manages to get away again. At a strip club, we meet Kudo (Masakazu Tamura) a guy who runs the light show. Kudo is hit on by one of the strippers, but after she sticks her hand down his pants and finds out his tool is damaged, she splits. Kudo goes to the bathroom where he encounters The Scorpion hiding in one of the stalls, shes been injured and she passes out. Kudo helps her down to the clubs basement where he lets her rest. He goes to get some food for her and when he returns, he gets to know Scorpion a little. The two form a bond, both are victims of the police system. We learn about Kudo’s past and just why he bears a grudge against the police and Inspector Kodama. Kodama and his men track Kudo and Scorpion down at their hideout, but luckily they make it out. Kudo and Scorpion try to get back at Kodama, by hijacking some goods from their cars, but they run into a problem when they are suddenly surrounded by the police. Scorpion manages to get away, but Kudo is arrested and is again beaten up by the cops so he will give up Scorpion’s whereabouts.When he doesnt give them info, Kodama brings in Kudo’s estranged mother who softens Kudo’s emotions and makes him cry. Theres an excruciating sequence where Kudo slowly breaks down as his mother looks on. Scorpion tries to get to Kudo, but she is finally taken down after a fight with Kodama’s men. Shes swiftly brought back to prison where shes scheduled to be executed. Kodama orders her to be untied, and then he just lays into her like a boxer. This guy totally beats the hell out of her, punching her in the stomach, smacking her across the face. Regardless, Scorpion cant be stopped. She recovers quickly and soon she manages to make a prison break with the help of one of the inmates. Scorpion makes one mistake, she hides in Kodama’s car. Kodama drives to a deserted lot and he calls Scorpion to get out of the trunk. In this sequence, theres a beautiful sunset which gives the film an orange hue, then as Kodama explains that he has created a special gallows just for Scorpion, the sky becomes blue. What happens to Scorpion and Kudo afterwards is something you’ll have to find out for yourself!
I’ve been a big fan of Meiko Kaji since I first saw Lady Snowblood. She is stunningly beautiful as The Scorpion. Her coal black hair shields her face often, but whenever she flashes her eyes, you become entranced by her. Throughout the film she barely speaks, but she doesnt have to say anything to express her hatred and sensuality. Shes mysterious and in her long black overcoat and hat she looks both ominous and very sexy.
Grudge Song is cool but its not as great as the earlier Scorpion films because its not as big in scope and not as overtly psychedelic as the others, although there are a few eyecatching sequences. Meiko Kaji, also the star of the Lady Snowblood films is always a sight to behold. Her beauty mesmerizes and holds your attention completely. Nevertheless, Grudge Song is a must see for fans of the Scorpion films!!
Trailers:
Three The Hard Way
Take A Hard Ride
Enter The Dragon
Hot Potato
53. BLACK SAMURAI (1976) After making several popular Kung Fu films for Warner Brothers (Black Belt Jones, Hot Potato) after the death of Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly continued working in action films for smaller film distributors in the 70s. In 1976, Jim made the actioner Black Samurai with an unusual choice for director: Al Adamson. Adamson wasnt particularly known for being an action director or even a martial arts director, he was known for making schlocky Grindhouse horror films like Dracula Vs Frankenstein and Beast of Blood.
The daughter of a Japanese minister who holds power in Asia is kidnapped by some thugs who track her to a house and then kill her bodyguards. Meanwhile in Mexico, we meet Robert Sand (Jim Kelly) an agent for a special government ops group called DRAGON. He is currently on vacation, but his good time is spoiled when two fellow agents show up with some important news for him. They need him to take on a new assignment. Sand turns them down and tells them flat out nothing is going to ruin his vacation. The agents tell him they have some info that may change his mind: the girl who has been kidnapped is Toki, Sand’s own girlfriend. The man they think has her is Mr. Janicot, a well known underworld figure that has a penchant for witchcraft. When Sand hears this he has to go and find Toki. He hops the first plane back to LA where he picks up his purple Ferrari and begins driving to his apartment. On the way, two thugs in a white car spot him and follow behind. Sand takes a side road and when the thugs try to shoot him, they miss and shoot their own tire out causing them to fly into a ditch, the car crashes and explodes.
Sand arrives at his apartment where he begins to practice his samurai and kung fu skills. What happens next is one of the funniest scenes in the film. As Sand meditates, a midget pops up out of nowhere and puts a shotgun to his head point blank. Another thug is with him to help. The midget tells Sand not to move or else. Sand grabs the gun super slow and shoots the other thug. He takes them both out. Suddenly one of his fellow agents shows up one second after this occurance and gives him an invitation to a party being held by Janicot. Sand arrives at the party in a bright red jumpsuit and meets a young black beauty named “Synne”. Synne is one of Janoicot’s mistresses and she introduces Sand to Janicot himself. After a brief exchange, Sand insults Janicot and the fight is on. Janicot sends his thugs after Sand, but he fends them off using his super martial arts/samurai skills.
Now that Sand knows where Toki is being held by Janicot, the rest of the film is basically how he tries to get Toki back. We get one bad acting scene after another then a sequence that comes out of nowhere when Sand uses a special jet pack to infiltrate another area where Toki is said to be held. These is actually a really cool sequence and I’m not sure how they did it (helicopter?), but it sure looked real when Sand is flying around in the air with his jetpack. Remember this isnt CGI, its live action. Sand finally lands but doesnt find Toki anywhere. Another killer midget shows up and Sand takes him out pretty fast after a quick exchange of words.
Director Al Adamson brought his own style to the kung fu genre with this film which you will surely see in the whole witchcraft and killer midget themes running through the film. Jim Kelly makes the film watchable because he plays the character relatively serious with shades of his own unique brand of “show off” humor (see Williams in Enter The Dragon). Is Black Samurai a classic? No, but it is a good low budget Grindhouse film that will have you laughing out loud from the bad acting/midgets and excited by the exceptional martial arts action from Jim Kelly.
Trailers:
Night Creatures
Stranglers of Bombay
The Reptile
Plague of The Zombies
The Man Who Could Cheat Death
54. AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS (1972) The year is 1795 and two newlyweds, Catherine (Stephanie Beacham) and Charles Fengriffen (Ian Ogilvy) have arrived at his ancestor’s family mansion in the English countryside. While moving into the large estate, Catherine notices a picture of Charles’ father and suddenly a bloody hand appears. Catherine is extremely scared and this begins a terrifying tale of eyeless woodsmen, and a bloody severed hand which attacks Catherine while she is in bed one night.
While walking around the estate, Catherine comes upon a creepy gentleman named Silas. He is a woodsman that lives on the premises. When Catherine pleads to Charles to send Silas away, he tries to convince Silas to leave, but Silas refuses. Fearing for Catherine’s mental health, Charles hires on Dr. Whittle (Patrick Magee) to examine her, but when Dr Whittle can’t seem to help Catherine himself, he then sends for one of his colleagues, an expert named Dr. Pope (Peter Cushing). Dr. Pope tries to investigate the many strange, frightening things Catherine has been seeing but finds himself up against a supernatural menace that is uncontrollable.
The movie revolves mainly around the haunted estate and provides a few good scares, but its by no means a very effective Horror film. Theres several scenes that are more funny than scary. For example, when Catherine slashes the portrait of Charles’ father with a knife then proceeds to tumble down the stairs. This stunt was so badly staged, I actually laughed when I saw it.
And Now The Screaming Starts was an Amicus Production. Amicus was similar to the Hammer Studios and were actually a big competition for them in the 60s and 70s. I don’t know if Amicus ever reached the quality of the Hammer Films. This film certainly doesn’t carry the charm of the Hammer films. Nevertheless, there are some highlights like the legendary British horror film vetaran Peter Cushing and the great Herbert Lom (Gambit, The Pink Panther films) as the evil Fengriffen patriarch who was the one responsible for inspiring the cursed proceedings that befall Catherine.
Trailers:
McQ
Mr Majestyk
Superfuzz
The Outfit
The Getaway
55. HICKEY AND BOGGS (1972) In 1972, Robert Culp (Hannie Caulder) directed this very cool crime film set in Los Angeles. Along with his I Spy TV series costar Bill Cosby (Mother, Jugs and Speed), Culp crafted a finely executed story about private eyes, cops and criminals caught up in a violent circle of money laundering. Frank Boggs (Robert Culp) and Al Hickey (Bill Cosby) are two low rent private investigators who are barely scraping by working around LA. When Hickey gets a new assignment from a man named Rice, they become entangled in a crime circle involving a mysterious woman named Mary Jane (Carmen).
The film begins with Mary Jane arriving in LA. She has been part of a robbery in Pittsburgh. When Hickey is called to investigate the whereabouts of the woman, things start to get crazy. Hickey returns to the office and explains to Boggs theyre back in business with a 500 dollar advance from their new client. They start looking for leads on the woman which brings Hickey to an apartment of one of the womans contacts, only hes dead. Hickey goes to the police and explains to Lt. Papadakis (Vincent Gardenia) and his partner Shaw (Jack Colvin) about the dead body. The police set up a security watch on the apartment. Hickey gets into the apartment after telling the guard hes working with the police and he does some investigating of his own.
Hickey and Boggs trace another lead to an apartment in the city, but soon after they get there the gang of men known to them as ‘The Torpedoes’ are looking for the same person. When Hickey and Boggs get cornered in the apartment, they climb out onto the fire escape while the Torpedoes toss the apartment. When one of the men goes to look out the window, Hickey slams the window down on his hand with his foot. Hickey and Boggs break a window, jump in and race down to their car, but the Torpedoes are close behind. Before leaving, as an insurance policy, Boggs lights a rag on fire which he places in the hitmen’s car gas tank. As they drive off, the Torpedoes exit from the apartment building and the car explodes. The Torpedoes are working for a mob boss named Mr Brill (Robert Mandan). Brill was supposed to be getting the stolen robbery money, but was jilted and now he has his goons out looking for the Mary Jane. Brills partner is Ballard (Michael Moriarty).
Hickey and Boggs’ main clue is a paper that reads the name of a football stadium and a seating arrangement. When they goto the football game, they stay awhile afterwards and wait to see if their hunch is right. Turns out Mary Jane is there to meet The Torpedoes with the money, but Hickey and Boggs get in the middle of the exchange and all hell breaks loose. A shootout ensues with one of the baddies and an Uzi firing and he almost kills Hickey. In between doing the case, Hickey is trying to make amends with his estranged girlfriend. He drops by her apartment to make up, but shes not having his BS.
Brill finds out about Hickey and Boggs trying to solve the case and he and his hitmen aren’t going to play nice. They break into Boggs’ place and trash it and when Hickey goes to visit his girlfriend, he finds her home trashed and her body. Hickey is completely shocked and he can’t even talk when Hickey meets him at their local bar hangout. This is definitely one of the best scenes in the film as Boggs tries to convince Hickey they need to get revenge and make things right between them and the killers. The big ending takes place at the beach as the hitmen and Hickey and Boggs try to both get ahold of Mary Jane and her husband before they take off to Mexico. Hickey and Boggs get the money in the end, but theyve lost something money can never replace.
Hickey and Boggs is a cinema gem from the early 70s. It has a great pacing and I really enjoyed the overall feel of the movie. What I really enjoyed most about the film was the non flashy human side Culp shows. Its not a typical Hollywood action film, its a very realistic styled film based around the feelings and personal lives of the characters. A classic, sunbaked LA crime film with a great cast and wonderful lead acting by Robert Culp and Bill Cosby. Note: Look for a very early onscreen appearance by a young James Woods as Lt. Wyatt.
[quote=“PopeyePete”]
Sabata’s one of my favorites because of the things I mentioned in my review. Its a fun one. Believe me, Ive seen alot of Spaghettis that were completely boring. Sabata has cool characters, music, action. Its great across the board IMO.
[/quote]
i agree a few weeks ago I spent a great afternoon watching Sabata, The Return of Sabata and Adios Sabata…
NB- Favorite trailers: Mad Doctor of Blood Island, The Warriors, Switchblade sisters… + my 16mm print of Ipcress File TV spot 
I hope this little marathon was informative and turned some people on to some classic Grindhouse films!! Thanks for reading! 8)
Arrrgh! I went out with a big whimper. Should’ve watched a lot more. But you know what? I’ve decided to bend the rules a lil’ bit and (For sure) watch a few more before Friday! 8)
But it was a fun and amazing ride throughout the whole month. Recap of what was watched:
The Last Round
Riot on Sunset Strip
The Born Losers
Dolemite
Foxy Brown
Wipeout!
TNT Jackson
Psychomania
Walking Tall (Original)
Vampyres
Night Of The Bloody Apes
THE CANDY SNATCHERS
The Big Bird Cage
Django The Bastard
Pieces
Dragon Princess
Street Fighter
SABATA
THE BLACK GESTAPO
THE CHINESE BOXER
SEVEN NOTES IN BLACK
Chinese Super Ninjas
The Godson
CAGED HEAT
Fight For Your Life
Last house on the left
Maniac
They Call Her One Eye
Women’s Prison Massacre
Seven Women for Satan
Willie Dynamite
The New York Ripper
GONE IN 60 SECONDS (Original)
VANISHING POINT
7 Grand Masters
SS Experiment Love Camp
Horror Hospital
THE LOSERS
WEREWOLVES ON WHEELS
SEVEN BLOWS OF THE DRAGON
SEVEN SOLDIERS OF KUNG FU
Hit Man
Django, Kill… If You Live, Shoot
Sex & Fury
FASTER PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!
SUPERVIXENS
Ginger
Images in a Convent
MILANO CALIBER 9
LIVE LIKE A COP, DIE LIKE A MAN
The Junkman
Jungle Holocaust
The Ultimate Degenerate
THAT MAN BOLT
THE MACK
THE TATTOO CONNECTION
Karate Bearfighter
Blood Feast
Black Shampoo
THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS WARDH
A LIZARD IN A WOMAN’S SKIN
Boot Hill
TWISTED NERVE
EATEN ALIVE (1976)
Eaten Alive (1980)
Goodbye Uncle Tom
BRIDES OF BLOOD
MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND
BEAST OF BLOOD
BRAIN OF BLOOD
Once Upon a Girl…
LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART TO HADES
Blood Freak
BORN INVINCIBLE
GANJA & HESS
MIGHTY PEKING MAN
THE BEAST MUST DIE
EXIT THE DRAGON,ENTER THE TIGER
SHE KILLED IN ECSTACY
THE PEACE KILLERS
CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST
FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
RETURN OF THE STREETFIGHTER
THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW
HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK
FEMALE PRISONER #701: SCORPION
CUTTHROATS NINE
DAY OF ANGER
ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST
SALON KITTY
TAKE A HARD RIDE
THE NIGHT EVELYN CAME OUT OF HER GRAVE
THE BLACK GODFATHER
SLAUGHTER HOTEL
MAD FOXES
STREET OF A THOUSAND PLEASURES
BONE
THE CHAIN REACTION
THE FIVE VENOMS
CRIPPLED AVENGERS
ZOMBI 2
FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION 701: GRUDGE SONG
BLACK SAMURAI
AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS
HICKEY AND BOGGS
A nice primer to give people a taste of what they’re all about.
We’ll never get to see every Grindhouse film, but as long as you have some favorites in each genre and keep exploring whats out there, thats all that matters.