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Reviews
Kei zik (1989)
My rating is strictly for the fights and action that occurred on two scenes
(1989) Miracle
(In Chinese with English subtitles)
ACTION COMEDY DRAMA
To be honest, I barely even remembered what this movie's about except that it is supposed to be an inspired Jackie Chan equivalent of "Lady For A Day" or "A Pocketful of Miracles". There is an incredible fight happening in a night club that includes tables, dishes, chairs and stairwells! And a long impressive fight in a ropes factory of some sort. Directed and starring Jackie Chan the action choreography is some of the best I had ever seen. At this point of his career he did not care whether the movie made any money or not for their was more failed comedy and drama than action set pieces.
Fei lung mang jeung (1988)
The well staged d action/ fights to the stunts out shines than the storyline
(1988) Dragons Forever
(In Chinese with English subtitles)
ACTION COMEDY
It concerns with a defense lawyer, Jackie Lung (Jackie Chan) employed for his services to defend polluter/ industrialist, Hua Hsien-Wu (Yuen Wah) against female prosecutors, Nancy Lee (Pauline Yeung) and Miss Yip (Deannie Yip). Making the situations much more complicated is the fact that Jackie is falling for the female prosecutors with both assistants of Luke Wong Fei-hung (Samo Hung) and Timothy Tung Tak-Biao (Yuen Baio) stumbling onto their drug operation poisoning the water.
And of course, this plot device only purpose is to serve as a backdrop to the action, incredible fights and stunts and comedy routines. My high rating is strictly for the fights and the action. Some of the main highlights also includes Jackie beating up many goons at a yacht using chairs and tables and another well choreographed fight between real life martial art champion/ kickboxing champion Benny "The Jet" Urquidez and Yuen Baio acrobatic fight with Dick Wei.
Al tropico del cancro (1972)
Another inconsistent murder/ slashing flick
(1972) Tropic of Cancer/ Al tropico del cancro
(In Italian with English subtitles)
CRIME THRILLER
Co-written and directed by Giampaolo Lomi and Edward G. Muller that has Fred (Gabriele Tinti) and his wife Gracie (Anita Strindberg) Wright arriving to Port-au-Prince, Haiti for the intention of see their good friend, biologist and doctor, Dr. Williams (Anthony Steffen). At the same time Dr. Williams also possesses a particular hallucinogenic formula that is being sought after. And through the lens of the killer, he ends up murdering one of Dr. Williams assistant, Douglas, his other assistant, Crotz (Richard Osborne) appears to be missing. Two other businessmen by the name of Mr. Peacock (Gordon Felio) and Mr. Garner (Stelio Candelli) are collaborating to get the formula on their own. At this point Dr Williams friend, Fred appear to be neutral until he decided to ditch his own wife in search of the formula himself by going through Williams papers.
This is another one of those movies where the main bad guy can appear to be at so many places at once as well as know everything about everyone.
Suor Omicidi (1979)
It made no sense despite supposedly based on actual events
(1979) The Killer Nun/ Suor Omicidi
(In Italian with English subtitles)
PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR
The movie says it is inspired by actual events co-written and directed by Giulio Berruti that has someone complaining about someone or something during confession, viewers are unable to make out who that might be. We then see Sister Gertrude (Anita Ekberg) as she is waking everyone in the nursing institution. It is not long before she inherits some murder tendencies when a long time veteran doctor of 25 years Dr. Poirret (Massimo Serato) asks her to hand him a scalpel. And as soon as he notices Gertrude's reaction he then asks her to send someone to take her place. It just turned out Gertrude has just came from surgery herself to which she had a tumor removed and is now addicted to morphine. And when the doctor refuses to give it to her, she then tries to complain to her superiors to get rid of Dr. Poiret. So when she is unable to garner the morphine she is addicted to, she would then decide to go back to town, change back to her old clothing and hock the ring her mother had given her give her enough supply. During all this was happening, another nun who sleeps on the same room next to hers by the name of Sister Mathieu (Paola Morra) appear to have an affection for her, and seems to be either trying to covering up her mental diagnosis or is making excuses for her.
What is odd about this movie is that viewers never see Italian authorities question others or check for DNA, they just appear to accept the conclusion that it was either an accident, or that the patient may have done it himself or herself. One of the most ridiculous scenes is when the person abducts Peter or Pierre (Lou Castel) who needs crutches. He is then put down to the boiler room, and it is like no one considers looking for any of them down their.
Trapped (1949)
Somewhat outdated and not as insteresting as other films about the same subject
(1949) Trapped
CRIME DRAMA
It has known counterfeiter, Tris Stewart (Lloyd Bridges) who has seven years of his sentencing, purposely let loose by secret agents for the purpose was to track down perpetrator who owns money plates. Instead of cooperating with secret agents, he decides to break out of the clutches of the agents just so he can track down the counterfeit plates himself. Meanwhile, Tris's girlfriend, Meg Dixon is working as a cigarette girl going under her new name Laurie Fredericks (Barbara Payton), and a repeated customer, Johnny Hackett is making some attempts to hook up with her after closing. She of course, shows no interest until Triss pulls her aside in an alleyway. And by the time they get to her apartment Triss would then leak out a name of his former partner of
Sam Hooker (Douglas Spencer) who became an alcoholic and sold off the plates to a known businessman, Jack Sylvester (James Todd). All of this was revealed to secret agents listening down below while Meg Dixon's apartment was rigged with a listening device. And upon Triss visiting Sylvester both of which know one another, he would then propose him to rob a joint in exchange for three times the amount of counterfeit money printed. We then find out the guy hitting on Triss Stewart's girlfriend Meg is not actually Johnny Hackett, but is actually a secret agent, John Downey (John Hoyt) attempting to gain Triss's trust as well as Sylvester to 1) find out where the fake money had been printed and, 2) to recover the counterfeit plates. And of course, it is not long before things does not always go accordingly.
The first time I saw this movie I fell asleep, but after this second attempt with a better print shown on TCM, it was a little better than watching it on streaming. It could also be that it was too out outdated despite the subject matter.
Estratto dagli archivi segreti della polizia di una capitale europea (1972)
The movie did not make much sense
(1972) Tragic Ceremony/ Estratto dagli archivi segreti della polizia di una capitale europea
(In Italian with English subtitles)
HORROR
Four friends of Bill (Tony Isbert), Jane (Camille Keaton), Joe (Máximo Valverde) and Fred (Giovanni Petrucci) are coming out from sailing, and decide to make camp. Bill then gives Jane a pearl necklace, we find out the reason he gave it to her is because his own mother showed no interest in it after she found out it may have been cursed as a result of some exorcism. And upon Bill driving everyone home on his dune buggy, he then stops at gas station where no one is carrying any cash. Bill then tries to pay him by write him a check. The gas attendant refuses but does give him enough gas to drive to a villa nearby where Rolls Royce are parked on the driveway. After they find a pail of gasoline, they are then decide to wait until the storm dies down and stay at the villa as house guests by Lord Alexander (Luigi Pistilli) and his wife, Lady Alexander (Luciana Paluzzi). Lady Alexander then lures Jane to go with her to sleep on one of the rooms while her three male friends decide to hang around in the kitchen helping themselves to baloney and cheese. Meanwhile, while Jane is taking a bath, Lady Alexander and her husband walk down below and are practicing witchcraft ceremony while one of it's own members are playing the organ. For some strange reason, while Jane is listening to the organ music, she becomes entranced by it while her other three friends are still hanging around in the kitchen and unable to hear it at all. Jane then without saying nothing walks straight down to where cult followers are practicing and they appear to expect her presence. When Joe decides to investigate he first finds her clothes and her not in her bedroom. He then calls his other friends while carrying her clothes just so they can try to track her, and while going down the stairs they notice the pearl necklace is broken, and manage to save her when Bill manages to direct Lady Alexander to stab herself.
Some of the questions I had while watching this, is that the four stars had no reason to run away as the cult followers were planning to kill and sacrifice Jane anyway. Everyone amongst the cult group end up killing one another and are witnesses to the entire event to the police. The other thing I could not stop thinking is the fact that on one hand Jane says her parents are waiting for her, only then the next scene she never calls them or ask the Alexanders whether they have a phone to call them. And if the gas attendant never existed how did they manage to garner enough gas to drive up to the "secret ceremony" villa.
Phantom Lady (1944)
Showcasing rare female lead
(1944) Phantom Lady
CRIME DRAMA
Adapted from the novel by William Irish aka Cornell Woolrich that has Scott Henderson (Alan Curtis) going out with a floozy around town after arguing with his wife. Only as soon as he comes home, detectives are already waiting for him to let him know he is the most probable suspect most likely to murder his own wife. In charge of the case is Inspector Burgress (Thomas Gomez). And then upon Scott and detectives revisiting some of the same customers and businesses who should have seen him with this only female witness who could clear him the reason the movie is called "Phantom Lady" hence the title, they all claimed they had seen him but not with any lady. Scott then gets charged, convicted and found guilty of his wife's murder and sentenced to death. For the only person who can clear his name is his secretary, Carol Richman (Ella Raines). Viewers then found out that the perpetrator himself paid for their silence and that we are shown who the actual murder is who happens to be a close associate of Scott, John 'Jack' Marlow (Franchot Tone).
One of the things I like about this film is the rare female protagonist who happens to be his boss's secretary.
Ging tin 12 siu see (1990)
Made during the time when Hong Kong action was plentiful and entertaining
(1990) 12 Hours of Terror/ The Last Blood
(In Chinese with English subtitles)
ACTION
The first time I saw this, it was on Laserdisc and that I was so hung up on Hong Kong action movies as they did not use cheap parlor tricks and quick. I saw this as The Last Blood with zero subtitles, and after Hard-boiled was popular on home video in North America, producers decide to rename it by calling it Hard-boiled Part II even though it was released year earlier, and that it was most likely John Woo who may have been inspired by "The Last Blood" to make Hard- boiled. Anyways there is a impressive shoot out toward the end as well at the hospital. I only watched it solely for the action sequences and nothing else, made during the time when neither Hollywood or before the China takeover of Hong Kong.
5 bambole per la luna d'agosto (1970)
Another mystery with zero clues
(1970) Five Dolls For An August Moon/ 5 bambole per la luna d'agosto
DUBBED
CRIME THRILLER/ MYSTERY
Adapted from the book "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie edited and directed by Mario Bava. It has several wealthy people staying on a resort on a deserted island. With the owner of the island and the resort itself, George Stark (Teodoro Corrá) attempting to entice a professor/ scientist Gerry Farrell (William Berger) to sell him and others the formula. It is not long before George's servant, Charles (Mauro Bosco) the person, Nick's wife, Marie (Edwige Fenech) was having an affair with was first to be murdered. Nick Chaney played by Maurice Poli an industrialist who cares more about the formula than his wife's extra marital affairs. Along with Jack Davidson (Howard Ross), with George leading the way. Living on the island with them are Isabel (Justine Gall); the professor/ scientist's wife, Trudy (Ira Furstenberg); Jack Davidson's wife, Peggy Davidson (Helena Ronée), and George Stark's trophy wife, Jill Stark (Edith Meloni).
Again, like many Italian slasher movies leaves with zero clues so that viewers or watchers can figure out who the murder might be themselves.
Joi jin gong woo (1990)
Hong Kong movies was like before China take over action was plentiful
(1990) Return Engagement
(In Chinese with English subtitles)
ACTION THRILLER
Co-written and directed by Tung Cho 'Joe' Cheung that opens with a gang war conflict between Mr. Lung Ho-Tin and his Chinese gang against and Mr. Santino and his Italian gang operating in Canada. And Mr. Lung's wife gets killed in the process during the gun battle, to which he promises revenge. But before he does that, he then asks his right hand man, to look after his baby daughter, Ka Ka and bring her back to Hong Kong if he is ever caught. And that is exactly what happened, to which guns a blazing happened at an airport, ending with Tung on a car chase occurring on the streets of Canada, managing to shoot dead his rival. But in the process of that he ends up being being caught himself by authorities and convicted. And while in jail he was sending letters back and forth to check for the status of his daughter until the address is no longer available to which his letters he had been sending were sent back to him. And by the time he serves his time, Tung then become much older, and as soon as he gets out, the first thing he wants to do was to track his daughter, Ka Ka. And because he still has a reputation, he is still idolized by others such as by Wah (Andy Lau). Mr Lung ended up meeting other respected gangs such as Uncle Hung who wanted him to come back working in the gangland business again except that his right hand man, Lee Pang (Simon Yam) does not like the idea. And it suddenly becomes another double crossing with Lee Pang making deals with other rival members. Lung eventually finds his daughter who ended up being in an orphanage.
By looking at the year when this movie was made, it was during the time when action was plentiful and not censured either by Hollywood or by the Chinese gov't. As ridiculous as some of the guns scenes looked at the end, it was still lots and that the action happened quickly with plenty of goons killed. The other two gun battles were quite well done that may not be like John Woo during his Hong Kong years, but it is still a million times better than what Woo is doing in Hollywood as of right now.
L'assassino è ancora tra noi (1986)
The movie was pointless that is more exploitive than anything
(1986) The Killer is Still Among Us/ L'assassino è ancora tra noi
(In Italian with English subtitles)
CRIME THRILLER/ DOCU DRAMA
Co-written and directed by Camillo Teti that opens with a young couple shot and killed while they were making out inside of a car. And as Christiana Marelli (Mariangela D'Abbraccio) is woken up by her friend, Chiara (Yvonne D'Abbraccio) to attend the murder scene, the only evidence left behind are latex gloves and an empty "Norzetam" box. It also appears Christiania is only a student of criminology and is trying to write a paper on the subject about the killer himself as he has already killed before. And upon meeting one of the coroners, Doctor Alex (Giovanni Visentin) it was not long before she strikes up a relationship with him who fits some of the same boxes that could make him to be the killer.
Upon watching this film, I decided to watch it without knowing anything about it or it's intentions after the ending left me completely baffled because I presumed it was another fictional Giallo movie, other than to notice that the poster is reminiscent to any true crime book like a Ted Bundy for instance black and white photo and all! But it is like, upon reading the reviews, I had no clue it was about an actual incident, about the "Monster of Florence" murder spree that took place between 1968 to 1985 with sixteen murders. And if it is then it did very poor job catching the serial killer who had been plaguing the country. It looked like to me that it's purpose was to showcase gross scenes of mutilation with nothing about what authorities are doing anything to catch the killer himself. All it showed was Christiana making some suggestions that does not add up to nothing. That if she was terrorized by the killer himself where was her police protection. How come she did not call authorities or connecting with a particular one trying to solve the crime itself! What about the DNA as it has becomes so advanced! For it was suggested the killer may be involve in the medical field, there was nothing mentioning about police tailing anyone! After several episodes of "Forensic Files" only shows a single person who tries and does something about it while the authorities themselves appear to be nonexistent, where is the funding and how is it spent! How come couples are still making out in cars if there is a serial killer on the loose targeting those people, for this movie raises more questions than it answers!
It's intentions was to shock fans just as the "Guinea Pig" film to which after the director handed it to Japanese authorities that may indicate that an actual woman was tortured to death, he then demanded the,m to return the video back to him. When authorities refused, he then took it upon himself to reenact what he saw himself and used his own personal experience to market anyone who want to watch it. The two grisly scenes shown in this case about what the killer did to his victims would not help or help the investigation at all- it was pointless!
Solamente nero (1978)
It was quite long and quite boring
(1978) The Bloodstained Shadow/ Solamente nero
(In Italian with English subtitles)
CRIME THRILLER PSYCHOLOGICAL MYSTERY
Produced, co-written and directed by Antonio Bido that opens a young girl being strangled to death. The movie then jumps to many years later, where we're introduced to Stefano D'Archangelo (Lino Capolicchio) sitting in a train compartment by himself until another female passenger, Sandra Sellani (Stefania Casini) comes in. They coincidentally also happen to go to the same small village together as well. And upon their arrival by boat and going their separate ways , Stefano is then greeted by his older brother, Paolo (Craig Hill) who happens to be the only pastor/ priest and his caretaker/ sacristan, Gaspare (Attilio Duse). And during their lunch and reminiscent as Stefano is now a professor, it is during then he let's him know about a medium, who makes a living practicing seance with three other prominent people who are her customers, Dr. Aloisi (Sergio Mioni); the midwife, Nardi (Juliette Mayniel) and the count, Mariani (Massimo Serato). And as Father Paoli is speaking negatively about them, the doctor happens to sit on the table beside them. And Dr. Aloisi not liking what father Paoli was saying about him and his group, he then leaves the small restaurant in total disgust. And it is not long before after Stefano is shown to his room and in the middle of the night, is when Father Paolo wakes up as a result of hearing some screaming and he decides to go to his window. And it is during then he witnesses an actual murder taking place while it was storming out by strangulation. Father Paolo then calls out Stefano and Gaspure - both of which appear to be coming outside themselves. And upon visiting the area Father Paolo had claimed she was already been gone. Upon the following morning, the victim was only moved to another dislocated area, and it turned out it was the medium. And from that point on, anyone connected to the medium are becoming victims themselves to which whatever happened at the opening may have something to do with the end.
Although, the movie is supposed to be a mystery, it is also another one of those movies that do not leave viewers enough clues to figure it out on your own, therefore viewers may have to guess who the killer might be. And even though I guessed it correctly it still left me with more questions than it answered.
La polizia brancola nel buio (1975)
And not a single police officer seen throughout the entire film until the final few mintutes
(1975) The Police Are Blundering In The Dark/ La polizia brancola nel buio
(In Italian with English subtitles)
CRIME THRILLER/ MYSTERY/ HORROR
Written and directed by Helia Colombo that has a young lady driver stuck in the middle of the gravel road asking someone to help her change a tire. He pulls out a knife and manages to rip off her clothes before he kills her so that her bare breasts can be seen for the world to see, and of course viewers do not know who the killer is until the very end. The next scene has the servant/ chauffeur, we find out later his name is Alberto (Francisco Cortéz) as he is reading the daily newspaper that indicates about a fourth missing model from the same area with it also reads "The Police are blundering in the dark" hence the title. Alberto then puts the newspaper down as the bus pulls up a lady gets off by the name of Lucia (Gabriella Giorgelli) has accepted the job as housekeeper for the Parissi family household. And while Lucia is settling in, it looks as if Alberto may have had to do something and as he was coming in to the Parissi resident, Enrichetta Blond (Margaret-Rose Keil). And while Enrichetta was driving home, she was driving in the middle of the night while raining and storming real hard, except that her car goes out and she stops by a hotel/ inn to use the phone. Upon calling her boyfriend, Georgio D'Amato (Joseph Arkim) he is sleeping around with another lady, and promises to pick her up the following morning. Forcing her to rent the room and stay the night. She suddenly becomes the second victim and on the following morning when Georgio arrives she is missing. And at this point, he becomes the main star as we find out he is not just a player, but he also happens to be a journalist as well. And her body is nowhere to be found, it would eventually lead him to the other last place she was seen with was the Parissi family household. It is there he is introduced to Edmondo Parissi (Danny P. Gerzog) who is wheelchair bound and is impotent; his wife, Eleonora (Halina Zalewska) and their niece, Sara (Elena Veronese) who lost her parents from a plane crash and sometimes the family doctor, D. Dalla (Richard Fielding) who grows lettuce.
One of the downsides of jotting down set ups and plots of many Eruo slasher movies is that they are forgettable and sometimes hard to describe. The only reason anyone would watch them are the voluptuous nude scenes if the violence itself does not do anything for anyone, the reason why I am giving this one 5 out of 10. Viewers get to see four of the young actresses that count the most to be nude of breasts and sometimes their rear end. Anyways, the movie does not make a ton of sense as the only appearance the police made throughout the entire run is towards the end too little too late. The killer is already dead explaining the why that does not make a ton of sense either.
La casa della paura (1974)
One of few slasher movies with a superficial ending
(1974) Girl in Room 2A/ La casa della paura
DUBBED
PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER/ HORROR
Co-produced, co-written and directed by William Rose that opens with a woman taken out of Room 2A before she is tortured, killed and her body dumped into a car rolled down a hill. The next scene showcases our heroine, Margaret Bradley (Daniela Giordano) being assigned to stay on the very same inn as it is a part of her recovery, except that she missed her bus. And upon waiting for the next one, a guy coincidentally rolls his hat underneath her, we find later his name is Dreese (Raf Vallone). She would then make a call to her social worker, Alicia Songbird (Rosalba Neri) who would eventually send her to the owner of the inn meeting Mrs. Mary Grant (Giovanna Galetti) and her adult son, Frank Grant (Angelo Infanti). And coincidentally, she is then placed in the same room number 2A where previous ladies had been missing as well. There are scenes of Margaret either imagining someone entering into her room or did she imagine it as well as the blood stain on the floor underneath the carpet to which she recalled wiping it up and appearing. Down the line, when she was unable to connect with Mrs. Grant's adult son, Frank it is not long before she finally meets Jack Whitman (John Scanlon) in search of his sister, Claire. Jack decides to rent the room of the inn directly across from her.
Another forgettable Giallo type of movie and after trying to understand it after my second attempt, I just presumed it was another movie with a bad ending and was quite relieved that it did not with a twist about who the cult-like figure wearing the red mask was may have answered some of the questions but not a whole lot. Some of the inconsistencies was before Margaret went to sleep, wouldn't she have checked her window first! If her door was so unsafe it would be only natural she would address it to the inn keeper or to the social worker- she did neither! And anyone hoping to see the lead star actress Daniela Giordano nude would be gravely disappointed as an obvious body double was used instead.
I vizi morbosi di una governante (1977)
It is not exactly scary as much as it is a little gross
(1977) Crazy Desires of a Murderer/ I vizi morbosi di una governante
(In Italian with English subtitles)
HORROR THRILLER
It has one of those odd introductions with someone viewers are unable make out other than his already bloody hands coming straight toward someone. A phone rings with the baron, De Chablais (Stuart Brisbane Colin) displeasure speaking with his teenage daughter, Ileana De Chablais (Isabelle Marchal) informing her dad ahead of time she has invited a few friends of hers. Meanwhile, Pierluigi La Rocca (Claudio Peticchio) is trying to make a drug deal with two goons on his case, and they are giving him a week to pay up. And it is during then we get to see Illeana's friends she has invited to stay with them who are Frank Hoffman (Giuseppe Colombo) who is a doctor to which the baron knows his dad; Elsa Leiter (Patrizia Gori), Gretel Schanz (Adler Gray); the drug dealer, Pierluigi La Rocca (Claudio Peticchio) with his friend, Bobby Jelson (Gaetano Russo). Living with the baron in the castle are housemaid, Berta (Anie Edel) and servant, Hans (Hugh Denis) . And it was not until the movie is progressing we find out there is a third person, a young man who became a mute, Leonardo (Roberto Zattin) who appear to be already been scarred as a result of the death of his mother. Leonardo loves down below them near the wine cellar that was supposed to staying in a room all to himself. He appears to be the character viewers saw at the opening with the bloody hand as it turns out he is a taxidermist, the reason why his hands are bloody at all times. When one of the guest's are killed after making out with one of the other friends, the detectives are then called and they cross examine each resident staying with them, including Leonardo. At this point all fingers point to him because when the victim was killed, her eyeballs were plucked out, and those same eyeballs eventually showed up in his dungeon room to which they could be planted there to make it appear like he did it.
Anyways, at first I was unable to get involve with watching it because the movie did some abnormal things, such as at the opening when the daughter, Illeana was speaking with his daughter on the phone. It appears that someone with bloody hands was going to attack the baron, because the way it ended their abrupt conversation was ambiguous. Illeana just kept calling out for her dad with no answer. She neither calls for authorities or anything. And then, it is like as soon as they do finally meet each other, it is as if nothing had ever happened. We find out much later that it was the brother. Viewers are also oblivious the connection between the killer and it's victims, for the drug scenario between Pierluigi and what happened has no relation with one another. Anyways, the eyeball sequence is more gross than it is scary. The poster is misleading as there are only two nude scenes throughout the entire movie of one of the guests and the maid, anyone who presume to see a ton of nudity would be disappointed.
La casa con la scala nel buio (1983)
The movie made less sense the more it is thought about.....and this is my second viewing
(1983) A Blade in the Dark/ La casa con la scala nel buio
(In Italian with English subtitles)
HORROR THRILLER/ MYSTERY
Produced and directed by Lamberto Bava that has music film composer, Bruno (Andrea Occhipinti) employed to conduct a film score by writer/ director, Sandra (Anny Papa". It also turns out that the scene shown at the opening that involves two kids egging the third kid to walk down the dark cellar to fetch a tennis ball, only then that same tennis ball would be thrown back at them but this time with bloody stains on them before they ran away was the intro of Sandra's movie. Bruno is then employed to do his work at the villa by the real estate agent, Tony Redina (Michele Soavi). And it is not long before the first murder happens with his neighbor, Katia (Valeria Cavalli) with the villa's gardener, Giovanni (Stanko Molnar) that looked like to be the likely suspect since as the body was being carried out a trail of blood stains can be seen left behind.. We then find out that the opening act of Sandra's movie was actually the real life experience of a single person who lived in the villa before Bruno did by the name of Linda, who left her things in a single room to which he once claimed had no access to be in. And it is not long before Katia's roommate, Angela (Fabiola Toledo) is killed with her body being dragged without bloody evidence, this time from the bathroom. She also happens to be the only actress who appeared topless throughout the entire movie.
Some of the things that did not add up are the bloody stains, the killer had to clean up while Bruno and others are living there like his girlfriend, Julia ( Lara Naszinski). It is like police are not called even after each of the girls are missing after 24 hours, I find it hard to believe even the two girls relatives or family members to friends do not even call authorities if Bruno does not believe they would believe him if he were to mention it. The disappearance of the blood stains was ridiculous.
Gli occhi freddi della paura (1971)
Not to be confused with Giallo it is more of a thriller than anything
(1971) Cold Eyes of Fear/ Gli occhi freddi della paura
DUBBED
CRIME THRILLER
Co-written and directed by Enzo G. Castellars takes place in the outskirts of London that has solicitor, Peter Bedell (Gianni Garko) accidentally spilling his drink onto Anna's (Giovanna Ralli) dress and manages to convince her to ditch the current boyfriend she is with to come with him to his uncle's place. And upon his arrival, he and Anna then find that the servant's lifeless body plumped right on front of him. And it is not long before a thug, Quill (Julián Mateos) holds both of them hostage. Another thug, Arthur Welt (Frank Wolff) who disguises himself as the local authorities was the second thug cross examining and terrorizing Peter for a specific file, we find out later he murdered an actual cop who was sent by his uncle, the magistrate (Fernando Rey) to aid him regarding a particular case. And throughout the entire time, Peter's uncle the magistrate is calling him while Arthur who is in search for a specific file while Quill is after the loot.
Talk about false advertising, for it is like, as soon as one were to look at the poster, it would appear their would be as many nude scenes as other European Trash movies, but it is like, upon watching it, it is more like a crime thriller. The only nude scene only occurred at the opening and it was nothing more but a performance by two actors that had nothing to do with the movie overall. It is just so they can sell tickets presuming viewers would not want to spend actual money on a thriller without nude scenes in it. Some of the inconsistencies has to do with the fact that if a London police does not report back for duty as each one of them has a schedule as well, why the UK police would not take it much more seriously tracking their colleague down or at least track on what happened to him.
Toivon tuolla puolen (2017)
The refugee customs of Finland is interesting
(2017) The Other Side of Hope/ Toivon tuolla puolen
(In Finnish with English subtitles)
DRAMA
Produced, written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki that has war refugee, Khaled coming out of a cargo ship in the middle of the night, and as he leaves he is covered with coal dust. Meanwhile, Waldemar Wikström (Sakari Kuosmanen) is packing a suitcase and it appears he is moving out and leaving his wife who is seen sitting on a kitchen table watching him while smoking her cigarette. But before he leaves, he then takes a ring out of his ring finger before he places it onto the table on front of her. After he closes the door, his wife then takes the ring and sticks it into an ashtray. And by the time he is at the building parking lot, he then removes several pieces of tailor made shirts, suits and ties from a storage shed we find out he is getting out of the business, and wants to sell the rest of his inventory. After Khaled Ali washes himself up, he then tries to apply to be a citizen of Finland he does by appearing to the police station, and it is there he makes a friend with another refugee, Mazdak (Simon Hussein Al-Bazoon). While Mazdak was originally from from Iraq as a nurse Khaled escaped from Syria who was a mechanic both are refugees trying to seek asylum from Finland. Khaled depends on Mazdak as he is the only one who has a phone in case there is any news regarding his sister as his other family members and relatives are no longer living. While this was happening, Waldemar intends to finish selling the rest of his tailor made suits planning to save enough to open up his first restaurant, both are going to collide for it is just a matter of when.
What is interesting here are looking at Finland's customs of how they handle asylum seekers. It also does not ignore the racist aspects of it.
Tulitikkutehtaan tyttö (1990)
A story that is straight forward does not need to be told in so many words
(1990) The Match Factory Girl
(In Finnish with English subtitles)
PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA
Edited, co-produced, written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki as viewers witness "match factory girl", Iris Rukka daily routine. As we see her coming off from work, she then picks up a few things for dinner before she comes home making it for her and her parents before she cleans after them for the TV is always on, and are always watching the news. Iris then goes out arrives at a dance hall sitting on a bench beside other women waiting to be asked. And throughout the entire time sitting by herself, not a single person has ever asked her. So the next time she signs off for another paycheck, she then decides to treat herself to buy herself an expensive dress she saw displayed on the window. And although, she already knows her parents disapprove of the move, they then demand her to return the dress and ask for a refund. Because her parents asked her to return the dress at that same night, she changes into the new dress just as she was planning to go out that same night again. This time instead of a dance hall, she decides to test her new dress at a bar, and it is there we find out later his name is Aarne (Vesa Vierikko) as he dances with her before she sleeps with him for the night. Aarne wakes up before she does and before he leaves, he then leaves some money for her with a note. And when she does get up, she then examines his flat and it appears he is a successful businessman, and likes what she sees. She then leaves a note for him anticipating for him to call her again. And as soon as she becomes disappointed he does not call back, she then comes to the realization he was treating their little one night fling as nothing more than an one night stand who does not want to settle with just one person.
Anyways, this another one of those movies where the events that happened is self explanatory without so many words that need to be spoken even though the ending is a little ambiguous as viewers still do not know what happened as a result of her actions. This is the third of ten movies actress Kati Outinen collaborated with writer/ director/ producer Aki Kaurismäki.
...hanno cambiato faccia (1971)
It needs to be shortened to 45 minutes as a Twilight Zone spoof or some sort
(1971) They Have Changed Their Face/ ...hanno cambiato faccia
(In Italian with English subtitles)
DRAMA HORROR
Co-written and directed by Corrado Farina that has regular office factory worker, Alberto Valle (Giuliano Disperati) ordered by his superior to meet the president of the corporation, Giovanni Nosferautu (Adolfo Celi) of "Auto Avio Motors" comp. And during his drive he then notices he is running low on gas and tries to communicate with the villagers with the only person who reached out to him is a female wearing a thick coat with no bra and topless, Laura (Francesca Modigliani) coincidentally heading toward the same direction. And by the time he reaches the villa, and tries to ring himself in, there is no one there to greet him by the fence's gate. And when a door is finally discovered, he then decides to walk the rest of the way with Laura deciding not to to walk with him. He would then hands her the keys, she tells him she will wait for him. As he is walking toward the villa, two cars are driving alongside with him. And when Alberto tries to make conversation with them, they act unresponsive as if they are dead. He is then greeted by Giovanni Nosferatu's secretary, Corrina (Geraldine Hooper) and she tells him he will not be able to see him until dinner which is weirdly served at 10 PM. It is during then Alberto does some snooping around that does not really does anything. It just resorts to more weird stuff happening.
The name Nosferatu was mentioned on purpose and although I did not see the ending the way that it happened, the entire set up was routine and boring. To which if anyone were to watch many vampire movies the approach is still the same for I would have liked it more had it been shortened to 45 minutes both the impact and message of capitalism would still be the same.
L'occhio nel labirinto (1972)
It is still inconsistent despite Giallo production
(1972) Eye In The Labyrinth/ L'occhio nel labirinto
DUBBED
MYSTERY CRIME THRILLER/ PSYCHOLOGICAL
Co-written and directed by Mario Caiano that showcases Lucas (Horst Frank) being stabbed to death, and it was during the time Julie (Rosemary Dexter) wakes up concerned something bad had happened to him. At this point, viewers are oblivious what kind of a relationship she has with him, and why she cares so much. And upon her visit to an institution and another worker, a patient chants out Lucas is at "Maracudi". By the time she comes home, a thug happens to be looking for him as well. After he leaves and while she is cleaning up the mess the thug had made, she then goes through his address book and comes across the words, Maracudi and it is exactly where she drives toward. At this point her relationship with Lucas is still ambiguous until she meets Frank (Adolfo Celi), we find out the reason she cannot go to the police is because she is a foreigner and that her work visa is expiring presuming she must be employed by him. Another thug we find out later his name is Antonio (Gaetano Donati) is also trying to harm her after showing him of Lucas's photo. And after she loses her hand bag, it is not long before crosses paths with Frank again before he assists her accommodations by introducing her to the hotel manager and a painter, Saro (Benjamin Lev). Frank then retrieves her bag suggests her to visit a villa. It is there she meets the owner of the villa, Gerda (Alida Valli). It is then we meet her guests also staying with her are Eugene (Franco Ressel), Louis (Michael Mayen)- we find out is also Gerda's lover; Toni- the photographer and finally Thomas (Gigi Rizzi) and Corrine (Peter Kranz). And we know more about each of them as the movie is progressing as well how each of them have to do with Lucas.
On my first attempt to watching this, I thought it was kind of boring and sometimes inconsistent that reminded me of another movie. And that if I were to mention what movie this would have reminded me about here, it may be able be enough to help viewers to predict the person guilty of Lucas's murder. Anyways, this second attempt is not half as bad even though some of the scenes are still inconsistent.
Immagini di un convento (1979)
Entertaining European sleaze by Joe D'Amato
(1979) Images In A Convent/ Immagini di un convento
(In Italian with English Subtitles)
ADULT DRAMA
Adapted from the novel "La religieuse" by Denis Diderot, cinematography, co-written and directed by Joe D'Amato that has countess of Lignate, Isabela (Paola Senatore) brought to the monastery of nuns so that she can be converted. In charge of converting her is Mother superior, Sister Angela (Nana Aslanoglu). And it is not long before Isabela infects other nuns with perverted thoughts beginning with Sister Licinia (Marina Ambrosini) after she hears Isabella chanting out her uncle's name while lying on her bed, touching herself. She would barge in before she makes out with her. And when Sister Marta (Marina Hadman Bellis) notices this, and Licinia pleads her to punish her. She does this by whipping her while she is fully named other than the stockings and the head gear she has on before she too seduces her.
All of this is just an excuse to showcase many of the big breasted women to put in some compromising positions to which none of them are really that old- full frontal and back and front. I must admit there were times I was a little aroused to see that many beautiful women. All they had to do was remove the devil statue to another location and then problem solved. Like, what is a devil statue doing in a convent of nuns in the first place.
Forty Guns (1957)
Clone of My Darling Clementine
(1957) Forty Guns
WESTERN
Produced, written and directed by Samuel Fuller that has three brothers of Griff Bonell (Barry Sullivan), Wes Bonell (Gene Barry) and Chico Bonell (Robert Dix) heading to Tombstone, until they see a woman (Barbara Stanwyck) riding on the only white horse while "Forty guns" hence the title are following her trial as they are whizzing pass her. And upon their arrival, and after they had their baths, it is not long before a couple of troublemakers decide to terrorize the entire town, who are Brockie Drummond (John Ericson) and Charlie Savage (Chuck Hayward). Brockie also happens to be the little brother of the woman who rode passed them as the Bonell brothers were coming up viewers find out is Jessica Drummond who kind of owns many of the property and land, as well as some of the townspeople such as the sheriff and judge.
I did not like it when I saw it the first time and I did not like it so much after watching it again. And although, I understood the guest programmer, Steven Spielberg has said about this movie, I look at it as one of those movies where one might thought would have a lot of action in it because of the title. Only to be disappointed as soon as it doesn't. It also happens to be another one of those movies where that one guy has caused so many problems and disturbances only when he finally shoots and kills someone viewers care about, is when the hero finally does something. In other words it is another carbon clone of My Darling Clementine.
The Dunes (2021)
A movie with some mixed messages
(2021) The Dunes
PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER/ DRAMA/ SOCIAL COMMENTARY
Co-cinematography, produced, written, directed and starring Martin Copping that opens with a kid checking on his little brother before he enters into his parents room to use a cricket bat on his parents. And it was at this time, Nick Rice (Martin Copping) wakes up what may or may not have been a dream. At at this point, viewers are unable to see any of the connection until after the first hour of the movie. As we know more about Nicolas as a person, he is currently living with someone to whom he is not married to with one child together. And because he is currently living in LA as a journalist trying to finish paying off his mortgage he still has a house in Melbourne Australia that needs to be sold in order to help him pay for his house in LA. This forces him to go back to Melbourne as their may be a problem with the current residents, but before he goes and does that, he still needs to stop first to visit a few of his relatives. Throughout the first hour, there is a lot of nothing other than a few flashbacks. By the time he makes it to his empty parents place he is trying to sell, he then gets a knock on the door, William Knight or Knighty (Tim Phillipps) asking him to help him restart his car again.
And as it turned out, the shocking scene that happened at the opening was the very first journalistic article he had written that made him into a certified journalist. And that the reason why the little kid used a cricket bat on his parents was because his little brother was molested by his dad. And that William has been holding that grudge for such a long time he has turned into a serial killer. This is dumb if you ask me as it raises more questions than it answers. Such as who was looking after William as a young child or had he ever had psychiatric treatment? Murdering one's parents does not justify it means, so sympathy for William is thrown out the door as he murders tenants renting the house as well as family friends. It appears writer and director Martin Copping is criticizing the media a little when all they do is report the events and let justice take it's course. And why wasn't William's older brother who took his own life was not put in a boarding school for troubled teens for instance!
Sudden Fear (1952)
The set up is longer than I would have wanted
(1952) Sudden Fear
CRIME DRAMA
Adapted from the book by Edna Sherry
that has a successful playwright and older woman, Myra Hudson Blaine (Joan Crawford) has writers block who is then wooed by a younger actor, Lester Blaine (Jack Palance). They eventually get married and it is not long before she stumbles on to a recording of her husband along with an accomplice plotting for her murder. She then goes on the run while her husband and his accomplice is pursuing her.
Possess a similar theme with "Dial M For Murder" and "Suspicion" and "Gaslight" with the difference is that this one has the hero running away from her predator. Crawford is also uncredited as co-writer and co-executive producer.