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Reviews
Silip (1985)
Disturbing and Original
This is a truly disturbing and beautifully made piece of cinema that definitely goes places where other films fear to tread.
Those wishing to gawp at another cheesy exploiter will probably not find much to enjoy here. There are exploitative elements aplenty, but they're not simply thrown in for cheap thrills. This is a film that delivers a powerful emotional punch if you're prepared to let it work its magic on you.
There was a cut and badly dubbed English version on the "gray market" a while back. Seeing this remastered, correctly framed version with the original soundtrack is like discovering the film for the first time.
Don't miss it.
Taiwan hei dianying (2005)
Interesting subject. Poorly made documentary
This is an overview and critical examination of a genre of violent exploitation movies that flourished very briefly in Taiwan in the late 70's and early 80's. Typically featuring gangsters and rape/revenge tales these were lurid, low brow and very successful at the time. Sadly, few of the movies seem to have survived today in anything like a watchable form. Consequently the documentary has to resort to VCD and VHS clips, often cropped and in very poor shape indeed.
The subject is an interesting one that few viewers, in the west or the east, will know much about. However, the documentary is quite poorly made. The subtitles in particular are so slapdash and essentially unreadable that they make viewing something of a chore. I guess the film was made for local audiences so maybe context was not considered an essential component. However, for viewers unfamiliar with the last thirty or so years of Taiwanese history much of what is discussed on screen will come across as confused or confusing.
At the very least, let's hope that this documentary leads to a rediscovery of better quality elements for some of the fascinating sounding features briefly extracted here.
Leák (1981)
One of the most bizarre films you're ever likely to see
This film has an atmosphere of creeping evil and a sense of the presence of the unknown that's highly unnerving. It's something to do with the almost documentary like way it's shot. The most bizarre scenes and exotic transformations are shown straightforwardly, with no hint of flashiness. And this makes them even more strange and unsettling. In many ways it's reminiscent of Cocteau's theory of the fantastic, approaching it from the perspective of realism rather than announcing how strange it is through camera angles and clever tricks.
There's no denying that the film was shot on a shoestring. However, the obvious commitment of all involved and the unusual use of the scope frame lift it to a level above that of many low budget Asian horrors of the period. It actually makes a virtue of its limited means, forcing us to use our own imagination to fill in the blanks.
Anyone searching for something out of the ordinary, something truly unique, will find lots to treasure in Mystics in Bali. It's a film that can be watched again and again. It has an almost hypnotic quality that draws the sympathetic viewer into a strange, hallucinatory dream.
La rose écorchée (1970)
An Under Rated Gem of 70's Euro Horror
The first real film from a director who went on to do a lot of interesting work in the 1970's and 80's before his tragic death by drowning in 1986.
An avowed homage to Eyes Without a Face, the film unquestionably creates its own atmosphere and goes in a very different direction from its more famous model. Mulot's film has great cinematography, an interesting script construction and a very melancholic mood that marks it out from most low budget shockers of the period. Although not a costume piece as such, it is probably closer to the classic Mill of the Stone Women than to Franju's film.
The acting and direction are of a uniformly high standard. Anny Duperey and Philip Lemaire impart real depth to their characterizations and it's great to see Euro legend Howard Vernon once again. The film was sold as a mixture of sex and horror and the sex is provided by a bevy of stunning Euro babes including Valerie Boisgel and Michele Perello who went on to feature in Morgane et ses Nymphes before disappearing into the hinterlands of porn.
Well worth more than a passing look for any fan of classy Euro horror, this one has probably improved with age and repays repeated viewings.
Perawan di Sarang Sindikat (1987)
Fantastic Fun for the Adventurous Viewer
This 1980's Indonesian production was known as Virgins From Hell in its export version. A great, over the top title for a great, over the top film.
A bunch of sexy Asian babes in tight leatherette hot pants form a motorcycle gang to take revenge on a sleazy drug dealing white slaver called "Mr Tiger". If that plot outline doesn't appeal to you, then don't bother watching this film. If, on the other hand, it does - and you're a fan of unusual exploitation cinema - then this is right up your street.
There's a fair amount of sleazy goings on in this film. I won't list them, it's better if you discover them for yourself. But let's just say that the scene with the two babes in the shower, watched by Mr Tiger as he fondles his whip had me in hysterics. For all the right reasons.
The fact that there's no full frontal nudity as such only makes the film even MORE sleazy. Sounds strange, but it's true.
The DVD is great. And great value. A crystal clear, widescreen picture taken from the original negative plus a bonus disk of wild trailers from the same production company AND a half hour documentary on Indoensian exploitation cinema.
This is a treat for lovers of "The Wild Side of World Cinema".
Golok Setan (1984)
Fun From Start to Finish
This is quite simply one of the most fun movies I've ever seen. A riot of colorful craziness from start to finish. And Barry Prima is one of the best action heroes of the 80's - bar none.
If you like films with more than a touch of the wild, the weird and the wonderful, then this one is for you.
The newly released DVD is a real revelation for those who've only seen this film in cut full screen VHS versions. Anamorphic widescreen, with colors that leap off the screen. It's a beaut.
The extras include a rare interview (the only one I've ever seen) with the afore mentioned Mr Prima, who comes across as just about as crazy as the films he starred in.
You owe it to yourself to check this one out. You won't be sorry.
Living Doll (1990)
A Real Surprise
Infamous schlock producer Dick Randall's last film (or last released film, anyway) turns out to be a surprisingly good and grim little horror yarn.
Medical student Howard falls in love with the girl who sells flowers at the hospital where he works. She barely knows he exists. Then one day a body is brought into the morgue and Howard has to assist in the autopsy. Only too late does he realize it's the lovely Christine herself laid out on the cold slab. How this shock affects his already delicate mental balance and what he does to deal with this terrible state of affairs makes this a highly diverting outing for fans of the macabre Mark Jax is great as the disturbed Howard. He never once camps it up and plays even the most ridiculous moments straight. The SFX and make up on the mouldering corpse are excellent,. The plot takes plenty of surprising turns and the final sick twist raised a smile or two.
Great news that this will soon be out on DVD and in an extras packed special edition.
If you like big studio, star-filled extravaganzas, then this is not for you. But if you're looking for something out of the ordinary, you'll not be disappointed.