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Reviews
Kayfabe (2007)
Entertaining mockumentary
Just watched this film on DVD and I have to say I was very impressed. I didn't expect it to be any good (just judging a book by it's cover as I so often do), but to be honest it entertained me more than almost any PPV I've seen in the last year. The film is a mockumentary (insert generic Spinal Tap comparison here) that follows a struggling indie wrestling promotion as it finds out it's going out of business. The colorful cast of characters decide to do their best to go out with a bang. Film contains a vocabulary lesson and some other behind the scenes secrets that give some insider views into the industry, but the bulk of the story comes from the characters' interaction with each other. They are all relatively unremarkable (and most poorly acted) but end up growing on you by the end. I probably would have given it an 8 or 9 if the acting was better. But lets face it, if you've ever watched a WWE or TNA show you have seen far worse. Recommended to wrestling fans with a sense of humor.
Mil gritos tiene la noche (1982)
$3 well spent
I picked up the Diamond Entertainment DVD for $3 on clearance, and boy was I surprised. Make no mistake, this is bad cinema, but it's bad cinema at it's best. The don't try to make a poignant thriller, like some other half-attempt horror films do, they tell you it's gonna be a bloody slasher and that's what you get. Lots of gore, lot's of nudity (even male full frontal for those who wonder why it's always the girls who get naked for no reason), and plenty of screams. Women get decapitated, dismembered, and even chainsawed in half. The obvious red herring suspect, Willard the groundskeeper (groundskeeper willie?) is absolutely hilarious, as his countenance never changes in any scene. I think he's trying to look angry and sinister, but he always seems like he's holding back laughter. Fans of MST3K will recognize Ian Sera as the jerk singer in Pod People. Other notable cast members include Christopher George, whom horror fans might have seen as Coach George Michaels in Graduation Day, and his real life spouse (at one time), Linda Day George. Bottom line is this is a great horror movie that attempts mediocrity and excels at it. But if you expect cinematic gold, then you shouldn't be shopping in the budget DVD section. 6 out of 10, one point deducted for unnecessary "wang in the moonlight shot".
Neon Nights (1981)
They don't make em like this anymore!
This was the first erotic film I had ever seen. I saw it in 1993 and I was 13 years old and I stole it from my step dad (most 13 year old boys have similar stories, I'm sure). I am now 24 and have seen a lot of classic erotica, but this movie will be forever etched in my memory. Perhaps because it was my first, but more likely because it is rather bizarre, hauntingly filmed, and even a bit wacky at times. Whatever the reason, it is a film that is a must for any fan of classic erotica. 8 out of 10, deducting points for some pretty bad special effects involving telekinesis. You heard me.
La nuit des étoiles filantes (1973)
Don't bother with the US vhs release AKA Zombie 4
I picked up this movie for $4.99 when it came out on vhs titled "Zombie 4: A Virgin Among the Living Dead". I'll admit, I saw Virgin and Living Dead in the same title and it intrigued me. After watching I felt like throwing it in the fire. What a piece of garbage. A nonsensical plot with, get this, NO NUDITY! I had never seen the original uncut version (I still haven't actually), but after reading reviews of this as a trashy nudity filled gore fest, I knew I had a different movie. The version I have doesn't have any black bars at all like a previous reviewer complained about, instead whenever the young girl has bad dreams, we see the same scene of zombies crawling out of a nearby lake and slowly creeping up on her. OH SO BORING! Also, there isn't any gore to keep you interested either. I really need to see the original uncut version, because I hated this film for years thinking Jess Franco sucked, and now I feel bad. Maybe it wasn't his fault after all. I've also been meaning to watch Zombie Lake, because I read that the US version of A Virgin Among The Living Dead had scenes from Zombie Lake spliced in to make it more "interesting" (fyi: it didn't work). That would account somewhat for the nonsensical story.
Black Circle Boys (1997)
Better than most, but don't expect too much.
I have to admit I really liked this movie, especially since I was so sure it was going to be pretty awful. And it very well could have been, if it wasn't for the great cast of unknowns in this film. Eric Mabius went on to do more high profile work in movies like Cruel Intentions and Resident Evil, but I think his performance as the psycho bad boy Shane Carver in this film outshines them all. Scott Bairstow also does a great job as the good boy turned bad because of the death of a close friend. It'd be nice to see him in something else. I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviews of this film, in that it starts strong and has great direction, but the ending is very cliche, turning into a few deaths here and there, and a convenient turnaround for the main character. Despite this fact, it is still an enjoyable movie. Also, the very good, albeit small part played by Donnie Wahlburg makes me wonder why he doesn't get more roles, as opposed to his no talent brother Marky Mark. Also, Lisa Loeb is listed in the opening credits, but I couldn't place her until the 3rd time I saw this movie. She plays "Angry Woman" and is only in the movie for a few seconds, and is gone faster than you can say "cameo".
Little Witches (1996)
Definitely deserves a dvd release.
I have to say this movie deserves a lot more credit than it gets. It may have been made around the same time as The Craft, but it accomplishes a lot to set itself apart. The basic story is the same, naughty schoolgirls discover witchcraft, but the execution sets them apart. The girls in Little Witches are much more like real girls, unlike the polished cliches we get in The Craft. And while it may not have the special effects budget of a hollywood blockbuster, it does a great job with what it does have, a strong story and compelling characters. Modern, more "progressive" witches may find the views of witchcraft this movie carries to be archaic, but hey, dancing naked in circles is a favorite pasttime of witches. So even if the movie doesn't thrill you, you can at least revel in the nude scenes (if you're into that sort of thing, that is). Hands down a great find in the rental store, and it definitely deserves a dvd release of it's own.