Cult Films

I kinda love this and am disappointed I waited so long to see it, although the Blu-ray is worth the wait. The colors and visuals in this are amazing. Although a Shaw Bros production it's not a kung fu movie, and not really a horror either. A mashup of Jodorowsky's Holy Mountain and El Topo, HK Cat 3 witchcraft and demonology, and Buddhist imagery, there's a lot here to take in.

After seeing it I feel it gets unfairly lumped in with the more exploitative trashy HK output of the 80s and early 90s, when it has a lot more to offer (not that I don't like those as well). For one thing just the massive amount of eye candy on screen is reminiscent of movies like Baraka/Samsara, and the force of imagination to come up with so many original set pieces and creatures is insane.

It's not without its faults, an almost inexplicable plot which is the product of being two separate movies mashed into one doesn't help things. But honestly just as a movie to sit back and absorb, it's hard to go wrong with this one.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Classic horror slasher. Needs a sequel. 6 out of 5 stars.

I probably would have liked this as a kid and that's obviously who it's for, but as an adult this is a pretty big mess of a movie. Terrible acting and a truly nonsensical series of events are mixed with flying toys, evil ventriloquist dummies, green screen fx, and an E.T. soundtrack where the director just decided to throw in everything he thought kids would like and plot be damned. Despite that, there's a few things to like, mainly the practical monster fx and well, I guess one thing to like and that's it. I wasn't bored though so there's that.

⭐ ⭐ out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Lady gets bit on the chest by a jungle cobra: "Just like every other snake I met. Can't leave my tits alone"

Sexy pirate blaxploitation filmed in the Philippines but made to look like a Latin island somewhere, this is some B grade Foxy Brown but it still delivers entertainment. Cool kung fu moves, women's prison themes, and a shitload of gunplay, it's violent but not gory.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I'm a fan of old sleazy Spinell, was in some great flicks, and it's kind of a shame that THIS is his final film. Released posthumously after he cut his head open in the shower and bled to death, it's pretty bad, and Spinell just sleepwalks through it seemingly making up his dumb dialog as he goes along. The story, what there is of it, sucks and despite the cast being basically non-actors Spinell's performance makes them look like Shakespearean level thespians. The ending may be the worst part of this movie though, so bad I said fuck me out loud. There's some foxy ladies and a few unintentionally funny moments though, if that sounds like enough to pique your interest, maybe give it a go.

⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Nice gooey demon fx and mutilation makeup and a cool satanic premise, but nothing that will "blow you away" as the poster suggests (although it is a cool poster). It is a fun watch but the Evil Dead worship goes a little bit too far. Don't expect gore and nudity cus there ain't a whole lot, but a guy kung fu kicks a demon's head off its shoulders and a cow skull comes to life and eats someone. I won't say who cus I don't wanna ruin the surprise.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I'm a fan of David Hewlett from his time on SG Atlantis, so wanted to check out some features that he's starred in. He is annoying but likeable at the same time, and Nothing is an interesting premise that's good for a few laughs and an enjoyable watch after work to wind down. A pair of loser roommates are able to make things disappear just by wishing it, until they make the world disappear and it's just a white void outside their door that they decide to explore. It's a very comfortable nerdy movie, and sometimes you're just in the mood for that.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Small slice-of-life drama that proves a story doesn't have to be big to make an impact. No elaborate sets, no nail biting tension, no over-acting. It's all very subtle and the barren and run down north Texas backdrop suits it to a T. Even with his understated and quiet presence, Duvall carries this film on his back the whole way with a little help from Tess Harper as his new wife and Betty Buckley as his ex. Yes, it is a redemption story, but definitely not a dramatic one and promotes realism instead of Hollywood fantasies.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I really enjoyed the gulf coast island scenery, it's not often you see it featured in a film, especially a horror. Other than that, it's pretty slow going, with the first kill taking place pretty late and the others being unremarkable. Otherwise it's just walking around the island but I didn't mind too much as it was nice to look at and shot well. To be honest I would rather be killed by a nightmare creature than be married to the protagonist who is the biggest downer sourpuss ever caught on film. Absolutely miserable. Speaking of nightmares, it's interesting that she believes if she falls asleep the nightmares she has will kill her and the ones she loves. From coffee to cigarettes to burning her hand to stay awake, a lot of this would be replicated a couple of years later in Nightmare on Elm Street. Seems a bit much to just chalk up to coincidence. There's an unusual ending that I won't spoil, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Clever or contrived? You decide.

⭐ ⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

NB has a little bit of everything thrown together that makes for an entertaining watch. Usually I would come down on a movie that doesn't know what it wants to be; a spring break sex comedy? a slasher? a romantic drama? a biker flick? a mystery? But I have a feeling it's actually purposeful here, something for everyone, and it works. The shocking (literally) kills are impressive for the budget, and it keeps you on your toes as to who is the actual murderer without insulting your intelligence with the final reveal. I quite enjoyed it, it's definitely not boring, and I'll always tune in for John Saxon.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

First let me say I was supposed to be pirating Painkiller Jane. I had no idea this wasn't that till halfway through the movie and still no super soldier appeared. Also I couldn't figure out why SyFy would play this movie. It was just an old man in a purge mask murdering pharma execs. Turns I out it was a completely different movie. This movie is so DUMB, literally on par with a Neil Breen movie. Acting is awful and the writing is absolutely juvenile, a 15 year old's wet dream of vigilante justice. Nothing adds up or makes sense, plot holes out the ass, but I can't say it's not entertaining. Maybe because it is so dumb, I don't know, I guess I am dumb. I'm dumb enough to watch the wrong movie.

⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐