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That Man Bolt (1973)

Setup with a murder rap and missing his passport, an international courier is forced to take a cool million to Mexico City. But there's more than meets the eye as he lands in LA on his way there.

What to say about this movie? A lot of people like to call this "black James Bond", but I tend to disagree. Williamson is more of a rogue version of Derek Flynt. Really it's a whole mish mash of things. One part Shaft. One part Enter The Dragon. One part Bullit. All mashed up together. William played the role like it was born from him. The action was wham bam fast and the movie is chock full of it. Great locations make this movie stand out. really great popcorn movie.

With that said, this movie could have been sooo much better. I mean it. The movie was convoluted as all hell. "It's real money." "It's fake money" "It's clean money" "It's dirty money'. If you really need a road map to understand what kind of money it really is, this really isn't a movie for you. It's like they had a good simple script and just added on and on to it thinking it will sell even more tickets. This thing really needed a better editor then what it had. A good 20 minutes could have been chopped off. the music didn't have much going for it as well. It sounded like manufactured funk. I'm sorry. gunk. Goldstein doesn't....get funk. It isn't a couple trumpets here, Some wha wha guitars there. It's the feeling behind the that makes it work.

Universal really are asking for it. Another barebones disc. Nothing but a trailer. Alright audio/visual. I'm beginning to think that Uni doesn't really care about it's blaxploitation collection. If they don't want to mess with the stuff, license it to Anchor Bay or Blue underground. They'll do a better job.

Two and a half stars.

Across 110th Street (1972)

Two cops need to learn to work together in order to find three thieves who stole three hundred thousand dollars from the mob. Will they get to them in time before the mob does?

A lot of people thinks this is a blaxploitation film, but it isn't. Sure it takes place in Harlem and it does deal with issues pertaining to black people, but the lead character (Anthony Quinn) is white. So this is really a hard, gritty noir. Nevertheless, it does deal with universal issues. Particularly the idea of wasted time. All three of the main characters (Head thief, Mafia "messenger", police detective) are dealing with the fact that their lives are starting to amount to a hill of beans and aren't about to cut it in this new era. The story is raw and very well done and the main actors (Quinn, Franciosa, Benjamin) really bring out their characters very well. Kotto, playing a young, by the book cop does particularly good as well. But the real praise goes to Harlem itself. It's state of ruin and detriment helps reinforce the feeling of nihilism and depression that motivates the thieves to steal.

Is there some cons. eeehhh. One or two. The film had the feeling of being a bit long. I think this is due to the pacing. Trying to get all the characters introduced kind of slowed it a bit down. Trying to get everyone down at once in one big fell swoop just didn't do it. More evenly paced introduction would have done the film a whole lot better. Give the story a lot more impact.

The DVD is barebones. You're only given a trailer. The audio and visuals are alright. It looks like a transfer, but I'm ok with that. I do wished they did more coverage on this dvd. Just an interview from Yappet Kotto would have made a difference.

Three stars.

Blacula (1972)

An African price is cursed with vampirism and is locked in his tomb for two hundred years. After being released, he stalks a woman who resembles his long lost wife.

a sense of loss. A wanting of a At first look, this seems to be a cheesy little movie. Yes, there are glaring caricatures and no need to be apologetic about it. What makes the movie interesting is the reincarnation subplot. It was the subplot that makes this movie truly unique from the standard vampire fair. By adding this subplot, which was brilliantly done by William Marshall and Vonetta McGee, they gave Mumuwaldeshred of humanity that he can not have because of his cursed hunger. I think this was the first movie that not only looks at the vampire as a somewhat sympathetic being, but looks at vampirism as an illness. Brilliant script work helps this point out tremendously.

What holds this whole movie together is Marshall. A man, in my opinion, who is totally screwed out of the eschelon of the recognized "vampire" actors. Marshall understood the material and he went beyond the material. He even changed the name of his character from Andy to Mumuwalde. He added an elegance and nobility to the character that totally overshadowed everyone in the movie. You want to see how well played this character was, check out the climax. Marshall plays a whole range of emotions in the matter of minutes. He show how bad longing for humanity could be.

The downside of the film is really how it was packaged into DVD. It's criminally barebones. You not given anything more from MGM. No out take footage. No commentary. Not even an interview from Marshall. All we're given is a trailer and very good Audio/Visual clean up. A Damn shame, I think.

Four stars. All hail the King of Cartoons, baby.

Yasagure anego den: sôkatsu rinchi (1973)

After being set up for murder, Ocho sets out to find the culprits with the help of an assassin and a former yakuza boss. Together, they find themselves in the middle of a web of sex, drugs and murder.

Because this a sequel, you expect them to out do the first movie. Not only do they out do, but they just throw the fucking kitchen sink at you. Beautiful cinematography really helps bring this story together. the film was also helmed by Teruo Ishii, a founding member of the "ero-guro" (erotic-grotesque) movement at the time. While Norifumi Suzuki is of the same movement, both these men were two sides of the coin. While Suzuki's "ero-guro" style was tasteful and added to the point being made, Ishii's was like a madman stabbing his brush at the canvas. He is...high octane to the point where it seems like camp, but it works so well with the script.

The script is another thing that really makes the movie work. some think that Ishii's co-scriptwriting label is why it seems to be so over the top, but this isn't true. The script was more...open to interpretation. For instance, I can see Ishii sitting with the screenwriter and talk about the final scene. He sits back in his chair, looks at Mr. screenwriter and smiles.

ISHII: I'm really loving the script. I'm totally into it.

Mr. S: *bows* Thank you so much sir.

I: Especially the big climax. It just might sell this movie.

S: Might?

I: Yeah. It's great! It's awesome! Don't get me wrong. It's just needs a little...punch.

S: What could be a bigger punch then an all girl rumble against their oppressors?

I: Ohhh....boobies?

S: "Bu-beis"?

I: Yeah. Tons of them.

S: *pauses* I think I see.

I: That's the ticket.

And so on and so forth with the rest of the script.

The DVD, like Sex and Fury, is part of the Pinky Violence Collection put out by Panick House. Again, PH has done a very awesome job with the movie. The sound is crisp and the visuals are awesomely restored (save a few frames). The extras are the same as S&F. You're given lobby and poster art, bios of actors, a trailer and a commentary by Chris D., a specialist of Asian cinema. Very cool find for hardcore and general film fans alike.

Three stars.

Furyô anego den: Inoshika Ochô (1973)

After witnessing the murder of her father, a girl grows up to be a gambler bent on finding his killers. She finally gets a chance to fulfill her vow while carrying out a dead dealers last request. She runs into foreign spies, anarchists and politically influencing industrialists during her quest.

With lack of a better term, this is "Pop art porn". Visually stimulating and stunning trash that lifts itself out of the sea of exploitation and comes as a movie unto itself. One of the best standouts of the "sukeban" (Delenquency) sub genre. With superb camera work, story keeping you riveted and excellent acting from Reiko Ike and Christina Lindberg, this film is able to keep the interest of anyone who watches it. All brought to you by Norifumi "School of The Holy Beast" Suzuki. The man's "over the top" attitude is all over this piece.

While this film has the effect of a neiman marcus cookie on top of chocolate ice cream, smothered with caramel and chocolate, it might turn off some people with it's long sequences of nudity, rape and bondage sequences. There are periodical inconsistencies as well (there were panties during the Meiji era?), but I doubt you'll be focusing on any of that while watching the picture.

This DVD...wow! That's what I can say right now. Visuals and audio is stunning. Colors are bright. Sound is clear. The extras are awesome. You get a trailer, bios of the more important stars, an essay on the "Pinky violence" sub genre done by researcher Chris D. Chris also did a commentary track for the movie which I am kicking myself for because I totally missed it and forgot to listen to. I think even the general movie fan needs to pick this up for their collection. A must have to own and to watch.

Oh! Almost forgot! It comes with it's own sticker in the shape of Ms. Ike as well!! Cool!!

Three and a half stars.

Girls Are For Loving (1973)

Ginger and Jason are hired by the CIA to make sure a high priority trade agreement between the Asians and Americans goes real smoothly and without a hitch. A fiery haired millionairess with an eye on another kind of trading has other ideas.

This almost made it to being the picture it wanted to be. It was sooo close. They had a bigger budget and location shots. Yes! They weren't shooting at friends and families places anymore. They had actual sets. Most the actors where great as well. They did their parts the best they can. We even get a burlesque song and dance act from Ginger, swathed in blue feathers. We also have, of course, tons of boobies and bondage. So, you might be asking yourself "If all this is so good, why didn't it make the cut in what it was supposed to be? A good, cheesy flick?" Well I'll tell you.

I think with the success of Abductors, Don Swain thought he was really hot shit and decided to write the scripts on his own again. Big no-no Don. Last time he wrote the script...he sucked (See Ginger). He doesn't understand pacing. He wants everything all at once and that really hurt the story. The places the story got weak, it was filled with an explosion or a half hearted action fight sequence. Would it have hurt Swain if he took the extra money he pocketed and hired a fight choreographer. It just turns into a flashier version of the same crap we saw with the first movie. there should be no excuse for it.

Just like the last two in the trilogy, the visuals on the DVD are VHS quality with better audio then normal. The extras are also slim as usual. You get the normal offerings as well as another candid shoot of Ms. Caffaro as well as a downloadable calender. If you really want to get the whole trilogy for completion sake, that's cool. If you're buying individual copies, just go for Abductors.

Two stars. A weak two stars.

Two stars.

The Abductors (1972)

Ginger McAllister and Jason Varone are together again. This time to figure out who is abducting young, beautiful women in Smalltown USA and who is behind selling them into white slavery.

This movie was a good step up from the last one. Writer/director Don Swain got a better budget as well as someone to help him flesh out the script. He also got more experienced stars (Rich Smedley, Jeramie Rains, Laurie Rose) to compliment Ms. Caffaro, who is now comfortable with the role and is starting to make it her own. The pacing was a bit simple, but better. there was a rhythm to it. And while yes, this was an outlandish flick, it's easier to take in stride. especially the scene where ginger and Jason stare straight at the business end of a concealed automated squad of shotguns. I was literally shout out "Oh, Come On!", smiling in disbelief. And of course, you can't forget the minutes upon minutes of nudity and bondage.

Was there anything wrong with the movie? There were a few things. Scenes were played out sometimes. You had a sense that it was to fill time for the film. There still some inconsistencies with the story. Why would any one care about a small town (and small press) magazine, is a bit weird. There are other plot holes, but this is just the tip. It still had an amateurish feel to it. Some camera effects were used like it was the first time for the DP. It still felt it was shot at friends and family's houses, just that they got to incorporate vehicles and stunts into the action now.

This is the second part of the Ginger trilogy put out by Monterey. Like the first movie, the visuals are VHS quality while the sound is a bit better. The extras are few, but ok. The same as the first, you get a filmography and a lobby card section. You also get a couple of candid shots of Ms. Caffaro too, if you get what I mean. If I were to sell you this alone, I'd say it be a keeper to be viewed on slow or rainy days.

Two stars.

Ginger (1971)

A High Society girl goes deep cover for the authorities to help them nail a group of snobby rich kids running a drugs and forced prostitution racket. The only way out is nabbing the crooks....or death.

The first in a trilogy, Ginger is some what a landmark series to the "42nd St." set. Unfortunately, it's the worst out of the three. This was Cheri Caffaro's first film and it shows. Caffaro was selected for her more...physical attributes. Playing the lead was a really tall order for her. It seems other acting parts were also tall orders for other actors as well. I'm not saying their acting is bad per say, but a lot of the performances were of the high school and/or the college variety. The only one who actually has acting chops, dies near the end of the first reel. That's how sad the acting is. Whoever was on casting needed to be shot. Whether or not they were shooting on the fly or not has yet to be determined.

The production is a piece of crap as well. The biggest thing was lighting which was totally bogus. the person in charge of lighting needed to be shot. The locations looked like they were shot at friends and families homes. The story...the story sucks. Sure, a spoiled rich kid mafia with a token angry black man is a nice idea, but nothing was actually executed. Just acting angry....or snobby.....or cruel. Nothing that has them standing out. Scenes go on too long with a naked body or two tossed in to keep things interesting as well as to keep people awake with the boobies. in fact, that's the only thing that was great about the film. Titties. All over the place. With just a hint of bondage.

The DVD is ok. The visuals was ripped off a VHS. Not that it's wrong or anything. I like a somewhat "natural" feel to the films I see. Others... not so much. The audio is pretty much alright. The extras aren't anything to write about. Just Ms. Caffaro's filmography. Very meager offering.

One and a half stars.

Olga's Girls (1964)

We follow the everyday life of a drug dealer and white slaver who works for the syndicates of New York. We see how she deals with dishonesty, rebellion and death in this 42nd St. exploitation film.

This has got to be the closest I've been to 42nd St sleaze. Produced by George Weiss and directed by Joseph Mawra, two popular Poverty Row personalities, this movie is somewhat a stand out of the exploitation genre. While the budget was so bargain basement, they had to shoot with no sound, they make up for it with brilliant cinematography. The camera is almost surgical in it's composure. The play on light and shadows is put to good use and makes the picture really unique. With help from almost constant narration from lead actress Audrey Campbell and Joe Holt, this film comes of as a cross between the short films of Irving Klaw and those 1950's high school films about proper hygiene and how to ask a girl out to a formal date. this movie can also be seen as the "forefather" of the Wicked Dominatrix sub genre of exploitation.

Now, if you're expecting this to be a serious film, then I'd have to laugh at you. This movie was shot over the span of a couple of days, so don't expect all the acting to be high caliber. It's a bunch of vignettes in a somewhat Grand Ginol tradition being held together with some good narration. Add some tits and ass, some "supposed" lesbianism, and torture scenes that are somewhat laughable and you got yourself a tidy popcorn movie for it's time. Sit back, enjoy the ride. It was never ment to be taken seriously in the first place.

I must say, DVD wise, I was virtually creaming my pants when I saw how clear and cleaned up Synapse's copy of the movie was. very clear and pristine it is. The audio is great as well. No hissed and pops. The soundtrack stands on it's own with the narration. The features are ok as well. You've got a trailer and a commentary track featuring Andre Salas, film journo and critic and Audrey Campbell, the woman who played Olga. The commentary is nothing to write home about, and sometimes we are left with lulls of silence. I do hope Synapse picks up the other Olga films, but for now, we'll just have to count on Something Weird's one disc collection. A definite own for the psychotronic fan and a possible conversation piece for the movie fan in general.

I give it....two and a half stars. A healthy two and a half.