Le Corbeau (1943)

Based on a true event, A town is in a grip of terror when a poison pen writer bombards a town with letters telling of their deepest secrets to the world. It is up to a doctor, who has his own dark secret, to stop this madness.

One of the many examples at how horror can be subversive. This was made during the Occupation of France under Continental Pictures, a German run film company. It was directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, who at the time, was running the scriptwriting department for Continental. To put it short and sweet, it was a movie not only against the informer policies of the Vichy government, but also showed people neither in a good or bad light. The characters were flawed and it's through these flaws that true character comes out. Even though this movie was a blockbuster, it was hated by the left and the right. While the left and The Resistance denounced the movie as being anti-Stalinist, the right was denouncing the film as not only anti-Nazi, but also anti-bourgeois. With so much talk coming from France, the Nazi feared that the picture was a bit too nationalistic for it's own good. This resulted in Clouzot being fired from Continental and tailed until Liberation.

Liberation was an all too different beast. Clouzot was rounded up as a "Nazi Sympathiser" and was judged by the courts. Finding out about the arrest, the French arts community when in full force. Actors, Directors, Intellectuals of capitalist and communist leanings alike when to bat for Clouzot. The champaign saved him his job as a director and shrunk his sentence to a two year sit out from film.

This is a truly remarkable piece of film. I encourage anyone who expresses and interest in film in general to pick up this title. You won't regret it.

4 stars.

The Black Cat (1934)

A young couple find themselves stuck in the path of a vengeful psychiatrist who wants to get back at a demonic architect for taking everything away for him.

Even though Lugosi and Karloff portray their characters very well, the real star is the house. With it's art deco and expressionist touches, mixed with the old war battlements, the house sets give a very surrealist and almost evil feeling to it where "even the phones are dead". Director Edgar Ulmer also plays a grand part. He directed this movie as well as written it very well. The conversations between Lugosi and Karloff are almost like knife fights.

The only fault with this movie is that it's too short. I'm pretty sure things could have been fleshed out a bit more. Maybe more conversations during the chess match or a monologue about how the war has affected them. I think that Karloff's satanic intentions could have been worked upon as well. Almost anything about the characters of Hjalmar and Vitus would have been great.

This is a "have" in your collection. Not only for Lugosi and Karloff, but also for Ulmer, who later on, becomes the forefather of Giallo.

4 stars.

The Raven (1935)

A famous plastic surgeon who has a thing for Edgar Allen Poe, falls in love with one of his patients, whose father is a famous judge. The judge denies this love and the surgeon sends a criminal to do his dirty work as trade to fix his face.

This is the second meeting of Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. I don't know what to say really about this film. It's an alright movie , but it just...it just seems that they're forcefully trying to get back the magic of the actors' first meeting except the roles are reversed. I mean, the story is ok. The story is great, it's just that it just didn't feel like enough was involved.

I think one of the problems is that the screenplay just doesn't offer anything. You got all these Poe analogies and they don't lead anywhere. Oh! You got a pit and pendulum. Oh! Scary. One of the real big problems was that you have this genius who doesn't want to get his hands dirty. He messes up this criminal's face to have him do his biding. "Not to dirty his hands". And then what happens? almost half the murder plan, the surgeon's hand is on the lever. Why even mess with the criminal? He's basically a potted plant until the end.

Even though this is something to be part of the collection, I wouldn't be that eager to buy a copy. If we were getting all the great Universal movies, this is probably the last to pick up.

2 stars

Haxan (1922)

Benjamin Christensen looks at the Witch Hunts of the middle ages and relates it to not only persecution from the Church, but of Hysteria and other mental illnesses.

A lot of people mistake this movie as a horror movie. And a statement can be debated since Christensen does use not only noted actors and actresses in Dutch silent cinema as well as use several forms of special effects. Some newly invented by Christensen and crew. The truth, on the other hand. is that this is a very well thought out documentary on the ignorance involved in a dark chapter of the human race. The special effects serve to show us the fevor and dementia the subjects suffer through. This is what makes the movie unique.

The movie was repackaged in 1968 by Explotationer Anthony Blauch. He gave it a jazz score, shortened the run time and gave it a voice over by Beat artist William Burroughs. Even though this gained new interest in the movie, I'd have to say that the repackage had ruined some of it's luster. Christensen had himself said that this movie would not do well as a talkie. And he was correct. As much as I like Burroughs, his voice over didn't add anything to the movie. The jazz was also completely wrong for some scenes then others. In short, Blauch was playing the movie on only it's uniqueness instead of trying to convey a lesson to all while having fun.

This is something to look out for. Christensen is one of the unsung heroes not only in the fields of Horror or Documentation, but of Film itself. A real jewel to one's collection.

4 stars.

Murders In The Rue Morgue (1932)

An evil doctor uses a carnival to mask his experiments with ape blood on women. A medical student catches wind of his plan and trys to stop him.

This is one of Bela Lugosi's better films. I think it's thanks to director/screenwriter Robert Florey and cinematographer Karl Fruend. Lugosi had experience with both men and was comfortable working with them. To put things simply, it's a German horror film with American funding. You can see it in the set design, in the lighting, the camera work, even the script was a lift from Das Cabinet die Caligari (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) but uses an ape instead of a somnambulist. The trademarks of German Expressionism are there. This makes the movie, somewhat unique for it's time.

There are some flaws to the movie, but I believe these flaws were either out of the hands of the crew or were, at the time, limits to the technology they had. Constant cuts from man in ape suit to chimpanzee is a bit annoying. Florey was irked when he was told to eject some humor into the story to "cut the tension". I was irked too. The most the comedy was bad even for his time. It doesn't work and feels 'horned in at times. This has become somewhat the mark of the Hayes Code at the time.

This is a movie that needs to be in anyone's horror collection. No ands, ifs, or buts. Get it! NOW!

Four stars.

H (2002)

Someone is copying the murders of the serial killer Shin Hyun a year after he's captured. It's up to the Seoul police department to stop the copycat, whoever who they may be.

This movie has a huge influence from Fincher's Se7en (Rainy season, kosai/sempai bonding, killing to stymie sin, etc.) with a dash of Silence of The Lambs (Shin Hyun asked for advice) to boot. What works is that it's very brutal and very shocking. They actors are very good and the cinematography is very well done. The only reason this hadn't sold well in Korea was that marketing at the time decided to released the movie around Christmas time. Yeah, I'm sorta flinching at that too. Who in their right mind believed this was a good idea deserved, I repeat, deserved to be fired from whatever position they were at at the time.

That doesn't mean that this movie was perfect. I think the biggest problem with this thing is how it just plods along. Like it was trying to lead us to someplace meaningful, but whatever ore wherever that place was, it was just to far to go. The anti climatic ending will also leave some people cold, although it's pretty understandable. A lot of people will somehow feel cheated and need time to think about it to truly understand it.

While this movie would be good for your collection, I don't think one is to rush out for it instantly. This is one of those movies you should at least buy at your own leisure.

2 and a half stars.

Psychomania (1971)

The son of a warlock successfully kills himself and comes back from the dead. He then encourages his friends to do the same. They ride together as one undead biker gang.

I think one of things that really stands out with this movie is the soundtrack. The roving guitar adds an element to the movie that you don't see in other English horrors. You also have a very original story that was played almost wonderfully. And they accomplish the whole film without an once of gore. All pure terror. The acting was great as well. There is much detailed performances.

I really can't find anything negative to say about this movie. Sure it's somewhat slow, but there's a good reason to keep it slow in order to better understand the story. Other then that, it's squeaky clean. A real gem of 70's British Cinema.

This should definitely be in your collection. My only suggestion is that you can get this at anytime. The DVD is totally bare bone. Unless a special edition comes out, I'd say get this at your own pace. Enjoy.

3 stars.

Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter (2001)

Jesus Christ is called upon when the lesbian population of Ottawa begins to dwindle thanks impart to daywalking vampires. Seeing as he might be outnumber, Jesus calls upon the services of The Saint of Wrestlers, El Santo, to help in his cause.

It's a Horror movie! It's a Bollywood movie! An overdubbed kung-fu movie! A religious epic! It's a wrestling movie! Allll rolled into one. JCVH has got to be one of the most weirdest movies I've ever laid eyes on. Made lovingly by a fan of all the genres. Made on a low budget (and I'm talking looow), this film has taken a life of it's own and has found itself on the shelf of many a genre fan. I think what makes it so is that it doesn't take itself seriously. It knows that it's poorly made and that it doesn't have the sheen of a professionally made film. And you know what? It doesn't matter. It is what is. Take it for what it's worth.
All that mattered is that it was made in fun and wasn't expecting such acclaim.

Now many will say "oh, this was poorly done. Oh, this was overdubbed. Oh, the acting was bad." and I say to them "Get a life!!" Who said they were aiming for the Oscar. Again, yes, all this is true....but who cares. Everyone is having fun. Including the viewer. So sit back, relax, get you some popcorn, maybe a nice cold beverage and relax. Have some fun. It won't hurt ya you know.

Definitely something for the collection. A must see and a must own.

two and a half stars.

La Morte cammina con i tacchi alti (1971)

After finding out her diamond thief father was killed and is threaten by his assailant, a cabaret girl runs off with an eye doctor to England to get away. Things go for the worse as she's killed and the doctor is left critically wounded.

When people talk about giallo, they usually mention Argento, Bava, maybe even Lenzi. Nobody mentions Ercoli. This is because Ercoli never did any horror features. He was purely giallo. Most possibly the default King of Giallo. Heels is definitely one of his best works. It is very stylistic in cinematography. The color is very lush and bright. The characters are detailed and the story is very interesting. It seemingly draws you in and puts you on the edge.

Now giallo isn't for everyone. The thing that might get on people's nerves is that it tends to twist and turn three or four ways at a time. You feel that you may have lost something in translation or at least confused after watching. That's perfectly okay. Giallo, I think, is an acquired taste. You have to learn to like it sometimes.

If you're a big mystery fan, you'll love it. It would also fit well in your collect. But I must tell you that you can not watch this in one sitting all quick like. This film demands your attention and should be watched on a day when you have nothing to do an there is almost no disturbance. I believe it will be a more enjoyable experience.

three stars.

Vampyres (1974)

A traveler and a couple realize they are in the presense of a vampiric lesbian couple who snatch men off the street and feed upon them.

First things first. When has it been acceptable to use someones front yard as a camping area? Honestly? That is possibly the first plot hole I never got. Other then that, if you're are looking for a plot in this movie, forgive me for laughing in your face. Hard. This thing is pure grade A cheesy sexploitation. Wait, wait. I'm sorry. Here, if it's any concession, I'll tel you the plot. Sex, sex, sex, wine, wine, blood, sex sex, a little rest, sex, sex, sex, blood, blood, blood, wine, wine, wine, sex, sex. You get the picture. The plot's so thin, Qui Chang Kang had to walk across it to become a shoulin monk.

Now not to sound like a grumpy gus, there are some good things to this movie. Two pair to be exact. I kid. I kid. Honestly though, the ladies were lovely and played their parts wonderfully. Also, the guy behind the camera was Harry Waxman. He's was also the cinematographer for The Wicker Man. His work behind the lens for this movie definitely flourishes. Lush English forests and decrepit old manors are all the more detailed thanks to Waxman.

If you need to get this movie, that's cool. Horror completest (see! Learned a new word.) would enjoy it. Just remember, if your girl or your wife catches you watching it, tell them it's for the Waxman. Otherwise, it's for the boobies.

2 and a half stars.

Equinox (1967)

A mental patient recounts how he and his friends found themselves at the the foot of an inter dimensional portal and how they confront the horrors that it contained.

What do you get when a bunch of teens get together with $6,500 and help from author Fritz Lieber and Forrest Ackerman AKA The Ackermonster AKA Dr. Ackula? This movie. A budget monster movie that shows off the talents of Dennis Muren, who later would do the effects for movies such as Star Wars, Willow, Jurassic Park and other big budget, high effect movies. It was later picked up by a small production company and expanded into a feature film. This is a basic love letter to Harryhausen as well as other stop motion animators. Very Fun stuff. It is also rumored to inspire the Evil Dead movies, though I really doubt it.

The only downside to the movie is that it takes a while to get into second gear. Scriptwriting wasn't their strong side. Neither was pacing. It would start slow, get some pace, get slow again and then take off too fast into the tree. They would use a Theramin like it was going out of style and it would get annoying after a while.

With all it's flaws, this is one of my favorites out of my collection. It's one of those movies that...feels unique. Yes it seems amature but everyone was having fun at what they were doing. I highly recommend adding this to your collection. You won't regret it. something to watch with everyone I think.

3 stars.

Nudo e Selvaggio (1985)

A plane crashes deep within the Amazon Jungle and the passengers must fight the wilds of the accursed Dinosaur Valley to survive.

This movie was one of many of Indiana Jones ripoffs that started in...I believe 1984. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm humble. This movie is more on the higher level of those ripoffs. I think mainly because at the time...they were tying the last of the "Jungle Cannibal" sub genre to this movie. Try to gets an extra couple bucks out of it. Anyways, this movie has everything. Piranha, quicksand, headhunting natives, white slavery, y'know, everything you like in a Jungle Action movie.

a real nice touch is the Simonetti soundtrack. You're so used to big piping moogs and loud guitars, that you don't realize the range of the composer. Lots of nice Caribbean and Brazilian vibes going with the score. I also would like to point out that this might be the best movie of Mike Sopkiw, one of the many cult actors of the Italo-sploitation cinema.

So while yes, some of the dub is really corny and yes, the characters and effects are cheesy, this is a real nice movie. Real enjoyable for serious or even a laugh. I think you'd like it if you're a big "Jungle Peril" fan.

Three stars.

Shiryo no Wana (1988)

A Reporter gets a snuff movie via mail and decides to trace it. Her search leads her to an abandoned factory, not knowing a psycho killer is at large.

It doesn't take a genius to know that this is japan's version of what a Dario Argento movie looks like to them. From the gruesome murders to the music, it somewhat has Dario's fingerprints on them. That's cool. Nothing wrong with paying homage to the ones who inspire you. In fact, that's the thing that makes it great. It's a valiant effort.

What shuts it down is the last 45 minutes. I mean, yeah, try to tie it up, but do you wanna tie it up that way? It all feels rushed and listless in where you want the movie to go. This was totally breakfast meeting material. Walks in the park could have come up with better material then this. Not that I'm against leaving the audience going "WTF?" at the end, but geez, can we just anchor it a little better then what you put out. It makes everyone feel cheated.

While this is a cornerstone for J-Horror Cinema, I don't think one should put out an effort yet to search this out. If you must get it, make sure you get the essentials before it. Like Gojira and Tetsuo.

2 stars.

Shadow of The Vampire (2000)

F.W. Murnau partakes in a great experiment. Filming a vampire movie with an actual vampire. Things don't turn out the way he wants them to.

I love this movie. It's nicely paced and the characters are detailed. I totally loved the chemistry between Defoe (as Orlok) and Malkovich (as Murnau). You actually believe there is a tension there. What is really interesting is that they built the story around the simple mythology of Max Shrek. Even though it is a psudonem, the acting of the actor is so great, you really have to ask yourself if there is more to it then just a name. Another the thing that makes the movie is the score. The music mirrors the film music you might hear from 1920's music. The sets are awesome as well as the direction of Herr Merhige, a specialist in silent cinema.

If there is anything bad about it, it has to be the pacing. It starts great at first, but when it gets close to the end, it feels kinda rushed. In story as well. I can easily see this as a three hour movie, but I guess they had limitations and had to work with what they had. Come to think of it, other parts needed to be fleshed out as well.

This is definitely a movie to get for your collection if you are a horror fan. It's also a movie you can put in at any time to impress friends. An essential in the 21st Century.

Four Stars.

Wolfen (1981)

Based on a novel by Whitley Striber, The murder of an industrialist and his wife takes a detective out of retirement and leads him to confront an ancient force.

First of all, let me get this out of the way. This isn't a "werewolf" movie. Yes, it was released during a small werewolf revival (The Howling, American Werewolf In London), but it is not a werewolf movie. If I were to put this movie in a sub-genre, it would have to be a "Mythic Beings" or an "Old Ones" sub-genre. Because of this, I think people thought they got ripped and gave bad word of mouth. That's why there was low turnout and gave this a cult aura. Do I blame the folks? Not one bit.

Anyways, this was a nice paced movie covering original material. The characters was well fleshed and there was great chemistry. Especially Albert Finney and Greg Hines. The location was awesome, especially the abandoned church. It also works the fx to a minimum. The special "wolf cam" really works. OH! Before I forget, Tom Waits has a cameo in this movie.

The only negative I can come up with is continuity errors in some areas. There are some areas that really make you go "Huh?" Somethings were forced, but are really forgettable. That's it.

This is definitely a must own for horror fans. If not a fan of Horror, a wolf movie fan then. If you're not a fan of wolves, then it's for pubic wig movie fans.

3 stars

Hell of The Living Dead (1980)

A military unit is sent to New Guinea to shut down a faulty chemical plant and run into a couple of journalists sent to cover the plant as well as flesh eating zombies.

Dubbed "the worst zombie movie ever", it really shows. There is liberal uses of stock footage, a soundtrack ripped from Goblin's Dawn of The Dead score as well as concepts and costumes. Let's not beat around the bush, it's Dawn of The Dead in New Guinea. Even the makeup fx is bad. It's like they took a bunch of crap and just put it on their face and started to walk slow. "Look at me. I'm like walking slow with crap on my face. I'm so like a zombie!" Cut to stock footage of elephants. Oh look! Boobies! Cut to stock footage of humming birds. "AAGGHHHH! I'm Totally getting attacked by a zombie!! AAAGGGHH!!" Cut to stock footage of Batman. That's almost the whole movie right there. Cut to stock footage of Leave It To Beaver.

Now, just by saying it's bad, doesn't mean it's a complete wash. Franco Garofalo does his best to work with the material given to him and the people he's working with, thus making him one of the more intriguing characters of the film. And there's boobies. And....yeah. That's it.

This movie would be good if you're really bored or you and friends want to have a laugh or two. Otherwise, if you're a collector, get this when your financially tight.

Two stars.