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.