| Movies U must C - I to LMovie Reviews - IInserts – A bizarrely neglected film which was unjustly panned by the critics upon its original theatrical release, Inserts is a superb, completely engrossing Drama powered by a terrific ensemble of actors all working at the top of their considerable game.  The film is set in 1930s Hollywood. Richard Dreyfuss stars as Boy Wonder; formerly a critically acclaimed silent film director who failed to make the transition when motion pictures began using sound. Now he lives a recluse-like existence in his large apartment, sating his artistic side by making silent porno flicks with performers the likes of pea-brained Rex, the Wonder Dog [a funny Steven Davies] and tragic heroine addict Harlene [an excellent Veronica Cartwright], who is plied with the drugs she craves in exchange for services rendered. During Boy Wonder’s latest shoot, his producer, Big Mac [a cast against type Bob Hoskins] and the producer’s girlfriend Cathy Cake [a superb Jessica Harper], arrive at his apartment to deliver payment to the actors. Cathy stays and watches the sex being shot, fascinated in Boy Wonder’s process of directing real coupling. When a tragedy occurs, Big Mac hurriedly leaves to see how he can rectify it, leaving Cathy alone with Boy Wonder. Cathy ultimately makes a proposition to the director; she will appear in the ‘insert’ shots needed for his latest film. The film now shifts focus into a fascinating, psychological two header between Boy Wonder and Cathy Cake, exploring their characters and their gradually developing, frequently abrasive relationship with one another.
Set entirely in Boy Wonder’s apartment [bar the opening shot] and focusing on only five characters, Inserts might strike some to be little more than a filmed stage play, however the film transcends such criticisms and makes a virtue out of its’ potentially limiting set up. In fact the films’ tight knit focus ensures a greater depth and stronger interplay between the characters than if the setting had been expanded, creating a truly powerful character study, while addressing the many issues inherent in the world of pornography. Most of all though it is Boy Wonder’s story and Dreyfuss fully inhabits the flawed character in all his self-loathing, conflicted neuroses and deeply felt pain, which is calculatedly masked by his cold, matter of fact vocalising about sex; the sad words of an impotent man who can’t bring himself to believe in any form of love. | | Trivia: Inserts suffered brief language cuts to obtain an ‘X’ certificate for its UK theatrical release; the films’ strong sex scenes passed intact. The film received a commercially unviable ‘X’ rating in the US; it proved a critical and financial failure. The US ‘R’ rated version of Inserts is missing 18 minutes of footage. | | Directed by John Byrum – 1974 – 117 minutes – Starring Richard Dreyfuss [Jaws, Stakeout], Jessica Harper [Suspiria], Veronica Cartwright [Alien], Bob Hoskins [Who Framed Roger Rabbit] and Stephen Davies. | | If you like this you may also like: Boogie Nights [1997] – Paul Thomas Anderson’s ultra-stylish epic, featuring a brilliantly acted ensemble, tackles the 1970s porn industry while focusing on the trials and tribulations of one of its’ up and coming [no pun intended] stars, Dirk Diggler [Mark Wahlberg]. | | Reason U must C – Richard Dreyfuss gives a tour de force performance in this brave and brilliant piece of filmmaking. | | Find a Film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
It’s Alive – A classy, very well acted low budget gem written and directed by bona fide cult hero, Larry Cohen. A couple named the Davies’ are expecting a baby; but they don’t count on their new born child being a dangerously violent, hideously mutated  offspring who will tear apart the doctors who have birthed it. Mr Davies is both frightened and appalled by the child. Mrs Davies loves her child no matter what and feels protecting it is her motherly duty. After several deaths the authorities try to intervene, seeing the child as a viable threat. When the mutant baby flees, Mr Davies agrees to assist the police in their hunt for the child. Can he bring himself to kill his own child? Considering the schlocky, exploitative subject matter of It’s Alive, it comes as a surprise to find such an intelligent, balanced look at the prejudices inherent in mankind, subtly conveying the unjust and painful trauma felt by society’s victims. Despite its effectiveness as a horror thriller, this is ultimately a very human film which conveys the sadness and difficulties faced by families with deformed or physically/mentally impaired children. It’s Alive is memorable for the considerable sympathy it awards to its ‘monster’, a powerful conceit which works as a metaphor for those among us who are primed to suffer through no fault of their own. | | Trivia: Larry Cohen made this film simultaneously with Hell Up In Harlem, the follow-up to his blaxploitation hit Black Caesar; It’s Alive was filmed on weekdays while Hell Up In Harlem was filmed on weekends! The film was a sizeable hit for Warner Brothers, who commissioned two sequels. | | Directed by Larry Cohen – 1974 – 91 minutes - Starring John P. Ryan, Sharon Farrell, James Dixon, William Wellman Jr., Andrew Duggan and Shamus Locke. | | If you like this you may also like: It’s Alive III: Island of the Alive [1987] – The excellent third instalment, starring the brilliantly odd ball Michael Moriarty. The Stuff [1985] – Another wonderful cult film from Larry Cohen; this cult classic concerns the discovery and subsequent mass marketing of an addictive tasting gooey substance which has erupted from the Earth. Unfortunately it induces un-foretold side effects on those who ingest it and can apparently grow in size. World domination is its goal! | | Reason U must C - It's a gory, yet touching tale about a marauding mutant baby. | | Find a film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
Movie Reviews - KKekko Kamen – Wonderfully naughty, saucy Anime based on Go Nagai’s Manga [comics] about a female superhero who cheekily fights for love and justice wearing nothing but a red mask and boots! You read that right; she’s sans togs, naked. The story centres on the sadistic Big Toenail of Satan, the mask wearing head of the Spartan Institute of Higher Education. If your grades don’t add up here it’s off to the Institute’s Terrifying Torture Chamber for you; unless you’re a male that is! The fiendish Big Toenail and his equally perverted right hand man Teacher Ben [they even argue over who is more perverted!] have their  leering sights set on eternally slacking student Mayumi Takahashi and they set about improving her grades as only they know how; by having their pain loving Punishment Counsellor, Nazi-styled dominatrix lady Gestapoko subject her to saucy S&M punishment with her whip, primarily involving the removal of her clothing. But before these sleazy fiends can subject Mayumi to the ultimate humiliation by displaying her nether regions for the whole school to see, Kekko Kamen appears to save the day! Kekko has to face off against the dreaded whip wielding Gestapoko and beats her as only she knows how; by spanking the daylights out of her dominatrix backside with her Nunchaku [chain sticks]! Kekko’s main special move however is her open thigh technique, whereby she flies through the air legs akimbo before landing crotch first on a hapless [and usually delighted] villain’s face! This naturally leads to much cheeky fun. Kekko’s other opponents include a gay, narcissistic, muscle bound gym teacher who is really the replacement Punishment Counsellor and goes by the name Taro Schwarzenegger in the English dub! This blonde bombshell is Big Toenail of Satan’s secret weapon against Kekko Kamen, as he says; ‘No beautiful big breasted girl can resist huge muscles!’ His dastardly plan works; Kekko cannot defeat the muscle bound oaf as his incessant muscle twitching and ludicrous posing brings her dangerously close to orgasm! How will she get out of this one?! Other foes include a robotic babe designed by Big Toenail and Teacher Ben to help students; if students fail to answer questions correctly her electrified tentacles get decidedly frisky with their chest areas! A sleazy Samurai [given a Sean Connery accent in the English dub!] is also hired to slice off underperforming students’ clothing and subsequently snap pictures of their nubile flesh to stick on the student notice boards; it beats community service I suppose! Kekko is going to have her work cut out for her besting these lecherous ne’er do wells. A satirically seedy jiggle fest full of side-splittingly silly scenarios and salute-worthily dodgy dialogue complete with self-referential asides, Kekko Kamen is a hilariously naughty gem well worth dropping your togs for. | | Trivia: Voice actor Joji Yanada is famous for providing the narration for the hugely popular anime series Dragonball and Dragonball Z and also voiced a character in Hayao Miyazaki’s classic feature Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind [1984]. Voice actress Mika Kanai provided one of the voices for the Japanese dubbed version of Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock TV series. Kekko Kamen suffered censor cuts upon its original UK release; 4 minutes and 18 seconds of footage was cut in order to obtain an ‘18’ certificate. The cut material included tongue in cheek scenes of sexual violence i.e. women’s clothing being torn off. Scenes depicting Kekko Kamen wielding her Nunchaku [chain sticks] were also removed due to BBFC policies of that time. The recent DVD release of Kekko Kamen was thankfully passed uncut by the BBFC. Voice actress Kikuko Inoue is the Japanese dub actress for American actress Lea Thompson. Voice actor Mitsuaki Hoshino is the Japanese dub actor for LeVar Burton aka; Geordi La Forge in the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series. Go Nagai also wrote and directed a live action adaptation of Kekko Kamen in 1991/92. | | Directed by Nobuhiro Kondo – 1991/92 – 90 minutes – Animated - Starring Emi Shinohara [Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust], Arisa Ando [Fist of the North Star], Mika Kanai [Vampire Princess Miyu], Joji Yanami, Kazue Komiya [Dirty Pair], Mitsuaki Hoshino [Animaniacs], Kiyoyuki Yanada and Kikuko Inoue [Ah! My Goddess]. | | If you like this you may also like: Cutey Honey [1994/95] – Another of Go Nagai’s iconic Manga creations gets the Anime treatment in this colourful, flamboyant, wonderfully entertaining adaptation. As the title heroine says; ‘Honey Flash!’. Devilman: Birth [1987] – Cracking Horror Anime based on Go Nagai’s Manga, centring on innocent young man Akira Fudo’s ultimate transformation into a monstrous human/Demon hybrid being in order to battle an ongoing Demon onslaught on Earth. Devilman: Siren, the Demon Bird [1990] – Excellent sequel featuring a deadly new nemesis for Devilman, the winged Demon bird Silene. Both Devilman Anime’s are thoughtful, emotional, gory, effective tales and are stylishly animated. Just avoid the hilariously awful dubbed versions with their myriad of gratuitous added swearing. | | Reason U must C – It’s a joyously sleazy, light hearted load of fun; an Anime so gleefully demented and knowingly ludicrous it’s simply uproariously funny. | | Find a Film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
The Killer Elite – James Caan stars in this quirky, thoughtful, undervalued Thriller from master director Sam Peckinpah. The Killer Elite is a surprisingly low key film of macho codes of honour and Martial Arts violence. Caan is freelance elite assassin Mike Locken; Robert Duvall is fellow assassin George Hansen, his partner and best friend. They both get on famously and take on risky jobs that the CIA won’t touch, until that is when Mike is double-crossed by his loyal cohort and is left crippled after a surprise shooting. The film now morphs into a meditative look at the bitter resolve and slow recuperation of the wounded, betrayed Mike as he gradually learns to move around again and forms a relationship with his nurse. Mike is lured back into the business to take on a new job; he accepts in order to get even with his duplicitous ex-partner Hansen, whose actions unforgivably violated their unspoken moral code. Mike quickly assembles a small crack team of quirky, trustworthy associates to aid him in his mission; the trigger happy Jerome Miller [Bo Hopkins] and the quiet, resourceful Mac [Burt Young]. The three of them are in charge of protecting a group of important Chinese people [including one played by Mako] and are up against not only Hansen but an unstoppable army of Ninjas. The Killer Elite places much emphasis on slow, contemplative character beats before Mike and Hansen’s inevitable showdown. This stealth sequence takes place on eerie docks at night with Mike’s team mates in fixed positions until Jerome slowly makes his way under the docks; Peckinpah’s measured build set up generates considerable suspense until the understated payoff. The film culminates in a superb Martial Arts showdown taking place on a series of WW2 ships whereby Mike [complete with cane] and Mac take on the Ninjas with considerable élan while Jerome picks people off from on high. The finale finds time for more cynical criticism of untrustworthy authority figures, before concluding on a perversely cheery note akin to an 80s buddy movie. No mean feat. | | Trivia: Legendarily big breasted Russ Meyer starlet Uschi Digard appears uncredited [though sadly not unclothed] during the Party scene. Co-Star Walter Kelley also appeared in the following Sam Peckinpah films: Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid [1973], Convoy [1978] and The Osterman Weekend [1983]. Actress Tiana Alexandra is allegedly the only woman to have been personally trained in the Martial Arts by Bruce Lee. Actor Bo Hopkins also co-starred in Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch [1969] and The Getaway [1972]. | | Directed by Sam Peckinpah – 1975 – 122 minutes – Starring James Caan [The Godfather, Misery], Robert Duvall [The Godfather 1&2, Falling Down], Burt Young [Rocky 1-6], Bo Hopkins, Mako [Conan 1&2], Kate Heflin, Gig Young, Tiana Alexandra, Arthur Hill, Sondra Blake, James Wing Woo [Lethal Weapon 4], Carole Mallory [Starsky and Hutch], Tom Clancy, Walter Kelley and George Cheung [ER]. | | If you like this you may also like: Thief [1981] – Michael Mann’s directorial debut, a cracking Crime Thriller starring James Caan and James Belushi. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia [1974] – A dark, tragic, blackly comic masterpiece from director Sam Peckinpah, starring a never better Warren Oates as life’s ultimate loser Benny, whose actions will take him to a psychological Hell where redemption is null and void. | | Reason U must C – It’s a meditative, cynical look at themes of loyalty, professionalism and friendship which also finds time for Ninja showdowns and dockside shootouts. | | Find a Film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
Killer Klowns From Outer Space – Killer Klowns is a film you’d imagine having trouble living up to its wild premise, another case of great title: poor film. Fortunately however you’d be woefully mistaken. A wonderful Cult movie which deftly blends Science-Fiction, Horror and Comedy, Killer Klowns features the typical 50s B-movie narrative of teenagers uncovering a dastardly alien plot to takeover Earth, with the added twist that the aliens are a race of malevolent clowns who intend to turn the Earth’s inhabitants into human candyfloss. The film Bounces along playfully with candy coloured visuals and a consistent inventiveness; every stereotypical clown gag is sent up in a glorious series of clever, striking and often hilariously mean spirited set-pieces. Though including a few chilling moments amidst the knockabout hi-jinks, this is by and large a joyfully fun romp which is sheer perfection from start to finish. | | Trivia: The film was written by three brothers; Charles, Edward and Stephen Chiodo. The film was made for $2 million; this covered actor’s wages, production costs, etc. However the clown masks and make-ups were devised and created by the Chiodo brothers at their own expense. | | Directed by Stephen Chiodo – 1988 – 88 minutes – Starring Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson, John Vernon, Michael Siegel, Peter Licassi, Christopher Titus and Royal Dano as Farmer Gene Green. | | If you like this you may also like: House 2: The Second Story [1987] – Hugely enjoyable Horror Comedy sequel about a crystal skull with magical properties and the various creatures and mystical beings which attempt to steal it. Co-staring Royal Dano as ‘Gramps’, a dead cowboy who is resurrected by his Great, Great Grandson Jesse [Arye Gross], who has inherited a mysterious house/Aztec temple. | | Reason U must C – The evil clown idea has never been done better. The films’ title song [performed by The Dickies] is absolutely cracking! | | Find a Film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
Movie Reviews - LThe Last Dragon - This 80’s Martial Arts action movie really is a fun ro mp around the streets of Harlem. Peaceful Kung-Fu expert Bruce Leroy [inspired name!] finds himself having to fight in order to protect beautiful pop diva Laura Charles [Vanity]. A greedy business man is desperate to get his latest singer to feature on Charles’ top rated TV music show, and will let nothing get in his way. As his threats fail to convince her, he recruit’s the help of the baddest Kung-fu master of the streets and kidnaps her. The result is that Bruce will have to summon the courage to track her down and fight his nemesis, the evil Sho’Nuff. The end battle is classic glitz, with a wonderfully over-the-top battle of magic Kung-Fu moves. The film has just the right blend of action, comedy and musical numbers [it’s produced by Berry Gordy of Motown Records fame] and features some nice archive footage of Bruce Lee. | | Trivia:Vanity was lead singer in the pop group Vanity 6 and apparently dated Prince for a while. During the movie keep an eye out for a brief appearance by William H. Macy in one of his early film roles. On its release the BBFC cut 1 minute and 59 seconds from the film, removing all shots of nunchaku [chain sticks] weapon use. This weapon was banned from being shown in films from the mid-1970s until 1999 when the ban was finally lifted. | | Directed by Michael Schultz - 1985 - 108 minutes - Starring Taimak, Vanity, Julius Carry, Christopher Murney and Mike Starr [Dumb & Dumber]. | | If you like this you may also like: They Call Me Bruce? [1982] A slapstick comedy based on the simple premise that a man resembles Bruce Lee! Beverly Hills Ninja [1997] Patchy martial arts comedy with a spirited performance from Chris Farley. | | Reason U must C - The explosive finale kung fu fight is worth the build-up. | | Find a Film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
The Last House on the Left – Wes Craven’s directorial debut is an unsparingly bleak, ferociously grim, surprisingly intelligent Horror classic which continues to divide audiences to this day. To celebrate her birthday, Mari Collingwood [Sandra Cassell] is going to the city with her friend Phyllis [Lucy Grantham] to see the band ‘Bloodlust’ in concert. They intend to score some dope on the way but unfortunately for them they run into Junior Stillo [Marc Sheffler], who takes them back to his pad where they are  overpowered by Junior’s psychotic gang of misfits, which includes Fred ‘Weasel’ Podowski [Fred Lincoln], Sadie [Jeramie Rain] and the apparent ringleader Krug Stillo [David Hess], apparently Junior’s father. The two young girls are abducted and taken to the woods where they are subjected to abject humiliation and torture before being killed by their unhinged attackers. The horrific ordeal of the two girls is harshly, angrily depicted as a senseless, escalating tragedy by director Craven; David Hess’s music adds greatly to the films’ alternately disturbingly unsettling and deeply mournful mood, emphasising the sense of loss and wastefulness. This gang of killers are misguided monsters who can neither control nor comprehend their own actions or the effects and repercussions they can have; their reactions to the girls’ ultimate deaths consist of inexpressive looks of blank befuddlement, reflecting a terrifying lack of understanding. Krug is arguably the only member of the gang who is in control; the horrifying extent of his controlled influence over Junior is later displayed to emotionally agonisingly effect. The crux of the film comes when the killers inadvertently come to stay at Mari’s parents’ house; the couple don’t take too kindly to the gang when they discover what they did to their beloved daughter. The scene is set for parental retribution as dad sets booby-traps for the vile group and revs up the family chainsaw, while mum gets toothy with one gang member’s nether regions. The parents’ revenge is portrayed by Craven as a self-defeating act; the couple ably return the punishment subjected to their daughter, but at what price? At what cost to their souls? Unlike Krug and co. they knew the difference between right and wrong but turned aggressors regardless; certainly an understandable response. But are these supposedly decent, upstanding people now any better than their daughter’s killers? Such ideals of morality and justice are shown to be irretrievably lost; skewered by their irrelevance in the face of such vile acts as rape and murder. By the time the film reaches its’ shatteringly powerful denouement the ultimate question remains: where do you draw the line? | Trivia: The film was banned in the UK upon its’ initial BBFC theatrical submission in 1974; when re-submitted for theatrical release in 2000 it was banned a second time. 2001 saw a third rejection when the film was submitted for home video release. In 2002 Last House on the Left finally received a BBFC 18 certificate; unfortunately cuts were enforced to obtain the rating. 16 seconds of cuts were applied to a bloody chest carving and a scene of humiliation. The films’ distributor appealed the decision and took the BBFC to court; unfortunately the jury decided that not only were the cuts justified but that the film had been treated too leniently! In response to this the BBFC cut a further 15 seconds from the film, trimming a stabbing. 31 seconds were cut overall to obtain an ‘18’ certificate. In 2008 another distributor re-submitted Last House on the Left and it mercifully finally passed uncut with an ‘18’ certificate.
The Last House on the Left is a reworking of Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring [1960]. Actor David Hess [Krug] composed the films’ music. Actor Gaylord St. James’ real name is Richard Towers. Steve Miner, director of Friday the 13th parts 2 & 3, House [1986], Halloween H20 [1998] and Lake Placid [1999], appears in a cameo role as the Hippie taunting the Deputy [Martin Kove]. Director Wes Craven’s son Jonathan makes an un-credited appearance as a boy holding a balloon. Actress Ada Washington [the chicken coop lady] was producer Sean S. Cunningham’s family maid and nanny. Actor Mark Sheffler [Junior] wrote several episodes of various TV series including Charles in Charge, Harry and the Hendersons and Who’s the Boss? Actress Jeramie Rain [Sadie] is the ex-wife of actor Richard Dreyfuss, with whom she had three children. Actor Fred J. Lincoln is a director of hard core porno films; he is occasionally credited as ‘Weasel Padowski’. | | Directed by Wes Craven – 1972 – 84 minutes – Starring Sandra Cassell, Lucy Grantham, David Hess [Swamp Thing, The House on the Edge of the Park], Marc Sheffler, Fred J. Lincoln, Jeramie Rain, Cynthia Carr, Gaylord St. James, Ada Washington, Ray Edwards, Marshall Anker and Martin Kove [The Karate Kid 1-3]. | | If you like this you may also like: The Hills Have Eyes [1977] – Wes Craven’s second Horror masterpiece is arguably his finest film to date. A gritty, savagely effective work focusing on a families’ fight to survive an onslaught from a family of cannibals, with deeply resonant themes which add further punch to the brutal atrocities Craven’s characters subject one another to. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre [1974] – Tobe Hooper’s relentless Horror classic stands the test of time shockingly well; an assault on the senses comparable to Craven’s The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes. The House on the Edge of the Park [1980] – David Hess stars as Alex in Ruggero Deodato’s appallingly nasty, incredibly sleazy Exploitation Horror film. Hess and soft headed cohort Ricky infiltrate a group of partying rich people and subject them to sexual humiliation and torture. Cheesy acting and music abounds but the film remains truly shocking to this day; Alex’s extremely sadistic razor blade torture of Cindy is so unrelentingly horrible it’s virtually unwatchable. | | Reason U must C – Wes Craven’s Horror debut is as fiercely polarising a film as has ever been made and remains a unique, unforgettably bleak, truly chilling experience. | | Find a Film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
The Last Starfighter – Alex Rogan [Lance Guest] is a regular teenager who lives a quiet, middle of the road existence in a close knit trailer park community with his mum and younger brother and his pretty girlfriend Maggie close by. Alex feels like he is trapped, stuck in a rut from which he cannot escape, a feeling which increases when he is rejected for a long sought college loan. He dreams of leaving this world behind and finding something more, something to give him purpose in his life. He loves his girlfriend, but other than that his time is taken up playing arcade games, especially ‘The Last Starfighter’. One day he beats the high score, flawlessly completing the game while cheering neighbours look on. What Alex doesn’t know is that the computer game is in fact an inter-galactic recruitment device designed to find new talent and soon enough he is visited by Centauri [Robert Preston], who unbeknownst to Alex is an alien in human guise who intends to sign Alex up to be a genuine Starfighter. Alex reluctantly gets into Centauri’s car and is more than slightly perturbed when he realises the car is actually a makeshift spacecraft which suddenly whisks him off into outer space. Alex is taken to Rylos, home planet of the Starfleet Academy. However, far from being delighted with such an exciting opportunity to protect the Universe, Alex is appalled by the thought of taking part in the very real and dangerous outer space aerial combat a Starfighter must undertake. He demands to be returned home, much to Centauri’s disgust; the wily old charmer was counting on a commission fee. As fate would have it though, Alex and Centauri leave Rylos just in time, for shortly after their departure the planet suffers a devastating attack led by Emperor Xur, killing many of the inhabitants and virtually decimating the fleet. Now Alex has to decide whether or not he has the courage to become a Starfighter and defend the universe from the evil, megalomaniac Xur. This is a truly delightful Sci-Fi Adventure with a generous dose of Comedy adding greatly to the film. Alex is an interesting character in that he is flawed; he is occasionally selfish and initially un-heroic. However these traits serve to humanise him and separate him from the more traditional Sci-Fi protagonists. Lance Guest does a fine job in the role, as well as playing Alex’s robot clone with true comic relish. The fellow trailer park inhabitants of Alex’s world are depicted with great believability, variety and warmth; the casting director did a fine job selecting many wonderful, convincing actors down to the smallest roles. Dan O’Herlihy is also excellent as Alex’s Starfleet partner Grig, a wonderful, impressively designed alien character. Alex’s mother and brother also make an impression; the latter is a particularly fine child actor, while Alex’s girlfriend Maggie is nicely played by a very appealing Catherine Mary Stewart. Norman Snow makes an agreeably nasty, distinctive villain as well. However it is arguably Robert Preston who walks away with the film as Centauri, a marvellous, multi faceted character, whose slippery, fast talking hustler routine ultimately gives way to the loveable, if flawed rogue beneath it. Boasting a superb score from Craig Safan, some impressive special effects and delightful twists and turns throughout, this warm hearted film is a hugely entertaining and ultimately uplifting gem. | | Trivia: Along with Tron [1982], The Last Starfighter made pioneering use of CGI [computer generated imagery]; all space crafts are computer generated. | | Directed by Nick Castle – 1984 – 101 minutes – Starring Lance Guest [Halloween 2], Catherine Mary Stewart, Robert Preston, Dan O’Herlihy [Robocop], Norman Snow, Barbara Bosson, Peggy Pope, John O’Leary, Al Berry & Vernon Washington as ‘Otis’. | | If you like this you may also like: Junior Bonner [1972] – Robert Preston is brilliant as Ace Bonner in this wonderful Sam Peckinpah rodeo Drama starring Steve McQueen. Halloween III: Season of the Witch [1982] – Dan O’Herlihy plays a completely different type of character in this strange Horror sequel. He’s the outwardly pleasant Conal Cochran, an evil Halloween mask manufacturer with the intention of killing all those who wear his masks via truly bizarre means. | | Reason U must C – Star Wars wishes it was as cool as this film. Craig Safan’s music is heroically brilliant. It has a wonderful cast of cracking character actors. | | Find a Film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
Lorna – An early B-movie Melodrama from renowned big boob connoisseur, Mr Russ Meyer. For those who only know Meyer by reputation, Lorna might come as something of a surprise. Rather than a simple skin-flick, Lorna is actually a stylish, almost noirish melodrama which is not only nicely photographed and slickly edited but fairly well acted as well. The plot is simple enough; Lorna is a lonely, sexually unfulfilled housewife whose husband is away working for  much of the time. One day an escaped convict crosses paths with Lorna while she is out and forces himself upon her; at first she struggles, trying to fight her attacker off, until she realises the convict is a much better lover than her husband! She invites the convict back to her house where he has the unenviable task of attempting to fulfil Lorna’s far from modest sexual needs. Meanwhile Lorna’s husband is out working with two colleagues, one of whom has taken it upon himself to continually taunt the young man on the subject of his amply endowed wife and what she may or may not be getting up to in the young man’s absence. The young man eventually reaches boiling point. What will happen if he returns home before the convict leaves? Lorna’s synopsis practically reeks of melodramatic exploitation and might even come across as formulaic, yet the film itself is a brutal, witty, sexy slow burner which has to be seen to be appreciated. | | Trivia: The film was made for $60,000. Despite Russ Meyer’s infamous reputation, shots of bare breasts are entirely absent from Lorna. The BBFC rejected the film upon its original theatrical submission in 1965; it was finally released on video in 1998. | | Directed by Russ Meyer – 1964 – 78 minutes – Starring Lorna Maitland, Mark Bradley, James Rucker, Hal Hopper, Althea Currier and Frank Bolger | | If you like this you may also like: Mudhoney [1965] – A similarly styled Russ Meyer B-movie Melodrama also featuring the ample charms of Lorna Maitland. Vixen [1968] – A classic mix of sex, satire and silliness in the inimitable Russ Meyer tradition. Erica Gavin and Harrison Paige both give standout performances. | | Reason U must C - It's the thinking man's sexploitation B-movie Thriller! | | Find a film: Search Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com - eBay.co.uk - eBay.com |
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