Vanishing Point (1971)

  Kowalski works for a car delivery service. He accepts a bet to deliver a 1970 Dodge Challenger from Colorado to San Francisco in less than 15 hours. His journey is hindered by police forces along the way. Thankfully, he is aided by a blind radio Dj (named Supersoul) who informs him about police blocks when he can. He soon turns into a local hero.Will he manage to make it on time?
  Wow! Director Richard C. Sarafian may have worked mostly on television but this is one of his works that truly stand out. This film may at first seem a film for car racing fans but there is a lot more in there. We have an ode to freedom here, a reminder that you can only be free only in specific moments in your life and that realizing your dreams is sometimes more important than your life!
  Our hero Kowalski , well played by Barry Newman, takes a trip deep into the American desert and into 70s society. The daze and craze of the film's times is all there ; drugs, hippies, muscle cars, loners and stoners, motorcycles and a society still healing from Vietnam war. The soundtrack is also terrific and helps bind the movie together and give it a more feel-good vibe. The movie's end can come a bit hard on you but it reminds you that this is life! A must-see!
Must watch this : when your mind is free and if you feel that you were born in the wrong decade.Grab a beer and your girl/boy, sit back and let the speed do the rest! For the afterburner, listen to some good stoner rock like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPjOR7Y5Vng!
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067927/

A driver's dream

Fuck modern society!

Moment of glory

 

Women In Cages (1971)

  Naive American bimbo Jeff is charged with 10 years in a Philippine prison after being set up by her drug dealer boyfriend. Inside the prison she finds that hell is real and it's right here on Earth ; sadistic guards and murderous attempts are now her everyday life. She soon convinces her cell-mates to escape, but they are hunted ferociously by trackers in the jungle.
  Prolific Filipino director Gerardo De Leon gives us this cult classic.For those not accustomed to this type of films, it is called Women In Prison (pretty obvious why) and deals with the hardships in female prison, the voyeur style. Lesbianism and naked shower scenes are a must in these films and there are many here too, so if you are prude enough to be offended by that stuff don't watch it! There is also a lot of racism here and other "hot topics" so be careful.This is not a film for everyone.
  Pam Grier is the big deal here. She gives a different performance than the one we are used to. In this film she is a white-race hating, violence-excited Harlem girl. She is a real badass, overcoming the "protagonist's" role. This film is made around her anyway (like any other film she is in), so the rest of the female cast is only for the nudies!
Must watch this : with an open-minded female friend or alone.Alcohol might help in both occasions.
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067995/

Cleaning routine

I am the bawss...

Where the fuck is my car?

I Drink Your Blood (1970)

  A group of rumbling worshipers of Satan arrives in a small town and sets up business in an old abandoned house. They go on committing random illegal acts, harassing the townsfolk. At some point they rape a local girl and when her grandfather goes after them, they treat him with a good dose of LSD. His grandson , out for revenge, supplies them with pies infected with blood from a rapid dog. Chaos ensues!
  A fine piece of exploitation and a perfect example of grindhouse. Satanism, violence , hippies, drugs and sex all in one hit in this legendary film by David E. Durston. It is definitely not a politically correct film but it isn't too much to take either. Each of its shocking elements is given in the right non-deathly dosage! For a starting exploitation viewer it is a good movie to start the addiction!
  Another good thing is that the cast actually gives an overall good performance ; not too amateur but not too professional either. All portray their characters really well, from the LSD-driven cult leader Indian (?) to the evil kid there is a harmony of evil and degradation!
Must watch this : on a really hot summer day. But, shut the drapes and the let the insufferable heat and sweat take you on this bad LSD trip!
Trailer 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067229/ 

I have gathered you here today to talk about our lord,Satan...

Nobel Prize here I come !

Axe-wielding black dude with rabies! A-what up?

Zaat (1971)

  A mad scientist experiments with marine life in his hidden laboratory. He soon creates a formula with combined DNA from aquatic creatures that transforms him into a weird humanoid beast with malignant intentions.His ultimate plan ; kidnap a woman worthy of reproducing with thus revealing to the world a new amphibian species!
  This film is non-stop shocker! Shockingly bad acting, shockingly unrealistic special effects and a shocking story! This movie has everything that you love to hate or that you hate to love. It amuses me that it actually took two ( yes 2) directors to direct this "masterpiece". Don Barton and Arnold Stevens combine their forces and give us this amazing story of a walking catfish! Dive into marine biology while taking a laid-back tour in Florida!
  Setting aside what you just read, don't judge this film too harshly. This film and especially the ones that made it happen have some serious balls. I mean, who else would go on making and acting in a movie so cheap and underground they probably didn't even get paid? A huge respect from my side for not giving a fuck about the film industry back then!
Must watch this : stoned or not but ready to laugh.This film is pure decadence so be equipped with ultra shitty fast food and your dude friends!
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072666/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Soon.....

Why are you all running? Just wanna hang out!

Prepare for some interspecies reproduction

 

Sex and Fury (1973)

  Meet Ocho, a gambler and pickpocket in Meiji Era Tokyo. Her everyday scams end when she shelters a young fleeing anarchist and accidentally meets her father's murderers. Ocho unleashes hell on the Yakuza, employing her body and her excellent swordsmanship!
  This is a true milestone in the Pinku Eiga film genre and a reminder of what Japanese can achieve with a camera! Noribumi Suzuki , a known Pinku director, gives us a true Japanese film - katanas, Yakuza , poetic nudity , snow and revenge in the shinkendo manner! Films like these was probably the reason humans invented cinema, no words just moving pictures of magnificent beauty.
  Reiko Ike plays a role she was born to play! Her body (most of the time nude) moves so artistically in the choreography that this movie suggests. A big plus is the slow motion in the fight scenes where she can really unfold her talent. Christina Lindberg co-star here and plays her classic sweet-young-thing role she is so good at. They really make a good duo of beauty and badassness. And yes, this is the film that is used as an inspirational base for Tarantino's Kill Bill. You will understand this when you get to the final fight scenes.
Must watch this : with a bowl of good sake and cheap chinese take-out!
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070085/

Japanese Poker Night

High-class plotting...

Period strikes back!

Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954)

  A strange prehistoric humanoid is hidden in the depths of the Amazon river. A group of scientists soon discovers its existence and unsuccessfully tries to bring it back to the "civilized" world for studying. They should have known better !
  Shut up hipster, I did not post this here for you! And yes, today was Amazon day! Moving on, introducing the majestic Creature from the Black Lagoon this film is a masterpiece and a classic in its genre. Jack Arnold is no amateur in these stuff as he was already deep into the Sci-Fi before directing this movie. And what he does, he does it good ; underwater shots, carefully chosen scenery and special effects (by that I mean the guy in the costume) as sophisticated as his era suggested! It doesn't get any better than this!
  The main characters are beautifully portrayed by Richard Carlson and Julie Adams (classic 50s American hottie-pie) and a big bravo goes to the creature's performance too (Ok I am just joking)! As you might expect in a film like that, the female and male main characters have a thing going on but the creature (not giving a shit) goes on and has a crush on Kay Lawrence. A good twist, if you ask me!
Must watch this : with your significant other and a pizza on a random night!
Trailer 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046876/ 

Well, fuck you too!

Creature, you little pervert!

Creature's Successful Cockblocking!

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

  New York anthropologist Professor Harold Monroe travels to the wild jungles of the Amazon rainforest in order to find out what happened to a documentary crew that was sent there two months ago. What he finds there is not exactly what he would wish to find. The explanation he takes back to the "civilized" world is not one that we are ready for!
  The Italians do it again! A real shocker in its time, this film does not fail to deliver its disturbing messages! Beautifully set in the Amazonian jungle, this film is full with amazing scenes of nature and wild animals! But don't get too romantic with it! Along with these documentary-like scenes you get over-the-top violence. I mean real violence,both human and animal violence and sometimes something in between. Director Ruggero Deodato certainly knows how to make people squirm while showing them some beautiful sceneries!
  The actors playing the missing cast are surprisingly good in their roles as civilized savages (it really makes you wonder why they are so good). Equally good is Robert Kerman in his role as the returning anthropologist who still has hope in his heart for humanity. The story seems too ordinary in the beginning (classic cannibal film) but you are in for a treat as the movie advances! Seriously though, watch this and ask yourself what is the moral issue at hand here! You will be amazed at the ingenuity of the film and you might question your surroundings! If you are not OK with extreme violence, don't watch this as it is more than full of it. You have been warned!
Must watch this : with an empty stomach (don't try this otherwise) with the company of a girl. See who falls in whose arms first!
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078935/

Sup?

I hope you are not peeing in there....

Family gathering

The Colossus Of New York (1958)

  Jeremy Spensser dies ironically right after winning the Nobel Peace Prize. His father, a brilliant doctor, unable to cope with what has happened, works secretly on his son's dead body before it is buried and succeeds in connecting the brain to a metal robot. What can go wrong?
  You gotta love these 50's Sci-Fi films.I mean ,seriously, anything can happen.This film is one that doesn't exaggerate that much in its story! Director's Eugène Lourié filmography is not vast (he was more of an art director rather than a director) but he has done a good job here.Just as good as the film deserves.
  Ross Martin spends more time "dead" than alive here but he tries to convey as many feelings and emotions  as he can get out of his metal cast role (get it? He is a robot). The rest of the cast's performances are at the same level (nothing too special about this film actually), nothing to good nothing too bad. If you ask me why to watch this, I will tell you that if you get a special reminiscing sentiment with this kind of films (like me), if you feel somewhat safe in the comfort of black-and-white and steady acting and if you enjoy a fast-paced Sci-Fi with enough holes in the plot to make you question everything, then watch this definitely. Otherwise, skip it!Your choice.
Must watch this : if you are bored with usual scenarios and want to see something eccentric.With a salad on a lazy,hot summer night!
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051484/

Nope! Chuck Testa!

Puberty hit you hard,son!

Is there something in my teeth?

The Mask Of Satan (a.k.a Black Sunday) (La Maschera Del Demonio) (1960)

  In 1630 Russia, Princess Asa is accused and sentenced for practising witchcraft. While on the stake, she swears to return from the dead and take revenge. 200 years later, she returns and tries to possess the body of her look-alike descendant with the aid of her servant. Who can stop her?
  This is Mario Bava's (official) debut and a true milestone in Italian Gothic horror films.It clearly paves the way for what is to follow, both in Bava's career but also in European Horrorsploitation. The Gothic element in the movie's mood is incomparable (black-and-white plays a huge role in that) and the theme reflects the 60's fixation with witches and satan.
  Barbara Steele everybody! This lady has this weird look in her eyes, something like 'I will seduce,but your soul belongs to Satan after that' combined with that Italian classiness that really nail you to your chair! Of course the rest of the cast (Andrea Checchi, John Richardson etc) bind perfectly with the movie's theme and seem to work perfectly under the guidance of Master Bava. Not a horror film per se (don't expect to get scared) but it flows as gently as if it was a horror novel you were reading.
Must watch this : in November,on a cold and rainy night with a glass of red wine and an Italian friend.
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054067/

You're fucked!

Look at the title!

Aw yiss!

Fantastic Planet (1973)

  Animated film aimed for adults.Set in a fictional planet where blue-skin human-like beings reign.They possess advanced technology and knowledge and treat humans either as pests or adorable and trained pets.But soon their reign comes to an end, as one tiny human manages to escape his clutches and get his hands on the ultimate knowledge.
  It should be called Fucked-Up Planet in the Universe of Psychedelic Drugs ! This is a highly allegorical animation film about humans and knowledge (it is also supposed to be based on the Soviet Occupation of the Czech Republic). Either way, it is justifiably considered the masterpiece of René Laloux. The sketches may seem simple and the motion too slow but the film does not fail to deliver an optically exceptional result!
  Not much to say about acting here (duh!) but you should watch this with undivided attention.It grabs you and takes you in this planet so care not freak out! I could say this is Jodorowsky in cartoons!
Must watch this : without lights but only a candle, at night with two people with whom you can share some allegorical explanations! Then listen to some Om while you try to explain this film!
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070544/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Why?

Knowledge me up!

Pill of Death

They Live (1988)

  In the not-so-far future, a drifter finds a unique pair of sunglasses that allow him to see people how they truly are. Soon, he realizes that aliens have taken over the Earth, controlling the media, the bank system, politics and everything in general. Only a few people on Earth are still human. He soon finds out that he may have to do more than he thought for his planet!
  Classic John Carpenter here. But in a more rebellious, wake-up-and-fuck-everything style. The story may sound childish (sunglasses) but it delivers the messages just in the way the director wishes to. The set and time of the movie is not so futuristic so it will not seem weird to many people.
  Roddy Piper and Keith David play the classic macho duo that is something of an anti-hero team but eventually saves the world that 80's films taught us how to love! The duo's punchlines are beyond bad-ass in most cases (watch out for the punchline in the scene at the bank) and they generally don't give much shit about anything.They are just here to kick ass!
Must watch this : after listening to Ixpapalotl's "Saave Lonam Estimitie" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gvHayVNnc4 and with the must-have pizzas and frozen beers.Of course you need your jackass guys' company!
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096256/

Listen here,punk!

Fuck da police!

What the.....?

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

  Doctors are found dead consecutively but their death is far from ordinary. Bats, bees, killer frog masks and other manners representing the nine Biblical plagues are used by a strange organ player and his mute assistant in order to conduct the killings.But what are his motives? And who is he?
  Do you need anything else other than Vincent Price in his natural environment? The dark and obscure scenarios that molted him into what he is? Director Robert Fuest knows how and why to use this magnificent actor to take this movie to another level.And it is indeed another level ; gothic,dark mood, bizarre settings, gloomy characters and a dark secret that binds them all together.
   Vincent Price and his fellow actors portray their roles in a classy and sophisticated way, the only way they knew back then.The story is actually a revenge story but it is not as simple as that, as the perpetrator is far more than ordinary.Look out for the traditional Hebrew pendants that give this movie a more mysterious air. The movie's climax for me is a special scene that reminded me that almost no contemporary film does not borrow form old films! Yes,  Saw it is you I am talking about!
Must watch this : with your goth or weird friend or with a friend who doesn't like this kind of films only to get in a debate after the end! Watch this at dusk.
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066740/

Jammin'

Batman is that you?

Dude, you are staring...

 

Onibaba (1964)

  Japan.14th century.With the ongoing war,a man is forcefully drafted in the army leaving his mother and wife alone and helpless in their bamboo hut by a swamp. Miserable and underfed they make their way through life by killing lost soldiers and selling their equipment to a local merchant for small amounts of food. A friend and co-fighter of the man escapes the army, returns to his hut by the women's hut and after he informs them of his death he sets out to disrupt their weird relationship and satisfy his post-war syndromes.But the mother knows better.Or does she?
  Poetry.Pure poetry.These two words simply define this masterpiece of a movie! Kaneto Shindô goes over the top directing this simple but emotionally charged story.War, human degradation, sensual and sexual climax, loneliness, revenge and folklore all blended well in this film. The scenery is purely magnificent (rural Japan) and combines perfectly with the characters' emotions.
  The acting load is divided into the three main characters - the mother,the wife and the man that returned - and all three portray their roles with the best way. My favorite is the mother, Nobuko Otowa, who truly gives a great performance. Bear in mind that Onibaba (鬼婆) is Japanese for Demon Hag.
  Don't watch this film if you haven't seen any other Japanese films of the same era. The awkward nudity and emotional hell that is common in Japanese films may make some uncomfortable.But do yourself a favor and watch this.They don't make them like that anymore!
Must watch this : with two or three people, without talking, each enjoying his favorite high-volume alcohol, sharing the awe.
Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058430/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Chillin'

The meeting

Shit!