Live Review: Demons (1985)

A special shout to J. Astro for introducing me to the Fantomas song, "Cape Fear", which I have now adopted as my new theme song.

Live Review: Bodycount (1987)

EUROCRIME! cinema documentary needs to begin licensing film clips

EUROCRIME! on IMDb
on Facebook

YOU can help us complete the highly-anticipated feature-length documentary about the last great action subgenre to be rediscovered! EUROCRIME! THE ITALIAN COP AND GANGSTER FILMS THAT RULED THE '70s has already pulled together a roster of the top actors and directors in the Italian crime genre in order to get their perspectives on these tough, brutal, and occasionally dangerous films.

The film is currently in post-production, but even with the bevy of euro-superstars who have offered up their time and support for the film, the biggest challenge still lies ahead – licensing all the great film clips that really showcase the genre and demonstrate why it was such a dynamic and prolific part of cinematic history! Hundreds of dangerous stunts, chases and explosions – not to mention some of the most inspired dialogue you will hear in ANY genre – are integral to illustrate the film’s numerous anecdotes, and YOU can help make it happen!

As a backer of this project, you will be the recipient of numerous perks, many of which are unique to the world of EUROCRIME! and ensure that you are acknowledged and kept in the loop as a key part of the process.

More About EUROCRIME!:

For decades, the prolific Italian film business was a notorious "copycat" industry (e.g. Exorcist and Mad Max clones), so it's easy to assume their massive wave of '70s crime movies (The Godfather's Friend, Magnum Cop, etc) were just imitators of U.S. films like The Godfather and Dirty Harry. But a closer look reveals these movies actually dealt with violent homegrown problems of the Red Brigade, Camorra and the Sicilian Mafia.

Facets of the genre discussed, among others, will be:

* the Italians' quick, spontaneous style of action moviemaking (no direct sound, stealing shots, leading men performing their own stunts)

* the real-life violence of the day (the Red Brigade, the Camorra, the Mafia)

* the genre's envelope-pushing violent extremes (including shocking treatment of women and children)

* the attempts to market (and mis-market!) these films in America

* the end of the genre cycle (as brought about both by the rise of television and the genre's self-parody)

* the ultimate influence/legacy of the genre, including its belated, newfound popularity in America, as largely promoted by Quentin Tarantino

The interview roster boasts an impressive 20 people connected to Eurocrime movement -- including tough-guy movie stars (John Saxon, Franco Nero, Henry Silva, etc), a leading lady (Nicoletta Machiavelli), character actors (Sal Borgese, John Steiner, etc), directors (Enzo Castellari, Mario Caiano), a stuntman (Ottaviano Dell'Acqua), a screenwriter (Claudio Fragasso), a dubber (Michael Forest), and even a former cinema manager (Greg Stephen).

Through action editing, the interviews will be intercut with film clips and artwork, and the documentary's tone is intended to rival the excitement generated by the films themselves.

My best Halloween in years...

I had a ball all October long this year. My past few Halloweens have been sort of blah, but this year just rocked. I think it helps that my daughter is finally at the age where she appreciates the holiday more. We got our pumpkins from a pumpkin patch, we made caramel apples and pumpkin cupcakes, we carved 5 jack-o-lanterns (we usually only do one if any--we usually use the fake store bought kind), I watched more horror movies in one month than I probably watched all year, and overall I really got into the whole vibe--not to mention the weather here in Idaho was absolutely perfect for the season--not too cold, not too sunny. I need gloom in October or I get really unhappy.

That all being said, October is officially over and I will be taking horror out of my cinematic diet a bit...just a bit. There are still some horror leftovers that I need to get to for reviews (either live or written). Here is my tentative list of reviews for the month.

First the Halloween leftovers...
BODY COUNT (Ruggero Deodato's forgotten slasher flick. This will be a review for Cinema de Bizarre.)
DEMONS
CEMETERY MAN
LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE
Then onto some non-horror...
PSYCH-OUT
Fulci's MASSACRE TIME
ALICE'S RESTAURANT (My favorite Thanksgiving movie)
RAW FORCE (for Cinema de Bizarre)
and whatever else pops up on the ol' Netflix queue between now and then.

Halloween Movie Marathon...

My all day horror moviefest has begun with a viewing SHAUN OF THE DEAD on Comedy Central--it was a great way to start the day, like a stretch before a workout. I'll only be taking breaks to eat, use the john and to take my kid trick-or-treating at 6pm. Next up...

HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY

I usually watch at least one Fulci movie on Halloween. I've been jonesin for this one.

CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS

I'm switching NotLD for this one this year. Some people don't like it, but I fucking love it.

DAWN OF THE DEAD

The original, followed by...

DAY OF THE DEAD

Because I'm running this monkey farm now Frankenstein!

CHOPPING MALL

Need some light hearted 80's cheese after two Romero zombie flicks.

PLANET TERROR and DEATH PROOF

Why not?

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

Whatever happened to Saturday Night?

HALLOWEEN

Because I actually haven't watched the original in quite a while.

Let the fun begin!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Live Review: Trick or Treat (1986)

Samhain "Halloween II"

Midnight Confessions: Halloween Special '09

This is just a five minute preview, click the button at the top of the player to watch on Veoh.com or click here [note: the DRACULA bit was supposed to be longer, but I ran intro a technical glich.]