Fulcigasm: The Psychic (1977) aka Sette note in nero

When referring to the films of Lucio Fulci, I’ve always considered, THE PSYCHIC, to be one of his best films; that’s not to say that it doesn’t have its flaws—or is even close to being a perfect film. THE PSYCHIC is bound to leave some viewers underwhelmed, especially those that are fonder of Fulci’s more gore soaked flicks. While at a first glance, the poster art for THE PSYCHIC, or even it’s alternate title, SEVEN NOTES IN BLACK, one might make the assumption that the film is a horror film; the first poster depicting a skull with a dead woman oozing out of the eye socket, and the latter depicting a screaming woman being sealed behind a brick wall. THE PSYCHIC would actually fall under the Italian sub-genre of horror, the gialli—albeit an unconventional gialli, but when was Fulci ever conventional? 

To read the rest of the review, click here. 

From the Vault: The Driller Killer (1979)

Abel Ferrara's late 70's entry into the still young and fresh slasher genre, THE DRILLER KILLER is an overlooked, and under appreciated gem of a movie. In actuality, the film has more in common with Martin Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER than other slasher flicks of the era. The film gives a snapshot of the sleazier areas of New York City, circa 1979, and it's the kind of film I think of when people mention the term, "grindhouse". It's dark, sleazy, violent, disturbing, low budget, grainy, and most important of all-- entertaining. 

To read the rest of the review, click here. 

Sinful Cinema No. 6--A little BONE in the DEAD SNOW

This week the Bugg and myself take a look at Larry Cohen's first film, BONE, as part of our Original Sin series. Then we come to fisticuffs over the Norwegian Nazi Zombie gorefest, DEAD SNOW. We also talk about some remakes coming up, and the shameful horror montage at the Oscars. Our Bizarre Treasures for this week are MILANO CALIBRO 9, one of the all time best Eurocrime films to come out of the 70's, and THE WOMAN HUNT, a sleazy island prison movie w/Sid Haig. So tune in and send us some feedback at sinfulcinema@charter.net. We have over 500 subscribers now, so we know somebody must have some opinions on...something--let us know them!

Fulcigasm: Touch of Death (1988) aka Quando Alice ruppe lo specchio

Good or bad, I love Lucio Fulci's work. I actually watched TOUCH OF DEATH after CAT IN THE BRAIN-- one of Fulci's last (and one of his best) films that uses most of the great gore footage from TOUCH OF DEATH. I have to say, watching TOUCH OF DEATH after CAT IN THE BRAIN was like watching a really good movie trailer, then going to see the movie, and realizing that all the best scenes were in the trailer. Never the less, TOUCH OF DEATH isn't all bad, it has some good points. Seeing as though this is a Fulci movie from the '80's, I wasn't expecting much. It helps to watch a movie with low expectations sometimes.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

Them (2006) aka Ils

We all have our own fears. What scares you may not exactly scare me, but I think some fears are universal. Someone breaking into your house while you are asleep, no matter how bad ass you think you are, or even if you own a gun—is still scary, because you never know what the intruders are capable of, or what their motives are. Being attacked while in a vulnerable state is a fear most people share, whether they are conscious of it or not. Films that exploit that fear, and bring out the scared little kid in us, are always fun, and are a reminder of why we're horror fans to begin with. THEM aka Ils (yes, the French strike again!) does just that, and it excels where a lot of newer horror movie fail, it's genuinely scary—if you're willing to lose yourself in the film, and allow yourself to be scared, that is.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

Fulcigasm: House by the Cemetery (1981) aka Quella villa accanto al cimitero

There are a few titles that come to mind instantly when people talk about Lucio Fulci; THE BEYOND, CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, ZOMBI 2, and HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY. The last one on that list (and the movie that I'm reviewing today), seems to get the least amount of respect for some reason. I actually have a lot of love for the film, and hold in the same regard as the other three. HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY is a great horror film, Italian or not--though it is an acquired taste. It's a simple 'boogey man' tale wrapped in the guise of a 'haunted house' movie. The title was probably a cash in on the success of haunted house movies like, AMITYVILLE HORROR and THE SHINING which were popping up around that same time, but HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY features a story about something living in the basement, and it's no ghost, it's very real, and very evil---eeeeeevil! 

Click here to schedule your appointment with Dr. Freudstein.

Fulcigasm: The New Gladiators (1984) aka I guerrieri dell'anno 2072

Take a whiff...you smell that? That is the cheesy smell of a dystopian future. A dystopian future as seen through the eyes of Lucio Fulci.

THE NEW GLADIATORS was released during the post-apocalypse themed movie boom of the early 80's. For some reason, Italian directors latched on to this genre hard, and most of the time with dull results. For the most part, they were all low budget films, and making a sci-fi movie with a small budget is just a setup for disaster. For the most part Italian post-apocalypse movies went from very bad to okay, THE NEW GLADIATORS is somewhere in between. While it's not an extremely bad movie, it is certainly not good. I would love to say (being a huge Fulci fan and post-apocalyptic themed movies) that this movie was great, and worth my time, but it was not and allow me to explain. 

To read the rest of the review, click here.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the latest edition of SINFUL CINEMA w/T.L. Bugg and myself. 

Mr. Horror Blogosphere #13--Rev. Phantom

That's right, your own Rev. Phantom is #13 at Chuck Conry's Mr. Horror Blogosphere thingy at ZOMBIE'S DON'T RUN. Head over and check it out, as well as all the other entries.  

The Beyond (1981) aka E tu vivrai nel terrore - L'aldilà

Over at ReverendPhantomReviews.com, I have a new section entitled, FULCIGASM, dedicated to the films of Lucio Fulci. It's a work in progress, I am currently adding new reviews and some old ones. I just added my review for THE BEYOND. So head over and check it out.

Sinful Cinema No. 5--Two films from Mark Savage, Top 10 Blaxploitation and more!

Sinful Cinema Episode #5 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. I was sick this week, so I sound like crap, but that also means that I'm don't say much this week--you're welcome. This episode we focus on two of Mark Savage's films (MARAUDERS & SENSITIVE NEW AGE KILLER)--and if you don't know who Mark Savage is--get schooled right here, kids. Mr. Savage is on the short list of current directors making quality low-budget exploitation these days. We also go over our own lists of Top 10 Blaxploitation films--Bugg tackles the post-Blaxploitation era, while I stick to the 70's heyday. Then we share our Bizarre Treasures of the week with STARCRASH and WHEN WOMEN LOST THEIR TAILS. Give us your feedback at sinfulcinema@charter.net.

From the vault: Inside (2007)

**note: this review is from 2 years ago.**
Prior to seeing INSIDE, I was very anxious to check it out due it's great word-of-mouth. I wasn't disappointed, but I don't think I enjoyed it as much as some other folks. It's not a bad horror movie, not at all--compared to the horror films being shat out in the states, it's downright genius--but I didn't enjoy it as much as some other French horror flicks as of late, namely FRONTIERE(S) and HAUTE TENSION--the word "enjoy" being key. I like a little fun in my horror films, and INSIDE just seemed to be fueled with anger, which I'm sure is how it was supposed to feel.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

Lizard in a Woman's Skin (1971) aka Una lucertola con la pelle di donna

Click here to get a little SCHIZOID with Florinda Bolkan and trip-out to Lucio Fulci's LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN.

Hitch-Hike (1977) aka Autostop Rosso Sangue

Autostop rosso sangue aka HITCH-HIKE is a beautiful piece of Eurosleaze draped in a shroud of Americana. It's a psychological thriller and road movie. It's an Italian film, set in America (filmed in Italy made to look like south western United Staes) so there is some bad dubbing—to be expected, but not as bad as some others that I have seen. The dubbing didn't bother me because the performances of the cast are so superb.


Click here to take a road trip from hell with David Hess and Franco Nero.