Mandingo (product link) Action/Adventure / Drama A must-see movie about slavery. Hard to believe this was made by a major Hollywood studio (Paramount) even though this was the 1970's. This would cause much controversy and probably be withdrawn today. And that is a sad fact about what political correctness has done to U.S. society. The film has a great cast; James Mason, Perry King, Susan George, and Ken Norton is surprisingly good in his role as Mede. Forget about "Roots" and see a REAL movie about slavery! And if you have a strong stomach see "Goodbye Uncle Tom", the ultimate slavery film!!
Deranged (product link) Horror / Thriller Not as well known as other Ed Gein-inspired films such as "Pyscho" and "Texas Chain Saw Massacre", but it should be. Because this is the most faithful by far of the other classics mentioned. Those films were only inspired by the true life events, this is acutally based on the crimes and deeds of Mr. Gein. Not quite as good as "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (the original, that is,) but this film has lots to recomend. It has a very good performance by Robersts Blossom, good atmosphere, and some down right chills and gross outs. And the [German] import DVD is fully uncut, unlike the US MGM Midnight DVD. Highly recomended!
Torso (product link) Horror / Thriller One of the best Giallo's not just of the 1970's but any period. Suspenseful, violent, and an excellent climax with the killer's identity well hidden untill the end. Only let down would be for gore hounds on the film's well known cuts here in the U.S. Joseph Brenner had the most violent scenes edited before submitting them the to the MPAA, but most of the footage would have gotten an "R" rating anyway. Just don't expect this to be "Twitch of the Death Nerve".
Lady Whirlwind (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Classic martial arts film released in the U.S. as "Deep Thrust" to cash in on the notoriety of "Deep Throat". Angela Mao had the looks and skills to be a female Bruce Lee and comes off as very believable in her role. Sammo Hung has a strong supporting role as one of the bad guys (but is no match for Mao). Highly recommended!
Rica (product link) Erotica / Action/Adventure One of the best of the Pinky violence or Japanese "roughies" films. Not the endurance test as "Beautiful Girl Hunter" or some others are, but this film delivers the goods. And in a comic book style nature, so this would be a good starting point if you have never seen a Japanese roughie before. I can't wait to see the other "Rica" films.
Five Deadly Venoms (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Possibly the best Shaw Brothers film. Not as violent or as bloody as many others, but the emphasis was clearly on story telling and plot in this one and it is all the better for it. As is the norm for Chang Cheh, there are creative and memorable fight scenes and costumes. A five-star classic!
Chinese Super Ninja (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure One of the best (and goriest) Shaw Brothers films. The director and some of the stars of "Five Deadly Venoms" create a truly memorable martial arts film. Great, creative fight scenes, set pieces, a simple yet interesting plot, and solid direction. Some of the effects are dated, but somehow it fits the story. I just pray Hollywood does not remake this!!!!
3 Dev Adam (product link) Action/Adventure My first Turkish film, and what a film!! Forget about "Spiderman 3", and see "3 Giant Men"!! A five-star classic. Not a classic in the traditional sense, but a classic nontheless! Fast-paced and super cheezy, dig those three stooges punch effects (zoink, oooph!), and the terrible dubbing! No matter where the characters are walking they sound like they are walking on broken glass! I could go on and on. So all I will say is: see this movie!!
Frankenhooker (product link) Horror / Dark Comedy Frank Henenlotter's best film, along with "Basket Case". This film benefits from a higher budget than "Basket Case" though. Patty Mullen is unforgettable as the title character. And James Lorinz is very good as the "mad" scientist that creates the Frankenhooker, his girlfriend, who was mowed to pieces at a birthday party by a runaway lawnmower!! The MPAA came down hard on this film with an undeserved NC-17 rating when first submitted.
El Topo (product link) Drama / Action/Adventure Alexandero Jodorowsky's most famous film, and a John Lennon favorite. He must have loved the symbolism and philisophical asspects (I wonder how he felt about the in-your-face violence--did John like splatter movies?) A film definitely to enjoy repeat viewings as it is impossible to take everything in in one viewing. Not for all tastes to be sure. Perplexing, visually stunning, and one of the true cult films. Hopefully it will NEVER be remade!
In A Glass Cage (product link) Horror / Thriller This is an excellent art film, without being overly arty--meaning it is easy to understand! The film has quite a gross-out reputation, but that is due mostly to its repugnant subject matter (child abuse). The scene of a child being tied up and a hypo injected into his heart is unsettling, but there really are no gross-out visuals such as an old John Waters movie. And it is all the better for it.
The Chinese Boxer (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure One of the first martial arts movies to play in the U.S. and one of the best. Some of the drama is very complelling which was very unusual for these types of films. Particularly when Jimmy Wang is wounded and contemplating revenge and his possible death with his girlfriend. The climax is quite brutal and gory (depending on the version you see), the eye-gouging scene in the snow is often censored.
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READER COMMENTS
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being a big jimmy fan, this is one of his early best films. I agree with your review. Also you did not mention that the great Lo Lieh is the main villain which only adds to this early classic.
The Flying Guillotine (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure First off "The Flying Guillotine" is much better than "The Fatal Flying Guillotine", and more gruesome than "Master Of The Flying Guillotine" (there are numerous versions out there with varying degrees of bloodshed). A classic Shaw Brothers film with good direction and good, well choreographed flying guillotine scenes.
Frightmare (product link) Horror / Thriller Underrated British director Pete Walker's Frightmare isn't as well known as other cannibal flicks from the 1970's but it should be. 1974 gave us The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Deranged, and this nasty gem. As with most of Walker's movies it has a very good cast and is well acted, especially the always great Sheila Keith, atmospheric, gruesome, and suspenseful. Highly recommended!
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