Recently Watched Films
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| "Movies are so rarely great art that if we cannot appreciate great trash we have very little reason to be interested in them." Pauline Kael |
A Spanish version of Hammer Horror that's a decade too late.
Phenomena (1985, Dario Argento) C-
By the end I didn't even care, and Donald Pleasence is completely wasted
The Tenant (1976, Roman Polanski) A-
Polanski’s 3rd entry in his 'Apartment trilogy' is his most under-rated film.
A Blade in the Dark (1983, Lamberto Bava) D-
One of the dumbest giallo films I've ever seen.
Street Law (1974, Enzo G. Castellari) C+
Franco Nero seems to be hamming it up Nicolas Cage style rather than Death Wish’s Charles Bronson.
Messiah of Evil (1973, Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz) A-
One of the great obscure discoveries in the horror genre for me. It's pure atmosphere.
Contraband (1980, Lucio Fulci) B+
One of the last great poliziesco films.
Macabre (1980, Lamberto Bava) B-
Well crafted for what it is.
The Changeling (1980, Peter Medak) A
A amazingly constructed ghost story, which upon second viewing
The Big Racket (1976, Enzo G. Castellari) B-
...
Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s (2012, Mike Malloy) B
If you love this subgenre... like i do, then you'll want to check this out.
Fair Game (1986, Mario Andreacchio) A-
One of the best 'chick revenge' films I've ever seen and a major influence on Revenge.
Next of Kin (1982, Tony Williams) A-
An obscure ozploitation horror film that has that Shining 'feel' to it.
Phase IV (1974, Saul Bass) C+
Not exactly what you'd expect from an 'Animals Attack' film.
Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die (1966, Henry Levin, Dino Maiuri) B-
Italy does it's version of a James Bond, it's a lot of fun.
Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008, Mark Hartley) A
One of the most entertaining film documentaries about a genre I have even seen.
Tenet (2020, Christopher Nolan) B+
As even stated in the film, "don't try to understand it". Just enjoy the tremendous spectacle that it is and come to terms with the fact that you'll need a second viewing.
Hollywood Man (1976, Jack Starrett) B-
If anything, it really brings the passion and drive of a man trying his utmost to make his film, to any means necessary.
Dead End Drive-In (1986, Brian Trenchard-Smith) B+
Simply reading the synopsis of this exploitation picture should be enough to sell you on this.
Johnny Handsome (1989, Walter Hill) B
The opening to Dark Passage comes to mind here in this hard boiled 80s noir.
Malone (1987, Harley Cokeliss) B
The plot may not be thick in substance but it makes up for it in sheer entertainment.
The Bonnie Parker Story (1958, William Witney) C+
An early Drive-In take on the infamous story.
Sharky's Machine (1981, Burt Reynolds) B+
A highly entertaining Burt Reynolds Neo-Noir.
Hooper (1978, Hal Needham) B
A fun stuntman film about staying on top in a tough business.
Khartoum (1966, Basil Dearden, Eliot Elisofon) B
A well scripted epic with Heston in top form and Olivier in full on tanned form.
The Violent Men (1955, Rudolph Maté) B
A juicy western noir with the ever charismatic Glenn Ford.
Phantom of the Paradise (1974, Brian De Palma) B
A fresh re-telling of the classic phantom of the opera for the 1970s.
The Mafia Kills Only in Summer (2013, Pif) B
A fun little black comedy on the rocky mafia years ('70s-'90s) of Sicily.
The New Centurions (1972, Richard Fleischer) A-
A realistic look into the lives of police officers in the LAPD, based on a novel written by an LAPD police officer.
Sorcerer (1977, William Friedkin) A
Only in the last 6 years has this film gained respect in it's resurgence, yet is still in my opinion highly under-rated.
Dolls (1987, Stuart Gordon) C+
Director Stuart Gordon went considerably tame here after his first two body horror films.
Cruising (1980, William Friedkin) B
A misunderstood dark depraved noir film that's gritty AF.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975, Jim Sharman) B+
One of the most entertaining films to watch with a crowd. Tim Curry is fucking fabulous.
The Exorcist III aka Legion (1990, William Peter Blatty) B+
A terrific dark thriller that happens to be a fantastic surprise of a sequel in the essence of Se7en.
Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977, John Boorman) F
This has got to be one of the worst sequels/films I have ever seen. What a joke.
Images (1972, Robert Altman) B
A highly atmospheric effective little film.
Body Double (1984, Brian De Palma) B
De Palma goes where Hitchcock was too restricted to go in the 1950s, even if misogynistic and over sexified at times.
City of Hope (1991, John Sayles) A
An astounding look an array of intertwined characters in a neighbourhood of NYC.
The Heroes of Telemark (1965, Anthony Mann) C+
A far cry from Mann's work in the 1950s and one of the flattest 'guys on a mission' films.
A Fuller Life (2013, Samantha Fuller) B
A love letter to the great film-maker Sam Fuller by his daughter.
Mirai (2018, Mamoru Hosoda) B
A sweet little anime film about family.
Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004, Xan Cassavetes) A
An amazing look at a depressed individual who found solace in exhibiting (then) unappreciated or forgotten films though the legendary Z Channel.
Streets of Fire (1984, Walter Hill) C+
This is most defiantly a case of style over substance and way too much music emphasis for my liking.
Southern Comfort (1981, Walter Hill) A-
Walker Hill's amazing allegory on the Vietnam war is a Cajun swamp fest of fear.
The Long Riders (1980, Walter Hill) B+
A highly entertaining take on the tales of the Jesse James gang.
Harakiri (1962, Masaki Kobayashi) A+
A flat out masterpiece and one of the greatest films I've seen in recent memory.
Freebie and the Bean (1974, Richard Rush) B+
Josh Olsen said it best on this one, it's the best '80s buddy cop film made in the '70s.
White Line Fever (1975, Jonathan Kaplan) B
Probably the most Jan-Michael Vincent film, making for an entertaining trucker anti-establishment film.
The Confession (1970, Costa-Gavras) A-
One of the most honest films about the real vile truth
Highway Dragnet (1954, Nathan Juran) C+
On paper, this is so my thing, but it falls kind of flat.
A Man Escaped (1956, Robert Bresson) A
A meticulously crafted prison break film that is close to perfection.
Five Easy Pieces (1970, Bob Rafelson) A
A film I had seen as a kid and did not appreciate, as an adult, this is one of Nicholson's most beautiful films. Easily Rafelson's greatest work as a director.
Rio Conchos (1964, Gordon Douglas) B
An unexpected and different western with Richard Boone shining.
Dark of the Sun aka The Mercenaries (1968, Jack Cardiff) B+
Probably Rod Taylor's best work as an actor, this is one highly entertaining 'guys on a mission' picture.
The Entity (1982, Sidney J. Furie) B
An effective dark supernatural thriller that's kind of based on an alleged true story.
Blue Thunder (1982, John Badham) B
Starts out great, then goes a bit bonkers... but it remains entertaining to the very end.
A New Leaf (1971, Elaine May) B+
Walter Matthau is just hilarious as a man who'll do anything to maintain his social stature... including murder.
Mikey and Nicky (1976, Elaine May) A
A near masterpiece of a little gangster film that's directed with true grit.
Sole Survivor (1984, Thom Eberhardt) C+
The concept is cool and so is the atmosphere, but the dialogue and acting is quite amateur.
Don't Torture a Duckling (1972, Lucio Fulci) B
An intriguing film about a child killer in remote southern Italy.
The Psychic (1977, Lucio Fulci) A-
It's my favourite Fulci film with a kick ass theme.
Queen & Slim (2019, Melina Matsoukas) B+
A great film debut that is beyond relevant amongst current events.
Tightrope (1984, Richard Tuggle) B+
A change of pace for Clint into the seedy world of the streets of New Orleans.
Modern Romance (1981, Albert Brooks) A
An awkward under-appreciated ultra quotable anti-romcom gem of a film
Spider Baby or, the Maddest Story Ever Told (1967, Jack Hill) B
An odd black comedy b-film that's surprisingly very entertaining.
Starred Up (2013, David Mackenzie) B
A brute of a British prison film that seems very grounded.
Night of the Juggler (1980, Robert Butler) B-
An entertaining little gritty NYC film.
Rituals (1977, Peter Carter) A-
Known as the greatest rip-off of Deliverance, yet is so much more than that.
Self Defense aka 'Siege' (1983, Paul Donovan, Maura O'Connell) B-
A very low budget obscure canuxploitation film about defending your grounds from some violent homophobic gang, whilst the police are on strike.
The Driller Killer (1979, Abel Ferrara) C-
On paper this is so my kind of film, set in seedy NYC... yet I was kind of repelled by it and not in a good way.
Man with a Movie Camera (1929, Dziga Vertov) A
An amazing time-capsule of urban Russian life in the 1920s using groundbreaking camera techniques.
Death Line aka 'Raw Meat' (1972, Gary Sherman) B
A great little British underground horror film set in the London... underground. It even has a fun cameo from Christopher Lee.
Vice Squad (1982, Gary Sherman) B+
Wings Hauser is an unforgettable amazing villain in this terrific gritty urban thriller with a killer theme song.
The Black Cauldron (1985, Ted Berman, Richard Rich) C+
The story was OK and the villain is brilliantly voiced by John Hurt, but all the other characters are just so bland.
Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971, John D. Hancock) B-
The acting may not be up to the task, but the mood is most defiantly set here.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984, W. D. Richter) C
I really thought this would be my bag. Man... what a mess.
Romeo Is Bleeding (1993, Peter Medak) B+
It may be a bit of a mess and a tad bit over stylised... but this noir really got me going, and it's safe to say Lena Olin is one of the greatest femme fetales.
The Sentinel (1977, Michael Winner) C
Such a waste of a great cast.
Bad Dreams (1988, Andrew Fleming) C+
It's as if i'm watching Nightmare on Elm Street 3... but without Freddy.
Hit List (1989, William Lustig) C+
Lustig now as a director for hire, makes this pretty standard mob action flick.
Creepshow (1982, George A. Romero) B
Not all the skits may work ("The Crate" of course being the best) but the film on a whole really brings the 1950's horror comic material to life.
The Sender (1982, Roger Christian) B+
Tarantino's favourite horror film of the year.... well that got my attention. Surprisingly well made and does not disappoint, especially if you're a fan of The Dead Zone.
Day for Night (1973, François Truffaut) A+
A phenomenal glimpse into the real making of a film.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982, Tommy Lee Wallace) C+
The first half of this film is pretty decent, but then the second half happens... and the scheme is revealed. Yes this is the one without Michael.
Relentless (1989, William Lustig) B-
It's still kind of entertaining, but lacks the grittiness of Lustig's previous films.
The New York Ripper (1982, Lucio Fulci) B-
This film is filthy and overly violent... and pretty entertaining.
Vigilante (1982, William Lustig) B+
Lustig's most competently directed film, and with Robert Forester in top form.
Cohen and Tate (1988, Eric Red) B+
A cold violent neo noir film with Roy Scheider as a hitman.
Brick (2005, Rian Johnson) A-
One of the great directorial debut of the 21st century. A terrific neo-noir.
The Jericho Mile (1979, Michael Mann) B-
The directorial debut of crime legend Michael Mann.
Just Before Dawn (1981, Jeff Lieberman) C+
Poor George Kennedy is completely wasted in this '80s (rather unseen) average camp slasher film.
Humanity and Paper Balloons (1937, Sadao Yamanaka) B
A quaint little Japanese film that may not be a popular re-watch, but still an honest glimpse in a Japanese slum in the 18th century.
Trancers (1984, Charles Band) B-
Ripping off both The Terminator and Blade Runner, this may not be a great film, but the concept is great. Featuring a beautiful young Helen Hunt.
Race with the Devil (1975, Jack Starrett) A-
This is one heart pounding hell of a ride.
The Last of Shiela (1973, Herbert Ross) B+
A nice forgotten whodunit film with a stellar cast.
Hell Up in Harlem (1973, Larry Cohen) C+
A cash-in sequel to Black Caesar.
Black Caesar (1973, Larry Cohen) B
The Blaxsploitation version of Little Caesar.
Black Mama, White Mama (1973, Eddie Romero) B-
A 'chicks in chains' blaxploitation with the cool Sid Haig and the always bad-ass Pam Grier.
Shoot The Pianist (1960, François Truffaut) B+
Truffaut's second film is his take on the American film-noir.
The Last Run (1971, Richard Fleischer) B+
This may not be as good as The Driver, but it's a beautifully shot forgotten loner film about an ageing getaway driver.
The Bravados (1958, Henry King) B-
A well made revenge western noir but overly preachy on religion for me.
The Last Hard Men (1976, Andrew V. McLaglen) A-
Two classic leads go head to head in this savage under-rated American western.
The Gate (1987, Tibor Takács) B-
A fun 'gateway' horror film for the kids.
The 'Burbs (1989, Joe Dante) B+
It's young Tom Hanks in his most absolutely balls out entertaining film.
Alligator (1980, Lewis Teague) B+
It's the best damn Jaws rip-off I've ever seen and it's damn entertaining. Not to mention one of Robert Forster's best roles.
Machine Gun Killers (1968, Paolo Bianchini) C-
One of the rarest in the subgenre. Unfortunately, it wasn't worth the search.
The Bounty Killer (1966, Eugenio Martín) B+
One of those many under-rated spaghetti westerns.
Johnny Hamlet (1968, Enzo G. Castellari) C+
I was basically just watching Gilbert Roland.
Django Kill... If You Live, Shoot! (1967, Giulio Questi) C+
Easily the strangest spaghetti western I've ever seen, almost delving into horror.
Minnesota Clay (1964, Sergio Corbucci) B
One of the earliest Spaghetti Westerns by the director of Django.
Keoma (1976, Enzo G. Castellari) B+
One of the most operatic and under-rated Spaghetti Westerns, even if the music is annoying.
Boss Nigger (1974, Jack Arnold) B+
Fred Williamson is totally Boss in this film
The Jesus Rolls (2019, John Turturro) D
I mean... why, why was this made? I got nothing out of this.
The Harder They Come (1972, Perry Henzell) C+
I can understand the cultural impact of the film, but to me it's only the soundtrack that's memorable here.
Le Dîner de Cons "The Dinner Game" (1998, Francis Veber) A-
Jacques Villeret plays one of the all time great buffoons.
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952, Vincente Minnelli) B+
A wonderful glimpse into the film-making industry of the Golden age of Hollywood.
Two Weeks in Another Town (1962, Vincente Minnelli) B
An entertaining quasi-sequel to The Bad and the Beautiful.
Lucky Luciano (1973, Francesco Rosi) B
A bit too far on the bio side for my taste, yet very well made and features the always interesting Gian Maria Volontè.
The Day of the Dolphin (1973, Mike Nichols) C+
George C. Scott takes the material seriously and gives a solid performance, unfortunately the film is just beyond silly.
Bad Boys for Life (2020, Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah) C
I mean, it improved on the last one but, that's not really saying much is it?
Q & A (1990, Sidney Lumet) B+
One of Lumet's most under-rated and forgotten films. The blueprint for Copland.
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