Thursday, May 15, 2025

What I Watched in April 2025


I can understand why some would feel put off by David Cronenberg’s films over the past two decades. If the thing that drew you to his earlier work was the outrageous visions of horror from exploding heads, mutant vampiric appendages and full body insect metamorphosis then his work in this late period of his career is puzzling. These days the director seems less interested in straightforward formal narratives with his odd, obsessive musings hanging from the story like bits of transparent flesh. In the 21st century Cronenberg has seemed to dig into a style that was always there, but used more as setting than mood. His films have always had a dreamlike vibe that would occasionally push the story forward in an unnatural way, making the viewer unsure if what was being seen was ‘real’ or imagined within the character’s lives. With THE SHROUDS (2025) he seems to be taking that obsession to a new level. I’ll not spoil the film but it seems that the writer/director throws a half a dozen fine ideas at his doppelganger main character (has any actor looked more like his director than here?) only to discard them because they were mere distractions from the story’s real journey and purpose. All the complications about technological conspiracies, sexual betrayals, marital trust and the reverence we owe to the dead are fascinating but are details ‘shrouding’ the important truth of the movie. THE SHROUDS is about the horrors of dealing with bone-deep grief and its final image gives an indicator of Cronenberg’s personal solution to this universal problem. His darkly humorous way of coping is not for everyone, but then neither is this fine film. I suspect it will be found by the people that need to see it as time goes by.
 
As an aside – I think a screening of THE BROOD with this movie would be instructive. 

THE LIST

THE WOMAN IN THE YARD (2025) – 7
 
FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR (1968) - 7 (rewatch of the shorter 3D version)

THE CROSS OF THE DEVIL (1975) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)
 
CRIES & SHADOWS (1975) – 5 (silly, sloppy Exorcist rip-off but I kind of liked it)
 
SATANICO PANDIMONIUM (1975) – 4 (Mexican nun tale)

THE SECRET MARK OF D’ARTAGNAN (1962) – 7
 
FROM BEYOND (1986) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

STRANGE DARLING (2024) – 9 (rewatch on Blu)

WOMEN OF DEVIL’S ISLAND (1962) – 7 (rewatch)

NIGHT OF THE BLOODY APES (1969) – 5 (women wrestlers and mad science)
 
SINNERS (2025) – 9 (brilliant period vampire tale)

THE CASE OF THE LUCKY LEGS (1935) – 7 (fast, funny Perry Mason mystery)

THE SHROUDS (2025) – 8 (Cronenberg’s latest is a meditation on grief)
 
THE ACCOUNTANT 2 (2025) – 8
 
THE RULE OF JENNY PEN (2024) – 7 (excellent cast in an elder horror tale)
 
DEAD MAN’S EYES (1944) – 5 (rewatch on Blu)

PSYCHO GIRLS (1986) – 5 (amateurish Canadian horror with some good dialog)

 

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

THE INVINCIBLE SIX (1970) Poster Art and Lobby Cards






Every now and then, while researching something, I will stumble across a movie that I have never heard of before and immediately realize I must see. This is the one I found today and I will not rest until I can watch it! With that cast and directed by the man who made THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS (1944), JOHNNY BELINDA (1948), TITANIC (1950), THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (1954) and THE PLEASURE SEEKERS (1964) it is a must find.


Saturday, May 10, 2025

Wild, Wild Podcast - WOMEN OF DEVIL'S ISLAND (1962)


It's adventure on land and on sea as we chart a course to Devil's Island! It's the time of the French Revolution and tempers are running high, quite literally, as we visit those poor female prisoners of Devil's Island, who are forced to pan for gold by day in the hot South American sun, and then entertain the prison guards in improvised brothels by night. If only there was a dashing young captain who could come and save them? And perhaps punch a crocodile whilst he's at it?

We are now halfway through our Rapiers & Ruffles season now, so hitch up your skirts and wade into the croc-infested waters in search of cinematic gold with us, your piratical hosts Rod Barnett and Adrian Smith.

You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our LINKTREE.
 

Thursday, May 08, 2025

Thursday, May 01, 2025

Video - WOMEN OF DEVIL'S ISLAND (1962)


For those keeping up with us on the Wild, Wild Podcast, this is the film we'll cover on the next episode. It is another fine example of why this overlooked genre deserves more attention.