Trailers From Hell - BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF (2002)

It might be time to watch this one again. 

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (1962) Poster Art and Lobby Cards

We really need a Blu-Ray of this classic.

 

ASH (2025)

The new science fiction/horror/monster film ASH (2025) is a piece of throwback cinema that I truly enjoyed. It made me think repeatedly of not just the films that it's obviously referencing, but the rip-off films produced by Roger Corman in the decade after the earlier films that it is copying. It helps that the films being re-worked are some of my favorites of all time, notably ALIEN (1979) and John Carpenter's THE THING (1982). As a matter of fact, there are shots within ASH that are clever recreations of specific shots from those two movies. But, as stated, it was not those films that I was constantly thinking of while watching this new one. I was primarily thinking of those Corman produced B-movie rip-offs. The low budget efforts that kept being churned out for a solid 15 years (or even longer) after the box office success of ALIEN were a staple of video shelves throughout my teenage years. It feels like the people behind this movie was right there beside me, hunting for the next gooey sci-fi monster epic. Indeed, ALIEN is such a touchstone film for ASH that it almost feels as if it could exist in a slightly different variation of the same future just perhaps further down the timeline, when things had deteriorated in a different, non-corporate way.  

Like the 1979 classic, our main character Riya is a strong female with the surprise here being that she doesn’t know her own identity when we're introduced to her. She has temporary amnesia brought on by an attack that has damaged her planetary station and killed her crewmates. As the film unfolds she discovers what has happened and I was relieved that the obvious, telegraphed revelation of her involvement was not held until the third act but folded into the narrative much sooner. What happened to the rest of her crew and exactly what she's going to have to do for her mission to succeed and simply survive is the tale we are being told.

Riya, played by Eiza Gonzalez and the surviving crewmen played by Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul try to piece together what happened and what they can do to complete their rather important mission of determining if this planet is a candidate for colonization. It seems that in this future Earth is desperate for new settlement planets because the ecological system of our home world has deteriorated to the point that if we don't get off world, the human race might not survive. This scenario sets up a very good motivation for the characters actions and it puts us on their side. But success is going to be difficult as the aforementioned monster alien things seem to have other ideas.

There are many things to praise about ASH. This film is beautifully, at times artfully shot with images bathed in reds and purples. There's a dynamic visual style that belies the probably very low budget. The movie always looks good and it chooses when to use practical effects and when to use CGI effectively. Luckily, the two main actors are very good together and they often carry this story forward as a team effort. The script is not much more impressive than my beloved Corman produced rip-offs from decades gone by, but the direction is solid. The cinematography is also very good and the believability and staging of the action sequences is on point as well. I guess part of that is that down to the actor doing the most martial arts activity was also the star of amazing Indonesian films THE RAID (2012) and its sequel.  

The movie also has a dose of cosmic horror introduced within the narrative that I appreciated. I'll not spoil anything, but I was impressed with the way in which the amnesia problems and the discoveries on this alien world dovetail together in a way to bring some good chills along with the wonder of the special effects on display. ASH isn't a great film, but it is a very good b-movie. And it's one that I'll probably return to in years to come for the same reason that I sometimes go back to some of those some of those Corman produced rip-offs like THE TERROR WITHIN (1989) or GALAXY OF TERROR (1981) - because they're fun! Those movies know what they're doing and there are no pretensions involved. The beauty of a film like this is that it's assuming its audience is aware of its references, and it's just wanting us to enjoy this variation on a much-treasured theme. 

 

Superman Movie Poster Art

 

Video - ZORRO AND THE THREE MUSKETEEERS (1963)

Here we have the next film Adrian and I will be talking about on Wild, Wild Podcast. This unlikely combination of heroes works far better than I would have ever thought possible and the movie is a lot of adventurous fun! The version being shown here is an assembly from multiple prints that seemingly presents the entire thing - maybe for the first time. The source material is variable in quality but even when the picture drops into black & white for a couple of scenes the story remains compelling. Enjoy!

KING KONG (1933) Poster Art

 

THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE (1972) Poster Art

 

THE VISITOR (1979) Poster Art

I think the artwork for the foreign markets was much superior to what we got in the States.

The Bloody Pit #216 - UNKNOWN WORLD (1951)

I’m happy to have author David Annandale return to the podcast to talk about low budget genre cinema again! Severin has issued a fantastic Blu-Ray of the film UNKNOWN WORLD (1951) so we use this release to dig into the little-discussed science fiction movie. Often seen in terrible, dark prints in various places around the internet this one deserves more attention, so we were both thrilled that it is now sharp and beautiful in its black & white HD glory. Did it look this good in ’51?

For a film produced by a couple of special effects artists UNKNOWN WORLD certainly has a lot on its mind. It is one of the earliest examples of apocalyptic nuclear ‘doom warning’ movies and we wonder if that fact is why it is less well known than later movies with similar aims. We discuss the cast and crew of this nine-day wonder including the oddity of the primary actor not getting screen credit. Time is spent lamenting the very few acting roles of the female lead and rambling through the credits of several other actors as well. We point out the solid effects work and marvel over the fantastic matte shots. Of course, we do acknowledge the weaknesses of the film and how its (intentionally?) dull middle segment can make the running time seem longer than it actually is. So, strap yourself in the Cyclotram and lets go caving!

If you have anything to say about this film or any others that we have covered thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. We thank you for listening and we’ll be back soon. 

Wild, Wild Podcast - THE INVINCIBLE MASKED RIDER (1963)

Who is that mysterious masked hero? Sarge? No. Rosemary, the telephone operator? No. Penry, the mild-mannered janitor? Could be! Then again, it could also be Robin Hood, so don't be too sure. (It’s really Zorro – but don’t tell anyone I told you!) 

Join us once again as we huddle together inside the nearest large castle for protection against the plague (Is that Poe on the phone?) whilst doing our best to unmask the eponymous hero. We also discuss Weird Worcester, the UK's newest and best Italian-themed festival where Adrian had the time of his life as a disappointing Italian translator.

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.

Video - THE INVINCIBLE MASKED RIDER (1963)

This Umberto Lenzi adventure film is the topic of the next episode of Wild, Wild Podcast! It's an excellent example of the Rapiers & Ruffles sub-genre and might surprise viewers who have only experienced Lenzi's later more rough and violent movies. Be aware that you can turn on the captioning and then, in settings, have YouTube translate them into English. Enjoy!

What I Watched in May 2025

THUNDERBOLTS* (2025) is not just one of the best of Marvel's superhero films. It is also a life affirming look at a group of people mired in serious depression who learn to be better and happier by helping each other. Watching these sad-sack characters, each of whom is at the lowest point in their adult lives, realize that the way forward is to focus on the folks around them that they can support. Every good hero story is about people helping each other survive and this one fits the bill. The group learns that even though they are broken, there are people that can piece you together as long as you try to do the same for them. THUNDERBOLTS is both funny and touching in ways I had not expected. 

The List

UNKNOWN WORLD (1951) – 5 (slow, dull journey to the center of the earth)

THE MEDIUM (1980) – 6 (Italian possession drama)

 

SEX IS CRAZY (1981) – 6 (Jess Franco’s episodic sex comedy)

 

SPECIAL AGENT (1935) – 7 (fast, fun criminal tale)

 

THUNDERBOLTS* (2025) – 9

 

DAMNATION ALLEY (1977) – 4 (rewatch on Blu)

I LOVE A MYSTERY (1945) – 7 (First of the series)

EXTERRITORIAL (2025) - 7 (German action film)

 

THE EQUILIZER 2 (2018) – 7 (well done action film)

THE UNKNOWN (1946) – 7 (third ‘I Love A Mystery’ film is a southern gothic)

FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS (1962) – 7 (rewatch on Blu – the shorter version)

UNTIL DAWN (2025) – 4 (some great cinematography and effects but ineffective)

 

THE AMATEUR (2025) – 7 (solid espionage/revenge thriller)

 

THE DEVIL’S MASK (1946) – 6 (second I Love A Mystery film)

THE PURCHASE PRICE (1932) – 5 (slight romantic comedy/drama with Barbara Stanwick)

SMILE BEFORE DEATH (1972) – 7 (sexy mystery from Italy – giallo?)

ASSASSINATION IN ROME (1965) – 6 (murder mystery from Italy)

AMUCK (1972) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) (giallo)

COMPANION (2025) – 8 (rewatch)

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FINAL RECONING (2025) – 6 (too long)

THE EXECUTIONER OF VENICE (1963) – 7 (excellent period drama/adventure) 

 

William Castle Films - Poster Art