Frank Frazetta - R.I.P.

Thoughts on Bert I Gordon

My recent viewing of THE CYCLOPS (1957) got me to thinking about the Blind Idiot God--uh, uh-- I mean Bert I. Gordon. Realizing that I had somehow missed one of his ridiculous 'growing' or 'shrinking' epics caused me to pull up his IMDB page to see just how many of his science fiction efforts I was unaware of. It turns out that with THE CYCLOPS under my belt I've run the board, so to say.

I've even seen his less than stellar ghost movie TORMENTED (1960) but unfortunately once he ventured out into simple thriller territory my viewing history gets spotty. I would like the chance to see PICTURE MOMMY DEAD (1966), NERCROMANCY (1972) and THE MAD BOMBER (1973) even though I suspect that the quality would still be at the standard BIG hit-or-miss level that best characterizes all of his movies. Bert always had bigger ambitions that talent and that's one of the reasons I find his work so fun. Even when they fail they have a certain charm that manages to endear them to a old monster fan like me. Hell! I still get some joy out of EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977) for God's sake so you know I'm a fan of the man! I wonder if younger generations will find anything in his admittedly C-grade works to keep his legacy alive as the 21st century moves on? I hope so. There are smiles and (mild) thrills to be had watching a poorly done special effect spider walk across a postcard as crowds of people flee the city.

Paul Naschy on Spanish horror

This is the first part of an episode of the fantastic British TV series EUROTIKA. Each show focused on one area of Euro-Trash cinema and did a good job of both informing newbies and providing some amazing interviews with the creators and stars of the classics of the 1960s and 1970s European film boom. Here you can see not just Naschy but Jose Larraz, Jorge Grau and a host of others discussing their best horror efforts.

What I Watched In April

A busy month with few trips to the cinema but much joy on the home screen. I went on an animated super hero movie tear and really enjoyed myself. There really are some great new animated movies out there. The best thing I saw last month was certainly the Korean adventure film THE GOOD THE BAD & THE WEIRD. Although a little overlong it is easily one of the most impressive movies I've seen all year and puts most American efforts to shame. Comcast's On Demand service allowed me to catch a few of the recent direct to DVD releases of Ghost House horror efforts. The stand out was the British film THE CHILDREN with the amateurish DANCE OF THE DEAD barely getting by on energy.

COLD SOULS (2008)- 5 (interesting Kauffman-esque idea; well acted but flat)
THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1963)- 6 (William Castle’s comedic take on the ’32 classic chiller)
ORGASMO (1969)- 7 (Umberto Lenzi’s psycho-sexual chiller)
SISTER STREET FIGHTER (1974)- 7 (fun chopsocky action)
THE DEVIL’S HAND (1962) – 4 (silly devil cult blandness)
REDNECK (1973)- 8 (Telly Savalas and Franco Nero as inept crooks)
SMOKIN’ ACES (2007)- 5 (interesting but it doesn’t really click-someone’s trying too hard to be Guy Ritchie)
REPO MEN (2010)- 6 (almost chokes but pulls out a nice dark ending)
THE GOOD THE BAD & THE WEIRD (2008) – 9 (amazing Korean western)
DR. SYN (1937)- 7 (first film version of the character)
THE WHIP HAND (1951)- 7 (sharp red scare thriller)
THE CHILDREN (2008) - 6 (pretty good British horror effort)
RACHAEL GETTING MARRIED (2008) - 7 (solid drama)
THE VENGEANCE OF THE MUMMY (1973) - 7 (the English dub is less good) (rewatch)
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (2010) – 7 (damned fun animated romp that could have used better dialog)
TRIANGLE (2009) – 7 (good Twilight Zone style thriller)
THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE (1973) – 6 (from its reputation I expected better)
WHAT? (1972)- 7 (mesmerizing & bizarre Polanski comedy)
DANCE OF THE DEAD (2008)- 5 (OK zombie comedy)
THE THAW (2009) - 5 (OK environmental horror)
SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009) - 8 (rewatch)
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956)- 6 (rewatch)
LA MOGLIE GIOVANE (The Young Wife) (1974) – 8 (Marisa Mell is great in this Italian thriller)
GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT (2009)- 7 (good animated retelling of GL’s origin)
SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES (2009)- 8 (excellent DC Universe adventure)
KICK-ASS (2010)- 8 (dark but great non-super super hero movie)
OFFSPRING (2009)- 6 (nasty little Jack Ketchum adaptation)
BATMAN VS. DRACULA (2005)- 8 (animated adventure is better than I expected)
VAMPYRES (1974)- 8 (rewatch)
THE CYCLOPS (1957)- 2 (bottom of the barrel Bert I. Gordon)
PLANET HULK (2009)- 8 (my kind of Hulk story – plus Beta Ray Bill!)

The Phantom - comic book trailer

I think I need to pick up some of these Moonstone Phantom comics. Wow!

NaschyCast #4 -THE VENGEANCE OF THE MUMMY (1973)

In the 4th episode of NaschyCast we unravel THE VENGEANCE OF THE MUMMY a.k.a. THE MUMMY'S REVENGE. Occasionally slow and packed with Egyptian lore and mystery the film is one of my favorite mummy movies and Troy (despite a lack of mummy love) actually feels the same way. Of course, calling it the second best mummy movie of all time is like claiming to be the leper with the most fingers but it’s still one Hell of a fun movie. Bloody, sexy and filled with murder set pieces that rival what was being done in gore films of the same vintage it’s a fun, furious ride with a few surprises along the way. Crushed heads for everyone!

Back from HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB is director Carlos Aured, lovely co-star Helga Line and Naschy his own bad self is again playing two separate roles. Hey! When you can play both the villain and his main henchman why not do it? I wonder if he got two paychecks?

Anyway- a great Naschy horror film and we have a lot of fun with it, so enjoy!

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1990s memories

That could have been me in the ape costume. Really. I would have done it for free. I loved Laser Discs!