Tagarchief: FilmDungeon

Cult Radar: Part 5

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld

FilmDungeon.com is glad to explore the video trenches to find that oddball treasure between the piles of crap out there. Off course a treasure in this context can also be a film that’s so shockingly bad it’s worth a look, or something so bizarre that cult fans just have to see it. Join us on our quest and learn what we learn. Hopefully we’ll uncover some well-hidden cult gems.

Researched by: Jeppe Kleijngeld

The Inglorious Bastards (Italy, 1978)
OT: Quel maledetto treno blindato

Directed by: Enzo G. Castellari
Written by: Sandro Continenza, Sergio Grieco, Franco Marotta,
Romano Migliorini, Laura Toscano
Cast: Bo Svenson, Peter Hooten, Fred Williamson, Michael Pergolani

Before Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, there was this WWII exploitation flick. A group of Dirty Dozen-like US soldiers get transported through France in order to be court-martialed. After they get ambushed by Germans, they manage to escape. They take one German hostage, who is to lead them to safe Switzerland. Underway they have to battle their way through hoards of Nazi’s and the US military. This film is characterized by loads of shoot-outs, explosions and humor. And of course some naked girls; every exploitation film needs a couple of those! The ‘Bastards’ (five in total) are well cast. Williamson is excellent as a badass motherfucker. While the movie never becomes truly great, it does manage to involve the viewer in the characters’ mission, and every time the glorious WWII music plays, you can’t help but cheer for these bastards.

EXTRA’S: As entertaining as the movie, is the excellent 38 minute discussion between Tarantino and director Enzo Castellari about their influences (Peckinpah) and the art of filmmaking.

The Strangler of Blackmoor Castle (Germany, 1963)
OT: Der würger von schloß Blackmoor

Directed by: Harald Fodor
Written by: Ladislas Fodor, Gustav Kampendonk, Bryan Edgar Wallace
Cast: Karin Dor, Harry Riebauer, Rudolt Fernau, Hans Nielsen

A hooded figure invades Blackmoor Castle, during a party held by the castle’s tenant Lucius Clark. The ‘Strangler’ threatens him and demands the diamonds back that Clark supposedly stole. He also leaves one man dead with a ‘M’ marked on his forehead. A Scotland Yard inspector comes over to the estate to investigate the murder. He discovers a plot around the diamonds and a confrontation with the killer ensues. This detective movie uses the build-up of a horror. This makes the beginning quite suspenseful, but it becomes a bit dull halfway through, when it turns out to be just another mediocre whodunit. Still, it is not totally without a sense of style and humor. The electronic soundtrack is made by Oskar ‘The Birds’ Sala.

Planet of Dinosaurs (USA, 1978)

Directed by: James K. Shea
Written by: Jim Aupperle, Ralph Lucas
Cast: James Whitworth, Pamela Bottaro, Louie Lawless, Harvey Shain

The DVD cover of Planet of Dinosaurs is a true masterpiece, but does the movie live up to it? That depends on your taste for campy stop-motion creature features. The story: a spaceship crash lands on a seemingly deserted planet. There are initially nine survivors that start to scout the area. Within two minutes, there are eight survivors left. They have landed on the planet of the apes with dinosaurs!! Some observations:
– Space effects in the beginning, ships and stuff, are very funny.
– The crew has ‘four lasers’. Hmmm…[cynical]cool.[/cynical]
– One of the last stop motion creature flicks. It’s not Harryhausen, but there is quite a lot of variety in prehistoric monsters. Only too bad they are somewhat static.
– The actors are as convincing as the dinosaurs.
– Lame dialogues and synthesizer score.

Worth watching? Yes, if you find this type of thing hilarious. Otherwise avoid.

Diabolik (Italy / France, 1968)

Directed by: Mario Bava
Written by: Mario Bava, Brian Degas, Tudor Gates, Arduino Maiuri
Cast: John Phillip Law, Marisa Mell, Michel Piccoli, Adolfo Celi

Adaptation from the Italian comic book series, produced by Dino De Laurentiis and directed by horror author Mario Bava, doing a wonderful job outside of his usual territory. John Phillip Law plays anti hero Diabolik, a masked super thief who steals riches from both the government and the Mafia. His partner is the beautiful and voluptuous Eva (Marisa Mell). Together they fulfill the male fantasy: driving black and white jaguars, making love between 10 million dollars in a rotating bed and getting away with the most daring robberies. Their opponents are inspector Ginco and mob boss Valmont, who team up in an attempt to lure Diabolik and Eva into a trap. Bava directs this superhero movie with great style, while showing respect for the source material. He delivers one amazing set-piece after another, accompanied by a brilliant musical score from master Ennio Morricone. Camp was never before or after this spectacular. Diabolik = must see movie.

Mister Scarface (Italy / Germany, 1976)
OT: I padroni della città

Directed by: Fernando Di Leo
Written by: Peter Berling, Fernando Di Leo
Cast: Harry Baer, Al Cliver, Jack Palance, Gisela Hahn

Tony (Harry Baer) collects accounts receivable for gangster Luigi. His crime family gets involved in a power struggle with local bigshot ‘Scarface’ Manzari (Palance). Tony teams up with fellow collector Rick (Al Cliver). Together they plan to scheme Scarface out of a fortune and retire afterwards. This leads to an inevitable bloody confrontation with Scarface and his crew. The fuzzy plot and often inaudible dialogues (due to deteriorated picture quality) make this movie hard to follow at times. The good things are Palance’s demonic performance and the well crafted Napels underworld atmosphere. Lot’s of action and violence during the second half especially, make this worth a look for gangster film enthusiasts.


John Phillip Law and Marisa Mell in Diabolik.

 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld

Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui
Written by: Joss Whedon
Cast: Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry

Year / Country: 1992, USA
Running Time: 82 mins.

Vampires have always been around us: hunting, killing, sucking blood. The chosen one is The Slayer, who alone can stand against the powers of darkness. When a slayer dies, a new one arises. But what happens in modern times? A blonde cheerleader receives the powers! Meet Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Before she moved to Sunnydale, Buffy lived in L.A., the City of Angels…and monsters. A mysterious stranger named Merrick approaches Buffy and convinces her she is the chosen one to fight evil demon Lothos, an old vampire who has been in the crusades. She gets help from romantic agitator Luke Perry. Screenplay writer Joss Whedon establishes the basis here of what would later become the renowned cult series of the same name.

The main story revolves around Buffy, who wants a normal teenager life but has to deal with dark powers and slaying vampires. Naturally this 80 minute film is more compact than the 145-episode series that followed it. Therefore some elements that made the series great – Angel, Spike, Brendan, Willow, a variety of monsters – are missing. On the other hand, Rutger Hauer as Lothos is a worthy villain and Paul Reuben is an interesting casting choice for his henchman.

Donald Sutherland is also excellent as the tutor, and Kristy Swanson portrays Buffy well, although personally I like Sarah Michelle Gellar better in the role. The kung-fu and vampire staking fights don’t look so great in this film, which is a miss, since this is an important part of the concept.

Still, if you’re into Buffy, this is a decent cult movie that can now be seen as a prequel to the television series.

Rating:

Biography: Fran Rubel Kuzui is mostly known as (executive) producer of the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel. She also produced Trey Parker’s Orgazmo. Her filmography lists two directing credits: the already mentioned Buffy, and US/Japan production Tokyo Pop, in which a young female rock singer is not appreciated by her band and moves to Tokyo.

Filmography: Tokyo Pop (1988), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

The Untouchables (1987)

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld


‘AL CAPONE. He rules Chicago with absolute power. No one could touch him. No one could stop him. Until Eliot Ness and a small force of men swore they’d bring him down.’

Directed by:
Brian De Palma

Written by:
Oscar Fraley (book)
Eliot Ness (book)
David Mamet (screenplay)

Cast:
Kevin Costner (Eliot Ness), Sean Connery (Jim Malone), Charles Martin Smith (Oscar Wallace), Andy Garcia (George Stone), Robert De Niro (Al Capone), Richard Bradford (Police Chief Mike Dorsett), Jack Kehoe (Walter Payne), Brad Sullivan (George), Billy Drago (Frank Nitti), Patricia Clarkson (Catherine Ness)

Chicago in the 1930’s was a very dangerous place. This was mainly the result of the Volstead Act that reinforced the prohibition of alcohol and allowed such gang lords as Al Capone to literally make a killing. The story of treasury officer Eliot Ness and his squad of untouchables had already been told in the classic television show from the sixties, but director Brian De Palma figured it was time for a movie update. And boy was he right…

The Untouchables just radiates class throughout its running time. The first masterful scene occurs when a newspaper gets delivered in Al Capone’s hotel bedroom. The camera sways from the street, through the hotel and into Capone’s bedroom where the larger-than-life gangster is smoking a massive cigar in bed and laughs at the newspaper’s headline: ‘Crusader cop busts out’. Ennio Morricone composed a very cool piece of music for this scene.

The newspaper is referring to Eliot Ness’ first failure to confiscate Capone’s booze. Ness (Kevin Costner) is determined to bring Capone down, but he doesn’t know how to do it. Irish street cop Jim Malone (Sean Connery) suggests a more unorthodox approach to get it done.

Malone is hesitant at first to join Ness’ team, but gradually evolves into a true fighter. A very impressive and Oscar winning performance by Sean Connery. Andy Garcia and Charles Martin Smith are in equally fine shape. They portray the other members of Ness’ squad. Garcia as the hot-headed, but talented rookie cop George Stone and Smith as a public accountant, whose ideas about income tax evasion would eventually lead to Capone’s downfall.

Costner as the leading man was also the perfect choice. Although he can’t get rid of his goodie goodie two shoes image, despite the violent acts he eventually commits in the film, he is still an inspiring person to watch. He even managed to touch me in the heart one or two times.

Of course, De Niro is once again the show stealer. His method acting really works at its best in The Untouchables. In fact, it works so well that I totally forgot I was watching De Niro: I was watching Al Capone. His character is what he’s supposed to be: an extremely dominant and intimidating personality. In a famous scene based on a true incident, Capone demonstrates his powers. During a black tie dinner with all his cronies, he shockingly beats one of them to death with a baseball bat.

The violence described above is characterising for De Palma’s approach in making this film. Brains are painting the ceiling on more than one occasion. The brutality is justified though as it really helps to better understand Ness’ determination to get the job done. Drinking may be innocent, but when you touch a man’s family, his friends and innocents in general, it is very understandable that he is driven to despair and acts of brutal violence.

De Palma’s direction on this movie is flawless. His trademark suspense is evident from the credit sequence on, up until the amazing train station shoot-out at the end. Every scene in The Untouchables is just perfect in setting, rhythm, composition and acting. He has made a timeless film that deserves to be celebrated a lot more than it currently is.

Rating:

Quote:
AL CAPONE: “I want this man DEAD! I want his family DEAD! I want his house burnt to the ground. I wanna go there in the middle of the night and I wanna piss on his ashes!”

Trivia:
Robert De Niro tracked down Al Capone’s original tailors and had them make him some identical clothing for the movie. He also insisted on wearing the same style of silk underwear that the real Capone wore.

The Gumball Rally

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld

Director: Charles Bail
Written by: Charles Bail, Leon Capetanos
Cast: Michael Sarrazin, Norman Burton, Gary Busey, Raul Julia

Year / Country: 1976, USA
Running Time: 102 mins.

In the seventies, the classic ‘Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash Run’ took place. One long run from New York to Los Angeles, organized by Brock Yates who later wrote a movie script about it. This became The Cannonball Run, a 1981 comedy starring Burt Reynolds. Two films about this race preceded it; Cannonball! and The Gumball Rally, both released in 1976.

This movie is the best of the three. It beats The Cannonball Run because it lacks the corny jokes. It is actually pretty funny at times and features some great characters. Most memorable are Gary Busey as a crazy mechanic and Raul Julia as the overly romantic Italian driver Franco. There are female drivers as well. One of them is a young Susan Flannery AKA Stephanie Forrester from The Bold and the Beautiful. Yes, really!

Besides the effective use of humor, the driving action beats that of Cannonball!, because you get an actual sense of high speed. Especially during a spectacular sequence in New York, where the race begins and in which the contestants drive through the city with at least 100 miles per hour. All the drivers use amazing cars, including a Cobra, Ferrari, Porsche, Dodge, Rolls, Mercedes, Bentley and Camaro. One guy, Lapchick the Mad Hungarian, even drives a Kawasaki bike. An awesome sight for racing fans as this movie is to the fans of this movie genre.

Rating:

Biography: Charles Bail AKA Chuck Bail (1935 – 2020) has an impressive show business career that spanned from the fifties up until the nineties. He basically did everything from performing to directing and being a stunt coordinator. He started his career as stuntman and guest star on many famous western shows. After that, he directed episodes for famous television series such as Knight Rider and Dragnet. He also directed several films, such as the blaxploitation classic Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold. Bail is currently retired and lives in Texas.

Filmography: Black Samson (1974, short), Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975), The Gumball Rally (1976), CHiPs (1981-83, TV episodes), Manimal (1983, TV episodes), Knight Rider (1985/86, TV episodes), Choke Canyon (1986), Dragnet (1989-91, TV episodes), Adam 12 (1990/91, TV episodes), Baywatch Nights (995/96, TV episodes), Street Corner justice (1996)