Archive for November, 2010
Backbeats: SOUL TIME and JAZZY VIBES
Nov 16th
The site’s introductory Backbeats review takes a look at two sets aimed at different audiences: Soul Time is designed for the old-school soul music fan while Jazzy Vibes aims at the groove-conscious listener who appreciates the crossover, soul-flavored jazz of the 1970’s. That said, either set gives the listener a good feel for the series’ More >
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2: Old Ghosts With A Few New Tricks
Nov 15th
Few successful horror movies have been as controversial within the horror community as the first Paranormal Activity. This cheaply produced but conceptually savvy ghost story was mostly received by horror fans in two ways: either as proof that low-budget horror films could still be inventive and accessible or as a second-rate recycling of The Blair More >
SAW 3-D: Still Slaughtering, Still Not Making Sense
Nov 12th
Another Halloween, another absurdly convoluted entry in the Saw series. Your Humble Reviewer has never particularly enjoyed these films (even the much-praised first entry doesn’t hold up under scrutiny) yet he finds it fascinating on a number of levels. For one thing, it’s the most transgressive and unpleasant horror film series to ever achieve this More >
Digi-Schlock: NOT OF THIS EARTH (1988 Version — Shout! Factory DVD)
Nov 11th
The Jim Wynorski version of Not Of This Earth is one of Shout! Factory’s Roger Corman-produced titles that had a prior DVD edition. It was issued by New Concorde on disc in 2001 and boasted a commentary track by Wynorski and actor Lenny Juliano in addition to the film itself. That said, it was presented More >
Schlock-Wire: Your Humble Reviewer Contributes A Review Of HUNCHBACK OF THE MORGUE To Mondo Euro’s Naschy Month
Nov 10th
Here’s a little tip for Euro-horror fans: the Mondo Euro blog is transforming November into “Naschember” by devoting this month’s posts to reviews of Paul Naschy films. Your Humble Reviewer was invited to participâté and has contributed a review of his personal Naschy fave, Hunchback Of The Morgue. This delirious blend of The Hunchback Of More >
Schlock-Wire: Synapse/Impulse Unleashes THE NIKKATSU TRAILER COLLECTION
Nov 9th
Here’s a little release-day tip for sleaze fanatics and Mondo Macabro types: Synapse Films has just released The Nikkatsu Trailers Collection (also known as the Nikkatsu Roman Porno Trailers Collection) through their sexploitation-oriented sublabel, Impulse. As the titles indicate, this set collects a series of trailers for the wild sexploitation fare that Japan’s Nikkatsu Studios More >
IMPOSSIBLY FUNKY!: Beyond The Valley Of The Film ‘Zines
Nov 9th
If you’re of a certain age and into following cult movies, chances are you’ve bought plenty of ‘zines. Before the internet changed communication within subcultures, these self-made publications were the way to get information on your underground hobby of choice without any of the filtering/softening-down that often comes with mainstream publications. In fairness to the More >
NOT OF THIS EARTH (1988 Version): Quick & Dirty Fun From Another Galaxy
Nov 8th
The 1980’s found Roger Corman in the same kind of transitional phase that the rest of the b-movie world experienced during this era. The drive-ins were closing, indie distribution channels were getting tighter and ever-rising Hollywood budgets were getting tougher to compete with. As a result, it was getting tougher to get Corman’s kind of More >
Digi-Schlock: THE TERROR WITHIN/DEAD SPACE (Shout! Factory DVD)
Nov 5th
Shout Factory’s initial slate of Corman DVD reissues have offered up a healthy cross-section of quality space-schlock: Galaxy Of Terror, Forbidden World and Starcrash have all been treated to excellent transfers and extras-rich DVD packages. The company has continued their mining of Corman’s intergalactic fare with this double-feature disc that pairs two of the later More >
DEAD SPACE: In The Future, Recycling Will Be Recycled
Nov 4th
It’s one thing to recycle a concept from a popular mainstream flick in your own knock-off version. Schlock merchants have been doing that since the birth of cinema. However, recycling a film that already recycled another film really takes things to the limit. If you aren’t giving as much as you are taking, the results More >
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