An engaging 1970’s era documentary that examines reports of strange flying objects from ancient times up until the present which was 1974 when this documentary was made. Cool recreations of eyewitness accounts are interspersed with actual pictures and films taken by pilots, military personnel, NASA astronauts and civilians alike. The whole shebang is hosted by the great Rod Serling, the creator of “The Twilight Zone” and MC of “The Night Gallery”. It appears as though his recorded segments were filmed among the remains of his “Night Gallery” set: spotlight on Rod, and various illustrative props given a bit of highlight [More]
This entry is stretching a point, I’ll tell you right up front. Have you noticed the reactions of characters being revolted by their food or drink and tossing it aside or pouring the drink out? I was watching “The French Connection” and there is a scene where the cop, Doyle, pursuing the drug smuggler lord has to stand out in frigid temperatures across the street from the lavish, Four-Star French restaurant where the kingpin is consuming a seven course, exquisite meal. The cop is reduced to eating a warmed-over slice of pizza and some disgusting coffee. After taking a sip, [More]
“Hand of Death” is called a science fiction/horror movie but based on its length, a measly 60 minutes, it might be better described as a long lost “Outer Limits” TV episode. Not knocking it but this movie is a whirlwind of scenes of lab work, human to monster transformation and chases. And then it’s over! A doctor works on a nerve agent for the Military but becomes exposed to his own bad gas and it doesn’t do him any favors. You’ve heard of Leatherface? This monster should be called Rubberface. With his built-in tire treads across his face in tow, [More]
An outsider travels to a rural English town to conduct business and uncovers an ages old secret. The town commemorates the execution of a witch centuries before. Our businessman begins to experience nightmares of weird rituals of which he is a participant and stumbles upon evidence of unwelcome intrusions into his room. Could it be that witchcraft practitioners are still active in the town and he is to be one of their unwitting sacrifices? I think you know the answer to that. Enjoyable romp due chiefly to the presence of horror legends Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee. Both are very [More]
I love this documentary! This is a very cool mixture of documentary filmmaking styles examining the Bigfoot legend which are then combined with dramatic recreations of encounters with the mysterious hairy giants discussed by the witnesses. The hybrid style works! This thing will keep you engaged all the way through. Actor Peter Graves hosts and looks very serious and, well, grave, throughout. His demeanor expresses the Gravity of the situation of our subject. His reaction shots to the scientific fellows examining and discussing evidence are priceless. Actual recordings of Bigfoot vocalizations, footprint photos, eyewitness stories and the inclusion of the [More]
Polyerius perform at the first annual Quarantinefest in San Jose on Halloween night, 2020. There should be another edition of this event this year. COVID and its handlers may have finally shit themselves out. We can only hope.
Very fine, very abridged visual retelling of the F. Marion Crawford classic ghost story, “The Upper Berth”. I first read this story in one of the old “Alfred Hitchcock Presents Stories to Keep You Awake At Night” or some such gaudy title. It was an excellent story and is well worth seeking out and getting the chills from. An adventurer finds that his cabinmate aboard a freighter may not be all he appears to be. He may not even be among the living. And there the fun really begins. Read the original story too! This video takes a very cool, [More]
Miners uncover a piece of preserved dinosaur tail that ends up thawing in a scientific research facility. That ends up being an awful turn of events. The small bit of flesh soon grows and regenerates a complete dinosaur! The resilient reptile. Very soon, a full-fledged rampaging beast is on the loose and begins laying waste to the Denmark countryside where the tale takes place. There are bits of this fantasy film that I find actually enjoyable. There is a travelogue of sorts that appears near the middle of the film that highlights some of the festive night spots and activities [More]
Another blast from the past. The amazing, original line up of The Stranglers in their music video for “Duchess”. Ah, they just don’t make them like this anymore and you may say that’s a good thing. But it does have a nice and gritty cinematic quality using those old ’70’s film stocks. Directed by old school music video maestro, Russell Mulcahy. Whatever happened to him? Time relentlessly passes.
So trying to find some inspiration to make a post, I came up with possibly my weakest entry yet. But, let me say, that I spared you a review of “The Killer Shrews”, “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes”, “No Country For Old Men”. Take your pick. It ain’t going to be any of those. I’ll save those for Halloween time. What I came up with was in response to a conversation I had with my wife. We are going to a Labor Day weekend wedding and she volunteered me to take pictures to produce a photo album to [More]
James Caan was an energetic actor who had a great run of movie appearances from the 1970’s to the early 1980’s. Caan started showing up in Westerns like “El Dorado” and oddball psychological pics like “Lady in a Cage” and “Games” in the 1960’s. His acting fortunes took a turn for the epic when he was cast in “The Godfather” (1971). Playing loose cannon Sonny Corleone, son of Mafia Don, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) showcased Caan’s ability to go from a (relatively) tranquil state to kinetic maniac in the wink of an eye. Such explosive acting pyrotechnics would continue to [More]
Another collection of strange stories submitted to Rusty West by his listeners that West combines into a creepy compilation of bizarre and spooky audio narratives. These vignettes can be absolutely terrifying. A couple of stories from his prior collections have freaked me out and stuck with me. Plus, I am a sucker for the howling wind sound effect backgrounds that Rusty has used many times in these videos. Wonderful!
If money is no object with regards to gasoline prices and you need to satisfy your wanderlust, then consider taking a road trip across Highway 50 in Nevada AKA “The Loneliest road in America”. I have been on this highway a couple of times and I must say that there are some cool small towns and many historical sites along the way but there are also miles and miles of twisting, winding roads travelling through a barren desert locale. All in all, though, a very rewarding drive. Just don’t expect to see too many other vehicles along the route. Or [More]
Punk rock progenitor, Chris Bailey, who sang and wrote for the Australian band, The Saints, has died. Chris definitely had a strong presence in my life way back when. We had a couple of Saints’ audio cassettes in the rotation for road trips: “I’m Stranded” and “Know Your Product”. The songs were some of our favorites, right alongside “Metallic KO”, The Stranglers, Motorhead, etc. Good music, good times. The Saints’ raw, guitar dominated sound was an influence on the punk purge to come in the music industry. Check out this music video which is introduced by artist commentary. Cool video!