I just viewed this science fiction film from the 1950’s a few days ago. I admit that I was mostly entertained by this movie which eluded viewing until just recently but coincided with some articles I saw that illustrated the decline and fall of the Salton Sea recreational area located in the southern most part of the state of California, USA. Seems that this area was once a thriving vacation and resort spot before things got a little disgusting with the receding of this (basically) unnatural lake. The lake resulted as a collection of runoff of high water from the [More]
William Marshall is at his nocturnal pursuits again as Blacula, the vampire, in this sequel to “Blacula” (1972). The vampire this time out is at the end of his rope with his undead existence and seeks a way to eradicate himself from his vampiric tendencies. Blacula enlists the help of a voodoo practitioner, played by Pam Grier, to create a spell that can free him from his vampire curse. Marshall exudes a debonair yet deadly presence and he can be an interesting and menacing figure when shifting into his vampire mode. That being said, I can say that I found [More]
One of my all time favorite pics! An alien hunter on steroids makes quick work of a military unit conducting operations in the jungles of South America. Exhilirating action and quite a few scares await the viewer. Arnold at his peak.
Glorious, orchestrated rock tune from Van Der Graaf Generator. I placed “Generator” in parentheses in the title because at this stage of the band’s career, they had decided to abbreviate their title. Anyway, “Pioneers” is an epic composition highlighted by Peter Hamill’s vocals which alternate between mournful wail and guttural snarls. Hammill possesses a truly unique voice in rock. Rob Halford of Judas Priest learned a few tricks from Hamill’s approach it would appear. I like the powerful, effects laden bass guitar. When I first purchased this live set, “Vital” on audio cassette(!!! I date myself), I felt the bass was [More]
I have never really liked this movie. On recent viewing, I can see why. The entire production is revolting. It starts with the fact that this is a big budgeted movie based on a best selling book, “Relic”. Don’t expect to watch this and think it reliably follows the novel. There have been many editorial liberties taken. (So what else is new, you ask?) This movie is awash in guts and gore being spewed in all directions. There are generous helpings of entrail ripping, blood splatterings and heads being severed. Ugh. I don’t think I found one likeable character in the entire story. Maybe [More]
Always a favorite Valentine’s Day view, “Fatal Attraction” documents a married man’s fling while the wife’s away that turns out to be the biggest mistake of his life. Rather than obediently disappearing after their wild weekend, Michael Douglas’ love interest, Glenn Close, chooses instead to hang around and try to become a more permanent fixture in his life. Of course, this was not a part of the plan in Douglas’ mind. Close is very single minded in her pursuit and will not think of hearing “no” as a response in her quest top become Douglas’ primary love interest. There is [More]
An interesting article surfaced recently. Artificial Intelligence robots being tested by Facebook seemingly began communicating in a language that was indecipherable to the “experts”. Shocking!!! First off – are there any true experts on any subject, particularly concerning the medical profession, science, technology? The minute any absolutes or concrete data is laid out to demonstrate our understanding of how the body, nature or the Universe works, it can be retracted with a new theory or explanation to replace the old one. Oh, really? Why don’t the experts just admit that they are guessing and don’t actually really know shit? Wow. [More]
Sadly, multi instrumentalist Peter Tork of The Monkees fame has passed at 77. Pete contributed bass, guitar, banjo, keyboards and vocals to The Monkees’ recordings and live shows. Depicted in the show as the simple minded one, in actuality Tork was quite the opinionated “thinker”. Pete passed an audition to become one of the four members of a prefabricated band to appear in a weekly television show copying the Beatles massive cultural appeal in the late 1960’s. Tork did have the ability to play an actual musical instrument which is more then can be said of half of the other [More]
This was the final film gathering of The Original Series Star Trek crew after a long line of cinematic adventures. Star Trek started out as a TV series but after only lasting three seasons in its original run, a devoted fanbase rallied to get the creative forces that be to realize that there was still an audience out there and, after Star Wars proved to be a box office smash, that maybe there was gold in them thar science fiction film hills. The resultant movie franchise lasted for six installments. This time out, our heroes are ordered to take a [More]
I am trying to pinpoint the origins of how this movie was made. What haunted house film had come before that could provide “inspiration” to get this film produced? I have guessed “The Omen” (haunted in a different way) or maybe even “The Legend of Hell House” but I am not sure. “House of Evil” is a mismatch of ghostly manifestations taking place in an abandoned mansion which has been recently purchased by a scientist as the site of a new research facility. A team of fellow scientists and assorted specialists join the professor in his new digs and then [More]
They ain’t kidding with the bit about “the end of Love”. This is a very violent, depressing environmental horror tale from the early 1970’s which sets the downbeat vibe with the title sequence showing a parched desert floor with the anguished silhouettes of contorted human figures laboring across it. We then see a montage of car exhaust pipes and factory chimneys spewing out ugly exhaust, polluted waterways and landscapes, and scenes of overcrowded, congested cities. (The title sequence from “Soylent Green”, another grim portrait of a futuristic nightmare society, nicked this montage.) It doesn’t help matters that folkie Roger Whittaker [More]
A chilling compilation of creepy videos showcasing the Great Outdoors. What could be lurking out there just out of view is disturbing! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!
Collection of clips depicting disgusting violations of the human body as The Thing (from another world, of course) starts to wipe out an icebound outpost of civilization.
Roxy Music, with their original lineup, perform “Editions of You”. Lovely stage performances by Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno. This band appeared around the era of ’70’s British Glam Rock and the costumes lent themselves to that genre. Roxy, though, was able to progress artistically beyond the confines of that particular music style and continue its career. Eno would leave the band soon after this performance.