Where Did Darth Vader’s Look Come From? A Jess Franco Film?

OK, here’s how this radical thought began: the new “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” trailer aired, and I happened to be watching this 1974 cult exploitation film by Jess Franco:

A Naked “Most Dangerous Game!”

The film is vintage Jess Franco: his unique filming style include a meandering camera, lots of b-roll with fast zooms and pan – and tons of nudity, sex and violence – mostly involving his wife, the legendary Actress Lina Romay!

The film is a “naked” retelling of the classic “most dangerous game” story – a wealthy couple who live on a deserted island invite beautiful women over – and then hunt them!

Of course, because it’s Franco, they are hunted naked – the great Actress Alice Arno plays the Countess!

It’s a great example of Franco, and I encourage you to look for it – in fact, here is a link to a story I posted about a new blu-ray that includes two separate versions of the film, plus another Romay movie as a bonus!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/06/30/sexy-nature-the-notorious-francofriday-cut-of-countess-perverse-with-lina-romay/

So how did this lead me to the original Darth Vader?

Don’t shake your head at me – there is a reason! First, here is a great summation of the origin of Darth Vader.

According the the terrific “Star Wars” website called “Force Material”:

The name ‘Darth Vader’ goes all the way back to George Lucas’ rough draft summary of The Star Wars, completed in May of 1974. In fact, elements of Vader can be found in four separate characters from that draft.

General Darth Vader, of the Royal Space Fleet, was a “tall, grim looking humanoid”. Lucas has indulged in a little bit of self-mythologising and revisionist history over the years, claiming that he always intended Vader to be Luke Skywalker’s father and that the name meant ‘Dark Father’.

At the time, Lucas said the name “sort of appeared in my head one day. I had lots of Darth this and Darth that, and Dark Lord of the Sith. The early name was actually Dark Water. Then I added lots of last names, Vaders and Wilsons and Smiths, and I just came up with the combination of Darth and Vader.”

I got this information from the “Force Material” website, and here is the link – terrific insight:

http://www.forcematerial.com/home/2016/12/01/the-origin-of-darth-vader-the-name

So, time to show you how this all came together….first, here is a shot of Vader again:

Now, look at this shot of the island house where the couple lives in “Countess Perverse”:

OK?

I mean, they show people walking up the stairs to the house over and over and over again – remember what I said about Franco’s tendency to meander a bit – but after the fifth time I saw an outline of Vader’s helmet!

In fact, even in the wide shots as a boat is moving closer to the island, you can see a Vader-esque shape in the house:

Whether Lucas ever saw this film or not, the resemblance is there in my opinion – and if not, so what? It’s just a post about my love of movies…in fact, I also posted the story of the origin of the Han Solo character – it was THIS GUY!

That’s right, George Lucas wanted to make “Flash Gordon” but couldn’t get the rights – so he created his own world instead – and that turned out pretty well for him, didn’t it?

See the whole story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/05/how-flash-gordon-created-star-wars-sam-jones-the-original-han-solo/

Let me know if you agree that Lina Romay was stalked in Darth Vader’s helmet house!

First, let me say that the accusations against Movie Mogul Harvey Weinstein are vile – I had the chance to interact with him throughout the 90’s, and he was belligerent, crass and known to be a bully towards journalists and filmmakers alike. However, I never heard about the sexual harassment allegations: that was something that was happening away from the awards/film festival spotlight I saw him in.

That said, one of the most important conversations coming out of this scandal involves Actresses who have come forward to discuss the “culture of harassment” that exists in the entertainment industry in general – and for generations.

Bravo Tippi Hedren!

Legendary Actress Tippi Hedren, star of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” AND Melanie Griffith’s mother, has stepped out to reiterate what she has stated publicly in the past: Hollywood itself is the problem.

Here is what Hedren posted on Twitter:

Destroying The “Casting Couch Culture!”

Bravo to Hedren for joining the chorus of women who are challenging the reprehensible “culture of harassment” that exists the entertainment industry, which has allowed successful men to prey on those who are trying to break into the business – the idea of the “casting couch” is ingrained in Hollywood, and it’s time to end it.

Hedren has a terrific memoir that recounts her battles in Hollywood – a great book – and if you haven’t heard of this film she made, it’s a “must see” as well!

“ROAR” is an amazing movie – Hedren and her husband filmed in Africa among wild animals, and this incredible film documents the dangerous filming conditions…read about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/30/the-shocking-madness-of-roar-melanie-griffith-mauled-by-lions-movie-the-most-dangerous-film-ever-made/

Hitchcock fans are rushing to his defense, and Hedren’s upcoming book will provide more on this subject. If you like this Director, one of his later films was quite the vicious thriller:

You can see more of this 70’s film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/09/frenzy-drowning-alfred-hitchcock-classic-movie-shocks/

Bravo to Tippi Hedren for adding her voice to this important issue!

Celebrating The Power Of Cinema!

I love movies, and have had a blast lately sharing some of my favorites on a special series of lists that celebrated the unique, obscure, offbeat and just plain strange films that we can all enjoy.

Time to wrap up my “Movies from A-Z” series with ten films that cross over the last three letters of the alphabet – the “X,Y & Z” of it all – and guess what? That’s the name of our first film as well!

10 – X, Y & Zee

This amazingly obscure 1972 British film starred Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Caine as a middle-aged, bickering couple whose marriage is on its last legs, and Susannah York as the woman who comes between them.

Here is the trailer:

Michael Caine has a great movie career, and made such classics as “Get Carter” and “Sleuth” in the 70’s, but this one is never mentioned!

Next up, another film that wasn’t enjoyed, but boy did you all love the theme song!

9 – Xanadu

In 1980, move audiences were bewildered by this romatanic musical fantasy starring Olivia Newton-John. The title is a reference to the nightclub in the film, which takes its name from Xanadu, the summer capital of Kublai Khan’s Yuan Dynasty in China.

But forget all that – the title track was written by Jeff Lynne of ELO!

Here is the #1 single from the movie, with Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly!

Yes, I admit to owning this movie, because sometimes “camp” can be so much fun! The ELO song is great – they are under-appreciated – see more of their musical legacy here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/02/25/elo-rocks-the-grammy-awards-brilliant-70s-orchestra-rock-jeff-lynnes-beatles-love/

Next up is the first in a long list of superhero movies:

8 – X-Men

In 2000, the first “X-Men” film came out, and is still the best, in my opinion. We meet the characters and set up the story of these mutants…each film afterwards has struggled to maintain the focus…here is the trailer:

I worked with Olivia Munn and she joined the cast for the last film – here’s to many more to come!

Now, let’s head back to the 70’s, and one of a movie legend’s last roles:

7 – The Yakuza

In 1974, legendary Director Sydney Pollack made this action thriller about the japanese underworld, and he had the legendary Robert Mitchum as the star – here is the trailer:

Mitchum was the perfect “anti-hero” – a renegade who lived by his own rules. In 1973 he starred in a terrific film called “The Friends Of Eddie Coyle” – check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/12/29/everyday-goodfellas-donnie-brasco-and-eddie-coyle-great-mob-movies/

From tough guys to the fab four, time now for a musical adventure with the greatest band of all time:

6 – Yellow Submarine

In 1968, The Beatles “starred” in the animated musical “Yellow Submarine” – a unique, charming film that has stood the test of time…here is the trailer:

If you’ve seen the movie, you know that the boys only show up onscreen at the very end to lead a singalong of “All Together Now!”

They were the greatest musical artists of our time, but didn’t always make the smartest movie choices:

Ever heard of this film? A documentary of World War II footage covered by Beatles songs – sung by other Artists? Oh my! OH NO! See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/20/the-beatles-worlds-best-music-worst-movie-choices/

From the Beatles to Bond, James Bond – one of my favorites:

5 – You Only Live Twice

The fifth Bond movie mixed it up by sending 007 to Japan – and added the biggest threat to the world ever! Here is the trailer:

“Little Nell” was just one of the fun gadgets that Sean Connery got to play with – of course, he left the series after this movie, but did you know that it was 55 years ago that James Bond was born? See the “beginning of Bond” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/10/05/happy-birthday-007-james-bond-was-born-55-years-ago-with-dr-no/

Next up is what for me is one of the 3 funniest films of all time!

4 – Young Frankenstein

The story of Doctor Frankenstein, as only Mel Brooks could tell, with Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn and Peter Boyle as “the monster.” Here is the trailer:

Legendary Actor Gene Hackman shows his gift for comedy in one scene as well. This movie is brilliant in every way – and if you like Hackman, here are my ten favorite films by the Actor:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/30/happy-birthday-gene-hackman-ten-roles-that-defined-a-hollywood-legend/

Next up is an obscure film that takes you back to the height of the political protests during the Vietnam War:

3 – Zabriskie Point

As this film’s trailer says ominously:

“How you get there depends are where you’re at…”

In 1970, it was the height of the counter-culture movement, and studios were trying to capture that sense of unrest with cult films like “Easy Rider” and “Zabriskie Point”. Director Michelangelo Antonioni tells the story of a young couple who are involved in violent anti-war protests…check out the trailer:

This is a fascinating “time capsule”, especially when held up to the protests that have happened in the last few years…

Of course, I have to include my next choice for one reason alone: this photo!

2 – Zardoz

Wha-wha-WHAT?!?!?!?!

Yes, that’s James Bond 007 wearing a red diaper! Here is why:

Yes, that is actual dialogue from the movie, spoken by a giant rock head that floats over the english countryside…this movie has to be seen to be believed!

See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/01/suspiria-caligula-zardoz-wacky-one-word-movie-wonders/

Finally, I leave you with one of the most entertaining comic horror films of the last decade:

1 – Zombieland

This terrific 2009 film has a great cast – all in search of a safe place to hide when zombies take over the world.

Here is the trailer:

So many things to love about this movie, but Bill Murray’s cameo is certainly a highlight. A fun movie that holds up on multiple viewings…

There you have it: 240 films across the 26 letters of the alphabet…feel free to click on my home page and “movies” and see them all…Sean Connery says thanks for reading!

Time To Celebrate British Actress Judy Matheson On Shocktober Day #24!

As we count down our #31daysofhalloween, I had the chance for a fun “twitter” conversation with the great cult film Actress Judy Matheson!

First, the quick backstory: as part of my #31daysofhorror #shocktober countdown of horror films, I shared a look at the classic Hammer horror trilogy that included “Lust For A Vampire”, “The Vampire Lovers” and “Twins Of Evil”…

These are great early 70’s gothic horror films, and if you want to see the original movie trailers, you can see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/13/bloody-vampires-lesbian-lovers-naked-halloween-horror-classic-erotic-hammer-time/

I shared this link on Twitter, and got this response from Judy….read the conversation from the bottom up!

“Er, Excuse Me?” Judy Jarvis Speaks Out!

Yes, Judy Jarvis IS Judy Matheson, and after I posted my link to the story, reminded me nicely that she was in two of the films! She was gracious and funny in our interaction, but it made me want to share more of her story!

Judy Matheson has been in some great cult films: she got her start working in a variety of British TV shows before landing some great movie roles in the 60’s and 70’s:

Her first film was “The Chairman” with the legendary Gregory Peck. She also starred in “The Exquisite Cadaver” with Capucine, which was the Spanish entry at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

What I failed to notice, was that in the early ’70s, she appeared in the classic Hammer Horror films “Lust for a Vampire” and “Twins of Evil.”

These are two great Hammer horror films, as the studio was trying to “modernize” their approach to horror with more nudity and bloody violence, while still adhering to the gothic approach to their films.

Here is the trailer for “Lust For A Vampire”:

She followed her role up with “Twins Of Evil”, the last film in the trilogy…another great gothic horror film from Hammer:

It didn’t end well for July in “Twins Of Evil”, unfortunately – as you can see, she didn’t fare well at the end of the movie:

Matheson went on to star in a number of cult classics from the 70’s, including “The Flesh and Blood Show”, “The House that Vanished”, “Crucible of Terror”, and “Confessions of a Window Cleaner.”

If you don’t know these “Confessions Of…” films, they are certainly “of their time.” See more about them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/09/30/confessions-of-the-sex-obsessed-british-70s-cult-sex-comedies-are-back/

According to wikipedia, in 1981 Matheson became a TV continuity announcer for TVS (ITV for the South of England) and in 1990 she was part of the launch team for British Satellite Broadcasting, later to become BSkyB. She also worked as a continuity announcer for Carlton Television and London Weekend Television!

While she now goes by the name Judy Jarvis, she still attends film conventions and Hammer Film events, so fans can meet her and hear stories from her career.

She has recently taken part, with fellow Hammer actress Caroline Munro, in a short spoof horror film ‘Frankula’ produced by The Misty Moon Film Society, of which she is an Honorary Patron.

What a great double bill! Caroline Munro has also had a great career! If you want to know more about Munro – who was a Bond girl as well, see her story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/19/caroline-munro-from-sex-kitten-to-vincent-price-to-bond-girl-a-maniac-too/

So kudos to Judy Matheson, now Judy Jarvis…what a great collection of films!

if you are in the mood for more classic horror, then nothing beats this:

Yes, the film that made Frank Sinatra divorce Mia Farrow! Check out the story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/08/shocktober-day-8-satans-spawn-rosemarys-baby-shocks-mia-farrows-marriage/

It’s been a full “Shocktober” already, and if you missed any, head to my home page to find all of them, like this subtle shocker:

Yes, one of the cinema’s most shocking films – with very little blood! Read the behind-the-scenes stories of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/01/shocktober-is-here-31-days-of-horror-day-1-slices-up-the-texas-chainsaw-massacre/

There are more subtle films as well, still effective horror films, like this one:

Legendary Actor George C. Scott brings gravitas to this great horror film, see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/02/shocktober-2016-haunted-house-the-changeling-spooks-day-2/

If you want something more shocking, I’ve got a good for you as well:

Try this great modern horror film, “High Tension”, by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/23/shoctober-day-23-stabs-you-with-high-tension-and-a-switchblade-romance/

I love #31daysofhalloween!

The Satanict Mystery Of Jayne Mansfield!

Jayne Mansfield was one of Hollywood’s most fascinating sex kittens, an Actress who seemed to make bigger headlines off-screen than on!

She hung out with Beatles, acted in sexy 60’s comedies that showed off her body as much as personality, and was generally seen as one of Hollywood’s sexist stars…

A New Documentary Focused On “Mansfield 66/67”!

A brand new documentary focuses on the last two years of the Actress’s life, and her shocking death…

Here is the trailer:

As you can see from the trailer and this classic newspaper headline from the time, her death was shrouded in rumors and gossip – and this documentary takes an in-depth look at the facts surrounding the scandal!

There are tons of great new interviews populating the film, including Director John Waters, Actress Tippi Hedren, legendary Hollywood Actress Mamie Van Doren, “Mysteries & Scandals” Host AJ Benza, Dolly Reed, Kenneth Anger, Ann Magnuson, Mary Woronov and many more!

Many of those stars will be at a special screening on October 25 in Beverly Hills, and it opens at the Laemmle Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills on October 27 – with another star-studded event planned – if you are in LA, this is a must see!

Click here for more details:

https://www.laemmle.com/films/42844

The film will also be shown across the country, so look for it in your city as well!

Vanity Fair just gave the film a great review – here is a link to that article:

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/10/jayne-mansfield-death-satan-documentary

My friend Alison Martino is an Associate Producer on the film – here’s what she told me about working on this project:

“Producing a movie on Jayne Mansfield is a Vintage Los Angeles dream come true! I grew up not too far from the pink palace and dined in her favorite restaurants. I always felt her presence close by. But the best part about producing this movie is I know that the world is going to fall in love with up Jane Mansfield again and want to see every single one of her films!”

Alison knows what she’s talking about – she has worked hard to keep Hollywood’s history alive with her terrific website “VintageLosAngeles” – and of course, Alison’s dad was one of the best singers in entertainment – the legendary Al Martino – of course, you may also know him as Johnny Fontaine in “The Godfather!”

Check out Alison’s website for great stories of Hollywood – and Mansfield was certainly one of those!

Here is the link:

http://alisonmartino.com

As Hollywood’s history continues to be dismantled, Alison has done a great job making sure these stories live on…

Jayne Mansfield was one of Hollywood’s most seductive sex kittens – you can read more about her amazing life here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/28/jayne-mansfield-the-tragic-life-of-hollywoods-legendary-sex-kitten/

Bravo to Directors David Ebersole and Todd Hughes on their great new film, and bravo as well to my friend Alison!

Shocktober Day #29 Pays Tribute To George Romero!

Horror movies fans were stunned earlier this year when George A. Romero, Director of the seminal 1968 horror film “Night of the Living Dead” died at 77 of lung cancer.

The best way to pay tribute during Halloween season is to honor this legendary Director for his most iconic achievement!

Romero broke all the rules of low-budget filmmaking when he created “Night Of The Living Dead” – a film that has inspired filmmakers and movie lovers for decades…

The Iconic “Night Of The Living Dead!”

Take a moment to bow down to the great Director George Romero, who ushered in a new era of horror – with a film that has become one of the most beloved horror films of all time!

“Night Of The Living Dead” has grown more famous over the years, but almost never got made at all! It is a testament to the tenacity and ingenuity of Romero that he managed to get this film made! It was completed on a $114,000 budget and premiered October 1, 1968.

Here is the classic trailer:

The plot is straightforward: A shocking phenomenon has occurred: throughout the country, the dead have suddenly come back to life. A small group barricade themselves in an old farmhouse in an attempt the remain safe from these “walking dead.”

“Night of the Living Dead” is a master class in low budget filming. The script is razor sharp, the characters become clearly defined over the course of the movie, and the gore – well, let’s just say it was heavily criticized when it came out, because it was presented in a “reality” style that was shocking for its time!

The film has grown in critical stature over the years, and was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry, as a film deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

The lead role of Ben was played by Duane Jones. He was an unknown stage actor. It was a major gamble for Romero to cast a Black Actor in the lead; in fact, one Reviewer said that the performance depicted Ben as a “comparatively calm and resourceful Negro”!

Here’s another interesting fact: the word “zombie” is never used in the film. According to IMDB, the most common euphemism used to describe the living dead is “those things,” or “ghouls.”

Can you imagine “The Walking Dead” existing if it wasn’t for this film?

According to the George A. Romero commentary track on one of the many special edition DVDs of the film, the original working print and working elements and materials for the film no longer exist – they were destroyed as a result of a flood that filled the basement where the materials were stored (which was the same basement used in the movie).

The sequels are also great in their own way, and Romero went on to make many other films as well – but this was a revelation in low-budget horror, and it will live forever as one of the greatest Halloween films ever released!

RIP George Romero!

RIP Johnny Hallyday, The “French Elvis!”

One of the most iconic singers in France has died at the age of 74. Legendary performer Johnny Hallyday died of cancer; he had an incredible musical career, with 18 platinum albums and more than 110-million albums sold.

Along with being a legendary singer, Hallyday acted in one of the best action revenge thriller from Hong Kong!

“Vengeance” is a great 2009 thriller film directed by Johnnie To. Johnny Hallyday stars as a French chef and former assassin whose daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren are attacked by a gang of Triads.

He travels to Macau on a quest for revenge – it’s a great thriller and Hallyday is terrific. Here is the trailer:

“Vengeance” is a classic Asian revenge thriller – here are some more that you might like:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/03/27/eye-popping-extreme-cinema-cold-fish-bloody-vampires-vengeance/

RIP Johnny Hallyday!

Looking For Classic Cult Films For Your Favorite Movie Buff?

It’s the 2017 holiday season, and I am always looking for something unqiue to give as a gift…so why not classic cult cinema! Here are two iconic Actresses who have a great body of work to share.

In the 80’s, one legendary Actress made her name with this scene:

Linnea Quigley!

Linnea starred in a number of great 80’s exploitation films, such as “Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers” and “The Return Of The Living Dead”, when she did a nude cemetery dance!

Of course, I love that she starred in “Sorority Babes In The Slimeball Bowl-A-Rama” – one of the great exploitation titles of all time!

She still acts, wrote an autobiography and also makes appearances at conventions around the world – see some of her best movies, with more pictures and trailers, by clicking here!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/20/shocktober-20th-linnea-quigleys-naked-living-dead-dance-plus-chainsaw-hookers/

My next sex kitten not only starred in a film with Vincent Price, but James Bond 007 as well!

Caroline Munro!

Caroline worked with the legendary horror Actor in “The Abominable Dr. Phibles”, and was a Bond girl in “The Spy Who Loved me” as well!

Munro has a great variety of films, including this 80’s horror classic – that was filmed without permits at the Cannes Film Festival!

This is a unique, low budget horror film, with legendary character Actor Joe Spinell – you can see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/28/the-last-horror-film-caroline-munros-hair-joe-spinells-a-troma-fanatic/

Munro still acts and make appearances as well, but you should really check out some of her best films, see a full list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/06/19/caroline-munro-from-sex-kitten-to-vincent-price-to-bond-girl-a-maniac-too/

Have a cult-filled holiday movie season!

Songs With An “N”!

I’m celebrating New Year’s Day with some of my favorite Artists and songs!

My musical look at the alphabet from “A to Z” lands on “N”, with classic Artists like The Jackson Five and quirky hits like “Coconut”!

Let’s begin with the beginning of the 90’s – when grunge music took over thanks to these guys, who recorded what was called:

“the anthem for apathetic kids”

Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

An explosive song that changed a generation of music…from my hometown of Seattle – in a Rolling Stone interview in 1994, Kurt Cobain revealed this:

“I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. I have to admit it. When I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily that I should have been in that band—or at least a Pixies cover band. We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.”

And what about those lyrics:

“With the lights out it’s less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto, an Albino
A mosquito, my libido, yeah!”

Here is the explosive music video:

Oh, in case you didn’t know, this video has been viewed 635-MILLION TIMES!

According to wikipedia, Cobain came up with the song’s title when his friend Kathleen Hanna, at the time the lead singer of the riot grrrl band Bikini Kill, wrote “Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit” on his wall!

Next up is one of the most under-appreciated Singer/Songwriters of her time:

Laura Nyro – “Poverty Train”

Laura Nyro wrote some incredible music – much of it made famous by Artists such a Barbra Streisand and The Fifth Dimension – more on that in a moment – Nyro’s performance at the Monterey Pop Festival is the stuff of legend – more on that as well, but first, here is Nyro performing at that 1967 festival:

The controversy about Laura’s performance at Monterey Pop is because she felt she was booed by the crowd! That myth grew over the years – here is the story about that day:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/15/laura-nyros-brilliant-monterey-pop-performance-and-legendary-musical-myth/

Nyro also performed “Wedding Bell Blues” and “Eli’s Coming” – both huge hits for other Artists! She also wrote Barbra Streisand’s hit “Stony End” as well:

She had a bunch of songs that other people recorded – here is a look at those hits for other Artists:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/05/07/laura-nyros-smash-hits-for-barbra-streisand-three-dog-night-fifth-dimension/

Next up is a band about to embark on a twenties anniversary tour!

“Narcolepsy” by Third Eye Blind

I have always liked this band, with hits like “Losing A Whole Year” and “Semi-Charmed Life”, but this song really shows their ability to set a tone and mood and then blast out a great hook.

Here is the band performing the song at The Fillmore in San Francisco:

Next up is a gorgeous ballad – sung by a twelve-year-old Michael Jackson!

“Never Can Say Goodbye” by The Jackson Five

Originally, this song was going to be recorded by Diana Ross & The Supremes, but Motown decided to give it to The Jacksons instead, and it was a huge hit in 1971.

Here is a real time capsule – the brothers performing the song on a TV show in the early 70’s…look how young Michael is – and make sure to watch the incredible “Wwirling Jacksons” behind him!

I just love that synchronized dancing behind Michael – did you know he sang at the Academy Awards a year later – because of a love song to a rat?

Yes, the song was nominated for an Academy Award – see Michael performing it live on the Oscar telecast by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/02/killer-rat-horror-willard-michael-jacksons-ben-love-song-jacksons-oscar-night-performance/

Finally, a amazing Singer/Songwriter was also John Lennon’s drinking partner during the Ex-Beatles’ legendary “lost weekend”!

Harry Nilsson – “Coconut”

Yes, Harry and John were legendary for carousing in Hollywood in the early 70’s, but Nilsson also released some of the biggest hits of that time, with “Jump Into The Fire”, “Everybody’s Talkin'” and “Without You.”

However, one of his most unique songs was “Coconut”, with the iconic lyrics:

“She put the lime in the coconut, she call the doctor, woke him up
And said “doctor, ain’t there nothin’ I can take?”
I said “doctor, to relieve this belly ache?”

And remember:

“Put a lime in the coconut and drink ’em bot’ together
Put the lime in the coconut, then you’ll feel better”

Here is the original music video, and yes, the song is performed by Gorillas!

Harry Nilsson was a terrific Artist, and you can see more videos and find out about his time with John Lennon by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/05/29/lime-in-the-coconut-harry-nilssons-musical-madness-john-lennon-shenanigans/

Let me know your favorite “N” songs!

Filmmaker Anna Biller Takes On A Ladykiller!

I want to share a new project just announced by Director Anna Biller, who is a terrific independent filmmaker from Los Angeles. As wikipedia notes:

“She grew up watching her mother design beautiful clothes, watching her father paint with a vibrant color palette, and watching classic cinema, all of which has had a big influence on her filmmaking practice.”

Do they ever! She’s made two films so far, beginning in 2007 with “VIVA.”

I haven’t been able to find a copy of this film, but I’d love see it, because I admire her visual style – and how she is combining various styles of classic cult cinema in her work…

I am following Biller’s projects because she a refreshing new voice in film who also celebrates the exploitation era of filmmaking as well…more on that in a moment.

She just announced her new project about the infamous character “Bluebeard” – here’s what she posted:

“I had been looking for a novel about a sociopathic man who torments his wife, and I found the perfect novel (as yet a secret)! What’s interesting about the novel is that it shows a strong woman, who never was interested in love before, being caught up in the web of a sociopath so deeply that she loses all of her free will. In terms of the research I did for the script, this is accurate: no matter how strong a person is, they can’t outsmart a sociopath or get them to change their ways. The only way to survive is to make a clean break. Sociopaths often love-bomb women with their charm and sex appeal, so that women become sex-addicted and confused. The typical victim of a sociopath is a person with a good heart who is trusting and loving, who sincerely believes that the sociopath can be rehabilitated. It’s this trust and love that causes the victim to stay longer than another person – often, tragically, long enough to get killed. It’s a fantastic part for an actress, as she must switch between different kinds of awareness as she tries to negotiate her love, trust, sexuality, and suspicions.”

Biller goes on to add:

“The reason I call it a “Bluebeard” picture is that any story about intimidating men that women have reason to be afraid of is a Bluebeard story, after the fairy tale of the same name where a woman marries a wealthy man only to find that he literally has six dead wives locked away in a secret chamber. In modern horror movies, most often the villain is a literal monster (an axe-wielding psychopathic maniac, a masked goon, etc.); but in classic films, the monster was often a woman’s husband or lover, shifting mercurially from dream lover to monster and back again as he went through his different masculine moods. The heroine’s dilemma in these films is to figure out who the man really is. She must decide if she is horrified with him because of her own irrational fears and emotional immaturity, or if he really is an abnormal monster, a killer, someone to flee from.”

I can’t wait to see the filmmaker’s take on this story – you can read more of her thoughts on the project at her website:

http://www.lifeofastar.com/Bluebeard_Movie.html

And speaking of a madman with six wives frozen away:

Check Out Richard Burton’s “Euro-Sleaze” Take On “Blubeard!”

Time to introduce you to “Bluebeard”, an awful 1972 thriller starring Richard Burton, Raquel Welch, Joey Heatherton and Sybil Danning. It was filmed in Budapest, Hungary and directed by Edward Dmytryk.

Hello “Euro-Sleaze”!

“Bluebeard” is a perfect example of the 70’s genre of film known as “euro-sleaze”, cheap films filmed in eastern Europe full of nudity, sex and violence. That’s why the film is stocked with young starlets like Joey Heatherton!

And Raquel Welch Was, Indeed, “The Nun!”

WHAT?!?!?!?! Yes, it just keeps getting more bizarre, as “Bluebeard” stars Raquel Welch playing the world’s sexiest Nun!

This is the kind of “so bad its good” film that is begins saved more now than ever, thanks to great home video companies who remaster these movies so film buffs can see just how wild the 70’s were for film!

Here is the trailer:

If you need more trivia on this film, you can check out my entire story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/04/08/richard-burton-freezes-raquel-welch-bluebeards-classic-euro-sleaze/

As for Anna Biller, I posted about her latest movie, the terrific erotic thriller “The Love Witch”, her take on 60’s sexploitation films through the filter of 1050’s Douglas Sick films.

Here’s what Richard Brody of The New Yorker said about “The Love Witch”:

“Biller puts genre to the test of do-it-yourself artistry, and puts feminist ideology itself to the test of style. The film pulsates with furious creative energy throughout, sparking excitement and giddy amazement that it even exists.”

“The Love Witch” was on many “best films of 2016” lists, including The New Yorker and Indiewire.

You can see more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/04/13/under-the-erotic-spell-of-the-love-witch-cine-magic-potions-insanity-new-cult-gem/

Bravo to filmmaker Anna Biller, can’t wait to see her take on “Bluebeard!”

Songs with the letter “O” includes two of my favorite films of all time, the scathing “anti-Art Garfunkel” song written by Paul Simon – and some classic Led Zeppelin as well! Let’s get started with a brilliant Brian DePalma movie that was a flop when released, but has now become a classic:

“Old Souls” by Paul Williams – sung by Jessica Harper – from the film “Phantom Of The Paradise”

In 1974, Director Brian DePalma made a rock’n’roll retelling of the classic movie “Phantom Of The Opera.” He hired Composer Paul Williams to write the film score AND star in the movie!

Williams is amazing in the film, as is the late William Finley as “The Phantom.” Jessica Harper also starred in the movie as Phoenix, the woman the Phantom loved, so he wrote a song just for her – and only her – to sing:

“Our love, is an old love baby
It’s older than all our years
I had seen in strangers eyes
Familiar tears
We’re old souls, in a new life baby
They gave us a new life to live and learn
Some time to touch old friends and still return
Our paths have crossed and parted, this love affair was started
Long,long ago”

Here is Jessica Harper’s haunting performance from the film:

My wife Alex and I chose this song as our first dance at our wedding – we love this song, and the film, and there is an amazing blu-ray out that has a ton of behind-the-scenes material, including a lengthy conversation between Williams and Director Guillermo del Toro, the acclaimed Director of “The Shape Of Water” who is an avid fan of the film – read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/02/27/cult-classic-phantom-of-the-paradise-guillermo-del-toro-talks-up-paul-williams-great-new-special-edition/

Next up on my “O’ list is another song from a brilliant movie:

“O Lucky Man!” by Alan Price

After Malcolm McDowell’s brilliant performance in “A Clockwork Orange”, he conceived and starred in this modern retelling of the “Candide” story, as an ambitious young man learned just how harsh the world can be:

Director Lindsay Anderson made a masterpiece, and McDowell has never been better – and the music from the film is just as great:

“If you have a friend on whom you think you can rely you are a lucky man
If you’ve found the reason to live on and not to die you are a lucky man

Preachers and poets and scholars don’t know it
Temples and statues and steeples won’t show it
If you’ve got the secret just try not to blow it
Stay a lucky man!
A lucky man!”

Price was the original keyboardist for the group The Animals, and he also has a role in the movie…in fact, much of the soundtrack is played onscreen by the band in the film.

Here is the movie’s title track, from the film’s opening credits, when Price plays the song while Director Lindsay Anderson moves about during filming:

This is my second favorite film of all time – brilliant in every way – and “Seinfeld” pays homage to it! Yes, there is a very specific episode of “Seinfeld” with a scene directly from the movie! See the whole story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/03/22/o-lucky-man-malcolm-mcdowells-seinfeld-connection/

From brilliant movies to a brilliant duo who broke up in the most public way possible – by way of a song on their final album!

“The Only Living Boy In New York” by Simon & Garfunkel

This is the song that broke them up – as Paul explains on this terrific live performance I am about to share, he wrote the song after Garfunkel left him to make the film “Catch-22” – leaving him waiting in New York to record the “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” album…

“Bridge” ended up as their final album as a duo…for those who don’t know, they got their start as “Tom & Jerry”, which explains the song’s first lyrics, as Simon shares his frustration about waiting for Garfunkel to return from the film set:

“Tom, get your plane right on time
I know your part’ll go fine
Fly down to Mexico
Do-n-do-d-do-n-do and here I am,
The only living boy in New York”

Here is the live performance, with Paul’s intro setting up the meaning of the song:

There was much more to the breakup than just this song, but Paul’s scathing lyrics didn’t help, that’s for sure! You can read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/10/the-only-living-boy-in-new-york-paul-simon-skewers-art-garfunkel-over-catch-22/

Next up, a band with the letter “O” – not that well known, but they have a monster ballad I want to share!

Orson – “Look Around”

Orson was a band from LA in 2000 – while they were very successful in England, they never really broke big in the US, which is a shame, because this song is absolutely gorgeous!

Here is the powerful ballad “Look Around” – stay to the end when it builds to a huge finale!

They are worth checking out – finally, here is art greatest rock and roll band of all time – as this picture shows, they really were “rock gods!”

“Over The Hills And Far Away” by Led Zeppelin

From their fifth album, “Houses Of The Holy” – a slow build to classic rock – here is a great live performance by the band from 1973:

So many incredible songs from the band, and their albums have all been remastered – here is a look:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/11/classic-led-zeppelin-remastered-hammer-of-the-gods-x3-greatest-rock-albums-ever/

Let me know your favorite “O” songs or Artists!

A Cult Movie Is Restored To All Its Infamous Glory!

Yes, sometimes a title CAN say it all, and it certainly does here: this is a legendary cult horror film that has been re-released for a new generation of film buffs!

Here is how the terrific home video website “Mondo-Digital.com” describes the new blu-ray release of “The Blood-Splattered Bride”:

“Thanks to its title alone, this Spanish entry in the lesbian vampire craze of the 1970s became a 42nd Street and drive-in favorite. Like most European horror films, it suffered a number of heavy cuts before reaching the States, but its bizarre imagery and visceral nastiness still gripped viewers well into the home video era.”

And now, an uncut remastered version is on the way, thanks to Mondo Macabro!

Here is the trailer for the film’s original release.

And Great News For Cult Film Fans!

Mondo Digital shares the great news about a newly released version of the film:

“Fully restored to its original perverse glory, this film has since been reappraised as a striking and essential entry in development of erotic cinematic horror, and forming a sort of sexy, dreamlike trilogy along with Harry Kümel’s Daughters of Darkness and Roger Vadim’s Blood and Roses, this nominal adaptation of J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s oft-filmed Carmilla strays very far from its source but still captures the twisted essence of the Gothic vampire tale.”

There are a lot of special features included on this new release as well:

“A very solid, well-versed new audio commentary with Daughters of Darkness’ Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan puts the film in context within the cycle of lesbian vampire films, discusses Aranda’s reputation in his native country, explains the background of Spain necessary to appreciated the film, the female archetypes at play in the story, the queasy gender conflicts at play here including the innocent child treatment of Susan, and the ties to other filmmakers of the era like Eloy de la Iglesia, Jess Franco, José Ramón Larraz, and Pedro Almodóvar. Andreu is featured in a substantial two-part interview by Uwe Huber segregated into a discussion of this film (32m13s) and then the rest of his career (28m36s), including some sifting through lobby cards and video releases of his films as he chats (mostly in excellent English) about how he got into the business and had to do some impromptu translating and dialogue coaching on this film, not to mention a completely bizarre tangent about actor (and government agent) Dean Selmier, his affection for this particular film as one of his dozen favorites, his discomfort with the level of sexual explicitness Aranda wanted, the advantages of speaking English (not with a precisely Castilian accent), his work with “crazy” Amando de Ossorio and Luciano Ercoli, and lots more.”

The website goes on to explain even more great features on the release:

“Next up, cinematographer Fernando Arribas appears for a featurette 32m26s) about his switch from studying to become an engineer to working in cinematography, his first collaboration with Aranda on Fata Morgana, the working relationship with Bastedo and Andreu, the shooting locations, and the trickery involved in shooting the memorable beach scene. Finally, author Jonathan The Blood Spattered BrideRigby (Euro Gothic: Classics of Continental Horror Cinema) offers his own dissection (28m20s) of this place in the European classic horror pantheon as it plays The Blood Spattered Bridewith familiar horror tropes (a mangled portrait, a mysterious chapel, etc.) in an unorthodox and extremely Spanish fashion compared to other Carmilla-inspired Euro horrors like The Vampire Lovers and Terror in the Crypt.”

Bravo on this great release – and to see more about it, as well as a ton of other great reviews, check out the Mondo digital website here:

http://www.mondo-digital.com/bloodspattered.html

Bravo to Mondo Macabro for bringing this film back – this home video company is keeping so many great cult films alive – check out their website for more on this title:

http://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com/product/the-blood-spattered-bride

If you like 70’s erotic horror, you may want to check out a few more from the genre – like this one that is also from Spain:

It looks like Spanish filmmakers were eager to jump onto the erotic horror bandwagon! Check out this entertaining genre of horror film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/26/orgies-vampires-from-beyond-the-grave-cult-spanish-horror/

Let me know what you think about “The Blood-Splattered Bride!”

A Movie Battle Of The Heavyweights!

One of the most anticipated films of 2018 will be released for Halloween – because it is, of course, the new “Halloween” thriller!

The Internet went crazy last year when Jamie Lee Curtis playfully released photos acknowledging that she was returning to the “Halloween” franchise – as CinemaBlend reported:

“Rather than follow in the footsteps of Rob Zombie and remake/reboot the property again, the Halloween franchise has decided to return to its roots and give the masses a movie set in the original continuity. It was announced last month that Jamie Lee Curtis will reprise Laurie Strode, the sister of main antagonist Michael Myers, in the simply-titled Halloween, marking her return to this horror-filled world after more than a decade. As for why Curtis is being brought back after all this time, director David Gordon Green answered thusly:”

“Because she is Laurie Strode (laughs). Right? I don’t know who else is going to play her? She’s just really lovely, and lives and works outside the Hollywood norm. And I love her spirit. And her character is iconic.”

And boy oh boy, isn’t she!

Behold Iconic Scream Queen Jamie Lee Curtis!

First of all, NEVER tell a Scream Queen to keep it down! All great scary movies have a character you feel empathy for – you root for them to survive, against all odds – and against psycho slasher killers – and Jamie Lee Curtis has taken on the best!

Celebrating Cinema’s Greatest Scream Queen!

Jamie Lee Curtis has made a lot of good movies over the years, but she got her start in the horror slasher genre, and those films are great as well! Let’s take a look at three of her best horror films – beginning with Jamie Lee’s first feature film – when she was paid a reported $8,000 for her efforts!

Halloween!

“The Night HE Came Home!”

A classic tagline for what many consider the best “Halloween” movie of all time!

Director John Carpenter’s horror masterpiece just keeps getting better over time.
The plot is a masterclass in simplicity: After killing his older sister, a young boy is institutionalized – but when psychopath Michael Myers escapes, he returns home to terrorize a babysitter and her friends!

Here is the trailer:

“Halloween” is, without a doubt, one of the most terrifying slasher films ever, and the film’s success in 1978 opened the door to a wave of slasher films that changed horror forever…

“Halloween” was Jamie Lee’s first movie ever, and Director John Carpenter considered hiring her as the ultimate tribute to Alfred Hitchcock – since Hitchcock cast Jamie Lee’s Mother, Janet Leigh, in his horror classic “Psycho”.

Now you can see where Jamie Lee got her “scream queen” title from! The young Actress became so well known as America’s newest scream queen that she even had a book written about it!

William Shatner, Psycho Killer!

Here is some great trivia, provided by IMDB: Due to its shoestring budget, the prop department had to use the cheapest $2 mask that they could find in the costume store: a Star Trek (1966) William Shatner mask. They later spray-painted the face white, teased out the hair, and reshaped the eye holes!

Shatner admitted that for years he had no idea his likeness was used for this film. It was only during an interview that someone mentioned his mask was being used. He has since stated that he is honored by this gesture!

Michael Myers is one of cinema’s great psychos, and what makes “Halloween” work so well is that you truly root for Jamie Lee to survive – a tribute to how well she acted in her movie debut!

Among the great bits of trivia about this film, Director Carpenter also wrote the haunting score! The “Halloween” theme is written in the rare 5/4 time signature. John Carpenter learned this rhythm from his father!

Now, time to move on to more Jamie Lee mayhem, this time with a very unusual co-star!

Prom Night!

First of all, check out the credits on the poster: Jamie Lee Curtis is second billed on this horror classic behind Leslie Nielsen!

here is the trailer:

The plot is fairly obvious: A masked killer stalks four teenagers at their high school’s senior prom. The killer is out for revenge against them for the accidental death of a young girl years earlier….

This is a straightforward slasher film, but by this time, Jamie Lee was a star, and as you can see from this cover art, they quickly switched out their original horror poster to highlight her!

In fact, according to the film’s director Paul Lynch in the documentary “Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film”, he was having difficulty securing financing until Jamie Lee Curtis signed on!

Reigning Scream Queen Jamie Lee Curtis!

“Prom Night” was another big hit for Jamie Lee, as was “Halloween II”. So now Curtis was an official movie star, and the world’s most popular scream queens well! She took full advantage of this by starring in a number of hit slasher films, including this one:

Terror Train!

“Terror Train” is an effective slasher film, with some good scares and lots of blood…much of it on Jamie Lee!

The plot of “Terror Train” is brilliant in its simplicity: A masked killer seeks revenge against six college kids who were responsible for a prank gone wrong three years earlier – and lucky for the killer – the kids are throwing a large New Year’s Eve costume party aboard a moving train!

This film is helped greatly by a truly creepy looking killer, and an ongoing sense of dread throughout. Check out the trailer:

According to the great movie website IMDB, Jamie Lee Curtis once said of her character in this film:

“There are certain things a heroine in a thriller has to be. She has to be vulnerable, so that the audience identifies with her and is rooting for her. But she also has to have an enormous inner strength to overcome the evil, or terror, that is pursuing her. I play the same kind of character as I did in other films. But Alana – the girl I play – is stronger and more defined”.

After a few more slasher films, Jamie Lee broadened her work in film. Curtis used her popularity to star in a number of big movie hits, like “True Lies” with Arnold Schwarzenegger and “Trading Places” with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd!

One of her best films was “A Fish Called Wanda” as well…but we will always remember her as the greatest “Scream Queen” of all time!

So here to Jamie Lee, and I cannot wait for the new installment of “Halloween”, so I can see what Laurie Strode has been up to!

If this wets your appetite for some good old fashioned horror, I have some more great options for you:

If you need even more horror, check out some of these classic horror films!

https://johnrieber.com/2014/10/01/shocks-scares-chainsaws-the-best-halloween-horror-2014/

I love scary movies, let me know what your favorites are!

Start Your Engines!

It’s the year of the woman, and how about these empowered female action stars?

Meet “The Villainess!”

One of the best action films of all time just happens to star a woman!

“The Villainess” is the 2017 South Korean action film directed by Jung Byung-gil, starring Kim Ok-bin.

Trained to be a deadly Assassin, Sook-hee performs her duties for ten years, then starts a new life…but you know what they say, it’s tough to put old habits behind you!

Here is the trailer:

What’s truly amazing is a motorcycle chase and samurai sword battle – happening at the same time!

While in the US, female action stars aren’t the norm, Asia has a rich tradition of women going toe to toe with men – and winning!

Yes, “The Machine Girl” is one of those wild and crazy Asian cult films that I have posted about before – and don’t forget “Helldriver” as well!

The films are wild, bloody and full of nonstop action – all led by empowered women who aren’t afraid to fight back!

You can see some of the best ones here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/01/female-ninja-warriors-extreme-asian-cinema-updated/

The tradition began in the 70’s, with such classic “pinky violence” films as these:

It’s a unique style of filmmaking and storytelling, and there are some terrific box sets that showcase the best – see the trailers here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/30/amazing-pinky-violence-cult-cinema-female-prisoner-scorpion-incredible-j-sploitation-cult-classics/

One last genre involves over-the-top stories with wildly inventive filmmaking, like this:

“Killer” Sushi!

That’s right, a film about sushi that eats YOU! And of course, only a young female Sushi Chef is smart enough to fight back…see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/01/28/killer-sushi-toilet-zombies-karaoke-terror-tasty-japanese-exploitation/

Let me know how many of these you’ve seen!

Get Ready For The “ALL Natural” Superhero, “Black Panther!”

The early reviews are superlative, and after seeing so many films coming-out over the past few years, we are LOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGG overdue for an African-American Superhero….

And as it turns out, an “all natural” one at that! Let me explain:

“Black Panther” Is Getting Amazing Reviews!

The first reviews have been incredible for this new Super hero movie.

First, here’s the plot of the film:

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.

Here is the trailer:

Wow! It’s being called one of the best Superhero films ever made, and that trailer looks it!

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. The film is directed by Ryan Coogler – and as I said, it’s “all natural!”

The “Natural” Style Of The Film!

Among all of the interesting stories about the movie, I found one all about the look of the character’s HAIR!

Here is a short snippet from the great story at “The Cut”:

Ahead of the movie’s premiere, the Cut talked to the head of Black Panther’s hair department, Camille Friend. The movie’s hair wizard explained the month-long process of creating Angela Bassett’s wig, why Michael B. Jordan needed to wear extensions, and what it was like working on a film that celebrated natural black hair.

“There’s no press and comb in this movie. No relaxers, no nothing! That was one of the things that I really was firm about. I requested that people come with their natural hair. People were like, ‘Are you sure?’ and I was like, ‘Yes, I am sure! We have a qualified staff of hair people who are phenomenal and who are well-versed in natural hair.’”

As you can see, here are Lupita Nyong’o and Letitia Wright in their “natural” state:

And what about the amazing hair on Angela Bassett? Let’s take a look before we hear the story behind it:

Well, according to the article, Camille Friend describes it this way:

“That was the pièce de résistance wig. It was a wig we created. All of the dreads were handmade, and they were blended with four different colors. Once those were made — there were about 110 pieces of individual dreads — we sent those to the wigmaker [Natascha Ladek], and the wigmaker inserted them in the wig. That whole process took about a month.”

I plan to keep an eye on all of the “natural” look, and bravo to them for that decision!

Ashley Weatherford wrote this terrific article, which can be found at “The Cut” – check it out here:

https://www.thecut.com/2018/02/black-panther-natural-hair.html

A quick shoutout as well to David Poland, who posted the link to this terrific article on his website, “Movie City News.” It’s my “go to” place for links to terrific stories, as well as his own original features, reviews and box office updates…a great website, check it out here!

http://moviecitynews.com

While we are overdue for a new type of movie Super hero, let’s not forget that, in the 70’s, there were two African-American women who were kicking ass as well!

Pam Grier was “Foxy Brown”, and her action films are “blaxploitation” classics…this genre of film included such male stars as Richard Roundtree as “Shaft”, and Ron O’Neal as “Superfly.” But let’s not forget the other female action star of that genre:

Tamara Dobson starred as “Cleopatra Jones”, which the movie posters described as “6’2″ Of Dynamite!”

These films are terrific, and available on DVD, blu-ray or on demand, so make it a retro night at home after seeing “Black Panther” on the big screen! See more about these two “super women” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/01/02/foxy-brown-cleopatra-jones-blaxploitations-kick-ass-women/

Bravo to the creative team behind “Black Panther!”

Movie fans have a reason to celebrate – it was Burt Reynolds’ birthday!

As he himself would say:

“We’re about to make film history, right here… on videotape.”

Burt Reynolds was born on February 11, 1936 – he grew up in Riviera Beach, Florida, right next to Palm Beach. His father, Burt Sr., eventually became Chief of Police!

Reynolds worked as a stuntman – as well as small tv and movie roles, before starring in several TV shows in the 60’s, which led to work in movie westerns….

Then, in 1972 he starred in one of the most acclaimed and controversial films ever – and it propelled him to stardom…

Deliverance.

The story of four men who decide to take a river rafting trip through the backwoods of Georgia…with Reynolds as the “tough as nails” adventurer who doesn’t think the others are up to it:

Lewis: Can that chubby boy handle himself?
Ed: Bobby? He’s rather well thought of in his field, Lewis.
Lewis: Insurance? I never been insured in my life. There’s no risk.

“Deliverance” was one of the most iconic films of the 70′s, nominated for Best Picture, and it has the iconic movie line:

“Squeal like a pig!”

If you haven’t seen this brilliant movie, check out new blu-ray and DVD versions that have documentaries and commentary attached, and they are all worth viewing – and of course, there are the “dueling banjos!”

I posted a story recently about the casting of this film, when it was revealed that Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson were considered for it! See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/20/squeal-like-a-pig-marlon-brandos-deliverance-cult-classic-casting-coup/

His breakout performance in Deliverance in 1972 made Reynolds a star. The same year, Reynolds gained even more notoriety when he posed naked in the April issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine – a landmark moment in publishing.

Burt’s Sexy Centerfold!

Yes, Reynolds shocked the entertainment world when he posed nude in Cosmopolitan magazine – as their centerfold!

Reynolds later claimed the centerfold in Cosmopolitan hurt the chances for Deliverance at the Oscars – and the film’s stars, including himself, didn’t get Academy Award nominations because of it. Regardless, this cemented his place as a 70’s Superstar, leading to a number of huge box office hits, like this one:

The Longest Yard

This 1974 classic stars Reynolds as a pro football Quarterback who gets in trouble with the law and ends up in a grimy prison, run by Eddie Albert…

Check out the trailer:

This was a perfect role for him: not only was he the biggest star in the world at the time, but Reynolds was a great football player, first for Florida State University and then was drafted by the Baltimore Colts!

Reynolds plays Paul Crewe, a pro football player-turned-convict – who organizes a team of inmates to play against a team of prison guards. That’s right: convicts versus GUARDS!

Paul Crewe: You know what my problem has been all my life? I’ve always had my shit together. Always. My problem’s been I couldn’t lift it.

“The Longest Yard” is one of the best sports movies ever, and Burt was great.

Half A ‘Stache!

Reynolds had a great sense of humor, as evidenced when he went on The Tonight Show and shaved half his mustache off for a stunned Johnny Carson!

He was also a gifted comic actor, as evidenced by the arrow through his head – and he used that goofy humor to good box office effect in action comedies like this one:

Fuzz!

Police in Boston search for a mad bomber trying to extort money from the city. The cops in charge of finding this “mad bomber” are Burt Reynolds, Racquel Welch and Tom Skerritt.

According to IMDB, Raquel Welch did not like Burt Reynolds because of unsavory comments he made while they were filming “100 Rifles” together.

So, in “Fuzz” Welch insisted that she not have any direct scenes with Reynolds! The closest they get is during an interrogation scene. Still, the movie was a huge hit, in large part because of Reynolds and his comic ability.

See more about Raquel, Burt and their legendary catfight here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/18/raquel-welch-dinosaur-slayer-burt-reynolds-feud-seinfeld-catfight-a-million-reasons-to-love-this-iconic-sex-kitten/

Reynolds went on to star in some of the biggest hits of the 70’s, like these “good ol’ boy” action thrillers:

Both are now on blu-ray, so you can relive the wild days of the 70’s yourself! You can see more about these films, including their trailers, here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/02/22/suck-down-some-white-lightning-hicksploitation-burt-reynolds-gator-good-ol-boy-action-classics/

Reynolds made many hit comedies as well, like the action spectacle “Smokey And The Bandit”. During the first half of the 1990s, he was the star of the CBS comedy “Evening Shade”, for which he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1991).

Modern movie fans will recognize him for this masterpiece:

Now, an important word from Jack Horner!

Reynolds starred in “Boogie Nights” as Adult Film Director Jack Horner, who offered some words about how complex and expensive moviemaking can be…

Jack Horner: Before you turn around, you’ve spent maybe 20, 25, 30 thousand dollars on a movie!

Boogie Nights!

This is, quite simply, one of the best movies ever made, pure and simple – and one of Reynolds’ best performances.

“We’re about to make film history, right here… on videotape.”

Paul Thomas Anderson directed this epic look at the rise of a adult film superstar, and his journey through the changing world of porn, from the “innocent” days of the 70’s into the drug-fueled 80’s.

Inspired by the tragic story of John C. Holmes – aka “Johnny Wadd”, Mark Wahlberg does an amazing job as Eddie Adams, who is “discovered” by an adult movie Director – due to his “unique” talent – and overnight becomes porn superstar Dirk Diggler!

Adult Film Director Jack Horner Knows What Sells!

Reynolds put it all out there as the Veteran Film Director, which lines like this:

Jack Horner: I got a feeling that behind those jeans is something wonderful just waiting to get out.

Burt Reynolds was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance and took home a Golden Globe Award. He was considered a front-runner for the Supporting Oscar, but ultimately lost to Robin Williams, for “Good Will Hunting”. I can watch this movie any day of the week…a masterpiece.

Time to watch some Burt and celebrate his birthday!

Ready For A Good Movie? Or Even A “Best Worst” Movie?

Well, this cinephile is holding one of the most wildly entertaining “bad” movies of all time!

The phrase “best worst movie” is not only well known by film buffs, but the title of a terrific documentary as well!

Time For The “Best Worst Movie!”

The documentary “Best Worst Movie” celebrates one of those films – one that is “so bad its good!”

Before I tell you about this terrific documentary, and five of the “best worst” films of all time, something to explain so we are on the same page – THIS is a “best worst” film:

Director Paul Verhoeven decided to “tear the lid off” of Las Vegas with this inside look at the sordid world of “Showgirls”, and it’s a hilariously bad, ridiculous and at times offensive film, which makes it so good!

On the other hand, here is an attempt to “tear the lid off” stripping that was just A HORRIBLE MOVIE!

“Striptease” with Demi Moore was a truly awful film – it was pretentious, condescending and poorly done – even with all that nudity, it was NO FUN AT ALL!

So, with that distinction, let’s get down to some of the “best worst” films ever made – and celebrate them for the effort to be art!

“Best Worst” Movie #5 – “Troll 2!”

The terrific documentary “Best Worst Movie” tells the story of how “Troll 2” became a sensation – years after it was released direct to video!

Here is the vintage 80’s trailer – enjoy!

“Troll 2” is often mentioned as the worst film ever made…and now there is a documentary that looks at the cult that has sprung up around it!

“Best Worst Movie!”

This great documentary looks at the making of “Troll 2” in 1990, and its journey from being crowned the “worst film of all time” to a cherished cult classic.

Check out the trailer:

The “Best Worse Movie” documentary was actually made by the child actor from the movie! He interviews the cast about how the movie changed their lives. He also interviews the Director, who insists that “Troll 2” is a great film!

I chose “Troll 2” as number five only because I wanted to start with it and talk about the great documentary…but next up is a film even movie hater could love:

“Best Worst” Movie #4 – “Birdemic!”

Forget Hitchcock’s “The Birds”, THIS is the film that tears the lid off of wild and REALISTIC bird attacks like this one:

Once you see this trailer, you can never go back!

It takes a certain type of genius to make a film like this – you can read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/15/birdemic-brilliant-shocker-or-worst-movie-ever-who-will-survive-watching-it/

In compiling this list, I knew there were many really awful films, including one I had to share for other reasons:

NOT A “Best Worst” Movie – “Manos, Hands Of Fate!”

I’m taking a short break to prove my point about “Showgirls” vs. “Striptease” – not all “bad” movies deserve to be “best worst” films – case in point: this is “Manos, Hands Of Fate”, widely considered one of the worst films of all time. In Spanish, “Manos” means “hands” – so this film is actually called:

“Hands, Hands Of Fate!”

It’s inept, awful in every way – including NOT being any fun to watch – it’s just awful, even with “Torgo” in a crucial role.

Yes, look for the incredible acting of “TORGO” in this trailer:

Ahem. Well, there was THAT.

You can see, just a horrible movie that gives the viewer no “inside joke” pleasure – but it is of course available on DVD, so if you want to learn more about it, go here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/08/22/manos-hands-of-fate-is-here-celebrate-the-worst-of-the-worst-films/

Now, back to the good stuff: a film that boldly entertains you with a film poster that declares:

“Best Worst” Movie #3 – “Confessions Of A Psycho Cat!”

With a title like that, how could it NOT be deliciously bad – and fun to boot? And guess what? It is! Not only that, the “Raging Bull” himself is in it!

Jake LaMotta Battles The Psycho Cat!

OK, Jake LaMotta wasn’t really in “fighting shape” when he took on his opponent – a rich, eccentric upper east wide woman who likes to hunt men – to death!

Folks, there is SO much to love in this film: bad acting, hilarious “wandering around lost” action sequences in Central Park, and an argument between the “Raging Bull” and THIS woman:

What’s so unusual? Well, based on how it’s shot, it’s clear they were never in the room at the same time! Oh, and at one point she gets upset at his lack of attention (no doubt because he wasn’t there!) and so she goes over to a mirror and does THIS:

Yes, she makes out with herself!

Seen enough? Of course not! Click here to see more trivia about the film, why Jake LaMotta got caught up in it, and more! It’s a celebration of the late “Raging Bull”:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/09/20/rip-to-the-raging-bull-jake-lamotta-his-psycho-cat-movie/

LaMotta always had someone in his corner when he fought, and these films always have some kind of “wing man” in the plot – or in this case:

BLUE-FACED WING WOMEN!

“Best Worst” Movie #2 – “The Body Beneath!”

Imagine a film that promotes itself for being filmed in scary places in England!

The legendarily bad film Director Andy Milligan filmed this in spooky looking places in England, and also had these ladies around to scare the guests:

Here, in all its blue-faced glory, is the trailer:

If you are wondering what the blue-faced ghosts have to do with anything, you’ll never find out by watching the film, but that’s just one reason it’s so much fun to watch!

You can read more about this inept Director – and the many classically bad films he made!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/24/ghastly-horror-meet-the-ed-wood-of-shock-cinema-cranium-cleaving-andy-milligans-blue-faced-shockers/

Finally, it’s almost too easy to finish with this movie, but is there really any other choice?

“Best Worst” Movie #1 – Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room!”

From the movie’s poster, which is just a shot of the brooding Actor/Director/Producer/Writer Tommy Wiseau, to one of the greatest trailers of all time, “The Room” cries out to be the best worst film ever!

The trailer only hints at the majesty of this movie:

Now you can experience the greatest bad moments by watching Jame Franco tells the story of the making of the film in the new movie “The Disaster Artist”…see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/12/03/the-disaster-artist-is-here-james-franco-pays-homage-to-tommy-wiseaus-best-worst-film-the-room/

Let me know what I left off the “best worst” list, and yes, there will be plenty of Ed Wood movies to be mentioned for sure!

Oscar’s “Lucky 13!”

Time to celebrate this year’s Academy Awards with the strangest Oscar trivia imaginable: the X-rated kind!

This isn’t the kind of image you equate with the Oscars, is it? Well here’s some obscure Academy Award trivia for you – there have been THIRTEEN oscar nominations associated with X-rated movies!

Talk About An “Adult” Oscar!

The history of the Academy Awards is full of great moments and trivia – and this is one of the most fascinating to me…

Time to look at the biggest awards night of the year in a different way: there was a time when Oscar not only tolerated sex in the movies, they rewarded it with some of the night’s biggest awards!

There have been thirteen Academy Award nominations tied to X-rated movies…it happened in an era when the film industry gave filmmakers the freedom to tell stories in a very adult way – let’s look at this fascinating part of Oscar lore…

Here Come The Ratings!

The ratings system for films was created in the late 60’s to help audiences cope with the onslaught of adult content in film…the sexual revolution was underway, and films like “Bonnie & Clyde” offered up much more provocative content.

What The Hell’s An “M”?

When the Motion Picture Association of America created the ratings system in 1968, there were the following designations: G, M, R, and X.

There was quickly confusion between a movie that was “mature” versus one that was “restricted”, so it was changed to “GP”, then to “PG”, for parental guidance…”PG-13″ was added later, as the heart-ripping scene in “Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom” was deemed a bit too harsh for a straight “PG” rating.

Back To The 70’s!

It was in the early 70’s that film makers began to use the ratings to push the envelope for graphic content, such as in the classic film “Straw Dogs” with Dustin Hoffman…

Soon, America’s greatest filmmakers were taking advantage of these guidelines to make adult films that dealt with the social issues of the day…and with lots of nudity and sexual content!

Oscar’s Only X-Rated Winner!

One film would soon be the first to ever win Best Picture – with an “X” rating! And it is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time! Time to head back to a much different New York City – to meet Joe Buck and Ratso Rizzo!

“I’m walking here! I’m walking here!”

Midnight Cowboy

The setup to this great film is simple: young, naive Joe Buck heads to New York City to be a male hustler…check out the trailer:

Jon Voight stars as Texas greenhorn Joe Buck – a “stud” who arrives in New York for the first time. Preening himself as a real ‘hustler’, he finds that he is the one getting ‘hustled’ until he teams up with a down-and-outcast named Ratso Rizzo.

And that’s the plot: a country “hick” learns how to survive in the big city, thanks to “Ratso”, an amazing performance by Dustin Hoffman, including the legendary line:

“I’m walking here! I’m walking here!”

This is New York City at its grittiest – and to survive, you had to be willing to do ANYTHING. For Ratso, that meant crashing holiday parties to steal the food on the buffet table…and have no shame when caught:

Gretel McAlbertson: Why are you stealing food?
Ratso Rizzo: I was just, uh, noticing that you’re out of salami. I think you oughtta have somebody go over to the delicatessen, you know, bring some more back.
Gretel McAlbertson: Gee, well, you know, it’s free. You don’t have to steal it.
Ratso Rizzo: Well, if it’s free, then I ain’t stealin’.

Dustin Hoffman’s performance as “Ratso” Rizzo is ranked #7 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time. It was also an Oscar-nominated performance, along with Voight’s iconic Joe Buck:

Elvis IS Joe Buck!

But, even with such adult content, it was almost an Elvis movie! According to the great website IMDB, one studio executive sent Director John Schlesinger a memo stating, “If we could clean this up and add a few songs, it could be a great vehicle for Elvis Presley.” HA!

Presley wanted to be taken seriously as an actor, and was interested in the role of Joe Buck. Presley went on instead to do the G-rated “Change of Habit” with Mary Tyler Moore, which bombed!

It is hard to imagine that Elvis would have filmed some of the movie’s tougher scenes like this sex scene with Sylvia Miles….

It’s Raining Oscars!

The film’s cinema verite style and rough content was just what Hollywood was looking for in 1969, and the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including:

Best Actor Dustin Hoffman
Best Actor Jon Voight
Best Supporting Actress Sylvia Miles
Best Film Editing

“Midnight Cowboy” took home three Academy Awards in 1969, including:

Best Screenplay Waldo Salt
Best Director John Schlesinger
Best Picture Of The Year!

“Midnight Cowboy” is the only X-rated film to ever win Best Picture, but it’s NOT the only one ever nominated! Here’s the other:

Check Out These Provocative Opening Lines!

“There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening. The Korova milkbar sold milk-plus, milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom, which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence.”

A Clockwork Orange

2 years after “Midnight Cowboy” won Best Picture, Stanley Kubrick’s nightmarish vision of the future shocked audiences and captured four Academy Award nominations.

Check out this provocative trailer:

“A Clockwork Orange” was based on the futuristic novel by Anthony Burgess. In future Britain, charismatic delinquent Alex DeLarge terrorizes respectable society, along with this three “Droogs”…

Once jailed, Alex volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy developed by the government in an effort to solve society’s crime problem… but not all goes to plan. “A Clockwork Orange” is a brilliant movie, but very tough to watch in parts…if you haven’t yet seen it – you really don’t know what you are in for, and you have been warned.

The film was nominated for Best Picture (losing to the equally brilliant “The French Connection”) – and Stanley Kubrick was nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay – the fourth nomination was for Best Film Editing.

The Stones As Droogs!

According to IMDB, which always has terrific trivia, the novel’s Author Anthony Burgess originally sold the movie rights to Mick Jagger for $500 when he needed quick cash. Jagger intended to make it with The Rolling Stones as the droogs, but then re-sold the rights.

During the filming of the scene where Alex is forced to watch ultra-violence, star Malcolm McDowell scratched one of his corneas and was temporarily blinded. He also suffered cracked ribs during filming of the humiliation stage show.

McDowell’s next film was the equally brilliant but obscure “O Lucky Man!” – see that film’s “Seinfeld” connection here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/03/22/o-lucky-man-malcolm-mcdowells-seinfeld-connection/

Both “Midnight Cowboy” and “A Clockwork Orange” are brilliant movies that have stood the test of time. As ratings guidelines have loosened, both are now rated “R”R and are the same film! The last nomination for an X-rated movie came, not for Best Picture, but for the directing and acting in the equally provocative “Last Tango In Paris”.

“Go, get the butter.”

It is one of film history’s most legendary lines – spoken by one of its most controversial Actors – check out this moody, atmospheric trailer:

Brilliant Brando!

In the 1970’s, Marlon Brando made some brilliant movies – before he went off the rails in the 80’s…let’s look at his performance in this controversial, erotic drama…

While looking for an apartment, Jeanne, a beautiful young Parisienne, encounters Paul, a mysterious American expatriate mourning his wife’s recent suicide. Instantly drawn to each other, they have a stormy, passionate affair, in which they do not reveal their names to each other.

“Beauty of mine, sit before me. Let me peruse you and remember you… always like this.”

Those words are spoken by Brando to the beautiful young woman he pursues. Maria Schneider stars with Brando, and she is captivating as the young woman lost in this anonymous love affair…

Bernardo Bertolucci was nominated for Best Director (he eventually won the Award for “The Last Emperor” in 1987, which also won for Best Picture), and Marlon Brando was nominated for Best Actor.

Controversial Brando!

This nomination was just three years after Brando stunned Hollywood by winning Best Actor for “The Godfather” – and sending Sasheen Littlefeather up to reject the award, based on America’s inhumane treatment of American Indians.

Back To The Butter!

As I said, “Last Tango IN Paris” was the last X-rated film to receive Academy Award recognition…and the film has always been remembered for the moment when Marlon Brando uses butter in the film’s most notorious scene – as a lubricant in order to have anal sex with Schneider.

According to Maria Schneider, the famous “butter scene” was never in the script and improvised at the last minute by Marlon Brando and Bernardo Bertolucci without consulting her. It is one of film’s most notorious moments.

Though the sodomy act was faked, her real tears in the film testify to her surprise and her state of shock. Much later in her life, a very troubled Schneider would make many charges about how she felt violated in the filming of the scene…sadly, she lived a troubled life, and had many negative things to say about the experience of making the movie.

After the film’s release in Europe, director Bernardo Bertolucci, producer Alberto Grimaldi, Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider were all indicted by a court in Bologna, Italy for making the film under the term “ultalitarian pornography”.

They were all acquitted of the charge – but Bertolucci lost his civil rights (including his right to vote) for five years.

“Last Tango In Paris” was a moody, polarizing film that shocked audiences when it came out, and is a true European art masterpiece.

So Whatever Happened To The Good Old “X”?

Now, back to the “X” rating. When the designation was assigned, the MPAA didn’t copyright it. With no registered trademark, the “X” could legally be self-applied to any film — a loophole pornography happily exploited. For example, the notorious 1972 film “Deep Throat” gave itself a tongue-in-cheek “X,” and many other adult films followed suit.

Movies Go “XXX”!

Soon after “Deep Throat” took ownership of the “X” rating, films like “Debbie Does Dallas” boasted a self-designated rating of “XXX”, promising three times the adult material! Look at the rating box with the extra “X’s” added!

While the arbitrary “XXX” rating has since become standard for the adult film industry, the damage was done to the singular “X”. An “X” rating became synonymous with “hardcore,” and mainstream advertisers and distributors stopped showing them in mainstream theaters.

Many filmmakers have protested the “X” rating, since it made artistic films indistinguishable from hard-core pornography. It was reported that “Taxi Driver” was originally given an “X” rating for its violent content, but some of the color of the blood was toned down in order to get an “R” rating.

In 1990, Spanish director Pedro Almodovar filed a civil suit over the X-rating given to “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” Almodovar lost his lawsuit, but the MPAA soon after created the trademarked “NC-17” rating, which is still little used.

Roger Ebert’s X-Rated Past!

So there you go, have a nice night of viewing Oscar’s “X”-rated past! And what about this! Famous film critic Roger Ebert also had an X-rated past!

Take a look at the Rogert Ebert and Russ Meyer X-rated collaboration – a cult classic that is unfortunately NOT Oscar worthy!

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/08/roger-ebert-teams-up-with-russ-meyer-russ-and-roger-go-beyond/

Let me know your thoughts on Oscar’s X-rated past!

Talk About A Tough Lady!

Dressed fully in black and carrying a sharp knife, this is one of the greatest action heroes that America’s NEVER HEARD OF!

Time to share a “J-sploitation” film series that combines action, violence and “women in prison” genres to terrific effect!

This classic Japanese exploitation series follows the adventures of Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion!

“Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion!”

Japanese star Meiko Kaji is Scorpion, and as you can imagine, the movie follows her travails inside a prison!

Check out the great trailer!

Here’s how one website described it:

“Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion contains everything you will find in the remainder of the series, so if you don’t like what you see, venture no further. We are talking soft-core couplings, lesbianism, slapstick prison wardens administering gleeful punishment and lots and lots of blood, usually shooting out jet-stream style from freshly severed limbs. But, seriously, what’s not to like about that?”

“Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41!”

As much fun as “Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion” is, it’s just the beginning!

The second film in the series is considered by many to be the definitive entry. In “Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41” has our heroine recaptured and placed in solitary confinement, before she plans an escape through the bowels of the prison – with six other inmates in tow!

Here is the trailer:

One website claimed that “Jailhouse 41” has even more nudity, gratuitous sadism, acid-tinged fantasy sequences – plus musical numbers and extreme martial arts as well!

Scorpion Gets “Armed!”

Next up is the third film in the series – “Female Prisoner 701 Scorpion: Beast Stable” – as our heroine is free but on the run from the law again…

Here is the classic trailer for the film, which includes her running with a severed arm!

Yes, A SEVERED ARM!

This is wildly inventive moviemaking, operating under the classic exploitation rules: these movies must feature lots of action, nudity, and over-the-top mayhem!

A Final “Grudge!”

The final film in the series, “Female Prisoner Scorpion #701: Grudge Song” has a different Director, and shows a gentler side of our Heroine…and if you want to see all four in all-new remastered editions with tons of great extras, check this out!

Arrow Video is releasing a new blu-ray box set with all four films and tons of great extras, so you can dive into the deep end of the “J-sploitation” pool!

Japanese “pinky” films were wildly popular in the 1970’s, and are legendary for their portrayal of “tough girls” in dangerous situations:

You can see some of the best of the genre here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/31/mutant-girls-pinky-violence-sex-fury-and-lady-snowblood-too-japanese-sexploitation-lives/

Even though these films are from the 70’s, the modern era of cinema in Japan includes the genre of “J-sploitation” as well!

One of the more recent films had a very controversial “jiggle” promo, which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/11/the-bikini-game-controversial-japanese-jiggle-movie-promo-new-j-sploitation-film/

The genre is also tongue in cheek, or in this case….

Yes, “Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead” is a classic example of the “J-sploitation” genre, see it here!

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/06/zombie-ass-yes-japans-wacky-cinema-is-calling-what-the/

You can also check out a ton of great new japanese horror films as well:

This is an amazing genre of film, see the best here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/13/yakuza-zombies-bloody-asian-halloween-horror-2015-shocking-japanese-exploitation/

Leave me a message and let me know if you’ve seen any of the “Scorpion” films!

“I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer”

One of California’s most notorious serial rapists and a serial killer as well – The Golden State Killer – is the subject of a fascinating story about obsession, from the late writer Michelle McNamera.

“I was married to a crime fighter for a decade,” writes Patton Oswalt in describing his wife, Michelle McNamara. “She was born with a true cop’s heart and mind… She made everything about me and everyone around her better. And she did it by being quietly, effortlessly original.” When Michelle died in the spring of 2016, she was still hard at work on her debut book.

One Writer’s Obsession…

The book is a fascinating story of obsession, not only the Authors but the Detectives trying to solve the crimes as well.

In the 70’s, a horrific serial Rapist terrorized Sacramento and surrounding areas, committing 49 rapes. Based on years of police work, he was also found to be responsible for a dozen murders in Central and Southern California, the last in 1986. Now more than thirty years later, an incredible book about the attempts to find this killer.

McNamera was married to Actor/Comedian Patton Oswalt, who is now touring to promote his late wife’s book.

McNamara died unexpectedly on April 21, 2016. Following her unexpected death, her husband explained that the book would be finished with the help of her colleagues.

Oswalt posted this on Facebook:

“She left behind an amazing unfinished book, about a horrific series of murders that everyone — including the retired homicide detectives she worked with — was sure she’d solve. The Golden State Killer. She gave him that name, in an article for Los Angeles Magazine. She was going to figure out the real name behind it…”

The Origin Of “The Golden State Killer”…

McNamera came up with the moniker, since prior to that he was known by police as the “East Area Rapist” – EAR. Police admit the lack of a catchy nickname made it more difficult to get the public’s awareness as they struggled to solve the crimes.

Oswalt worked with McNamera’s colleagues to finish the book and he is now promoting it – I saw a fascinating conversation with him recently where he discussed the case and his wife’s obsessor with it.

Here is the video from a portion of the conversation from this appearance at a “Live Talks Los Angeles” event in March:

https://www.facebook.com/LiveTalks/videos/1576548549047439/

It was a great event, one of many fascinating conversations this group puts on…you can see their entire schedule here:

http://www.Livetalksla.org

The book is riveting, and McNamera’s death was a shock to the fans of her “True Crime Diary” website, which is still open…

Oswalt is a great talent, and I posted about him before, specifically about his love of a very obscure horror film:

Yes, he loved “Death Bed – The Bed That Eats!” Click here to find out why:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/28/classic-cult-horror-death-bed-the-bed-that-eats-patton-oswalts-obsession-is-here/

Let me know if you’ve read the terrific book “I’ll Be Gone In The Dark!”