- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 1994 (in the U.S.), Inner Sanctum II enjoyed its general release on home video compliments of MDP Worldwide. Written (in part) and directed by Fred Olen Ray, the film starred Michael Nouri, Sandahl Bergman, Tracy Brooks Swope, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a traumatized woman kills her rich husband in self defense, his family and friends show up to secure a piece of the inheritance for themselves even if it means driving the poor woman insane - or worse."
-- EZ
On this day in 1994 (in the U.S.), Inner Sanctum II enjoyed its general release on home video compliments of MDP Worldwide. Written (in part) and directed by Fred Olen Ray, the film starred Michael Nouri, Sandahl Bergman, Tracy Brooks Swope, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a traumatized woman kills her rich husband in self defense, his family and friends show up to secure a piece of the inheritance for themselves even if it means driving the poor woman insane - or worse."
-- EZ
- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 1986 (in the United Kingdom), Gothic -- a Gothic chiller from Virgin Vision -- was first screened when it debuted for audiences of the BFI London Film Festival. Directed by Ken Russell from a story attributed to Stephen Volk, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley, the film starred Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Natasha Richardson, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Shelleys visit Lord Byron and compete to write a horror story."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Gothic enjoyed a fair amount of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 1986 (in the United Kingdom), Gothic -- a Gothic chiller from Virgin Vision -- was first screened when it debuted for audiences of the BFI London Film Festival. Directed by Ken Russell from a story attributed to Stephen Volk, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley, the film starred Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Natasha Richardson, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Shelleys visit Lord Byron and compete to write a horror story."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Gothic enjoyed a fair amount of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 2011 (in the U.S.) the big city of Los Angeles, California played host for an exclusive theatrical screening of Bleed 4 Me for Sinema Arte FilmWorks. Written and directed by Joston Ramon Theney, the film starred Mariana Evans, Tonya L. Harris, Brinke Stevens, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When hard-as-nails demon hunter Ramona uncovers the Devil's plot to scorch the Earth, she enlists the murderous talents of long-retired demon-hunter Lady Jasmine (Brinke Stevens) and the infamous Lady Black (Tiffany Shepis). Together, these three ladies will wage a hellish war against evil that will show the Devil what Hell really is!"
-- EZ
On this day in 2011 (in the U.S.) the big city of Los Angeles, California played host for an exclusive theatrical screening of Bleed 4 Me for Sinema Arte FilmWorks. Written and directed by Joston Ramon Theney, the film starred Mariana Evans, Tonya L. Harris, Brinke Stevens, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When hard-as-nails demon hunter Ramona uncovers the Devil's plot to scorch the Earth, she enlists the murderous talents of long-retired demon-hunter Lady Jasmine (Brinke Stevens) and the infamous Lady Black (Tiffany Shepis). Together, these three ladies will wage a hellish war against evil that will show the Devil what Hell really is!"
-- EZ
- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 1972 (in Italy), Horror put on a new dress ... well, cinematically, it did ... for the big screen debut of A White Dress For Marialé (aka Un bianco vestito per Marialé) from KMG Cinema and Rewind Film. Directed by Romano Scavolini from a story by Remigio Del Grosso and Giuseppe Mangione, the film starred Ida Galli, Luigi Pistilli, Ivan Rassimov, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A woman, who, as a child, witnessed the murder-suicide of her mother and father, invites several friends to her husband's secluded castle. Unbeknownst to them, she has a sinister motive for the invitation."
-- EZ
On this day in 1972 (in Italy), Horror put on a new dress ... well, cinematically, it did ... for the big screen debut of A White Dress For Marialé (aka Un bianco vestito per Marialé) from KMG Cinema and Rewind Film. Directed by Romano Scavolini from a story by Remigio Del Grosso and Giuseppe Mangione, the film starred Ida Galli, Luigi Pistilli, Ivan Rassimov, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A woman, who, as a child, witnessed the murder-suicide of her mother and father, invites several friends to her husband's secluded castle. Unbeknownst to them, she has a sinister motive for the invitation."
-- EZ
- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 1989 (in the U.S.), Psycho Cop blasted its way into our hearts and minds with a release on home video. Written and directed by Wallace Potts, the film starred Robert R. Shafer, Cindy Guyer, Jeff Qualle, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Six college students on their weekend vacation are humiliated and killed one by one by a psycho cop."
-- EZ
On this day in 1989 (in the U.S.), Psycho Cop blasted its way into our hearts and minds with a release on home video. Written and directed by Wallace Potts, the film starred Robert R. Shafer, Cindy Guyer, Jeff Qualle, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Six college students on their weekend vacation are humiliated and killed one by one by a psycho cop."
-- EZ
- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 2014 (in the United Kingdom), the big city of Preston played host for the silver screen premiere of Audax. Directed by Andrew St Maur from a story by Liam Swann and Owen Ward, the film starred Vin Hawke, Alessandra Munez, Katie Burgress, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A shamed ex-freighter captain takes one last shot at redemption, only to find he is a puppet for a grander scheme."
Editor's Note:
Despite some diligent searching, I've been unable to locate a promotional trailer for the film. This isn't necessarily all that uncommon given the fact that it appears to be a smaller / independent production which likely had very little advertising anywhere.
-- EZ
On this day in 2014 (in the United Kingdom), the big city of Preston played host for the silver screen premiere of Audax. Directed by Andrew St Maur from a story by Liam Swann and Owen Ward, the film starred Vin Hawke, Alessandra Munez, Katie Burgress, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A shamed ex-freighter captain takes one last shot at redemption, only to find he is a puppet for a grander scheme."
Editor's Note:
Despite some diligent searching, I've been unable to locate a promotional trailer for the film. This isn't necessarily all that uncommon given the fact that it appears to be a smaller / independent production which likely had very little advertising anywhere.
-- EZ
- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 1972 (in the U.S.), Home For The Holidays enjoyed stirring up some chillls and spills with its American broadcast television debut. Directed by John Llewellyn Moxey from a story by Joseph Stephano, the film starred Sally Field, Jill Haworth, Julie Harris, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An ailing man summons his four daughters home for Christmas and asks them to kill his new wife, who he suspects is poisoning him."
-- EZ
On this day in 1972 (in the U.S.), Home For The Holidays enjoyed stirring up some chillls and spills with its American broadcast television debut. Directed by John Llewellyn Moxey from a story by Joseph Stephano, the film starred Sally Field, Jill Haworth, Julie Harris, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An ailing man summons his four daughters home for Christmas and asks them to kill his new wife, who he suspects is poisoning him."
-- EZ
- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 1997 (in the U.S.), The Exotic House Of Wax delivered a bit of skin along with the Fantastical premise to home video buyers. Written (in part) and directed by Cybil Richards, the film starred Blake Pickett, Jacqueline Lovell, Everett Rodd, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The action heats up when history's most memorable icons come to life for an amorous meltdown in this interactive "please touch" museum."
Editor's Note:
Despite some diligent searching, I've been unable to locate a promotional trailer for the film. This isn't necessarily all that uncommon given the fact that it appears to be a smaller home video release which likely had very little advertising anywhere.
-- EZ
On this day in 1997 (in the U.S.), The Exotic House Of Wax delivered a bit of skin along with the Fantastical premise to home video buyers. Written (in part) and directed by Cybil Richards, the film starred Blake Pickett, Jacqueline Lovell, Everett Rodd, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The action heats up when history's most memorable icons come to life for an amorous meltdown in this interactive "please touch" museum."
Editor's Note:
Despite some diligent searching, I've been unable to locate a promotional trailer for the film. This isn't necessarily all that uncommon given the fact that it appears to be a smaller home video release which likely had very little advertising anywhere.
-- EZ
- Published on
site update
So many movies ... so little time ...
On this day in 2012 (in Italy), it wasn't just jingle bells ringing when audiences in attendance of the Torino Film Festival were treated the theatrical unveiling of Christmas With The Dead. Directed by T.L. Lankford from a story by Joe R. Lansdale and Keith Lansdale, the film starred Damian Maffei, Brad Maule, Madeline Brassell, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In his quest to fulfill a promise made to his wife, Calvin sets out to right his wrongs and make it the best Christmas ever. If only it weren't June, and the majority of the population, including his wife and daughter, hadn't returned from the dead as flesh-eating snappers in search of hot human lunches, he'd be in pretty good shape. Driven by guilt in a race against the apocalyptic clock, Calvin teams up with G.M., a wily ex-garbage man turned undead slayer, as together they attempt to deck the halls during the most magical time of the year. It's Christmas in June. And snappers be damned... The lights and decorations are going up."
-- EZ
On this day in 2012 (in Italy), it wasn't just jingle bells ringing when audiences in attendance of the Torino Film Festival were treated the theatrical unveiling of Christmas With The Dead. Directed by T.L. Lankford from a story by Joe R. Lansdale and Keith Lansdale, the film starred Damian Maffei, Brad Maule, Madeline Brassell, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In his quest to fulfill a promise made to his wife, Calvin sets out to right his wrongs and make it the best Christmas ever. If only it weren't June, and the majority of the population, including his wife and daughter, hadn't returned from the dead as flesh-eating snappers in search of hot human lunches, he'd be in pretty good shape. Driven by guilt in a race against the apocalyptic clock, Calvin teams up with G.M., a wily ex-garbage man turned undead slayer, as together they attempt to deck the halls during the most magical time of the year. It's Christmas in June. And snappers be damned... The lights and decorations are going up."
-- EZ
- Published on
in memoriam
Ach. Make this year go away, folks. We've lost so much talent in 2025 ...
I caught the press announcement yesterday regarding the passing of celebrated actor Udo Kier, so I wanted to get up an In Memoriam today. Again, his was a presence known and felt by so many -- some of which relates to the world of genre entertainment -- but the truth is he was probably known far and wide for a diverse catalogue of incredible performances. Drama. Comedy. Thrillers. You name it, and I think Kier probably did it at some point as his resume was fast approaching three hundred different screen roles. Wow. That's astonishing.
And ... I read a few reactions from people in the business who attested to the fact that -- though he might've played heavies here and there -- he was a very nice fellow.
As for his forays into the realms of the Fantastic?
Well, with so many appearances on screens big and small, it's going to be a bit difficult to try to capture it all. I'll try to mention a few of the more notable finds.
According to IMDB.com, it looks like Kier got his 'feet wet' in genre pursuits with a big role aboard Mark Of The Devil (1970) for Aquila Film Enterprises. From what I've read, Devil both built and maintains a cult audience largely owed to the feature's rampant depiction of torture. Google.com states that it was one of those releases wherein producers insisted on providing 'vomit bags' to audience upon its first run through theaters.
A few years later -- in 1973 -- Kier took on one of the screen's oft-repeated roles when he suited up to play 'Baron Frankenstein' aboard Flesh For Frankenstein for Braunsberg Productions. The flick is often referred to as Andy Warhol's Frankenstein; but -- as I've come to understand -- Warhol essentially had nothing to do with the picture other than allowing the producers to use his name, perhaps in an attempt to capture some viral advertising of the era. Flesh, too, is a production often cited for its prevalent violence.
The very next year -- in 1974 -- the actor kinda/sorta flipped the coin and took on Horror's other iconic heavyweight: Blood For Dracula saw the man becoming Count Dracula for a new generation of moviegoers. While it may lack the visceral, gruesome punch long attached to Flesh For Frankenstein, it follows in the same vein (snicker snicker) so far as I've read. It's a picture which I wonder is owed a rediscovery, especially now since its central figure has passed on.
As is often the case, there's a vast amount more to these citations, but with a talent like Kier I've often felt it's best to let the record speak for itself. When such personalities age, they're often shoehorned into roles that kinda/sorta take advantage of their earlier screen personaes; and I suppose the same is true for him. Later in his career, Kier probably found himself cast in projects more for his professional gravitas than anything else -- not to suggest that's a bad turn of events in any way -- and, sadly, I think that hampers any actor or actress' opportunity to keep exploring what can be accomplished with the craft. Still, it's easy to see that the guy knew how to deliver whenever asked; and it's a shame we don't see more of the likes of him these days.
Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Udo Kier.
May he rest in peace.
-- EZ
I caught the press announcement yesterday regarding the passing of celebrated actor Udo Kier, so I wanted to get up an In Memoriam today. Again, his was a presence known and felt by so many -- some of which relates to the world of genre entertainment -- but the truth is he was probably known far and wide for a diverse catalogue of incredible performances. Drama. Comedy. Thrillers. You name it, and I think Kier probably did it at some point as his resume was fast approaching three hundred different screen roles. Wow. That's astonishing.
And ... I read a few reactions from people in the business who attested to the fact that -- though he might've played heavies here and there -- he was a very nice fellow.
As for his forays into the realms of the Fantastic?
Well, with so many appearances on screens big and small, it's going to be a bit difficult to try to capture it all. I'll try to mention a few of the more notable finds.
According to IMDB.com, it looks like Kier got his 'feet wet' in genre pursuits with a big role aboard Mark Of The Devil (1970) for Aquila Film Enterprises. From what I've read, Devil both built and maintains a cult audience largely owed to the feature's rampant depiction of torture. Google.com states that it was one of those releases wherein producers insisted on providing 'vomit bags' to audience upon its first run through theaters.
A few years later -- in 1973 -- Kier took on one of the screen's oft-repeated roles when he suited up to play 'Baron Frankenstein' aboard Flesh For Frankenstein for Braunsberg Productions. The flick is often referred to as Andy Warhol's Frankenstein; but -- as I've come to understand -- Warhol essentially had nothing to do with the picture other than allowing the producers to use his name, perhaps in an attempt to capture some viral advertising of the era. Flesh, too, is a production often cited for its prevalent violence.
The very next year -- in 1974 -- the actor kinda/sorta flipped the coin and took on Horror's other iconic heavyweight: Blood For Dracula saw the man becoming Count Dracula for a new generation of moviegoers. While it may lack the visceral, gruesome punch long attached to Flesh For Frankenstein, it follows in the same vein (snicker snicker) so far as I've read. It's a picture which I wonder is owed a rediscovery, especially now since its central figure has passed on.
As is often the case, there's a vast amount more to these citations, but with a talent like Kier I've often felt it's best to let the record speak for itself. When such personalities age, they're often shoehorned into roles that kinda/sorta take advantage of their earlier screen personaes; and I suppose the same is true for him. Later in his career, Kier probably found himself cast in projects more for his professional gravitas than anything else -- not to suggest that's a bad turn of events in any way -- and, sadly, I think that hampers any actor or actress' opportunity to keep exploring what can be accomplished with the craft. Still, it's easy to see that the guy knew how to deliver whenever asked; and it's a shame we don't see more of the likes of him these days.
Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Udo Kier.
May he rest in peace.
-- EZ