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Truck Turner (1974) Directed by Jonathan Kaplan

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 6:24 AM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , ,



It's definitely true blaxploitation flicks are among the most entertaining movies out there. It's a fun genre, that actually is always terribly lacking with its story, acting, action and technical details but that's all truly a part of the charm of the genre and reason why the movies often work out as such extremely likable and fun ones.

This blaxploitation flick, that's a revenge flick as well, stars a bald Isaac Hayes in the lead role, Scatman Crothers with hair, Yaphet Kotto as king of all pimps and Nichelle Nichols of "Star Trek" fame as a villainous, evil, female pimp. Yes, it's all truly as fun as it sounds but of course still at the same time it's being a far from great movie.

Thing that I liked about the movie is that it's foremost being a revenge flick, in which the roles get switched around. It are the villains that are out to get revenge in this one. It gives an original twist to the story and provides it with plenty of interesting dynamics between the movie its many different villains and adds plenty of fun to its story.

Another thing I also like and was somewhat surprised by were its killings. Surprising thing about it was how realistic it all came across. Persons don't just get shot and drop dead right after that but they actually continue to gasp and cringe and hold on to their dear lives with their last powers. It gave the movie a sort of raw and realistic edge, which also makes you take the movie more seriously.

But don't worry, it above all things is a fun watch, that's made to entertain. It offers you plenty of entertainment with its characters, dialog and action scenes. Plenty of shootouts, fist fights and silly stunts in this movie and some great, tough but likable characters, who let everything work out.

Of course it at the same time remains a very lacking movie with its story and it doesn't always look like the best or most professional made movie. Biggest flaw about the story remains that it's main character often suddenly disappears completely out of it and it seems that the movie during its second half is more focusing on its villains, rather than its 'hero' and the person you are supposed to root for all the way through.

But really, I was willing and able to take all of the other flaws and inconsistencies for granted and simply enjoyed the movie for what it was. After all, you never should expect anything of too great quality or anything subtle when watching a blaxploitation in the fist place. And I also do admit, that as fat as the genre goes, this is definitely one of the better ones to watch!

7/10

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Lisa e il diavolo (1974) Directed by Mario Bava

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 12:51 PM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , ,



First of all, it's important to mention this is a review for the original version of the movie. Apparently there also is a version for the American market of this movie, in which certain graphic scenes were cut out and some scenes were actually even added, after re-shoots. It also completely changes the story around and turns the movie into a "The Exorcist" ripoff. And you can blame the original movie version for a lot of things but not for being not creative or original enough.

No need to dance around it, this movie is just plain odd at times. Lots of crazy stuff happening in this movie and it definitely has a surreal vibe to it as well but in the end this all was actually something the movie benefited from and part of the reason why this feels like such a fresh and original watch.

It's not a typical Giallo movie by any means. As a matter of fact, I am somewhat reluctant to even call this a Giallo. It's maybe only one with its visuals and directing approach but other than that, it's being something completely different with its story. You perhaps could better call the movie a supernatural thriller, with some horror tendencies to it. The movie actually keeps throwing you off, by going into multiple direction at times with both its style and story. The one moment it feels like there is actually something supernatural happening, the other it's more apparent an actual person is behind all of it. I won't say what the movie actually is but it keeps fooling you, which might work annoying to some people, while others might enjoy this movie for that. The movie never is just one thing!

But what really still made this movie mostly work out well for me were its visuals. If you strip everything away from this movie and only its story is left, this would had most likely been one uninteresting and messy movie to watch. But the visuals and camera-work in general help to provide the movie with plenty of original and interesting cinematic moments.

What I also like about the movie is that it doesn't ever really gets into your face with its gore or violence. That's not what this movie is all about and it more forces you to pay attention to its story, rather than simply look forward to yet another graphic killing, as some other genre movies from around the same era tend to do.

It's really a movie filled with misfits, which again, also definitely adds to the movie being an interesting one. You just don't know what to expect from anyone in this movie, since most of them obviously have some sort of disturbing issues up there.

The movie also has some great casting in that regard. Telly Savalas is obviously in his element as the quirky and at the same time also scary servant and all of the Italian actors have a perfect look to them, which seemed really suitable for the type of role they were playing.

Another thing worth mentioning is the musical score by Carlo Savina, which also was perfectly suitable for the movie its style and atmosphere and next to that also was great to listen to.

Now, I do realize this is not a movie that will appeal to just everyone but if you into Italian horror, from the '70's and want to see something more unique and original for a change, this is a perfectly good movie to watch! Nothing too brilliant, I admit to that but still definitely good and interesting enough.

7/10

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Silent Night, Bloody Night (1974) Directed by Theodore Gershuny

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 9:45 AM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , , ,

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(Review originally written at 23 December 2008)

Odd is perhaps the best word to describe this movie with. Even for an '70's horror flick it's quite an unusual movie, that is good looking and all but yet never really gets off the ground, mostly due to its storytelling.

Everything in this movie screams that it's not being made by the most experienced and talented people involved. It also obviously doesn't feature the biggest budget. And its also true that the movie isn't made by the most experienced people within the business and it didn't had a very large budget. Director Theodore Gershuny only directed 3 movies throughout his career, of which this was his last. He knows how to give the movie an atmospheric and classy look but nevertheless the movie still feels mostly empty, since we are just never grabbed by its story or tension because it isn't told always very well.

All of the actors are also some big B-actors, who obviously have done nothing big or important throughout their career. Their talents simply do not allow that. The movie still features former big horror movie star John Carradine but what's the point of having him in your movie if you're not going to let him talk. As if he was cheaper to get that way; "OK, I'll star in your movie for $10.000. How about $5000? OK but I won't say any lines then. It's a deal!". Carradine is best known for his horror roles in the '40's, for the Universal studios. He played the famous count Dracula a couple of times at that time and also appeared in one of "The Mummy" sequels.

The movie does has its moments, mostly when horror is involved but for most part the movie is too slowly moving. It's also too mysterious. We don't exactly know how all the characters are and what they want, until about halve way through the movie. It also takes too long for the movie to unravel its main plot. Sure, this works out all well for the mystery and atmosphere of the movie but it also kind of makes this movie hard to watch and follow.

So overall it really isn't a bad genre movie and certainly it deserves a higher rating than it's currently receiving on here. Perhaps people don't really like it since it's a little bit odd and it isn't really told in a formulaic way. Besides, it's a very cheap looking with no great big talents involved behind and in front of the camera.

6/10

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Deranged (1974) Directed by Jeff Gillen & Alan Ormsby

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 3:58 AM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , ,

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(Review originally written at 30 October 2008)

Even though all of the character names within this movie are changed, most likely for legal reasons, this movie tells the story of one of the most infamous killers of all time; Ed Gein.
Of course some changes are made within the movie and the movie doesn't tell the whole story of Ed Gein but overall in its main lines it can be considered a fairly accurate movie. Ed Gein is of course a real interesting killer because of the very odd things he did, not as much to his victims but more because of the fact he was also a grave-robber who dug up his own deceased mother and took her into his home again. He dug up several more recently deceased middle aged woman, who resembled his mother in order to use their skin to patch up his mother's body with. He became real fascinated with anatomy and that of the female body in particular. He became so fascinated he wanted to become a woman himself and he made 'suits' out of the skin of deceased women, which he could wear. He also made various other objects from parts of death bodies. A real amazing story, which inspired many film-makers over the years. This makes it all the more odd that there never really have been a good decent Ed Gein movie around. This one is probably the best one to watch out there, even though it changed all of the character names and it doesn't focus entirely on the life story of Ed Gein.
There of course was a lot wrong in Ed Gein's life and inside his head in particular but this movie does not choose to waste much time on showing how he became the man he was and what drove him to his actions. It simply concentrates on the relationship he had with his mother and how she influenced his life entirely even long time after her death. This movie doesn't try to be overly complicated and a real thoroughly character study of a serial killer. This is what makes "Deranged" an easy to grasp and watch movie. It also makes it a 'pleasant' one, since it's also definitely a movie with a certain quirky kind of sense over it. You know, come to think of it, I think the Coen brothers would be the perfect candidates to make a story about Ed Gein's life.
Also a real strong point of this movie is its atmosphere. This movie obviously was an ultra-low budget one, which works out actually quite well for the movie its atmosphere and overall realism. I honestly doubt this movie would had been better, had it had a multi-million dollar budget.
One thing a multi-million dollar could had given the movie though would be some better actors to play the movie its roles. With all respect but none of the actors within the movie are among the most talented ones. It's true that it adds to the certain quirkiness and 'fun' of the movie, also since the movie obviously doesn't attempt to conceal it isn't the most professional movie ever made with the most talented actors involved.
The movie also doesn't really show any of the killings or how Gein (or in this movie Ezra Cobb) skinned any of his dug up bodies and how he made items out of them. So if you're expecting a bloody and gory '70's horror flick this is not the movie for you. It's not an exploitation flick and in that regard this movie is also really quite original for '70's standards.
A really recommendable, atmospheric, little low-budget retelling of the Ed Gein story, that you give a go.
8/10


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Black Christmas (1974) Directed by Bob Clark

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 5:57 AM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , ,

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(Review originally written at 8 August 2008)

It's not a movie with a great or original story (which horror movie does anyway?) or approach but this is simply one fine and effective genre movie, with a fine premise, good settings and some wonderful genre moments.
Amazing thing is that director Bob Clark started his career with movies like this but soon continued on making movies such as "Porky's" and "Baby Geniuses", which is obviously a totally different genre. A waste of his talent? Well, in all honesty horror movies from the '70's are definitely better ones than the ones from the '80's of '90's, so I'm not too sure about it actually if Clark would had continued to direct horror movies during his later career those movies would had been as good as this one, mostly in terms of style.
'70's movies of course have a very distinctive style and atmosphere. Some of the best and most classic horror movies also date back from the '70's. Movies such as "The Exorcist", "The Omen", "Don't Look Now", "Halloween" oh and I can just go on and on. This movie wasn't the first slasher and it also wasn't the most influential or best known one (credit for that still mostly goes to John Carpenter's "Halloween") but it's nevertheless obvious that this movie inspired later film-makers and is a fine example of the genre from the '70's.
It's a really effective horror movie, that features all of the right required ingredients. It doesn't make this the most original genre movie with its style or approach but it's simply one fine executed one. The movie has a good dark and mysterious atmosphere and it also really knows to be scary in parts. Especially the phone calls within the movie, which play a key part, are really scary. I don't know what it is but phone calls are always scary and effective material for horror movies. Just think about movies such as "Scream", "When a Stranger Calls" or "Sorry, Wrong Number".
What also helps the movie is its atmospheric musical score from Carl Zittrer, who used to work a lot with Bob Clark during his career.

The movie also really has a great cast with actors you wouldn't necessarily normally expect in a genre movie such as this one. Margot Kidder is really great in this movie, in a fairly early role from her. The movie also stars Keir Dullea, who unfortunately doesn't ever star in that many movies.

A great movie for the fans of the genre, as well as to everyone else for all that matter.
8/10


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Columbo: By Dawn's Early Light (1974) Directed by Harvey Hart

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 4:30 AM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , ,

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(Review originally written at 23 July 2008)

It has a quite complicated killing plot. I mean, wouldn't an high ranking military man come up with something else and less complicated, or something better planned and thought over, if he wanted to have someone out of his way. The plan and plot is far from a waterproof one. So story or plot-wise this isn't the greatest movie around but it's still one of the more enjoyable once, thanks to its fine unusual Columbo settings and some fine performances from the two main actors.
The whole premise of the movie also seemed quite ridicules to me. Why police lieutenant Columbo is send in to investigate a murder committed on a military premises. Doesn't the military itself have special people and investigators for that? But oh well, it's a good excuse to place Columbo in a military environment this time. It's mostly due to its environment that this movie is such a great, as well as original, Columbo movie to watch. It's funny to see Columbo in this movie go with the military program and routine.
It's of course quite funny and amusing to see Columbo in an environment like this, since if there is one person who seems out of place in a tough, disciplined military environment it's lieutenant Columbo. I wonder if Columbo ever served in the military, it would make a funny movie on its own probably. He does mention it but this could also easily had been one of his tricks to get people to talk.
The movie is also truly being uplifted by the movie its performances. Peter Falk and Patrick McGoohan have some great moments between them and they obviously also enjoyed acting together during their sequences. They were worthy competitors and they constantly played each other. It's the first time Patrick McGoohan appears in a Columbo movie. Being a good close personal friend of Peter Falk, he appeared in 3 more Columbo movies and he even wrote, produced and directed several more Columbo movies. He plays a really fine tough role in this movie as Col. Lyle C. Rumford. It's a typical military role that nevertheless still feels fresh and original enough, due to McGoohan's acting skills.
It's quite a long Columbo movie and as a matter of fact I actually think it's the longest one around. This means that the movie and its story also takes its time to set up things. This also means that there are some long sequences but luckily the movie never dulls in, thanks to the very fine performances from the two principal leads, played by Peter Falk and Patrick McGoohan. It still could had come earlier to the point though at times. It just takes a while for Columbo to forgive things out, way longer than usually ever is the case.
It's the first Columbo movie from director Harvey Hart. He would directed 3 more Columbo movies from 1975 till 1976, of which this movie is one of his better ones.

It's all in all a fine and foremost enjoyable Columbo movie entry.
8/10


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Columbo: A Friend in Deed (1974) Directed by Ben Gazzara

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 6:12 PM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , ,

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(Review originally written at 18 July 2008)

Plotwise and the way the story is build up from its beginning till end, every Columbo movie is basically the same. It's the reason why most of the Columbo movies are of the same high quality. There however are a few Columbo movies that stand out. Often a Columbo movie can distinct itself from the others and the usual quality, through its directing style, plot or acting. This is a Columbo movie that knows to distinct itself through its plot.
Storywise this is simply one fine movie. It on top of that is also quite original for a Columbo movie, thanks to some nice little touches that makes the story and its storytelling different from the usual Columbo formula. For instance we don't get to see the first murder being committed at all and there is not one murderer but two, of which one is the deputy police commissioner and Columbo's boss. In the long run the story isn't at all about the first murder in fact. The story on top of that has some small side-plots, which isn't something common for a Columbo movie, also due to its normal short running times. It's a story that develops nicely and has plenty of twists and surprises in it. It's the kind of script that would had also worked out for a good cop thriller movie.
But it's still a typical Columbo movie alright with most of its usual ingredients. The character of Columbo himself can be seen as a real police investigator this time, interrogating and looking for clues, while in most other Columbo movies he doesn't really feel and act like a police-man but more like a noisy, smart, observing private detective, like for instance Agatha Christie's Poirot or Miss Marple.

Perhaps it's true that the movie focuses more on the perpetrators than on the Columbo character, even more than usual but I see this as a part of the reason why this movie is different and more original from other Columbo movies, rather than as something that is bad about the movie.
The movie also really benefits from Richard Kiley, who plays a fine role, as Columbo's main suspect. His character carries the movie for quite a large part.
A movie that doesn't follow all of the usual Columbo movie rules but works out fine anyhow thanks to its well written script, that helps to make the movie one of the more original Columbo movies out there.


8/10


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