Grindhouse Lives!

Want to see some classic horror films? Well, I have I got a treat for you! Check out these three posters for some of the greatest movies ever made!

“Man-Eating Rats! Cranium-Cleaving Color!”

Horror film buffs rejoice! It’s time to meet Staten Island’s premiere filmmaker! It’s Andy Milligan, the “unknown Ed Wood!”

Dusty Cole: How’s your mother?
Cherry Lane: She threw me out. I guess she got tired of me using all her hairspray.

And with that, let’s begin a trip through some of the wildest, cheapest and WORST films ever made – from a Director so fascinating that the acclaimed Director of the recent indie hit “Drive” – starring Ryan Gosling – bought up all his old films!

So much to get to, and wait until you read about the film that one viewer called:

“This is an absolutely horrible film in every way possible.”

Meet Staten Island’s “Ed Wood”!

Meet Andy Milligan, a fascinating Director of some of the WORST films ever made – as well as the cheapest – I mean CHEAP – but whose career rode a small wave of sexploitation for a few years…it’s a great story of the early days of sexploitation!

The Critics Weigh In With Raves!

If you don’t know Andy Milligan, here’s a great line for you – it’s Michael Weldon’s choice riposte from “The Psychotronic Encyclopedia of Film” where he declared,

“If you’re an Andy Milligan fan, there’s no hope for you.”

C’mon now – Milligan was Staten Island’s Ed Wood! Shooting on budgets that hovered around $10,000, Milligan turned out 29 movies between 1965 and 1988 – moves that were

“In Dripping Blood Color!”

While the posters were classic grindhouse “come ons”, his movies were appallingly shot, often ludicrously plotted shock films – but that’s what played in 42nd Street grind houses, drive-ins and avant-garde film festivals in the late 60′s and 70′s…

In those days, 42nd street was full of sleazy, rundown movie theaters that stayed open all night long – they needed ANYTHING to show on screen, and Milligan’s film were cheap and as low-rent as the theater….

His “grindhouse” legacy is such that an acclaimed new film maker became obsessed with Milligan!

Nicolas Winding Refn: My obsession with Andy Milligan’s cult horror movies

Did you know that the “Drive” and “Pusher” director paid £16,000 on eBay to buy up Milligan’s films and bring them back to life – check out this story from last year, highlighting the Director’s obsession with Milligan!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2012/jun/14/obsession-andy-milligan-cult-movies

Milligan’s movies are legendary for their lack of quality: “The Worst Director Of All Time” Ed Wood may get all the attention for bad movies, but check out some of these Andy Milligan gems – all theatrically released:

Torture Dungeon (1969)
Bloodthirsty Butchers (1970)
The Body Beneath (1970)
Guru, the Mad Monk (1970)
The Rats Are Coming! The Werewolves Are Here! (1972)

“EXPLICIT BEYOND BELIEF!”

And they weren’t just horror films – no, Milligan knew how to sex it up as well!

Fleshpot On 42nd St.

“Erotic, Sensual and Smoldering!”

That’s right, they weren’t all horror films, Milligan also loved deviant sex – and blew the lid of 42nd Street’s sleazy sex trade!

The plot was simple: A street whore desperately seeks love and acceptance against the backdrop of the criminal element of early 1970s Times Square.

The film featured classic Milligan dialogue like this:

Cherry Lane: Didn’t your mother ever tell you that you shouldn’t go out with strange men?
Dusty Cole: Bob’s not strange. He’s dull.

Of course, the pressures of Times Square can make relationships tough, as Dusty has to confide to Tony…

Dusty Cole: When I moved in with you, you said they’re be no trouble between us. You said we’d shack up together and that’s all. And I said I’d help out with the money as soon as I get a job. Don’t think I don’t apreciate what you’ve done for me, Tony. I do… but you get more then your fair share of ass. There isn’t one night where you don’t come home from that shithole where you work and wake me up in the middle of the night because you want a piece of ass. I do my part so get off my back!

And of course, how can you go wrong with conversations like this one:

Dusty Cole: How’s your mother?
Cherry Lane: She threw me out. I guess she got tired of me using all her hairspray.

Wel, enough sex, let’s get back to what Milligan REALLY liked:

“In Cranium-Cleaving Color!”

How can you resist a movie that offers this tagline!

The Ghastly Ones!

You are seeing a trend: classic grindhouse poster art – sex, violence, SHOCKS BEYOND BELIEF! – c’mon in suckers, the water’s fine!

First, check out the “Doctor’s Warning” on the poster – a classic “come on” for the suckers at that time…love it! Now, back to “The Ghastly Ones” plot: Three married couples are forced to spend the night in a Victorian-era house where they start getting killed off by a deranged psycho who’s bent on claiming an inheritance they are all entitled to.

Here’s a great bit of trivia, thanks to IMDB: In several of the fight scenes of the film, the crew and their cameras and sound equipment are visible. There are also moments when the director can be heard softly reminding the actors of their lines.

Now THAT”S film making! As one reader on IMDB stated,

“This is an absolutely horrible film in every way possible.”

Thanks to the great film buffs at Something Weird Video, you can have “The Ghastly Ones” as part of a Milligan double bill! Congrats to the SW people for keeping this part of movie history alive!

The Body Beneath!

Time to venture to the graveyards of England…

In this great movie, Milligan captures the eerie horror of-, ah who’s kidding who? Do you REALLY care what it’s about? It’s slow-moving and laughably bad in a dementedly fun way! I mean, you have to watch it in order to find out why these women look like THIS!

You want a great night of bad movies? Buy Some Andy Milligan, grab something strong to drink, and have fun – then read this biography to find out more about the fascinating life of a demented Director!

The Book Of Milligan!

The Ghastly One: The Sex-Gore Netherworld of Filmmaker Andy Milligan – by
Jimmy McDonough

This is a fascinating look at ultra low-budget, independent film making. Milligan lived a unique life on the edge – in the ultra hipster lower west side of Manhattan…Milligan, who died of AIDS in 1990 at the age of 61, was drawn to (in no particular order) drugs, violence, sex, misogyny and general weirdness – and this book documents that perverse life in a fascinating way.

McDonough’s verbatim interviews, which form the spine of the book, reveal a man who could be alternately brutally honest, obstructionist, deceitful and quite kind. McDonough is careful to add well-researched, nuanced context to Milligan’s life, which makes it all the more compelling.

His portrait of Milligan’s importance to the famous Caffe Cino, for example, considered to be the beginnings of Off-Broadway, are startling, notable additions to theater history. From Andy Milligan! The guy who gave us this!

A fascinating book, great trashy movies – what more could you ask for? Dip into some grindhouse history today!

RIP Jess Franco – this legendary Director has passed away, just a year after his wife, the legendary Lina Romay, died! Sad news indeed, but let’s celebrate their crazy life together!

Excuse me: why is a naked woman trying to kill me with a bow and arrow?

Now that I have your attention: let’s look at the little-known, prolific Director Jess Franco – one of the craziest Directors EVER!!

Yes, she is a bit scared too…as this is Lina Romay – the Director’s WIFE! Yes, you are about to enter the naked world of an offbeat Auteur! Meet Jess Franco!

“Jess” Franco is a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic “The Awful Dr. Orloff,” which received wide distribution in the United States and England.

Spain’s most prolific master of horror JESS FRANCO dead at 82.

Awful news: Kike Mesa, director of the 2007 documentary “Jess Franco: Way of Life”, announced Franco’s passing at the age of 82 on his Facebook page.

Franco is believed to have directed more than 200 films of the cinema fantastique genre and worked with Orson Welles on his never completed Don Quixote feature.

He had some American box office success with “Necronomicon” in 1967 , and his biggest hit “99 Women” in 1968…

“One Soul Hungered To Touch Another!”

Let’s celebration this European exploitation master!! Franco also had success in the grindhouse realm, as low-budget, high concept movies flooded grindhouse theaters and drive-ins across America…such as this one – a classic of european erotica:

“Linda loves her work, and her work is LOVE…”

I mean, hard to miss the point of these movies! But they were popular for what they were, and Franco spent the rest of his career churning out dozens of these “sexploitation” films…most starring his wife!

Lina Romay!

Yes, his wife Lina Romay was also his creative partner, and they made many films together! Here are two great examples!

Hunting Humans Was Her Favorite Game!

What a great tagline for a movie!

Countess Perverse!

Here’s the plot in a nutshell: Two wealthy aristocrats lure a virginal girl to a Spanish island for a night of sex, death and cannibalism.

But there is SO much more! Here is how The AV Club described the movie:

When a young couple in a classy seaside village finds a nude woman washed up on the beach, they aren’t particularly surprised by the story she tells them, about a house of horrors and a “man with black glasses” who’s trying to kill her.

As you can tell, this isn’t going to end well for the couple. But that’s what makes it so perversely fun – as you are about to see!

These aristocrats have a fun hobby: They strip their guests and send them out on the grounds to be hunted, Most Dangerous Game-style. If the guests survive long enough, the count sets them free.

Otherwise, the countess—who is also naked, save for a quiver of arrows—shoots them dead, then roasts them and serves them for dinner! Yes, you read that right!

The Most Dangerous Game – Naked!

I mean, that’s what is going on here: hunting humans for sport – and in this case, everyone is naked!

And just before the closing credits roll, the count looks down at the corpse of his magnificent bride and boasts, “You will be the best meal of my life!”

How do you top madness like this? Well, for Franco that was easy!

Lorna The Exorcist. This 1974 film by Franco has a simple logline: A man is tormented by an ex-lover, Lorna, who is some kind of witch. She has a strange power over a number of women in the film, including the man’s daughter, Linda.

Remember, in the early 70′s, just the fact that a film was from France, where morals were looser, was cause for celebration. What people didn’t expect was such a strange mind blower like Franco!

And let’s be honest, Mondo Macabro’s extended teaser will blow your mind right now!

Star Lina Romay was Franco’s wife, and starred in many of his films…sadly, she died recently at age 57, from cancer in Málaga, Spain.

Check out the bizarre, perverse and fascinating work of this legendary sexploitation duo!

Time to head back to Australia with the terrific Sasha Grey – for an underwater adventure like no other!

Let’s Swim With The Sharks!

Yes, this is Sasha Grey inside a shark tank. No partitions, nothing between her and the sharks. Here is how she got there: as you may have read on this blog before, I had the chance to film some stories in Australia with Sasha Grey. Here we are at Bondi Beach:

This was the day that Sasha agreed to surf for the first time – always up for a challenge:

Sasha Surfs Bondi Beach!

You can see some of Sasha’s great behind-the-scenes surfing videos here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/01/03/sasha-grey-surfs-sasha-steps-in-gum-surfs-up-at-bondi-beach-australia/

And Now, Time For Sharks!

Along with learning to surf, Sasha agreed to go with us to the Manly Beach Aquarium – where they have a huge tank full of sharks and stingrays – and you are allowed to climb in there with them!

Swimming With Sharks!

I also posted about Sasha’s adventures inside a shark tank, and I got a ton of feedback from her fans – everyone wanted to see more pictures of Sasha among the sharks…so here goes – and this time with video!

Sasha Gets Instructed!

The first thing that happened was Sasha’s dive prep – she had to learn how to breathe underwater – this was her first time with scuba gear…but even though she had never done it before, she was a real trooper…doing a “speed” version of training in a side pool so we could film the segment with the sharks, who were hovering nearby…

And Here’s Some Video!

I filmed some of the instructions as well…here you go:

Sasha soaked up the instruction, knowing we had a limited amount of time to film at the Aquarium before it opened to the public. So, even though she had NEVER been scuba diving before, she focused on what needed to be done and did it. Then, it was time to go meet some sharks! First, the trainer and Sasha walked very slowly into the large part of the tank…

Talk About Your Super-Sized Stingray!

Here is what it looked like for us – we were all safely protected in a tunnel with the tank all around us – with the glass protection it didn’t seem like that big a deal…until we saw the size of the stingrays and sharks that were inside with Sasha….and yes, that is one BIG Stingray…

Sasha’s Tanked!

While we were in the shadow of the stingray, Sasha was INSIDE the tank with them…focused on moving slowly and always walking, never swimming in the water – as that would attract the wrong type of attention….I mean, look at how close they were to her!

As it turns out, the Stingray was a bit of a ham…showing up in shot after shot with Sasha, like this photo bomb:

Sasha’s Shark Encounter!

Once Sasha acclimated herself to the water, adjusted to wearing the scuba gear AND getting used to the curious Stingray, she began to walk around. Note: as I said before, they WALKED through the tank – Sasha was told that any other type of movement could make the Sharks see her as FOOD…

It only took a moment for the sharks to see her – check out these pictures as the sharks become more and more curious:

LOOK HOW CLOSE THEY ARE!

Sasha never flinched – even though the sharks swirled around her and, at one point, a very feisty shark flicked his tail at her head – but she remained cool, calm and amazingly collected considering that!

Sasha’s CLOSE ENCOUNTER!

Remember, there are no partitions or screens in the water – look at how close Sasha is to these sharks! This is no joke – there is NOTHING between her and the sharks…and while the Instructor was nearby, and there was a camera man inside the tank as well, this is a VERY BRAVE Sasha Grey in this tank…remember, she had NEVER been scuba diving before this moment…and here she was standing alone among Sharks!

A Shark Photo Bomb!

This next picture is really amazing: as Sasha is posing for me through the glass, TWO Sharks line up for a hilarious photo bomb! Or, as Sasha said later, “they were deciding which one was going to eat me first!”

I LOVE how well-behaved these two Sharks are: mugging it up for the camera…I also got a shot of one of them giving me the evil eye…

Sasha stayed in the water for almost a half hour, and after awhile the sharks lost interest – they got used to her and she got used to them – and so the smaller fish stopped by for a look at her as well:

Congrats Sasha!

Even though she had never scuba’s before, Sasha was unafraid – she walked right in there and hung out with the stingrays, fish and sharks inside that tank…kudos to Sasha!

For more on the story of Sasha’s Manly Beach shark dive, go to this blog entry as well:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/11/21/sasha-grey-shark-diving-sydneys-bugs-opera-house-beauty-australia-rules/

Would You Rather…

And support Sasha’s latest effort – the great new movie “Would You Rather”…here is the terrific trailer!

Hey, Old Ladies! Calm Down!

Hey, it’s two crazy old ladies fighting! What’s up? And how does it lead to THIS???

Wait, Debbie Reynolds? In a horror film? What’s going on here? Oh, and can someone PLEASE calm Shelley Winters down?

Introducing Classic Old Lady Horror!

If you have not seen any of these movies – and these performances, you are missing out on some of the most entertaining “B” movies ever made – and great opportunities for America’s finest Actresses to bare their teeth! It was a fascinating trend in film in the late 60′s and early 70′s. Let’s look at some classic “old lady horror”!

First, the question:

“What Makes Her Garden Grow? Wouldn’t You Like To Know?”

Whatever Happened To Aunt Alice?

Oh, it’s EXACTLY what you think! I mean, in a world where “Soylent Green” is people, what do YOU think makes her garden grow? Oscar winners Geraldine Page and Ruth Gordon team up for a gem of a horror film – check out the trailer:

As “Aunt Alice”, Ruth Gordon applies for the job of housekeeper in the Arizona home of widow Claire Marrable in order to find out what happened to a missing widowed friend.

As you can see, a very whacked out Geraldine Page plays widow Claire. The crazed Page, left only a stamp album by her husband, takes money from her housekeepers, kills them, and buries the bodies in her garden. A perfect setup for a classic horror film!

Remember that Page later won an Academy Award as Best Actress in 1987…and here she gets the chance to showcase her scenery chewing ability…

Claire Marrable: You are the only mistake I made.
Alice Dimmock: Didn’t you ever think you’d be found out?
Claire Marrable: No and I won’t be.
Alice Dimmock: Giving yourself away like that…
Claire Marrable: To you? You are a dead woman.
Alice Dimmock: Oh no, I’m alive. See, I’m very much alive. And I’m not gonna be your next victim!

This is a terrific poster as well – memorable imagery for classic horror! And remember, Ruth Gordon ALSO WON AN OSCAR – doing a horror film – for “Rosemary’s Baby” – check out my story on that film here!

http://johnrieber.com/2012/10/26/rosemarys-baby-jessicas-scared-to-death-great-halloween-horror/

Shelley Winters Bites Down HARD!

Now, time to move on to a classic “scenery chewer!”

“Aunt Roo is a witch!”

She sure is! Shelley Winters stars in this little-seen horror film, and she doesn’t leave a single scene unchewed!

Who Slew Auntie Roo?

Shelley Winters is evil Aunt Roo in this take on “Hanzel and Gretel” – note that the poster says “Who Slew Auntie Roo?” but the trailer says “Whoever Slew Auntie Roo”…whoever, whatever, check it out!

This is a retelling of the old tale of Hansel and Gretel, but set in England in the 1920s. To the children and staff at the orphanage, Auntie Roo is a kindly American widow who gives them a lavish Christmas party each year in her mansion.

In reality, she is a severely disturbed woman, who keeps the mummified remains of her little daughter in a nursery in the attic. Of course she does! I mean, look at crazy Shelley Winters!

To paraphrase The Doors, “The men don’t know but the little boy understands…”

Katy Coombs: You said she was going to eat us.
Christopher: She was, later.

Again, classic poster art sells this as another “crazy old lady” horror film!

Finally, let’s check out a film that offers a chance for Debbie Reynolds to get into the horror game!

“I offered you my blessing. You refused it. Now move along!”

What’s The Matter With Helen?

Yep, it’s crazy Shelley Winters again, but this time she tangles with “America’s Aging Sweetheart” Debbie Reynolds!

Set in the 30s, Helen and Adelle are two women whose sons commit a gruesome murder. After their conviction, they move to Hollywood change their names and open a dance school for girls. Adelle is looking for a good life and when one of the parents of her students who is wealthy takes a liking to her she thinks she’s got it made.

Calm Down, Shelley!

Helen is the crazy one, and she thinks that someone who blames them for what their sons did is stalking them. But Debbie Reynolds, as Adelle – thinks it’s all in her mind. Time for some blood to flow!

According to Debbie Reynolds, Shelley Winters’ psychiatrist advised her not to portray a woman having a nervous breakdown because, at the time, she was having a real-life nervous breakdown. “She’s the kind of actress who becomes the part she’s playing…” said Reynolds, “so all through the film she drove all of us insane!”

Shelley Winters decided that after they came in from the rain, her Helen character should have a moment when she kissed Debbie Reynolds Adelle character on the lips. This unscripted moment was filmed but removed from the final print of the movie to avoid attaining an R-rating.

Another classic movie poster – and a fun movie once again starring two of Hollywood’s classic movie stars, in roles you don’t think of them for!

And thanks to MGM, you can get two of these gems on one double bill DVD!

Looking for a bloody good time? Then it’s time for some erotic vampires! And since David Bowie has released new music for the first time in a decade, let’s celebrate by looking back at his foray into vampire erotica!

It all started for Bowie when Susan Sarandon was thirsty for some action…and since we are on the subject of erotic vampires, I’ve got this for you too…

Vampires Rule!

From the beginning of film, we have loved to hang out with blood suckers…here are two examples of the genre getting sexy – one a low budget classic, the other a high gloss 80′s tale with big stars and erotic pretensions!

“You’ll be back. When the hunger knows no reason! And then you’ll need to feed, and you’ll need me to show you how.”

The Hunger

In the 80′s, horror went glossy and pretentious, thanks in great part to “The Hunger”, which attempted to elevate horror into a more artistic realm. What a great tagline: “Nothing Human Loves Forever.”

And what a cast! Check out the trailer:

“The Hunger” was the directorial debut of the late Tony Scott, brother of “Alien” Director Ridley Scott. Tony went on to make such classics as the iconic “Top Gun” and Tarantino’s “True Romance.”

His first film was an arty attempt to take on the horror film…Catherine Deneuve stars as the Egyptian vampire lady Miriam, who subsists on the blood of her lovers.

Deneuve in a horror film was unique at the time. In return for her blood lust, the guys or girls don’t age… until Miriam has enough of them…then, things turn quickly.

Unfortunately that’s currently the case with David Bowie, who plays John – after being tossed out, his life expectancy is below 24 hours. Desperately he seeks help from the famous Dr. Sarah Roberts, played by Susan Sarandon.

David Bowie is terrific – he hasn’t acted much, but obviously classic movies like “The Man Who Fell To Earth” showed him as a dynamic actor…here he was in the midst of his 80′s run of hits like “Modern Love”, which this film could be:

Bowie Acts!

David Bowie said that, in order to make his voice suitably hoarse for when he aged so drastically in the movie, he stood on the George Washington Bridge every night and screamed all the punk rock songs he knew. So how did it affect his voice?

Bowie Sings Again!

Well, according to this new music, he sounds great! Bowie is back with new music, beginning with this hypnotic video for “Where Are We Now?” Here it is in case you haven’t seen it…

Bowie is a creative visionary, and that video is no exception. Just like that new song, “The Hunger is a moody, erotic thriller that added a much-needed erotic twist to the horror genre – even if it’s got a few pretentious ideas about how to tell a horror story…

It Ain’t Bowie, But It Sure Is Bloody!

Just in case you need some more vintage vampire erotica, I have a good one for you – and no such pretentions here!

Lust For A Vampire! Ghoulish! Gory! Ghastly!

With a title like this, you don’t need to imagine much!

In 1830, forty years to the day since the last manifestation of their dreaded vampirism, the Karnstein heirs use the blood of an innocent to bring forth the evil that is the beautiful Mircalla – or as she was in 1710, Carmilla.

The nearby Finishing School offers rich pickings not only in in the blood of nubile young ladies but also with the headmaster who is desperate to become Mircalla’s disciple!

“The Blood Of Nubile Young Ladies!”

And with that, the vampire movie storms right into the more relaxed cinema of the early 70′s…it was an era when erotic undertones were added to every genre to keep audiences engaged…

There were a number of erotic horror films in the early 70′s, a classic time for campy horror and lots of blood and flesh!

Grind On, Hammer!

This was a time of grindhouse theaters in the US, that needed films all day and night – this was perfect…lots of blood and nudity to keep the cheap seats filled…

Check out these two examples of bloody vampire fun!

Yul Brynner Is Steamed!

Thanks to blu-ray, you can now catch up on films that have been out of the mainstream for decades! For example, a classic Yul Brynner film! Or, you can see James Bond 007 looking like THIS!

Shake it off, I know it’s disturbing!

Maybe you want to see Charlton Heston when he had a Jesus complex!

The 70′s Are Back With A Sci-Fi Vengeance!

In the 70′s, there were a string of sci-fi movies that twisted your mind and blew your face off, and now you can discover them all again!

Make Your Own Sci-Fi Double Bill!

In the 70′s, theaters showed double and triple bills – a great chance to see a lot of great stuff cheap!

Check out these pics of 42nd Street in Times Square – in the 70′s, there were side-by-side grindhouse theaters playing everything from mainstream Hollywood hits to low-rent exploitation movies…all day and night…”grinding them out”…

It was a great way to see a lot of different movies…and a number of different genres…and there was a period when sci-fi really started getting “trippy”, perhaps a way to take “2001″ to a whole new level…

For sci-fi films in the early 70′s, there was a mix of action and esoteric – and a slew of crazy, 70′s sci-fi movies with some big name Actors!

Charlton Heston kicked some ass, and Yul Brynner took his face off!

And you will NEVER see a movie “trippier” than the one starring James Bond 007 – Sean Connery – as a warrior of the future – wearing THIS!

I just can’t get over this…the 70′s were all about some crazy head trips, and I’ve got three to share with you….so sit back and enjoy, because – to use a phrase from Westworld:

Have We Got A Vacation For You!

Westworld. Where nothing can possibly go worng…

This 70′s classic has a simple premise. As the opening voiceover proclaims: “Delos is the vacation of the future, today. At Delos, you get your choice of the vacation you want. There’s Medieval World, Roman World and, of course, Westworld.”

Here is the movie’s trailer:

Richard Benjamin and James Brolin star as two friends out for a fun weekend – a weekend where they can dress up and play cowboy….

Yul Brynner is the Robot designed and operated by the resort – challenging them to gun battles – which of course, the guys always win…

It’s all male fantasty – taking part in shootouts and killing bad guys, but things go very, very wrong…as the movie’s movie poster brilliantly said:

Where Nothing Can Possibly Go W-O-R-N-G…

John Blane: [after Being Bitten By A Robotic Snake] “The hell, god dammit, that’s not supposed to happen!”

And with that, the two friends find themselves being hunted down by the robot – let the games begin!

Best-selling Author Michael Crichton became inspired to write this film after a trip to Disneyland, where he saw the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and was impressed by the animatronic characters.

Crichton also directed the film, which was a huge box office success, and spawned a sequel called “Futureworld.”

And how about this trivia, courtesy of IMDB: “Westworld” used the first computer digitized images as part of a feature film!

Time now to turn to a more “allegorical” sci-fi film: Charlton Heston as Jesus!

[talking to his own image on a TV screen]
Robert Neville: Hi, Big Brother, how’s your ass?

The Omega Man!

Remember the tagline: “The last man on earth is not alone!”

Forget the Will Smith remake “I Am Legend”, this is the original version, with Charlton Heston as the last man on earth – it’s based on the classic sci-fi novel by Richard Matheson:

Here’s the trailer for the classic movie version – take a look:

Charlton Heston is the only survivor of an apocalyptic war waged with biological weapons. The plague caused by the war has killed everyone else except for a few hundred deformed, nocturnal people calling themselves “The Family”.

The plague has caused them to become sensitive to light, as well as homicidally psychotic. They believe science and technology to be the cause of the war and their punishment, and of course, they want to kill Chuck. But he won’t go easily…

The film turns Heston into a Messiah, and they give him a love story with a young black woman, also very edgy for the early 70′s…

A great film for sci-fi fans…and now, time once again for the wackiest sci-fi film of all time! First, check out 007!

The Gun is good! The Penis is evil!

Um, WHAT?!?!?!?!

I mean – LOOK AT SEAN CONNERY HERE! How can you NOT want to know what in the world is going on here? Well, wonder no more! Here are three examples of mind-blowing cinema…

Zardoz. 1974. Directed by John Boorman.

Ready to have your mind blown? I mean, BLOWN BLOWN BLOWN?

Check out this trailer, and be ready for madness to descend…

This film was directed by John Boorman, who had made the brilliant “Deliverance”…As you can see from the trailer, is is one CRAZY FILM – starring James Bond!

In the distant future Earth is divided into two camps, the barely civilized group and the overly civilized one with mental powers. A plague is attacking the second group, after which its members cease to have any interest in life and become nearly catatonic. When Zed, one of the barbarians, crosses over, the tenuous balance in their world is threatened.

And here are the opening lines of the movie….a a huge huge huge stone head floats over the English countryside…

“I am Arthur Frayn, and I am Zardoz. I have lived three hundred years, and I long to die. But death is no longer possible. I am immortal. I present now my story, full of mystery and intrigue – rich in irony, and most satirical. It is set deep in a possible future, so none of these events have yet occurred, but they *may.* Be warned, lest you end as I. In this tale, I am a fake god by occupation – and a magician, by inclination. Merlin is *my* hero! I am the puppet master. I manipulate many of the characters and events you will see. But *I* am invented, too, for your entertainment – and amusement. And you, poor creatures, who conjured *you* out of the clay? Is God in show business too?”

AND THEN IT GETS EVEN WEIRDER!!!!!

If you think that opening monologue was crazy, there’s more! Soon after, the Stone Head delivers these gems:

[the gigantic Stone Head hovers before the worshipful horde of Exterminators]
Zardoz: Zardoz speaks to you, His chosen ones.
Exterminators: We are the chosen ones!
Zardoz: You have been raised up from Brutality, to kill the Brutals who multiply, and are legion. To this end, Zardoz your God gave you the gift of the Gun. The Gun is good!

The Gun Is Good! And 007 Dons THIS!

Exterminators: The Gun is good!
Zardoz: The Penis is evil! The Penis shoots Seeds, and makes new Life to poison the Earth with a plague of men, as once it was. But the Gun shoots Death and purifies the Earth of the filth of Brutals. Go forth, and kill! Zardoz has spoken.

And look at this! Yes, Sean Connery fights back against the “evil penis!”

To completely understand how warped this movie is, stop for a moment: take a deep breath, then get your head around this fact:

“Zardoz” is a film that has a giant rock head flying over the countryside saying “the penis is evil!”

Look, this is one warped classic, wildly and weirdly entertaining – if Sean Connery as James Bond 007 wasn’t enough for you, then you have to check out some of his wilder movie efforts like this one – so check it out!

Ever seen the classic film where Richard Burton seduces the world’s most beautiful women? And then FREEZES THEM?

Cue The Crow!

Intrigued? I thought so! How can you possibly NOT want to spend time with Richard Burton – just to find out exactly WHY he spends SO MUCH TIME in the movie with a crow on his shoulder?

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

WHAT?!?!?!?! Yes, “Bluebeard” stars Raquel Welch playing the world’s sexiest Nun!

Behold “Bluebeard”!

Time to introduce you to “Bluebeard”, a 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!

Richard Burton was clearly slumming in this film, but euro-sleaze fans are all the better for it! Take a look at the movie’s poster!

Bluebeard

In case you need this information, here is the plot: A World War I pilot, who everyone envies as a “ladykiller” actually is one – because after he beds and marries a beautiful woman, he murders them – and keeps them in a freezer!

Here is the trailer:

The film is based on the classic story of “Bluebeard” by Charles Perrault – the story of a wealthy aristocrat (Burton) who has murdered several previous wives. And yes, he seduces the sexy Nun Raquel Welch and kills her too!

His latest spouse is sexy Joey Heatherton, who discovers her dead predecessors in a freezer and tries to avoid their fate!

Yep, Superstar Raquel Welch AND young starlet Joey Heatherton co-starred with Burton in this classic slice of sleaze! I guess they paid well!

Burton is onscreen with a multitude of beautiful women, such as Sybil Danning, and everyone had to show nudity or at least wear provocative outfits…

Hey! Where’s Raquel?

Before you rush out for this Raquel Welch starring role, know this: even though she was top billed second after Richard Burton, Raquel Welch only has 8-minutes of screen time in this two hour long film!

Why I Love Raquel Welch!

“Bluebeard” is just one reason to love Raquel Welch – if you want to see more of her classic roles – including her hilarious appearance on “Seinfeld”, check this out:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/09/13/raquel-raquel-60s-sex-symbol-and-c-c-c-catfight-seinfeld-star-raquel-welch/

This Movie Is NUTS!

The pleasures of “Bluebeard” go way beyond Raquel – the film is a virtual non-stop celebration of sleaze…remember, it’s the story of a celebrated German pilot who has “a way” with women – because he does “away” with them!

Among the trivia about the movie: The various Nazi uniforms in the film are inaccurate – the colors are wrong and even the swastika was turned into a strangely shaped cross.

This may have been for legal reasons, because in Germany the use of Nazi emblems is strictly regulated.

But apparently freezing beautiful women isn’t a problem!

And in case European audiences didn’t understand just HOW sleazy this film was, they made sure to put a crazed Burton staring at a naked woman on the poster as well! Enjoy!

Feel like a bit of “ARTSPLOITATION”?

If you’ve never heard of French Director Jean Rollin, you have missed out on some very atmospheric, haunting, nudity and blood-filled – yet somewhat slow-moving – European art-film horror!

Meet Jean Rollin!

Jean Rollin was a French film director, actor, and novelist – best known for his films in the “fantastique” genre, as they say in France. He specialized in atmospheric horror of the 70′s – when relaxed censorship rules in cinema allowed Directors to push the envelope!

In 1968, Jean directed his first feature, his black-n-white film “The Rape of the Vampire”. It’s very European in nature – slow, atmospheric, moody – with limited locations, sets and very long takes.

“Rape Of The Vampire” was the first of a string of moody horror films that should fall under the label of “Artsploitation”, as they mixed lots of blood, sex, nudity and horror with an Independent, European Arthouse sensibility.

Oh, and did I mention that his films were filled with BLOOD!

Time To Discover Some Classic “Artsploitation”!

Thanks to the terrific “Redemption” series of releases – from the “Redemption Films” group – these movies are now available again – and gives each film a newly remastered look, plus tons of extras like documentaries, audio commentaries and trailers – a terrific job. Here are three of Jean Rollin’s most famous efforts!

Requiem For A Vampire

On the run from a reform school, two young women commit crimes dressed as clowns.

Yes, they commit crimes dressed as clowns. How can you argue with that? Here is the clown-filled trailer:

Of course, the two “fleeing female clowns” seek refuge in a haunted castle, and end up trapped with no escape!

Because, as happens too often, this haunted castle is ruled by a hoard of sexy, blood-crazed vampires and their leader, an evil immortal creature who is the last of his kind.

Seeking to reproduce his race, he preys on his innocent victims, however in order to achieve his goal of immortality, the women must remain virgins.

There was no dialogue in the first forty minutes of the films, to simplify the story, direction and cinematography. The mood is atmospheric, and the pacing, as in all Jean Rollin movies an acquired taste, but it is full of unique and at times haunting imagery.

But, for haunting imagery, perhaps nothing can top this:

Fascination

Considered by many to be the masterpiece of renowned French filmmaker Jean Rollin, “FASCINATION” follows a swaggering thief who hides out in a lavish chateau, holding the female occupants at gunpoint.

You can sense a trend here: Rollin’s films usually involve women who are kidnapped or held against their will – and who wreck revenge against their abductors – usually men. And they always end up in a deserted castle.

Women With A Thirst For Blood!

When night falls, the “Fascination” captor realizes that these two maids are not only deadlier than he imagined, but are gatekeepers to a ring of women with a thirst for blood.

Once again, the film is filled with hynotic imagery like this:

And what I think is his most dynamic image ever captured in one of his films – the blonde on the bridge with the sickle…

This action sequence, while fairly slow moving – it is, as you know, Jean Rollin – this sequence is beautifully done and hypnotic…

Here is part of the sequence:

You must go out and buy this blu-ray to see the entire sequence, the movie as a whole, and all of the terrific extras! Then, you have to see THIS:

The Living Dead Girl

Here is the simple plot: A toxic spill revives a beautiful, dead heiress who, with the help of her childhood friend, must quench her insatiable thirst for blood. Check out the trailer:

“The Living Dead Girl” is a melancholy, moody bloodfest – it is certainly Rollin’s bloodiest film…

But “The Living Dead Girl” is also a love story – the story of two close friends, and how one of them just can’t let the other go – NO MATTER WHAT:

This film is very interesting: it is moody, a bit slow, and very atmospheric – and there is a lot of blood!

And, like all of Jean Rollin’s film, it has lots of nudity as well, but most of it is of a non-sexual nature.

Here is our living dead girl, playing the song that reminds her of her best friend:

Of course, she played it nude. Their friendship in the film is very touching, adding a real sense of melancholy to the film – in and around all of the blood!

Director Jean Rollin died in 2010, but all of these releases have extensive material with him, as he actively participated in these great remasters. He introduces some of the films, takes part in commentaries, and discusses his work with passion and pride.

You can find a great printed interview with the legendary Director here:

http://www.shockingimages.com/rollin/interview.htm

Check out his work and let me know what you think!

Celebrating William Friedkin!

Time to hear from the Director who gave you this movie image – one of the most iconic of all time:

He directed “The Exorcist” – the scariest film of all time – and one of the greatest movies ever made…

He also won an Oscar for Best Director, and won Best Picture in 1971 for one of the greatest chase movies ever made “The French Connection”:

He directed Al Pacino in one of his most controversial roles ever – as an undercover cop who gets “too undercover” in “Cruising”:

And he directed one of the most neglected classics ever – the remake of “The Wages Of Fear” called “Sorcerer”:

And JUST announced by the Director on twitter: “SORCERER will be re-released this year with a new digital Print. The world premiere is on my birthday, Aug.29, At the Venice festival.” He also added that a blu-ray release is underway as well!

Everybody Wang Chung Tonight!

Friedkin also made the seminal LA chase movie -with a terrific soundtrack by Wang Chung!

What A Career!

There are many more films to discuss, and what better way to hear about them than from the great Director himself?

The Friedkin Connection!

The long-awaited memoir from the Academy Award–winning director of such legendary films as “The French Connection”, “The Exorcist”, and “To Live and Die in LA” is here! The autobiography is called, appropriately, “The Friedkin Connection” – and as amazon says, “it takes readers from the streets of Chicago to the suites of Hollywood and from the sixties to today, with autobiographical storytelling as fast-paced and intense as any of the auteur’s films.”

I am a huge fan of Friedkin’s work, from his breakthrough film “The Boys In The Band” to his latest, “Killer Joe”…and of course, his best picture of 1971:

Anecdotes! Anecdotes! Anecdotes!

He has an amazing career full of great anecdotes, and the book tells them all. The website FishbowlLA related this great anecdote from the book:

In 1966, when Friedkin was just getting started as a director on the TV side, he had the privilege of being asked to read the script for a planned feature film version of Director Blake Edwards’ earlier TV series “Peter Gunn.” But it’s what happened at a subsequent Monday morning breakfast meeting that really made the difference:

“So what do you think?” Edwards asked.
I chose my words carefully, but I had to say what I felt and accept the consequences. “Blake, I think the script is a piece of sh*t.”
He looked up in shock, his English muffin poised in midair. “What?” He set his muffin down and looked at me directly, not so much mad as confused. “What did you just say?” A bitter smile crossed his lips.

There were two other people at the time in the Paramount Studios bungalow, one of whom Friedkin had never been introduced to. That individual in the corner turned out to be the uncredited author of the Peter Gunn screenplay, William Peter Blatty.

Five years later, Friedkin was surprised to receive a copy of the book The Exorcist and a note from author Blatty to call once he had read it. When the two connected, Blatty explained: “I sent you the book because I remember our meeting outside Blake Edwards’ office about Peter Gunn, and how you had the balls to tell us what a piece of sh*t it was, even though it cost you a job; and I believe you’d never bullsh*t me.”

Even though Friedkin’s name was not next to those of Stanley Kubrick, Mike Nichols and Arthur Penn on the Warner Bros. wish list, Blatty had director approval and wanted Friedkin. The rest is history…

Without a doubt, “The Exorcist” was a cultural phenomenon when it was released in 1973: people were reported passing out in the theaters showing the film, or running our sick…it was a media frenzy, a pop culture sensation, and don’t forget – it was nominated for best picture as well – it is a masterpiece…

The Exorcist.

It is one of the greatest films ever made, and quite simply – the scariest, most shocking movie ever released…

Director William Friedkin made this two years after he won the Oscar for Best Picture for “The French Connection”…

“The Exorcist” was also nominated for Best Picture of 1973 – along with a slew of other nominations and accolades:

Regan MacNeil: “My bed was shaking. I can’t get to sleep.”

Talk about an understatement!

“The Exorcist” is the ultimate confrontation between a frail, elderly priest and an old demonic enemy – good versus evil in its purest form.

Demon: What an excellent day for an exorcism.
Father Damien Karras: You would like that?
Demon: Intensely.
Father Damien Karras: But wouldn’t that drive you out of Regan?
Demon: It would bring us together.
Father Damien Karras: You and Regan?
Demon: You and us.

“The Power Of Christ Compels You!”

The refrigerated bedroom set was cooled with four air conditioners and temperatures would plunge to around 30 to 40 below zero. It was so cold that perspiration would freeze on some of the cast and crew. On one occasion the air was saturated with moisture resulting in a thin layer of snow falling on the set before the crew arrived for filming.

And cure even more iconic moments from the film:

Demon: “Your mother sucks cocks in Hell, Karras, you faithless slime!”

Oh yeah, and then there is the “head turn” sequence! This film is so intense and scary that the original teaser trailer, which consisted of nothing but images of the white-faced demon quickly flashing in and out of darkness, was banned in many theaters, as it was deemed “too frightening”.

And then of course, there is the projectile vomiting scene!

The substance that the possessed Regan (Linda Blair) hurls at Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) is thick pea soup. Specifically, it’s Andersen’s brand pea soup. The crew tried Campbell’s but didn’t like the “effect.”

Tons of great stories and commentaries on the special edition blu-ray….check it out and relive a classic!

“The Friedkin Connection!”

Make sure to check out “The Friedkin Connection” to read all of the stories from the great Director himself!

Finally, you can click below to read a story I previously posted all about Friedkin’s latest film “Killer Joe”, one of 2012′s best – and I did a quick look at his other classics, such as 1971′s Best Picture “The French Connection” as well as “To Live And Die In LA”!

Click here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/08/10/the-brilliant-killer-joe-mcconaugheys-hat-trick-plus-friedkins-wang-chung/

And check out the mesmerizing soundtrack to the film “To Live And Die In LA”, from Wang Chung!

Oscar, You Randy Devil You!

This isn’t the kind of image you equate with the Oscars, is it?

Or this isn’t the kind of romantic bar you’d take Oscar to, would you?

And you wouldn’t want to hang out with these two – at least not right now:

OK, you get the idea: there was a brief moment when Oscar not only tolerated sex in the movies, it rewarded it!

Lucky 13!

There have been thirteen Academy Award nominations tied to X-rated movies…let’s look at this fascinating part of Oscar lore…

Ratings were 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 “PG”.

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!

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 to New York City – 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.

Elvis IS Joe Buck!

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 BIG wins 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 Brugess. 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.

Both “Midnight Cowboy” and “A Clockwork Orange” are brilliant movies that have stood the test of time. 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.

Soon after, films like “Debbie Does Dallas” boasted a self-designated rating of “XXX”, promising three times the adult material. 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.

So there you go, have a nice night of viewing Oscar’s “X”-rated past!

In the mood for a great horror film? I mean, a BLOODY GOOD horror film?

And do you want to see that film directed by two women who pose like THIS?

Well, time to introduce you to a couple of twins with a twisted sense of humor – and who are making a mark on horror!

Meet The Bloody Directing Twins!

As the New York Times said: “Lots of siblings make movies. The brothers Coen (“No Country for Old Men”) are Oscar winners. Andy and Lana Wachowski (“Cloud Atlas”) are a prominent brother-sister team. But sister directors? And not just sisters, but identical twins?”

You Mean There Are Horror Directing TWINS?

The answer is: YES! Meet Jen and Sylvia Soska, the identical twins who wrote and directed the horror film “American Mary!”

Here is a great interview done with the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/movies/jen-and-sylvia-soskas-american-mary.html?_r=0

This great article is the next step forward for this horror-making-twin-directing-set-of-sisters!

The article, and a lot of press in the last week is for their new medical horror film, “American Mary!”

First, check out this terrific trailer:

American Mary!

The story follows medical student, Mary Mason, as she becomes increasingly broke and disenchanted with the surgical world she once admired. The allure of easy money sends Mary into the world of underground surgeries which ends up leaving more marks on her than her so called ‘freakish’ clientele.

OK everyone, do we smell a twisted, scapel-wielding horror film in the making here?

“American Mary” will be released on DVD and blu-ray in mid-June, so you can see the sisters in action!

Twisted Twins Productions!

And of course, the Soska sisters have a perfect name for their company – Twisted Twins Productions! The Soska twins are breaking barriers and diving headfirst into the bloody world of modern horror – here is some background on them, from their website, Twisted Twins Productions!

“The Soska sisters have always loved film. Since childhood, they were heavily involved in acting. Above all, they had a special place in their twisted little hearts for horror.”

“Dead Hooker In A Trunk” was their debut film. The twins wrote, directed, produced, starred in, and preformed the stunts for the film. They took lessons learned from Rodriguez’s book, “Rebel Without A Crew”, – the bible on making ultra low-budget movies.

If you want to read more about Robert Rodriquez’s book, click here to see my post that looks at his ability to make “$7,000 Cinema”:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/05/10/movie-taboos-shocking-seductions-mr-tibbs-raging-bulls-and-7000-cinema/

Now, let’s look at the Soska Sisters’ movie debut:

“Dead Hooker In A Trunk” has been available on home video for a few years, and “American Mary” is coming to dvd/blu-ray on June 18th – it’s a great chance to support a new vision of horror – from two sisters who are doing it their way – and not letting anything or anyone hold them back!

“Do I look like a sex murderer to you? Can you imagine me creeping around London, strangling all those women with ties? That’s ridiculous… For a start, I only own two.”

Alfred Hitchcock was a master of horror and suspense – he was, of course the Director of such horror masterpieces as “The Birds” and “Psycho!”

“Psycho” is, of course, best known for the most shocking and graphic murder ever captured on film up to that time – the infamous shower scene…notorious for depicting violence which had never been seen to that point in movies…although almost nothing is shown!

After a decade of diminishing box office success, Hitchcock came back with a vengeance when he made his most graphic film ever in the early 70′s – a vicious thriller that is worthy of a look!

After the iconic “Psycho” and the terrifying film “The Birds”, Hitchcock made a couple of films that didn’t connect with audiences, so in 1971 he decided to come back – with a vicious vengeance!

Frenzy

The plot is simple: London is terrorized by a vicious sex killer known as the “neck tie murderer”.

Following the brutal slaying of his ex-wife, down-on-his-luck Richard Blaney is suspected by the police of being the killer. He goes on the run, determined to prove his innocence.

“Frenzy” was the first Hitchcock film to feature nudity – remember, there was no real nudity in “Psycho”‘s shower scene – and several of the attack scenes in “Frenzy” were evocative of his “Psycho” period – he was a Director taking full advantage of the more relaxed film ratings of the time…

The film and its source book (“Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square”) were inspired by the real-life unsolved crimes of the serial killer known as “Jack the Stripper”.

Unlike the movie, the real killings (which terrified London in the early 1960s) mirrored elements of “Jack the Ripper”, in that the killer attacked prostitutes and that the killings mysteriously stopped at some point, with the killer never caught…

Legendary Alfred Hitchcock Cameo!

Alfred Hitchcock became well known for his cameo appearances in every movie he directed…for example, here he is in the crowd after the first body is discovered in ” Frenzy.”

Alfred Hitchcock originally planned to do his cameo as the body floating in the river. A dummy was even constructed to do the shot!

The plans were changed and a female body, a victim of the Necktie Murderer, was used instead. Hitchcock instead became one of the members of the crowd who are listening to the speaker on the river bank. The dummy of Hitchcock was used in the typically humorous trailer hosted by Hitchcock himself.

Here it is!

Nice job, Hitch! Of course, there are so many classic Hitchcock thrillers like “Strangers On A Train” and “Rear Window”…time to rediscover the master of suspense!

Remember this classic movie line?

“The web of destiny carries your blood and soul back to the genesis of my lifeform.”

Or about this one?

“Don’t worry. A naked girl is not going to get out of this complex.”

Well, don’t be so sure – there seem to be PLENTY of naked ladies running around in this classic 80′s cult sci-fi horror gem!

Time to celebrate one of the 80′s great cult films – the classic, zombie horror and monumentally NUDE sci-fi movie “Lifeforce!”

Director Tobe Hooper!

Director Tobe Hooper had burst onto the horror film scene a few years earlier with what many consider to be the most unsettling horror film ever made: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

A few years later, Hooper really scored with the smash box office hit, produced by Steven Spielberg, “Poltergeist”.

So, once he decided that the horror novel “The Space Vampires” would be his next movie, it seemed like a smash hit in the making…here is the film’s original trailer…

Check out the original trailer:

Here’s the plot of “Lifeforce”:

A space shuttle mission investigating Haley’s Comet brings back a malevolent race of space vampires who transform most of London’s population into zombies.

The only survivor of the expedition – along British authorities – attempt to capture a mysterious but beautiful alien woman who appears responsible for the mayhem. She is, as you will see, extremely naked for most of the film…

Here is a quote from the movie, something that is rarely said in the film:

Colonel Colin Caine: “Now she has clothes.”

Because, in fact, she NEVER HAS CLOTHES ON. This movie is amazingly naked!

“Lifeforce” was promoted and filmed under the title “The Space Vampires”, which was the title of Colin Wilson’s novel. Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus’ Cannon Films reportedly spend nearly $25 million in hopes of creating a full blown blockbuster. They felt that this title made it sound like a typical Cannon low budget exploitation film – which was a reputation they were trying to put behind them…

The title was changed from “Space Vampires” to “Lifeforce” – and a decision was made to pull back on Hooper’s amazing amount of nudity – so “Lifeforce” was released in the United States in an edited version…and you know what happened, of course – BOMBS AWAY!

“Lifeforce” didn’t even bring in half of its original budget. How could a movie with SO MUCH NUDITY flop so badly?

The film seemed to have it all: sci-fi action and effects, zombies AND naked women! And of course, dialogue like this:

Colonel Colin Caine: Tell me again how the girl overpowered you.

Dr. Bukovsky: She… was the most overwhelmingly feminine presence I have ever encountered. I was drawn to her on a level…

Colonel Colin Caine: Was it sexual?

Dr. Bukovsky: Yes. Overwhelmingly so, and horrible. Loss of control.”

Loss Of Control, Indeed…

The film wasn’t particularly well-reviewed, but with the filmmaker attached, the sci-fi elements and the nudity, it seemed to have big box office written all over it…now is your chance to re-discover this classic cult movie, as “Lifeforce” is being released on blu-ray with a ton of extras…

Theatrical and International Versions (the Blu-ray features both cuts, the DVD only includes the international)
New Audio Commentary with Director Tobe Hooper
New Cast & Crew Retrospective with Railsback, Hooper and others
Original “Making-Of Lifeforce” Vintage Featurette
Original Theatrical Trailer
Original TV Spot
Stills Gallery
Reversible Cover with Original Theatrical Key Art

I can’t wait to check this one out! It’s a cult classic from the 80′s that is begging for reconsideration. Let me know what you think!

“You just like being shagged, you bitch!”

Well, that’s a bit harsh, isn’t it? Well, not when you are part of the golden age of exploitation…

Time for some sleazy, seedy and – YES – utterly MESMERIZING grindhouse classics – stay with me as I take you on a journey into film history – as the classic sexploitation craze continues – thanks in part to a unique brand of italian “PULP FICTION”!

Giallo – Read All About This “Yellow Pulp Fiction!”

What you see above you is an original “italian giallo” book – a unique blend of pulp fiction that was turned into a hugely successful collection of european films in the 70′s. The “SIN-ema” of the early 70′s was a unique type of film making. Lots of sex, nudity, blood and violence – all done with a certain “european” flair…

These films flooded the sleazy “grindhouse” theaters in the US in the early 70′s – movie theaters that stayed open all night, and where there was just as much action IN the seats as on the screen…movie going was a “survival” type of experience….

You can criticize, but you are missing the point…this was a very specific time in movie history – cheap european “giallo” films were helping pave the way for a more “adult” type of movie experience…these bloody “nudefests” were a unique style of exploitation:

Yes, it’s “women in peril” again, but that was the way they made them in the 70′s…

There has been a huge market opening up for these classic “giallo” films. Here are the latest classic exploitation films of the 70′s – now released for your enjoyment! And of course, the first one is based in New York!

Massage Parlor Murders!

This is one of the legendary grindhouse classics, now available in a pristine new blu-ray…first, check out the trailer:

Here’s what the promotional teaser has to say: “A vicious serial killer is stalking the streets of New York City, murdering Times Square massage girls in a variety of brutal ways. It’s up to a rogue detective team to solve the case as the body count continues to rise!”

“Chock full of over the top sex and violence and complete with high speed car chase through Manhattan, “MASSAGE PARLOR MURDERS” is an exploitation film lover’s dream movie.”

And yes, it was also released later as “Massage Parlor Hookers”. Movies like these were usually re-named and re-released to maximize their grindhouse potential…and to sucker idiots into seeing the same movie twice!

Did you notice in the trailer that the lead actress looks A LOT like a young Roseanna Arquette? Well, it’s not her, but the similarity is striking….

As you can see, the film is full of gratuitous sex and violence, but the movie captures the grit and seedy nature of New York in the early 70′s – and it’s an effective little thriller that evokes the best of the grindhouse of the time….at least the ones that were made in the US.

Time To Head To Europe!

And in case “Massage Parlor Murders” isn’t SLEAZY ENOUGH, try this classic EURO-SLEAZE on for size!

“You just like being shagged, you bitch!”

THE SISTER OF URSULA

Thanks once again to Severin Films for uncovering this infamous slice of Euro-Sleaze that repeatedly “thrusts at the abyss of bad taste!”

Here is the plot: In the wake of their father’s death, two beautiful sisters – sensitive Ursula and promiscuous Dagmar – come to a seaside resort for a relaxing vacation.

But their idyllic getaway will soon become a depraved nightmare of kinky exhibitionists, dope-sick lotharios, lust-crazed lesbians and a psychotic killer who tears women to pieces with – no kidding – a phallus of massive proportion.

Now THIS is euro-sleaze! “Ursula” is an eye-popping combination of sexploitation and vicious giallo, fully restored from original vault elements and presented uncut and uncensored for the first time ever in America.

These european shockers were cheaply made, full of sex and violence, and then full of more sex – particularly lesbian scenes, which seems to be “so european” for the time…

The “european” nature of these films was a selling point – offering nudity and sexual situations much more mature than the US…and the foreign posters made it clear there was going to be A LOT of flesh on display!

European exploitation, sexploitation and artsploitation films are fascinating to me, and I’ve posted about them before…

And if you need a primer on Italian giallo, check this out!

http://johnrieber.com/2012/07/09/time-to-strip-nude-four-flies-and-baba-yaga-to-you-yes-its-classic-italian-giallo/

Time to get your “horror milkshake”!

Yes, only in Japan can you find THIS:

“The Ring” Horror Milkshake!

Starting July 27, Japanese burger chain Lotteria will once again go crazy with their food – this time offering a limited-time lemonade!

Here’s the story from Rocketnews24: “The bizarre concoction is themed after classic Japanese horror icon Sadako – the unmistakable and absolutely horrifying long-haired ghost girl from The Ring.

The cool blue color of the lemonade (actually a slightly different Japanese variation called ramune) invokes Sadako’s ghostly blue dress, while a squiggly topping of chocolate sauce and a black straw are meant to conjure the ghost girl’s signature jet-black hair.”

As always, the RocketNews24 people have a way with words!

Behold The “Milkshake Ring!”

Be aware that this tasty “Ring Milkshake” is different than a “Milkshake Ring”, which looks like this, and is also available in Japan:

God bless the Japanese for once again offering the most innovative food-based products, and thanks to our friends at Rocket24 news for their constant vigil on all cool things Japan…check out their website for the whole story and more!

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/07/19/lotteria-to-offer-bizarre-the-ring-themed-milkshake-flavor/

More Lotteria Madness!

Don’t forget that our Lotteria friends in Tokyo love to SUPERSIZE their food! Click HERE to see the entire story of their “Monster Burger!”

http://johnrieber.com/2013/04/25/bacon-bazookas-monster-burgers-massive-slabs-of-meat/

Ramen Burgers!

And don’t forget, it was Lotteria who came up with the Ramen burger as well – click HERE for that story!

http://johnrieber.com/2013/05/16/wacky-ramen-burgers-crazy-japanese-burger-menu-east-meets-west-with-video/

All I can say is this: “keep it up Lotteria! Keep it up!”

First of all, I want to thank everyone who reads this blog on a regular basis – or anyone who has even read it once…for that, I offer you THIS:

Well, perhaps not, but I do appreciate the interest in the stories: whether they are about food, travel, movies, music, or even stuff like THIS:

Yes, if you saw my story, you know that Chinese Burger King customers have started to “super size” their meals at the salad bar…and if you’ve ever read a blog post of mine, then I can guarantee you’ve seen one of these:

Of course I LOVE burgers – and bacon too! I especially love bacon when someone has done something REALLY WRONG to it – like creating a bacon sandwich with ten pounds of bacon – like this one!

A Bacon Mona Lisa!

And I love when people use bacon for “non-food” things like making a portrait of the Mona Lisa – all out of bacon!

All The Stories Will STILL Be On Johnrieber.com FIRST!

As always, EVERY story is posted on this site first and foremost…but I wanted to also offer a place to go for a “best of” look at some of the topics I’ve posted about A LOT…like the wackiest place in the world: TOKYO!

Because I’ve posted so many food stories, I’ve set up a website that will showcase all of my food posts, like the one that focused on the “bread-cheese-bacon-bread-cheese-bacon-bread” cheeseburger!

If you want to see ALL of my food posts in one place, please check out my new site!

http://biteeatswallow.com/

But, to reiterate, all of these stories will be posted primarily here, on my main site…that goes for all of the following “best of” sites….like the collection of travel stories I’ve done….because sometimes I just want to get away, like here to Cannes…

So, if you like to travel as much as I do, then maybe you want to catch up on some of the older travel stories!

I have also put my favorite travel stories on one site as well…along with this main site, all of my stories about Japan, Seoul, Australia etc will live on a travel site as well – and of course Cannes, where I love to go to relax:

Sign up if you want to see all of my travel stories by going HERE!

http://spinningorbit.com/

And, if your musical tastes “go to eleven”, then I’ve got all of my favorite music stories on a special blog for you too!

I love posting stories about my favorite music – sometimes The Beatles, always Todd Rundgren, and even “Spinal Tap”!

Check all of those stories HERE!

http://musicplatter.com/

And finally, there is a special place in my heart for a certain type of movie:

That’s right – classic exploitation is a lost art form that needs to be embraced and celebrated – and it’s not all old stuff, either – let’s not forget “J-sploitation!”

You will still find ALL of these stories posted here first, but if you need some ideas for weekend viewing – yes, it’s the crazy world of exploitation HERE!

http://jrsploitation.com/

Of course, if you are reading this, you’ve come across my main site, and to reiterate, ALL stories are posted here. This is where I cover such breaking news as these “sushi poppers!”

Or, you can find out about the world’s skinniest buildings!

And don’t forget, I broke the story of “Ramen burgers” first!

http://johnrieber.com/2013/05/16/wacky-ramen-burgers-crazy-japanese-burger-menu-east-meets-west-with-video/

Or, you can read about Jo Nesbo, the best fiction writer in the world right now!

“Making You An Offer You Can’t Refuse…”

Finally, I will continue to share my favorite films, along with many inside stories like this picture from the filming of “The Godfather” – Robert Duvall wearing Marlon Brando’s lines!

I mean – I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

No matter what you come for, I hope you enjoy the posts – and please sign up for the specific sites as well to see those specific subjects that interest you…please let me know what you think, and thanks for your support!

Here is the new look of horror!

All Hail Ben Wheatley!

If you don’t know Director Ben Wheatley, you need to in a hurry! His fourth film just won a special jury prize, and it’s a new way to make an unsettling horror film!

First, a bit about the Director:

British Director Ben Wheatley got his start doing commercials and music videos, then made several acclaimed viral videos for the web. That led to him getting the opportunity to direct features. He is a bold new talent emerging from the UK, with a distinctive style, and a twisted sense of humor!

Let’s look at his first three films quickly – all are largely overlooked here in the US, but were critical hits in England: In May 2009 he directed the feature film “Down Terrace” in eight days; it won the Next Wave prize at Fantastic Fest in Austin and Best UK Feature at Raindance in London.

Here’s the trailer:

The plot is very straightforward: A crime family looks to unmask the police informant in their midst who threatens to take down their business. It’s to Wheatley’s credit that he created a critically-acclaimed film with no time or money…

Next up is a very dark and twisted tale of revenge, murder and madness!

Kill List

“I fucking hate dirty soap.”

Nearly a year after a botched job, a hit man takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.

Here’s the trailer!

This film was released “unrated” for a reason – it’s a violent, dark and twisted thriller that doesn’t pull a punch! And speaking of not pulling punches:

Sightseers

“Police are pursuing a ginger-faced man and an angry woman…”

Boy, are they ever! Check out the trailer!

Two lovers travel the countryside, killing anyone who gets in their way…as you can see by the trailer, it’s a British “Badlands meets Natural Born Killers!”

All of this leads to his latest film – released in July in the UK in a unique manner: simultaneously released in theaters, on DVD, and ondemand and download to own…but the plan was to take advantage of publicity to drive maximum value – as the movie is a low budget, black-and-white meditation on horror:

I will followup with this in a moment, but this new way of releasing films across multiple platforms is the “new normal” for film…

A Field In England!

Friend: You think about a thing before you touch it, am I right?

Whitehead: Is that not usual?

Friend: Not in Essex.

Check out the trailer!

Here’s the plot: fleeing for their lives, a small party abandon their Civil War confederates and escape through an overgrown field. Thinking only of what lay behind, they are ambushed by two dangerous men and made to search the field.

Psychedelia, madness and chaotic forces slowly overtake the group as they question what treasure lies within the malignant field.

“A Field In England” just won the special jury prize at the 2013 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival – and is getting rave reviews! Currently, the film has scored an 88% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes!

Congrats to Drafthouse Films for picking up US rights to the film – go to their website for more info:

http://drafthousefilms.com/film/a-field-in-england

I cannot wait to see this movie – we are entering an exciting era of new Directors offering unique stories and personal visions – very 70′s era!

And, as promised, here is a link to the result of the multi-platform release strategy in the UK – this is the future of film, folks, so it’s interesting to see how a film can perform when released on multiple platforms at once!

http://blog.film4.com/a-field-in-england-multiplatform-release-the-results/

And if you think the best new horror is only coming from overseas, then it is time to remind you that a couple of female twins have a movie for you…

The Soska Sisters!

So don’t forget these two: the twin horror Directors The Soska Sisters! Their new film “American Mary” is a twisted horror film as well! Read all about them by clicking here!

http://johnrieber.com/2013/06/07/modern-horror-twin-directors-the-soska-sisters-american-mary-dead-hooker-in-a-trunk/

It’s a whole new era or horror for us to enjoy! Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!

“Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.”

But I can’t forget this shocking news: according to Radaronline, Jack Nicholson has decided to retire from movies!

This news has stunned social media – the reports says the Actor, who hasn’t made a film since 2010, will retire because it’s become too difficult to memorize lines…

We’ll have to wait and see if the actor confirms this news, but if it’s true, it is a huge loss for film lovers….

Maria Shriver Says It’s NOT TRUE!

More on this breaking entertainment news story!

Here’s what E! Online had to say: “Rumors that the three-time Oscar winner was hanging up his acting hat started running rampant on Wednesday, Sept. 4, after a report surfaced claiming the 76-year-old Hollywood legend was doing just that. The apparent reason? Memory loss.

“However, it appears such speculation may have simply originated from the cuckoo’s nest.

“NBC’s Maria Shriver has confirmed to E! News that reports of Nicholson retiring from acting due to memory loss or dementia are 100 percent false, adding that the Chinatown star is not suffering from any memory-related illness or dementia and has no current plans to retire.”

Nicholson has an astonishing 12 Academy Award nominations, including three wins — in 1976 for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” in 1984 for “Terms of Endearment” and in 1998 for “As Good as It Gets.” He also has 16 nominations for competitive Golden Globe Awards, winning six of those to go with his Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award for outstanding contribution to entertainment, received in 1999.

The E! story adds: “In fact, a source close to the movie icon says Nicholson is actively reading scripts and is looking forward to his next project.”

Well, we’ll see how this shakes out!

Mr. Oscar!

Nicholson holds the record for the most Oscar nominations – 12! – and he has created some of the most memorable characters of all time…

In honor of this great Actor, I am going to look at some of his most revered work, and also some smaller films that haven’t gotten as much attention. I will begin with two of his greatest performances ever – one that is low key, full of nuance – and one that is Jack at his most outrageous!

“Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.”

Let’s start with one of the great films ever made – and one of his most restrained performances ever…

Chinatown

Here is the classic trailer for a classic film…

Simply put, “Chinatown” is one of the greatest films of all time. Directed by Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson as LA Private Detective Jake Gittes, Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray, and legendary Director John Huston as LA Businessman Noah Cross…

Noah Cross: “You’ve got a nasty reputation, Mr. Gittes. I like that.”

‘Jake’ Gittes is a private detective who seems to specialize in matrimonial cases. He is hired by Evelyn Mulwray when she suspects her husband Hollis, builder of the city’s water supply system, of having an affair.

You don’t need to know anything else – the plot is a history of LA’s water system, a meditation on evil, and a masterclass in film making…

Noah Cross: “Either you bring the water to L.A. or you bring L.A. to the water.”

[Lunch is served; it's fish]
Noah Cross: “I hope you don’t mind. I believe they should be served with the head.”
Jake Gittes: “Fine… long as you don’t serve the chicken that way.”

Jack Nicholson nails these lines with a droll sense of awareness – and disdain – for the people he’s in business with…it’s a Nicholson performance for the ages…

One classic moment in the film occurs when Jack Nicholson gets too curious one night by a reservoir – looking for the source of LA’s water…

Man with Knife: “You’re a very nosy fellow, kitty cat. Huh? You know what happens to nosy fellows? Huh? No? Wanna guess? Huh? No? Okay. They lose their noses.”

Director Polanski plays the tough guy with the knife, and Nicholson had a nose bandage for the rest of the movie…the scene where Roman Polanski slits Jack Nicholson’s nose was extremely complex to film…

Ultimately, Polanksi and Nicholson got so tired of explaining how it was done (by using a specially-constructed knife with a short hinge that would be safe as long as it was handled VERY carefully) that they began to claim Nicholson’s nose was actually cut.

Loach: “What happened to your nose, Gittes? Somebody slammed a bedroom window on it?”
Jake Gittes: “Nope. Your wife got excited. She crossed her legs a little too quick. You understand what I mean, pal?”

Some of the best dialogue and most dramatic moment occurs near the end of the movie, when Jack and Faye Dunaway really get into it:

Evelyn Mulwray: She’s my daughter.
[Gittes slaps Evelyn]
Jake Gittes: I said I want the truth!
Evelyn Mulwray: She’s my sister…
[slap]
Evelyn Mulwray: She’s my daughter…
[slap]
Evelyn Mulwray: My sister, my daughter.
[More slaps]
Jake Gittes: I said I want the truth!
Evelyn Mulwray: She’s my sister AND my daughter!

This movie is perfect: the writing, directing, and acting are all flawless…and it ends with one of the most iconic movie lines of all time:

“Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.”

“Here’s JOHNNY!”

On the other end of the acting spectrum is one of Nicholson’s wildest efforts – for the legendary Director Stanley Kubrick – I am referring, of course, to one of the best horror films ever made:

“The Shining”!

“Some places are like people: some shine and some don’t.”

Legendary Director Stanley Kubrick had already blown our minds with “Dr. Strangelove”, “Lolita” and “2001: A Space Odyssey”, chilled us to core with the futuristic horror of “A Clockwork Orange”, and dazzled us with the lyrical beauty of “Barry Lyndon”…now he wanted us to spend a little time with his friend Jack Nicholson…

Based on a Stephen King novel, the plot is simple: A man, his son and wife become the winter caretakers of an isolated hotel. Six months of quiet desolation, a place for Danny to explore…

Unfortunately, Danny sees disturbing visions of the hotel’s past using a telepathic gift known as “The Shining”. Example? How about the twins he sees in the hallway…

And then of course, Danny sees more…

And there is no one for Danny to share this with…as the horrific images continue…

Jack Nicholson plays the father with an intense glee, from the beginning of the film seemingly on the edge of madness!

Jack’s having a tough time on a writing project when he slowly slips into insanity as a result of cabin fever and former guests of the hotel’s ghosts. After being convinced by a waiter’s ghost to “correct” the family, Jack goes completely insane.

To announce this film, Warner Brothers released a teaser trailer that had just this one shot:

Stanley Kubrick, known for his compulsiveness and numerous retakes, got the shot of blood pouring from the elevators in only three takes. This would be remarkable if it weren’t for the fact that the shot took nine days to set up; every time the doors opened and the blood poured out, Kubrick would say, “It doesn’t look like blood.”

Shelley Duvall stars as Jack’s wife, who wants nothing more than to protect their child from evil…

Wendy Torrance: [crying] Stay away from me.
Jack Torrance: Why?
Wendy Torrance: I just wanna go back to my room!
Jack Torrance: Why?
Wendy Torrance: Well, I’m very confused, and I just need time to think things over!
Jack Torrance: You’ve had your whole FUCKING LIFE to think things over, what good’s a few minutes more gonna do you now?
Wendy Torrance: Please! Don’t hurt me!
Jack Torrance: I’m not gonna hurt you.
Wendy Torrance: Stay away from me!
Jack Torrance: Wendy? Darling? Light, of my life. I’m not gonna hurt ya. You didn’t let me finish my sentence. I said, I’m not gonna hurt ya. I’m just going to bash your brains in.
[Wendy gasps]

Jack Torrance: Gonna bash ‘em right the fuck in! ha ha ha
Wendy Torrance: Stay away from me! Don’t hurt me!
Jack Torrance: [sarcastically] I’m not gonna hurt ya…
Wendy Torrance: Stay away! Stop it!
Jack Torrance: Stop swingin’ the bat. Put the bat down, Wendy. Wendy? Give me the bat…

Stanley Kubrick was a perfectionist, and according to IMDB, there is a great deal of confusion regarding the number of retakes of certain scenes. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the scene where Wendy is backing up the stairs swinging the baseball bat was shot 127 times, which is a record for the most takes of a single scene. However, both Steadicam operator Garrett Brown and assistant editor Gordon Stainforth say this is inaccurate – the scene was shot about 35-45 times. Brown does say however that the scene where Hallorann explains to Danny what shining is was shot 148 times, which is a world record.

Of course, when Jack finally snaps, he grabs a handy and ax and heads for the bathroom….

This scene culminates in the classic movie line “Here’s Johnny!”

“Here’s Johnny!” was voted 36th best line of all time by Premiere in 2007.

The Greatest Actor Of All Time!

I’m sure some would argue that, but try this classic peformance:

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest – Best Actor

Or any of these:

Carnal Knowledge
Prizzi’s Honor
The Departed
The Last Detail
Terms Of Endearment

Just to name a few of his classic performances: as I said, more to come – and Jack, you will be missed but never forgotten…

My Jack Nicholson Moment!

I got to work with a lot of celebs, but never had the chance to interview Jack…this is the closest I got…here is a picture I captured once – he passed me at the Cannes film festival, on his way to a press conference…I instinctively took a picture and got just a twinkle in the eye…

God bless Jack – let me know your favorite Jack Nicholson role!

Get Ready For Some Fighting Words!

I love movies. All kinds of movies. I love great ones like “The Godfather”, and I love “Psyched By The 4D Witch” as well – which, if you haven’t seen, proves that at one point in movie history,ANYTHING could be released in a movie theater (more on “4D Witch” in a moment)!

Because I love movies so much, I feel confident when I tell you this:

“Christopher Nolan is the most over-rated Director working in America!”

That sentence should spark one of three things:

1 – a complete lack of knowledge about who Christopher Nolan is. He’s NOT the backup QB for the Colts, for example, or one of Hong Kong’s most well known land developers.

2 – an unstoppable urge to send me a note explaining, with an impressive mix of logic and vitriol, that “you are wrong, Dr. Brewster!”. (extra credit if you immediately noted that snippet of dialogue from the brilliant film “Tootsie.”)

3 – you smile inside, happy that SOMEONE has finally stated what you always thought but were afraid to say: “The Dark Knight Rises” was dour and “un-fun” in every way – and NOBODY could understand what Bane was saying!

And as for “Inception”…while the special effects were beautifully done – the basic idea of the film, about the dangerous art of “extraction”, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable…wasn’t “Inception”, it was INCOMPREHENSIBLE.

Time For A Film Fight Club!

And that is the reason for “FILM FIGHT CLUB.”

A few years ago, my wife Alex and I started a film fight club – a group of us would all be assigned a movie to see, and on Sunday, we’d take over Trilussa restaurant in Beverly Hills for pizza, lots of red wine, and a hearty argument about the merits of the movie. Interestingly, the first film was “Batman Begins.” Talk about your “circle of life!”

http://filmfightclub.com Is Alive!

I want to do the same thing now online – to find a group of passionate film lovers to meet on the “braciole of the web” – it’s the internet as italian restaurant, an electronic Trilussa where people can post interesting, articulate, and perhaps ultimately demeaning comments about movies, and the people who defend them…an open forum for thoughts, opinions and fun…

For example, I think “2001: A Space Odyssey” is a brilliant movie, from a Director who NEVER made a bad film:

Then again, here is how Alex described “2001: A Space Odyssey”:

“Some dumb Astronaut feeding some dumb baby.”

Now THOSE are film fight club words!

We all know that are certain films we love – and hate – regardless of how good they are. Alex doesn’t like science fiction that much – and to be honest – there is MUCH to argue about regarding “2001″.

So Share Your Passion And Opinions!

My goal is to post a story about a movie, or an actor, or a film genre – and ask a couple of questions – hopefully, it will spark some feedback, a new point of view, or perhaps just a series of agreements from all concerned – like when I say that the new “Star Trek” films lack the humanity of the original TV series…

And yes, it appears that Capt. Kirk is about to BOWL…

Film Fight Club Is Easy!

It’s easy to share your opinion about “2001″ – or “Star Trek” – or a multitude of other movies – and read what other people think as well. If you are interested in being part of the discussion, you can sign up to receive all posts from “Film Fight Club”, or you can just continue to see my posts at Johnrieber.com, as all discussions will be available on both…but if you want to sign up, here is the link:

http://filmfightclub.com/

The first post ever on the site is my review of Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine” – and what I think has been his degrading portrayal of women in far too many films over the past two decades…please let me know if you agree or disagree…

This is the link to the story:

http://filmfightclub.com/2013/09/06/welcome-to-the-film-fight-club-woody-allens-female-problem/

Back To The Origin Of Man…

Now, about “2001″…is it the story of the origin of man – which happens to be a floating embryo that hovers just beyond the moon? And do you know that there are people who believe that Stanley Kubrick shot the moon footage that was used when the US “faked” the moon landing?

Did you even know there are people who think we faked the moon landing?

A Polarizing Premiere…

The story of “2001: A Space Odyssey” is fascinating for many reasons – did you know at the original premiere screening of the film, 241 people walked out of the theater, including Rock Hudson who said “Will someone tell me what the hell this is about?”

Arthur C. Clarke once said, “If you understand ’2001′ completely, we failed. We wanted to raise far more questions than we answered.” Mission accomplished!

Say Hello Hal!

Did you know that HAL 9000 never once says, “Good Morning, Dave,” despite this line being one of his most recognized quotations?

So my only question for you is this: is “2001: A Space Odyssey” the greatest science fiction film ever made? Or is it as incomprehensible as “Inception?”? Leave a comment and let me know!

And What About “Psyched By The 4D Witch?”

Earlier I mentioned this classic film. Well, it’s not so much a “classic movie” as it is a series of b-roll shots with a poorly written narration laid over it…and shots of this actress…

This movie was actually released in movie theaters…with NO synched sound at all, the worst voiceover narration ever recorded, and random footage strung together to fill time…in fact, it was described by Something Weird Video (who has released it on DVD) as:

“the most maddening, jaw-dropping, mind-bending piece of celluloid lunacy ever to play American theaters!”

It is such a masterwork that it made my list of the “ten most misguided movies ever made!” Click on the link to see why!

http://johnrieber.com/2012/02/08/ten-most-misguided-movies-of-all-time/

Read all about it and imagine the pathetic rube who paid to see it in a movie theater – oh wait, that was ME!

Did you ever just want to sit down and watch the world’s CRAZIEST CINEMA? Well, I am here to help!

Meet Director Takashi Miike!

No, that’s not him having his tongue pulled – and he’s not the one pulling it either – but he is one of Japan’s most prolific and inventive Directors alive!

Meet “Ichi The Killer!”

I have written about Takashi Miike’s films before…including his most controversial work ever: “Ichi The Killer”.

You can read all about it by clicking HERE:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/01/07/top-ten-revenge-classics-to-ring-in-2012/

Audition!

Miike’s shocking horror film “Audition” was recently included on a list of the 100 best horror films – it’s an unsettling shocker about a man posing as a Film Director in order to meet women – and, of course, he meets the WRONG ONE…

I also posted a story about one of the great action films – Miike’s “13 Assassins”! This is in the mold of “Seven Samurai”, as thirteen assassins put everything on the line to save a town…

To read more about this classic action film, click HERE:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/06/30/killer-assassins-hard-boiled-killers-death-by-hammer-classic-asian-thrillers/

Now, Time To Get HAPPY – Zombie Style!

THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS!

With dozens of films to his credit, Takashi Miike tries all sorts of genres: I’ve told you about revenge thrillers, samurai classics AND horror films – and there are many many more – but how about this genre: the zombie musical!

Here is the wacky, WACKY trailer:

A father, his loving and loyal wife, along with a slow-to-persuade son and a divorced daughter with toddler in hand open a bed and breakfast. They make the place everything anyone could want, as they have so much time to work on it, since no one is making reservations to stay there. So they pose like “The Sound Of Music!”

Eventually, customers come…but each one dies while in their room and the family is trying to get rid of the evidence in order to keep the business going! Naturally, their dead guests come back as Zombies – and they aren’t happy about it!

Here’s what COMPLEX magazine said about the film:

“Best described as a “horror musical,” “The Happiness Of The Katakuris” is cinema at its most batshit, as well as its most inventive. The plot moves through grandiose song-and-dance numbers, stop-motion animation, and perverse Claymation, all of which allows Miike to indulge in a playfulness and upbeat spirit not seen in the majority of his bleak pics.”

Folks, THIS is what cinema is all about: discovering a visionary Director who isn’t afraid to try anything AND EVERYTHING! So put down those superhero movies and tired romantic comedies and try something different – a zombie musical!