HERCULES, PRISONER OF EVIL (1964)
Wheels Of Terror (1987 / DVD)
When the 27th Panzers climb into a tank, it's the end of war, as civilized men know it! These rude, crude, lewd, last round draft picks straight out of the slammer engage in a detour of duty that leaves no head unbroken, no rule unbent and no doubt that they won't be back in prison when the fighting is finished.
Stylishly directed by cult director Gordon Hessler (The Golden Voyage of Sinbad) and featuring a strong supporting cast that includes David Patrick Kelly (48 Hrs.), Jay O. Sanders (The Day After Tomorrow) and Keith Szarabajka (A Perfect World).
Godzilla
The film begins with a story about some Japanese ships that are mysteriously destroyed by something. While the officials have no idea what's going on, a local citizen on Odo Island says that there's a sea monster called Godzilla. After the storm hits Odo Island, a group of investigators go there to find out about it. Surprisingly,
Saffo – Venere di Lesbo
Duration: 01:29:31
Directed by: Pietro Francisci
Actors: Kerwin Mathews, Tina Louise, Riccardo Garrone
Language: English
Country: Italy | France
Also known as: The Warrior Empress, Det blodige sværd
Description: The VII century B.C. the Poet Sappho leads the rebellion against the corrupt government of the island of Lesbos. She helps a young Phaon.
Review: As part of the Sword & Sorcery Project, here is the English dubbed version of Pietro Francisci's Saffo, venere di Lesbo. Top-heavy with wild action scenes and female pulchritude, this Italo/French costume adventure is set in the 7th century B.C. on the island of Lesbos, where the immortal poetess Sappho (Tina Louise) is leading a revolt against the corrupt government of Mytilene led by despotic ruler Melanchrus (Enrico Maria Salerno). Aiding her in overthrowing the yoke of tyranny is the handsome Phaon (Kerwin Mathews). For some reason it is the temple of Aphrodite that is the focus of attention in this supposed battle for the rights of the ordinary people, and not the temple of Mars. Sappho's sexual orientation is a moot point though....
Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection [Blu-ray] (Region Free)
But there are real defects in two of the titles in this set: Both "Marnie" and "Family Plot" were given slipshod transfers. "Marnie" particularly (a film I consider one of Hitchcock's masterpieces) has visual specks throughout, and some scenes of "weak" color. If you don't believe me, just go to a scene mid-way in the film and freeze the frame on a closeup. You'll see what seems a shabby grill on the faces. The images aren't clear and seemingly form a grill pattern. ("Frenzy" also exhibits flaws but not as seriously as those two.) These problems are obviously due to a lack of quality control in mastering these discs. To see the difference compare these two titles to "The Birds" or "Rear Window" and check the clarity and brightness of their color images in a freeze-frame. This crappy transferring is reprehensible for Universal in not taking the proper care to make sure the master Hitchcock has been given the treatment he deserves. They made so much money from the great works by this brilliant filmmaker they could have at least given ALL these films the highest quality treatment in Blu-ray technology!
This is certainly a trivial point, but also demonstrating Universal's inherent sloppiness, is that on a few of the discs, the spectacular new Universal corporate logo is actually shown TWICE in a row through an error in the disc making! (Note: I noticed this only in the UK region-free release!)
Most of the other discs are very good to superb, but these two (and some transferring flaws in "Frenzy" as well) could be enough for many to reject this set. I won't return it because most of the discs are essential to anyone's collection at it is, but I will continue to hope that in the future a new Blu-ray master of "Marnie" will be redone and made available in a beautiful transfer! UNIVERSAL OWES IT TO EVERYONE WHO LOVES THE ART OF CINEMA!
The technicians at Universal who are responsible for these shabby transfers should be ashamed of themselves!
PS: Many chastise reviewers for lowering the rating of great films because of flaws in the quality of the discs; They say only the film should be rated. I agree with them for the most part. But still, the low quality of several of these disc transfers, I think, should properly reflect at least one star lower to warn buyers. I admit if these discs were all superb the set would inarguably garner 5 stars by anyone remotely interested in film. These movies are among the greatest in the history of cinema. They ALL need to handled with the utmost of care as if they were treasures (which they are!).
Planet of the Apes - Primal Collection (All 8 Films) (Blu-Ray Box Set) 1968-2014
Mad Max (Scream Factory) (Blu-Ray)
Setting Mel Gibson on a sure path to superstardom, this highly acclaimed 'crazy collide-o-scope' (Newsweek) of highway mayhem 'cinematically defined the postapocalyptic landscape' (TV Guide). Featuring eye-popping stunts that are 'electrifying and very convincing' (Variety) and 'an authentically nihilistic spirit' (The Village Voice), this unforgettable actioner from director George Miller (The Road Warrior, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and Mad Max: Fury Road) is 'pure cinematic poetry' (Time).
In the ravaged near-future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of a police force hell-bent on stopping them. But they underestimate one officer: Max (Gibson). And when the bikers brutalize Max's best friend and family, they send him into a mad frenzy that leaves him with only one thing left in the world to live for – revenge! Also starring Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Steve Bisley (The Great Gatsby, Red Hill), this rugged racecar of a film runs on 'comic book volatility… exhilarating rowdiness and visual intensity'
Premutos: The Fallen Angel (1997)
There is an incredible amount of blood and gore, this film easily ranks up with Peter Jackson's "Braindead". The 30 minute climax is amazing-non stop gore and slaughter. We have a glorious kill count of 139 here and they are seemingly all shown. There is also pretty nice sex scene added for a good measure. Highly recommended.
Misterio en las Bermudas (1977)
From Lust Till Dawn (2002)
Maciste in Hell (1962)
70's Drive-in Horror: Ruby / Kiss of the Tarantula (Remastered DVD)
RUBY (1977)
She's sweet sixteen and her mama (Piper Laurie – the mother in the horror classic Carrie) wants to send her away. The deaf-mute daughter retaliates by calling up the spirit of her murdered father and in one terrifying night of horror, he exacts his revenge.
KISS OF THE TARANTULA (1976)
Mommy and Daddy operate and live in a mortuary with their daughter, Susan, who collects tarantula spiders and has always been ostracized by her friends because… well she’s a little bit strange. In true schlocky b-movie horror fashion, this is a real All-American Dysfunctional Family! So when Susan discovers that mommy dearest is plotting to have dear old dad killed… well this puts sweet little Susie over the top and she pulls out all the stops, making good use of her father’s mortuary and her creepy little playmates to exact horrendous revenge! A 70’s drive-in classic!
