Extraordinary Movie & Video Guide

Note: these reviews aren't and will not be updated. Many opinions may have changed during these years.

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NAVAJO JOE. (1966). D: Sergio Corbucci

Nothing compares to seeing Burt 'White Lightnin' Reynolds as a fearless Navajo indian warrior. Although the film is a low grade western, it does have its moments. This film was supposed to have made Reynolds' career, as A Fistful of Dollars did for Clint Eastwood. But, the film isn't a Leone film. It does contain a great haunting score by il Maestro himself, Ennio Morricone. Joe (Reynolds) goes after the commancheros that massacred his tribe. These guys are ruthless. All they want is a hefty batch of Indian scalps, so they can collect the money for their deeds. Only Joe isn't going to let them loot and rob anymore innocents. His mission is true revenge. On his rampage, he runs into a town that is the base for the commancheros plan to rob a train full of loot. 89 min, No rating, Color, Available on videocassette. Director: Sergio Corbucci. Cast Includes: Burt Reynolds Aldo Sanbrell Tanya Lopert Fernando Rey. Techniscope.

Review by Pete@Cult Clash

NEAR DARK. (1987). D: Kathryn Bigelow

One of the best modern vampire films, if even best. Young man is bitten by the girl vampire, and has to hit the road with the whole vampire gang. Great cast with Adrian Pasdar, Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton. Is really some kinda road movie, too. "F**king daylight!"

NEKROMANTIK. (1988). D: Jörg Buttgereit

Infamous romantic drama about loving the dead. Sure the film shows unbelievably sick sex, but I couldn't stop the laughing when the hilarious dream scene appeared into the screen. Often very badly made. Banned in loadsa countries.

NEKROMANTIK 2. (1991). D: Jörg Buttgereit

Sequel which is ultimate borefest. Only the brutal love-making scene at last minutes is really worth for checking out. Wow!

NETHERWORLD. (1991). D: David Schmoeller

Boring and lousy - and yes, stupid - horror fantasy. Tries to be also erotic, but well...

NEW ROSE HOTEL. (1998). D: Abel Ferrara

This sleeper entertains for a while, but only because you start to expect something outstanding to happen. I like the mood that this film has, but this time it seems that Ferrara has lost his imagination. And at the end we'll get to see flashbacks from early scenes of this sci-fi/drama/thriller. Pity, especially when lead stars are Christopher Walken and Willem Dafoe.

NEW YORK RIPPER. (1982). D: Lucio Fulci

Killer who speaks like Donald Duck finds his way to beatiful women and slashes them with creative ways. Strangely fun to watch. That could not be said about many Fulci flicks.

NICE GIRLS DON'T EXPLODE. (1987). D: Chuck Martinez

When a teenage girl falls in love, the surroundings burst into flames. Camp-comedy which is so camp, you cannot hate it. A family entertainment at its best.

NIGHTBREED. (1990). D: Clive Barker

Little too much monsters in this Barker's adaptation of his own novel. Nightbreed is too confusing for my taste.

NIGHTMARE. (1981). D: Romano Scavolini

Awful gore(bore)fest with Savini FX. I fell asleep and got a good nap.

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. (1984). D: Wes Craven

I use here the same method I used in Friday 13TH reviews. Ok, first is the best, second is highly underrated, third one is ok, fourth deals with too much comedy, fifth is underrated too(positively dark after the "humorous" #4), sixth was disappointment.

NIGHTMARE ON NOON. (1987). D: Nico Mastorakis

Highly entertaining B-scifi/thriller/action(...whatever!) cult film with great plot: mad scientist (yes!) who uses laser (fire! fire!) to transform people into violent maniacs. Starring regular B-faces Wings Hauser, Bo Hopkins and Brion James.

NIGHT OF THE COMET. (1984). D: Thom Eberhardt

----------------------------------------(that's all I could say)

NIGHT OF THE CREEPS. (1986). D: Fred Dekker

Alien creeps get into the peoples head, and after a while the head explodes. Fun horror comedy where the characters names deal with great horror directors. Recommended.

NIGHT OF THE DEMON. (1958). D: Jacques Tourneur

Very tense black&white horror movie, one of the few 50's era directions which actually is thrilling, in nowadays also. Dana Andrews stars as skeptic psychologist, who has to change is attitude when a black magician curses him and sees horrifying demon. Although the demon itself looks very funny in pictures(Tourneur didn't want it to be visible, but producer didn't agree), it works as hell in the movie. AKA Curse of the demon.

NIGHT OF THE DEMONS. (1987). D: Kevin S. Tenney

Good FX, Linnea Quigley and that's it. Skip.

NIGHT OF THE GHOULS. (1958). D: Edward D. Wood, Jr.

Well, watching a lot these Ed Wood films cause me an effect where I get really bored. Although they're are real badly made and sometimes fun, they're also really dull and not very slick.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. (1968). D: George A. Romero

Acclaimed zombieflick with really sinister ending. Not so graphically violent as many might think, but the atmosphere is really something.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. (1991). D: Tom Savini

Starring: Tony Todd, Patricia Tallman. Surprisingly good remake produced by Romero himself. Some very cool new plot twists make it a must-see for fans of the original. Great actors, cool ending (fitting better into the beginning of DAWN... than the original). Surprisingly, there's almost no gore!

Review by Thomas Herlofsen

NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIES. (1981). D: Joel M. Reed

Trash classic...well maybe not really a classic but still hideous and funny movie from the director of Bloodsucking Freaks. Check out the skull shouting "Susan...".

NINJA SCROLL. (1993). D: Yoshiaki Kanajiri

Ultra-violent and magnificently animated Japanese animation, located in the Japan of feodal era. Lots of brutal slayings, action, sex and everything you need in good anime.

NIRVANA. (1997). D: Gabriele Salvatores

Christopher Lambert stars in this science fiction/action thriller which has also comedy sides to it. I must admit that I was expecting more after seeing great trailer, with Traffic´s awesome song (don't remember the name) in the background. But still this is entertaining, and reminds a little bit of Strange Days but is not that serious. And is not that good, also. You could still choose worse.

NOMADS. (1986). D: John McTiernan

Good, atmospheric "punks with evil spirits inside" movie that somehow reminds me Near Dark, although the plot is very different. Starring Pierce Brosnan & Adam Ant.

NOSFERATU. (1922). D: F.W. Murnau

Silent horror movie that everyone should see. Max Schreck is great as Nosferatu, more terrifying vampire that Dracula has ever been - well...maybe not Christopher Lee's Dracula.

NO WAY BACK. (1976). D: Fred Williamson

Routine blaxploitation vehicle directed and starring by Fred Williamson. You could choose much worse though, since Williamson is again cool himself and only his appearance makes most of his films worth of checking out. He's a private dick battling against gangstas, but that not main issue here. Stylish (!) clothes, funky music and afro's are the main thang, if you can dig it.

OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN. (1983). D: George P. Cosmatos

Average thriller about killer rats attacking people of New York. Nothing great, but stars include Peter Weller and Shannon Tweed.

OMEN. (1976). D: Richard Donner

A child borns with 666 in his head and guess who the son really is! Great suspenseful devil horror with lots of kills, but can't compete with Exorcist. Lots of sequels followed.

ON DANGEROUS GROUND. (1985). D: Chuck Bail

Not so bad scifi/action movie dealing with scientist trying to produce energy, and using sound waves coming out of Halleys comet...You've seen worse although the plot might sound funny.

OPERA. (1988). D: Dario Argento

I hate this film, as I hate all Argento's ultimately dumb terror flicks. Only thing that's good in them, are stylish use of camera and colors. Well, music and blood too, but the plots sucks. If it's trash, it should be honest! Not a yawn-junk like this. Overrated as hell.

ORDER OF DEATH. (1983). D: Roberto Faenza

Weirdo story of a cop (Harvey Keitel) and copkiller (John Lydon = Johnny Rotten) and their relationship. Could've been better but the lead actors make this worth of checking out.

ORGAN. (1996). D: Grab Kei Fujiwara

Desperately seeking something that will deviate from the usual cut-and-paste plot lines contained in such recent fiascos as the nauseatingly new-age "The Sixth Sense" or the cynical "Star Wars" entry? Grab Kei Fujiwara's ORGAN, a rare oddity deserving the distinction of being one of the most morbid and dangerous Japanese horror films ever. In a greenhouse-cum-laboratory, body-parts sellers experiment with a limbless torso kept alive and conscious by the blood of schoolgirls, while a war with a rival Yakuza gang rages outside. Unrestrained, excessive and very original "entertainment", something Hollywood hacks could never come up with.

review by Asko Leinonen

OUTCRY: RIOTS, TRIALS AND RECOVERY. (1999). D: Steven Antoniou, Steve Fecske

Great documentary of 1992 L.A. riots. Amateur camcorder footage of Outcry is really something (and there's lots of it!), and the whole documentary has nice structure. As I am Finnish, it was the first time for me to really understand how everything began and how violence&destruction spread to streets fo L.A. Also the footage of beating of Rodney King and many interviews, for example with officers who did beat King, firemen, chiefs etc. Hopefully corrupted leaders and judges around the world will see this one and scare themselves off - because this might happen again someday, somewhere else.

OUT OF THE DARK. (1988). D: Michael Schroeder

Muddled, stupid movie about the killer stalking women who satisfy men in sex phone service. Notable only because the last role of Divine.

PARENTS. (1988). D: Bob Balaban

A sick, sick movie where in a disturbed little boy has cannabalistic parents. the whole movie has this utterly creepy feeling to it. Considered to be one of the blackest of black comedies.

review by Mudbone

PARTS: THE CLONUS HORROR. (1979). D: Robert S. Fiveson

Somehow a really stirring and interesting science fiction / horror / action thriller, with fun plot that could be an episode of X-Files - although this films tops ANY of X-Files episodes. Human clones are raised so that they could be used as body parts. If they behave well and are physically fit, they are sent to place they dreamed of...AMERICA! Not for every taste, but this films campy feeling, fun performances (by Peter Graves, for example) and light satirical story just made me impressed. I say: go for it!

PASSION OF DARKLY NOON. (1995). D: Philip Ridley

Strange tale of young man, Darkly Noon, who has escaped after a police sieged his family and fellow believers of fanatic sect. Noon is rescued to the house of attractive woman called Callie and his mute husband Clay. He has to fight against his passion for woman because of his strict beliefs. Mood of this flick reminds me of Twin Peaks, but PODN never really hits the bullseye. Some people might like this, I can't decide if I do! Brendan Fraser ("George of the Jungle"!) as Darkly, Ashley Judd as Callie and always good Viggo Mortensen as Clay.

PATLABOR. (1990). D: Mamoru Oshii

OK anime, which is made for younger watchers. Tells a story of a Patrol Labors, huge robots with human pilots. Buildings fall apart when enemies use their similar robots against good guys. Too much dramatic values for my taste, I want action and violence in anime.

PEACEMAKER. (1990). D: Kevin S. Tenney

Action-packed flick in the vein of The Hidden(featuring alien cop and alien criminal), but never reaches even near. Watchable, still.

PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS. (1991). D: Wes Craven

Very good entry from Craven stars Twin Peaks' Wendy Robie and Everett McGill as the crazy couple who capture people in their basement. This ain't serious stuff so don't take it like that. Just fun, bloody horror comedy that are rare these days.

PET SEMATARY. (1989). D: Mary Lambert

Best book of Stephen King has this allright adaptation, but can't compete with novels atmosphere. Anyway, fun to watch and the end is great.

PHANTOM OF THE MALL: ERIC'S REVENGE. (1989). D: Richard Friedman

Girls ex-boyfriend Eric wants his revenge after burned himself in the fire. Now he haunts in the mall where the gal works. He then kills people. Only the Vandals' song at the very end was fun. Reviewing this crap wasn't, but that's my own fault.

PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE. (1974). D: Brian De Palma

This one's actually The Phantom of the Opera relocated in the crazy world of rock'n'roll. William Finley is the composer, and gorgeous Paul Williams is the bad guy who destroys composers face. But he's gonna come back as the phantom. It has few good 70's rock songs (by Williams) and is fun to watch, so go for it.

PINK FLAMINGOS. (1972). D: John Waters

THE cult film. A must see. Nuff said.

review by Mudbone

and then some:

I truly agree, it's so cheap-looking, badly acted and the whole flick is so weird that you can't believe it. Includes famous eating dog-poo scene by Divine. You've been warned.

PIT. (1982). D: Lew Lehman

If the great ending had come earlier, this would be much better but no. Young and very annoying boy talks to his teddy bear and is a friend of an ugly creatures that live in a pit...I'm not kidding! And the monsters want human flesh & blood, so you can guess what the son has to do.

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE. (1958). D: Edward D. Wood, Jr.

If you haven't heard of this, shame yourself. Actually it's the only Ed Wood-film I can watch many times. Others are usually very boring and not even very funny although hideous production shows on every movie. This one has lots of trashy stuff to check out, and remember: Creeping Terror is at least as bad.

PLAY MOTEL. (1979). D: Mario Gariazzo

A milestone production from Mario Gariazzo, notorious for his tasteless sexploitation epics such as �The Sexorcist /L�Ossessa�. Assembling here one of the world�s finest trash film collectives and eschewing all correct agendas, the director punctuates his fleshy tapestry with incredibly sleazy imagery involving Marina Hedmann/Frajese and Patrizia Di Rossi/Webley, the sluttiest actresses in Italian cinema. At the garishly lit Play Motel, these two warhorses and other bleached blondes are first seen being secretly photographed while having kinky sex. As the film serves also as a giallo, they are later stabbed to death by an assassin dressed in black. Conveying a sense of mad comedy, this inexhaustible supply of indignities and leopard skin underwear should be sought out at all costs.

review by Asko Leinonen

PLUTONIUM BABY. (1988). D: William Szarka

Real trash with no budget, I assume! Young man falls into nuclear waste, and becomes a hideous monster. Unlike Toxic Avenger, this should be serious stuff! Look at that FX and bad acting. Great!

POLTERGEIST. (1982). D: Tobe Hooper

Although Spielberg's production shows in this, Poltergeist is tense enough to see that Hooper directed it. Great scenes of ghosts attacking a average family - all in all, very good entertainment.

POLTERGEIST 2 : THE OTHER SIDE. (1986). D: Brian Gibson

Too kind, but the special effects save a lot. Average.

POLTERGEIST 3. (1988). D: Gary Sherman

The worst of three Poltergeist-flicks. Star of these all, Heather O'Rourke sadly died during the filming.

POPCORN. (1991). D: Mark Herrier, Alan Ormsby

Old theatre borns again when film students start to show old, funny horror movies in it. But someone is killing people inside the theatre and Jill Schoelen is terrifyed. Some good ideas but never really thrills.

POSSESSED! (1974). D: Charles Nizet

Ultimate trash and infinitely entertaining mad scientist story, with one the lousiest actors and actresses in the movie history, hunchback assistant, "kitcshy" wigs, violence and beatiful women in chains! The plot is hilarious: the before-mentioned scientist, doctor Blackwood has materialized the evil and now it flies and starts to kill people...(!) "Suspense" grows when the police gets on the tracks of Blackwoods experiments. I am impressed.

PREDATOR. (1987). D: John McTiernan

Outer space alien monster is killing soldiers in Central America, and Schwartzenegger has tough times to defend himself. Very good and popular scifihorroractioner is one of the best of it's kind.

PREDATOR 2. (1990). D: Stephen Hopkins

Not bad, but coulda been better. This time the alien has moved into L.A., and we are allowed to see lots of corpses.

PRINCE OF DARKNESS. (1987). D: John Carpenter

Son tries to take his dad called Satan away from the darkness and all along to the world we live in. Priest, scientist and some students are up to stop his plans. Grrreat scary horror, but I've noticed that some people find this boring and some people are really fascinated of it - like me. Especially scary and atmospheric scenes were the wonderful video transmissions from the year one.. nine.. nine.. nine... Starring Donald Pleasence and cameo by Alice Cooper.

PRISON. (1988). D: Renny Harlin

Finnish director Renny Harlin's (aka Lauri Harjola) best picture so far. Creates terror in prison where the ghost of executed prisoner(innocent) avenges with horrible ways. Low-budget, but could've been higher 'cos it looks like that. Check it out.

PRISONERS OF THE LOST UNIVERSE. (1983). D: Terry Marcel

Great campy and trashy science fiction adventure! I love those future creatures with somekinda flashlight in their heads... Richard Hatch and Kay Lenz are heading into future, with a help of time machine built by great scientist.

PROJECT A-KO. (199 ). D:

High-octane anime with three cute Japanese school girls: A-ko, B-ko and C-ko. A-ko and B-ko are good friends, and C-ko is a little bit jealous to A-ko and tries to do harm for her. Lots of action and tongue-in-cheek humor, and screaming girls. OK.

PROM NIGHT. (1980). D: Paul Lynch

With beer & popcorn, this slasher is more effective. But almost every movie with Leslie Nielsen is effective.

PROM NIGHT 3 : THE LAST KISS. (1989). D: Ron Oliver, Peter Simpson

Comedy-oriented second sequel to high school horror flick of 1980. Prom queen is in need of love...She has only one problem...SHE'S DEAD! Noooooooooo... Some funny moments, and few good bloody scenes but overall no more than average entertainment for nightly weekend video marathons.

PROWLER. (1981). D: Joseph Zito

Nothing original, just annoyingly obvious early-80's maniac killer flick. Tom Savini made the special fx, but don't bother if you have the censored version. I had.

PSYCHIC. (1992). D: George Mihalka

Made for cable. It has nothing why you should check it out. It is a bore.

PUMPKINHEAD. (1988). D: Stan Winston

Very eerie atmosphere, but is sometimes little bit dull. Still very original horror movie about Pumpkinhead, the demon avenging the death of farmer's son. With great special effects, not surprise when fx master himself as the director.

PUPPETMASTER. (1989). D: David Schmoeller

Little puppets are killing few psychics in a hotel, and nothing much more in the plot - but is still fun.

PUPPET MASTERS. (1994). D: Stuart Orme

Based on a Robert A. Heinlein's novel, this parasites-from-outer-space film is delightly made in the vein of those great 50's scifi-horror masterpieces. Donald Sutherland stars as leader of the security agency, which has tough times fighting against those darn creatures. Special fx isn't always over the top, but it suits fine to this one.