VIDEO REVIEW: Shivers

VIDEO REVIEW: Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold

VIDEO REVIEW: Death Race 2000

VIDEO REVIEW: Terror of Mechagodzilla

VIDEO REVIEW: Deep Red

VIDEO REVIEW: Infra-Man

VIDEO REVIEW: Autopsy

VIDEO REVIEW: Strip Nude For Your Killer

REVIEW: The Devil's Rain

The Devil’s Rain
Director: Robert Fuest
Year 1975
 
The Devil’s Rain is a deliciously devilish and atmospherically heavy horror film that features a tone and ambiance that lies thick throughout its ominous narrative. Infused with an abundance of striking imagery and equally mesmerizing locations, the movie showcases a satanic cult filled with eyeless members and a leader who can shape-shift into a goat-man. How can you go wrong? With its horror roots planted and its unsettling story set up, The Devil’s Rain is a haunting and often disturbing little gem that frightens as well as it entertains.
 
The film is centered around a satanic cult in the middle of rural America, who has been terrorizing the Preston family and causing all sorts of odd things to happen. After his mother is kidnapped by the cult, Mark Preston sets out to locate their whereabouts, which leads him to a seemingly abandoned church in the middle of a decaying ghost town. As Mark begins to search for his mother within this deserted town, his estranged brother Tom Preston notices that his wife is having strange dreams about his family being in danger. Being curious and worried over their overall safety, Tom decides to travel back home to make sure everything is ok. When he arrives, he is greeted by strange stories of satanic cults and melting eyeless people who dissolve in rain, making for a reunion that is anything but pleasant. Armed with a rifle and accompanied by his psychic wife, Tom sets off to retrace his brother’s footsteps in the hopes that he can bring his mother and Mark back while taking out the satanic cult that started all of this mess. Sounds good to me! Let it rain!

William Shatner plays the role of Mark Preston while Tom Skerritt takes on the role of his brother Tom Preston. The two bring a great dynamic to the film and interestingly enough, they never share the screen together aside from a few strangely set-up scenes that serve to be some of the film’s most chilling moments. I’ve always enjoyed Shatner’s acting style, be it his science fiction characters, horror performances, or even his ridiculous commercial stints, and with The Devil’s Rain he brings that obscurely charismatic nature to his character that has always been a staple of his career. Tom Skerritt also does a commendable job with the role of Tom Preston, the hero of the picture. His introduction in the film comes later in the movie and it feels quite jarring, but when he gets into the groove with all that is going on in the story, he quickly becomes an integral part of the story which aids in pushing the narrative along as it delves into this mysterious cult. Like Shatner, I’ve always enjoyed Skerritt’s body of work in the film industry and his constant output of quality films is nothing less then stellar. Add The Devil’s Rain to the list if you haven’t already. Rounding out the good guys is Joan Prather who perfectly hands the role of Julie Preston, Tom Preston’s wife and professional psychic. The character of Julie is a difficult one as it demands for the actor playing it to really emote both horrified expressions and contemplative moments while at the same time performing in the subtlest of ways. I believe Joan handled it perfectly and her doe-eyed stare and beautiful looks haunted the film all the way up to its horrific conclusion.   
 
As for the main antagonist of the film, all the credit goes to Ernest Borgnine as he brings the pain as Jonathan Corbis AKA the Satanic Goat Man. As leader of the cult and the only really functioning member of its ranks, Borgnine knocks it out of the park as he delivers an entertaining performance for the ages. He combines both wildly over the top acting measures and enigmatic style to his characters, and with the case of Jonathan Corbis, the man has created one memorable cinematic bastard. Soaked in evil and cocky as the devil himself, Borgnine makes sure to creep us out at every turn. I really enjoyed his performance in this film, be it a little off the wall, and when he transforms into a half-goat, half-man, he doesn’t look half bad. Here’s to an actor who has created so many cinematic memories that you could fill a book up with all of his outstanding portrayals. R.I.P. Borgnine.

As for the film itself, the movie is an atmospheric gem which features some brilliant cinematography and a slew of breathtaking vistas that highlight the beautiful American rural landscape. The setting is perfect for the story, and the filmmakers make good use of the desolate and lonely locations, often allowing the visual look of the film and the surrounding scenery to tell the story. The town in which the satanic cult calls home is especially creepy and its overall barren look has an abundance of foreboding style in which the film just allows to soak over the audience. The overall feel of the movie is unsettling, and I think that is what I like most about the film. There is a strange quality to it that speaks volumes on the subject matter that the film is covering and the combination of both location and the topical theme of the movie is what really makes this cinematic effort a horror gem.
 
On top of that, the film also boasts an array of creepy effects that, though dated, are practical and downright disturbing. From eyeless cult members, to disgusting depictions of melting people, to Borgnine’s transformation into the goat beast, the film has an impressive line-up of some excruciatingly horrific effects that really combine well with the tone of the film. One of the most memorable moments of the movie has to be the end sequence where we are given an overdramatic depiction of the demise of each and every cult member as they melt into oblivion. The scene is grotesquely wonderful as it focuses on the agony of the moment, never shying away from the mournful cries and unsettling imagery that comes along with twenty odd people perishing in a wild fit of rage and sadness. The sequence is beautifully shot as it conveys an eerie quality that just captures the strangeness of the final moments of the film. With this climactic scene, the movie ends on a dire and sour note, but one that perfectly reflects the film’s obscure tone and overwhelming atmosphere.

The Devil’s Rain is a horror film that just relishes in that 70’s satanic cult wave of insanity that swept the nation during the time period it was produced. With its hasty introduction to the story, where we are dropped right in to the thick of this obscure cinematic world, and the interesting portrayal and mythology that this satanic cult brings to the table, you really can’t deny the haunting presence that this film provides. With a mixture that just seems to work even despite factors like Ernest Borgnine turning into a goat man of all things, the movie is an obscure wonder that contains its “crazy” within its wildly constructed realm.
 
The cast is immensely impressive, with William Shatner, Tom Skerritt, Joan Prather, and Ernest Borgnine turning out some tremendously entertaining performances. Hell, the film is so jam packed with stars that John Travolta of all people plays a random cult member. Add onto this the visual prowess of the production and you’ve got yourself one hell of a satanic yarn. Not only is the story quite interesting, but the execution and application of practical effects elevates this movie to compelling heights. When it comes to satanic cult movies, you really have to nail that tone and atmosphere and The Devil’s Rain does that to perfection. This film is so damn……

Holy shit! Someone get this guy some Visine!

The hills are alive.... with the sound of Satan.

William Shatner is the Marlboro Man.

What's with the life preserver kid? You jump ship?

Borgnine can really rock a robe.

Check out my bling homies.

Your mustache ain't shit Skerritt!

It looks like the perfect wedding chapel.... for SATAN!

I'd recognize that beautiful butt-chin anywhere. Travolta!

I'm coming for you Borgnine!

Check out that back-seat driver.

Baaaaaaaah!

The key to destroying Goat Boy is in this book.... Too bad neither of us can read.

That's the coolest damn easter egg I've ever seen!

Never insult this dude's mustache. He's freakin nuts!

Rock on Borgnine! Rock on!

Goat Boy is really sweating up a storm. Damn that P90X is tough!

Church is out... for.... ever!

REVIEW: Terror of Mechagodzilla

Terror of Mechagodzilla
Director: Ishiro Honda
Year 1975
 
Terror of Mechagodzilla is a battle royal extravaganza that showcases a trio of giant monsters ravaging the landscape, all in the name of fun. This destructive entry in the lengthy Godzilla series is directed by the father of the genre, Ishiro Honda. Bringing that mythical and larger than life aspect of the creature Godzilla, Ishiro multiples the formula by three, adding two more monstrous creations that usher in a monumental battle that really does amp up the trademark chaos of the series. With a multitude of memorable fights, interesting characters, and enough destruction to satisfy any disaster film connoisseur, Terror of Mechagodzilla brings the pain to the audience and proves once again how much of a badass both Godzilla and his creator, Ishiro Honda, really is. Let’s get it on!
 
The film centers on a diabolical plot by a race of aliens, who through the use of a traitorous Earth scientist and his cyborg daughter, are able to control and unleash the terrible destructive power of two monstrous creatures, Titanosaurus and Mechagodzilla. Their plan is simple, to level Tokyo and then rebuild their own version of the metropolis in their image. The only problem is Godzilla is not too keen on rival monsters stepping in on his turf, so he takes on the two behemoths at once, igniting a devastating battle across the streets of Tokyo, which in the end, leaves the city crippled and scarred. Sounds like a damn good time, so lets get down to business.

As usual for a Godzilla film, the movie follows a number of people over the course of the monster’s destructive romp, but in the case of Terror of Mechagodzilla, the number of people involved is astronomical in size and variance. The standouts are Akihiko Hirata who plays the role of Dr. Shinzo Mafune, Tomoko Ai who portrays Shinzo’s daughter Katsura Mafune, Katsuhiko Sasaki who plays the heroic and love struck biologist Akira Ichinose, and the alien leader named Mugal, played by Goro Mutsumi. Each of these characters has an individual story arc that sets them apart from the rest of the pack, but it’s the father/daughter relationship between the characters of Dr. Shinzo and Katsura Mafune that really brings something interesting to the story.
 
With this dynamic pairing of characters, we are provided an unusual look into a sympathetic villain’s inner workings and turmoil. After being ridiculed and ostracized over his work on the theory of the Titanosaur’s existence, Dr. Shinzo became obsessed with proving his findings, which eventually led him to despise the human race and form an alliance with the alien race that is at present time aiming to take over Tokyo. What makes this allegiance so intricately complicated is that it includes Shinzo’s daughter Katsura. Katsura can telepathically link to the Titanosaur and control its every movement whenever her father commands her too, but that’s not the interesting part. The interesting part is that she is a cyborg. Katsura, once the flesh and blood daughter of Dr. Shinzo, has an unfortunate accident while working in her father’s lab which causes her to be struck dead after a malfunction goes haywire. Seizing the opportunity to sink their claws into the doctor, the alien race swoops in to bring Katsura to life, only in robotic form. From that point on, Shinzo is destined to be under the control of the aliens and this is what makes his story and Katsura’s so compelling and memorable. They’re two heavy hitters that represent the villainous group of the film, but you come to find that they are more complex and complicated than first revealed. The inclusion of this inventive back-story is an added bonus for the depth of these two characters, and both Akihiko Hirata and Tomoko Ai do a great job with the material they’re given.

Now on to the destruction! There’s really no way to write a review on a Godzilla movie without covering the monstrous creatures that show up or the mass amount of mayhem that they inflict on the beautifully rendered landscape, so let’s get right down to it. With the decision to go with three main monsters instead of two, the filmmakers raise the stakes for reckless bedlam by two-fold, and in the process, they raise the viewers’ anticipation for unadulterated chaos by a huge margin. Luckily they have the skill to back these perceptions up, because we bare witness to buildings exploding in a blink of an eye and earthly tremors that literally shake the ground, as we’re presented with a group of colossal giants colliding with each other in violent and entertaining fashion. These chaotic scenes make the anticipated wait for their inevitable confrontation, well worth it, and most of the destruction is the best the series has ever looked. The visual effects are stupendously crafted and the execution is right up there in top notch levels, proudly representing the Toho name. Entire city blocks splinter from cacophony fused blasts that genuinely get the blood boiling from its visceral impact when flashed upon the screen. The overall destruction seems magnified to reflect the number of combatants involved and I absolutely loved the insanity of it all. Once again, Ishiro Honda along with the film crew and Toho have created a masterfully and artistically created world with its destructible miniatures and no holds barred ingenuity.
 
The creature designs are also rather marvelous, as we’re reacquainted with the now evolved visual look of Godzilla and Mechagodzilla, and shown the unique appearance of the interesting, yet somewhat silly, Titanosaurus. Each monster is designed in the traditional Godzilla-world style and each have an array of weaponry in their arsenal that is unique to them. My favorite weapon of choice would be the missiles used by Mechagodzilla that literally level entire city blocks in a blasé of glory. There is one moment in this film that is just so outrageous and overwhelmingly explosive, that you almost question if the filmmakers have gone too far with the destructive nature of these beasts, but in the end it’s all in good fun and entertaining as hell to see play out. The marvelously designed creatures are a hoot, bordering that fine line between hokey and awe-inspiring. Like all Kaiju films, Terror of Mechagodzilla is a wild ride filled with monsters, mayhem and destruction. Who could ask for anything more?

Terror of Mechagodzilla is a thrill a minute Godzilla entry that even when not bombarding the viewer with epic vistas of giant battling monsters, is still an outstandingly enthralling experience to be remembered. With a star studded cast and enough wild concepts to shake a stick at, the move really does go above and beyond the usual constructs for these kinds of films and pushes the limit whenever possible.
 
Like all Toho produced Godzilla films, this entry is extremely well crafted, showcasing the amazing work that the company can do with miniatures and practical effects. The explosions and mayhem is spectacular to see flash across the screen and the look and feel of the monsters are at their distinguishing best. If you’ve seen your fair share of Kaiju films, then you know what to expect in this entry in the Godzilla series. It has the same quality and respect to the genre as the ones before it, yet it’s amped to the tenth degree. Terror of Mechagodzilla is a blast and it’s definitely……

What the shit are you looking at?

Cheers to the perfect couple.

Hi everybody!

Where can I get a kick ass helmet like that?

Those shades just scream.... I'm grumpy, but cool.

Looks like they're getting ready for an intense game of RISK.

There goes the neighborhood.

That's awesome..... what is it?

Run kids! RUN!

Holy Shit! Holy Shit! Holy Shit!

On guard... I'll let you try my Godzilla style.

Say cheese!

It's ok kids. Grandpa's just having a little heart attack, that's all.

Godzilla the action hero.

That's one way to get a-head.

Not the titty twister laser! NOOOOO! You bastard!

You'll never catch me and my silly hat. NEVER!

PARTY PEOPLE!

REVIEW: The Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth

The Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth
Director: Juan Piquer Simon
Year 1975

The Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth, also known as Where Time Began, is a fantastically and dare I say it fabulously fun adventure of a film. Directed by Juan Piquer Simon, the movie is a blast from the past, representing the big fantasy boom of Jules Verne inspired stories along with some of his own, most heralded, writings. The Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth was one of the many fantasy infused novels to be brought to the silver screen and in Juan Piquer Simon's case, he created a cinema world that is as vividly curious and as wholly satisfying as Mr. Verne's original stories.

The film opens in a book shop where a haggard old man passes off a strange diary that tells of a hidden entrance in a volcano which serves as a gateway to a whole other world hidden deep within the earth. The strange tales of the book sparks Professor Otto Lindenbrock's interests, inspiring him to form a small expedition to this volcano. His group comprised of his niece, her boyfriend, and a sheep herder, set off on an adventure that is both fabulous and unexpected.

Grandpa has his eye on you.... Bitches.

Are we there yet?

The locations for the film are simply bizarre in their unfamiliar nature, creating the perfect kind of set up for making us believe that they are indeed on a journey through undiscovered territories. The barren landscapes, the crystal clear underground oceans, and the over-sized flora and fauna appear to be lost wonders of a forgotten subterranean world. It really is a considerable accomplishment when you keep in mind that the film's budget was fairly low for the kind of material they were taking on. Grand spectacle usually means an even grandeur budget, but thankfully the crew went the more creative route and worked with what they could afford.

It's pretty impressive that the filmmakers were able to pull off some amazingly effective atmospheric moments with such a budget crunch and a lot of the credit can go to the successful scouting of locations and the efficient use of both them and the blending of extensive stage work that had to be done to match the two. The practical nature of the production and simplistic execution of the natural landscape juxtaposed with the studio shots, really lent a good deal of believability to the film, allowing me to believe in something as absurd as a field of giant tortoises.

Some fabulous journey asshole.

Looks like someone might have a bone to pick with these two.

The film really excels in outlandish moments like the tortoise herd scene, where a large number of rock formations quickly come to life to reveal that the valley the adventurers are walking through just so happens to be the home of a gaggle of gigantic ravenous turtles. It's excruciatingly strange, yet highly entertaining, much like the crews next encounter with over-sized mushrooms. Over-sized mushrooms? How could over-sized mushrooms be anything but over-sized mushrooms? Well these mushrooms are made of wood and if disturbed, they unleash a poisonous pollen that renders their victims a quick death. Well at least that's what we're told by the good Professor Lindenbrock, but we never really get to see anything as brutal as that happen to one of the main characters. In fact, despite all of the dangers our heroes come into contact with during their fabulous journey, no one actually dies from any of these encounters.

This notion is actually quite strange for the genre during this time period, because in many of the fantasy adventure films of the time there were always a few deaths to help prove to the audience that they were indeed on a perilous expedition that could claim their lives at any moment. Interestingly though, The Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth opts out on this angle and instead gives us a more whimsical romp through one set piece after another. There might not be much danger or fear set upon the audience, but the entertainment value and wonderful encounters made by the adventurous crew are just as entertaining as the more daring examples of the genre.

Well you don't see that everyday.

That sight is just....... FABULOUS!

Even though the death tally stays at zero, that doesn't mean that we don't get any real blood or violent moments on this quest for fun. A few encounters with the plethora of prehistoric beasts in this lost world are quite violent and sometimes bloody. The best example of this would be the sea serpent attack. During the crews voyage across the expansive ocean, they come upon a battle of life and death between two dinosaur like creatures. They tear at each others flesh and draw a good amount of blood, even ripping limbs off and everything. This is all accomplished with puppetry of course, but still the ravenous shot of a sea serpent thrashing over and over again in a sea of blood was quite a nice touch to the overall G rated affair that was witnessed previously in the film.

The creatures are another staple of the films assets, that is if you respect the practical effects of the era and overlook the obvious drawbacks that come with the territory of being strapped for cash while living in a CGI-less world. I for one love this style of creature effects, which blends the aspects of Japanese Kaiju monster effects with the inclusion of traditional puppetry. The combination is somber and sufficient, gelling nicely in a world that only exists on the celluloid roll. It may not be fancy, but damn it there's something about these kind of practical and simple effects that bring about a certain nostalgic style that just works for me.

Quit monkeying around!

Taking a stroll through tortoise fields.

Let us not forget the fearless crew of this fabulous journey. What was rather nice about this film is that they kept the cast between a handful of people, allowing for each of them to get their fair share of screen time. Kenneth More leads the pack as Professor Lindenbrock and he plays the character with a great deal of enthusiasm and curiosity. Accompanying him is actress Ivonne Sentis as Lindenbrock's niece Glauben and actor Pep Munne as Axel, her boyfriend. Both of them share a rather interesting relationship that initially starts out as playful, but eventually morphs into love as they experience one fantastic event after another. The actors did a commendable job in their roles and worked well against the practical effects that I can imagine would be hard to take on with a straight face. Rounding out the main cast is sheep herder and human pack horse Hans Belker, played by Frank Brana, and one of the most curious men to grace these outlandish stories, not to mention the silver screen, Jack Taylor, who plays the aenigma known as Olsen.

Taylor is one of my favorite odd ball actors, because he seems to just turn up in some of the strangest films. Take his role in another one of director Juan Piquer Simon's films, Pieces. He plays a college professor who is as awkward as they come, being hit on by his own students while at the same time always looking as suspicious as hell. Now that I think of it, he kind of does the same thing in this movie. He's awkward as all hell, slightly catches the eye and curiosity of Ms. Glauben, and is so mysterious that he just begs suspicion. I guess that's just the kind of guy he is, a mysterious creep. Add all of these wacky characters together and you've got yourself a highly entertaining crew to support an equally highly entertaining film.

Well this is a fabulous pickle you've gotten us into.

That bathtub is experiencing one hell of a perfect storm.

The Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth is as interesting a film as you'd expect. It's a movie filled with some creepy creatures, splendid locations, and seemingly simple yet heroic characters. The lack of any real danger is quite apparent, but that doesn't take away from the wonder of visiting this outlandish world. Director Juan Piquer Simon has a knack for telling stories that are so out there and unbelievable, yet at the same time grounded in some strange and unexplainable form of tangent cinematic universe, that it all remarkably makes sense.

I guess if there was a person to adapt Jules Verne's story to the silver screen, then Simon would be the perfect crazy bastard to do it. I highly recommend this film to anyone that enjoys the fantastic fantasy films of the late seventies and to anyone that wants to just have a good time in a world outside of their own. Check it out and keep in mind that it's all in fun.

3 out of 5 stars        An Outstandingly Bizarre Jules Verne Adaption!