FLICKS OF THE WEEK: November 6-12, November 13-19

NOVEMBER 6TH - 12TH

Alphaville is a harsh and stark depiction of a future society void of artistry, love, and self-expression. Set in the future on an unknown planet, secret agent Lemmy Caution must infiltrate this oppressive city of the future as a journalist in order to confront the evil scientist Von Braun, the overlord of this disheartened culture-less wasteland. Awashed in a Noir lit cityscape that seems lost in darkness, Alphaville tells Lemmy's strange story filled with intriguing possibilities and mind boggling revelations. Let's get down to it.

Directed by Jean-Luc Godard, this sci-fi spy mash-up is strangely hypnotic. The fish out of water tale that places Lemmy into an unfamiliar world, is interesting enough, but combine that with the film noir-like atmosphere and you've got yourself one hell of an original movie with enough mystery and mystique to compel the viewer onward for quite some time. Setting the film in 1960's Paris, as Alphaville's futuristic dystopian city, is a simplistic notion but one that pays off by use of some fascinating locales within the French metropolis. I had an interesting journey with this one and highly recommend you check it out if you haven't seen it yet. It's a rather unique flick with an abundance of subtexts that lie just underneath the main narrative, just begging to be explored by the determined cinephile, plus you can't go wrong with Godard. The man makes magic.

The H-Man is a Toho produced science fiction film that depicts the horrors of atomic weapons and the overall effects that the use of such devices have had on the Japanese culture, both inside and outside the cinema world . The film starts out rather mysteriously, with a drug deal gone bad resulting in one of the dealers to suspiciously vanish, leaving behind his clothes and all of his possessions. Soon, more bodies begin to come up missing, all with the same unexplainable conclusion, a pile of clothes with no body. Stumped, the police follow a few leads, but everything seems to add up to it being a simple result of warring gangs. That is until scientist Dr. Masada shows up, claiming that atomic bomb testing off the coast of the Pacific is to blame for the strange disappearances. Could radiation be the cause of these odd events, or is there another piece to the puzzle that has yet to reveal itself?

The film is a blast, relying on the mystery of the disappearances to move the narrative along. There's also a great deal of horror infused elements, like a ghost ship filled with green glowing ghouls that horrendously devour anyone they touch. The decision to focus this story in the more seedier side of the Japanese culture was a nice touch for this science fiction tale, taking more of a cue from the films of the time and their centralization on the gangster culture. It's an interesting mixture of genres that never ceases to entertain, while providing a highly original concept that warns future societies of the dangers of waging war with atomic weapons. Another great Toho film!

Mothra! What a hoot! This is my first time watching Mothra and what a funny and interesting film it is. The movie starts out with a shipwrecked crew being rescued from a highly radiated island, only to be free and clear of any signs of radiation. After deliberating the reasons behind this marvelous discovery, the crew theorizes that they must have been immune from radiation after drinking a special kind of juice that the natives had given them. Being surprised to realize that there are people actually living on the old atomic bomb test site, the Japanese and Rosilican (I assume American) government form a joint expedition to the island to investigate this strange tale. The movie follows the misadventures of a journalist and explorer, who along with the team of Japanese and Rosilican scientists, come into contact with a pair of miniature twin women who worship a creature called Mothra. Unknown to the majority of the group, one Rosilican representative plans to snatch the two miniature wonders and escape the island in order to peddle them to the masses as the next big thing in entertainment. One problem is that those are Mothra's girls.... and you won't like Mothra when he's angry.

Another great addition to the Toho catalog and my recent string of Toho viewings, Mothra is a well put together little film that follows in the footsteps of the great Godzilla's destructive path, yet sets itself as its own unique beast. There is a lot of fun to be had with this film for there are a plethora of comedic moments, mostly provided by the character of the journalist, who at first annoyed the hell out of me but then gradually I began to warm to. It's also interesting to see the comparisons to the country of Rosilican to the United States and we even get a nice set of destructive scenes as Mothra brings the pain to a very familiar location. Good stuff.

The Golden Buddha is a fun Asiaspy flick that takes the classy and cool moments of the James Bond genre and spruces it up for an Asian audience. The film tells of a simple man named Paul who does extraordinary things, like kicking ass and taking names. I kid, but not really. Well, I'll start at the beginning. After having his luggage mixed up with his long time friend aboard a plane, Paul's life goes from boring to action packed. You see the contents of Paul's friend's bag is somewhat of a hot commodity and it seems that every cutthroat son of a bitch is coming out of the woodwork to have himself a piece of the pie. This pie is in the form of a small Buddha figurine, that houses directions to a families long standing lost fortune. With the sudden assassination of his friend, Paul is forced to run for his life while at the same time track down the clues of the Buddha statue, slowly making his way closer to the famed treasure. It sounds corny, but it's tons of fun.

Infused with a great sense of Eurospy cool, the film has all the trappings of a 60's spy romp, including sexy femme fatales, diabolical evil masterminds, and armies of dangerous henchmen that fall by the hands of the unstoppable Paul. It's an extremely fun movie that never takes itself too serious, but is competently executed and filmed with a vivid style. I'm glad I hunted it down, cause it was entertaining as hell. Hopefully I'll be able to run across some more Asiaspy flicks during my cinematic journeys. Check it out if you're a fan of the Bond films or just love anything spy oriented in the 60's.


NOVEMBER 13TH - 19TH

3 Seconds Before Explosion is another Asiaspy outing that has that cool and stylistic quality to it. An agent is sent undercover to monitor a group of scrupulous characters who are warring against each other for the obtainment of a cache of jewels. Setting them against each other, the slick agent defies death at every turn, almost seeming too cool for his own good. In other genres this fact would be a hindrance, but we're talking Eurospy flavor here so bring it on. Spying his way to the top of the gang, the super spy comes face to face with a fellow agent who is mixed up in this dangerous game for his own personal reasons. The clash of skill and wits is tremendously done, giving the film a little more to stand on other then its respectable visual style and 60's spy setting.

It seems that this film is another one of those Japanese lost gems, where only a handful of people are out there promoting it and giving their insight on the movie, but this is one of those flicks you really should hunt for. It has an extremely beautiful style to it, almost lavish in a sense, and respectfully succinct in providing an entertaining thrill ride of action and intrigue. 3 Seconds Before Explosion is another wonderful step for myself, into the wild world of Asiaspy flicks. Here's hoping for more gems like this.

Battle in Outer Space is my third Toho science fiction film of the past two weeks and it's another wonderful entry for the genre. This surprisingly epic movie, depicts what would happen if an alien race attacked Earth. After a space station's destruction and a mass number of strange phenomenon occur on the planet Earth, the powers that be come to realize that we have come into contact with an alien race that, unlike E.T., doesn't want to be our friends. The nations of Earth band together to combatant the extraterrestrial menace, enlisting an elite group of multinational astronauts to take the fight to the alien bastards. After reconstructing a pair of technologically advances rockets, two teams embark on a mission to destroy the alien's base on the far side of the moon. Will this hopeful victory end the advancing legion of munchkin sized invaders or will this only insight a more destructive battle upon the Earth's surface? Today is our Independence Day!

I was kind of shocked by how epic this film really is. There's a lot going for it in its rather modest run time and you definitely get more bang for your buck compared to the other films of the era. I especially enjoyed the way that they made the threat of the alien invasion so wide spread and ominous, forcing everyone on planet Earth to unify as one in order to collectively combatant this shared enemy. It was kind of inspiring and hopeful that if such a thing did happen in real life that us Earthlings would stop fighting amongst ourselves for one second and come together for the common good in its most dire of moments. In general the film is just grade A class all the way and an instant classic of the genre. I had a fun time with this one and I think you will too.

THX 1138 is George Lucas' most respectable film, in the dramatic and thought provoking sense, giving us a story of rebellion in the 25th century. This science fiction dystopian tale tells of an oppressed society, grinding on order and standards, and void of compassion and human feeling. Drained to the core, a man and woman attempt to rebel against the system, only to find that it is easier said then done. The main thematic impulse of the film is the pursuit of freedom. Freedom in every sense of the word, and the insurmountable odds one has to push through in order to obtain it. With its strikingly established world, filled with the visual burdens that come with living in an imprisoned state of loveless existence, THX 1138 is a tremendous statement on what it means to be human and it's a great example on how far we can go if pushed to the limit, in both life and filmmaking.

Lucas depicts an extremely humanistic story, built on the emotional and inherent needs found in all of us, making it all the more puzzling that his breakout film is Star Wars and not this more thought provoking piece of cinematic art. Now don't get me wrong, I love me some Star Wars, but the level of filmmaking on display in THX 1138 is on a whole other level then what he would eventually be known for around the world. Still, it is a hard film to wrap your head around and a lot of the content found within the story could be unsettling for some viewers. It still is a masterful piece of filmmaking that establishes itself quickly and gives an extreme amount of ideas for the audience to mull over long after the credits have finished rolling and we wander back into our own intimately entrapped lives. Way to go Lucas. I just wish you would have focused more on this kind of caliber work, then in revisiting your equally wonderful series of Star Wars films. What's a science fiction fan to do?

FLICKS OF THE WEEK: October 23-29, October 30 - November 5

OCTOBER 23RD - OCTOBER 29TH

Attack the Block pits inner city kids against interstellar creatures, with fantastic results. Directed by first time feature filmmaker Joe Cornish, the movie moves at a steady pace and gives us an entertaining group of remarkably memorable characters. The film follows the exploits of a gang of South London youths that reside in a highrise apartment complex as they drink, rob, rhyme, and pillage, while representing their Block. One night a meteor falls from the sky and the gang decides to investigate, only to unsuspectingly come into contact with an extraterrestrial. The confrontation heats up when the leader of the group, Moses, is scratched by the alien, forcing him to deliver a beat down to the tiny creature in order to save his rep with the rest of the group. This violent act, sets in motion an epic invasion of larger scaled creatures that lay havoc on the apartment complex, forcing the youths to protect their turf against the outer space invaders.

The film is a whole hell of a lot of fun, blending a plethora of elements from horror films, science fiction films, and kid adventure films from the 80's like The Goonies, The Monster Squad, and The Lost Boys. The direction for the film was spellbinding, crafting some pretty original moments and hair raising scenes. The mixture of comedy and horror was wonderful, and it was given a sense of reality by the young cast of actors. Nick Frost even gives a fun little running cameo throughout the film, that showcases his unique comedic style. The film was just great fun overall and I'm glad that I hesitated on reading up on the film before I watched it. It was a great surprise and deserves the hype that it has been getting.

Captain America: The First Avenger, is a great throwback to those wonderful period adventures like The Rocketeer and Indiana Jones, that were steeped in that kind of pulp action adventure serial vibe that's so damn fun to visit on the screen. Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers, a scrawny kid from the Bronx who has been rejected multiple times from enlisting in the fight against Hitler's Nazi Germany. After catching the eye of Dr. Abraham Erskine, Rogers is picked to try out a new super serum that could have the ability to change him from a weakling weighing 98 pounds into a bad ass super hero. Of course, the experiment is a success and Captain America is born, but after a few unfortunate events, Cap. is sidelined and forced to be more of an entertainer then an action hero. This humble life, serves as a great introduction to Rogers new-found abilities and gives a great inside look on his personality and character before the action revs up and Captain America gets to bashing in Nazi skulls or the equivalent to it.

Chris Evans does a remarkable job as the titular hero, both as Steve Rogers and as Captain America himself. He really gives a great deal of depth to the character and balances both versions of the man with great equality. Director Joe Johnston gives us a film that hits all the right notes by establishing a movie that is as fun as it is intriguing. The time period and various locations are exquisitely realized and the main villain, the Red Skull, played by Hugo Weaving, is as mesmerizing as he is pure evil. The film is just a down and out thrill ride, filled with some amazingly action filled moments and some somber and heartfelt connections between the characters. Loved it!

Jerry Cotton: Death and Diamonds, is George Nader's sixth attempt at playing the sneaky and suave FBI agent Jerry Cotton. In this entry, Cotton must infiltrate a gang of robbers, posing as an expert alarm specialist in order to thwart the gang and take down its mysterious leader named Stone. Cotton comes to find that they plan on lifting a large haul of diamonds that happen to be on display at a private and secretive meeting, but he is on constant observation by his dubious employers for asking too many questions about the heist and its illusive and faceless leader. To make matters more complicated, Cotton has started to fall for a dame by the name of Lana who is mixed up herself with the crew of crooks. Can Cotton put a monkey wrench in the gangs plans, while at the same time save the girl? I assumed the answer was yes before I watched the film, and after the credits rolled I found that I was right. That Jerry Cotton is one bad mutha... shut your mouth! I'm just talking about Cotton.

This was my first introduction into the Jerry Cotton crime fighting world, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Often people have compared Cotton's films to the espionage-filled realms of the Eurospy films and I'd have to agree to a certain extent that they seem like distant cousins. While the Jerry Cotton films lack the globe trotting elements found in most Eurospy films, there is a certain quality to the movie that is undeniably Eurospy-esque. The girls, the guns, and the charismatic lead are all there and the amount of fun that I had watching the film was equal to the majority of Eurospy flicks that have entered my collection. Can't wait to delve into the two other entries that I was able to pick up with this one. Bring them on!

Tuvalu is a fantastic and inspiring coming of age film that sets itself in a world that can only be imagined within the fanciful confines of the screen. This sepia infused fairy tale comes from Germany, boasting some of the most imaginative locations and characters to ever grace the cinemas wacky and wild stage. The film follows the trials and tribulations of a strange man-child named Anton, who aids his blind father and languished mother in running their broken and battered bathhouse. The normally hidden and naive Anton, one day unexpectedly meets a beautiful young girl named Eva on a random visit to the bathhouses with her father. Anton is infatuated with her and strangely enough, she seems to feel the same way. That is until her father meets an untimely death by a blow to the head from falling debris, thanks to the decrepit bathhouse's decaying roof and the help of a sinister assailant. With the affections of Eva now turning to hatred, Anton must also contend with the bathhouse being placed under investigation, spurred by a greedy landowner and his desires to bulldoze the building for more lucrative real estate. Can Anton save the bathhouse and win back Eva's heart? The answer to that question is yes, but it happens in such a way that you'd never expect, projecting this movie into such weird realms that most imaginative minds could never fathom.

This movie is a treat. It's a lost gem that begs to be discovered. The cinematic world that director Veit Helmer has created in this film is just ritualistically odd and refreshingly original. The heart and soul of the movie is its characters, especially that of Anton and Eva played by Denis Lavant and Chulpan Khamatova. The two have a spark about them that really ignites the world to life, particularly Chulpan. I've come across a number of her films on my cinematic journeys and every single one of them has been a masterpiece of cinematic wonders. Much like her roles in Luna Papa, Strana glukhikh, and The Sword Bearer, she exudes a presence that is unlike any actress that I've come across. She's vulnerable, quiet, and quaint, but fierce and wholly capable of carrying a film and Tuvalu is no exception. She takes on the role of Eva with force and makes her lovable and hypnotizing. The film in general is hypnotizing, never placating the raw and artistic nature of the cinematic realm that is has created. It's a feast for the eyes and really should be seen.

OCTOBER 30TH - NOVEMBER 5TH

Baron Prasil is another film that is a feast for the eyes. This Czechoslovakian film is a vivid masterpiece, showcasing Baron Munchausen's color tinted adventures across time and space. After meeting a spaceman on the moon, Baron takes it upon himself to show this "Moonman" how life on earth works. They descend onto the world vie the Baron's flying ship, powered by birds of all things, and start out on one of the most absurd adventures in history. Baron Munchausen is a fanciful man, prone to boasting and bragging about his eccentric journeys and miraculous encounters, and we get to see some of these misadventures first hand. From battling an army of Turkish soldiers single handedly, to being swallowed by a giant whale whole, to riding a cannon ball across the countryside, the Baron takes the world on and he does it in style. The film is a fantastically outlandish trip into a world that might only exist inside the self centered and possibly insane Baron Munchausen's head, but it is one that is as amazingly fun to visit as you would think.

The production value on this strange film is actually quite brilliant, blending oddball animations, with flat two dimensional backdrops and silhouetted actors, there really isn't anything like this movie. Its unusual style lends a great deal to the film's originality and placement within the cinemas many varying entries. It's a bewitching experience to say the least, and you'll not soon forget your marvelous trip through the wacky adventurous life of Baron Munchausen. I don't think I can fully describe the outrageous nature of this film, so I'm just going to leave it at that. You must see this film for yourself, because it is rather special.

Black Heaven is a surreal trip into the unknown, that balances the effects of the real world with that of the digital realm of an online game called Black Hole. Seemingly named after the consuming nature of its obsessed players and their addictive tendencies, the film follows an unsuspecting young man by the name of Gaspard, who with the help of a sexy stranger named Audrey, begins to get wrapped up in a fantasy world that quickly begins to threaten to claim is life. After saving the life of a suicidal woman (Audrey), Gaspard becomes desperate in finding out anything he can about her, which leads him to the online universe of the Black Hole. In this internet world, people are not always what they appear to be and dangers sometimes make their way into the real world. His infatuation with Audrey compels him onward, ignoring the risks and warnings of his closest friends, making him change from an innocent and kind-hearted youth into something else entirely. Does a sinister plot lie at the end of Gaspard's sorted tale? You bet your sweet tattooed ass!

This tense virtual thriller is not an action packed epic, but it delivers a story that is down-right compelling and extremely mysterious. The allure of the virtual world is as intriguing to the main character of Gaspard as it is to the viewer, pulling us both into this digital realm by the reigns of this alluring woman who seems surrounded by death. The mystery of who she is and what she is all about, tugs at the viewer allowing us to partake in Gaspard's quest. I loved the parallels that the film sets up, comparing the unknown intentions of the internet avatars to the intentions of the cast of the real world. The dangers and consequences hit the viewer hard and in the closing moments of the film, we see the extent of the damage it has taken on Gaspard's life. The film is a little unknown at the present, but hopefully more people will come to find this honorable and twisted gem. I dug it and I think you might too.

Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla is another outstanding entry in the prestigious Kaiju series. In this film's history, Godzilla has only attacked Tokyo once, leaving the death of Godzilla from the first movie to be the last appearance from the giant behemoth. Unlucky for Japan, a new Godzilla is on the scene and he's tearing the place up. After this new Godzilla's rampage, the government decides to construct a weapon that can destroy Godzilla for good and keep the people of Japan safe. They devise a plan to construct a metallic replica of Godzilla, one that infuses his DNA that has been extracted from his newly found skeletal body at the bottom of the ocean. With MechaGodzilla fully operational, the match is set for a colossal showdown that is sure to rock Tokyo to its core. Let's get it on!

This film, like all Godzilla Toho Productions, is enjoyable to say the least. The story is a bit sentimental, with the human characters having to overcome their tragic pasts in order to realize their worth, but it's sprinkled enough over the entire breadth of the film that it doesn't take away from the main event of Goliath against Goliath, and what a show that is. The two combatants go at it with harsh aggression and there is a great deal of destruction to be seen in these climactic battles. The miniature work is good and it's blended with some nice digital effects that don't seem as cheesy as one would expect. If you're looking for a fun time and you're in the mood for some good old fashion monster destruction, then look no further then Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla. You're in for one hell of a time.

Primal is an Australian genre film that has a great concept, yet doesn't really fully realize its own potential. The movie is a blend of Cabin Fever with a hint of Lamberto Bava's Demons, but doesn't fair as good as the originators of the concept. The film follows a group of friends as they go on a camping expedition to investigate a cave painting in the remote jungles of Australia. It appears that this region of the outback is a cursed place, transforming its inhabitants into bloodthirsty demon-like creatures. Before you know it, one of campers becomes violently sick, spitting blood and teeth and wallowing in pain like a rabid animal. This feral reaction soon turns to ravenous anger as the transformed camper begins to attack the rest of the group, slowly transforming them into devilish creatures themselves. The night runs with blood, while the surviving few struggle to stay alive and find a way out of this harsh territory and dangerous company.

The concept is exciting, but the eventual demise of some of the campers leaves much to be desired. First off, the actions of some of these characters are downright stupid. I know that this is a staple of the genre, but if someone is still holding a flame for his significant other, even when that person is attacking them with razor sharp teeth and blood all over their body, then you have to say wake the fuck up man! With that said, the film does have some good elements to it like the creepiness of the location and the special effects. With a better fleshed out story and a cast of sensible characters, the film could be something of a genre favorite. Still, it isn't really all that bad, just could have been so much better.

The Spy Who Loved Flowers is an Umberto Lenzi directed Eurospy that is as fun as its title is ridiculous. The film follows secret agent Martin Stevens, played by Roger Browne, as he cleans up some loose ends from his previous mission. Stevens is ordered to hunt down three important persons that were linked to his past assignment, assassinating them at any cost. What turns out to be a routine cleanup mission, turns into a thrilling game, filled with twists and turns, revealing some surprising revelations for super spy Martin Stevens. As previously stated, the film is so much fun. Roger Browne nails the role of the charismatic mans man, as he woos the ladies and takes out the bad guys, sometimes mixing it up a bit and taking down some double crossing women.

The film takes place in a number of locations, from Paris to Geneva and then finally to the iconic scenery of Athens, Greece. There's some great moments with Stevens, amongst the monolithic ruins of Greece, and Lenzi utilizes these exotic locations to their fullest. The one great thing about Eurospy films, is that they are a living and breathing slideshow of wonderful places during a time that was stylistically unique and ultimately thrilling to view in retrospect. The Spy Who Loved Flowers supports this concept with its beautiful locations, cast, and exciting story. This film may not be one of the best examples of the Eurospy genre, but it definitely holds a memorable place in the interesting catalog of films.

FLICKS OF THE WEEK: October 9-15, October 16-22

OCTOBER 9TH - 15TH

Let's get things started off with the strange film Hisss. This cinematic enigma, partially directed by Jennifer Lynch (Lots of controversy surrounding this production), is a horror-detective hybrid created in the Bollywood style of film making, sans the singing and dancing. The film tells of an Indian legend where a Snake woman, protective of her mate, hunts down anyone who holds him captive. The legend comes to life when a greedy and cancer diagnosed American (Damned evil Americans..haha), comes up with a hair brained scheme to capture the male companion of the Snakewoman and hold it ransom for some sort of shot at everlasting life. Supposedly doing this will help him fight the cancer that is slowly eating away at him, but it really wasn't clear on how this would accomplish that unexplainable miracle. Anyways, I kind of just took the film's word for it and allowed myself to let go and enjoy the flick. The movie does feel a bit scattered in places, but overall I came away liking it.

What I liked the most about the film was the interesting detective story that focused on the sole police officer assigned to the string of murders caused by the Snake woman's vengeful search for her mate. Series of strange cases begin to crop up in his district, leaving piles of murder victims who are riddled with multiple venom filled stab wounds. The officer, played by Irrfan Khan, also has a very emotional personal story that the film delves into, making some interesting parallels with the unsolved cases and his relationship with his wife and family. The effects for the film were also scattered, showcasing some amazing transformation sequences of the Snake woman changing into human form and then some abysmal displays of a giant CGI snake that belongs on the SyFy channel. All in all, the film turned out to be not that bad, considering all of the problems that it had during production. Check it out if you're curious.

 King Kong Escapes is an unsurprisingly wacky film featuring everyone's favorite giant ape, King Kong. The Toho Company and Rankin/Bass Productions take a stab at telling an original Kong story, taking the primate far from his Skull island origins and New York City skyline iconic imagery and instead place him smack dab in the middle of a mad scientists diabolical plot to take over the world. In the film, an evil ruler named Dr. Who plans to mine for a rare mineral called Element X at the North Pole. The only thing stopping him from obtaining this mineral and ruling the world is that these precious gems are highly radioactive, making it damn near impossible for anyone to mine for it. That is unless you have a powerful robot in the spitting image of the legendary King Kong.

Well, turns out that still isn't enough, because Dr. Who finds that not even his MechaKong can withstand the radiation emanating from Element X. Wouldn't you know it, Dr. Who's Plan B is to ape-nap the real thing, bringing Kong all the way to the North Pole to mine out the radioactive material. Luckily, Kong's new friends, three American submariners, won't stand for it and do everything in their power to free Kong from the clutches of Dr. Who. This movie is as fun as it sounds, melding the secret agent formula with an evil mastermind, femme fatale, and all, with the larger then life qualities of King Kong himself. King Kong Escapes is a great film for those who need an escape from the norm.

 King Kong vs. Godzilla, is another great Kong movie that pits the grandiose ape against the mighty Godzilla. A pharmaceutical company discovers a unique berry that grows to tremendous sizes on the uncharted island of Farou. Hoping that the research from this berry will help fast track a super product for their company, they set sail to the island to extract samples and study the produce more thoroughly. Surprisingly, they get a bit more then they bargain for, because King Kong happens to inhabit this island too. Betting that the publicity for bringing back something as big as Kong would skyrocket their product into the stratosphere, they decide to capture Kong and display him for all of Japan to see. Of course things don't go as planned and Kong escapes, leaving a path of destruction in his wake. Meanwhile, Godzilla is discovered frozen inside a glacier, but because of a submarine accident, is unleashed upon the world once again.

This sets up the innevitable confrontation between the two and man is it a slobber knocker. They might just be two guys in a rubber suit duking it out, but man do they go at it. As usual, the miniature work for the two creatures' destruction is excellently done, feeling both campy and unusually realistic. I was hoping for an epic stand off between the two and that's exactly what I got. The film is just plain enjoyable all around, like most kaiju movies are, and you really can't go wrong when these two larger then life creatures get together. Bring it on!

Nightmare Castle is a simple yet effective Gothic horror film starring the eternally beautiful Barbara Steele. The movie takes place within a stately mansion, where the recent death's of an adulterous couple seemingly haunt the residents, slowly driving them mad. Barbara Steele plays two roles in this film. The first being the murdered Muriel Arrowsmith, who was caught with her lover by her calculatingly cruel husband Dr. Stephen Arrowsmith, forcing him to torture them both and subsequently killing them. The second role that Barbara portrays is the mentally distraught sister of Muriel, Jenny Arrowsmith. She returns to her sister's home after spending a great deal of time in a mental hospital, and marries her sister's husband, the same one that violently murdered the two lovers. Looks like this marriage was dead on arrival, because not soon after poor Jenny moves into the castle grounds does Stephen fall back into his manipulative ways. Wanting to have the full deed to the estate, Stephen plots along with the beautiful housemaid Solange, to slowly drive Jenny insane, forcing her to be committed back into the insane asylum.

The plot takes a few twists and turns, while a plethora of ghostly occurrences happen, throwing the audience off the scent a bit and having us question if Stephen is in as much control as he thinks he is in this plot. As usual Barbara Steele does an amazing job with the material and also against the Gothic backdrop of the castle. There's also a nice inclusion of fellow scream queen and genre favorite Helga Line to spice things up. The film has a perfect, haunting simplicity to it and it makes for a perfect October viewing.

Twins of Evil is a sultry little tale about a pair of twins who get mixed up in the bloody dealings of witches and their witch-hunters. Produced by Hammer Films, the movie follows recently orphaned sisters, Frieda and Maria, as they come to find themselves under the watchful eye of their guardian uncle Gustav Weil, a cruel witch-finder who has burned countless women at the stake. Some guilty, but most innocent. The clash between the twin sisters and their uncle become quite apparent when Count Karnstein, occult enthusiast and frequent Jimmy Fallon impersonator, steps onto the scene. Placed high up on the mountain side, Karnstein Castle is a constant reminder of the world outside their metaphorical prison under the watchful and judgmental eyes of their uncle. Frieda finds herself drawn to that other world and sees Count Karnstein as an escape from this oppressive new life she has found herself in. She sneaks out to the castle and finds that the things that her uncle have been hunting his whole life are actually real, thus setting up the rest of the movie for an epic confrontation between good and evil, led by the stern god-fearing witch-hunter.

This film has that Hammer goodness oozing from every inch of the frame. The Gothic setting is both haunting and beautiful, while the duality of the witch-hunter and his methods are both cruel yet intriguing. Of course it wouldn't be a Hammer film, well a seventies Hammer film, without the inclusion of some ridiculous cleavage and I do mean ridiculous. Both Frieda and Maria have no qualms about giving the girls some breathing room, even at the dismay and possible prosecution of their uncle Gustav, played by veteran Hammer actor and all around kick ass guy, Peter Cushing. The film's got all the staples of why we love Hammer Productions so much, so check it out if you have the chance. You won't be disappointed.

X-Men: First Class is probably the most enjoyable entry in the X-Men franchise, at least in my opinion. The film brings us back to the beginning and shows us how all of these crazy mutants got together, often through some tremendous hardships and excruciating growing pains. The two main forces that molded the modern era of super humans, Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr, are the main show-runners here, giving the film that much needed levity and substance. Charles, played by James McAvoy, lives a mostly coddled life, never feeling the oppressive nature of mankind which enables him to see the better side of the human race. Eric on the other hand, played by Michael Fassbender, has been used, abandoned, and stripped of humanity, all for the simple reason that he was different. Both of their views on the human race couldn't be any more different, but the fact that they become friends and attempt to fight side by side is an absolutely compelling thing to see play out and the filmmakers use this notion with great skill. Magneto's early life as a James Bond-like Nazi hunter is just amazing to witness, while Professor X's equally Bondish wit is wildly unexpected but wholly perfect.

What makes these elements so worthwhile is that they allow us to see what made these two iconic characters what they are today. The struggles that Professor X and Magneto overcame in their early years are perfect throwbacks to what occurs in the modern films and the way each character approaches and reacts to these moral dilemmas showcases the exact reason I was drawn to the first movie in the series. In First Class, they keep the idea of segregation, extermination, and the societal fears that come about during great change and they amped it up to ridiculous levels. This inherently makes the film feel more grounded in reality and absolutely plausible. The same effect was established in the first film, where we see a young Magneto being ripped from his parents arms at the concentration camp. The concept of rooting these fantasy heroes in historical fact, made me sit up and take notice. With First Class, they take this concept and run with it and what we end up with is an extremely entertaining film that blends our human history with their mutant history, creating a hybrid that surprisingly makes sense. The struggles that are presented on screen have happened throughout human history, making it that much more prevalent and real. There are tons more I could say about this film, but in the end you have to see it for yourself. If you're not into super hero movies or comic book adaptions, give this one a chance.

OCTOBER 16TH - 22ND

Ikarie XB 1 is an incredible Czechoslovakian science fiction film that's subtle in its execution while having some substantially heavy concepts to hit us over the head with. The year is 2163 and the crew of the Ikarie XB 1 have just set off on their expedition to the Green Planet, a place that they hope they will find life or at least a place to start life. The first opening moment of the film is a premonition on what's to follow, displaying a disillusioned and hysteric man as he roams aimlessly aboard a seemingly empty spaceship. The dire sequence gives the audience a foreboding feeling that this expedition isn't in for a pleasant ride, but fortunately the journey isn't as bumpy as first to be believed. Strangely enough, most of the voyage is pleasant, giving us a great deal of information on how society is during this time period for the space explorers. There seems to be a good amount of civility among the crew and if there is a problem they seek counsel with mediators right away, even over something as silly as a group of men feeling made fun of by a women who chooses to dance with more then one man at a party.

The lifestyle that is on display seems distant and disconnected from our own, but there is a purpose for this of course. It isn't the fact that this is a Czechoslovakian film, because that doesn't hurt, but it's because the filmmakers are trying to subtly ease our minds into realizing that this society is something outside our own conceited imaginings. This idea of being detached from an earthly state of mind is then hammered home in the closing moments of the film and I personally loved it. Many films and stories have run with this same concept, but none of them have executed it as beautifully or skillfully as director Jindrich Polak. If you're looking for a smart science fiction film, then look no further. Hunt this lost gem down, because it really is worth a look.

Technotise: Edit & I is a Serbian animated science fiction movie that has a hell of a lot going for it. Set in Belgrade in the year 2074, the film follows a young girl by the name of Edit. After struggling to keep up in school, she opts to have an illegal memory chip inserted into her arm, enabling her to consume more information that would, in effect, allow her to pass her classes. The initial injection goes without a hitch, but inexplicably something begins to morph and change inside her. This metamorphosis begins to wreak havoc with her life, bringing about strange hallucinations, unexplainable abilities, and unwelcomed guests. The combination of all of these introductory and foreign elements begin to threaten her very existence, forcing Edit to make a choice that's easier said then done.

This energetic film is a blast from beginning to end, showcasing enough action, drama, and wit to forgo its sometimes simplistic art style. Ambitious in almost every aspect of its production, the film brings to life an original story about man's mortality and machine's frighteningly possible future of becoming more then just metal and circuits. The main core of characters were charismatic enough and the banter between each other was enjoyable and often entertainingly perverse. The direction of the action was also very inspired, cranking up the tempo to match the overall tremendous arc of the intimate story and metaphorical allegory. If you're dying for some Akira style story elements mixed with some sleek computer generated and traditionally crafted animation, then Technotise: Edit & I is for you.

Yes, Madam! is a fun early Michelle Yeoh action flick that gives me yet another reason to claim that Michelle is one kick ass lady. Playing the role of the tougher then nails cop Inspector Ng, Yeoh must get to the bottom of a murder that has hit rather close to home. Her teacher was recently murdered in his hotel room by an unknown killer, and it's up to Yeoh to solve the case. Accompanied by a hard nosed foreign agent, played by Cynthia Rothrock, the two will stop at nothing until they get their man.

Now here's a movie that lets the ladies really kick some ass. Both Yeoh and Rothrock are brutal in this flick, demonstrating how both female artists have excelled in their individual studies, Yeoh being an impeccable actress and Rothrock having held the title of US Karate Champion for a solid 5 years. The film does its job in presenting the two as action stars, yet it's not so serious that it can't also focus on the more lighter side of life. Yes, Madame! has a great sense of humor, provided by the main focal point of the films twists and turns, the three thieving friends. These mischievous trouble makers bring a great deal of fun to the film, that would have ordinarily been sterile and cold. There's the usual slap stick style comedy, but the film also has a heart, relying on the relationships of the three friends and their often shaken loyalty to each other. Overall the movie is a special little Hong Kong produced film that really is just a whole lot of fun. There's also one hell of an ending.

The Dead is a film that I've been waiting ages to see. Much like the Ford Brothers long and strenuous journey in filming their epic zombie masterpiece, I've been trudging through horror forums and scouring zombie sites in order to get just a shred of news that the film would be available to the masses. Finally, the wait is over and I can say with all honesty and fervent enthusiasm that the film was worth the wait. The Dead is a zombie film, not like any you've seen before. This is not a movie for those of you out there that want a non-stop action roller coaster ride of a film that gives you nothing but over the top kills and non-sensicle characters. Neither is it a movie that revels in the macabre nature of the zombie, trying to dissect it or compare it to some social political world theme. This is a road trip movie in essence, following a man just trying to survive the zombie apocalypse in a terrain that would normally kill him, because of the harsh conditions already inherent in the area. In all aspects of the word, it's authentic.

The story takes place in Africa during a zombie up rising that has made the already unstable region a true hell on earth. American Air Force Engineer Lieutenant Brian Murphy survives a horrible plain crash during his attempt to flee the falling country, only to find that he has been washed ashore, broken, battered, and primed to be served for a zombie feast. With a few supplies and an ounce of strength, Murphy heads into the thick of the war torn terrain, hoping to somehow find a way back home to his wife and young daughter.

The film is just awe-inspiringly simple, never bloated with unnecessary exposition or bogged down by irrelevant love triangles, I'm looking at you The Walking Dead. Yeah I'm looking right at you big daddy. With The Dead, we get essentially a film that strikes just the right kind of tempo to complement the weary and draining experience that it would be like to try to survive a zombie apocalypse. There is such a strong sense of paranoia and unnerving stress throughout the film. You feel the weight of always looking over your shoulder and you sense the feeling of death in the air in every frame of the film. I'm just going to leave it at that, because you either get the film or you don't. Thankfully I got it and thankfully the Ford Brothers made a film that didn't pander to a demographic or aim for the almighty buck in place of a vivid tale of truthful despair. Check it out zombie fans!

FLICKS OF THE WEEK: September 25 - October 1, October 2 - 8

SEPTEMBER 25TH - OCTOBER 1ST

The Heroic Trio is an excellent fantasy action film that showcases three talented Asian actresses: Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, and Maggie Cheung. These three separate women inhabit a world where demonic forces constantly interact with the world of the living, often bringing about terrible crimes, and in the case of this film, heartless kidnappings. What's most interesting about this film, is that the three main characters are all on opposite sides of an ongoing war between malevolent spirits in the underworld and the law enforcement agents of the world above. Anita Mui's character is a vigilante hero of sorts who lives her ordinary life as a simple detective's wife, while Michelle Yeoh plays the right hand agent to the Lord of the underworld, leaving Maggie Cheung's character to straddle both sides in the role of the mercenary.

All three women cross paths in various portions of the film, often setting off extravagant fight scenes while opening up the overall depth of the storyline and intertwining their own personal stories. I really enjoyed the coming together of their little group and the inevitable bond that they eventually share between each other. The film is all kinds of fun, taking that Charlie's Angel's style plot and giving it some energy and dare I say, kick. Now I've got to hunt down the sequel.

Spiritual Kung Fu is a wonderful and obscure little film from Jackie Chan's early career, when he was still making movies under the Lo Wei Motion Picture Company banner. The film follows a trouble making young man named Yi-Lang, played by Chan, who seems to be the class clown of sorts at a Shaolin Temple. The movie starts out rather carefree, mostly focusing on Yi-Lang's antics and comedic moments, but then quickly starts to delve into more serious territory after a sacred book is stolen from the temple. The texts describe a deadly form of Kung Fu and the only way for the style to be countered is for goofy Yi-Lang to be taught by a handful of equally goofy ghosts. Yeah, you heard me right.... ghosts. And these aren't your normal kind of ghosts either, they're some kind of disturbing hybrid of nightmarish mime clowns. It you think my short description is scary, just wait until you see these creeps in motion. Dear god, I'm still having nightmares.

It's wacky and frightening as all hell, but for some reason Jackie seems to make it feel natural, fun, and believable. There's a great deal of comedy in the training segments between Yi-Lang and the ghosts, showcasing some of Jackie's expert comedic timing, while giving us a rough draft of what would come later in some of his most classic films. I really enjoyed this flick, like most of Jackie's extensive catalog of films, and I had one hell of a time with the over the top concept of having ghosts teach Mr. Chan how to kick ass. If you're a fan of the Chan, then you have to check this one out.

Supercop 2, the sequel to the amazing and classic first Supercop entry, is a wonderful action packed Hong Kong film starring the spectacular Michelle Yeoh. In this entry, Yeoh takes center stage returning as the hard as nails cop, Jessica Yang. The film opens up as a more personal portrayal of Yeoh's character from the first film, still exhibiting Michelle's expertly crafted martial arts skills yet at the same time allowing for us to see her shown in a more emotional light. We come to find that she has a tragic love story behind those fierce kicks and tenacious flare, and the added layer of her character's background adds a great deal of breadth to the film. The main story arc of the film follows Yeoh to Hong Kong, where she is assigned a mission to hunt down a group of high-tech bank robbers before they make their next big score. The real twist of this seemingly simple plot, is that Yeoh's estranged boyfriend is the leader of this gang. There are some interesting moments during the film, where Yeoh's character must struggle between the reignited feelings for her long lost love with the painstakingly real duties of being a police officer.

The entanglement between these conflicting emotions are expertly crafted by series director Stanley Tong and Yeoh handles it with all the grace that such an accomplished actress can. Not every moment in the film is as dramatic as I've described. There's one scene in particular that just seems right out of left field in its absurdity and random nature, and that would be Jackie Chan's small cameo. All you need to know is that Jackie is in drag and there's a lot of boob grabbing. I really loved the film, even with its random moments of silliness. The decision to go a more serious route with the sequel was pure genius on the filmmaker's part, allowing Yeoh to really thrive in her character and take the film on in her own way. Excellent flick.

OCTOBER 2ND - 8TH

The Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth is a fabulously silly adventure film that is encumbered by its low budget, yet doesn't let that fact hold it back from being quite entertaining. The film follows a small group of assorted people as they travel into a mouth of a volcano, that just so happens to be the entrance to a whole new world that lies in the center of the earth. The movie has a great deal of outlandish locations and creatures, the most memorable being the larger then life field of tortoises, giant sea creatures, and a gigantic ape who could have been the distant cousin to the legendary King Kong.

The main core of actors do a commendable job with the material and each of them get equal screen time and their own reasons for being on this fabulous journey. The film also moves rather quickly, never settling in one location for more then a few minutes before having the entire cast flee from some monstrous being or horrible turn of events. It's a strange thing, yet once the team of adventurers arrive in the center of the earth, they don't really have any endgame for what to do. They literally just roam around aimlessly, with no particular goal in sight. I guess you don't really need a complicated plot with these kind of films, just the introduction to a world bathed in fantasy and a continuous series of set pieces that keep the viewer entertained and curious on what happens next. In the end, the film is just downright goofy fun. It never takes itself too serious and it's always willing to push on to the next otherworldly locale. I had a great time watching this group of curious adventurers go from one outlandish situation to the next. Definitely check it out if you're a fan of films like The Land That Time Forgot, The People That Time Forgot, The Lost World, and The Lost Continent.

Shaolin Wooden Men is another early Jackie Chan film that happens to feature one of his first starring roles. Chan plays a mute character who, after witnessing the murder of his father as a child, vows to become a Shaolin monk and learn martial arts to avenge his father's death by the hands of a nameless skilled assassin. After falling to the bottom of the class, Chan meets an imprisoned man on the Shaolin temple grounds, whose origins are a bit of a mystery. The man agrees to teach Chan a devastating and lost style, previously banned by the Shaolin monks, if he continues to bring food and drink to him everyday. Chan agrees and starts his training. There are a few twists and turns along the way, because unbeknownst to Chan, the imprisoned man has a long history of manipulation and murder that directly effects Chan's life, giving way to some very tense moments of realization on Chan's part.

Another aspect of the film that is very memorable is the inclusion of the Shaolin Wooden Men, which amounts to the Shaolin temple's rating system on whether you've reached true Shaolin Monk status. A person that wants to test their worth must pass through a number of corridors filled with rows upon rows of wooden dummies, all being manipulated and moved by an intricate pulley system. Only the most skilled will make it through to the end. You'll either love the concept or be put off by the test of skill, because the wooden men are rather wooden, only being able to move in certain ways. In my opinion, the mechanism of the wooden men is just brilliant, making for an impressive sequence of events that really up the creative aspect of the picture. Jackie performs masterfully in this scene, really selling the fact that this trial of strength and skill is something of a nightmare for young Shaolin pupils.

Overall the entire film is excellent, begging the question, why is this film not talked about more often? It has all the elements of Jackie Chan's earlier work and the staples and archetypes of what would be heralded in some of his most renowned films. Shaolin Wooden Men is just excellent and if you can get your hands on the Hong Kong Legends DVD edition, then do it. The film is a true classic and highly recommended for any fans of Jackie's work.

FLICKS OF THE WEEK: September 11-17, September 18-24

SEPTEMBER 11TH-17TH

Executioner is the second Sonny Chiba film that I've seen and from those two entries I can safely say that I'm really looking forward to diving into the rest of his filmography. The film plays out like a man on a mission flick, where a disgraced cop hires a rag tag group of street toughs, all with their own unique skills and personalities, in order to take down the Tokyo drug ring that ended his police career. The film has an interesting mixture of dark comedy and violent action, provided by the cast of hired hands assigned to take out the drug kingpin and his underlings. Sonny Chiba plays the rogue character of Ryuichi Koga, who like many of his other counterparts, signs up just for the money.

The character of Koga is a great anti-hero figure and Chiba gives him enough charisma and violent skill to make him a memorable character among this rather diverse cast of misfits. The end raid on the drug dealer's headquarters is magnificent in the chaotic way things escalate and progressively get worse and more challenging for the underdog main characters. The film was a fun little escape of insanity and that was all I asked for. Viva Chiba!

Deathstalker 2 is just so damn ridiculous, that you have to allow yourself to sit back and enjoy the absurd show in order to make it from beginning to end. Having basically nothing to do with the first movie in the series, part two introduces us to a new and sassier Deathstalker played by John Terlesky. This time Deathstalker must team up with an undercover princess to help overthrow an evil sorcerer who has banished the princess and replaced her with a clone. Of course, Deathstalker is destined to vanquish the evil sorcerer, while at the same time reclaim the princess' rightful place on the throne and in his bed. Terlesky may have the athletic ability to play the character of Deathstalker, but his physical presence pales in comparison to Rick Hill's original imposing figure.

With that said, the film is actually pretty fun if you set aside any correlation with the first film and just take it for what it is. In fact there are some pretty interesting scenes and locations in this film, like the creepy green lit graveyard filled with shuffling decomposing zombie figures and the cheesy Amazon village centered around a wrestling ring that looks straight out of the old WWF slobber-knocker days. Even with its faults, Deathstalker 2 has a certain charm to it. Just don't get your hopes up.

The Warrior and the Sorceress is a rough re-imagining of the Japanese film Yojimbo, but done with a Roger Corman-like sensibility. The film stars David Carradine as the lone warrior Kain, a wanderer who stalks the barren landscapes of the planet Ura in search of fortune and the means to which he can obtain it. Arriving at a village where civil war has broken out between two factions over the control of the town's only water source, Kain decides to pit each group against each other in order to benefit from their dilemma. Carradine does a commendable job as the sword for hire, hardly speaking throughout the film and rather playing the role of Kain as an observer.

What is really interesting about this film is the insanely warped world that the filmmakers have created on this fictitious planet of Ura. We've got nudity abound provided mostly by the alluring Maria Socas, a tentacle monster that is anything but scary, a fat man with a telepathic pet lizard, a sword that can cut through anything but is never explained how it does such a feat, a throng of lizard faced slavers with a thirst for revenge, and a stripper with two pairs of breasts. Yeah it gets a little wacky. The Warrior and the Sorceress is a B movie that at least keeps you entertained and in wonder at what crazy things they'll throw at you next. Check it out for the curious.

Topping off my fantasy triple feature is the film Barbarian Queen, a far more subdued movie then the previous iterations of the sword and sorcerer genre. In this film we follow a rag tag group of amazon warriors lead by the fearsome Ametha, played by the equally fearsome Lana Clarkson, as she attempts to take revenge for the ransacking of her village. With the tagline of, "No man can touch her naked steel", you get the impression that you're about to witness some kind of adventure porno hybrid or something, but thankfully the film attempts to steer into more respectable territory.

The quality of the acting and locations aren't as inspiring as one would hope, but the rather catchy reoccurring score by James Horner of all people, does lift up the film from its less then stellar origins. In the end, I felt that Barbarian Queen was a decent enough flick, but rather forgettable in the long run. Still it wasn't a bad way to spend an evening.

SEPTEMBER 18TH-24TH

Magnificent Warriors is an outstanding action adventure flick that stars the amazing Michelle Yeoh in one of her most entertaining films to date. The film has been described as being the female version of Indiana Jones, with the inclusion of the main character's whip and the exotic locale, and I can see the similarities, but Dr. Jones has never kicked this much ass and in such a hyper kinetic style. Michele Yeoh plays Fok Ming Ming, an airplane pilot who is assigned a very important mission to extract a prince from a Japanese controlled Chinese village. The stunts and choreography are stupendous, showcasing Yeoh's amazing athleticism and martial arts skill.

The cast is also rather remarkable having Richard Ng, Tung-Shing Yee, and Chindy Lau all having rather susbtanstial parts that display their own individual talents. Richard Ng especially shines in his comedic role, playing the clumsy and accident prone Paulina Wong. The film was just remarkably entertaining, giving me the perfect fix of Hong Kong action that I require.

The Prodigal Son is something of a Hong Kong masterpiece. Directed by the legendary Sammo Hung and starring two of cinema's most iconic martial arts masters, Ching-Ying Lam and Biao Yuen, the film just exudes class and charm. The story is a rather simple one as it follows a young supposed martial arts expert by the name of Leung Chang, played by Yuen, as he comes to find that his perfect fight record has been staged by his overprotective father. Fearing for his sons safety, Leung Chang's father has paid off every combatant who has ever challenged his son, resulting in his legendary but false fighting prowess. Having one day been defeated by an opera performer, played by Ching-Ying, who refused to accept the father's bribe, Leung Chang does everything in his power to have his better as his master.

There are many comedic aspects to this film and seeing that it is a Sammo Hung production, that comes as no surprise. The fighting styles on display are of the highest quality and the personalities of the large array of characters are quite well played. Sammo even gets into the action, playing Ching-Ying's fat brother and constant adversary. The training sequences are also very memorable, making for a highly charged final fight between Yuen's Leung Chang and the opportunistic and egomaniac Ngai Fei, played by the always consistent Frankie Chan. The film is just a master work and if you're a fan of Hong Kong Cinema and martial arts in general, then you owe it to yourself to see this film. Great work Sammo and company.

OSS 117: Panic in Bangkok is an exceptional French Eurospy film that rounds out my viewings of the amazing Agent OSS 117 series of movies. If you're a fan of the earlier James Bond films, then you have to see these movies. In this entry, Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, AKA Agent OSS 117, must stop a diabolical scientists who has created a virus capable of decimating the world's population. Kerwin Mathews takes on the role of the unbeatable secret agent and he does a remarkable job in making it look as fun as all hell. Mathews brought his A game in this film, putting on the charm and charisma that catapulted him into another starring role in the sequel, OSS 117 se dechaine.

His portrayal, much like the other remarkable actors that have taken on the role, is cool and collective, always resulting in Hubert coming out on top no matter what forces are up against him. It really is just a blast watching this larger then life secret agent thwart the bad guys and win the day, not excluding the lush and lavish locales that 1964's Thailand provides. If you're looking for a film that has a fun factor of ten, then you really don't need to look any further then an OSS 117 film and Panic in Bangkok is right up there with the best of them.

FLICKS OF THE WEEK: August 28th - September 3rd, September 4th-10th

AUGUST 28TH - SEPTEMBER 3RD

I'm a huge fan of John Carpenter, so I was really hoping that his newest creation would knock my socks off or at least take me on a memorable horror ride. I have to say that I was impressed with the film and found myself getting rather creeped out and also frequently jumpy whenever that spooky ass ghost reared its ugly head. The film is centered around a disturbed young woman named Kristen, played by Amber Heard, who finds herself the newest guest at a wacky ward after setting fire to an old farmhouse. Once inside the asylum, she meets a group of fellow female patients that all have their unique quirks and personalities, yet share one singular fear. Something is haunting the halls of the ward and picking them off one by one. Carpenter does a remarkable job in building up the characters and providing a sense of dread, while the cast supports his overall vision of this late 60's insane asylum. The period look comes off authentic and adds a nice bit of atmosphere to this ghost story with a twist. Give me more Johnny boy, we've missed you.

Keeping with the theme of insane girls, Paperhouse follows the exploits of a young girl named Anna who has the peculiar ability to make her drawings a reality. Well a reality at least in her dreams. After succumbing to a strange illness that sends her into frequent fainting spells, Anna begins to have odd dreams that mimic the drawings that she has recently been working on. At first, this seems like a wonderful alternate reality where she can be herself and find peace away from her troubled life and fractured family situation, but unfortunately Anna's dream world begins to transform into something of a nightmare. The dream sequences in which Anna stumbles into are quite surreal, mostly consisting of a single farm house in the middle of a wide open and deserted field. There's a morbid and brooding sense to this world, making the viewer feel as if danger is only a moment away. I loved the child like and nightmarish quality of the film, reflecting many helpless nights as a child as I fought invisible demons and faceless monsters, all from the comfort of my cozy bed. Paperhouse definitely captures that fantasy aspect of being a kid and letting your imagination run wild. It's a special little film.

This cheap and often laughable post apocalyptic story, is actually kind of fun if you just let go and go along with it. The film depicts a world where mankind and civilization as a whole has receded back into the caveman era, leaving behind all of their technological advancements and knowledge to instead partake in the old hunter, gatherer lifestyle. This all resulted from a terrible virus that swept the world over, killing in unprecedented numbers in its wake. Only a small percentage of the population was able to survive. Some found themselves unaffected in this new world, while others were savagely turned into ravenous beasts by the virus. The film has a tremendously cheesy side to it, but what I liked most about the movie was the depiction of a modern metropolis cast into ruin and reclaimed by nature. The effects and look of the film were actually pretty impressive for such a low budget and obviously meager production. Strangely enough, Sean Bean even makes an appearance, providing that extra respectable element that makes you believe that the film isn't as impoverished as we initially have been led to believe. All in all, the film is just downright stupid fun. Nothing spectacular, but nothing at all unwatchable.

Part 2 of the subterranean horror franchise, is just as much bloody fun as the original. With the initial introduction and mystery of the cave dwelling creatures left in the first outing, the fun gets off on a quicker foot, bathing the screen in blood and gore provided by a few new faces and a couple of old ones. The film starts off right at the end of main character Sarah's supposed dream sequence from the first movie. She's rescued and then interrogated by the police on what really happened down in those caves. Having lost memory of her entire time below ground, the police form a search party, with Sarah included, and descend back down into the caves to recover the rest of Sarah's missing party. Even with the absence of director Neil Marshall, The Descent Part 2 is as claustrophobic inducing and violent as its predecessor. There really is no holding back on the gore and carnal nature of the main characters' fight for survival. I would say that the film is a great companion piece and a natural next step in the horror franchise, providing an unsuspecting ending that leaves the series open for another entry.

SEPTEMBER 4TH - 10TH

DEATHSTALKER! Well if it isn't Conan the Barbarian's poor cousin. This 80's fantasy film is just down and dirty fun. The movie follows the adventures of a muscle bound and sword swinging warrior named Deathstalker, as he fulfills a prophecy that depicts his victory against an evil sorcerer named Munkar. Boobs, blades, and blood proceed, as Deathstalker enters a tournament hosted by Munkar himself. The winner gets to inherent Munkar's thrown, the only catch is that this whole tournament has been nothing but one big elaborate trap, concocted to get all of the warriors of the land to kill each other, leaving Munkar to rule unchallenged. Of course Deathstalker screws up Munkar's evil scheme, proving that he really is that bad ass of a swordsmen, but what else would you expect from a film that is so overflowing with testosterone and BOOBS. I had a fun time with this film and I'm currently tackling the second entry in the series. Deathstalker is definitely a film that does things its own way and doesn't apologize to anyone. You go Deathstalker!

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's antics in both film and television have been a favorite of mine for years. From Big Train, to Spaced, to Shaun of the Dead, and to Hot Fuzz, I've enjoyed everything the duo has put out. When I first heard about Paul, I was initially excited, but then heard that they wouldn't be paring with their friend and frequent collaborator Edgar Wright and my expectations lowered slightly. The comedic duo of Pegg and Frost is fantastic, but add in a little bit of Wright flavor and you're bound to create something magical. With the absence of Edgar Wright aside, I still felt the film was highly entertaining, but not as funny as I first suspected and hoped for. The film actually comes off as more of an adventure with dashes of comedic elements laid throughout the story's narrative, but don't get me wrong, it was a fun ride. Also, the alien of Paul was brilliantly rendered and didn't annoy me like I feared it would seeing that he was being voiced by Seth Rogen. I've got nothing against the guy. Just never understood his appeal. All in all, Paul is a great and wild sc-fi adventure with a splash of comedy.

Sweet mother loving Christ, did I love Ironclad. I had heard nothing but horrible and scathing reviews since its first festival appearance and I just couldn't understand how a film with such a stellar cast and ballsy approach could be viewed with such disdain. Fortunately, I ignored the critics because this film kicks all sorts of ass. The movie as a whole is a siege film, pitting a small band of fighters against a Danish army led by the ruthless King John. The initial set up of the film was exceptional and put me right into the thick of what was going on during this time period. After the current events and political panderings, we're whisked off onto a highly charged adventure that barrels head long into the fray. There is a great deal of pace to this film, never stopping for a breath, as we charge bravely into battle beside a rag tag group of warriors who are as diverse as they are interesting. My favorite of the bunch was Marshal the Templar Knight, played by overall badass James Purefoy. This guy has some of the most consistent and hardened characters of any actor, yet gets zero recognition for his efforts. His portrayal of the morally conflicted Solomon Kane was simply outstanding and what he does with the character of Marshal in Ironclad is as equally engaging and as enthusiastically performed. This film is bloody, ballsy, and fuck all brutal. Ironclad is an excellent, yet sadly ignored masterpiece of sword swinging goodness.