Maniacal Movie Poster Monday #170!

Theme Week!

Here's three different posters for a cool germ warfare thriller...




The Satan Bug  (United Artists, 1965)

Which one do you like best?






Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Saturday Night at the Movies 6/28/14!

Who cares what picture we see?


Harvey Keitel? Not likely. In any case, this will be tonight's choice...

This is another of those movies from back in the day that I somehow just never saw. But it's from that golden post-Star Wars period when we were excited by each new big science fiction production to come down the pike - regardless of whether the movie was actually any good or not.



This movie was started by the late great John Barry - not the celebrated composer of 11 James Bond scores - but the celebrated production designer from Star Wars and Superman. After his passing, the project was handed over to Stanley Donen (!) - yes - that Stanley Donen - the director of Singing in the Rain. I don't know why either.


So, credible actors stuck in a three actor story being directed by a man who was far more known for directing movie musicals than science fiction? Yes, that will work just fine.


Because I like cinematic fiascos - this just joined the video vault on Blu-Ray - and you could be watching with me any time - even tonight - if you felt like coming on by...








Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Maniacal Movie Poster Monday #169!

Hard Ticket to Hawaii  (Malibu Bay Films 1987)

Not gonna lie - this poster has probably appeared on this blog no less than three times - but it's my second favorite Andy Sidaris movie - so there's no telling how many times I'll feature it before all is said and done.












Secrets of a Model  (1940)

Another sordid cautionary tale designed to titillate its audience while shaking its finger at its main character. I love movies like that!

















The Night Brings Charlie  (Quest Entertainment, 1990)

I had no idea this was made so recently - I always assumed it was late 70's or early 80's when I saw it sitting on the video shelf. That I never picked it up and rented it is something else altogether, but I'd check it out now given the chance.












Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Saturday Night at the Movies 6/21/14!

Who cares what picture we see?


Richard O'Brien certainly would - but we're not picking the obvious choice tonight - no, we're going with this one...

I have always liked this bright, flashy, and knowingly campy version of the classic serial hero - right from my first viewing in the theater when it was first released.


The leads look good, and the supporting cast is terrific - including Timothy Dalton seven years before he got his licence to kill - and they're surrounded by a big budget production utilizing designs inspired by the 1930's serials. Add in a fun score from Queen - and you've got an evening's entertainment.


I have a special edition DVD standing by to spin - and we could be cheering Flash on anytime - even tonight - if you're not too pathetic an Earthling to come on over...







Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Pathetic Earthling, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Maniacal Movie Poster Monday #168!

Hammerhead  (Columbia Pictures, 1968)

Yet another would be Bond movie from the late 60's. I haven't seen it - add it to the To See list!









Arena  (Empire Pictures, 1989)

This fun sci fi flick came out at the tail end of Empire Picture's run - and didn't make a huge impact due to their attention being diverted elsewhere. But it's the exact kind of movie Empire was good at - modestly budgeted genre pictures that had a comic book feel to them. I have this one on DVD now and I'm looking forward to revisiting it sometime soon.










Robo Vampire  (Filmark International Ltd, 1988)

I had no idea WTH this one was - and then was totally NOT surprised to find good ol' Godfrey Ho listed in the credits. I'm sure it's batcrap crazy and I'd love to see it - I apparently might have it in a cheapie DVD box set in the video vault - here's hoping!







Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Saturday Night at the Movies 6/14/14!

Who cares what picture we see?



Logan Ramsey might, if you played your cards right - in the meantime, here's tonight's choice...

This was one I had to see back in the day - because it was a genuine monster movie - with coverage in every horror movie mag and previews all over TV and radio - and right up there is the preview - which is sheer genius in my opinion. Don't care about the actors, don't care about the story, don't care who made it - this movie is chock full of special effects makeup transformation scenes - and they challenge you to be able to sit through it. Now THAT'S how you sell a monster movie! And they got my tush into a theater seat let me tell you!


But you know what - we do care about those other things too - and it's a corker cast - with those names on the poster plus guys like RG Armstrong, LQ Jones, and Logan Ramsey popping up; there's a fun story with its own mythology courtesy screenwriter Tom Holland (Fright Night, Child's Play); and it's directed by the always crazy Philippe Mora (The Howling III).


I haven't seen it in decades - but it just joined the video vault on a swell new Blu-Ray - and we could be challenging ourselves with that horrifying final thirty minutes - plus the hour that proceeds it - anytime! Even tonight, if you don't mind the cicadas out at night...







Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Buddha Man Presents: Sister Outlaw!

This laid back drive-in drama was the first feature written and directed by Joseph Ruben, several years before Dreamscape or The Stepfather. The movie starts with a gorgeous young woman (Anne Saxon) meandering along the street, turning on all the guys in her simple blue dress. She grins at the effect she’s having; plays basketball with a random youth briefly; then gets home, gives us a good look at what’s under that dress as she changes into a bikini, and dives into the pool. John Savage gets credited above the title as Robert, a standard issue aimless young man of the time who has just returned home after a year and a half wandering America to “find himself.” As soon as he arrives, we find out the young woman is Joanna, the titular sister-in-law to Robert. They both live in Robert’s parents’ house – along with Edward (W.G. MacMillan) – Robert’s brother and Joanna’s estranged husband. As Robert and Joanna work around to consummating their affair on the sly, Edward openly brings Deborah (Meredith Baer) into the situation. The boys have a quiet sibling rivalry going on - Robert somewhat naïve and jealous of Edward’s seeming success in life, and Edward wishing he could ditch the complications of his life for the simplicity of Robert’s. Eventually we discover that in addition to some former success as a screenwriter, Edward’s main source of income these days is as a courier for the NY mob. Trying to work his way out of his servitude, Edward draws Robert in to his shady life. This only serves to bring Robert closer to Deborah, and soon Edward realizes his younger brother has been playing around with both of his ladies. I don’t want to give away any more – suffice to say we are not headed toward a happy ending.

Anne Saxon and John Savage hanging out.

While I admit this is pretty slow and perhaps even dreary drive-in fare, I enjoyed this flick. It has the required elements to make it perfect for the drive-in screen: good amounts of nudity; a couple of fairly steamy softcore sex scenes; and a bit of violence. I thought Ruben’s writing and the acting from the four leads carried this one along despite some langorous plotting. In fact, that pace actually lends itself to the perceived drive-in situation – a movie you could follow yet not pay attention to while devoted to…er…other activities…in your car.

Anne Saxon and W.G. MacMillan

As to the four leads – Savage of course was a major star before the decade was out; MacMillan and Baer went on to work steadily in smaller roles in films and television – but Saxon – despite onscreen presence, beauty, acting talent, and a seeming willingness to disrobe at a moment’s notice, displaying a fantastic body – never acted again after this movie. That’s a pity, because she’s quite good in the role – even if she does fade back in the story despite the opening scenes and being the titular character.

Can't play basketball in those heels...

In the end - if you don't mind movies that take a little while to get where they're going - this gets a recommendation. If on the other hand you want bang zip zoom in every frame, this one is likely not going to be your cup of tea.

Because she's also awfully cute - Meridith Baer.

Thank you Buddha me lad! Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Maniacal Movie Poster Monday #167!

And awaaaaaayyyy we go!






Mirrors  (20th Century Fox, 2008)

I haven't seen this one, but in looking up the particulars on it - it seems to have some good reviews...maybe I'll check it out...








Hollywood Burlesque  (Continental Pictures, 1949)

 I haven't seen this one - but it's apparently a pretty tame two-camera capture of an old burlesque show - singing, comedy bits, and of course girls dancing - with a little nudity thrown in for extra spice.










The Ghastly Ones  (J.E.R. Pictures, 1968)

I quite like this video poster for director Andy Milligan's gore epic - much more than I will the movie when I finally see it, I'm sure.









Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Saturday Night at the Movies 6/7/14!

Who cares what picture we see?


John David Carson doesn't, unfortunately - but we're still going to pick this one...

Bert I. Gordon is one of my favorite genre filmmakers - he cranked out a pile of science fiction movies from the 50's through the 70's where something was not the right size. From miniature people to giant bugs - here was a filmmaker who lived up to his initials!


Empire of the Ants is pressed onto a swell MGM DVD in the video vault, and we could be marvelling at what managed to squeak in as special effects the same year Star Wars came out - anytime - even tonight, if you wanted to come over!



Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

Celebrity Endorsement: Dick Miller!

 

He's been acting for 60 years - working with directors ranging from Roger Corman and Joe Dante to James Cameron and Martin Scorsese. Every time he turns up in a movie it gets better. He is one of very favorite actors of all time...


...he's That Guy Dick Miller...

 

 

...and he likes my blog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Dick and Lainie Miller!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

 

Maniacal Movie Poster Monday #166!

Time is still at a premium - three posters, few words! Go!

Godzilla vs Megaguiras

Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!