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Reviews
Suspiria (1977)
The Greatest Horror Movie Ever Made
This is a pulsating beautiful nightmare. The colours bleed like blood pumping through the veins of child being told a cautionary fairy tale. The actors are like mirages in a dream. They dance like ghosts and the killers strike with ferocity. The shadows create labyrinths and space in the film and the imagination. The music expresses the intensity of nerves being jangled from a noose. Maybe this film could only have been made during the seventies. No film has ever been made like it. I prey that one will again. We'll see. This film encompasses like the threat of a recurring nightmare, then lays the experience out like an opiate, trying to catch the moment between dream and reality. Watch it alone, in the dark and with the sound pumped up.
Day of the Woman (1978)
One hell of an important film
This is truly a shocking film, dealing with a gang rape in explicit detail. It's constructed totally from the victim's point of view, and therefore is a powerful groundbreaking and influential film. Most films of this type, especially Hollywood versions, still dis empower the female character by having someone else, usually a male, take responsibility for the revenge; or actually make light of violence against women. This film unquestionably takes itself seriously. At first I had doubts about this, believing the retarded character of Matthew was intended as comic relief, but its actually just poor acting and the director's failed attempt to draw a meaningful performance from him. All the other actors do a good job, especially Camille Keaton's brave performance. This film shows such a clearly defined transformation from broken victim to vengeful murderer, in such simplistic terms, it takes on a strong allegorical and almost fairy tale quality. Almost 30 years old, it's influence can still be seen in films today, such as the more talkative "Hard Candy". I am amazed other critics and reviewers have claimed this film sympathises with the rapists, who are drawn so negatively they rightfully deserve the punishments given later in the film. You want these guys to die violently, and this interestingly raises the question: what is this film really about? Hats off to Meir Zarchi for making a bold, straight forward, uncompromising film. I just watched it on DVD, and in comparison to the VHS version I saw about 10 years ago, it is actually well photographed and not as cheap as it was previously and sleazily promoted. A very hard to watch, confronting, intense and grueling film.
Rocky III (1982)
Rocky 3 is to films as the Village People are to music
When I saw this as a wide eyed 10 year old child I remember rockin' out of the cinema pumped up and ready take on people out in the street as if I were 29. But watching Rocky 3 again now I'm amazed I missed its subtle subtext of homosexuality amongst American boxers. When Apollo Creed approaches Rocky in the romantically dimmed gym in the middle of the night and calls him "babe", I suddenly saw the film in a new light. Then when Rocky says "you got me curious" and they lovingly stare at each other quietly, I realized the writers were taking the boxing legend into a new ring. The scene of Rocky and Apollo jumping up and down in the ocean in slow motion together in high cut pants was also something I missed as a kid. Then the punchy hook, as Mr T arrives, a surefire symbol of Rocky's denied homosexuality. His playful banter with Rocky's wife, "I'll show you a real man". When Rocky finally summons the courage to face him after spilling his guts to his wife, Mr T says "I'm gonna touch you up" and Rocky says "Go for It!" I had no idea.
Cosy Cool (1977)
an Aussie classic for all the right and wrong reasons
"Negative waves, negative waves" How could someone dislike this movie? It's like disliking the next door neighbor's lovable scruffy old mutt. Rough around the edges but loyal and true blue mate. This is vintage 70s diy film-making. Even some of the mistakes are left in for a great laugh. So crack open a tinnie and let yourself be entertained by two mugs indulging in an Easy Rider ripoff that lets the flares fly in the wind. Great use of music too, especially the song "too much going on here" when Cosy and his pal are trying to crack onto two chicks definitely in their league. Awesome avant garde editing and acting thrown at you from all over the place. Give it a fair go cobbers.
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Don't waste your time, money or integrity
Stay away from this poorly directed and acted snuff film. If you like watching real animals being murdered for on screen entertainment then you should have your state of mind reviewed. This film crosses into snuff territory for the sake of failed attempts at hyper-realism, but unlike the French film Base Moi, and pornography, where you assume all participants are willing in scenes of extreme violence or sex, the director Deodato crosses the line and films the screams of an innocent jungle creature as an actor rips its guts open. Other animals are killed later but I couldn't be bothered watching such cruelty for the sake of what....? This "film" discredits the horror genre and is an actual cause for censorship, something that doesn't sit well with any lover of films and especially horror films. Do yourself a favor and don't part with any money towards Grindhouse Realeasing who are making money off this vile maggot infested mess.