Prime Cut (1972)

4 / 5 Jan '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Michael Ritchie
Written by: Robert Dillon
Actors include: Lee Marvin, Sissy Spacek, Gene Hackman
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Length: 88 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one heck of an unusual crime flick filled with great actors and meat. Meat you say? Why yes, see in this film some evil Mobsters who run the racket on meat and girls! If anyone gets in their way will end up as sausage and well that's what happened to the Chicago sect of the Mom. They send Lee Marvin down to Kansas to investigate what's going on in this small town and let's just say he's pretty appauled. He picks up Poppy (Sissy Spacek) from a sexual slavery ring (they are kept in the hay with the animals of course) and gives her see-through dresses to wear! Once Marvin discovers what's going on and realizes that he too could be turned into meat he and Poppy end up on the run! There are some exciting chase scenes (and a great scene involving a thresher and a car) and some fun shoot outs too to keep things moving. It's got a very surreal feeling to the whole thing and the style sets it apart from so many other movies, I've never seen anything quite like this one. Recommended for those looking for something just a little different, thanks to Infofreak for this recommendation.
 
Availability:  On DVD

Horror Express (1972)

4 / 5 Apr '10
Tagline: Can it be stopped?
Directed by: Eugenio Martin
Written by: Arnaud d'Usseau, Julian Zimet
Actors include: Christopher Lee, Telly Savalis, Peter Cushing
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although I enjoyed the story and the actors and everything I think the cheapness with which this was made hindered the film unfortunately. That being said it's probably Eugenio Martín's most accomplished film but I've enjoyed most I've seen from him. Anyhow this one borrows heavily from The Thing From Another World [The Thing] along with several others but I thought it was quite fun anyhow. A Professor (Christopher Lee) finds some bones that he thinks may be the missing link, so he transports them on the Siberian Express. While on the train he meets his acquaintance Dr. Wells (Peter Cushing) who is very interested in the Professor's specimen. On the way the monster thaws out and starts attacking the passengers and it even takes on their memories! It's pretty thrilling in many ways actually and Lee & Cushing are a treat to watch as always. It's not the most original idea surely, but I thought it was a really entertaining film none the less, definitely worth giving a try to.

Availability:  On DVD

Il Coltello Di Ghiaccio aka Knife Of Ice aka Detrás Del Silencio (1972)

2.5 / 5 Dec '10
Tagline:   N/A
Directed by: Umberto Lenzi
Written by: Luis G. de Blain, Umberto Lenzi
Actors include: Carroll Baker, Alan Scott, Ida Galli
Genre: Horror, Giallo, Thriller
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Meh...I'm actually usually rather fond of Umberto Lenzi movies but this one did nothing for me. It's a giallo indeed but it's missing the excess flair and nudity and violence. It involves a young Woman named Martha (relatively well acted by Carroll Baker) who is mute because of a railway tragedy that occurred when she was 13. She lives with her Uncle in the countryside, but when her cousin Jenny arrives things turn disastrous. Jenny turns up dead and soon they realize there is some sort of maniac killing young women around and maybe Martha could be next! It is a rather dry and humorless effort which didn't help with moving things along either. I also hate to say that there weren't really any surprises with this, I predicted what would happen and I was right, not too much fun in that. I really had expected more from this one but they can't all be winners!

Availability:  Not on DVD currently

Something Evil (1972)

2.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Robert Clouse
Actors include: Sandy Dennis, Darren McGaven, Ralph Bellamy
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 73 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Considering how famous Steven Spielberg is this little made-for-tv horror film was rather a curiosity. The big problem is that it's duller than dull, even at 73 minutes it feels like a two hour epic. The plot is about a couple (Sandy Dennis and Darren McGavin) with two children from New York who stumble upon this house in the country a few hours away that happens to be for sale. "Something Evil" appears to be possessing the house, as Marjorie (Dennis) keeps hearing a baby crying and she keeps questioning her sanity. Soon she believes a spirit is trying to possess her, but what could be going on and who is trying to possess her? Really the last bit of the film is rewarding and it made a good impression but it was too little too late. It's too bad this wasn't more interesting because it does have potential and the actors do a good job at least.

Availability:  Not on DVD

Boxcar Bertha (1972)

4 / 5
Tagline:  Bertha Loved Lovin'...But There Was More Money in ROBBIN' TRAINS!
Directed by:  Martin Scorsese
Written by:  Ben L. Reitman, Joyce Hooper Corrington
Actors include:  Barbara Hershey, David Carradine, Bernie Casey
Genre:  Crime, Drama, Action
Length:  92 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
Pretty neat little tale that was apparently taken from the diaries of a woman named "Boxcar" Bertha Thompson. Barbara Hershey plays our freespirited title character who after losing a family member during the Depression rides the rails to adventure. She meets a fellow named Bill Shelly who is a union leader who is railing against the railroad. Together they rob people and trains in order to collect money to distribute to the poor. It's very reminiscent of the Bonnie & Clyde story in several ways though I wouldn't call it a copy cat. I was really surprised at the exploitative nature of the film considering it is a Scorsese, but since he's working with Corman maybe that is where the excess comes in. No matter why it's there, it's a very fun movie and it has violence, nudity and it's pretty exciting throughout. The cinematography was quite lovely and the movie is well made, I'm a little surprised that I hadn't heard more about this one until relatively recently.

Availability:  On DVD

The Mechanic (1972)

4.5 / 5 Feb '11
Tagline: He fixes people so they never work again.
Directed by: Michael Winner
Written by: Lewis John Carlino
Actors include: Charles Bronson, Jan Michael-Vincent, Keenan Wynn
Genre: Thriller, Action, Crime
Length: 99 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Charles Bronson plays a Mechanic (erm hitman) named Arthur who is very into his job, he's tough as nails and very private. Life is going relatively well until he kills a Man who just happens to have an annoying son Steve (Jan-Michael Vincent). For some unknown reason Arthur takes Steve on as a trainee teaching him just about everything he knows. The problem being that Arthur's "crew" aren't very happy about this new inclusion as he didn't really get permission first. The story has loads of violence, explosives, chases and excitement around every corner. It's a very satisfying little film that I hadn't heard very much about until the remake came out. It really is a good film and heck I may even try the remake after this. If you are looking for a well made hitman flick, this is one of the most fun examples I've found.

Availability:  On DVD

You'll Like My Mother (1972)

4 / 5 Mar '11
Tagline: Run Francesca!
Directed by: Lamont Johnson
Written by: Jo Heims, Naomi A. Hintze
Actors include: Patty Duke, Rosemary Murphy, Richard Thomas
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Length: 92 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a rather adorable little thriller thanks to great acting and a decent story. Patty Duke plays Francesca, a pregnant young Woman who's Husband died in the war. Before he died he mentioned that she'd like his Mother so Francesca goes out of her way to travel all the way to his Mother's house. It's the middle of winter and it's a tough journey so she's a bit disappointed when her visit is greeted less than enthusiastically. Mom lives with Kathleen, a slow girl who is rather treated like a slave and is quick to bitchery. She seems to feel that Francesca stole her remaining days with her Son and doesn't want her around. When the snow is so heavy that Francesca can't leave things get even more unnerving as she's forced to shack up in the house. It's well made, and the characters are appealing enough that you want to know what's going to happen. Definitely one of the better little surprises out of the '70s.

Availability:  On VHS