Sometimes a director’s vision strikes you in such a way you’ll follow them even if the direction they’re moving in feels a little, well…off. Such is the case with Sion Sono, whose Love Exposure was a giddy, surreal ride with a central conceit so insane I was instantly hooked. Working in the same absurdist realm as Takashi Miike (and almost as prolific), when I saw … Continue reading The Glory of Sion Sono’s Tag (2015)
When it’s below zero and the hot water heater’s busted, all you want in life is a warm blanket, a reasonable estimate from a plumber, and a comfort movie to hold you over until you can feel the sweet hot soapy suds again. This was the situation I found myself in today watching El Dorado, the 1966 Howard Hawks western starring John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, … Continue reading Growing Up With John Wayne: El Dorado (1966)
There are no guilty pleasures, and yet there is a certain amount of sleazy, joyful guilt I got from watching Raw Force, aka Kung Fu Cannibals. I imagine it’s the same sort of sleazy, guilty joy writer/director Edward Murphy (not that Edward Murphy but imagine if it was…) got as he made the film. Take martial arts action, sleazy exploitation and supernatural horror, and sprinkle … Continue reading Raw Force (1982)
Consuming the Tangible (test) 