American Grindhouse 2010
As a cursory glance into the world of exploitation cinema, American Grindhouse works pretty well. The film moves chronologically from the dawn of exploitation to the present. Interviews, outrageous film clips, exploding cars, cheap monsters and plenty of skin and sin abound. The interviews are good. Roger Corman, Joe Dante, Jack Hill, Larry Cohen, Fred Williamson, Bill Lustig and H.G. Lewis give insights to what must be an exhaustive subject to them by now. The production value is high and the steady narration from genre actor Robert Forster makes it all feel pretty legit. The always animated John Landis offers the most memorable commentary: “These pictures all have a lot to say and they’re all very interesting. Most of them are shit. But every so often there’s a good one.” Perhaps I was expecting the filmmakers to spend a bit less time showing trailers and more on the history of the theatre’s themselves. Who dared to screen such sickies as “Maniac“, “Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS” and “Blood Feast“? Who owned these houses of ill-repute and why did they vanish? Sure, American Grindhouse makes for a fun crawl along the ally’s of exploitation, but ultimately it doesn’t quite cut through the gristle.
Diagnosis: 3 Big Doll Houses out of 5
Terror in the Aisles 1984
Available as a bonus feature on the recent release of Universal’s controversial 30th Anniversary Halloween II Blu-Ray, Terror in the Aisles stars the late Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Phenomena) and actress Nancy Allan (Dressed To Kill, Robocop), as they narrate through some rather dodgy social commentary on why audiences love a good scream and what makes horror fans tick. There is an impressive amount of horror, sci-fi, and thriller clips here – watch out though. I’m sure most movie goers would remember key scenes from Jaws, Poltergeist, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Omen, Friday the 13th, Carrie, Rosemary’s Baby, Halloween, Kongo and Evil Inside Us(?). At times, the film assumes too much, giving away some major plot points and in some cases, entire endings. Such as 1981’s Night Hawks, a crime thriller starring Rutger Hauer and Silvester Stallone, in which the good doctor was once looking forward to. Still, as a bonus feature on a cheap Blu-ray and as a nostalgic trip through the halls of horror cinema, you’ll get your fix. Just watch out for those spoilers in the aisles.
Diagnosis: 2.5 bags of popcorn (unbuttered) out of 5
Machete Maidens Unleashed! 2010
Offering a fresh perspective, Machete Maidens is a fast and furious doc on the hidden world of exploitation films produced in the Philippines. Roger Corman, John Landis, Jack Hill, Joe Dante are all back in front of the camera. The real treat is catching up with Pam Grier and the many women who endured productions on cheap and nasty productions like “The Big Bird Cage”, “Caged Dolls” and “Firecracker”. Filmed under what looks like the most dire of conditions, their stories are surprisingly candid and empowering. The editing is used to full dramatic effect, punctuating the interviews with outrageous clips and shocking stories about the horrifying stunt industry there. A hysterical chapter on the career of the late Weng Weng, the James Bond of the Philippines, (a.k.a. Ernesto de la Cruz, actor and martial artist who stands only 2 feet, 9 inches), really needs to be seen to be believed. Slickly produced and well edited, Machete Maidens Unleashed! was a blast to watch and comes highly recommended. Now, I just need to find me some Weng Weng. Rated R for Ridiculous!
Diagnosis: 4.5 exploding helicopters out of 5