I’ve just finished Face of Fu Manchu. In fact I’m a big fan of a band with this character’s name but today was my first connection with the cinematic saga. I read somewhere that it was a flop but I found it pretty decent. Looking forward to watch the whole series.
4 Likes
I needed something to put me to sleep and this one served just fine. Won’t recommend the experience though.
1 Like
I catch this one on cable TV. It seems appealing both for this marathon and Christmas. Merry Christmas for you all.
3 Likes
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 22
Doc (Perry / 1971)
Falling way behind on this over Christmas unsurprisingly but chose this one as my Western entry. Still stands up well I think with a good central performance from Keach and some excellent dialogue. Really good opening scene in the desert posada. “We ain’t got no whiskey.”
3 Likes
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 23
The Man With the Golden Gun (Hamilton / 1974)
Hardly a grindhouse low budget release but I am very much embracing my Drive-In experiences of the 1970s during this challenge so this is included as my Spy film as I saw it at the Drive In in 1975. Films were always a bit late getting to the Drive Ins so not surprising I saw this so late after it’s first run release. Is this the beginning of the tongue in cheek Bond from Moore? Can’t really remember if Live and Let Die had similar gags but they work just about here and it’s an enjoyable movie still.
2 Likes
Yesterday I’ve watched one more. Blaxploitation / Filipino crossover by master Cirio Santiago.
Todays I’ve finally spend some time with a Shaw Bros, Death Kick.
Both OK, none particularly good.
1 Like
Went for another macaroni combat, this one is kind of spy movie with anti-fascist ideology. Not bad.
1 Like
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 24
Star Wars (Lucas / 1977)
First time I saw this was at the Gatton Drive In in 1978 so it’ll fit here well enough. I’ve seen it many times since obviously but I always remember it best from that first experience. Thing is, although you couldn’t see it on a bigger screen than at the Drive In, the sound quality couldn’t have been worse. In those days the sound came from a small metal box you hung on the inside of your car window with crackly mono sound. For most regular films this wasn’t much of a problem but for a Sci Fi galactic battle picture which relied on the impact of the sound it really didn’t do the film any favours at all so unsurprisingly I was pretty underwhelmed at the time. Could be why I’ve never quite been a big fan of the series ever since although it has it’s charm.
4 Likes
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 25
Black Christmas (Clarke/ 1974)
What else could you choose for a Christmas movie in Deucember?
Still very watchable and the perfect way to get into the festive spirit during a deadly pandemic.
4 Likes
I’m trying to avoid horror movies and sad mood movies in general. Today I decided myself to go with this Italian crime. Maurizio Merli and Umberto Lenzi tag team has always been a great addition and this one is no exception.
3 Likes
This one was unplanned. I received an advance copy from the director and I had to watched it immediately. It’s a documentary about Ruggero Deodato, it actually spend some time with his relation with Corbucci and, of course, his involvement on Django. A must see my friends!
2 Likes
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 26
Death Wish (Winner / 1974)
Been a very long time since I saw this one and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Also surprised to see a very young and gangly Jeff Goldblum as Freak #1 dropping C bombs repeatedly in the first 10 minutes and an equally young Christopher Guest playing a nervous Patrolman Reilly in a blink and you miss him kind of bit part. The pro vigilante politics of it make for an interesting debate in our modern setting I think and can’t imagine that it’s counterpart made today would allow the Bronson character to get away so scott free and happy at the end. Definitely worth a re-visit if you haven’t seen it for a while.
3 Likes
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 27
A Man Called Blade (Martino / 1977)
And finally got around to fitting in a spaghetti western amongst all the other genres I’ve been working through. Thought this late 70s one would fit the vibe best and it was of course very enjoyable. Actually a film I rate slightly higher with every viewing I think. Merli was obviously a better fit for Polizios but he was pretty good in this too and the grubby, muddy, broken down back drop of the past it’s use by date western town really adds a nice touch to the atmosphere.
2 Likes
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 28
The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue (Grau / 1974)
For a zombie film I had to go back to an old favourite and this one is almost certainly my favourite. Always a fun ride and this time around with an eerie nod to the present as during the opening title sequence where we see various people walking the streets of Manchester wearing face masks. Possibly the creepiest thing in it now. Really enjoyable film all round though.
2 Likes
Adding some Drunken Master to my measly Deucember harvest… I had no idea it was so bad (I know that is a controversial statement)… ugh…
Stay away from all Kung Fu films with “Drunk” or “Drunken” in the title!
2 Likes
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 29
Gammera the Invincible (Yuasa / 1966)
American re-cut and build of the original Japanese Gamera the Giant Monster. It’s the only Kaiju film I’ve got except the first Godzilla flick and I wanted to keep this challenge in the 60s to early 80s sphere so this had to be it. I don’t know what the original Japanese version is like but this one is pretty naff. Ticked off a Kaiju for the challenge is the best I can say about the experience.
2 Likes
DEUCEMBER 2020
Day 30
The Little Girl Who Lived Down the Lane (Gessner / 1976)
Pulled the unopened BluRay off the shelf of this to cover the Kiddie Killer / Thriller genres and it was a good decision. Jodie Foster in a pre Taxi Driver role where she still plays a child behaving older than her years. Didn’t she always? Anyway, it’s very good with a super creepy Martin Sheen and a couple of bodies in the basement. Like a coming of age drama with added murder. Recommended.
2 Likes
