Big Tits Zombie

I first mentioned this film several years ago, well before it had an American release, because the whole thing just intrigued me. In my previous entry I talked about why I wanted to see it, how I didn't really like J-Horror, and a little bit about the plot. Well since then the movie has come out on U.S. DVD and I picked it up not too long ago. And wow, I am glad I did. It was everything I hoped for and more.

Bit Tits Zombie aka  巨乳ドラゴン 温泉ゾンビVSストリッパー5(Big Tits Dragon: Hot Spring Zombie Vs. Stripper 5) is the first, at least that I have seen, Japanese film to try and go back and do that whole Grindhouse kind of feel. It even begins with the scratchy film and music that feels like an outtake from the Planet Terror Soundtrack. The movie itself, which is about a bunch of strippers finding an evil spell book and raising some zombies, has a real David DeCoteau feel to it. Just imagine if Nightmare Sisters or Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama had been filmed in Japan.

Big Tits Zombie is a fun little exploitation romp, but there is a big bonus feature that I HIGHLY recommend. The English language dub. Rather than just translating the film and dubbing it with that, the releasing company did a more Mystery Science Theater/Rifftrax silly dub that makes fun of the movie. But rather than just people doing the commentary, they dubbed the actual characters saying silly things and commenting on what is going on. It is quite funny. And if you just want to watch the movie as it was meant to be, the DVD has the Japanese version with subtitles as well.

My only complaint, though it is kind of a big one and one that goes for most Japanese movies, is the lack of nudity. For a movie with tits in the title, there are only two short topless scenes. Neither of which are during stripping scenes. I just dont get it. For a movie this over the top and bloody, and one that stars porn stars, why not?

That aside, Big Tits Zombie is a fun little 80s-esc movie. The DVD has a 3D version, but I'm anti-3D and didnt bother with it.

God hates the Lords of Salem

And so do a lot of horror movie fans. But to say in advance, I enjoyed it very much. This will be a pro-Lords write-up, just bare with me. I have a lot of points to make. I won't talk about what the movie is actually about, I'm sure anyone reading this knows that by now.

It's a strange thing with Rob Zombie. I feel bad for him. I really do. No matter what he does, he is judged SO much more harshly than most every other horror director. His critics don't just dislike his movies, they HATE them. But I ask, with all the crap horror, 100s of movies a year, is even Zombie's worst film as bad as all the stuff that Chiller shows daily? I mean, people say his Halloween II is the worse of the franchise. Really? Besides the fact that it is my favorite of the series, you really think it is worse than the dreadful Scream clone Halloween H20? Or Resurrection?

Now, to the movie itself. I don't really listen to reviews, but I like to read them to pick out little things here and there to kind of gauge the essence of a film. Even if a reviewer hates a movie, sometimes the things they hate are things I enjoy. But Lords was one of those rare cases where both the good and the bad reviews were unappealing. Most reviewers just didn't get the film at all. I read so many people say the movie made no sense, had no ending, was just jumbled images with no coherence. I went in a little scared, worried it was going to be senseless crap like Antichrist or Possession. The only reviews I've read that really GOT the movie were Maniacs Blood , Grimm Reviewz and The Basement of Ghoulish Decadence(even though he didn't like, he got it!).

To address these things. Lords of Salem is an odd film. It feels like if The Sentinel was merged with Inferno with a slight Rob Zombie flare. There is a lot of strange imagery used within. Some very cool, some very cheesy. But never at any point did I not know what was going on. It was clear it was all the effects of the curse invading the real world. Then the ending. So many people said it just ends and makes no sense. Yes, it is a bit strange in presentation, but it is very clear what happens. Then, as if to address that, during the credits is a news report that perfectly sums up what you just saw.

Then there is Sherri. People are tearing her acting up. But I thought it was perfect for the part. It is very subdued. Which a person on the edge like her, a person who has a curse making her think she is losing it, would act. I think people expect big acting with jazz hands and mood swings. But I think the slow walk into madness would be subdued and quiet. Almost like depression. Sherri was top notch and her butt looked awesome.

It's a moody, dark film with a great score. I think the only short coming, and this will probably be fixed with a director's cut, is the lack of character interaction. What I think happened was Zombie trimmed away plot to make way for imagery, when it should have been the opposite way around. I was really interested in Heidi's co-workers, and the book author who was searching for the truth behind the strange record. So all in all, I give the movie a HIGH B+. And with a few bits of character stuff added back in, it could go to an A easily. I haven't read it, but I've heard that the book has a lot more to it and really gives you a better sense of the characters.

So if you like stuff like Inferno, The Sentinel, and The Beyond, give Lords of Salem a shot.

Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor

It's probably no secret that I am a Rob Zombie super fan. Even have a small hallway here at Voodoo Headquarters dedicated to nothing but Zombie stuff. I pretty much celebrate everything he does from music to writing to movies. He is even a fantastic artist that does NOT show off his skill nearly enough anymore. But all that being said, I dont follow him blindly. I've taken issue with a few things here and there over the years. Nothing major, mind you, just stuff I think could have been handed better. Ala his music videos from the last two albums.

Now, for the first time ever, I was somewhat worried about the coming of his new album. He had talked about Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor being a return to form and a mix of old and new. But I felt that is what he had done with Hellbilly Deluxe II. Though some of my favorite stand alone tracks are on other albums, Hellbilly II is over all my favorite release of his. Then came the first single from the album, Dead City Radio. Not a bad song by any means. Heck, even the worst Zombie song is better than most everyone else's music. But Dead City Radio was just fair. Had an almost B-Side quality to it. Usually, Zombie's first single is very strong. Often one of the strongest tracks on the album. So if Dead City Radio was the strongest material, it had me SUPER worried about what the rest would be.

Well, once again, Rob Zombie has not let me down at all. Dead City Radio is easily the weakest track on the CD. Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor truly is a fantastic mix of old and new. We have some killer super heavy tracks like Teenage Nosferatu Pussy and The Girl Who Loved the Monsters, some experimental stuff like Rock n Roll in a Black Hole, and some almost punky stuff like Trade in Your Guns for Coffins. I can see why White Zombie fans who have constantly whined about Zombie's solo stuff are digging this album. There are some very White Zombie moments throughout. There is also a very good cover of We're an American Band.

For me, the best two songs on the album are The Girl Who Loved the Monsters and Ging Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga. Both are heavy, energetic, and catchy as hell. I really hope for videos for these. And real videos too. Not just live footage compilations.

The liner notes are glossy and slammed full of cool images and artwork. Do yourself a favor and buy the CD or Record. Help take a stand against all this digital crap.

Some Laura Gemser for your Sunday Viewing

My favorite actress and the source of one of my biggest collections; Laura Gemser. In my opinion she is the greatest B-Movie/Exploitation actress of all time. She could act in any kind of film, ranging from horror to comedy to drama, and do it well.

 

For those of you who may not know her work, or would like to know a good place to start, I cannot recommend Black Emanuelle highly enough. Exotic locations, a decent budget(for that type of film), sexy situations, and an enjoyable plot. Or if horror is more your taste, Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals is a great film. It has the sexiness of an Emanulle movie, but with cannibals. Black Cobra Woman is also a good choice. It's a nice, subtle revenge flick.

Ghost B.C. - Secular Haze

In the last year or so I had heard of the band Ghost several times. People often describe them as Mercyful Fate meets B.O.C. Which is an intriguing description, I had just never gotten around to really looking into them. Well, yesterday I was looking around the 'On Demand' feature of my cable and discovered Secular Haze, the newest music video of the band Ghost B.C. I was instantly taken by the look of the video. It felt exactly like watching a late 60s/early 70s Satanic film. Then band itself, dressed in black robes with faces covered, peeked my interest even more. Finally, the singer comes out looking like an demonic and skeletal pope and actually starts singing. A rarity for evil music these days.

These guys just get it and know exactly how to convey that eerie feeling in Satanic music that has been missing since the 80s. This video feels like watching an Argento movie in music video form. I know as a kid I would have not only loved these guys, but also been a bit scared. Theirs is a more subtle horror though. They avoid the cheeseball 'Look at me! Look at me! Please find me relivant!' antics of Marilyn Manson and the testosteroney bolstering of groups like Slipknot. But to me, there is a clear difference in horror rock and shock rock. Bands like Ghost B.C. or King Diamond do what they do to enhance the music, not just to get attention.  

Ghost B.C. has one album under their belt with their newest coming out next week. Don't let the metal label these guys often get fool you. Though pretty hard at times, I would really put them more with groups like Goblin or the more mellow of King Diamond's stuff. Like dark, progressive rock. I can't stress how well these guys would have fit into the soundtracks of Susperia or Deep Red.

Two tributes to Empire Pictures!

Ran across this info today over at one of my favorite new blogs, The Oak Drive-In. Turns out that there is not only a documentary coming out about the amazing Empire Pictures, but also a book as well. For those of you that may not know, Empire was Charles Band's film company before he started Full Moon Pictures. Empire put out so many good movies including: Re-Animator, Dungeonmaster, From Beyond, Dolls, Troll, Ghoulies, and Eliminators.

Both projects have facebook pages. You can read more about the book, which should be out in October, here
And more on the documentary here.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 and 2

I've often said, even on this blog, that there has yet to be a great film adaption of Batman. There have been some good ones, but still nothing to the caliber of what Marvel has done with Avengers or X-Men First Class. Well now, finally, DC animated films has made what is as close to a perfect Batman adaption as has ever been made.

The Dark Knight Returns 1 and 2 are a straight to DVD film series based on the comic by Frank Miller. I don't want to say too much about the story cause, for people like me who have not read the comic, there are a lot of surprises. But the base story is about a retired Bruce Wayne who gave up crime fighting after the death of Jason Todd aka Robin. Things have really gotten out of hand in Gotham City and Bruce makes his return as the Batman. In this film we get to see one of the sickest and violent Jokers yet. It ends with one of the most epic animated battles I have ever seen. And one hint, it isnt with the Joker.

These films are dark, serious, and very violent. The animation and imagery is great. It has that animated Batman feel, but with a real 80s twist too. Imagine a mix of Batman the Animated series and the 1981 Heavy Metal film. If you grew up at all in the 80s, you will find something you appreciate here.

The voice acting is very well done too. Peter Weller makes a fine Batman and is now probably my second favorite Batman under Tim Conroy. Even the music has that dark, 80s Escape from New York kind of feel to it.

The inner workings of a Sarlac

Found this awesome picture the other day and thought I would share. It is a very detailed view of what the Sarlac pit from Return of the Jedi really was underneath the sand.