What I Watched in May 2025

THUNDERBOLTS* (2025) is not just one of the best of Marvel's superhero films. It is also a life affirming look at a group of people mired in serious depression who learn to be better and happier by helping each other. Watching these sad-sack characters, each of whom is at the lowest point in their adult lives, realize that the way forward is to focus on the folks around them that they can support. Every good hero story is about people helping each other survive and this one fits the bill. The group learns that even though they are broken, there are people that can piece you together as long as you try to do the same for them. THUNDERBOLTS is both funny and touching in ways I had not expected. 

The List

UNKNOWN WORLD (1951) – 5 (slow, dull journey to the center of the earth)

THE MEDIUM (1980) – 6 (Italian possession drama)

 

SEX IS CRAZY (1981) – 6 (Jess Franco’s episodic sex comedy)

 

SPECIAL AGENT (1935) – 7 (fast, fun criminal tale)

 

THUNDERBOLTS* (2025) – 9

 

DAMNATION ALLEY (1977) – 4 (rewatch on Blu)

I LOVE A MYSTERY (1945) – 7 (First of the series)

EXTERRITORIAL (2025) - 7 (German action film)

 

THE EQUILIZER 2 (2018) – 7 (well done action film)

THE UNKNOWN (1946) – 7 (third ‘I Love A Mystery’ film is a southern gothic)

FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS (1962) – 7 (rewatch on Blu – the shorter version)

UNTIL DAWN (2025) – 4 (some great cinematography and effects but ineffective)

 

THE AMATEUR (2025) – 7 (solid espionage/revenge thriller)

 

THE DEVIL’S MASK (1946) – 6 (second I Love A Mystery film)

THE PURCHASE PRICE (1932) – 5 (slight romantic comedy/drama with Barbara Stanwick)

SMILE BEFORE DEATH (1972) – 7 (sexy mystery from Italy – giallo?)

ASSASSINATION IN ROME (1965) – 6 (murder mystery from Italy)

AMUCK (1972) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) (giallo)

COMPANION (2025) – 8 (rewatch)

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FINAL RECONING (2025) – 6 (too long)

THE EXECUTIONER OF VENICE (1963) – 7 (excellent period drama/adventure) 

 

Wild, Wild Podcast Season 7: Episode 9 - AVENGER X (1967)

Bored of winning the golf championships all the time? Is life with your beautiful fiancé just not quite giving you the thrills you need? In that case, why not put on a black mask, stick a big X on your belt and then head out to fight international criminals? That's just what Mister X did, and he's never been happier, whether he's chucking henchmen out of windows or blowing up phone boxes.

Yes, we're back with another episode in our Fumetti season, and this is one of the lesser-known films based on a relatively unsuccessful comic. As usual with this season, there's no decent home video release to speak of, but you can find a poor quality copy on YouTube. It's good fun though, and gives Rod and Adrian plenty to discuss.

We would love to hear from you if you have any favorite Italian comic or masked hero/ villain-based films, or if you have used your fiancé as a honeytrap to catch a sleazy mafia boss. You can contact us on Twitter and Instagram or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com. You can also find our YouTube channel here.

Wild, Wild Podcast Season 7: Episode 1 - KRIMINAL (1966)

The Wild, Wild Podcast emerges blinking into the night after the long dark Christmas break to bring you a new season dedicated to the heroes and villains (but mostly villains) of the films adapted from or inspired by the fumetti neri publishing phenomenon of the sixties (which is still going strong today in Italy).

Our first episode sees us going toe to toe with a devious, ruthless, devilishly handsome villain, Kriminal. He's self-serving, mean-spirited and will stop at nothing to get what he wants, in the comics at least. The films have him toned down a bit, as we explore in this discussion, which also covers such vital topics as the best way to shave and how to deal with your dad being Mussolini.

If you want to do some background reading on the most popular Italian comics of the sixties, there's a great resource here on Comic Vine.

We would love to hear from you if you have any favorite Italian comic-based films, or if you ever got beaten up and robbed by a man in a skull mask. You can contact us on Twitter and Instagram or by email at wildwildpodcast@gmail.com. Please also remember to rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice!

What I Watched in July 2023

I was impressed by OPPENHIEMER (2023) and was happy to see such a smart drama being released to strong business in the good old summertime. For all the whining and crying about how Hollywood pumps out nothing but big budget entertainments fit only for children I have to note that there are still plenty of adult stories being produced even if most of them are on television. The fact that films aiming for a broader audience than a period drama usually garners are the norm isn’t a sign of the dumbing down of cinema any more than the release of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG was in 1968. I’m still amused by this type of constant complaining but it shows a lack of understanding of the business of movie making.

The biggest surprise of OPPENHIEMER (2023) for me was the final act of the film. I did not expect the detailed exploration of the nasty, petty political machinations that featured later in the main character’s life. I found it fascinating and of particular interest in relation to its parallels to the sad, needy animals that function today as our elected officials. There were no ‘good old days’, my friends. Only the distance of time seems to make it so.

The List

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE (2023) – 7 (good but not as good as the first)

CONQUEST OF SPACE (1955) – 6 (rewatch on Blu)

BOG (1979) – 4 (low budget Wisconsin lake monster movie)

PLANET OF THE FEMALE INVADERS (1966) – 5 (silly but interesting Mexican SF)

TRESPASSERS (2018) – 5 (mediocre home invasion variation)

FLIGHT COMMAND (1940) – 6 (standard military training drama with good cast)

IKARIE XB-1 (1963) – 8 (excellent Czechoslovakian SF film)

GREEN HELL (1940) – 4 (Whale’s not great jungle adventure)

BEATRIZ (1976) – 6 (Spanish folk horror tale)

THE FATAL HOUR (1940) – 6 (rewatch on Blu)

DOOMED TO DIE (1940) – 5 (rewatch on Blu – Karloff’s last)

BIG BUSINESS GIRL (1931) – 5 (slight, creaky, predictable romantic comedy)

KING OF KONG ISLAND (1968) – 5

THE AMUSEMENT PARK (1975) – 6 (interesting allegory about the aging people of society)

THE KILLER IS STILL AMONG US (1986) – 6 (giallo based on a real case with an inconclusive ending)

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING PART ONE (2023) – 7 (exciting but exhausting)

INFLUENCER (2023) – 6 (interesting thriller with a female killer)

STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982) – 9 (rewatch)

DUDE COWBOY (1941) – 5 (Tim Holt B-western)

THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS (1957) – 6 (rewatch on Blu)

OPPENHIEMER (2023) – 9

SAMOA, QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE (1968) – 5 (Edwidge Fenech as a jungle girl) 

What I Watched in June 2023

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. In fact, I loved it. Using the comic book story The Flashpoint Paradox as inspiration the creators have crafted an incredibly entertaining film that takes the now in vogue ‘multiple realities’ idea and (sorry) runs with it. Following on from the Justice League film Barry Allen realizes he can run so fast that he can travel back in time with his connection to the Speed Force as a tool. Seeing his mother’s death when he was a child as the point at which his life changed for the worse, he decides to travel to the past to save her, but doing so accidentally creates a different timeline with an alternative Barry Allen. This version of himself is an unfocused doofus and Barry quickly realizes that he has to find a way to get reality back on track. But when the events surrounding Kryptonian General Zod invading Earth begin to play out without a Kal-El in this reality it becomes clear that his change to the timeline might destroy the planet. Seeking help, he looks up Bruce Wayne and discovers a very different Batman who is older, retired and played by Michael Keaton. Convinced they need Kryptonian help the two Barrys and Batman travel to a Russian black site where they think Superman might be held in captivity. Much to their shock they instead find Supergirl (Sasha Calle, who should get her own chance at a DC film) and things escalate as stopping Zod becomes necessary no matter the cost. This is a fast paced and highly entertaining superhero adventure. It probably requires more awareness of past movie’s events than usual to enjoy all the geeky fun but the payoffs are great.

The List 

THE NIGHT WALKER (1964) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

A FEATHER IN HER HAT (1935) – 7 (well played drama)

THE SPIDER WOMAN (1944) – 7 (rewatch)

DARKER THAN NIGHT (1975) – 7 (excellent Mexican ghost story)

LOLA COLT (a.k.a. THE BLACK TIGRESS) ( 1967) – 4 (mediocre spaghetti western with Lola Falana)

ROBBERS ON THE RANGE (1941) – 5 (fast, fun Tim Holt B-western)

NEW ORLEANS UNCENSORED (1955) – 5 (slightly stilted crime tale directed by William Castle)

THE FLASH (2023) – 9

HORROR OF PARTY BEACH (1964) – 4 (silly low budget monster tale)

TARZAN’S GREATEST ADVENTURE (1959) – 8 (rewatch)

MADAME X (1966) - 7 (excellent melodrama)

FEAR NO EVIL (1969) – 6 (solid TV movie)

RITUAL OF EVIL (1970) – 6 (strong sequel to Fear No Evil)

EXTERMINATORS OF THE YEAR 3000 (1983) – 6 (well done Italian post-apocalypse tale)

MR. WONG, DETECTIVE (1938) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

THE MYSTERY OF MR. WONG (1939) – 7

CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED (1963) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

MR. WONG IN CHINATOWN (1939) – 5

 

Happy Birthday Superman!

Celebrating the 85th Anniversary of the first appearance of Superman in Action Comics #1 by Siegel and Shuster! 

What I Watched in March 2023

I've been very busy over the past couple of weeks and haven't had time to compose my thoughts on many movies. Working every single day and then just needing to relax in the evenings has sapped my energy to write. Suffice to say, I really enjoyed both the new SCREAM film and the second big screen Shazam adventure. 

The List

2020 TEXAS GLADIATORS (1983) – 6 (rewatch)

THE REBEL SET (1959) – 6 (sharp, short crime tale) 

I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE (1998) – 3 (remake is much lesser than)

ATTACK OF THE 50 FT. WOMAN (1958) – 5 (rewatch) (I enjoy it but its flaws are large)

KILL A DRAGON (1967) – 5 (Jack Palance in a thin Hong Kong set adventure)

THE DEATHLESS DEVIL (1972) – 6 (silly Turkish rip-off of a Republic serial) 

THE GATEWAY (2021) – 6 (flawed but interesting crime character story) 

BENT (2021) – 6 (modern noir with Karl Urban)

NOCEBO (2022) – 8 (excellent Irish/Filipino horror film)

SON OF DRACULA (1943) – 7 (rewatch)

SCREAM VI (2023) – 8 

HIGH-RISE (2015) – 7 (fascinating adaptation of Ballad’s novel)

BLOOD HUNT (1986) – 8 (excellent Spanish rural thriller) 

GIRL’S NITE OUT (1982) – 4 (low grade slasher)

GUNAN, KING OF THE BARBARIANS (1982) – 3 (dull, cheap Italian adventure)

2019: AFTER THE FALL OF NEW YORK (1983) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

DARK PLACES (1974) – 7 (excellent cast buoys this murder mystery)

HOLLYWOOD STORY (1951) – 7 (noir murder mystery directed by William Castle) 

THE SWORD OF THE BARBARIANS (1982) – 5 (A.K.A. Sangraal, the Sword of Fire) 

DEATH SCREAMS (1982) – 4 (North Carolina slasher) 

THEODORA, SLAVE EMPRESS (1954) – 7 (Italian costume drama with some great action) 

GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. (2003) – 7 (rewatch - caught it on the big screen!)

HIGH ROLLIN’ (1977) – 5 (flat, sloppy trucker tale that is a western in disguise) 

THE KNIGHT OF 100 FACES (1960) – 5 (the 75-minute version - would like to see the 91-minute cut)

WINTERBEAST (1992) – 3 (the stop-motion monsters show ambition) 

GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE (2021) – 7 (worthy sequel)

ESCAPE ROOM: TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS (2021) – 6 

THE PERFECT SPECIMEN (1937) – 7 (fun madcap comedy with a sterling cast) 

MESSALINA (1960) – 6 (Italian sword & sandal historical tale)

SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS (2023) – 8 

The Bloody Pit #157 - RED SONJA (1985)

Cort Psyops returns to the show to talk sword and sorcery!

 

RED SONJA (1985) is a film that gets very little respect even among hardcore cult film fans. Cort and I feel this is an oversight and we take about two and half hours to make our case! Hopefully you will join us on our quest.

 

Both of us are coming off of seeing the film on high-definition disc which enhances our appreciation of the visuals, especially the old school special effects craftsmanship. Who cares if that strange giant spider doesn’t really work! Wheel that sucker out there and photograph it correctly for the desired effect.

 

We discuss the movie’s strange production with last minute casting of the lead and extended participation from Arnold Schwarzenegger bending the story into different shape. I lament the lack of a novelization but I do point out some fascinating information that can be gleaned from the Marvel comics adaptation. We discuss the multi-ethnic cast, the gorgeous cinematography and the incredible production design that shows off every penny of the budget. We talk a bit about the slight differences that make for a PG-13 rating rather than an R with this film flashing enough blood to make us wish for a more violent cut. The film’s stunt coordinator is given his due as we praise the visceral feel of the sword fights as well as the many ways that the wonderful score brings the entire movie to life. This really is a fun adventure film and I’m glad to see that it has aged well.

 

If you also love this odd sword & sorcery film thebloodypit@gmail.com is where you can send your memories of seeing it for the first time. Are you like Cort who caught it between HBO screening s of BEASTMASTER? Or did you get to see it in the theater in 1985? Podcasters want to know! And thanks for listening. 

What I Watched in April 2022

As far as the general critical consensus is concerned MORBIUS (2022) was never going to be considered good. The knives were out at soon as the phrase ‘starring Jared Leto’ was uttered. And I’ll admit that its connections to the sadly bad Venom films is a hurdle to overcome that I feared might be too high. So, I expected bad word of mouth with this new film and immediately dismissed it because we are in year two of the serious superhero film backlash. It has become the pseudo intellectual position to bash any comic book related film because …. Reasons. 

I can sympathize with some of the more common complaints especially the view that these movies dominate box office returns in a way that smothers chances for more varied fare to succeed. But this is little more than a variation of the usual attack on popular cinema driving thoughtful films from the marketplace. I’ve been hearing this argument since the 1980’s when such crowd-pleasing films as GHOSTBUSTERS, BACK TO THE FUTURE and WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT were being discussed as evidence of a defective education system. So pardon me if the shiny new version of the same laughable complaint continues to strike me as hollow whining. Maybe I’m not old enough yet to hate all new things. Give me a few years and I’m sure I’ll be railing against the evils of popular things along with the other wheelchair bound drones content to smugly assert the superiority of ‘the old days’. I assume that eventually the phrase ‘back in my day’ will change from trite joke set-up to a prelude for spouting a firmly held but idiotic belief that will embarrass the folks responsible for wiping the drool off my unshaven chin. But until then I’m going to enjoy the run of highly entertaining comic book adaptations that I have been waiting for since the age of eight. Hell. I’m almost to the point where I get as much entertainment from listening to snobs bitch about them as from watching the films. Grumble on, killjoys! Your hatred amuses me.

Where was I? Oh, yeah….

MORBIUS (2022) is a pretty damned good comic book tale that mostly plays like a horror film. Bringing 'The Living Vampire' to the big screen was always going to feel this way and it might be one reason people are expressing dissatisfaction with the story. If you’re expecting a lighter kind of MCU-style movie MORBIUS often nastily pushes against the grain and you will be uncomfortable. That’s a shame as I found the film to be a strong version of the character’s origin and loved the performances throughout. It is not one of the best of the current crop of these movies but it is far from being bad. And strangely, unlike some of the better comic book films, I find that I can’t wait to rewatch it to examine the way it uses horror visuals in service of its action sequences. I'm all in favor of superhero horror films but I suspect that I may be part of a very small group. 

The List

MURDEROCK (1984) – 6 (rewatch on Blu)

RED RAGE (2021) – 4 (beautifully shot but meandering trifle)

THE WRAITH (1986) – 6 (pretty good car vengeance film)

TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE (1936) – 8

STEEL AND LACE (1991) – 5 (made for video/cable revenge tale)

ANTLERS (2021) – 7 (Wendigo horror)

NIGHTMARE ALLEY (2021) – 9

SILIP – DAUGHTERS OF EVE (1986) – 6 (overlong Philippine sexploitation/morality tale)

HELL BENT FOR LEATHER (1960) – 7 (sharp Audie Murphy western)

ASSASSINATION (1987) – 4 (weak Bronson action effort)

NEVER TOO YOUNG TO DIE (1986) – 4 (silly, ridiculous and dumb action tale – possibly a spoof)

THE DEVILS (1971) – 8 (rewatch)

THE BOOK OF STONE (1969) – 7 (fascinating Spanish supernatural tale)

TOO BEAUTIFUL TO DIE (1988) – 7 (interesting late period giallo)

MONSTER FROM GREEN HELL (1957) – 4 (rewatch on Blu)

MORBIUS (2022) – 7

THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES (1946) – 5 (interesting but not very funny Abbot & Costello outing)

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS (1974) – 8 (rewatch)

THE BLACK COBRA (1963) – 6 (not bad krimi)

THE NIGHT HOUSE (2020) – 7 (well done supernatural tale)

APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH (1988) – 7 (sturdy Hercule Poirot murder mystery)

SCREAM (2021) – 7 (pretty darned good sequel)

VIOLENT PLAYGROUND (1958) – 7 (solid JD drama with Stanley Baker)

JUSTICE LEAGUE (2021) – 9 (rewatch on Blu)

THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

What I Watched in March 2022

I will always be interested in new screen versions of the Batman and THE BATMAN (2022) is an excellent example of doing something different with the classic ingredients. In this case we have a brooding, thoughtful look at the early period of the costumed vigilante. Detective Gordon thinks he could be an asset as the stymied investigation into The Riddler’s murders starts touching political figures. Gordon is able to convince some of his fellow cops because the criminal is addressing riddle clues directly to The Batman meaning that he might have some unique insight. The Gotham of this film is a vital, dark and alive place weighed down by historic crimes at every level. It reeks of bad people doing good things to hide their real intentions and good people doing bad things to try to stop them. It's as impressive a film Batman tale as I have ever seen and it creates a world I’d love to revisit for future stories. Let’s hope we get the chance. 

 The List

THE MAN FROM SONORA (1951) – 6 (solid B-western with Johnny Mack Brown) 

BURN (2019) – 7 (interesting character study/crime film)

SPACEWAYS (1953) – 5 (early Hammer SF about rocket research) 

LITTLE GIANT (1946) – 6 (interesting new direction for Abbot & Costello) 

HERE COMES CARTER (1936) - 6 (Glenda Farrell in a supporting role)

TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID (2017) – 7 (children face cartel violence and supernatural horror) 

CALIGULA: THE UNTOLD STORY (1982) – 6 (the two-hour version is too long) 

CREATURE (1985) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

CAMP COLD BROOK (2018) – 6 (ghost hunter horror film) 

MASTER OF THE WORLD (1983) – 4 (cavemen vs bear for far too long)

CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN (1943) – 6 (rewatch) 

LA LLORONA (1933) – 6 (creaky early sound version of the Mexican ghost tale) 

THE BATMAN (2022) – 8 

POWDERSMOKE RANGE (1935) – 5 (standard B-western with mostly terrible acting) 

FORTY NAUGHTY GIRLS (1937) – 5 (final Hildegarde Withers mystery) 

BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE (1958) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER (1982) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

RABID DOGS (1974) – 9 (rewatch) 

THE OUTING (a.k.a. THE LAMP) (1987) – 4 (not great evil Jinn tale) 

SHADOWS OVER CHINATOWN (1946) – 5 (rewatch) (OK Chan mystery)

PHANTOM RAIDERS (1940) – 7 (solid Nick Carter adventure)

What I Watched in December 2021

I will fully admit to being a mark for superhero films. I am happier than an eight year old that there are dozens of Marvel and DC comic book films out there and I have enjoyed far more of them than average. I find that I enjoy even the weakest of them to a degree, meaning I can find it difficult to understand why everyone else isn’t smiling along with me. But every now and then one of these big screen blockbusters hits me so perfectly and in so many different ways that I feel almost overwhelmed.

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (2021) might be the best film Marvel has yet produced and I am not ashamed to say that I laughed, I cried and it became a part of me. (Yes, that’s a joke – but also true.) It felt as though the animated Spider-Man film INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE had finally opened the door to fully using every resource available and this film took full advantage of it. By bringing in the best of the past films and rolling them together the filmmakers found a way to make one of the most life affirming stories possible. The combining of so many characters and so much background was handled beautifully letting each action scene carry things forward and have massive consequences. Tragedy and joy comingle with each showing the importance of the other. We like these characters – even the villains – and want them to overcome the damage that makes them dangerous. I doubt Marvel will ever be able to top the accomplishment of this extraordinary film but I will continue to enjoy watching them try.

The List

ALIAS NICK BEAL (1949) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

OMEGA SYNDROME (1986) – 6 (competent but clunky action film) 

I BOUGHT A VAMPIRE MOTORCYCLE (1990) – 6 (fun and silly but too long) 

DIAL CODE SANTA CLAUS (1989) – 8 (rewatch) 

THE AMAZING MR. X (1948) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD (1950) – 7 (rewatch) (Roy Rogers vs Christmas tree rustlers) 

SECRET OF THE BLUE ROOM (1933) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

DON’T GO IN THE BASEMENT (1973) – 5 (unpleasant asylum horror tale) 

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (2021) – 10 

KRAMPUS: THE NAUGHTY CUT (2015) – 8 

DAYS OF VENGEANCE (1967) – 7 (spaghetti western) 

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR (1973) – 8 (rewatch of this excellent Franco drama)

NIGHT HUNTER (2018) – 7 (solid crime story with strong cast) 

FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (1973) – 6 (rewatch on Blu) 

A LITTLE GAME (1971) – 7 (sharp evil kid thriller set at Christmas – TV movie)

ROBIN HOOD NEVER DIES (1975) – 3 (dull, threadbare Spanish version of the tale) 

1001 NIGHTS OF PLEASURE (1972) – 5 (Margheriti’s Arabian Nights sex comedy) 

BLOOD FOR DRACULA (1974) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

SEAS BENEATH (1931) – 5 (clunky early talkie from John Ford – WWI tale) 

GANG WAR IN MILAN (1973) – 7 (Lenzi crime film) 

HUMAN ANIMALS (1982) – 7 (bizarre Spanish post-apocalyptic tale)

DEAD SPACE (1991) – 5 (another Corman ALIEN/ALIEN riff) 

80,000 SUSPECTS (1963) - 9 (excellent Val Guest epidemic thriller/drama) 

STAR TREK – THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) – 6 (rewatch of the director’s cut) 

EVIL ROY SLADE (1972) – 6 (very silly western comedy – TV movie) 

THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS (2021) – 6 

I ESCAPED FROM DEVIL’S ISLAND (1973) – 6 

SHERLOCK HOLMES’ FATAL HOUR (1931) – 6 

Brief Thoughts - UNKNOWN ORIGINS (2020)

The other night I was scrolling through Netflix looking for something interesting to watch in a few spare hours before bedtime. I spotted a movie described as a police thriller with detectives on the hunt for a serial killer with an odd methodology for choosing victims. Intrigued, I pushed play and that is all it took for me to stumble across quite a fun, entertaining movie that I will now recommend to you. UNKNOWN ORIGINS (2020) is exactly what it says on the tin but it's also packed with much more.

My first surprise was that it is a Spanish film – sometimes I forget that most Spanish movies are not horror!  NetFlix offers both an English dubbed soundtrack or the original Spanish with English subtitles so I choose the subtitled version. Because I want to have other viewers experience this tale in a similar way to myself, I'll refrain from giving away some of the neat little details that really turned this into a fun exercise. I'll just say that there is a hunt for a serial killer and that there is one character who is steeped in comic book stories and history whose knowledge factors into the investigation. Beyond that I'll just point the curious toward this movie and urge you to check it out. It's not quite perfect as there are at least a couple of moments when the script is rushing relationships to a friendlier status than it should. But overall, this is a smart, entertaining thriller with at least one foot stuck firmly in the superhero realm. It manages to be ‘of’ that genre while still commenting on it from several different angles. The subtitles were excellent but recent Spanish films that I've seen on Netflix with English dubs have been respectable and not something you have to overlook. Whichever audio you pick I think you’ll enjoy this little gem.

What I Watched in March

The biggest ‘new’ film I watched last month was the much-anticipated full-length version of JUSTICE LEAGUE. While not perfect it was a huge improvement over the neutered/altered cut released to theaters four years ago. Retaining the feel of the previous two movies in the series it gloriously extended the universe to even grander vistas allowing the sweep of the tale to take shape without rushing events. I could argue that certain sequences could have been truncated for time but even the most obviously unnecessary moments such as the ladies singing as Aquaman returns to the sea add to the world building in a way that makes things feel more grounded. I’m impressed that we were finally able to see this vision realized and I think it is one of the best of the last decade’s slew of superhero films. It shows a dense, dark realization of the meta-human concept can be done even as the general public is told that such movies take the wrong approach. We may never get the originally planned sequels but at least we have this film for future cinema historians to use as an example of paths not taken. I guess we’re doomed to ‘keep it light’ for the foreseeable future.

THE LIST 

THIRTEEN WOMEN (1932) – 7 (Myrna Loy takes revenge) 

MOLLY (2017) – 5 (post-apocalyptic action let down by poor fight choreography)

THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE (2009) – 8 (rewatch of the full-length version) 

NIGHT GAME (1989) – 6 (Huston cops hunt a serial murderer) 

THE CAT & THE CANARY (1939) – 6 (Bob Hope comedy/mystery)

KEANU (2016) – 7 (very funny Key & Peele story) 

PILLOW OF DEATH (1945) – 5 (rewatch on Blu) 

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VOICE OF TERROR (1942) – 7 (rewatch) 

KING CREOLE (1958) – 8 (Elvis in an actual movie!) 

MURDER MANSION (1972) – 8 (rewatch on Blu!) 

BRAIN DEAD (1990) – 7 (I avoided this one for too long) 

MURDER IS MY BUSINESS (1946) – 6 (PRC Michael Shayne mystery) 

NAKED GIRL MURDERED IN PARK (1972) – 7 (interesting giallo – Blu has awful sound) 

JUSTICE LEAGUE (2021) – 9 (Wow!) 

HORROR EXPRESS (1972) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE CRIMES OF THE BLACK CAT (1972) – 7 (giallo with a blind protagonist)

TORCHY GETS HER MAN (1938) – 6  

AN EYE FOR AN EYE (1981) – 6 (Chuck Norris vs. Christopher Lee!) 

BEYOND TERROR (1980) – 6 (bizarre, sloppy but entertaining Spanish horror) 

TRAIL OF THE YUKON (1949) – 6 (Chinook’s first adventure) 

THE FRENCHMAN’S GARDEN (1978) – 8 (rewatch)

What I Watched in January

There’s been a lotta whining and bitching about WONDER WOMAN ’84 (2020) which tells me that there will be a lotta bitching about any and every DC comics film forever. The bitching about the first was that it was too dark and so they lighten things up for this one and now that’s wrong too. I think the age of the internet is its own worst enemy. Anyway….

I enjoyed this brighter, lighter story that seemed to want to bring a little of the tone of the 1970’s television series to the big screen. It’s a little sloppy and a bit silly but it also has its heart in the right place. There was always going to be trouble with a story that stuck close to the mythological elements of WW’s classic tales and that does seem to be where the complaints begin. Yes, the idea of magical wishes being the crux of the story means that crazy things will happen and the logical endpoint might be a hideous world destroying example of hubris - but that is what a huge percentage of WW tales revolve around! You are either along for the ride or you don’t buy the ticket in the first place. Yes, the first film was better overall but the joy with which this film flies is very fun to watch. I loved the entire arc of Barbara Minerva, finally giving one of DC’s less well-known villains a (sort of) big screen debut. The cast is wonderful, the action fun and Gal Godot has become the embodiment of a great Wonder Woman so all I want is more adventures of this character for the next ten years or so. 

The List

THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. RX (1942) – 6 (rewatch) 

SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER (1977) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

WONDER WOMAN 1984 (2020) – 7 

LIVE LIKE A COP, DIE LIKE A MAN (1976) – 8 (fast and violent Italian police thriller) 

BLACK BOOTS, LEATHER WHIP (1983) – 8 (Franco noir) 

THE CRIME DOCTOR’S STRANGEST CASE (1943) - 6 (solid entry in the series) 

EXORCISM (1975) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

MR. MOTO TAKES A VACATION (1939) – 7 (last of Lorre’s Moto films is fast and exciting) 

MR. HERCULES AGAINST KARATE (1973) – 3 (Margheriti and comedy do not mix) 

NORTHWEST TERRITORY (1951) – 6 (RCMP and Chinook the killer dog strike again!) 

OLIVIA (1983) – 7 (odd drama from Ulli Lommel) 

THE COLLECTOR (2009) – 7 (more improbable as it goes along but suspenseful) 

BRITISH AGENT (1934) – 5 (uninvolving drama centered on the 1917 Russian Revolution) 

SILENT HILL REVELATION (2012) – 3 (pointless series of set-pieces) 

YUKON GOLD (1952) – 6 (Mountie murder mystery) 

CALLING DR. DEATH (1943) – 7 (Inner Sanctum mystery) (rewatch on Blu) 

THE MONOLITH MONSTERS (1957) – 8 (rewatch on Blu) 

POSSESSOR (2020) – 8 (excellent, creepy sci-fi) 

THE PANTHER’S CLAW (1942) – 6 (interesting if creaky PRC mystery) 

AD ASTRA (2019) – 8 (thoughtful, intelligent science fiction) 

ABBOT & COSTELLO GO TO MARS (1953) – 5 (barely OK effort) 

THE PENGUIN POOL MURDERS (1932) – 6 (first Hildegard Withers mystery film) 

WIERD WOMAN (1944) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE MASK OF DEATH (1984) – 7 (Cushing has one last turn at the role) 

CURTAINS (1983) – 7 (rewatch) 

SCREAMERS (1996) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

DEAD MAN’S EYES (1944) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) 

THE LITTLE THINGS (2021) – 7  

NOAH’S ARK (1928) – 8 (incredible silent epic) 

S.O.S. TIDAL WAVE (1939) – 6 (news/crime drama with wild effects ending) 

THE OKLAHOMA BLUES (1948) – 6 (Monogram B-western) 

The Love of Comic Book Movies

As a fan of the horror genre, I have become used to people denigrating films that I love. As a lifelong comic book fan, I have been thrilled over the last decade to see the rise of the Marvel and DC cinematic universes but my horror fan experience told me that eventually their successes would create the usual public backlash. If you become part of the establishment you are ripe for derision so it was inevitable. This is fine with me since I’ve always loved what I love regardless of other’s opinions. What speaks to me may not speak to someone else but those reactions are personal, intrinsic and cannot be denied.

I have enjoyed most of the huge wave of super hero films of the past few years. There have been duds but, on the whole, I have been pleased with the variety of approaches used even within the two big groups. Much whining has been made about DC’s choice to take a darker tone in their storytelling but for me this move made their films stand out in a good way. Most of DC’s characters have harsh backstories and it is the overcoming of the cruelties of fate that help to paint them as true heroes. They weren’t born to be the people they become – they forge better selves out of their pain. It is these details that make them examples that anyone can admire and emulate because we all have trials to overcome. We need to see in these mythic tales that it can be done. Sometimes the darkest tale can be the most uplifting. Watching these gifted people struggle with the same human fears and paranoias we see reflected in the mirror every morning gives us illustrations of our own lives in brightly colored costumes. Watching these troubled souls still finding their way to do the right thing is what makes these tales so joyful for me. They present hope. There can be no hope without passing through despair. The best of these comic book films show us identifiable people defeating not just the ‘bad guy’ but the fears and anxieties we all face. Their internal battles are instructive and their external battles are entertaining. What more could a comic book fan want?

So, as we continue to move through the phase of comic book film popularity that has an ever-growing chorus of naysayers complaining about the genre’s ubiquity just remember – these films aren’t for them. They are for those of us who have dreamed of seeing these stories made with this level of talent and skill. They are made for us to finally see our modern myths told with the love and detail that the world’s past myths have been rendered. We don’t just want to believe a man can fly but that a teenager can overcome his guilt and grief to be a wall crawling hero. Or a woman forged by a cruel government into a weapon can remake herself into heroic person. Or that a selfish, petty man can become selfless when confronted with injustice. We want all of these stories and more – along with some great fights! Let them whine while we pop the corn and wait to see that extra scene in the end credits!

What I Watched in July

NetFlix recently debuted THE OLD GUARD (2020) which is a new comic book to film adaptation. Remember when those were rare? Well, this is a comic book I was unfamiliar with, so I tuned in because I was intrigued to see star Charlize Theron who I enjoy watching in nearly anything. And then I learned that the film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood who I recognized as the director of THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES (2008) and LOVE & BASKETBALL (2000). This film is her first step into action cinema although she got some practice directing (and producing) some more action-oriented television shows. From the evidence here she is ready for nearly anything.

The film tells the story of a small group of immortal people able to sustain a near infinite amount of physical damage without dying. Drawn to war they have served as mercenaries for centuries lead by the oldest of their number Andromache "Andy" of Scythia played by Theron. Andy has tasked the group with trying to help people and improve the world rather than act as simple hired killers but has become depressed over the last few years convinced that their work isn’t doing any good. She sees the world getting worse overall and isn’t sure what to do. Persuaded by a former CIA operative to go on a rescue mission the team is instead ambushed and mercilessly gunned down. They survive this – of course – but their resurrection is captured on camera and now they know that someone out there is aware of their abilities. Complicating matters is that the team also senses in Afghanistan that a new one of their special kind has come into being meaning they have to help this new recruit understand their new world.

I was stunned by how quickly I was wrapped up in THE OLD GUARD’s story. I liked the characters immediately and loved that there was so much backstory communicated with such economy. The actors feel as if they really have been together for centuries and are comfortable with knowing their companions good and bad sides. The story doesn’t give up its surprises too early leading you down a twisty path that ends in a very satisfying place. On top of that, I was surprised by how emotionally invested I became as the film went on. I found myself liking these people and rooting for them to overcome the worst struggle any of them have faced before. There is a scene in which a member of the team expresses his love for another in the most poetic and beautiful language I’ve ever heard in a film of this type. It explained perfectly why this man will do anything for his beloved and was one of the most touching screen moments I’ve witnessed in years. All that surrounded by a great story and exciting action scenes! Bring on the sequel!

THE LIST

FLASH GORDON (1980) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)
YOUNG MR. LINCOLN (1939) – 8
JUNGLE CAPTIVE (1945) – 6
THE BANANA SPLITS MOVIE (2019) – 6
THE MARK OF THE DEAD (1961) – 6 (Mexican mad scientist horror tale)
MEXICAN HAYRIDE (1948) – 6 (Abbot & Costello con game)
COBRA (1986) – 3 (rewatch on Blu) (so, so bad!)
THE OLD GUARD (2020) – 9 (excellent comic book adaptation)
THE VAMPIRE (1957) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)
THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)
REVENGE OF THE NINJA (1983) – 4 (rewatch) (terrible but fun)
DOUBLE FACE (1969) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)
RAGE OF HONOR (1987) – 4 (rewatch)
AMERICAN RICKSHAW (1989) – 7 (kind of amazing)
LOS VAMPIROS DE COYOACAN (1974) – 6 (silly, fun Masked wrestler film)
A GAME OF DEATH (1945) – 7 (good remake of The Most Dangerous Game)
TINTORERA (1977) – 7 (well done drama - short version)
THE PROJECTED MAN (1966) – 7 (solid British variation THE FLY)
ROY COLT AND WINCHESTER JACK (1970) – 3 (rewatch on Blu)
THE FALCON’S ALIBI (1946) – 6
SPECTRE (2015) – 8 (rewatch)
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (2017) – 8 (rewatch)
PRIMAL RAGE (1989) – 4
MISSILE TO THE MOON (1958) – 4 (rewatch on Blu)
ORLAK – THE HELL OF FRANKENSTEIN (1960) – 5 (Mexican mad science /revenge plot)

What I Watched In February

BIRDS OF PREY (2020) is DC’s latest R-rated superhero film and I loved every off-kilter minute of it. The story combines various female Bat-Family characters from both sides of the law into a ramshackle bunch of violence prone loons trying to save themselves and take down a murderous crime boss played in balls-to-the-wall style by Ewan MacGregor. Of course, the film has an ace in the hole named Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. Rarely has an actress more perfectly embodied a character from the comic book page then Miss Robbie. She has a firm handle on the character and centers this movie in a way that hopefully will lead to many more performances as Harley Quinn in the future. She's surrounded by an able, talented cast capable of smartly supporting her in this rather nasty but completely fun R-rated mess of a superhero crime film. It is certainly not to everyone's taste but for those who enjoy fare such as Deadpool this is a great variation on that dark theme. Bring on more Harley Quinn movies!

Usually when a film is described as a ‘slow burn’ the idea is that you have to sit through an hour of laborious somewhat tedious storytelling or protracted character development before you get to the moments that are compelling. This is not the case with the GRETEL AND HANSEL (2020) at all. Although the movie does rest squarely on the shoulders of two fantastic performances this small-scale retelling of the fairy tale is mesmerizing and its ability to impart loads of information through its imagery is phenomenal. Certainly, it IS a slow burn as the first hour or so of the film slowly, carefully gives us, through mood and atmosphere, a sense of incessant dread as the two title characters are pushed out into an unforgiving world because their parents have no future. They eventual stumbling upon what looks to be a safe harbor in a cottage in the woods inhabited by an old lady who seems to have a miraculous larder filled with every type of baked good imaginable. At first what seems like a heaven-sent release from eventual starvation and death slowly turns until the inevitable truth of their situation makes itself painfully and bloodily evident. This is an exceptional film that will reward repeat viewings. For me, it became a thoughtful rumination on fear, loneliness and the desire to live regardless of the cost. Not enough can be said to praise the excellent lead performances from Alice Krige as the witch and Sophia (IT) Lillis as Gretel. They are fantastic and this carefully crafted deliberately paced horror tale would not work half as well without their fine work.

THE LIST

JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (2017) – 5 (predictable kid’s movie) 

HOUSEBOUND (2014) – 9 (rewatch)

THE WOMAN IN THE MOON (1929) – 8 (Lang’s epic science fiction tale) 

DJANGO THE BASTARD (1969) – 7 (well done and creepy spaghetti western) 

REQUIEM FOR A GRINGO (1968) – 7 (an alternate title spoils the climax but a good SW) 

THE HOUSE ON THE OUTSKIRTS (1980) – 7 (well-made Spanish thriller by Eugenio Martin) 

REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE (1967) – 8 (brilliant drama) 

THE LIVING SKELETON (1968) – 8  (Japanese ghost revenge tale – insane!)

GENOCIDE (1968) – 7 (dark Japanese sci-fi tale) 

PEEPER (1975) – 6 (merely OK noir styled mystery/comedy) 

THE SILVER BULLET (1942) – 5 (typical Johnny Mack Brown B-western) 

BIRDS OF PREY (2020) – 8 

NIGHTWISH (1989) – 5 (low budget horror effort- its reach exceeds its grasp) 

THE CALLER (1987) – 6  (oddball thriller with an unexpected ending) 

RIDE’EM COWBOYS! (1942) – 6  (Abbot & Costello silliness) 

GRETEL & HANSEL (2020) – 7 (fascinating fairy tale) 

FURY OF THE WOLFMAN (1970) – 4 (rewatch) 

STIGMA (1980) – 7 (Jose Larraz murder tale) 

THE WOLF MAN (1941) – 8 (rewatch) 

THE LEGEND OF HILLBILLY JOHN (1972) – 6 (interesting low-budget attempt to adapt Manly Wade Wellman’s Silver John tales) 

BATTLE OF THE WORLDS (1961) – 6 (rewatch) (Margheriti’s sci-fi tale with the great Claude Raines) 

THE PRODIGY (2019) – 7 (great ‘evil child’ horror story)