Behold The “Lone Wolf And Cub!”

If you haven’t heard of “Lone Wolf And Cub”, you are missing out on some of the most exciting japanese samurai movies ever made!

It Begins With A Manga…

“Lone Wolf and Cub” is a Japanese cult manga created by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima. A manga is the name for a japanese comic or graphic novel.

This series of graphic novels was first published in 1970. They continue to be sold around the world, as new generations are discovering the artistry and great storytelling in these works!

“Lone Wolf and Cub” is the story of Ogami Ittō, the Shogun’s executioner who uses a dōtanuki battle sword. Disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyū clan, he is forced to take the path of the assassin.

Along with his three-year-old son, Daigorō, they seek revenge on the Yagyū clan and are known as “Lone Wolf and Cub”. One thing to note: these are NOT comics! There is adult content and lots and lots of blood in these graphic novels…

These novels are well written, beautifully drawn, and very exciting! As they became more popular, they were turned into a series of terrific japanese exploitation films!

And, just like the mangas they are based on, these films are full of samurai action and bloodshed – but beautifully made and intelligently executed!

Bring On The Movies!

As I said, these incredible graphic novels were turned into some of the most exciting – and bloodiest – samurai films of the 70′s! Let’s look at this amazing series of japanese samurai adventures…

The LONE WOLF AND CUB movie series chronicles the adventures of disgraced Shogun assassin Ogami Itto and his infant son Daigoro, who sell their services to people in need while traveling the countryside in search of revenge against the hit squad who killed Itto’s wife.

In the first film of the series, “SWORD OF VENGEANCE”, Ogami escapes with his son in a wooden baby cart after an assassination attempt on his family. This is one of the most famous of the films, as it was sold overseas as “Sword Of Vengeance”, with no reference to Lone Wolf and Cub…

Here is a teaser for the movie:

The second film, “BABY CART AT THE RIVER STYX”, sees Ogami stalked by a deadly female ninja as he attempts to assassinate a spy from the Shogunate.

That’s right, they have FEMALE NINJAS! And trust me, these ladies kick ninja butt! This is a great sequel, and sets up the entire series, as the Lone Wolf and his cub set out to right the wrongs of the land, all while being pursued by their enemies!

The “Lone Wolf And Cub” continue their journey in “BABY CART TO HADES”, with Ogami coming to the aid of a prostitute who killed her pimp. But he has to undergo torture to win back her freedom.

As you can see, the films take on a number of adult topics, as well as social and political issues in Japan’s history…

In the follow-up, “BABY CART IN PERIL”, Ogami must battle a female martial arts master and defend his son from an assassination attempt by an enemy clan.

Yes, more female ninjas!

These films are well made, full of action, and the bond between father and son is very touching…and of course, lots and lots of samurai bloodshed as well!

The fifth film in the saga, “BABY CART IN THE LAND OF DEMONS”, features a duel between Ogami and five warriors who hold not only his assassin’s fee, but vital information he needs to hunt down his enemies.

Then, in the sixth and final installment in the LONE WOLF series,“WHITE HEAVEN IN HELL”, Ogami faces his ultimate challenge when all remaining members of the enemy Retsudo clan band together for a face-off on a snowy battlefield.

It is a great ending to a classic action series…this is a classic serial – an ongoing series of stories wrapped around the life of two great characters, “Lone Wolf And Cub”…

Much like the “Lethal Weapon” movies, or even a show like “Breaking Bad”, you get caught up in the lives of the characters – so every movie offers you another chance to hang out with them and root them on in their battles…

The great news is that the entire series is now available on DVD and blu-ray, and comes with some fun extras as well…it’s your chance to get to know “Lone Wolf And Cub!”

Time To Kick Some Naked Ninja Ass!

If you are reading this, you are not only ready to “go ninja”, but you want to see the movies that do it best! Well, you’ve come to the right place!

From Naked Ninja To Killer Dwarves!

How often do you find an acclaimed film Director who goes from naked female yakusas to killer dwarfs? Well, the answer is simple:

The answer is: ALL THE TIME IN JAPAN!

Female Yakuza Tale!

Teruo Ishii is the Director to celebrate right now – I mean, let’s look at the kind of crazy movies he gave us – starting with “Female Yakuza Tale!”

The full name of the film is “Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture” and it’s a classic Japanese sexploitation film from the early 70′s: lots of blood, sex and nudity – and a plot that is seemingly repeated in film after film:

A young woman is abused and seeks bloody revenge. Yep, that does it!

Teruo Ishii directed the film, which was a sequel to director Norifumi Suzuki’s “Sex & Fury”, which was made earlier the same year.

These are considered two of the classic Japanese “pinky” films of the 70′s.

Both have lots of nudity, sex and blood…all of it the result of a sharp sword! One thing that has helped “Sex & Fury” maintain a higher profile is the addition of European “Artsploitation” star, Christina Lindberg!

Click HERE for the story of “Sex & Fury” – and Christina Lindberg!

http://johnrieber.com/2012/05/31/mutant-girls-pinky-violence-sex-fury-and-lady-snowblood-too-japanese-sexploitation-lives/

Now, Time For A “Blind Beast!”

Time to celebrate this Director’s final film!

Blind Beast Vs. Killer Dwarf!

Director Tereo Ishii faded from view in the 80′s, working mostly in TV. However, his final movie has now been released – with much fanfare!

BANNED FOR TWO YEARS! LEGENDARY DIRECTOR TERUO ISHII’S FINAL DISTURBING MASTERPIECE!

“Teruo Ishii is a fantastic director, a great director! I love Teruo Ishii.” – QUENTIN TARANTINO

When prolific Japanese Cult Director Teruo Ishii passed away in 2005, his final film “BLIND BEAST VS. KILLER DWARF” became his epitaph – and let’s face it – he chose a CRAZY WAY TO GO!

Check out this trailer!

This film stands as the culmination of his life’s work and includes the bizarre and shocking excesses that one can come to expect from the director of “FEMALE YAKUZA TALE”: naked Japanese girls and lots of blood!

Throw into the mix the deranged, depraved and deformed and you’re starting to get the picture – this is a movie that set out to break all the rules – and did!

Borne of a lifelong obsession with the writings of Edogawa Rampo, PANIK HOUSE film releasing is calling Teruo Ishii ‘s swan song “a veritable circus of the insane!”

The press release makes a bold promise: “PANIK HOUSE is proud to present BLIND BEAST VS. KILLER DWARF in the director’s final, approved edition –sparing none of its macabre sex or over-the-top violence!”

I for one cannot wait to see it!

We all know the obvious: Female Ninjas Kick ASS!

I have posted before about one of the WILDEST film genres today: Japanese exploitation movies, known in Japan as:

“J-Sploitation!”

Get to know this name, it will never let you down!

This unique form of japanese exploitation movie looks closely at the various aspects of the country’s culture, especially its treatment of young women. Therefore, many of the films deal with school girls who are abused, and the movies document their ultimate revenge against the men who abused them…and yes, in some cases it involves specially mutated body parts that turn these young women into robotic killers!

As I said, this genre of film is really CRAZY: lots of over the top action, bloodshed, and more action! Let’s get started!

Mutant Girls Squad!

Talk about a kick ass groups of girls!

Action, comedy and splatter: times three! For the first time ever, Japanese cult filmmakers Noboru Iguchi (Robo-Geisha, The Machine Girl), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police, Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl) and Tak Sakaguchi (Death Trance, Versus, Yoroi: Samurai Zombie) have joined forces to bring you three times the heart-pounding action, three times the jaw-dropping comedy and three times the head-exploding splatter of your average action / horror / comedy film!

Just watch the trailer – and you will understand!

So you get the idea: “Mutant Girls Squad” is an outrageously bloody, violent, and hilarious take on gender warfare! It’s just one of the long list of classic “j=sploitation” movies available now! Here are a few more of the outrageous films coming to us from Japan’s twisted Horror masters!

More Iconic “J-Sploitation!” It’s “Tokyo Gore Police!”

I call this the “Citizen Kane” of J-sploitation…”Tokyo Gore Police” has to be seen to be believed!

Set in a future-world vision of Tokyo where the police have been privatized and bitter self-mutilation is so casual that advertising is often specially geared to the “cutter” demographic, this is the story of samurai-sword-wielding Ruka and her mission to avenge her father’s assassination.

Ruka is a cop from a squad who’s mission is to destroy homicidal mutant humans known as “engineers” possessing the ability to transform any injury to a weapon in and of itself. “Tokyo Gore Police” was shot and completed in just two weeks, but you’d never know by the insane level of special effects work done…

Also, look at some of the creatures that Nishimura created, using the plot line that humans can transform any injury into a weapon…and they transform in amazingly disturbing ways in the film…

The film’s most iconic, and disturbing image involves one such radical transformation….

Yes, this is disturbing…But as I explained in the film’s description, “Tokyo Gore Police” is more than just bloodshed and unsettling creatures…the film tackles social issues like “cutting”, an epidemic in Japan…

And as I said, the imagery is so over-the-top that the scenes are more fascinating than revolting, and the film has a storyline that never slows down for a second:

Here are some of the other films I have talked about in the past – such as this classic!

“Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead!”

<img src="http://johnrieber.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/japanese-sexploitaiton.jpg" alt="japanese sexploitaiton" width="640"

Yes, the movie lives up to its title! Here is the trailer:

“We are going to flush you! The most crap-tastic zombie movie ever to emerge from Japan’s cinema sewer is finally upon us, and it’s from the twisted mind of cinematic madman and legendary ass-fetishist Noboru Iguchi, creator of THE MACHINE GIRL, ROBO-GEISHA and KARATE-ROBO ZABORGAR!”

The terrific Japanese Director Iguchi has created a splatter comedy guaranteed to warm the bowels of those with the stomach for it… while more sensitive viewers may want to plug their noses and flee in disgust!

Wracked with guilt over the suicide of her sister Ai, who was tormented by high school bullies, pretty young karate student Megumi accompanies a group of older friends on a trip into the woods.

Things start to go badly when Maki finds a parasitical worm inside a fish they catch – and wolfs it down alive, in the hope that it’ll help keep her skinny! And then… zombies!

The group is attacked by a crowd of poop-covered undead who emerge from an outhouse toilet, and seek refuge at the home of strange Dr. Tanaka and his daughter Sachi. But unbeknownst to them, Tanaka has been conducting experiments on the parasites – and the zombies! – and has another fate in mind for the five strangers from the city.

So much drama! So much violence! So MANY Zombies! And the question on everyone’s mind is this: What’s the connection between the parasites and the undead?

The Liberating Power Of Farts!

This is what makes J-sploitation so unique – this plot asks the question: can Megumi’s karate alone help them escape, or will she have to rely on the liberating power of farts to save the day?

Now, time to celebrate Hollywood’s classic monsters – done in a unique “j-sploitation” style!

Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl

The deranged genius behind “Tokyo Gore Police” is back with a chilling new flick that’s re-writing the hallowed history of the horror genre. “Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl” is the terrifying story of two classic monsters re-imagined as super hot – and extremely lethal – Japanese school girls.

Gore reigns supreme in this “blood-cake cavalcade of carnage” – which was chosen as the winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 NY Asian Film Festival.

Fan boys and movie blogs are already buzzing over this bloodbath du jour, and aficionados of psychedelic blood-filled chocolates, mad scientist principals, sumo wrestlers from hell, and sex-crazed school nurses are guaranteed to lose their heads over this old school splatter-fest.

This film isn’t quite as cohesive to me as some of the others, but once again you see a Director who is going to throw everything he has into making this an over-the-top gore fest, and for that you should be thankful.

Here’s another example of the “j-sploitation” trend to focus on school girls:

Attack Girls Swim Team Vs. The Undead – AKA “The Girls Rebel Force of Competitive Swimmers”.

How can you argue with a movie with this title!

Here is the plot: Aki is a student with a troubled past. She was kept prisoner and abused by an enigmatic professor and trained to be an assassin. She had just transferred to a school at the worst possible time. There’s a mysterious virus in the school and students and teachers are being rounded up to receive a vaccine to counter the virus. However, the very same vaccine supposed to protect them from infection is actually a drug that turns everyone to flesh-eating zombies!

You will see more nudity in this movie than in most of the others, as well as plenty of bloodshed. Who could ask for more?

Time to get out of the pool and back into action!

The Machine Girl.

Ami is a typical college girl. She’s bright, friendly, popular and athletic, with nothing to set her apart from other girls her age other than the fact that she is an orphan, left to care for her younger brother after her father committed suicide after being falsely accused of murder. Ami’s brother has racked up a considerable debt to another boy at school, and that boy just happens to be the heir to a clan of vicious ninja-yakuza. Ami’s brother can’t pay, violence breaks out and in the course of trying to avenge her brother, Ami is captured by the clan. They torture her and hack her arm right off.

Ami escapes, barely alive, and is taken in by the owners of a machine shop who build her a customized, bullet-spewing arm. From that point, the quest for revenge is on in earnest.

Don’t worry, “The Machine Girl” delivers on every single thing you want: bloodshed, exploitation, and REVENGE!

As you can now see, these films begin and end in a similar way: young Japanese women are treated horribly by men, and they find a way, usually with scientific modifications, to exact revenge…bloody bloody revenge! Since there isn’t a single guy in these films worth rooting for, you can’t wait for the next act of revenge to occur, and trust me, they occur PLENTY.

To get a regular dose of this – and other exploitation mayhem, just click on to my website devoted to the world’s wildest cinema!

http://jrsploitation.com/

Enjoy!

Christina Lindberg Speaks!

“Artsploitation” movie fans were given a great treat recently with the publication of an extensive interview with the original “Queen Of Artsploitation!”

Christina Lindberg was Sweden’s first sex kitten, and her arrival in the US in the early 1970’s was at the forefront of the sexual revolution – a time when movie theaters were willing to push the limits on what they’d show to an eager male audience…and usually, that was exposing them to Swedish erotic cinema!

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of “grind house” cinema, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez paid tribute to it with their double feature “Grindhouse”…and here is a look at this fascinating moment in cinema history:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/11/23/sex-violence-grindhouse-have-a-purient-holiday-an-exploitation-gift-guide/

And here is a look at what New York’s 42nd Street – the epicenter of Grindhouse – looked like in the 70’s…

These movies features lots of gratuitous sex and violence – and in the early days, they depended on Swedish erotic dramas to fill their seats…which meant that European films were brought to the US and shown – usually dubbed – in seedy theaters that catered to a audience that was looking for cheap thrills…no matter what language!

Christina Lindberg was Sweden’s most popular sex kitten from the early 70’s…beginning in men’s magazines, and then Swedish advertising…

Christina Lindberg Speaks!

Lindberg became a huge “artsploitation” star, meaning her movies had lots of sex and nudity, but were artistic – you know, “european”…a unique type of film that flourised in the early 70’s…

While the titles were total exploitation, these were actually intense dramas…with lots of Swedish nudity…and later they were released on VHS for fans to enjoy at home…Quentin Tarantino is a huge Lindberg fan, and here is a picture of them together at a recent convention…

For Lindberg, her success in US grindhouse theaters made her a huge star…something she has always been comfortable talking about…but, it’s important to note that she wasn’t just an actress – she has built a great career as a journalist as well, something she is very proud of…here is a recent interview I found:

This was first published on YouTube on Nov 10, 2013 – FLIXX TV Host Shannon Laing interviews Christina Lindberg – and then I also found a great print interview with the legendary Actress as well!

The “Fix” Is In!

The great movie website “The Digital Fix” posted a terrific interview with Lindberg in 2006 – and I just discovered it – filled with great stuff like this, where she describes being discovered in a Swedish dance club:

“I liked to go out to clubs and dance and it was a photographer from one of the biggest magazines in Sweden who saw me dancing at a famous club in Gothenburg and then he told me, you know, he asked me if I could take some photos. I could be the one girl from Gothenburg and he was supposed to take photos from, we were about five girls, and then he took photos and they published it, and I was on the cover and I was the fold-out.”

She goes on to tell interviewer Kevin Gilvear that posing nude wasn’t natural for her at the time:

“I was very shy. I was very shy and it seems a little bit odd when I take off my clothes and such, but I was very shy.”

She became a star, and the interview goes into much more detail about her life as a pin-up sensation. I have included a link to the entire interview later in the story…soon, Lindberg was a movie star as well!

Lindberg starred in a string of Swedish erotic dramas such as “Exposed”, “Maid In Sweden” and the notorious revenge classic, “Thriller!”

This film really cemented her reputation in US grind houses, where it was also released as “They Call Her One-Eye”, and the ridiculous title of “Hooker’s Revenge”, even though she wasn’t a hooker!

Heading To Japan!

After making these films, Lindberg ended up starring in one of the most acclaimed japanese exploitation films of all: “Sex & Fury!”

So how did Sweden’s most successful erotic star end up in a Japanese sexploitation movie? Well, according to the interview, it was amazingly simple!

“I was down in Cannes and they spread pictures of me all over the world, and also Japan I presume. And then some months after I was on my way from Paris, where I had been a fold-out girl in “Lui”, which is a French play mate magazine. And so I was on the plane and I was going back to Stockholm, and when I walked into the cabin two Japanese men came to my place and said “Are you travelling?” and I said yes, and they asked me if I wanted to work in Japan. So yea, “why not” I said, “why not”. So I said, here you have my address and telephone number, you can contact me in Sweden in a few days. And they did.”

The interview is filled with great anecdotes like that one, so please click on this link to read the entire interview…kudos to Kevin Gilvear for the in-depth, intelligent conversation!

http://film.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/60739/looking-for-mushrooms-with-christina-lindberg.html

“The Digital Fix” is a great website for movies fans…

FYI, “Sex & Fury” is the classic film where the star fights a group of samurai killers NAKED! It’s a terrific film, and Christina Lindberg’s career is a fascinating one, with millions of fan worldwide continuing to collect her films, thanks to DVD and blu-ray!

More Christina!

Here is my original story about the “Queen Of Artsploitation” – with even more about her incredible career, and more on her movies!

http://johnrieber.com/2012/05/21/swedish-sex-kitten-christina-lindberg-the-original-queen-of-artsploitation/

Kudos to Christina, the “Queen Of Artsploitation!”!

Christina Lindberg

“Sex! Trash! DYNAMITE!”

How can you go wrong with films like this?

INTRODUCING “PINKY VIOLENCE!”

Time to look at a Japanese trend in the 70’s that blew the doors off of exploitation films and introduced the world to “pinky violence!”

Warning: some of these movie posters feature nudity!

In the 60’s and 70’s, the Japanese had a category of movie known as the “Pink film”, a term used to categorize a wide variety of Japanese films with adult content.

These movies were, for the most part, action thrillers with a certain amount of nudity and sexual situations…but they were NOT pornography! Think of them as drive-in style, “R”-rated morality tales – with a Japanese twist!

Female Empowerment – At A Price!

These movies were wildly entertaining with LOTS of action – usually highlighting women in peril – but the twist is the women ALWAYS get revenge – these are similar to the “women in prison” movies that were popular in the 70’s and 80’s in the US…the young women had to overcome adversity, which they did – and always with lots of kick ass action!

Here is a look at some of the most popular movies in this genre, beginning with a double bill of “High School” terror!

“Terrifying Girl’s High School!” Plus! “Terrifying Girl’s High School: Lynch Law Classroom!”

Look at this double bill! Outlaw Japanese film auteur Norifumi Suzuki`s ‘Terrifying Girl`s High School’ (1971) and its sequel are classic examples of 70’s sexploitation! Check out the trailer:

As you can tell, this is one messed up school! The students at this institution major in one thing only: survival. Bad girls must face off against one another in power plays, fend off lecherous teachers, corrupt politicians and a sadistic student body that murders when crossed – some things never change!

This is a wacky double bill to warm you up to what is a very unique genre of film…young school girls fighting for survival is a perfect example of “pinky violence!”

These “pinky violence” films were produced by a number of studios, most notably TOEI Studios. They are full of samurai action, geysers of blood, and lots of nudity. And they all had great titles!

These are, simply put, Japan’s version of Sexploitation, and they are even more over-the-top than ours!

There are a score of websites devoted to this sub-culture of film, but I wanted to bring attention to a great collection of films in this genre available now…

The Pinky Violence Collection!

Congratulations to Synapse Films for this package of classic 70’s sexploitation, released under the title of “The Pinky Violence Collection!”

“Don’t Mess With Us Just Because We’re Chicks!”

Yep, I love any movie trailer that includes this line! Check out the trailer for “Girl Boss Guerrilla!”

Well, I can’t wait to see more of that! Included in the collection is “Criminal Woman: Killing Melody” – that’s the poster directly above, along with “Terrifying Girls’ High School: Lynch Law Classroom”, the terrific “Girl Boss Guerrilla” and “Delinquent Girl Boss: Worthless To Confess”!

How can you go wrong with names that these? You can’t! Let me know what you think!

It’s the most widely read movie guide of all time!

It weighs two pounds, it has 1,612 pages – and it’s the end of an era!

Here’s what CNN is reporting: “Leonard Maltin was 18 when the first edition of his “Movie Guide” came out in 1969. Forty-five years later, the book — a well-thumbed totem as familiar on film fans’ coffee tables as a bowl of popcorn or a stained drink coaster — will soon be no more. The 2015 edition, just released, will be the last.

Maltin wishes he didn’t have to end its run, he said in a phone interview. But the writing is on the wall.

“I saw it coming a couple years ago,” said Maltin, 63. “There were pretty consistent strong sales for many, many years, and that started to change. It came as kind of a jolt.”

The internet has made the book obsolete. Which is really a shame, as it is a joy to read and have at the ready when channel surfing for something to watch.

Year after year, you could depend on another edition of Maltin’s guide, and it just keeps getting better. Some highlights from the latest edition:

The first review is for “Aaron Loves Angela”, a three-star effort starring Irene Cara that is, to quote the guide, an “OK combination of comedy, drama, violence and Jose Feliciano’s music!”

On page 1,611 sits the last review, for “Zu Warriors”, the 2001 Hong Kong/Chinese kung fu epic, which Maltin calls “visually sumptuous but dramatically muddled” and gives two stars.

In between are almost 16,000 movie reviews – movies you love, movies you hate, and a LOT of movies you’ve never heard of – like this one!

“P.S. Your Cat Is Dead!” With Steve Guttenberg!

Well, you don’t EVER have to watch this one-and-a-half star effort…just read Maltin’s quick review:

“Claustrophobic, one-set film features stereotypes that seem badly dated. The only character we can work up any sympathy for is the cat, which is never seen!”

Here are another gem starring legendary Actors Richard Burton and Lee Marvin:

It’s “The Klansman” – one of those few classics reviewed in the book that actually is listed as “BOMB”. Here is why: Maltin says it’s a “thoroughly trashy racial melodrama”, and boy is it ever!

If you want to read more about one of the most misguided race movies ever made, click on my story here to read about this classic piece of 70’s trash:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/04/14/django-please-mandingo-klansmen-ojs-movie-debut-most-offensive-70s-movies-ever/

As much fun as these reviews are to read, even Maltin makes classic mistakes: listen to how much he hates a film that he gives a two-star review:

“To us, this gory, cold-blooded story of sick man’s lurid descent into violence is ugly and unredeeming.”

And he’s referring to the brilliant “Taxi Driver!”

Now that is a BIG mistake! Usually he is much more accurate, like this 4-star review of my second favorite film of all time:

“Mammoth allegory with surrealistic flavor about young coffee salesman who pushes his way to the top only to fall and rise again.”

That is for “O Lucky Man!”

Read all about this incredible movie, and find out about the “Seinfeld” connection, by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/03/22/o-lucky-man-malcolm-mcdowells-seinfeld-connection/

So thanks Leonard Maltin for all of your years of passion for movies…I will wear this book out reading all of your 16,000 reviews!

Smile! It’s Halloween Month 2014!

I love this image, and I love this movie…and what better time to enjoy “The Exorcist” – and ALL of the greatest horror films – than the month leading up to Halloween 2014!

With 31 days of horror, there are a LOT of films you can watch to make you scream…time to share some of my favorites with you! Just be sure not to make THESE TWO UNHAPPY!

Yes, those two Twins were no doubt perfect girls for Director Stanley Kubrick…more on “The Shining” in a moment, a more stylized horror film…

Watch out! As stylized as “The Shining” is, we start our look at the horrific month of October with a film that for many is the most shocking ever released!

Fire Up Your Chainsaws!

Let’s begin with what many consider the most “horrifically raw” horror film of all time! “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is not only an iconic horror film – it was groundbreaking for it’s “documentary” feel, and it is celebrating its 40th anniversary on a new blu-ray release – that has lots of new documentaries!

This movie is almost TOO intense to watch, which is why it has become such a horror classic…and speaking of horror classics, here is one of most well-made horror films of all time:

Bravo To Brian DePalma!

Director Brian DePalma made what is, for me, one of the all time greatest horror films ever:

The 70’s was a golden era for horror films, and DePalma deserves credit for many of them – not only his horror classic “Carrie”, but “Sisters” and “Dressed To Kill” as well! See my five favorite DePalma horror classics by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/03/13/carrie-and-more-5-classic-brian-depalma-thrillers/

And speaking of the 70’s, let’s not forget that in 1973 the greatest horror film of all time was released to a screaming public:

The haunting image on the poster only hints at what is going on inside this Washington DC brownstone: “The Exorcist” is a brilliant film as well as the scariest horror film ever made – with so many shocking moments there are too many to name…and it’s impossible to keep your head on straight!

OK, we all know about the shocking sequences in the film – the buildup of dread that begins when young Regan starts to become – well, POSSESSED…

Director William Friedkin made this two years after he won the Oscar for Best Picture for “The French Connection”…

“The Exorcist” was also nominated for Best Picture of 1973 – a great example of a horror film that is also just a brilliant movie – and Linda Blair was perfect as the young, angelic Regan – which makes what happens in the film all the more shocking:

Regan MacNeil: “My bed was shaking. I can’t get to sleep.”

There is so much great trivia around this movie:

The refrigerated bedroom set was cooled with four air conditioners and temperatures would plunge to around 30 to 40 below zero. It was so cold that perspiration would freeze on some of the cast and crew. On one occasion the air was saturated with moisture resulting in a thin layer of snow falling on the set before the crew arrived for filming.

Oh, and then it gets REALLY SCARY, as the demon begins to taunt Karras:

Demon: “Your mother sucks cocks in Hell, Karras, you faithless slime!”

Oh yeah, the “360 degree head twist” sequence! This film is so intense and scary that the original teaser trailer, which consisted of nothing but images of the white-faced demon quickly flashing in and out of darkness, was banned in many theaters, as it was deemed “too frightening”.

Pea Soup For Dinner?

And then of course, there is the legendary projectile vomiting scene!

The substance that the possessed Linda Blair hurls at Father Damien Karras is thick pea soup. Specifically, it’s Andersen’s brand pea soup. The crew tried Campbell’s but didn’t like the “effect.”

Tons of great stories and commentaries on the special edition blu-ray….check it out and relive a classic!

And it’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as horror is concerned! Because in addition to classic horror, there are some great “new” horror classics as well!

Meet The Shocking Soska Sisters!

Two of the brightest new stars of horror have a great story to share! And yes, they love “The Shining” too!

The Soska Sisters are not only twins, but they direct horror films and they have a company called “Twisted Twins!”

They clearly have a thing for blood, so check out my story on their terrific horror film “American Mary!”

http://johnrieber.com/2013/06/07/modern-horror-twin-directors-the-soska-sisters-american-mary-dead-hooker-in-a-trunk/

The Sisters are back this Halloween with “See No Evil 2″ starring Kane! This new horror film is on demand as of Oct. 17!

Let’s pause for a moment to say “don’t you just love October”?

It’s Friday The 13th All Month Long!

Yes, October is really month full of “Friday the 13th’s”, culminating in a night of Halloween horror on the 31st!

Here are my favorite horror films – from all around the world! Like this bloody classic from Japan:

Yes, you can enjoy the classic gorefest of “Tokyo Gore Police” and many more by clicking on my list of worldwide horror here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/12/13/friday-the-13th-the-best-horror-movies-to-scare-the-lights-off-you/

And of course, some think that a certain film is the best horror film ever…

“Here’s Johnny!”

Yes, when a master like Stanley Kubrick takes on the horror genre, you had to assume it would be a stylized look at pure evil…with many iconic moments…

You can read all about this classic horror film by clicking on my whole story here…

http://johnrieber.com/2012/10/31/the-shining-room-237-the-exorcist-the-greatest-horror-movies-ever-made/

There are so many great horror films to watch…some are gorefests, and some offer a psychological look at horror, like this one!

A Psychological Horror Double Bill!

If you haven’t heard of “Let’s Scare Jessica To Death”, you are missing a horror treat! And if you want double your horror, then add “Rosemary’s Baby” to your list as well!

Read about both of these classic horror films by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/10/26/rosemarys-baby-jessicas-scared-to-death-great-halloween-horror/

Well, I’m exhausted, and you should be looking for movies like this right now:

This is just the tip of the horror iceberg, and there are many more posts to come! So try all of these gorefests on for size and let me know what you think!

Halloween 2014 is underway with amazingly distasteful Halloween horror classics! Yes, Halloween is a season for every kind of movie that is so so wrong – and yet at this time of year is so so right!

“The Sequel You Did Nazi Coming!”

Yes, you read that right! Now, DO NOT CLICK AWAY. You need to read about some of the craziest movies being made today – the raucous blend of zombies and Nazis! I’ve got a sequel to a movie you may not even know exists! And it’s just the tip of the “zombie movie madness” I have for you!

First: did you happen to see this classic film?

“Dead Snow”! Nazi Zombies, Of Course!

Leave it to the Norwegians to corner the market in wacky “nazi zombie” movies! You get the idea here: Nazis were never wiped out in WW2, they were just frozen solid – and once they thawed out, they were ravenous zombies! That’s “Dead Snow” in a nutshell! This movie has a great cult following, helped by a great blu-ray release:

There have been a number of comic zombie movies, such as the classic “Shaun Of The Dead” – it is tough to pull off, but when it works, it works! The success of the “Dead Snow” comic zombie gorefest has led to, you guessed it – THIS!

Read this inspired plot summary by the brilliant minds at IMDB:

“If the worst day of your life consisted of accidentally killing your girlfriend with an axe, chain-sawing your own arm off, and watching in horror as your closest friends were devoured by a zombified Nazi battalion, you’d have to assume that things couldn’t get much worse. In Martin’s case, that was only the beginning!”

Check out the trailer:

Don’t you love this Norwegian movie poster? And listen, Nazis were horrible human beings, but now, they are just disgusting zombies! As you can see, “Dead Snow 2″ is a campy gorefest, with severed arms, frozen zombies, repulsive Nazis and more!

Movies like this DO NOT APOLOGIZE: they are over-the-top, embracing their bad taste – and they are the perfect entertainment to have on in the background at your next party – or better yet, you can watch it in the privacy of your own twisted home!

I know what you are thinking:

“it is really a shame that there aren’t more bad taste zombie movies for me to enjoy…”

Well, we all know that’s not true, right?

Here are more Zombie movies for you – beginning with MORE NAZIS!

“Iron Sky” Indeed!

Did you know that after WW2, a few Nazis managed to get onboard a spaceship and head to the dark side of the moon?

OK, even I admit that this movie poster is in the worst possible taste…but if you are buying the plot at all, then you just have to go with it!

And of course, if you didn’t read my original post, there is the link to the “Citizen Kane” of Nazi Zombie movies, “Iron Sky!”

http://johnrieber.com/2012/10/23/bad-taste-this-halloween-nazi-zombie-halloween-horror-halloween-party-movies/

From “Nazis” To “Toilets!”

And if your taste for Zombies runs a bit more “EXOTIC”, then there is this cinematic gem to share with you!

“Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead!”

You read that right: it’s a toilet that is actually a Zombie, so when you sit down…well, you get the idea, but just in case you don’t:

If you want to know more about this classic asian horror film, then you can click on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/11/06/zombie-ass-yes-japans-wacky-cinema-is-calling-what-the/

Trust me when I say there are few films more delightfully twisted than that one…well, maybe I spoke to soon…how about some “singing zombies?”

Yes, Asian film master Takeshi Miike made a zombie musical! You can read all about this twisted treasure by clicking here….

http://johnrieber.com/2013/10/05/happy-singing-zombies-visionary-takashi-miikes-wacky-zombie-musical/

I cannot recommend this movie enough!

And don’t forget, there is plenty of Zombie madness – with plenty of Nazis – waiting for you! Enjoy!

Time To Get Messy!

Yes, Halloween is a time for movies to “let it flow”, and that means some of the wildest horror films of all time get a much deserved spotlight!

You know, Shocktober is the month to revisit such classics as “Carrie”, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, and of course, the greatest horror film ever made, “The Exorcist”:

Killer Frogs And Vincent Price, Too!

It’s also a perfect season for movies that are over the top, campy and fun as well as horrific – I mean, how can you not love a horror film with this poster:

That is, for me, one of the most perfect movie posters of all time: that is one evil Frog! The poster captures perfectly what you can expect form the film – good horrific fun, and it is just one of the campy horror treasures I have for you today – let’s begin with a great genre of horror called “J-sploitation”, cult exploitation movies from Japan, and here is one of their wildest efforts:

Helldriver!

I love japanese exploitation films: they are wildly imaginative, and offer more excessive bloodshed than you will find anywhere else! Need proof?

“Helldriver” offers up one of the wackiest plots ever, as a zombie plague turns Japan into a bloody war zone…

It’s more a bloody action spectacle than a horror film, but it is indicative of the imaginative approach to moviemaking that is going on in Japan and Asia…

“Dream Home” Rocks!

This is a great horror film – look closely at the poster: the Actress is laying amid dead bodies! To read all about “Helldriver” AND “Dream Home”, just click on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/05/01/female-ninja-warriors-extreme-asian-cinema-updated/

There are so many terrific Asian horror films to share, search them out on my blog as well!

And now, let’s go to a type of horror film that’s been “gnawing” at me lately:

Zombeavers!

Yes, what a great campy horror movie…”Zombeavers” is EXACTLY what you think it is…and exactly what it should be! Bloody horror fun with zombie beavers!

It’s the genre of killer animals – rodents really – and it’s a hilariously over the top genre epitomized by the new classic “Zombeavers”, and of course, the ultimate “killer frog” movie:

Read all about these “killer animal” films by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/02/18/zombeavers-the-latest-in-killer-animal-movies-frogs-ants-and-more-campy-horror/

Sometimes the best part of a horror film is to spend time with your favorite Actors, and it is time now to celebrate one of horror’s most iconic faces:

Vincent Price was one of horror’s great stars, starring in such classics as the original “The Fly”, “The House On Haunted Hill” and one of my favorites:

Dr. Phibes! Vincent Price’s Masterpiece!

If you haven’t seen “The Abominable Dr. Phibes”, you are missing a campy horror film from the 70’s that is just as entertaining today, and now out on blu-ray! Check out my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/10/22/drunken-dr-phibes-horrors-abominable-midnight-madness/

Vincent Price wasn’t the only great Actor who found success in the horror genre…are you aware that there is a another great genre of scary movie?

Old Lady Horror!

Yes, you may not be aware, but this is one of my favorite horror genres: the killer grandma! And nobody did it better than legendary Actress Shelley Winters!

Yep, Shelley Winters was just one legendary Actress who turned to campy horror late in their career…along with Ruth Gordon, Bette Davis and even Debbie Reynolds! You can read all about the genre of “Old Lady Horror” by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/03/09/old-lady-horror-crazy-ladies-chew-up-the-screen/

So there you have it, some good campy Shocktober fun for you…

Happy Halloween!

What Makes A Movie “CULT”?

Could it be something as ridiculous as a film based on the concept of hunting someone down with a bow and arrow – WHILE NAKED?

Does a movie achieve “cult” status because it’s about an obscene phone caller who likes to wear a RABBIT MASK?

Or then again, maybe you just need to pair Sexploitaiton legend Russ Meyer with the greatest film critic of all time!

Time to look at three of the “wildest” cult films of all time, beginning with one of the strangest pairings in motion picture history!

Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls!

Some movie sequels are just a retread of the original film. However, if you only know of the original cult classic “Valley Of The Dolls”, then you haven’t experienced cult film sequel magic – taken to the X-treme!

“Russ And Roger Go Beyond!”

First, imagine a time when a movie studio was struggling for survival because of a number of big-budget flops. Now, imagine it’s the height of the sexual revolution in America, and soft core film maverick Russ Meyer was making a fortune with his low budget brand of “SINema!”

Meyer was already established as the outlaw helmer of soft-core pulp films like “Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” and he wanted the legitimacy of making a studio film. Richard Zanuck, then head of 20th, gave him that opportunity because his movies made so much money, cost so little to make, and were a big hit with the younger generation!

How Meyer Met Ebert!

So here’s where it get really fascinating: Meyer agreed to take on “Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls” – the sequel to the smash pulp hit – but only on the condition that the script get written by Roger Ebert! At the time, Ebert was the third-string movie critic of the Chicago Sun Times, but he had written one of the few positive reviews Meyer had ever received!

Since Meyer had built a huge fan base by focusing on his Actresses’ ample talents, he brought in his usual buxom brigade! The film was actually “X-rated” – and a huge box office success! Meyer and Ebert remained friends until Meyer passed away in 2004.

Check out this classic trailer!

Here’s the very succinct plot outline from IMDB:

Three girls come to Hollywood to make it big, but find only sex, drugs and sleaze.

Of course they do! But those are the three most important things for a “cult” film!

If you want to see a major studio trying to be hip and edgy, and Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert having a blast sticking it to the man, this movie is for you!

And if you are unhappy with this choice, you can hunt me down like this:

Meet Countess Perverse!

How do you describe a movie like “Countess Perverse?” Well, maybe this way:

“Hunting Humans Was Her Favorite Game!”

What a great tagline for a movie!

Here’s the plot in a nutshell: Two wealthy aristocrats lure a virginal girl to a Spanish island for a night of sex, death and cannibalism.

Again, the PERFECT elements for a cult classic! And there is SO much more! Here is how The AV Club described the movie:

When a young couple in a classy seaside village finds a nude woman washed up on the beach, they aren’t particularly surprised by the story she tells them, about a house of horrors and a “man with black glasses” who’s trying to kill her.

As you can tell, this isn’t going to end well for the couple. But that’s what makes it so perversely fun – as you are about to see!

These aristocrats have a fun hobby: They strip their guests and send them out on the grounds to be hunted, Most Dangerous Game-style. If the guests survive long enough, the count sets them free.

Otherwise, the countess — who is also naked, save for a quiver of arrows — shoots them dead, then roasts them and serves them for dinner!

Yes, you read that right!

It’s “The Most Dangerous Game” – Naked!

I mean, that’s what is going on here: hunting humans for sport – and in this case, everyone is naked! That’s especially good news for fans of sexploitation legend Lina Romay, who spends most of the film running around the island naked!

Don’t look shocked, Lina – you were naked in ALL of your movies. The best part of “Countess Perverse” might just be the ending, just before the closing credits roll, when the count looks down at the corpse of his magnificent bride and boasts:

“You will be the best meal of my life!”

Now do you understand why this film is on this list? And if you don’t agree, then pick up a phone and call THIS NUMBER:

The Telephone Book!

Yes, this is a cult classic just based on the sight of a man seducing a young woman while wearing a Rabbit mask! But this wacky classic has a lot more than that!

First, meet Sarah Kennedy, the most adorable star you could ever hope for in a film…in a breakout role – a role that sees her in virtually every scene in the film, where she falls in love with –

THIS GUY!

A Lost Cult Classic Is On The Phone! You Have To Answer This Call!

“The Telehone Book” is a mind-blowing camp classic! It’s a day in the life of a lonely, sensitive young woman – who meets a very special person on “the telephone.” Thus begins one of the most original and surreal romantic comedies ever made…

There is SO MUCH to share with you about this incredible cult classic, but let’s get started by checking out the trailer!

Thanks to the maniacs at Vinegar Syndrome for releasing this mind-blowing obscurity from the halcyon days of the early 70’s!

Actress Sarah Kennedy not only looks exactly like Goldie Hawn, but she plays Alice, a young woman who lives in a New York City apartment decorated with pornographic images and knickknacks.

She’s sexy, quirky and liberated, but she really gets off on obscene phone calls, with rotary dial work from an unknown man, identifying himself as Mr. Smith (Norman Rose), bringing Alice to orgasmic heights.

That’s right, she falls in love with Mr. Smith based solely on his obscene phone calls to her!

Alice tries to track down Mr. Smith by telephone book cold calling, then racing around town, running into an amazing array of people, usually doing something dirty, as you can tell by this movie poster:

Alice’s goal is simple: she must find her gloved Romeo – who wears a pig mask and claims he can seduce the President of the United States! Is this strange enough for you yet?

According to the great IMDB website, “The Telephone Book” was written and directed by Nelson Lyon, who went on to participate in the early years of “Saturday Night Live.” Lyon also achieved infamy as John Belushi’s partner during the drug-binge weekend that took the superstar’s life.

Calling Andy Warhol!

Here’s another great piece of trivia: According to producer Merv Bloch, the movie originally came with a specially shot intermission which he eventually decided to cut out. During the intermission Andy Warhol was shown sitting in a chair eating popcorn until the actual movie would continue again!

This intermission was meant as an in-joke to Warhol’s own films that often showed the most mundane things for an extended amount of time, like a person sleeping for several hours or a person eating something without anything extraordinary happening. The footage of this intermission is currently considered lost!

“The Telephone Book” also includes one of the most surreal animation sequences ever, which pushes the film into X-rated territory, but it’s all quirky and fun, and therefore surprisingly innocent…an adult film anchored by an innocence that is charming…

Writer-director Nelson Lyon helmed “The Telephone Book” as a kinky vaudeville revue. When Alice’s obscene phone caller boasts that his talents could seduce the President of the United States and the entire First Family, he suffixes his claim that he would not try it because “I have no political ambitions.” And yes, he wears a pig mask the entire time!

There are several recognizable people in the film, including Jill Clayburgh, who would go on to receive an Oscar nomination a few years later!

Thanks to the folks at Vinegar Syndrome, who have released a blu-ray with radio spots, production stills and a feature-length audio commentary! What a great job saving one of cinema’s most obscure films ever!

So there you go, three trips into the world of cult cinema – enjoy and let me know what you think!

Ready For New Japanese Horror? Well, Meet This Guy!

Yes, the Japanese are making some of the most inventive horror films around…beginning of course with the legendary masterpiece “Battle Royale”:

And now, there is a new film that is not only controversial for its subject matter, but for this as well:

Yes, they are connected in a most unusual way….first, let’s look at a new film just released in Japan:

Here is the trailer for “Kamisama no Iutoori” – “As The Gods Will”:

“As The Gods Will” is an adaptation of a japanese manga series – and tells the story of a group of high school kids who, after their teacher is killed, are forced to play a number of childhood games with a horrifying twist in order to survive!

Thanks to RocketNews24, I found a promotional video for the film that is causing much controversy.
In the video, six sexy idols are forced to play the same game as in the film, trying to creep up on the giant-faced doll.

However, in this case all of the participants are bikini clad models, and their goal is NOT TO JIGGLE!

There is really nothing NSFW about this trailer, but if “bouncy” bikini models offend you, you can skip the video…

Here is the trailer for “The Bikini Game”:

As you can see, a very imaginative way to get attention for the film. Did it offend you? Let me know, and you can read the entire story on RocketNews24 here:

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/11/10/dangerous-jiggles-six-bikini-clad-girls-play-the-ultimate-game-of-statues-in-horror-movie-promo/

Let me know if you plan to see the film!

Looking for a unique way to give a movie gift this holiday season?

Give A Great Movie Night!

I love the idea of a couple of movies wrapped in a popcorn container with specialty salts and some great wine! But it has to be the “right” kind of film. If your cinephile is looking for something more sophisticated than “The Ugley Truth”, then look no further than here:

Weng Weng’s Got You Covered!

Yes, it’s time for giving gifts to those you love – so why not surprise them with one of these five wild wild wild movies?

Let’s get started – first, hands up!

MEET 2 FEET AND 9 INCHES OF PURE MAN!

You are in good hands, because the legendary action hero “Weng Weng” is on the case!

For Your Height Only!

Now here is a classic film to slip under someone’s Christmas tree: a James Bond rip-off starring the legendary “littlest action hero” Weng Weng!

Take a look:

This classic slice of campy action stars Weng Weng, the legendary diminutive action hero…first, the plot:

Mr. Giant has kidnapped the brilliant Dr. Van Kohler and is planning to use the Doctor’s invention, the N-bomb, to hold the world hostage. The only one who can foil Mr. Giant’s evil scheme is Agent 00:

A 3-foot-tall filipino martial arts master, expert marksman, top-class romancer and all-around super spy!

That’s right: SIZE DOESN’T MATTER!

“For Your Height Only” is a play on words on “For Your Eyes Only”, the title of the James Bond film released that same year. I mean, look at this Bond-ish poster!

And of course, just like James Bond, Weng Weng is also a lady-killer…

Every movie lover would embrace Weng Weng! This movie was so successful that a sequel was produced in 1982, titled “The Impossible Kid”. Weng Weng is known as the shortest man to ever be a lead in an action film/martial arts film; he stands at 2’9″ (less than one meter).

The answer to the question you are thinking is “yes, it is as crazy as you imagine” – but isn’t that the point of giving it to a loved one?

From Weng Weng to Lloyd Kaufman!

Yes, it’s the perfect transition, because while Weng Weng is a small slice of heaven, Troma stands tall once again with their latest “Tromasterpiece!”

“Return To The Class Of Nuke ‘em High Vol. 1!”

The Maestro of Troma has unveiled his latest classic – check out the trailer!

WARNING! FULL FRONTAL NUDITY IN THIS TEASER – VERY VERY NSFW – ONLY FOR YOUR OWN EYES!

Well, hard to argue about this one…it’s Troma in spirit and execution – and of course green foam and blood….

“Return To The Class Of Nuke ‘em High” was ultimately divided into two parts, with “Vol. 1″ arriving this year…you can find it at Amazon as well as the official Troma store…and “Vol. 2″ will be released in 2015…

If you head to Troma.com, you can buy this terrifically fun movie and see the hundreds of films they have in their library –

Support legendary filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman by checking out more of my “Return to Nuke ‘em High Vol. 1″ here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/02/09/schools-out-rock-n-roll-high-nuke-em-high-and-alice-cooper/

Now, time to shift from Troma, home of the classic “Surf Nazis Must Die” – yes, another great Troma classic, to a more serious Nazi film…

“The Sequel You Did Nazi Coming!”

Yes, you read that right! You need to read about some of the craziest movies being made today – the raucous blend of zombies and Nazis! I’ve got a sequel to a movie you may not even know exists!

First: did you happen to see this classic film?

“Dead Snow”! Nazi Zombies, Of Course!

Leave it to the Norwegians to corner the market in wacky “nazi zombie” movies! You get the idea here: Nazis were never wiped out in WW2, they were just frozen solid – and once they thawed out, they were ravenous zombies! The success of the “Dead Snow” comic zombie gorefest has led to, you guessed it – THIS!

Read this inspired plot summary by the brilliant minds at IMDB:

“If the worst day of your life consisted of accidentally killing your girlfriend with an axe, chain-sawing your own arm off, and watching in horror as your closest friends were devoured by a zombified Nazi battalion, you’d have to assume that things couldn’t get much worse. In Martin’s case, that was only the beginning!”

Check out the trailer:

These are wacky cult films that are actually good! And of course, if you didn’t read my original post, here is the link to the “Citizen Kane” of Nazi Zombie movies, “Iron Sky!”

http://johnrieber.com/2012/10/23/bad-taste-this-halloween-nazi-zombie-halloween-horror-halloween-party-movies/

Ok, let’s get away from war films and head to the far east, where there are entirely different kinds of zombies to fight!

Helldriver!

I love japanese exploitation films: they are wildly imaginative, and offer more excessive bloodshed than you will find anywhere else! Need proof?

“Helldriver” offers up one of the wackiest plots ever, as a zombie plague turns Japan into a bloody war zone…

Did I Say “Bloody?”

Yes, these classic “j-sploitaiton” films – japanese exploitation, a genre that offers garden hoses full of blood – a campy excess that keeps the films firmly in “tongue in cheek” territory – they are well done, and very fast and frenetic….never a dull moment in these movies!

It’s more a bloody action spectacle than a horror film, but it is indicative of the imaginative approach to moviemaking that is going on in Japan and Asia…

It’s what every movie buff would want under their tree!

To read all about “Helldriver”, just click on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/05/01/female-ninja-warriors-extreme-asian-cinema-updated/

From “J-Splo” To “Oz-Splo”!

As much as I love “J-sploitation”, I think “Ozsploitation” may be even better!

Yes, let’s head to Australia for a legendary film that lives up to its hungry name!

Strap Yourself In For “The Bed That Eats!”

Yes, it is time to discover the wonder of “Death Bed!” First, let’s see a few choice moments thanks to “Saibot216″ on youtube….

It is referred to as the “worst film ever made!” But c’mon, if you’ve see “The Room” or “Birdemic”, you know that’s not possible…and now, thanks to the great home video distributor CultEpics, there is a new blu-ray that gives YOU the chance to decide for yourself!

Patton Oswalt’s Favorite Film!

This cult classic was lost to camp movie buffs for years, and comic Patton Oswalt actually went on a riff about the film – and people thought he was making it up!

He wasn’t of course – “Death Bed” is a terrific horror comedy that deserves to be seen by the cinephile in your family!

Read all about this incredible movie AND see Patton Oswalt’s love affair with it by clicking on my whole story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/07/28/classic-cult-horror-death-bed-the-bed-that-eats-patton-oswalts-obsession-is-here/

So there you have it: five wildly entertaining films that deserve to be on everyone’s holiday gift-giving list!

It’s Anniversary Time! Let’s Celebrate!

Today is the third year anniversary of this blog, and I want to take a moment to thank everyone who visits – and if you don’t want a piece of “bacon cake”, then maybe this will do:

Yes, this is a chicken wing cupcake, and I share this photo for a reason: it was three years ago when I shared the recipe for making them yourself…

http://johnrieber.com/2012/02/03/buffalo-chicken-wing-cupcakes/

Three years of posting stories about food, travel, movie, music, books, concerts, great adventures both personal and professional…and yes, stuff like this:

The Majesty Of A Cheesesteak Doughnut Burger!

Yes, I post about burgers a lot. Because many of you seem to enjoy these unique foodstuffs. And yes, there is much more to come. But before we devolve into a discussion of “Cheesesteak Doughnut” burgers, let me thank the person behind this story – and behind this blog.

Three years ago, my wife and ongoing inspiration Alex told me to write a blog and have some fun…and that fun included stories about our adventures in Spain, Provence and more, including the Cannes film festival…

That’s my wife Alex and I along with our good friend Michael Castner in a Cannes hotel stairwell waiting to interview a celebrity. I have shared a number of fun stories from the past, including the story behind this photo of Michael interviewing Arnold Schwarzenegger, while I watch in the orange shirt:

You can read the entire story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/05/14/cannes-2014-my-classic-arnold-schwarzenegger-encounter-big-star-planet-hollywood-shenanigans/

Alex has been amazingly supportive of this blog, letting me share some of our adventures with you – but she couldn’t have imagined it would lead to this:

The Tokyo Burger Tower!

Little did Alex know that, as I looked for things that interested me enough to write about, I would find a world full of crazy food – from a “Tokyo Burger Tower” you see above to the best burger currently being made in Cambodia!

Some people love these burger posts – so thank you for your feedback – and one, Jeff Greenfield, HATED a food story I posted: showcasing the spaghetti-stuffed hot dog!

Not sure why, but Jeff said this freaked him out a bit…so now I have to keep looking for more wacky food mashups just to keep him on his toes…you know, like the “bacon cheeseburger-stuffed doughnut!”

Read all about the majesty of this by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/10/25/bacon-glazed-cheeseburger-doughnut-amazing-burgerbacon-mashup/

Yes, it has been a tasty three years…and I promise moving forward there will be much more of this:

Yes, this bacon cheeseburger has 1,000 slices of bacon, which is appropriate since this is a post all about numbers:

Closing In On One Million Views…

In the three years I have been posting, these stories have collectively generated almost one million views – it is exciting to see the response to new stories as well as stories posted a year ago or longer – and from the comments I have gotten, it’s nice that a wide range of topics are of interest…from amazing travel memoirs like this:

Read about this incredible Author and her year on a south pacific island by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/05/05/faraway-lucy-irvines-castaway-sequel-more-amazing-island-escapes/

And of course, I have posted many times about my favorite musical group of all time!

The Beatles Are #1!

The greatest musical group in history is also making history for me! Here is the single most viewed post I have ever published:

The Beatles Lost Rooftop Concert Film!

Yes, you can never go wrong when you’ve got The Beatles helping you out! My “Let It Be” post continues to be the most viewed story of all time on my blog, which I love because this Beatles documentary is probably the greatest “lost” film of all time, and you can read my entire post about it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/04/06/let-it-be-the-beatles-lost-documentary-londons-live-beatles-rooftop-concert/

And yes, I own a VHS copy of the movie, which is one reason I love The Beatles so much!

Now, onto a “different” kind of movie…

Three years ago, I discovered that certain stories got a lot of interest, like films from the “grindhouse” era of New York’s 42nd street: it was almost three years ago when I actually warned people which movies NOT to show at a family holiday gathering!

Which, I will reiterate, is NOT a film to be shared with relatives…although “The Sinful Dwarf” is a classic example of “euro-sleaze”, a rough type of 70’s film…classic cult cinema that lives on thanks to DVD and on demand services – and I do have a fondness for wacky exploitation movies, like this:

Grindhouse Cinema Lives!

Yes, it’s an acquired taste, but I have met a ton of passionate exploitation fans who enjoy stories about his unique time in movie history…and look, not only did I share the plot of “Mantis In Lace”, but I found this picture as well!

The fact that the President and Vice-President would be eating in front of a “Mantis” poster…I love the internet! Ii you want to more, just click on my “grind house gift guide” here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/11/23/sex-violence-grindhouse-have-a-purient-holiday-an-exploitation-gift-guide/

There are a lot of people who enjoy this unique era of film, and I thank all of you who read my posts about this weird and wild world of cult cinema…

But I also love to travel, and Alex and I have been lucky enough to have some great adventures, which I have shared throughout the years:

Here is Alex harvesting a fresh eggplant from the Patricia Wells garden in Provence, where we cooked with this legendary cookbook Author:

We got to cook on Julia Childs’ original provincial stove, and you can read all about it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/06/10/tasting-provence-cooking-with-patricia-wells-food-and-travel-unite/

No matter how great cooking with Patricia and her husband was, it pales in comparison to the fun I’ve had with my kids as well…

This is my daughter Jessica, who came along on a work trip to Tokyo and got to see some crazy japanese food…

http://johnrieber.com/2014/05/06/tokyos-build-a-burger-wacky-japanese-burger-ads-wildest-food-for-sale/

We had a great time eating our way through some of Tokyo’s great food…but it paled in comparison to this hilarious trip, which I call:

The “London Grind!”

My son Jeff went with me on a work trip to London, and got to work with the crew for a few days as well…which led to what we call his “London grind” adventure – a hilarious night out with some very drunken British business people, highlighted here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/12/18/alison-haislip-the-london-grind-travels-with-alison/

This was a trip to film for G4 with Host Alison Haislip, and thanks to Alison for being such a great talent, and so much fun to work with in London!

And Let’s Never Forget The Bacon!

Yes, I have posted about ALL kinds of bacon as well…that’s because bacon is funny, and you “never cut funny”…so whether it’s a bacon wedding cake…

Or perhaps it is bacon that is utilized in a more “fashionable” manner…yes, bacon has proven to be very very popular, and the stranger the better!

Thanks to Sara Underwood for wearing a bacon bikini – all for the good of television. Of course, bacon fits best right here:

Burgers!

I have also enjoyed posting lots of burger posts…like the Brazil burger sold in an edible wrapper:

I haven’t been to Rio to have this, but cannot wait to get there! Read all about this edible adventure here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/12/20/brazils-edible-burger-wrappers-go-brazil-go/

I have also shared my love of music – and of course my admiration for the music and career of Todd Rundgren!

I have been a lifelong fan of this musical Artist, and have posted many stories about his unique career. For example, did you know that he created MTV? Read all about it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/08/02/todd-rundgren-inventor-of-mtv-a-hollywood-square/

And one of my favorite stories about Todd Rundgren was his special musical friendship with the late Singer/Songwriter Laura Nyro…

You can read it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/10/25/brilliant-laura-nyro-todd-rundgrens-muse-their-beautiful-musical-history-together/

Laura is an under-appreciated Artist, and her body of work is amazing to listen to. Here is a story about a recent tribute CD that is currently nominated for Three Grammy Awards!

http://johnrieber.com/2014/09/09/re-imagining-laura-nyro-a-brilliant-map-to-the-treasure-laura-nyros-beautiful-tribute/

Congrats to Billy Childs for the success of this project, which highlights great Laura Nyro music!

Todd Rundgren AND Laura Nyro fans have been hugely supportive of the site, and I truly appreciate it. I’ve also met a lot of great people who have great blogs as well, and I appreciate everyone’s support and interest…

Stevie Wonder Live!

I also shared my review of Stevie Wonder’s “Songs In The Key Of Life” concert in Chicago, including this live performance of “Saturn” with India Arie:

And there is so much more to share!

Year Four Sneak Peek!

With more than 700 posts, I just keep finding more stuff of interest to me. So what else can you expect going into 2015? Here are some clues:

Behold “Zolton”!

Yes, I’ve got some classic movie posters to share, thanks to an incredible website that helps to keep these alive…that will be posting soon, and I also have some great stories about classic Hollywood, such as the legendary sex kitten Jayne Mansfield:

I also have a bunch of travel stuff to share, like more of my adventures with Sasha Grey in Australia, where she got photo bombed by a shark!

Thanks to Sasha for always supporting these posts, and allowing me to tell all the fun stories about working with her, like this classic clip of Sasha finding out just how cold the water at Bondi Beach was!

Check out all of her adventures by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/08/11/sasha-greys-new-novel-sasha-grey-shark-dive-outtakes/

And yes, there are more food adventures to come as well:

One of Barcelona’s most innovative restaurants is coming soon to the blog…as well as a look at some of the best ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

There are a lot of fun adventures still to come…my goal is to share more stories about interesting people, classic movies, adventurous travel, wacky movies and more bacon!

Thanks again for the million views and I hope you enjoy what is still to come!

Let me know your thoughts!

Cult movie fans, REMAIN UNAPOLOGETIC. EVEN IN THE FACE OF THIS:

Before you judge me, consider this: there is a place where, in a movie sense, ANYTHING GOES. There are no rules other than being wildly entertaining, like this:

Cue The Karaoke!

And of course, there will be some singing and dancing as well:

OK, I think that, if you are still here, you will stay for the rest of this wild, wild ride through the legendary film genre known as “J-sploitation”…I’ve written about it before, but I wanted to celebrate it one more time with three incredibly entertaining examples of the genre….and if you are hungry, we’ll begin with:

Behold the “Citizen Kane” of killer sushi movies!

“DEAD SUSHI!”

“Dead Sushi”is a “Japanese splatter action comedy” about “flying killer sushi monsters,” and it’s on blu-ray for you to enjoy!

“Dead Sushi” stars Japanese Actress Rina Takeda, who has a ball in this film, which is directed by Noboru Iguchi – who is quickly becoming the Lloyd Kaufman of Japan!

Director Noboru Iguchi Does It Again!

I have posted about Director Noboru Iguchi’s movies before, and have a recap and trailers of some of his previous work below. Now his new “J-sploitation” masterwork is here – this style of Japanese exploitation film is crazy, uninhibited, and campy beyond belief!

“Dead Sushi” Trailer!

Check out the trailer:

What can you say about THAT? As I have posted before, this new wave of Japanese horror film is called “J-spolitation”, and it involves young women who are abused or mistreated in some way, and they fight back in the most incredible manner possible, as you can see!

In this case, sushi has gone out of control – and with that as the simple setup, let the fun begin!

As always, there will be a lot of over-the-top bloodshed before the killer sushi is defeated…but that is how these movies play out…and you either accept them for what they are or not…but really, how can you take this TOO seriously?

To see more of this Director’s work, click on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/07/30/killer-sushi-the-robogeisha-director-is-back-with-more-fried-shrimp-death-and-japanese-mayhem/

And don’t think our Japanese friends have forgotten the zombie genre…in fact, they’ve taken it to a whole new level!

“Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead!”

How can you argue with a film that has a plot that revolves around this image!

Prepare yourself for the majesty of “Zombie Ass!” Here is the trailer:

“We are going to flush you! The most crap-tastic zombie movie ever to emerge from Japan’s cinema sewer is finally upon us, and it’s from the twisted mind of cinematic madman and legendary ass-fetishist Noboru Iguchi, creator of THE MACHINE GIRL, ROBO-GEISHA and KARATE-ROBO ZABORGAR!”

The terrific Japanese Director Iguchi has created a splatter comedy guaranteed to warm the bowels of those with the stomach for it… while more sensitive viewers may want to plug their noses and flee in disgust!

The plot is simple: pretty young karate student Megumi accompanies a group of older friends on a trip into the woods.

Things start to go badly when Maki finds a parasitical worm inside a fish they catch – and wolfs it down alive, in the hope that it’ll help keep her skinny! And then… zombies!

The group is attacked by a crowd of poop-covered undead who emerge from an outhouse toilet, and seek refuge at the home of strange Dr. Tanaka and his daughter Sachi – and it just gets even crazier from there!

The Liberating Power Of Farts!

This is what makes J-sploitation so unique – this plot asks the question: can Megumi’s karate alone help them escape, or will she have to rely on the liberating power of farts to save the day?

That’s a question not asked nearly enough in film these days!

Finally, you need to remember that these films usually have a underlying message about society…and none more so than this classic:

Karaoke Terror!

This 2003 drama from Japan is a very interesting hybrid: it’s a serious dramatic look at the social upheaval in Japan – and it is an over-the-top gore fest, with one of the most unbelievable endings you will ever see! And of course, you will see things like THIS:

The basic premise of the film deals with two very different groups; one are the Midoris, named so because all the middle-aged and divorced women share the name Midori, and a group of young college-aged men.

Both groups live separate lives until the day one of the boys murders a member of the Midoris, because she rejected a sexual advance.

So the concept is simple: two warring factions battle it out, with their love of karaoke the only bond between them. The movie showcases how middle-aged women in Japan are considered worthless, outcasts in their own country.

As they battle back and forth, the stakes escalate until you have the most amazing ending to a movie ever – and of course, lots of karaoke!

This is not a perfect movie to be sure, but what a great way to expand your movie-going horizons – let me know what you think about j-sploitation!

Ready For Some Obscure Cult Horror?

If you are a cult film lover, you can’t help but admire when a film maker creates a unique vision – especially on a low low budget.

Here’s a very imaginative horror film that was made for almost nothing!

Check out the creepy trailer for this horror film from Norway – “Thale”:

This Norwegian horror film finds a way to be very imaginative on almost no budget. Here is the plot, courtesy of IMDB:

Norwegian folklore turns out to be real when Leo and Elvis encounter “Thale” in a basement. A regular cleaning job turns into a struggle for survival, while they’re trying to figure out what or who “Thale” is.

A 10K Movie!

Reports say that “Thale” was shot on a budget of just $10,000! And here is one reason why: Director Aleksander L. Nordaas was also the film’s writer, co-producer, cinematographer, editor, and set designer! He also built the sets and shot most of the film in his father’s basement!

The film’s reviews were mixed, but I am here to celebrate the ingenuity and creative drive that was behind it..a real labor of love, and worth supporting for that reason…now, this next guy doesn’t need any help at all with his self-confidence:

Meet “The Troll Hunter!”

This Norwegian film is also based on a fairy tale – the story of the monstrous trolls that live in Norway’s wilderness! Check out the trailer:

These films are now available on DVD and blu-ray, so you can check out this imaginative Nordic horror in the privacy of your own home!

And if you are in the mood for more “nordic” horror, then check this out:

Yes, the Norwegians were also behind the hilariously over-the-top Nazi Zombie movies known as “Dead Snow”, and of course:

There’s a sequel too! These two movies are actually critically-acclaimed! Check these out by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/10/07/nazi-zombies-dead-snow-2-the-five-wildest-zombie-movies-ever/

The Norwegians seem to have a sense of bad taste humor AND a ton of creativity, and they have some great cult horror films of you to discover!

And speaking of cult horror, sometimes the Brits really know how to do it right:

Meet “The Wicker Man!”

Here is one of cinema’s strangest and most iconic horror films from he 1970’s…read all about this cult horror classic – and its disastrous remake – by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/06/23/burning-man-inspiration-the-wicker-man-naked-cult-horror/

More recently, an inventive Director named Ben Wheatley has a great moody horror film for you as well:

Check out “A Field In England” by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/08/20/a-field-in-england-new-modern-horror-master-ben-wheatley/

And if you like your cult horror a bit more contemporary – and wildly “out there”, then it’s time to head to Japan!

“J-sploitation Lives!”

Yes, the world of “japanese exploitation” is fascinating – known as “J-sploitation”, and it offers up some of the most imaginative and over=the-top movie making in the world today!

“RoboGeisha” is just one of the crazier films in the genre – to see more of the wildest horror films ever, just click on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/05/31/mutant-girls-pinky-violence-sex-fury-and-lady-snowblood-too-japanese-sexploitation-lives/

Time to explore the wild world of cinema! Leave me a note and let me know what you think!

Surprise! Happy Halloween!

It’s that time of year, when the most unpleasant people can pop out of your toilet! Need more proof?

It’s time to celebrate some of the best horror films around – so you can turn your Halloween into a celebration of bloody excess like this!

We begin with a new film out from the visionary Japanese Director Takashi Miike!

Here is the trailer for “Yakuza Apocalypse!” –

Here is the plot of “Yakuza Apocalypse”: In the underground world of the yakuza, no one is more legendary than boss Kamiura. Rumored to be invincible, the truth is he is a vampire-a bloodsucking yakuza vampire boss!

Takashi Miike’s films are among the most imaginative – and craziest – ever made! This film looks like it has a ton of action as well as style, and I can’t wait to see why THIS animal is in the film:

As always, Miike is a terrific Director….and don’t forget, this visionary Japanese Director has played with Zombies before:

“The Happiness Of The Katakuris!”

Miike made a zombie rom-com in the style of “The Sound Of Music!” You must see this movie, and you can get more details on the madness on display by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/10/05/happy-singing-zombies-visionary-takashi-miikes-wacky-zombie-musical/

So now, back to the subject of “Toilet Zombies” – are you ready for the wackiest horror film of all time?

There is nothing more to say until you watch the trailer here:

Yes, Zombies that are after just one thing: your ASS!

Read all about the majesty of “Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead” by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/11/06/zombie-ass-yes-japans-wacky-cinema-is-calling-what-the/

Of course this has a “tongue in buttcheek” quality to it, but not all Japanese horror is for laughs – another great genre of Japanese horror can be found here:

“The Ring” Rules!

The US remake of “The Ring” with Naomi Watts was a good horror film, but to see some of the best japanese horror ever, you have to check out the original film – thanks to the Japanese, a whole new era of stylized horror was unveiled!

The “Ringu” horror series from the late 90’s can be found online and on demand, and they are beautifully made horror films…

If you want to explore obscure and wildly creative Japanese horror, you need to stop here as well!

Meet The “Tokyo Gore Police!”

This movie is wild wild wild – just one of a new genre that is called “J-Sploitation” – japanese horror with lots and lots of blood!

You need to see films like “Helldriver” and “The Machine Girl”, along with “RoboGeishas” as well – read all about them here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/10/15/tokyo-gore-for-halloween-behold-j-sploitation-nishimura-rules-extreme-japanese-cinema/

And if you want really intense Asisan horror, then you should check out this “Dream Home!”

“Dream Home” is bloody, suspenseful and dripping with atmosphere – read all about some of the most intensely ferocious japanese horror by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/05/01/female-ninja-warriors-extreme-asian-cinema-updated/

And don’t forget to check under your seat!

In The Mood For A Movie?

Nothing more enjoyable than finding a seat and experiencing some memorable cinema…and if you want it to be VERY MEMORABLE, then take a walk down this street!

In the 70’s and the early part of the 80’s, New York’s time square was filled with “grind houses”, movie theaters that churned out exploitation movies to young men seeking a cheap thrill…I find this era fascinating because these theaters were filled with movies that catered to young, impressionable men who could be lured into the theater by ads like these…

Films like “Exposed” promised to do just that – and savvy movie Producers made a lot of money by catering to every young man’s fantasy, especially when it came to Cheerleaders…

Rah! Rah! Rah!

X-rated films about Cheerleaders offered plenty of nudity, and laughs as well, as the movies made as much fun of themselves as they did of the audience who watched them…

David Hasselhoff As “Boner!”

Yes, even David Hasselhoff appeared in these movies…you can read my story about these films – and “the Hoff” – by clicking here…

http://johnrieber.com/2015/02/19/cheerleaders-pom-pom-girls-david-hasselhoff-as-boner-cult-classics-rah-rah-rah/

Another sub-culture of film that was hugely popular in the 70’s and 80’s dealt with another group of young women who had no problem making you feel better…

The Student Nurses – “They’re Learning Fast!”

Yes, let’s look at some of the most entertaining sexploitation movies that focused on nurses…whether they were in school “learning fast”, or doing a little extra “private duty”…

Private Duty Nurses – “It’s What They Do OFF Duty That’s Really Private!”

As you can see, these movies promised lots of sex – these movie posters are hilariously obvious – but they worked!

The Young Nurses – “It’s My Body, Doctor – NOT Your Laboratory!”

These posters are obvious: the movie promises sex, nudity and more sex!

Check out this classic trailer:

In the 70’s, drive-in movies were the rage, and guys could pile into a car and watch a double or even triple-features, all about nurses!

Candy Stripe Nurses! – “They’ll Give You Fast-Fast-Fast Relief!”

The movies may have seemed very similar, but who cares? Here is the decidedly NSFW trailer:

Of course, you can only be in nursing school, or in a hospital for so long, so what do you do? Add violence!

I love this movie, which includes a nurse with a machine gun!

Nurses For Sale – “Kidnapped, Abused & Tormented – Held For The Highest Price!”

So if you can’t watch them work, then watch them fight back against kidnappers! This genre of film became so popular that everyone jumped on the bandwagon!

Our friends at Troma got into the action by releasing this classic exploitation film from Hungary!

“Maniac Nurses Find Ecstasy”!

Troma is America’s longest lasting independent film studio – in large part because they have a great sense of humor when it comes to film.

Here is Troma’s hilariously profane trailer!

I give Troma credit for finding a wildly entertaining way to jump on the nurse bandwagon! And if you need even more of a Tromatic fix, check out the best of Troma here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/12/03/exploitation-nazis-shakespeare-tromas-tromatic-holiday-gift-guide/

Along with grind house theaters, the “sexy nurse” phenomenon faded away, but for more than a decade, they were some of the most successful low-budget movies released…

And just this year, a new nurse horror film was released – in 3D!

You can find this on demand and on home video – check out “Nurse 3D!”

Cheerleaders and nurses weren’t the only ones exploited…during the height of the “grind house” cinema phases, even hillbillies got a chance to shine as well!

“Flaming Hillbilly Color!”

As you can see, smart movie producers pandered to everyone! Read all about love in “flaming hillbilly color” by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/08/29/forbidden-flesh-child-brides-see-how-they-love-in-flaming-hillbilly-color-early-sexploitation-madness/

While it faded in America, the cult movie “grind house” phenomenon made its way to Asia, and in Japan, some of the wildest action movies of all time were made!

That’s right, this woman is fighting off a gang of men wearing nothing but a very sharp sword! Read all about “Sex & Fury”, and this classic J-sploitaiton genre by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/02/19/killer-dwarves-blind-beasts-naked-female-yakuzas-japanese-sexploitation-lives/

And finally, here is a story about some of the funniest, most obvious movie posters ever:

“Love-Starved And Eager To Learn!”

See some of the most obvious, and misleading movie posters of all time by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/05/31/forbidden-flesh-dirty-girls-the-unsatisfied-classic-sexploitation-cinema/

Let me know what you think of this nurse phenomenon!

One of the most difficult aspects of making a film is deciding what to call it – after all, lots of us go see a film based on the title!

Sure, “Jaws” pretty much nailed it…big shark, “JAWS”…I’m in…and when a movie has a distinctive, iconic title, there’s not much more you need to worry about…here are more examples of films where the titles pretty much told you all you need to know…

Yes, THAT film title explains exactly what you are about to see as well! And in that vein of “this film MUST be as bad as it sounds”, I offer you this movie title:

“I Could Never Have Sex With Any Man Who Has Such Little Respect For My Husband!”

First of all, what was the year 1973 thinking when it released this movie to the world?

That said, it’s not only a very accurate description of the film, but one of the strangest movie titles of all time!

In this sex farce, a couple of aspiring swingers rent a summer cottage in Martha’s Vineyard. There they sit around discussing the pros and cons of having affairs!

Of course they do!

This was an actual movie that was released in theaters…and here’s another wacky movie title that shares the same distinction!

“Psyched By The 4D Witch”!

Yes, it’s not only one of the strangest movie titles ever, but it was theatrically released as well! The early 70’s were obviously a gold mine for wacky!

I probably don’t have to tell you this, but “Psyched By The 4D Witch” is one of the worst films of all time…read all about it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/10/06/manos-hands-of-fate-is-here-halloween-2015-celebrates-horrors-worst-directors-sex-fleshpots-4d-witches/

Oh, Dustin Hoffman, REALLY?

While “4D Witch” will only be remembered by the people who made it, some of these strange movie titles had really big stars in the films – here is a great example – take a deep breath and try to get this movie title out in one sitting:

“Who Is Harry Kellerman And Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?”

What the? Well, this obscure 1971 film starred Dustin Hoffman as a song writer who cannot love himself, or others. So he spends his days with various women flying his plane, and dropping in to the world around him. Um, OK….

Dustin went on to star in some more mainstream movies with more straightforward titles of course:

Well, maybe not…you see, I wanted to share some of the funniest and most unique movie titles of all time – the films themselves may be good, bad or ugly, or in some cases, cult classics like this one!

“Sorority Babes In The Slimeball Bowl-A-Rama!”

This 80’s cult horror film starred Scream Queen Linnea Quigley, and was originally called “The Imp!”

You see, a bunch of sorority sisters are trapped in a bowling alley, and are terrorized by the afore-mentioned “Imp!”

To see more of this wackiness, and to celebrate Linnea Quigley in all of her greatness, click on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/10/28/scream-queen-linnea-quigley-naked-graveyard-dancing-horror-demons-too/

Finally, there is this gem…if you think I am joking about this movie title, YOU ARE WRONG:

“The World’s First Monster Musical!”

Yes, this is real movie! Time to embrace:

“The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!”

Watch this classic trailer for “the world’s first monster musical!”

That is, without a doubt, the most unique movie title I’ve ver heard…well, except for the others! So there you have it, five very strange movie titles…let me know which is your favorite!

Say Hello To The Face Of Exploitation Cinema!

Someone asked me to explain the phenomenon of exploitation cinema – an era from the late 60’s to the mid-80’s when movies pushed boundaries and broke taboos…and resulted in some of the most deranged and entertaining films of all time!

Welcome To Times Square!

It all began in New York’s Times Square, at a time when it was more dangerous to be IN THE THEATER than it was to be on the streets!

Time To Talk About All Forms Of Movie ‘Sploitation!

These movie theaters in Times Square were open 24 hours a day, showing some of the weirdest films ever made!

“Exploitation” films were also known as “Grindhouse” films, because they played New York’s 42nd street theaters all day and night…look at what a seedy scene it was at the time:

You can take a trip down memory lane with a story I posted about this unique time in cinema…just click here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/23/sex-violence-grindhouse-have-a-purient-holiday-an-exploitation-gift-guide/

Hard to imagine that this is what Times Square used to look like – but it’s a part of movie history that has disappeared…except on home video and on demand, where these films are having a re-birth!

A “David Hasselhoff” Moment!

Here’s a look at the kind of films that were shown in Times Square in the 70’s and early 80’s…from the subtle to the ridiculous – and with David Hasselhoff too!

“Hello, Boner”! Time For Classic “Exploitation”!

Yes, there were recognizable stars in some of the more “mainstream” exploitation films of the era, including David Hasselhoff who starred as “Boner” is one of the more hilarious examples – movies with lots of topless girls, subtle sexual situations, mostly “R”-rated, or soft “X” – nothing too controversial, just good clean naughty fun like this:

The “Cheerleader” genre was silly, good-natured fun, with just enough skin shown to keep teenage boys flocking to the movies…here’s a good primer of the genre:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/02/19/cheerleaders-pom-pom-girls-david-hasselhoff-as-boner-cult-classics-rah-rah-rah/

These films could play drive-in theaters all around the country…not too extreme for rural audiences…

In the 70’s, it was up to the Europeans to give us a “harder” look at the genre, “art” films that featured lots of sex and violence – films that proudly celebrated being called:

HOT HOT HOT “SEX-Sploitation!”

Grindhouse theaters were inundated in the early 70’s with films from Europe that blew the doors off the buildings they were shown in: sex kittens like Lina Romay showed off EVERYTHING in every movie!

Romay made a series of films with her husband, Director Jess Franco, that were provocative, explicitly sexual and eye-popping!

One of their most notorious is “The Hot Nights Of Linda”, with the censored “banana” scene….which you can now see on a newly released blu-ray edition of the film…read all about it here:

Linda’s Shocking “Hot” Nights! Lina Romay’s Classic Sexploitation!

Not all films of that era from Europe were this “shocking”…which leads to the next “s-ploitation” genre known as:

“ART-Sploitation”!

What exactly is this? “Sinner” is a perfect example – “artsploitation” films came from Europe, beginning with the shocking film that started it all:

“I Am Curious (Yellow)” was brought up on obscenity charges, but when they won their case, the floodgates were open to a lot of wild films from Europe – these
movies were chock full of sexual situations and full nudity – but with social issues of the day thrown in as well…making it supposedly a more “artistic” endeavor….like this:

Meet Christina Lindberg, The “Queen Of Artsploitation!”

I have written about all of Lindberg’s films – this Swedish Star made some of the best “Artsploitation” films of the 70’s, like these:

Christina Lindberg was a huge star in the 70’s – Her most provocative movie, which Quentin Tarantino used as an inspiration for “Kill Bill”, was the classic “Thriller: A Cruel Picture” AKA “They Call Her One-Eye!”

Read about all of her amazing films by clicking on my story here:

Christina Lindberg Speaks! The “Queen Of Artsploitation” Bares All!

While Christina was nude throughout all of her films, the movies themselves tried to tell compelling, intelligent stories…THIS “S-ploitation” genre, however, didn’t bother!

Welcome To The Wacky World Of “Dwarf-Sploitation”!

Well, you knew it had to lead to this: one of the most exploitive movies ever released, thanks of course to the Europeans! Time to meet The Sinful Dwarf!

This movie has NO redeeming social values, and isn’t that why we are watching?

And now, the terrific home video company Severin Films is bringing this “Dwarf” back on blu-ray!

The new blu-ray includes a ton of special features, including a look at the cast and crew!

Of course, one of my favortie stories of all is the disappearing starlet of “Sinful Dwarf”, Anne Sparrow. It was her only film, and then she disappeared from movie screens forever!

This beautiful Actress bares all in the film, but also gives a brave, professional performance – and then she disappeared forever!

Read all about the mystery of Anne Sparrow by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/16/sinful-sex-kitten-anne-sparrow-the-mystery-of-a-disappearing-starlet/

These films in the 70’s made it to the US and helped open the door to a more explicit era in film…some wacky 70’s exploitation films, however, never left their country of origin – like these!

Time For Some “J-Sploitation!”

Welcome to wild and wacky Japan! The genre known as “J-Sploitation” dealt with Japanese sexploitation films – also called:

“Pink Films”!

These movies were about girls who got into trouble and had to fight their way out!

These films evoke a style like “Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” and are definitely worth checking out!

Read all about them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/18/wild-japan-cinema-pinky-violence-amazing-cult-exploitation-madness/

If you think only countries like Japan can release disturbing films that call their own culture into question, you are wrong!

Hick-sploitation!

Yes, right here in the heartland of the US of A, your “Country Cuzzins” are ready to party!

These movies are called “hick-Sploitation”, and they usually deal with country girls down on the farm who are ready to “get down”!

It’s a genre full of haystacks, “aw shucks” dialogue, and lots and lots of nudity! See what these “Country Cuzzins” are up to by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/12/gator-bait-country-lovin-hillbilly-brides-sex-action-missing-teeth-hicksploitation-lives/

These films evolved into more mainstream fare like “Gator Bait” and “White Lightning” with Burt Reynolds…just good old boys having some fun…back in Europe however, things just got darker and darker…

Shoot Up Some “Drug-Sploitation!”

This genre of “S-ploitation” had a short run in the US, with serious films like “The Panic In Needle Park” with Al Pacino:

Junkies on the streets of New York have movie stars attached, while in Europe, heroin addiction was just another plot point in films full of sex and violence like this:

See more about these rough and tumble descents into heroin madness by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/07/11/virgins-from-hell-plus-dead-virgins-too-oh-and-hannas-hooked-on-smack-exploitation-lives-on/

As you can see, Europeans dealt with social issues in one way, in the US it was a bit more humorous…like this genre:

Rev Up Some Classic “Hog-Sploitation”!

Yes, biker chicks was the rage in the 70’s – tough girls who could kick ass and take names!

Here is a list of some of the best:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/04/sexy-chopper-chicks-naked-cycle-sluts-sex-violence-hog-sploitation/

And there is one genre I could never support:

“Nun-Sploitation!”

This genre was touched upon a bit when Raquel Welch played the sexiest “cleave-flaunting” nun of all time:

Yes, Raquel dipped her breasts into the “euro-sleaze” genre in a big way!

“Euro-sleaze” is a type of movie made in Europe that didn’t even pretend to have any socially redeeming qualities – but big stars would make them because there was money to be made!

Raquel Welch was a sexy nun in the “euro-sleaze” classic “Bluebeard”.

Read more about this cult Ricahrd Burton classic – by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/04/08/richard-burton-freezes-raquel-welch-bluebeards-classic-euro-sleaze/

So there’s a look at some of the wildest film genres ever produced – let me know your favorite!

Meet The Face Of J-Sploitation!

One of the world’s wildest genres of film features one of the world’s most popular Actresses…here is a look at some crazy movies of Japan, with one very busy star!

Meet Asami – J-Sploitation’s Queen Of Ass Kicking!

Asami Sugiura is one of Japan’s most popular – and busiest stars! In the early part of her career, she performed under the singular name Asami as a “Gravure Idol”!

What’s A “Gravure Idol?”

In Japan, the phrase “Gravure Idol” refers to a model who primarily appears in magazines marketed to men. Gravure idols, in most cases, emphasize their sexual attractiveness…wearing skimpy clothes and smelling seductively…it’s a unique aspect of Japanese culture…

Beyond her work as a “Gravure Idol”, Asami achieved J-Sploitation notoriety for her starring roles in a number of great japanese exploitation films – like this classic of the genre:

The Machine Girl!

This is one aggressively entertaining movie! Asami starred with Minase Yashiro, who was “The Machine Girl” – a young woman brutalized by the mob in Japan…with her friend Asami’s help, they get bloody revenge!

Get ready to have your eyeballs sucked out of your moviegoing head when you see this trailer!

Welcome To The World Of “J-Sploitation!”

This is an insane – and insanely entertaining – type of film you have to see to believe! The Japanese exploitation genre known as “J-Sploitation” follows exploitation rules closely: women put in dangerous situations, but they always come out on top! Oh, and there is a lot of action, nudity, and blood!

“The Machine Girl” has an over-the-top vibe, and Asami has the chance to kick lots of ass in the film! Any movie that involves revenge, Ninjas AND fried food as a weapon of destruction is right up my alley!

You can read more about this cult genre of film by clicking on my story here:

Mutant Girls! Toilet Zombies!! Japan’s Wild Female Ninjas!! Bloody J-Sploitation Fun!

Asami’s film credits are full of classic “j-sploitation” cinema…each one seemingly intent on out-grossing the one before…there are a lot of great ones, but this is one of my favorites!

Behold the “Citizen Kane” of killer sushi movies!

“DEAD SUSHI!”

“Dead Sushi”is a “Japanese splatter action comedy” about “flying killer sushi monsters,” and it’s on blu-ray for you to enjoy!

“Dead Sushi” stars Japanese Actress Rina Takeda along with Asami – and is chock full of outrageous moments…check out the trailer!

Asami has a blast in this film – and yes, if you are noticing a trend, that’s because these movies all adhere to a very specific style and tone – but that’s why they work so well!

RoboGeisha!

Asami also starred in this classic! “RoboGeisha” is full of great special effects, classic action, and over-the-top mayhem! To see more of this Director’s work, click on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/07/30/killer-sushi-the-robogeisha-director-is-back-with-more-fried-shrimp-death-and-japanese-mayhem/

Now, at this point you are asking yourself: why hasn’t Asami done any zombie films? Well, I think you know the answer to that!

“Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead!”

Prepare yourself for the majesty of Asami’s “Zombie Ass!” Here is the trailer:

The plot is simple: a group of friends decide on an outing in the woods…

Things start to go badly when one of them finds a parasitical worm inside a fish they catch – and wolfs it down alive, in the hope that it’ll help keep her skinny! And then… zombies!

Needless to say, “Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead” is a “campfest” of wild action, lots and lots of blood, and tongue firmly in cheek!

Some of Asami’s more adult films, however, are much rougher and no laughing matter…

Asami also has acted in a number of “pink” films – a specific category of japanese sexploitaiton film, which have more erotic content and nudity. She starred in “Female Prisoner Ayaka” and also “Three Slave Women” – which won Asami a Best Actress award in Japan.

Meet Asami’s “Gun Woman!”

One of Asami’s most recent films is “Gun Woman”, which is as crazy as anything she has done!

Check out the trailer:

Here is the plot in a nutshell: A Doctor seeking revenge trains a young woman to become an Assassin – with all of her weapons embedded inside her! What else do you need to know?

The doctor concocts a plan for Asami to crash a party. Gun parts have been implanted in her body. Once inside, she must go on her killing mission by tearing her sutures, retrieving the parts and assembling the gun before bleeding to death!

All of these films can be found now on DVD or Blu-ray, so there is no excuse NOT to try out some of the wildest movies ever made – and bravo to Asami for her career!