SUGAR HILL (1974)
An atmospheric blaxploitation revenger’s tale starring pant-suited Marki Bey & her silver-eyed zombie hitmen.
THE BLACK PHONE (2021)
Scott Derrickson’s highly theatrical adaptation of Joe Hill’s story of family and fraternity enduring violent threat has thrilling echoes of STAND BY ME.
BAR TRASH: a brief history of exploitation cinema, where imagination reigns supreme
A look back at a century of exploitation cinema as a source of “pure enjoyment and delight, despite improbable plots, ‘bad’ acting, or ragged film technique.”
PSYCHO (1960/Uncut 4K Restoration)
Not so much a review of the film, more of a reflection on the restoration – which is stunningly vivid – and the uncut theatrical version – which amplifies the horror.
FIRESTARTER (2022)
Keith Thomas’ remake is like food from a hastily arranged trip to the park with one of those disposable BBQ trays: burnt at the edges and raw in the middle.
FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (1973)
One line of dialogue says it all: “To know death, Otto, you have to fuck life… in the gall bladder!”. For once, a film that fully delivers on its promises, which will probably dictate whether or not it’s for you…
MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN (1994)
As if the lunatics of Bedlam have staged an amateur theatrical production of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece novel after seeing James Whale’s remarkable films… Hysterical, and not in a good way…
THE VELVET VAMPIRE (1971)
A young swinging couple get seduced in the desert lair of a mind-warping lady vamp, mourning the loss of her long-deceased husband whilst playing the game from both ends.
HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP (1980)
80 minutes of ‘schlock & awe’ from Roger Corman’s New World Pictures and director Barbara Peeters (well, for some of the time…).
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (1983)
Whilst it’s always a delight to see this charming film, its shortcomings are many and the 35mm print used at BFI is really starting to show considerable age.
CLOSET MONSTER (2015)
A film that I hoped would be horror-ier (which I know isn’t a word but ‘have more horror in it’ isn’t right here either…).
#LFF: TITANE (2021)
Julia Ducournau’s TITANE (2021) screened as the Time Out special presentation at the 65th BFI London Film Festival at the Royal Festival Hall (09 OCT 2021).