In 1978 I was a college student majoring in film studies, as well as a mid-lapse Catholic, so the ripples of flabbergasted embarrassment I could conjure over the enjoyment of mainstream studio-sanctioned trash, to say nothing of the nagging sense that I should have instead been watching a Truffaut or a Fassbinder movie, or poring…
Roger Corman fans will be in hog heaven come this May when Kino Lorber Studio Classics releases one of his seminal films on Blu-ray, “X” The Man with X-Ray Eyes. The disc features audio commentary by Video Watchdog‘s Tim Lucas, Roger’s own Trailers From Hell commentary and a featurette with Joe Dante extolling the eye-popping virtues of…
Joe Dante has been thinking a lot lately about dead bodies that won’t stay dead. Case in point, his upcoming Zom-Com, Burying The Ex (from Image Entertainment) in which a young fella’s very stubborn (and very dead) girlfriend just won’t keep in her coffin… and another case in point, the imminent release on Blu-ray of…
Another movie-mad installment from Dennis Cozzalio, this week tackling Gunnar Hansen’s memoir on the making of that out-of-control horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. To dig deeper into Dennis’s brain visit his terrific site, Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule. The true story of the making of one of the most influential horror…
The first Oscar show I ever saw was the 42nd annual gala, honoring the movies of 1969. Of course I hadn’t seen any of them—even True Grit hadn’t made it to our local “show house” yet, and the likes of Midnight Cowboy and Z never would. But I was aware of all of them, thanks…
We’re excited to announce a new feature here at TFH, a weekly column from one of our favorite writers on film, Dennis Cozzalio. Dennis has been delighting movie fans for years over at his own blog, Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule and now he’s settling in for a weekly gig here on our…
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Soft‑core sexploiter for less permissive situations. Inept. Self‑imposed X. Strange the things that pass for movies nowadays. TALE OF THE DEAN’S WIFE has nothing…
Let’s dip into the Alfred Hitchcock catalog again – and no, the wine pairing isn’t brandy. That’s too easy, and it works with all Hitchcock movies. For any sort of trouble that arises – and with Hitchcock, it always arises – the cure is a blast of brandy. You can have a blast, but we…
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Much suggested debauchery will attract the prurient-minded to this woolly Italian‑made sexploiter. Carroll Baker for mild marquee value. X rating applied by distributor. Lethargic…
If you spend a lot of online time at TrailersFromHell.com, you probably have an affinity for the low-budget horror films of the 1950s. Off-kilter story lines, scenery chewing, on-screen gaffes – not a problem! In fact, bring ’em on! That’s what we came here for. “Daughter of Dr. Jekyll” is right in your wheelhouse. It’s…
Just in time for Oscar season here are Joe’s favorite films of 2014, rescuing a few (Belle and Locke) from undeserved obscurity while applauding the blockbusters and indie hits. In keeping with the spirit of TFH we’re presenting his list accompanied by the movie’s trailer. It’s pretty clear after the passage of time which film lived…
Is it just me, or do all the characters Eric Roberts plays need a smack upside the head from a wine bottle? Not the 750 mL size, either, but a magnum (1.5 L) or a Methuselah (6 L) or even a Nebuchadnezzar (15 L) just to make an impression. With a roster of 243 roles…
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Dully filmed rock concert ranks as a non‑event com‑ to better entries in the genre. OK dueller for rock‑minded youth market, but needs strong…
British secret agent James Bond gave the world its most famous drink order: “A martini – shaken, not stirred.” Even if you don’t like martinis, it sounds great in Sean Connery’s dulcet tones. If Bond had been a Russian, he might have asked for “Wodka – leave the bottle.” But then he would have been…
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Roger Corman’s offbeat portrait of Ma Barker and her killer brood is exciting, strong melodrama. A really big grosser for action‑exploitation markets, with extra…
Another classic Los Angeles cinema bites the dust. Located at 5112 Wilshire Boulevard just west of Highland, this was the Four Star Theatre in its heyday. This is how it looked today, soon to vanish without trace. Built by United Artists with 900 seats, and playing first run United Artists films, it opened in the…
There is something quaintly American about cheerleaders. There is also something quaintly American about baseball, apple pie and white Zinfandel. This time, we’re hangin’ with “The Pom Pom Girls.” All-American girls in bikinis at the beach, practicing their cheers while showing their rears. Roll ‘em, aaaaand – that’s a wrap! What more do you need…
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Orgiastic porno flick has much‑publicized star Marilyn Chambers to lure customers in remaining big‑city hard‑core markets before the unavoidable crunch comes. Self‑imposed X. The days…
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! The fangy Count returns to give evil its finest hour in a stylishly chilling horror spoof that should prove a big winner for drive‑in,…
As we inch our way toward autumn, wine lovers turn their thoughts to harvest time. Visions of grape pickers working the vineyards fill our heads, lovingly fondling each cluster of Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon before gently plucking it from the vine and sending it on its way to the sorting table.At the beginning of…
Don’t be too quick to fish for a white wine to pair with the 1978 “Jaws” parody, “Piranha.” The Roger Corman production, directed by TFH chief guru Joe Dante will probably require something with a little more bite. While “Jaws” had only one fish – okay, it was a pretty big fish – “Piranha”…
TFH Guru Max Landis just wrapped a short film, Jane LA. Max describes it as “a short film about a girl who’s become obsessed with a strange art project.” Things turn out to be not quite that simple. Have a look. And here’s little stocking stuffer… Max’s take on Gremlins 2.
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Weird, if faked, shockumentary doesn’t live up to its promotional promises, but the ballyhoo angles are ample to garner good grosses for fast play‑offs…
Art of the Title is one of those small miracles on the internet, a beautifully designed site that is also beautifully written. Its subject, as old as movies themselves, is the artfully composed title sequence. Art of the Title could easily be called our sister site; we both opened our doors for business in 2007 and we each share the…
I’ll bet if a poll were taken to determine which movie star would be the most popular companion for drinks, it would be Cary Grant. Maybe Ray Milland. Maybe I should go to the internet and find the conclusive answer. Thanks for waiting. It didn’t take long. You know how fast that internet is. A…
Here’s another installment featuring Joe Dante’s reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Ballyhoo values and the title will make this Italian science‑fiction import an OK dual bill entry for the kiddie trade and drive‑ins. Drab and…