Black Flag
Target Video
Footage from 1979, 1980, and 1981
Monday, August 7, 2017
Friday, August 4, 2017
Death Rides a Horse (1967)
Directed by Giulio Petroni, Death Rides a Horse (aka Da uomo a uomo) begins with a pummeling rain storm replete with copious thunder and lightning. A young boy watches as a gang rides in and murders his father and brutally assault his mother and sister. Most gang members have distinct characteristics, such as a specific tattoo, and he even sees the face of one. As fifteen years pass, the boy grows into a sharp shooter (John Phillip Law), now hell bent on avenging his slain family. In pursuit of the gang, he meets up with a crusty gunsman (Lee Van Cleef) who just served fifteen years in jail after being framed by the same gang of outlaws. Ennio Morricone supplies standout music to the proceedings. A recommended Euro-Western!
the trailer
the feature
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Heavy Traffic (1973)
Ralph Bakshi initially developed the storyline concerning a tale of gritty, inner city life in the late sixties and approached producers with the idea of it as an animated feature film. With his experience primarily in industrial short subjects and commercials, producers balked. It was only after some success as the director of the X-rated animated feature Fritz the Cat in 1972 that Bakshi was given a green light on this more personal project which would also go on to receive an initial X rating. Samuel Z. Arkoff produced and distributed this for American International Pictures, as he earlier had for Fritz the Cat.
Heavy Traffic centers on Michael, a troubled underground cartoonist, living at home with his Mob connected Italian father and Jewish mother as they verbally argue and physically fight constantly. His outside world is equally chaotic and filled with odd and interesting characters, many prone to violence and profane outbursts. Live action gives way to animated scenes while photographic or filmed backgrounds often have animation overlayed.
the trailer
the feature
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
House (1986)
After directing Friday the 13th Part II and Part III but just before Soul Man, Steve Miner directed the curious film House.
William Katt (forever known as the Greatest American Hero to some folks) stars as a troubled horror writer who moves into his Aunt's home after her death. Things rapidly go downhill as chronic nightmares give way to hallucinations culminating in attacks from other-worldly creatures.
As he did on the Friday the 13th films, Harry Manfredini provides the musical score.
House did good business at the box office, ensuring sequels. It's opening weekend it made $5,923,972 and came in a very close second to Pretty in Pink.
the trailer
the feature
Monday, July 31, 2017
Swashbuckler (1976)
Directed by James Goldstone (The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, Rollercoaster, When Time Ran Out...)1976s Swashbuckler was unfortunately a flop at the box office when originally released. It's not a perfect film, but by my estimation the first 15 minutes (not to mention the film in it's entirety) of the movie better captures the spirit and excitement of The Pirates of the Caribbean ride than what's found in the recent big budget, cgi bloat-fests bearing the rides name.
Filmed in Mexico, the set pieces are incredible and the action keeps coming at a fairly steady pace. The cast is loaded with great actors. Fresh from Jaws, Robert Shaw looks to be having a blast as the pirates leader, James Earl Jones is his often shirtless right hand man, and a bewigged Peter Boyle is the corrupt and evil governor. Also on hand are: Geneviève Bujold, Beau Bridges, Geoffrey Holder, Avery Schreiber, Anjelica Huston, Tom Clancy, and a favorite character actor of mine, Sid Haig.
the trailer
the feature
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
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