Mosura (1961) aka Mothra

3 / 5 Mar '11
Tagline: EARTH QUAKES AS MONSTER SEEKS TINY MATES!
Directed by: Ishirô Honda
Written by: Takehiko Fukunaga, Shinichirô Nakamura
Actors include: Frankie Sakai, Hiroshi Koizumi, Kyôko Kagawa
Genre: Sci-Fi
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope





Review: 
Although it's a very beautifully filmed Toho production...and I do mean production (nearly epic) it's rather dull. The first 45 minutes of the film are nothing but talking and completely Mothra free. When Mothra does show up it doesn't really do much except cause destruction with it's wingspan and oddly later in the story when it's flapping about there isn't even a breeze? The plot is about an island that had radiation tests performed on it. The people are tiny, and two little singing Princesses were kidnapped by Men who forced them to sing in an entertainment show. The singing girls sing mainly about Mothra who is summoned to come save them from their captivity. It's a strange one, I mean what were they smoking when they came up with the idea of a radiation victim giant savior Moth? Oh well, it's colorful and nice to look at, just difficult to get through the first half of it and the second half is just silly.

Availability:  On DVD

Curse Of The Doll People (1961) aka Muñecos Infernales aka Devil Doll Men

3.5 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Benito Alazraki
Written by: Alfredo Salazar
Actors include: Elvira Quintana, Ramón Gay, Roberto G. Rivera
Genre: Horror
Length: 81 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a rather enjoyable case of making the most with very little. This Mexican horror film seems cheap but considering they did wonders with the effects and it oozes charm galore. It's very shadowy and atmospheric, and rather engaging. It does go into a ton of talking in places which gets a little tedious but when it pays off it is most definitely worth it. The plot revolves around four men who are cursed when they steal a sacred voodoo idol (bad move). Soon some murderous dolls who come to life (or rather midgets with spooky masks) are coming after the four Men plus everyone in their family! The stab with large sharp looking needles, and the attack many times making it very fun to watch. It's not the most original nor is it the best creepy doll film but it's one worth investigating for fans.

Availability:  On DVD

Homicidal (1961)

4.5 / 5  Nov '09
Tagline: A WORD OF WARNING! Please don't reveal the ending of this picture or your friends will kill you - IF THEY DON'T, I WILL! - William Castle
Directed by: William Castle
Written by: Robb White
Actors include: Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, Eugenie Leontovich
Genre: Horror, Black Comedy, Thriller
Length: 87 Minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one hilarious black comedy, and shocking (well until about the halfway point where it's a dead giveaway) but still! It's about a murderous Nurse who is looking after an old Woman with a lot of money. It's very hard to review this actually because I don't want to give a thing away because it really must be experienced with as little information as possible. Heck William Castle threatened to kill anyone who gave the ending to this away! I can say it's surprising, it's dark, I laughed a ton, the characters are amusing and the lead character is simply stunning as a homicidal maniac! This film's gimmick was a 45 second fright break near the ending for patrons who weren't ready for it to leave the theater. Kinda weak on his scale of gimmicks but the movie more than made up for it in style and sheer entertainment. I was glued to the screen from the beginning to the ending, it really is one heck of a film and I'm kinda surprised that Castle had this in him! Definitely watch now and don't read any more for your own good...

Availability:  On DVD