Esta Noite Encarnarei No Teu Cadaver (1967) aka This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse aka

4.5 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: José Mojica Marins
Written by: José Mojica Marins, Aldenora De Sa Porto
Actors include: José Mojica Marins, Nadia Freitas, Tina Wohlers
Genre: Horror
Length: 108 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I completely adore the Coffin Joe series, who woulda thought that some of the coolest and cruelest horror would come from Brazil in the '60s? If you aren't familiar with Coffin Joe, he's a philosophizing Undertaker with long fingernails and contempt for human life. I most definitely believe that he was the inspiration for Freddy Krueger in so many ways, down to the sharp wit and bitingly hilarious sayings. So the first installment A Meia Noite eu Levarei Sua Alma [At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul] was brilliant but I think this (the second in the series) may trump it just slightly. It picks up right where the first one left off with Coffin Joe desperate to bear a Son. The thing is, for a perfect offspring he needs to find a Lass who isn't afraid of him or his sadism. He goes around town kidnapping Women to test them with things like snakes and spiders to see who's fit to be his mate. One of these Women put a curse on him that he will never sire a Son. Things change when he actually comes across a suitable Girl who really seems to be diggin' his evil nature. Anyhow I don't want to give too much more away but it's so wonderful, really a perfect Halloween movie. It's shot in black and white, and there is one heck of a memorable scene that takes place in hell with psychedelic hell and mass suffering, it's so very cool. Really this is very violent for the time, and so gosh darned entertaining. If you don't know Coffin Joe yet then you are missing out, just give it a try you will not be disappointed.

Availability:  on DVD

Mad Monster Party? (1967)

4 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: At long last, a Motion Picture with absolutely no cultural value!!
Directed by: Jules Bass
Written by: Len Korobkin, Harvey Kurtzman
Actors include: Boris Karloff, Allen Swift, Gale Garnett
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Animation
Length: 94 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I can't believe I went my entire childhood without ever having watched this, I'd have loved it! Definitely a film for the whole family with musical numbers, many clever little nods to the Universal monsters and an insanely creative production. The concept is that Dr. Frankenstein has invented a new potion that will cause destruction. He's also the head of organization of monsters, so he rounds up all of his monster friends for a mad monster party. He also wants to announce his retirement and his successor! Be prepared to meet adorable versions of The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, The Hunchback, The Invisible Man, King Kong, The Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Creature (from the Black Lagoon), Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller. It's all made with the same style as the old Rudolph and Frosty christmas films (which I love) and even by the same people, this is just spooky instead! Even though it is very entertaining there are several jokes that are just too corny to laugh at and a few song and dance numbers that really could have been left out. Still a very visionary and enjoyable Halloween treat that any child should love (and many adults should like it too).

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

The Shuttered Room (1967)

3.5 / 5  Feb '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: David Greene
Written by: August Derleth, D.B. Ledrov
Actors include: Oliver Reed, Carol Lynley, Gig Young
Genre: Horror
Length: 99 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This was based upon a story written by Derleth of the same name which is based upon a portion of a Lovecraft story. We meet a young couple Mike and Susannah who are going back to Susannah's home to find out about her past. They are very clearly warned to stay the heck away from the townspeople and of course they won't listen. She goes back and stays where she was told to not and starts to learn of horrific murders that are happening. Worse still local thug Oliver Reed has taken a liking to pretty Susannah and his thug buddies are perfectly willing to distract Mike while he gets what he wants. Will the secret of the Mill be able to protect Susannah? It's a relatively simple mystery that they try to keep us in the dark about for most of the time but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Still pretty interesting storytelling once it gets going and some great chase scenes, just not thrilling throughout unfortunately.

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with It!