Friday, November 28, 2008

get out of that damn Jell-O tree!


"I gotta get a bigger gun. I can't hit anything." - Frank Boggs

Just got this and looking forward to watching it. Maybe with a bunch friends and Jell-O shooters. And of note, the only film that Culp directed. Outside of this, they only trusted him with one episode of "I Spy" and two episodes of "The Greatest American Hero".

Monday, November 24, 2008

how to spoil a poster [SPOILERS!!!]

Oh, how these teens love vampire romance! Some crafty kids tagged a NYC subway poster (on the outbound 23rd Street–Ely Avenue E/V subway platform in Queens) with spoilers for the film TWILIGHT. From NYMag.

Link

the best "what" in town?

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Queen of the Roughies

Audrey Campbell as Olga. Never was such a gleefully cruel and vindictive task-master so beautiful as when portrayed by the wonderfully cold and dominating Campbell. She wasn't in all the films that bear the marketable Olga name (and let's not forget the character's nameless debut, White Slaves of Chinatown) but she will be forever remembered as the only Olga that ever mattered. And she mattered so much that it still hurts.






I'd never call Telly a redneck

Found over at Cinemageddon:
Silvio Narizzano directs Telly Savalas and Franco Nero in this rather unusual Italian action/thriller featuring a supporting role by Mark Lester of all people, the kid who played the lead in the 1968 version of Oliver!

Memphis (Savalas) and Mosquito (Nero) are two thugs who rob a jewelry store in Rome and hope to get across the French border before the cops nab them. Mosquito’s girlfriend Maria (Ely Galleani of Baba Yaga and Five Dolls For An August Moon) is along for the ride, but unbeknownst to the three of them, so is a kid named Lennox Duncan (Lester) who happens to be hiding in the backseat of the car they just hijacked.

Monday, November 17, 2008

build a better Sparrow

So why didn't they cast an original pirate for Bay's three part extravaganza? Heck, the geeks at Ain't It Cool even like it. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Pirates of Blood River!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Cherry Bomb

This trailer is dedicated to Mr. Greenwood - it's time to get your Currie on - Foxes (1980)!



Where is she now? According to Wikipedia,
Cherrie Currie is currently a chainsaw carving artist and recently opened her own Chainsaw Art Gallery in Chatsworth, California. She won awards in various art competitions.
That sounds about right.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Official Proclamation

As of November 2008, it is decreed that all arthouse films with a female protagonist must be marketed identically in this country's newspapers. None of this 'other kind of poster' bullshit. This is the design that elicits the most effective response.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Reed, Between The Lines

Another entry in our continuing tribute to Oliver Reed's ability to bring anarchy and bedlam to pretty much every talk show appearance he made. This is from Letterman's show in the eighties, while Reed was promoting Nic Roeg's Castaway - someone forgot to disengage the vodka taps in the greenroom, however. What follows is not for the faint of heart and may even give you a second-hand buzz. How did Letterman get through this one alive?

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Sat Nov 8th - The Return of SHOCK & AWE - Dusk til Dawn Exploitation Cinema!


Dion Conflict and The Fox Theatre present:
SHOCK AND AWE
Saturday November 8th @ 11:30 PM till November 9th at 10:30 AM
FOX THEATRE
2236 Queen Street East - Toronto, ON
Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door

Take a moment to think back to the days of your teenage youth. What were the things you used to enjoy most during those carefree days? Staying up all night with your friends? Eating and drinking unholy amounts of junk food and soft drinks? Or going to the theatre to watch R-rated movies loaded with action, gore, sex, rebellion, and bizarre tales of mayhem? What if you could do all these things again?

My friends, you can.

On Saturday, November 8th, for one night only at the Fox Cinema, our own unique homage to classic grindhouse films is scheduled. Beginning at 11:30pm that evening, we’ll be showcasing forgotten classics and cult favourites from the grindhouse era, and we’re not shutting off the lights until 10:00am the next morning. This marathon experience will no doubt be one of the most talked about and unforgettable events ever to grace the screen at the Fox.
Long before PVRs, DVDs, or even VCRs, Grindhouse cinemas offered patrons a "low rent" fare combining exploitation films (action, horror, erotic, comedy) in continuous loop, usually three or more features, for one price. The films were inexpensively produced and low in quality, but always attracted an audience due to their lurid and sensational content.

This November 8th, the Fox Cinema and Dion Conflict pay tribute to that era of cinema, with SHOCK AND AWE: The Grindhouse Experience. Sponsored by Rue Morgue Magazine and the After Dark Film Festival, SHOCK AND AWE will titillate, terrify, and cause fits of uncontrollable laughter, often simultaneously, from start to finish.

Featuring six incomparable classic grindhouse films from the 70s and 80s, the night promises to be nothing less than legendary. On the bill for this illustrious event are:

- John Carpenter’s student film DARK STAR a gleefully low-fi comedy/sci-fi piece drawing from hippie subculture and 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.

- William Asher’s psychological incest thriller NIGHT WARNING starring Jimmy McNichol as young Billy Lynch as Susan Tyrrell as his dominating Aunt Cheryl.

- The Lasse Braun 1975 erotic masterpiece SENSATIONS with Brigitte Maier.

- The ultra-rare, racially-charged revenge flick THE BUS IS COMING, directed by Wendell Franklin.

- And, as a special new twist, a bonus mystery film whose title will be revealed on Facebook, but only to those crafty sleuths clever enough to uncover it.

But wait! We’ll be saving the best for last, with the headlining cult classic splattercomedy epic, THE TOXIC AVENGER, from your pals at Troma films, shown for the first time on any Canadian big screen since its all-too-brief release in 1985. The film will be screened uncut and uncensored, for one time only. Don’t miss out on what could be the most profoundly ridiculous movie you’ll ever see on the big screen in your entire life.

As if the films themselves weren’t enough to entice you to pay us a visit this November 8th, we’ll also be offering rare exploitation era collectables, including Super 8 films, several cult classic movies on DVD, and small press publications from established GTA film buffs.

Intermissions will feature cleverly chosen themed snack bar offerings including mouth-watering themed treats, gallons of Jolt cola, an array of breakfast items, and select offerings from participating local restauranteurs. Curator and host Dion Conflict will also be showcasing some lost music videos, world premiere short films from local directors, and trailers of other rare grindhouse offerings from his private collection, one of Canada’s largest and most eclectic private archives. There’s also a good chance you’ll see some surprise celebrities popping by as well. What more could you ask for?

Ever since the first SHOCK AND AWE event this past June, moviegoers have been clamouring for another all-night experience, and this one is sure to delight. Tickets aren’t going to last long, so get yours early: Shock and Awe tickets can be purchased at the Fox Cinema box office and also Suspect Video (605 Markham Street) and Eyesore Cinema (801 Queen St. West – above Rotate This) for a mere $20. If there are any leftover, we’ll be selling them for $30 at the door. Wristbands will also be given to patrons for "in/out privileges" for the marathon film screening. All films will be screened on original 35mm film reels.

This is the only festival of its kind in Toronto. On Saturday, November 8th, at 11:30pm, come to the Fox Cinema at 2236 Queen St. East and see what all the fuss is about.

in Santa's bag?

Spectacle

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Do The Crichton Up



The Andromeda Strain
(1971)



Westworld (1973)



Coma (1978)



Looker (1981)



Runaway (1984)

R.I.P. Dr. Octagon

Everyone loves the grindhouse look.


hobo stew

Lee Marvin as the wise ole hobo and Ernest Borgnine as the sadistic train conductor who kills hobos with a hammer every chance he gets. Choo-choo!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

one day they are going to pave over Paradise

This was taken a few months ago. The graffiti has been removed. This building is 2 blocks from my house and was great for last minute film going moods.



Monday, November 03, 2008

Marvin Du Monde




downtown unwound

New York Post

VID KING READY TO UNWIND

By REBECCA ROSENBERG

October 20, 2008 --


The owner of the East Village's famed Kim's Video store is putting his vast collection up for sale.

Facing declining revenues, Yongman Kim is making all his 55,000 films available but has imposed strict conditions.

The buyer must purchase the collection in its entirety, house it in 3,000 square feet of space and allow access to those who used to rent films at the store - "charging a minimum membership fee."

So far, Kim has just gotten one nibble.

The collection is on sale because the Mondo Kim's complex, which symbolizes everything hip and funky about the Big Apple, has fallen prey to mondo Internet.

With revenues plunging, the mainstay at 6 St. Marks Place will close its doors in January, much to the dismay of the actors, directors and film students who love it.

The music shop on the first floor and the DVD store on the second floor will move to a smaller location at 124 First Ave.

But the jewel of the store - the 55,000 titles in the third-floor movie rental shop - won't be joining them.

"It's sad for everyone, but it just isn't profitable anymore," said manager Ricky Sutton.

Kim has also put the grimy, five-story building housing the store up for sale, but so far there are also no takers.

Kim, who has produced movies in his native South Korea, spent over 20 years amassing the 55,000 films.

John Tintori, chairman of NYU's graduate film program, uses the collection for lectures and research.

"I'm absolutely heartbroken," he said. "There's just nothing like it, and it's such a valuable resource for the community. I hope someone takes it over."

Kim received one inquiry from NYU, which was interested in buying sections for its private student library. He declined.

"He doesn't want to split it up or make it private because it's so important to the community. The price is probably the more negotiable part," Sutton said.

Kim began amassing the collection in 1987 in his Avenue A dry-cleaning shop and eventually opened four stores.

When the St. Marks Place store opened, Martin Scorsese browsed the racks. Mary-Kate Olsen was a customer until she refused to return several out-of-print Jane Campion films.

"We tried calling over and over, trying to appeal to her social conscience, but it didn't work. In the end, I charged $650 on her credit card," Sutton said.
And the first comment on the NY Post article:

sureshot wrote:
I am glad they are going out of business. Glad to see their snobby homosexual cashiers are getting fired.
10/20/2008 5:34 PM EDT

Oh, sureshot, you sad little homophobe!

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Need to buy more letters for the marquee

Here is what will be playing at our cinema this week. Found a new distributor called Cinemageddon who promise us thrills and chills from around the world. Get your trench coats dry cleaned for some fine flics for grown-ups....



Link

"Oh man. I could barely finish this one."

Really meant to post lots of pre-Halloween stuff on the blog, but I was busy preparing to hang out with some famous people. As you can see below.

(your humble blogger as Baron Samedi and Rue Morgue magazine's managing editor Dave Alexander as George Romero)

And found the following bit o'comedy as I was poking around on the web today...