To answer these trivia questions, please email me at scinema@earthlink.net.
Brain Teasers:
In which Italian Western does the film end with the victim of rape killing one of the gang who raped her, but the one who did not participate in the rape?
Angel Rivera thinks that this is JIM IL PRIMO, aka THE LAST GUN. I've not watched THE LAST GUN yet, so I'm not sure if he is correct.
In which French Western does the film end with the victim of rape killing one of the gang who raped her, but the one who did not participate in the rape?
No one has answered this question yet.
In which French Western is a young woman raped on the orders of a woman whose husband was murdered?
Rick Garibaldi knew that it was CEMETERY WITHOUT CROSSES.
And now for some new brain teasers:
The making of which Italian film resulted in Franco Nero ending his contract with Warner Bros. in Hollywood?
By what name is Marc Meyer better known?
Which English actor worked with directors Ronald Neame, James Neilson, Roger Vadim, Robert Hossein, Duccio Tessari and Luigi Bazzoni?
Name the movies from which these images came.
No one identified the above photo yet.
Can you name from what movie it came?
George Grimes and Charles Gilbert identified last week's photo of Georges Marchal in ULISSE CONTRO ERCOLE, aka ULYSSES AGAINST HERCULES, aka ULYSSES AGAINST THE SON HERCULES.
Above is a new photo.
Can you name from what movie it came?
George Grimes identified last week's photo of Florinda Bolkan in LE ORME, aka FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON.
Above is a new photo.
Can you identify from what movie it came?
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I am interested in knowing what movies you have watched and what you enjoyed or not. So please send me an email at scinema@earthlink.net if you'd like to share. Here's what I watched last week:
Enjoyed:
RAGE 20 YEARS OF PUNK ROCK WEST COAST STYLE (2000) - Hey, at least filmmakers Michael Bishop and Scott Jacoby included some footage of Screamers and The Weirdos, though they didn't interview any of those band members. There's barely a mention of The Dils, The Alley Cats and The Avengers and no interviews with them. The filmmakers interview Rodney Bingenheimer at a Tower Records event for X, but no footage or interview with them. Was it a rights issue? Jello Biafra and Don Bolles seem to always be available to talk, and they have something interesting to impart. I am not very familiar with T.S.O.L., but Jack Grisham was interesting. Christian Death and U.S. Bombs came around after I stopped paying attention, so Gitane Demone and Duane Peters was completely unknown to me. But Keith Morris, wearing funny glasses and an huge wig, told a story about the Masque made the show worthwhile.
AMERICAN HARDCORE: THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN PUNK ROCK 1980-1986 (2006) - With all of its omissions, RAGE was a film that better spoke to my Punk Rock experience as AMERICAN HARDCORE dealt with many bands with whom I am unfamiliar. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how many bands that I had seen were included here, including Black Flag, Circle Jerks, D.O.A., Minutemen, The Middle Class, The Adolescents and Flipper. Most of the other bands were not part of the L.A. scene, or came after I stopped paying attention. Based on a book by Steven Blush, the film directed by Paul Rachman obviously was helped by backing from Sony Pictures Classics, so that it had a professional sheen to which RAGE could only aspire. And Keith Morris appears without funny glasses and a wig.
Mildly enjoyed:
Paradise (2025) - The mini-series on Hulu has a terrific first episode, but as the series continues it gets progressively dumb until it comes to an non-ending that doesn't make me want to see the second season.
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David Deal Enjoyed:
CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER (61)
THE AVENGER OF VENICE (64) - AKA Bridge of Sighs. 16th century Venice. Brett Halsey is the son of the Doge who is not popular with the rich and corrupt. So Brett is framed for murder and his fiance is forced to marry Conrado San Martin, a bad guy in on the plot to set up a new Doge. Gianna Maria Canale, Brett's former lover, is also forced to testify against him. This all sets up nicely for revenge. An above average adventure that looks very sumptuous with excellent photography and good use of the Venetian locations. And there is plenty of swordplay and double dealings to keep things moving. Fun one.
THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED (69)
MAN MADE MONSTER (41)
THE LOCKET (46) - Loraine Day is the psychically damaged woman at the center of this film noir. Accused of theft as a child, she has become a dangerous kleptomaniac who destroys the men in her life. This has a fun structure with flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks as each former husband of hers returns to warn the latest victim. Excellent photography and a solid cast including Robert Mitchum as an artist who fell for her fatal charms. Directed by John Brahm at RKO.
DILLINGER (45)
THE CAT (88) - Gotz George directs a bank job from a hotel room high above the bank so he can keep track of the cops' activities while his two compatriots do the heavy lifting of hostage negotiation. A simple setup is anything but simple. This German crime film was a big hit and it's easy to see why; it is gripping and keeps its audience guessing along with everyone else as to the outcome. Tightly edited with a good score and plenty of tension, this thriller comes recommended.
LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART AT THE RIVER STYX (72)
DO THE RIGHT THING (89) - Filmmaking as free as Breathless (60).
HORROR ISLAND (41)
THE BLACK CAT (41)
Mildly Enjoyed:
IL CAVALIERE DAI CENTO VOLTI (60) - AKA The Knight of 100 Faces. Lex Barker is a Robin Hood-type hero of the forest and a master of disguise (well, maybe not a master). Herbert A. E. Bohme (Mill of the Stone Women) is the local duke and bad guy whose daughter is in love with Rex. Livio Lorenzon is the Duke's lackey and Rex's main antagonist. Liana Orfei is the flame-haired gypsy who floats between the two factions. Cue the court intrigue and swordplay. Middle-of-the-road entry in the Italian adventure thread; neither great nor terrible but an adequate time waster.
THE DRAGON MURDER CASE (34) - The Stamm estate has a grotto out back and legend has it that the pool contains a dragon. One evening several guests and relatives decide to take a dip. When one of them doesn't come up after a dive, the police are called in and detective Philo Vance (Warren William) accompanies them. This Warner murder mystery has horror overtones and features Lyle Talbot and Eugene Pallette. It must be noted that the solution to the mystery doesn't hold water, so to speak.
SPIDER (91) - From 2018 "A young woman poses for an artist as the Virgin Mary and sexual delusions and hallucinations overcome her. Sexy and trippy film from Latvia is thematically and sometimes visually reminiscent of Valerie and Her Week of Wonders from Czechoslovakia."
THE SECRET OF TWO OCEANS (56) - When two ships are destroyed, one in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic, the Russians send a futuristic submarine called the "Pioneer" to solve the mystery. Russian science fiction in color with some impressive effects. The version I saw was broken into two parts totaling about 2 hrs, 20 mins.
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Angel Rivera Enjoyed:
"THE CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS" (1962)
One review called this movie, "a talk fest!" Not a lot of action, but the story is one of those "what if" type of stories. In a post-apocalyptic world, "humanoid" type robots are created to work and live with humans who are dying out due to lingering nuclear fallout. Into this world comes Cragis (Don Megowan), a leader of a group calling themselves, "Order of Flesh and Blood", a fascist like organization that harasses the humanoids whom they disparagingly call "clickers"! Ironically, the "humanoids" are plotting something and Cragis means to find out. Interesting world created for the film. Almost like a stage play, like "R.U.R." Another guilty pleasure, I like repeat viewings of.
"GEORGIE AND MANDY'S FIRST MARRIAGE" (2025)
Cute sitcom with characters spun off from "Young Sheldon" (2017-2024). Some what amusing. Emily Osment is very cute and nice to watch as "Mandy"!
One review called this movie, "a talk fest!" Not a lot of action, but the story is one of those "what if" type of stories. In a post-apocalyptic world, "humanoid" type robots are created to work and live with humans who are dying out due to lingering nuclear fallout. Into this world comes Cragis (Don Megowan), a leader of a group calling themselves, "Order of Flesh and Blood", a fascist like organization that harasses the humanoids whom they disparagingly call "clickers"! Ironically, the "humanoids" are plotting something and Cragis means to find out. Interesting world created for the film. Almost like a stage play, like "R.U.R." Another guilty pleasure, I like repeat viewings of.
"GEORGIE AND MANDY'S FIRST MARRIAGE" (2025)
Cute sitcom with characters spun off from "Young Sheldon" (2017-2024). Some what amusing. Emily Osment is very cute and nice to watch as "Mandy"!
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Charles Gilbert watched:
CHINA DOLL (1958) B&W. American pilot Cliff Brandon (Victor Mature) learns a few lessons on 1943 Oriental culture while stationed in China. An indigent local mandarin father offers his daughter's services to him for a period of servitude, but they soon consummate a relationship that produces an infant daughter, and dismays the resident catholic missionary father (Ward Bond). WW2 conflict in nearby Burma leaves the cherub without either parent in the tearjerker ending.
HIGHWAY DRAGNET (1954) B&W. Recently discharged marine (Richard Conte) is suspected of murdering a blonde upon meeting her in a bar. On the lam from Arizona sheriff (Reed Hadley), he just happens to hitchhike with the actual killer (Joan Bennett).
DEATH RAGE (1976) Even though police inspector Martin Balsam is on his heels, renowned aging mob hitman begins to train a young feller to carry on his activities in Naples and New York, as his eyes are going bad. Last film for Yul Brynner. Directed by Antonio Margherita. Horrendous musical score. Over 13 minutes into the film before the credits start to roll. Sal Borgese has a secondary role
The Making of Ben-Hur 1959. Christopher Plummer narrates the documentary largely featuring Gore Vidal in interview who worked on the script. Producer Sam Zimbalist died from heart attack before shooting was complete, leaving William Wyler with double duty.
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