Reviews

Ganja & Hess (Bill Gunn, 1973) Commissioned to make a low budget blaxploitation vampire film to cash in on the success of Blacula (a hugely enjoyable genre piece that would usher in a sequel, as well as the likes of Abby, Backenstein, Dr.

Effectively edited in a flash back style that begins with Lockley's post shootout interrogation, before taking us through prior events, and culminating in a sweaty elevator standoff between Lockley and The Stick (pictured); whilst half the New York police department wait to gun down whoever emerges ...

The film works on these b-movie terms, and is never less than entertaining considering the constant parade of murder, rape-revenge, marauding bikers and Peckinpah-esque shootouts. You could almost argue this is seminal when considering later hard edged post apocalyptic films of the seventies and beyond.

One of the most controversial British films of the late sixties; [i]Twisted Nerve[/i] was banished to virtual obscurity thanks to it's spurious scientific links between the siblings of Downs Syndrome children (a condition unfortunately referred to as Mongolism in the film) and psychosis.

Perhaps best of all however is the film's ability to be both amusing and disturbing without meandering or becoming uneven. All in all a treat.

Bogdanovich's deeply allegorical debut feature might just be one of the best under-mentioned horror thrillers of all time ... incredibly suspenseful and moving, as well as being a dream swan song for Karloff; elevates it to greatness.

* I'd also like to mention that whilst I usually make a point of watching all foreign language films with subtitles.

As a huge fan of Miller's film this got me more than a little curious, as not only is Stone considered a minor classic of the 'biker movie' sub-genre, but also features two cast members from Mad Max; namely Roger Ward (unrecognisable in a small role) and most notably the wonderful Hugh Keays-Byrne...

Elsewhere the film moves at a leisurely pace with Barber clearly taking extra care to flesh out Caine's character and what motivates him to do what he does before the immanent explosion of violence.

[i]Chopping Mall[/i] is no long lost classic despite the flashy special effects and tight running time. It has a great central premise of teens trapped in a mall by killer security robots, but the script just isn't witty or clever enough to fully capitalise on the idea.