Today is my birthday. What would I love more than anything to celebrate 44 years on this planet? World peace? Sure. An end to poverty? That would be on my wishlist. The soundtrack for William Friedkin's 1980 masterpiece 'Cruising' remastered from the original master tapes? HELL YEAH!!! And that's whats happening. The brilliant company Waxwork …
Continue reading 2019- The Year of ‘Cruising’- Soundtrack and Blu ray release due
The news that I've been waiting for for many years has finally come to fruition. William Friedkin's masterpiece Cruising is coming to Blu Ray in Spring 2019. And not just that but the company handling the release are none other than the amazing Arrow Films. I couldn't be happier. This release should exceed all expectations. …
Continue reading It’s Almost Here! Cruising Hits Blu Ray in Spring 2019!
Poor Billy. Not only does he have a frankly terrifying visit with his grandfather in a mental institution, he then sees his parents slaughtered by a psychopath dressed as Santa who flags them down whilst on their way home. He is then sent to a Catholic run orphanage where the Mother Superior loves to run …
I love a sequel that not only ups the ante regarding the original film but decides to be as extreme as possible and really 'go for it'. In this film theres a new family who move into Amityville. You know that any family that includes Burt Young and Rutanya Alda as members is going to …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 29- The Amityville Horror Part 2- The Possession (1982)
William Lustig's depraved classic was massively controversial when first released. It garnered the ultimate accolades for an exploitation film- it was HATED by Siskel and Ebert (Gene Siskel said he made it to the shotgun murder then had to leave the preview screening as he couldn't stomach anymore!) and it was picketed by feminist groups. …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 24- Maniac (1980)
A killer stalks a high school. And thats the plot. This is a cookie cutter slasher film. The only interesting thing about this movie is it's historical value as an atypical sub-genre piece. You get to see the sheer rubbish that was made to generate ticket sales and box office. Movies with no artistic merit …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 17- Final Exam (1981)
A double date decide to investigate a travelling carnival that has just come into town. After strolling around the different attractions they decide to hide overnight in the actual funhouse (like a ghost ride) which is on the grounds of the carnival. This film starts out so well with the carnival and the people who …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 11- The Funhouse (1981)
Sunday nights in the late 70's/early 80's here in the UK were great for TV. In my household we'd religiously watch That's Life, a weird hotchpotch of hard hitting investigations into very dark subject matters with lighter fare which was designed to make the audience titter and guffaw (they loved vegetables that just happened to …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 10- Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)
The infamous video nasty that was banned in the SS Thatcher days of 80’s Britain. It’s a solid effort with great gore and decent suspense as two couples go to an island for a vacation. I loved the lead character who feels like she’s been having nightmares all her life about the place she’s just arrived at. …
I had the honour and privilege to be able to see Predator (1987) in 4K and on the big screen the other day. It felt like visiting an old friend. Predator belongs in Arnie's Imperial Phase, which, for my money, runs from the Conan films up until Red Heat. At this time, he was making …
Meathook Cinema 