strip poker (1968)

AKA The Big Switch. "Take your shirt off!"
John Carter (Sebastian Breaks) is a playboy implicated in the murder of a blonde he had picked up on a night out. He is subsequently pressured by gangland boss Mendez (Derek Aylward) to go to Brighton, to do a job for him...
Marvel at how the director can crowbar female nudity into the most mundane of scenario's in this uninteresting would be thriller.

troll 2 (2025)

"Have you found something else?"
Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann) is again recruited to help out Andreas Isaksen (Kim Falck) when he reveals that the Govt has found another Troll. This time he is hibernating, but what will happen if he wakes up?
More of the same, with a similar plot of the team puzzling out how to stop a rampaging troll. If you were entertained by the first film, then you should be happy enough with this new installment.

troll (2022)

"You do know that there's some truth to every fairytale."
Norwegan road builders are tunneling through a mountain range when they disturb an ancient creature. Could it be in fact a troll? Paleontologist Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann) is brought in to give her assessment and soon realises that maybe the storybooks were true!
Yes we've seen this all before, and its not a patch on Troll Hunters, but it is a fun watch. So cut the carping and just let it entertain you.

the stone tape (1972)

"What I want for Christmas is for you to go away."
An audio research team convenes in a Victorian house in an attempt to find a new recording format. But things start to go off tack when Jill Greeley (Jane Asher) witnesses a ghost and the director Peter Brock (Michael Bryant) decides to record the apparition but also to exorcise it...
A made for TV horror by Nigel Kneale that came up with some genuine scares

the painted bird (2019)

AKA Nabarvené ptáce
"You're not from here are you?"
A young boy Joska (Petr Kotlár) suffers many trauma's as he travels across an indeterminate Slavic country during its occupation by Germany.
Based on the novel by Václav Marhoul this is an extremely dark tale making it a compelling but difficult watch.

naked as nature intended (1961)

"Nobody who looked like that ever gave me a lump of sugar."
Three young women, including Pamela Green tour the delights of South-West England and are introduced into naturism.
What was an early foray into nudie cuties by Markx, is viewed today as more of a delightful tourist film. Due to it being made in colour and restricting the nudism to the last few minutes of the film. Surely this was the basis of the spoof nudism film shown in Carry on Camping?

klokkenluider (2022)

"Don't tell him you told me!"
Ewan, a government whistleblower, and Silke, his Flemish wife are hidding out in a rural rental house waiting for a journalist (Olivia Coleman) to arrive so they can tell their story. Meanwhile they are joined by two protection officers, and cannot help but argue and reveal secrets as the officers also bicker.
Tightly driven talky.

baron blood (1972)

AKA Gli orrori del castello di Norimberga
"If he were really to come back he would be a monster."
Peter Kleist (Antonio Cantafora) travels to his ancestral castle in Austria to researh notorious "Baron Blood" a renowned sadist who was reputedly cursed by a witch he had burned to death. At the castle Peter meets Eva (Elke Sommer) who is helping with renovations and they stupidly read an incantation which is supposed to bring the Baron back to life! Following their reading murders start occurring and the castle is subsequently sold to millionare Alfred Becker (Joseph Cotton). But why does he want it and who is the serial killer?
An evocative gothic horror, from a horror master, but this somehow lacks something.

the vourdalak (2023)

"It was unbearable."
A French envoy (Kacey Mottet Klein) is waylaid whilst travelling in the Balkans. Lost and alone he is advised to seek out Gorcha who will be able to help him. On arrival at Gorcha's house he finds he has left a note with his family stating that has gone to fight the turkish bandits and if he returns after 6 days he is to be considered a Vourdalak! As expected Gorcha is found collapsed...minutes after the 6 days has expired!
Based on Tolstoy's gothic novel this is a stylish and atmospheric tale, reminding me of the Italian horrors of the 60's.

meet simon cherry (1949)

"I never look for trouble."
Cheerful Rev Simon Cherry (Hugh Moxey) ends up at a manor house when his car breaks down in the countryside. Whilst there the reclusive invalid daughter of the lady of the house Lisa ( Zena Marshall) is found dead. Murder is suspected, so the Rev starts asking questions and a tale of love and deceit is revealed...
Likable film that owes much to its radio series origins as it's very talky.

the wildcats of st trinian's (1980)

"I demand my pupils back!"
The pupils of St. Trinian's have decided they want to form a union so they can strike. Flash Harry (Joe Melia) advises them that they need to consolidate with other schools by infiltrating them...
Fifth installment of the St Trinian's films and one that is forgotten for a reason despite a plethera of well known names packing out the cast.

billy the kid versus dracula (1966)

"The marks of a vampire are on her throat."
Dracula (John Carradine) is traveling across the American Old West when he sees a picture of the young and beautiful Elizabeth (Melinda Plowman) and is determined to make her his vampire bride. Unfortunately for him Her fiance is Billy the Kid (Chuck Courtney), now going straight as a ranch foreman.
A bright and breezy film that plays extremely fast and loose with all genre tropes, with rubber bats and hokey dialogue.

the menu (2022)

"This is an exclusive experience!"
Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) invites Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) to eat at an exclusive restaurant on a remote island. The reknowned chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, but the evening rapidly starts to unravel...But why is the chef so interested in Margot?
A satire on the preciousness of fine dining takes a delicious turn into physical horror.

the dunwich horror (1970)

"My you scare easily. "
The charming Wilbur Whateley (Dean Stockwell) visits Arkham Miskatonic University to study the Necronomicon and captivates, (or should that be bewitches), student Nancy Wagner (Sandra Dee) in the process.
Based on an HP Lovecraft story subfusing it with a level of underlying menace.

night of the creeps (1986)

"What is this? A homicide, or a bad B-movie?"
A fratboy (Ken Heron) is infected by an alien in 1959 and subsequently frozen. Cut to 1986 and two geeks (Steve Marshall and Jason Lively) accidentally revive the body which promptly starts to infect the campus students with parasites transforming them into zombies and leading Detective Ray Cameron (Tom Atkins) a merry dance.
A fun comedy/horror teen-flick to double bill with the Return of the Living Dead.

zontar: the thing from venus (1967)

"We are all puzzled and just a little bit afraid."
Zontar hitches a ride to Earth and with the aid of science nerd Keith Ritchie (Anthony Houston) and once here starts to take over various humans in a hideous attempt to take over the world! Can scientist Dr. Curt Taylor (John Agar) stop Zontar from taking over the world?
A remake of Roger Corman's "It Conquered the World" (1956) and its not an improvement!

tender flesh (1997)

AKA Boccato Di Cardinale
"You two will be our hunting hounds."
Paula (Amber Newman) becomes an exotic dancer in a private club and attracts the attention of a a rich patron (Lina Romay) who invite her, her boyfriend and a few others (including Monique Parent) to spend a few days with them on her private island. But once there Paula finds all is not as she was led to believe...
An S and M take on The Most Dangerous Game that lacks any thrills!

virus (1980)

AKA Fukkatsu no hi
"The United States had no particular monopoly on idiots."
A US military engineered virus is unleashed upon the world to devastating effect, an international mix of scientists and military personnel gather in Antarctica to desperately try to find a cure to save themselves and what is left of the human population. But as with everything complications arise...
Entertaining view on human nature as long as you view the full length (Japanese version?).

war of the monsters (1966)

AKA Gamera vs. Barugon, Daikaijū kettō: Gamera tai Barugon, Great Monster Duel: Gamera vs. Barugon
"The lives of all our people will be in danger.
After a brief introduction to Gamera we are transported to a remote island where a small group are hunting an opal stashed in a forbidden cave. Upon retrieval one of the gang betrays the others stranding one of the gang on the island. There an islander tell's the stranded man that their opal is not really a jewel and they have to retrieve it! But they are too late as a lizard, Barugon, hatches and sets about destroying Kobe and in turn attracting Gamera...
This creature feature was bought by AIP who Americanised it for television, presenting a monster not as compelling as Godzilla, but with a nice crime drama sub-plot.

st. martin's lane (1938)

AKA Sidewalks of London
"who does this lovely world belong to, eh?"
Charles (Charles Laughton) is the head of a troop of buskers who spots pickpocket Libby Vivien Leigh and takes her under his wing. He trains her up and falls for her, but recognises that she is well out of his league. Then along comes theatrical composer Harley (Rex Harrison) who spots her charms along her talent.
Laughton and Leigh excell in this forgotten gem.

Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island(1956)

AKA Miyamoto Musashi kanketsu-hen: Kettô Ganryû-jima.
"How long must he remain a ronin?"
Musashi Miyamoto (Toshirō Mifune) returns to the farming life and finds contentment, but continues to be plagued by women problems as Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa) and Akemi (Mariko Okada) vie for his attention. All whilst he must also contend with his nemesis, Kojiro Sasaki (Kōji Tsuruta).
The third and final film continues the journey of the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi leading to a set piece finale.

samurai II: duel at ichijoji temple (1955)

AKA Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijô-ji no kettô
"My heart has chosen the way of the sword."
Musashi (Toshirô Mifune) is spending his time fighting duels as the lives of his old friends whirl around him and he waits to fight the samarai master Sasaki (Kōji Tsuruta).
Continuing the lifestory of the famous Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi and now the characters are all established the story can now ramp up the action whilst the master swordsman tries to find inner peace.

samurai I: musashi miyamoto

AKA Miyamoto Musashi
"We left home thinking we could become samurai so easily. What a dream."
Takezo (Toshirô Mifune) is convinced by his friend Matahachi (Rentarō Mikuni) to run away to become samurai, dreaming of the glamourous life it promises. Matahachi leaves his betrothed Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa) with not even a backward glance and eventually runs off with a bandits wife. Meanwhile Takezo returns to the village but is by now a wanted man. Eventually he is convinced by a Buddhist priest to give himself up and the priest sets in motion his plan...
The first in a trilogy of films loosely based on the life of the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, and tells a tale of love and loss.

the two faces of dr jeykll (1960)

"You vile disgusting degenerate!"
Dr. Henry Jekyll (Paul Massie) proposes that inside every human is two personalities, a theory dismissed by his colleagues. So he sets out to prove it. Tied up in his work he doesn't seem to notice his wife (Dawn Addams) is having an affair with his louche friend Paul Allen (Christopher Lee). But then Jekyll finds a formula that transforms him into the confident and handsome Edward Hyde who sets out to enjoy the sordid nightlife of London...
A well worn tale told with some panache.

uprising (2024)

"I cannot go on this way any longer." AKA Jeon, Ran
Set during the Joseon Dynasty, a nobleman's son is given a slave to take his punishments for him, as no noble can be marked. They somehow develop a bond, especially when Jong-ryeo (Park Jeong-min) is discovered to have an aptitude for martial arts and it is decided he tutor Cheon-young (Gang Dong-won) and even takes the entrance exams for military school for his now friend. But only if he is made a freeman. Unfortunately he is betrayed and thus develops a vicious feud that fans a slave revolt.
An engaging tale of betrayal and class divides.

shark (1969)

"We are going to be one big happy family" Caine (Burt Reynolds), a smalltime gunrunner, ends up stuck in a Sudanese coastal town. Desperate for money he takes on a job piloting a boat exploring a sunken ship in the shark-infested waters and spots an opportunity...
A very average thriller.

the devil's hand (1961)

"They play with evil like its some kind of new toy."
AKA Witchcraft.
Rick (Robert Alda) is plagued by nightmares about a beautiful blonde woman. Then one day he spots her likeness in a shop window, along with a doll that is the image of his fiancé Donna (Ariadne Welter). With help of the shop owner Rick manages to track down the woman (Linda Christian) who convinces him to join a sect that worships the diabolic Camba...
A campy horror that being short doesn't out stay its welcome.

the paper gallows (1950)

"It's not my fault!"
AKA Torment
Brothers (John Bentley and Dermot Walsh) tussle for the affections of their secretary Joan (Rona Anderson). Joan seems to prefer Jim, as she pals around with him as they try and find out who killed the family cat. Surely it couldn't be the moody Cliff?
Melodramatic crime drama featuring much overwraught talking into the distance rather than to the people involved!

the four skulls of Jonathan drake (1959)

"Kenneth Drake you have paid for the evil of your ancestors."
Anthropologist Jonathan Drake (Eduard Franz) believes that his family has been cursed by a tribe of South American Indians. A theory reinforced when Drake's brother is found dead, a shrunken head hanging near the body!
An entertaining and in turns creepy shocker despite its budgetary limitations.

texas chainsaw massacre: the next generation (1994)

"I want these people to know the meaning of horror!"
Prom night and a gang of teenagers (inc Renee Zellweger) get into a car crash in rural Texas. Stranded and with an injured driver they look for help and come across an old farmhouse, but its far from the help they are looking for... that is home to Leatherface (Robert Jacks) and his insane family of cannibalistic psychopaths.
This was never going to live up to its Predecessor but the prescense of Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger adds interest to this video slasher.

the texas chain saw massacre (1974)

"those girls don't wanna go messin' 'round no old house!"
Five friends travelling in rural Texas have the misfortune to stumble upon a rather peculiar family...
A classic of modern horror cinema that birthed the template for the slasher genre whilst giving nightmares to whole generations.

talk of the devil (1967)

"Made it you have.
Stephen Wallace (Tim Barrett) has the hots for the glamorous Wendy (Suzan Farmer), but she is less interested, so makes a faustian pact...
A half-hour comedy that is more of a curio than comedy.

fuzz (1972)

"What!"
Detectives in a rundown Boston police department, including Burt Reynolds, Tom Skerritt and Raquel Welsh, strive to catch an extortionist who is targeting a local politician.
A gritty slice of life drama, with a side of comedy. Unfortunately it doesn't quite gell and ultimately its meandering wastes the many talents involved.

black '47 (2018)

"I don't understand that aboriginal nonsense. Speak English, man!"
Martin Feeney (James Frecheville) arrives back in Ireland after serving abroad in the British army to find his home suffering during the height of the Great Hunger, His mother dead of starvation and his brother killed after resisting the familys eviction. Subsequent injustices lead Feeney to be arrested and he begins his journey of revenge...
A well made and sometimes visually striking revenge thriller distinguished by its famine setting.

the mermaid (1965)

AKA Yu mei ren.
"I've tasted the fickleness of human nature."
Poor scholar Chang Chen (Ivy Ling Po) comes to live with a rich relative whose daughter Peony (Li Ching) he was promised in an arranged marrage. He is smitten with Peony, though she isn't as taken with him or the idea. Into this steps a Carp spirit who loves Chang and takes the form of his fiancée to get close to him leading to the inevitable conflicts and confusion...
A classic Huangmei Opera that intertwines fantasy and romance and a beautiful look.

the butterfly chalice (1963)

AKA Hu die bei.
"Hopefully Heaven will help a good man."
Set in the Ming Dynasty, a magistrate's son (Chin Feng) and a fisherman's daughter (Pat Ting Hung) come together after he has accidentally kills the Govenor's son who beat her father to death. The magistrate ubsequently fights for justice whilst his son is no the run from the Govenor's bodyguards.
A Huangmei Opera enlivened with some martial arts action.

ringo, the face of revenge (1966)

AKA Ringo, il volto della vendetta. Los Quatro Salvajes.
"Now there are three more of us in on your little secret. Two too many..."
A pair of drifters (Anthony Steffen and Eduardo Fajardo) rescue Fidel (Armando Calvo) twice in one day and discover part of a treasure map is tattooed on his back. When they learn the other half is on the back of a local sheriff (Alfonso Goda), they plan a treasure hunt and are soon joined by card sharp Tricky Ferguson (Frank Wolff) who overhears their scheme.
Thus begins a mildly entertaining game of double and triple-crosses.

His Colt, Himself, His Revenge (1973)

AKA They called him Trinity. Allegri becchini... arriva Trinità. Django, ton tour viendra.
"I think it was a mistake killing that woman."
A gang of outlaws with a hooded leader kidnap a woman and shoot up the town killing her and many others. On arrival her brother Chad Randall (Dino Strano) swears to track the gang down and exact his revenge.
Extremely cheap and badly acted pot boiler.

day of anger (1967)

AKA I Giorno Dell’Ira.
"never get between a gun and its target."
Amiable but down on his luck Scott (Giuliano Gemma) is befriended by a gunslinger (Lee Van Cleef) and they set out to clean up a corrupt town but soon have a falling out.
A classic theme heralds an entertaining western with political undertones.

the killer (1971)

AKA Sacred Knives of Vengeance
"Trustworthiness is most important."
Swordsman Hsieh Chun (Hua Tsung) is mislead into getting involved in the revenge scheme of the leader of the Black Dragon gang. But despite being told many times he is being used Chun refuses to see the deception and turns against an old friend who is a Govt officer Wang Hsing-tien (Miao Ching). Then to complicate things old rivalries resurface, when Yu Chiao (Ping Wang) enters the scene as she is loved by both men...
Forget the plot and marvel at the fight scenes.

deathwatch (2002)

"Just carry out my orders!"
Its the Great War 1914 and Charlie Shakespeare (Jamie Bell) is one of a number of British soldiers who stumble on a German trench whilst caught behind enemy lines. Once they have captured a German they take refuge in the network of tunnels but slowly begin to realise there is more to fear here than the German enemy.
A slow build with some genuine horror of the futility of war ilk, but never fleshes out the characters enough for you to really care about their predicament.

game of death 2 (1981)

aka Si wang ta. Tower of Death.
"Someone may want us dead!"
Bobby (Kim Tai Chung) seeks to avenge the death of his brother Billy Lo (Bruce Lee) and heads to Japan to track down the perpetrators.
Another attempt to extend the legacy of Bruce Lee following his death, incorporating existing footage of the martial arts star to flesh out this thin plot.

night of the eagle (1962)

"I'm sure you're convinced I'm quite insane."
Psychology Professor Norman Taylor (Peter Wyngarde) discovers his wife Tansy (Janet Blair) is practicing witch, doing so to protect him from evil forces. Not believing in such things he destroys the magical paraphernalia. But soon he starts to experience strange events. Could it be that Tansy is right and she isn't the only one practicing witchcraft?
A imaginative low budget horror, developing a sinister atmosphere around Wyngarde as he looses faith in his rational approach to life.

woman who came back (1945)

"Lorna was always different from the others."
Lorna Webster (Nancy Kelly) is the only survivor of a bus crash near the site of a witch burning three hundred years previously. As she convalesces Lorna begins to believe that she's the reincarnation of the witch, back to avenge her execution.
An errie horror that relies on atmosphere as the plot develops.

the blue lamp (1950)

"Now, now, now, what's all this about?"
PC George Dixon (Jack Warner) and Andy Mitchell (Jimmy Handley) are in pursuit of two young crooks, Tom (Dirk Bogarde) and Spud (Patric Doonan) when things go tragically wrong.
Post-war realism creeps into this drama that caught the imagination.

room to let (1950)

"I must carry on with my work!"
Curly Minter (Jimmy Hanley) reminisces about his time as a cub reporter and in particular a story that happened in London in 1904. Following a fire at a mental institute he begins to suspect that Dr. Fell (Valentine Dyall) may in fact be the infamous Jack the Ripper.
Based as it is on a BBC radio play, this is overly talkie but Valentine makes fine use of his menacing tone of voice to add a sense of unease to the proceedings.

the last voyage of the demeter (2023)

"I can't go back sir."
Opening on a ship wrecked on the Yorkshire coast, this follows the voyage that brought the damned vessel and its cargo to its resting place under Capt Eliot (Liam Cunningham)
Developing the story chaptered in the novel Dracula, this fleshes out the story and adds the inevitable end line to allow for a sequel.

sisu (2022)

"Wait!"
Grizzled old prospector Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) discovers a sizable amount of gold and sets off into town to exchange it. It is then that we discover this is Lapland in the dying days of WWII and there are some very nasty Nazi's out there willing to do anything to take his gold.
Very brutal and obviously outlandish tale, but its always fun to see Nazi's get more than whats coming to them!

renfield (2023)

"You stood up to him! How did you do that."
After centuries of serving Dracula (Nicolas Cage), the pair are hiding out in New Orleans and Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) meets policewoman (Awkwafina) who gives him the gumption to finally ready to rid himself of his master.
A breezy gore filled horror-comedy, that brings the relationship of Dracula and his servant Renfield up to date.

the gorge (2025)

"we're here to protect their secrets."
Levi (Miles Teller) a highly regarded snipper is hired for a very secretive operation, which turns out to be protecting a mist covered gorge. Whilst there he learns that there is another operative (Anya Taylor-Joy) on the other side of the valley also doing the same job...
An entertaining and linear narrative, that slowly ramps up to the action packed ending.