oasis of the zombies (1981)

aka The Treasure Of The Living Dead. L'abîme des morts vivants. Bloodsucking Nazi Zombies.
"There is a legend that the ghosts of your soldiers still stand over the treasure."
An expedition searches an African desert for Nazi treasure. Unfortunately what they find is an army of Nazi zombies determined that no one will ever find it.
A fine start, soon grinds to a near frozen pacing, enough to lull even the hardiest into sleep.

the man who never was (1956)

"The major. May he have a safe, but successful journey."
An British intelligence officer (Clifton Webb) comes up with a cunning plan to fool the Germans as to where the Allies were intending to begin their land invasion in 1943. The plan was simple; get a body with bogus plans into the hands of the Germans. But how to do it, so that the body and its life story will convince the enemy agents scrutiny.
Based on intregingly real events, this is a classy, though uninvolving version of the story.

the big combo (1955)

"I'm trying to run an impersonal business, killing is very personal."
Detective Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde) is in love with Susan (Jean Wallace), but she is the unhappy gangster's moll of Mr Brown (Richard Conte). When she attempts suicide ? goes gunning for Brown, determined to make him pay. Unfortunately Mr Brown is a very careful and powerful man, with influential friends.
A classy and stylish noir that does a fine job at building tension from the situation.

blacula (1972)

"Say man, that is one strange dude."
Prince Mamuwald (William Marshall) is turned into a vampire by Count Dracula (Charles Macaulay), and 200 years later finds himself shipped over to LA and there he finds Tina (Vonetta McGee) whom he mistakes for his long lost princess.
Boy does he need to go on an anger management course and de-stress.

raising the wind (1961)

aka Roommates.
"Another five days and we'll be in the thick of it."
A group of music students hit on the idea of sharing a flat, to cut living costs, have somewhere to practice without disturbing their neighbours, and subsequently get into some adventures as they do so.
A Doctor film, moved from medical to music school, even using many of those film's ensemble, including James Robertson Justice, Liz Fraser and Leslie Phillips. Add in a sprinkling of Carry On cast and you have unfortunately a poor approximation of both these popular series.

carry on loving (1970)

"They are a beautifully fashioned pair."
The plot centres on the problems the Wedded Bliss dating agency gets into when they install a computer to match up customers.
The ensemble are all here, but this turns out to be one of the poor relations in the family that is the 'Carry On' series.

brighton rock (2010)

"If we had meant to kill him we would have done so wouldn't we."
Pinkie (Sam Riley), is a smalltime crook, who kills a rival in revenge. Unfortunately a waitress (Andrea Riseborough) has evidence that could place him at the scene, so he woos then marries her, in order to keep her quiet.
As with the 1947 film this parallels the criminal journey with Pinkie and Rose's theosophical one; their faith coming more to the fore the deeper in trouble they get. This version holds up as a watchable drama, though the original still ticks more boxes for me, it was always going to be a hard act to follow.

yongary - monster from the deep (1967)

aka Taekoesu Yonggary.
"I suggest you get a few tanks over there."
A scientist is called up to try and defeat a giant, angry, dinosaur like creature that has emerged from the ocean depths following an atomic test. It's hungry after its nap and needs to refuel, so heads straight to the oil refineries, ravaging Seoul as it goes.
A Korean mashup of Godzilla and Gamera, makes for an amusingly camp, in a bad way, monster flick.

the cat creeps (1946)

"It's only a cat, nothing to get scared at."
A wise cracking journalist is given a tip off that a would be senator may have been involved in a murder 15 years previously. The key to the plot is thought to be in an old deserted house, that may also have a fortune hidden in it. To this end he, and some other interested parties go to the house to sort it out once and for all. Unfortunately someone doesn't want the mystery revealed and will go to any lengths to stop them.
Dumb but atmospheric murder mystery, with a fine line in dialogue.

revolt of the zombies (1936)

"A woman in love can justify anything."
World War I and the French army an ancient CAmbodian secret that can create zombie slaves. Fearful of a German zombie army an expedition is sent to Cambodia to destroy the formula. Unfortunately a woman Claire Duval (Dorothy Stone), is involved, and where there's a woman, there follows jealousy...
What could have been a neat little horror, is side-tracked by an absurd love story, still it makes for an interesting watch.

carry on emmanuelle (1978)

"I will make you love me, if it's the last thing I do."
Emmannuelle Prevert (Suzanne Danielle) arrives in London to be reunited with her ambassador husband (Kenneth Williams), but finding him distracted, she gets to work on various high ranking politicians. Will she ever manage to make her husband jealous and get him into bed?
Trying to grab some of the 'Confessions Of' sex comedy audience this falls flat and is remembered more for killing off the 'Carry On' series. Double entendre's arrive thick and fast, but the producers forgot to leave some of the comedy in the script.

piranha (1978)

"Do you think there is a way to pull the plug on this thing?"
A couple accidentally release Piranhas into a river. Unfortunately this waterway runs right past a couple of summer camps, and the fish soon get a taste for tourists. So it's up to Maggie (Heather Menzies) and Paul (Bradford Dillman) to try and atone for their mistake before the predators chomp too many.
A tongue-in-cheek flick made to catch some of that Jaws action, with enough thrills and in jokes to keep most engaged for 90 minutes. Watch out for appearances from Barbara Steele, Dick Miller and Paul Bartel.

fury of the wolfman (1972)

aka La furia del Hombre Lobo.
"If there is a killer, there must also be a victim. We must find them both."
Walter Daninsky (Paul Naschy) is involved in an accident, fixed to happen by his wife and her lover. What they don't know is that he is a werewolf. Can his scientist friends finally cure him of this curse.
A mashed up plot, topped off with strange performances, make this another one of those must see B's.

things happen at night (1947)

"Now what am I going to do."
A house is possessed by a poltergeist, which in turn possesses a young woman.
Run of the mill comedy, that leaves you feeling unsatisfied.