head (1968)

"Hey hey we are the Monkees, you know we aim to please. A manufactured image with no philosophies."
The pop phenonemon of the Monkees had run its course, but they had one last roll of the dice, a film exploding the myth of the group via a number of rambling drug fuelled episodes. The kids didn't understand it and it bombed. But what they produced was a remarkable piece of comedy and music.
Featuring a number of Hollywood's counter culture activists, from Jack Nicholson, to Frank Zappa, this is a remarkable take on a particular moment in pop culture.

the legend of hell house (1973)

"The house tried to kill me. It almost succeeded."
Four people (Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Gayle Hunnicutt and Clive Revill) are tasked with establishing whether there is life after death and are sent to the notorious Belasco House to do so. The house having a reputaion of driving occupants mad or killing them. Can the team survive a week in the house and solve the mystery?
The typical haunted house script is lifted by its cast and direction that manages to maintains a chilling, and beguilingly erotic atmosphere, and thus entertains all the more than most.

the brothers grimm (2005)

"Don't trust the trees."
It's 1811 and the brothers (Matt Damon and Heath Ledger) travel Germany using ancient stories to con villagers out of their money performing exorcisms and vanquishing witches. That is until they stumble on a real horror story.
An entertaining attempt at telling how the Brothers Grimm got inspiration for their tales.

bye bye birdie (1963)

"Who wants to bye a song by someone with a glass jaw."
Rock sensation Birdie Conrad (Jesse Pearson) is about to be drafted and Rosie (Janet Leigh) cooks up one last publicity stunt to see him off, and to set her boyfriend Al (Dick Van Dyke) up with a guaranteed hit.
Catchy main tune but what could have been an interesting take on teen life is squandered and the flick fails to truly grip.

it came from hollywood (1982)

"I like a good cat fight."
Compilation of sci-fi and horror b movie clips, played for laughs with voice overs and clips of comedians such as John Candy and Cheech and Chong.
This comes across as an affectionate mocking of these 'classic' bad films, and hits most of its targets.

the wrong road (1937)

"You do still love me don't you?"
A young couple, Jimmy and Ruth (Richard Cromwell and Helen Mack), rob a bank where the man works, stash the money, turn themselves in, and plan to return for it when released from prison. All goes well, they do their time and are parolled, but the insurance investigator (Lionel Atwill) and Jimmy's old cellmate, are on their tail waiting for them to pick up the money.
An improbable tale that would have worked better as a comedy, but unfortunately isn't.

the violent years (1956)

"You're very observant for a pretty boy."
A young girl Paula Parkins (Jean Moorhead), feeling neglected by her parents, decides to form a girl gang and is soon robbing and raping the young men in town.
Written by Edward D. Wood Jr, this is a run of the mill JD flick, with the usual moralistic tone to justify the crimes portrayed, and include his usual sermonising - parents talk to your children!