rappin' (1985)

"We made mistakes, but that's ok, together we make a better day."
Rappin' John Hood (Mario Van Peebles) leaves prison a changed man, and finds his neighbourhood under threat of redevelopment by an unscrupulous builder. So he sets out to defeat him using only the power of rap!
A truly terrible film, featuring uninterested acting, and a laughable script, interspirsed with lame raps. Watch out for an uncredited Ice T performing Killer with a plastic machine gun.

black emanuelle (1975)

aka Emanuelle nera. Black Emannuelle in Africa.
"I love black skin."
With the success of Emmanuelle, it was only going to be a matter of time before someone would produce a rip-off. So here comes Laura Gemser as a photographer sent on a mission to Africa. She soon shows her patented marriage counciling technique, by hooking up with the nearest married man. She then moves onto both of her hosts, amongst others.
Produced as a softcore film, hardcore inserts were added to some versions. Even so this is the nearest of the series to the original travelogue sexploitation it was ripping off, being well produced and photographed in exotic locations, but ultimately this is an uninteresing film. In the sequels Joe D'Amato took the helm and added more sex and quite a bit of gore.

undercover girl (1958)

aka Assignment Redhead.
"What else does he know?"
When a reporter is murdered, his brother-in law decides to find the killer. Inevitably he comes up against the local racketeer who runs a night club, and specialises is blackmail.
An unspectacular thriller from Butchers. Watch out for Joan Collins little sister Jackie as a showgirl.

life in danger (1964)

"You stay here and bolt the doors, and don't let anyone in that you don't know."
A small rural village lives next door to a lunatic asylum, with the constant fear that one of the inmates will escape. Then one does, prompting much hysteria. Into this walks a man (Derren Nesbitt) looking for work. Is he the escapee, and what are the villagers going to do about him?
An exercise in paranoia, and prejudice, makes for a solid b-movie thriller.

personal services (1987)

"We know what happens to naughty boys don't we!"
The life and times of Christine Painter (Julie Walters), and her rise to become one of Britain's favourite brothel owners, not that there is much competition for this accolade.
Walters puts in a sterling performance, as the larger than life character. The comedy gives it a seaside postcard levity, exposing the hypocracy behind societies view on sex and deviancy. Inspired by the life of Cynthia Payne.

life is sweet (1990)

"It's better to be on your own than be with a bastard."
The story of Wendy (Alison Steadman), Andy (Jim Broadbent), and their late teen twin daughters, Natalie and Nicola (Claire Skinner & Jane Horrocks).
A slice of life, where nothing of note happens. The family live and interact, just like any other family, and there in is the entertainment, watching life evolve and adapt.

lesbian vampire killers (2009)

aka Vampire Killers.
"I know something really weird is happening here, but is there any chance that we could just ignore it?"
Jimmy (Mathew Horne) and Fletch (James Corden) are friends who take a trip to Norfolk to get away from it all. They soon end up involved with some lesbian Vampires and a vicar (Paul McGann) who decides Jimmy is the descendant of a local vampire slayer.
Tries to be a vampire version of Shaun of the dead. Tries to be! In reality its the vampire equivalent of Cannon and Balls Boys in Blue.