21.2.14

santo vs the vampire women (1962)

aka santo vs the vampire women. Samson and the Vampire Women. Santo vs. las mujeres vampiro.
"We'll finally meet our implacable enemy."
A professor recruits a Santo to protect his daughter (María Duval) from vampires who are insistent that she marry the devil.
Fine low budget fare, full of beautiful women, wrestling, and a tissue paper plot.

satan's sabbath (1972)

aka The Devil Is Among Us. Le diable est parmi nous. The Possession of Virginia. The Sensual Sorceress.
"He left you all he had?"
After her boss commits suicide, Virginia (Danielle Ouimet) inherits his antique shop, and Journalist Paul Drouin (Daniel Pilon) begins to investigate the suicide, which draws him into the murky world of satanic cults.
With plot holes, inconsistencies, the pace of a snail and less action, this promising premise is quickly squandered.

gun of the black sun (2011)

aka Luger of the Black Sun.
"Stay well and be lucky."
A Luger Pistol formally belonging to a Rumanian Nazi in WWII is found in modern day Bucharest. The pistol is endowed with mystical powers and Media Mogul Damien Lupescu (Richard Lynch) is intent on using it to attain world domination. But first he has to liberate it from its unsuspecting current owner, Axel O'Rourke (Gary Douglas).
Low on budget, high on ambition, which this only partially fulfills. Famous mostly for the acting debut of Ian Wright, the ex-Arsenal striker.

kyra, house near the lake (1979)

aka Sensitività. Devil's Encounter. The House by the Edge of the Lake.
"Shall we go to the cemetery tonight?"
Student Lillian (Leonora Fani), visits her family's country villa, where years earlier her mother drowned in a nearby lake, and starts to research a legendary local witch.
At times atmospheric, but mostly baffling and incomprehensible supernatural thriller.

seizure (1974)

aka Queen of Evil. Tango macabre.
"Our only purpose is death."
Horror writer Edmond Blackstone (Jonathan Frid), suffers from a recurring nightmare where three creatures, including the Queen of Evil (Martine Beswick), terrorise his family. Then one day the nightmare becomes reality, When the three figures appear at his home...
Competent, though only just!

secret ninja, roaring tiger (1982)

aka Injamun salsu. Secret Ninja. Dragon Claws. Ninja Fighters.
"I am the one that will kill you, you dirty coward."
Dragon Kong (Dragon Lee), wina martial-arts contest, the prize being the daughter of the contest runner. Unfortunately she has been kidnapped by a Ninja sect run by Tiger So (Jang Lee Hwang), and Dragon has to face the fight of his life.
Comic, sometimes not in an intentional way, action packed entertainment.

14 blades (2010)

aka Jin yi wei.
"Fullfil your mission or lay down your life."
During the Ming Dynasty a brigade of guards is set up by the emperor, to act as his secret police and protect him. One member is General Qinlong (Donnie Yen). But the emperor is corrupt and when Qinlong finds out he is hunted by his former colleagues, and enlists the help of the Justice escorts to guide him.
Stylish actioner with romantic undertones.