A couple of days ago, the trailer for the remake of "Street Trash" (1987) was uploaded to YouTube.
It looks quite bizarre indeed, and appears to successfully recreate some of the blunt humor of the original movie. What do you think? Is the new one any good?
A group of soldiers enters the Amazon jungles in search of the lost daughter of a general. As they encounter a cannibalistic tribe, they have to sort out their personal differences. Will they make it out alive?
Let's get the obvious out of the way: "In the Land of the Cannibals" is an Italian cannibal movie, which means it's politically incorrect by definition. It's also a late directing job by the late Bruno Mattei, who is known for his quick, cheap rip-offs of successful films during the 1970s and 1980s. In other words: It's not precisely "Titanic" (1997). Or even "Ultimo Mondo Cannibale" (1977).
"In the Land of the Cannibals" is a massive anachronism. Technically, the digital age has happened, but otherwise it goes back directly to 1980. There are a handful of direct references to "Cannibal Holocaust" (and a good amount to a slightly more recent action movie that features Arnold Schwarzenegger in the jungle), but, most of all, the characters and the storytelling feel very much as if they're straight out of the golden age of Italian horror/action/exploitation cinema industry. Some of the cinematography is reminiscent of fumetti neri comic strip visuals, and if you've heard the soundtracks of e.g. "Tenebrae" (1982) and "Cannibal Holocaust", the music of "In The Land..." will also sound somehow familiar to you. For fans of the style, it's already a success.
This movie came out about 25 years too late - if if were made in the 1980s,
using the same film stock and techniques as movies of the time, it
would be a classic. As it is, a little more attention to detail would've
been a huge improvement. The comic strip feel, the gore, and some surprisingly dynamic action sequences, are great. But flat lighting, digital camera, obvious studio quality voice dubbing, and sometimes sloppy editing, kill a lot of atmosphere. It's probably best watched in VHS tape quality, to give it at least a little bit of analog physicality. Acting, writing, special fx are well known default material that works for what it is.
"In the Land of the Cannibals" is a fun low-budget watch, that does exactly what it's supposed to do: low-budget entertain. If you can get over its flaws, it's a great throwback to the good old days. At its core, it's a wild, naive comic strip, with a hint of nostalgia - Italian oldskool pulp fiction, a la "Mangiati Vivi" or "Cannibal Ferox".
If you've run out of 20th century Italian cannibal movies, and don't feel the need for a change, then this is the one to watch.
Verdict: If you're a believer, it's (almost) great. 5.5/10
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420728/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Mattei
Trailer video:
The old, new "Caligula" is about to be released, containing previously unseen footage. Does the "ultimate cut" turn the infamous trainwreck that is the 1979 version finally into a transgressive masterpiece?
There were several conflicting goals during production of the original
version, and it ended up as a mess with some porn scenes. Director Tinto
Brass, and part of the cast distanced themselves from the result, and
tried to have their names removed from it.
Reconstructed by Thomas Negovan, this new 2024 version of Caligula aims to stay close to the original, unaltered script, written by Gore Vidal. It does not contain scenes that were added after director Tinto Brass had finished his work, and is, according to the trailer, "created entirely from unseen footage".
No director is listed in the credits - Tinto Brass is listed as "principal photography". Feedback from the initial creators of the original version remains limited so far. According to sources, Brass has distanced himself from the new "ultimate cut", which might be unnecessary, but also makes some sense. While Caligula actor Malcom McDowell has shown big appreciation, now that his enthusiastic performance gets considerably more screen time.
It remains to be seen if the new "Caligula" has captured the spirit of the Gore Vidal script, or has a spirit of its own. In any case, the trailer already shows some fantastic new material, making it highly interesting for the connoisseur and the cineaste. And maybe it's even a really good movie.
It's out pretty much right... now.
Caligula The Ultimate Cut final international preview trailer 2024:
Original 1979 trailer:
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Additional sources:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080491/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula_(film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula..._The_Untold_Story (Caligula 2)
Wow, it's been ten years since the first half-hearted posts on this blog.
I hope you find something on this blog that you enjoy. It began as "filmtipps" ("movie recommendations"), a loose collection of recommendations, news, and other stuff. I only recently started writing "serious" reviews, but it's something that has been on my mind for a very long time. Similarly, the "Streaming Kino" series is the result of decades of watching films, and finally starting to put them in some sort of order - recommending and sharing the actual movie, if possible.
Thanks everyone, for stopping by and spending some time! :-D
If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment - here, on facebook, or on reddit.
"Firecracker" is a little gem, directed by Steve Balderson, that is based on some real life murder case from the 1950s, and has a couple of similarities with pre-code shocker "Freaks" (1932). It's also starring horror queen Karen Black, and, in a surprisingly credible role, Faith No More singer Mike Patton. The movie won a good round of prizes at fan festivals, and got rave reviews. But it's still remarkably unknown, which is a shame.
Due to movie piracy, the director decided to put the full movie on his YouTube channel.
It's time this dreamy, moody masterpiece gets some proper recognition. Watch it, head over to the director's channel, like it, share it, subscribe, comment, get him the clicks - "Firecracker" deserves a million views. Thank you, Mr. Balderson, it's an outstanding movie!
video source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMo9vk4rFtA
https://www.youtube.com/@Balderson
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Click here for all "Streaming Kino" films/articles.
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I do not own this film. This video is not stored on this website, only linked to, see source reference. I don't take responsibility for the contents of external links. If you feel there's a copyright infringment, or any other illegal content, on this page, please let me know. Thanks!
A scientist is trying to find proof of the supernatural, inviting a selection of media to an old mansion. It is becoming a long sought after home for a lonely, tormented soul...
It might actually be a bit of a spoiler, but if you like ghost horror films, and haven't seen it before, you've just found the best of 'em all. "The Haunting", directed by Robert Wise, based on the novel "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson, is the pinnacle of the "haunted house" subgenre, and thus one of the spookiest films ever made. It takes a well known idea and turns the scare factor up to eleven. There's a noticeable lack of romance in "The Haunting", and very little comic relief - it's quite serious, even when it's funny, and as you watch it you'll soon realize there's some actual depth to the story. It might not be a scientifically perfect treatment, but the connotations about family are so fundamental and strong that everyone can relate to it on an equal level. Family is the source of absolute love, and absolute tragedy.
"The Haunting" is a masterpiece of both conscious and subconscious psychological horror, interweaving both to great effect. It's a perfect variation of the set up, with an isolated mansion, some sort of madness, and lots of uncanny goings-on. All of which are connected to a sad story of guilt and loneliness, that's featured much more prominently than in most comparable films. An obvious emphasis has been put on the psycho-analysis of the characters, with careful timing and some razor sharp dialogue, and it is what turns "The Haunting" into an intense, timeless experience.
If you look closely, you'll find there's actually not too much happening - but enough to keep you seriously guessing if it's (not) all just in the protagonists' heads... The virtuoso use of camera, light, sound, and editing, the serious approach, and the very close-up, personal portrayal of the movie's main character, all together create some of the most frightening scenes ever put on film.
"The Haunting" captures, and evokes, actual subconscious memories of being left alone, in fear, when your mind starts wandering... Nobody wants to be left alone.
Verdict: So good, it's scary. No, really! 9.5/10
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057129/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Haunting_(1963_film)
Trailer video:
Issue seven of "Streaming Kino": Corman's classic comedy featuring a man-eating plant.
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| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Shop_of_Horrors#/media/File:LittleShop.jpg |
Roger Corman was very good at making quick money with a nice movie - in case of "The Little Shop of Horrors", he reused some sets of his previous production, A Bucket of Blood, and filmed it in only a couple of days. The result is hard proof that time and budget doesn't necessarily equal quality - creativity, charm, and willingness, on the other hand, does.
Written by Charles B. Griffith, "The Little Shop of Horrors" is a very witty and funny film indeed. Upon release, it didn't have too much of an impact, but over the years grew a cult following - and spawned a stage production, another movie, and even a little animated TV series.
This man-eating plant certainly has left its mark on pop culture. "The Little Shop of Horrors" features Jack Nicholson in an early role.
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