apres_vague

Bergman's The Virgin Spring gets a makeover for the 70's, both in hairstyles and explicit content. The result is this raw and unapologetic slice of cinema nastiness. The Last House on the Left has always been more of a black comedy at heart than a Horror film. With brilliant tongue-in-cheek humour running through it; underlined with David Hess' melodic songs and sarcastic use of nature shots. A pair of teenage girls are trying to score weed but are captured by Krug (David Hess) and his Manson type family who torture, rape and eventually kill them in the forest. After leaving the girls for dead they move on and only by accident end up at one of the girl's parent's house. Sadie (Jeramie Rain) is an iconic Horror chick, defying all cliché (she is neither a manipulated victim nor cold femme fatale) She's is just one of the boys. People often complain about the slapstick subplot with the two cops; as a pointless comic relief that only interrupts the real happenings. And that is the point; the silly humour only deepens the sadistic edge to the violent scenes of rape and murder we have just witnessed. (It also reminds me about the two Cops gag in Edgar G. Ulmer's Horror classic The Black Cat.) This might just be Wes Craven's finest film and I re-watch it at least once a year. The 2009 remake is absolutely terrible and has none of the charm the original has to offer. The same goes for all the other copycats over the years.

Calif (John Furlong) is released from prison and on his way to California (the place he was named after), but his way leads him to a small town called Spooner; where he starts to work on a farm and falls for the lady of the house, Hannah Brenshaw. Hannah is married to a brute named Sidney (Hal Hopper). Sidney constantly cheats on her, beats her and even rapes his wife when she denies him, yet she seams to forgive him or at least tolerate his actions. The film features many bizarre and wonderful Russ Meyer characters, including a beautiful deaf girl with her kitten, A crazy priest (played by Meyer regular Frank Bolger) and last but not least the unforgettably and ever so nutty Princess Livingston (Beyond the Valley of the Dolls) as Maggie Marie; I love that crazy old lady. A truly funny and sexy slice of cinema and essential Russ Meyer film.

One of my favourite Sci-Fi films of the 90's. I first saw Dark City during it's original theatrical release 20 years ago and I still love it today. Despite it's flaws, Dark City has just the right amount of Noir elements, Paranoia and weirdness. Kieffer Sutherland is at his best playing either villains or creeps (Freeway, A Time to Kill, Eye for an Eye) and his unhinged performance in Dark City is no exception. The photography, FX and look of the city still look stunning. A smart and eerie film that stands the test of time.