Story of a Cloistered Nun (1975) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)What the heck is going on here? When you make a film about a cloistered nun and the cover picture even shows a nun apparently putting the moves on a younger woman, you expect at least one good lesbian scene! But this film doesn't have any! How can that possibly be?
The beautiful young woman in the photo is the newest nun in the convent, and several of the older nuns cast covetous gazes in her direction as she removes her stylish clothing to change into her nun's habit. One slightly older nun in particular shows an interest in her, and later even tries to seduce the girl, but nothing comes of it as the girl refuses to comply. We also see a brief glimpse into this older nun's room where she happens to be entertaining another (nude) younger woman, but again we don't really see anything but that brief glance.
Again, why make a film about a beautiful young novice surrounded by older women and then not include a single good lesbian scene? I don't get it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Story of a Cloistered Nun (1975)

Click here for more information about Story of a Cloistered Nun (1975)

Read More...

Love's Brother Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)`Love's Brother' is an Australian film by first-time director Jan Sardi, known as the writer for critically acclaimed `Shine.' But the feel-good touch of `Love's Brother' is closer to `The Notebook' (for which he also wrote the script), and though the film is predictable like that Nicholas Sparks adaptation, this little film is equally romantic and heart-warming as the hit movie from Hollywood.
The film is set in a unique background (probably reflecting that of the director). We are directly introduced to the small community of Italian immigrants in Australia during the 1950s, where Angelo (Giovanni Ribisi) is looking for someone to marry, sending letter and his photo to the ladies (introduced by a kind but a bit officious matchmaking agent) to ask if she could come to his town and live with him. Unfortunately, every letter returns with polite refusal, and Angelo, being too timid and lacking self-confidence, sends his handsome brother's photo in the next letter, without telling anyone about it.
The problem is, his unsuspecting brother Gino (Adam Garcia) has already a girl friend Connie (Silvia de Santis). And things get more complicated when Rosetta (Amelia Warner) arrives from the South Italy, believing that Gino is the one with whom she has exchanges the wedding vow.
Jan Sardi shows steady and orthodox skills as director, not ignoring the details of the Italian community, and the four characters whose fate we truly care. The film is a romantic comedy, but the stress is given more on romance than comedy, and the photography of Andrew Lesnie (`Lord of the Rings' trilogy) perfectly captures the mood of the story with the delicate colors.
Among the four principal characters, perhaps Gibisi's Angelo is the least engaging and sympathetic one though he is playing the pivotal role, and I found he slightly overdoes the eccentric nature of the boy unlucky in love. Amelia Warner is stunningly beautiful, and Adam Garcia is good-looking and good-natured, but the film allows them to show little more than that. Veteran actor Barry Otto (father of Miranda Otto, Eowyn of `LOTR') appears as kind priest, but too short time is allotted to him. And sorry to report this, but `Love's Brother' will end in a predicable way like any good romantic comedy does in the end.
But I like the film, and love the atmosphere and optimistic, dream-like nature of it. It is like listening to a familiar story in a land where we know happiness is promised for everyone.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Love's Brother

Click here for more information about Love's Brother

Read More...

Malabimba: The Malicious Whore (1979) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought this movie for $20 somewhere else but i'm not sure if this is the right place to put info for it. The version i bought is from Severin, widescreen, in italian with english subtitles, and says unrated version in front and not rated in back. The cover looks exactly the same as the others with the black background, but this one has a dark red background. The back of the box says it runs 85 minutes. Using the time display on my dvd player, it runs just under 87 minutes(most sites i've read have it running at 88 minutes excluding the hardcore inserts, which makes it break 90+ minutes i think).
Extras include:
* deleted scenes - runs at 15 minutes and are of varying video quality.
* integral version - the option to watch the film with the deleted scenes re-inserted. this version runs 96 minutes. obviously 87 + 15 is not 96 minutes. the deleted scenes include some footage already in the 87 minute version, hence the discrepancy.
* malabimba uncovered - 17 minute featurette with interviews of Mariangela Giordano(the nun in the film), and Franco Villa(the cinematographer, who says there were no hardcore scenes shot for the film).
* trailer - 4 minute trailer that has a few seconds of non-explicit footage that is NOT SEEN in either version on this disc(the death by fellatio scene).
Anyway, it's all kinda confusing to me, but i guess i got the slightly cut version. I could care less about the non-related, x-rated inserts; but the missing minute or so bothers me. I don't know what i'm missing exactly but judging on what's there, it still has a handful of sex scenes, lots of nudity, attractive women, and a few 'thats uncalled for' moments(one invloving a teddy bear).
Besides the missing footage, the most disappointing thing about the film is its lack of scares or atmosphere. If it weren't for the satanic possesion angle of the plotline, i wouldn't even consider it a horror film. As a sexploitation/grindhouse type film, i'd say it's above par. As an exploitation horror, i'd say it's below par. So, if you're not offended by the possible missing minute or so, and are into plotlines that can be summed up in a few words(pubescent, possession, perversion) and mainly just an excuse for deparavity, i can recommend this. 3 1/2 stars for film, rounded up to 4 for extras(count off whatever stars you want for missing footage).


Click Here to see more reviews about: Malabimba: The Malicious Whore (1979)

Click here for more information about Malabimba: The Malicious Whore (1979)

Read More...

Hitch Hike (1978) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)An excellent film, sadly never released in North America until recently. David Hess (Krug from LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT) plays a hitch-hiker who just robbed a bank and double-crossed his partners to keep the money for himself. Along the way, he meets up with a "problematic" couple and hitches a ride. From there, we're treated to fist fights, double crossing, cops being killed, more double crossing, rape, and yes even more double crossing. This one truly is a 5 out of 5. To start off, the cinematography is amazing. And even though this only played overseas (25 years ago!), the image on the DVD is stunning. Every single shot is crisp and picture perfect. We can all hope that the upcoming LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT is this good. You also get the european trailer, and a 17 minute documentary with the director and the 3 stars (including HESS). This one is a must have, especially for all you LAST HOUSE fans! What are you waiting for? Skip HARRY POTTER, and order HITCH-HIKE now!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hitch Hike (1978)

Click here for more information about Hitch Hike (1978)

Read More...

Cheeky (Unrated) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Have you ever bought a DVD that delivered EXACTLY what you were expecting? It's a good feeling, huh? Well, that's what CHEEKY did for me. I bought it for a surplus of nudity, and that's what I got! In addition, the movie is also a lot of fun and has some comical scenes in it.
Yuliya Mayarchuk is absolutely stunning as the main character (Carla). She travels from Italy to London where she plans to wait for her boyfriend to arrive. Along the way, some mis-understandings lead to a thrill ride of sexual mis-adventures. Mayarchuk is nude thru most of the movie, which is just fine w/me. Sometimes there's no particular reason for her to be naked, but she is anyway. That's just fine w/me too! She is absolutely adorable.
In this day & age when it seems like the whole world is falling apart, DVDs like CHEEKY are extra-important as they form an avenue of escapism. If you want a movie that is full of mindless fun and lots of gorgeous naked women, then this one should be at the top of your wishlist!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cheeky (Unrated)

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Cheeky (Unrated)

Read More...

Mambo Italiano Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)"Mambo Italiano" is a sweet movie about an Italian family having to deal with their gay son as he comes out to them. It's also a sad movie about a mother that cannot deal with her son's homosexuality and a son that denies his passion for men in order to please society. It's also a funny movie that plays on all the stereotypes of gays and Italians (yes, unfortunately stereotypes do draw laughs.)
The thing I like about this film is the fact that not everybody gets a happy ending. Two gay men and their respective families end up in two different paths. One is the path of honesty, honor, pride and love while the other is the path of shame, guilt, pretense and hypocrisy. Such are the two main paths in life and I am glad they were pronounced in the film.
The thing that bothered me was that the movie tried hard to be Italian! Over-the-top performances by the parents were at times embarrassing to even watch on the screen.
The most powerful scene in this film, in my opinion, is the scene where Angelo confronts his parents and the mother of his lover, Nino, about their denial and selfishness in trying to prevent him from living his life. This is a scene that will resonate with all of us, gay or straight.
I recommend that you see it with a loved one so you can share the laughs, the tears and the love.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mambo Italiano

Fifty years ago, Gino and Maria came to Canada, and never quite recovered. They thought the surprises were over, but that was before their son Angelo broke the news . . . he wants to quit his stable job as a travel agent to become a TV writer, and he's in love with his best friend, a police officer named Nino. For Gino and Maria, tradition is about to come undone, and family is going to take on a whole new meaning.

Click here for more information about Mambo Italiano

Read More...

Puccini - Madame Butterfly / Huang, Troxell (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When considering the characteristics of opera, it naturally follows that the genre would be difficult to film. Not so for Mitterrand with his Madame Butterfly; from casting to direction to filming, Mitterrand wins. The title role must do far more than "look Asian," she must also live the role...even more so when being filmed as "Butterfly." Ying Huang proves herself a sensitive and sensible actress as well as a singer with an expressive and powerful voice. Richard Troxell as "B. F. Pinkerton" shines in his role, allowing the callousness of his character clash with an accidental love. Troxell uses the flexibility of the film medium to act as many opera singers seem unable to do upon finding themselves on a stage. In fact, the power of this video lies in the fact that the singers realize that they have the opportunity to be better actors than they could be in a staged version of the same work. There are retakes, more natural positions, beautiful scenery, and an amazing acoustic, even when outdoors! All in all,it is a fine work by Frederic Mitterand, Huang, Troxell, Cowan ("Sharpless"), Liang ("Suzuki"), and the rest. None of the roles had less than an accomplished actor and singer; even the role of "Kate Pinkerton" played by Constance Hauman was rendered with a delicate hand aware of a conflicting position and an involuntary hostility. Enjoyable for the everyday opera viewer as a fresh, beautiful feast for the eye and ear, and a first-rate film for the opera newcomer.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Puccini - Madame Butterfly / Huang, Troxell (2002)

Madame Butterfly is the heartwrenching story of a beautiful young geisha who sacrifices her family, her religion and, ultimately, her life for her American husband. Butterfly is the young bride of Lieutenant Pinkerton, who buys Butterfly's love while stationed in Japan and with no intention of ever taking her home to America. Martin Scorsese presents this award-winning film based on the popular opera. 133 minutes. Cast:Ying Huang: Cio-Cio-San Richard Troxell: Pinkerton Ning Liang: Suzuki Richard Cowan: Sharpless Jing Ma Fan: Goro Christopheren Nòmura: Prince Yamadori Constance Hauman: Kate Pinkerton

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Puccini - Madame Butterfly / Huang, Troxell (2002)

Read More...

For a Few Previews More (Spaghetti Western Collection Vol. 4) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)An outstanding collection of 36 Spaghetti Western previews put out by WILD EAST PRODUCTIONS, a dvd company specialising in releasing eurowesterns, war films and peplums. I love these movies and have stacks of 'em in old large-boxed vhs format. WILD EAST products are offered through amazon and you, like myself, can load up on some off-beat fun films!
This preview dvd is nicely produced. Each trailer is introduced by poster artwork which is then shot full of holes! Only a couple of the previews are oft-seen classics: ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE. Most are ones of films you're probably dying to see: RENEGADE GUNFIGHTER, 7 DEVILS ON HORSEBACK, THE DEVIL WAS AN ANGEL, SHOTGUN, A NAME THAT CRIED REVENGE, MAGNIFICENT TEXAN, KILL THE WICKEDS, BROTHER OUTLAW, I'LL DIE FOR VENGENCE, RIO HONDO, SAVAGE GUNS, BULLET IN THE FLESH, etc., etc.
All in all, great viewing enjoyment! A nice selection of hard to find previews looking sharp! Highly recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: For a Few Previews More (Spaghetti Western Collection Vol. 4)

Click here for more information about For a Few Previews More (Spaghetti Western Collection Vol. 4)

Read More...