Tag: youtube

Milius (2013)

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Streaming on YouTube (also Roku and Plex) | imdb | trailer

I just rewatched Conan the Barbarian (1982 – currently streaming on Netflix) the other day for the zillionth time, so this seemed appropriate. This is the story of John Milius, the man behind Conan, Red Dawn, the screenplay for Apocalypse Now, and a ton of other things you wouldn’t immediately connect him to. Milius described himself as a Zen Anarchist (I love it), but he often gets dismissed as merely conservative because of his war fetish. If you’re not open to a right of center perspective, you should probably avoid this documentary. For the rest of you, get ready to be entertained by many stories about the crazy genius’ rollercoaster career and life.

BONUS: Here’s a text interview that Quentin Tarantino did with John Milius did back in 1982 (?!?!?).

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Christmas Evil (1980)

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Streaming on YouTube | imdb | trailer

This is my favorite Christmas horror movie. Yes, the original Black Christmas and Silent Night Deadly Night are great, but this one is just so much more twisted and fun. Christmas Evil is also built on intentional humor that works, and features an absolutely unforgettable ending. You might just spill your eggnog. 

Available on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

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The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1962)

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Streaming on YouTube | imdb | trailer

This is a solid gothic horror, starring Barbara Steele, by Ricardo Freda who later made the very good films The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire and Tragic Ceremony. If you are a fan of early Mario Bava and the Roger Corman Poe films, you will almost certainly be pleased. Warning to the casual horror fan: this is pretty tame aside from the implied necrophilia that makes this doctor so horrible. The movie relies on suspense instead of blood, and the pace is very deliberate. However if you can watch it with that in mind, you might enjoy it as much as I do. One definite incentive is that Barbara Steele gets a lot of screen time.

Available on Blu-ray from Olive.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Bacon’s Arena (2006)

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Streaming on YouTube | imdb

Francis Bacon was one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century. He also led a very interesting and tumultuous life, which was the focus of the dramatic bio pic Love is the Devil (worth a watch). You are familiar with his work, wether you know it or not, as it is referenced in popular culture regularly. He is best known for painting disturbing, distorted images of the human face and figure like his “screaming popes.” Bacon’s seated figures were sloppily brought to life by Lucio Fulci in A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin (which is an excellent giallo, but Bacon must have despised it). This excellent TV movie is the best biography of the artist I’ve seen yet. The quality is not quite up to current standards, but don’t let that deter you. If you have an interest in counter culture on the dark side, this is mandatory viewing.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Blood Sabbath (1972)

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Streaming on YouTube | imdb | trailer (VHS Promo – YouTube sign-in required)

A young man stumbles upon a coven (Mark Borchardt pronunciation required) of witches and mayhem ensues. By all normal standards, this is an awful movie. By Anomalous Cinema standards, this is a delightful movie. I will refer you to the superior Stephen Thrower review in his book Nightmare USA. If you don’t have access to that book, all you may care about is that Dyanne Thorne from the notorious Ilsa film series co-stars, and is awesomely cheesy. Here are couple of interesting points Mr. Thrower didn’t mention: 1) The lead “young man” is played by Anthony Geary, better known among some of you older folks as Luke Spencer on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital. 2) The Priest is played by Steve Gravers, whose voice many cult movie folks will recognize immediately as Blackwolf from Ralph Bakshi’s Wizards. Additionally, I found the music to be effectively creepy for such a low-budget affair. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a “so bad it’s good” movie, I believe you need to experience Blood Sabbath.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Starsky and Hutch – Pilot (1975)

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Streaming FREE on YouTube | imdb | no trailer available

If you are not interested in ‘70s TV cop shows you will want to skip this recommendation. I don’t normally talk about television series here, but the feature-length pilot of the this gritty old cop drama was too irresistible. Please note the following important features: Dirty old LA, Richard Lynch as an uncredited hitman, a scene in a porno movie theatre, an appearance by a young Gordon Jump from WKRP, music by Lalo Schrifin (Mission Impossible, Enter the Dragon, Dirty Harry) and Hutch / David Soul’s sweet-ass leather jacket. I was impressed by the quality of the film-making too. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that it was helmed by Barry Shear, who also directed Across 110th Street.

I used to watch this show as a kid and had never seen this pilot. Obviously it was a lot of fun for me. I think anyone not into ‘70s TV crime shows would think it was just an old police action movie with all the blood and nudity cut out. I understand but I still can’t believe this was broadcast to every home from coast to coast. Starsky and Hutch seems to have begun with the idea that they would push the limit of what network censors would tolerate as much as possible. It really was a different world back then.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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