“We should not forget that dark age.”
Edosploitation. Erotic grotesque nonsense (“ero guro nansensu”). An early “eroduction” (“erotic production”) from the Toei Company. Toei Porno. Pinky Violence. Whatever you want to call it, we’re off to the red races. Nikkatsu was still three-years away from their Roman Porno turn when Toei released Shogun’s Joy of Torture, what is considered the first pink film produced by a major studio, and what would be the start of an insane run of eight…
“The house with the tattooed whores was like hell.”
Lures you into thinking this will be another omnibus-style Joys of Torture entry, with the opening image of dozens of women on the cross, getting speared in the crotch, and having their heads sawed off. Instead, Teruo Ishii eschews his usual tri-story format for one single, epic tale that combines many of the common elements from his previous films, namely, violent tattoos, a sadistic geisha house, men competing for the favor…
“I’m just crazy ‘bout this store!”
$1.35 for a pack of cigarettes! The Ranch Market night crew is under attack by crazy ex-boyfriends and a killer hiding behind rows of laundry detergent (are they one and the same?). Surprised I’ve never seen a supermarket slasher before this. And it’s pretty good! Lots of interesting names attached to this late 80s gore fest. Tarentino’s producer, Lawrence Bender. Special effects by Greg Nicotero. Sam and Ted Raimi in bit parts. Bruce Campbell,…
“Look at those pores.”
A prime example of why we need safe and effective reproductive care for all. A dark dissertation on the effects of black market abortion. A young model dies in the stirrups, her death covered up, and soon everyone is being stabbed, everyone is stripping nude, and anyone could be the killer. As Edwidge Fenech’s character Magda says, “the killer must be one of us.”
I’ve come around on this film a bit. It’s better if you…
“Uncontrollable flesh.”
Fear of Cathode Ray. Big budget David. I want to believe in my heart of hearts that the idea for Videodrome came from Cronenberg viewing a very specific scene near the end of the 1977 Joe D'Amato film, Emanuelle in America. I’ve heard rumors that it was the inspiration, but I’ve never actually heard it confirmed from the man himself. You do get the feeling Cronenberg has seen a few mondo films, though (and pinku films, and Caligsploitation…
“Does your stomach hurt?”
Lynn Lowry, you look beautiful like that, with blood on your mouth. Otherwise, an ugly film. And I’m not talking about the goopy little parasite monsters that wriggle in and out of orifices, I’m talking about those hideous, so-called “modern” apartments. They look like shit! And everybody just leaves their doors open! Cronenberg is sticking it to the normies, working with no budget, can’t even afford stereo sound, but somehow convinced horror queen (and recent L.A.…
