lisam9 Reviews

Halloween Obsessed: The Misconception of Witches (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

The REAL story

[10/10 · 24 May 2022]

This is a wonderful, warm documentary on a subject too often misunderstood. The interviews are insightful and moving, the technical qualities are solid, and I thought the music score in particular was superb. Highly recommended!

Poor Pretty Eddie (1975)

I swear t' seven kinds a' alligators...

[8/10 · 21 February 2004]

One of the great undiscovered jewels of Truly Bad Cinema! It's almost useless to try to write a commentary on this, because this film is indescribable. Leslie Uggams (whose acting consists of exactly two expressions, defensive and shrieking) plays a famous singer adrift in a redneck landscape that's like the love child of Franz Kafka and HEE-HAW; she's up against a horny young Elvis wannabee, Shelley Winters (surprise - she's drunk through most of the film!), Slim Pickens, Dub Taylor, Ted Cassidy, and a DELIVERANCE kid with a slingshot. What else can you say about a film that includes one of the most memorable montage sequences in film history: Uggams' rape is intercut with Cassidy and his friends watching dogs goin' at it, while a lilting country tune plays over the soundtrack. Or how about the scene in which Slim Pickens (as the Sheriff!) interrogates poor Leslie about her rape while begging her to "suck on one'a these tomatoes"?

This film screams (like poor Leslie) for a DVD release. Listen up, you distribs out there - this is the great lost cult film of the 70s, just lying around like some petrified critter waiting to be put on display. Pull out that jug of moonshine and enjoy!

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1978)

An orphan becomes a sorceror's apprentice in this masterpiece

[10/10 · 15 February 2003]

KRABAT is one of the great undiscovered classics of world animation. Told in a stunning style that resembles classic woodcuts (but moving!), the story centers on a young man who is forced into apprenticeship to an unspeakably evil sorceror. Not only is the film absolutely stunning visually, but it's also by turns genuinely frightening, wonderfully melancholy and finally redemptive. As talented a filmmaker as Karel Zeman was, this film stands apart from his other work. When will this gem be made available to western viewers?!

Not Since Casanova (1988)

Delightfully indie!

[9/10 · 23 November 2002]

This ultra-low-budget independent feature is a delightful romp! Sure, it was shot on $1.98, but displays so much imagination, wit and joy that you'll soon forget about that no-dough thing. It follows the life and loves of Preppski Morris, an enthusiastic lad obsessed with both women and a Disneyland-like amusement park. The actors aren't technically skilled, but they're attractive and enthusiastic. Most studio movies should be this smart and entertaining.