buchass Reviews

Arena (1989)

Another Charles Band mediocrity...

[2/10 · 6 May 2010]

"Arena" its an awful film. Its stupid, incoherent and boriiiinnnggg... The lack of money is obvious. The main characters are ridiculous, a Californian surfer look a like and his friend kind of Bilbo Baggins... well, they are just terrible. The arena scenes are dull, very dull believe me...

Its a soulless sci-fi ultra low budget film. The script and the acting its just for the laughs, the special effects are just awful, i think the only thing credible in the film, are the aliens faces. If your are a really, i repeat, a really sci-fi fan, you might like this film, but if you are not, don't waste your time. An episode of "Babylon Five" its much better then the entire "Arena".

Inferno (1999)

Foooodaaa-seeee!!! O que está feito está feito!!!!

[8/10 · 6 May 2010]

Finally!! a Portuguese action movie! "Inferno" is a tour de force, is a story about a group of war veterans, that reunited often after the war. Incredible, surprisingly and unexpected performances by Julio César, Rogério Samora and Nicolau Breyner.

The first half of the film is brutal, the war is over but they still live in it for the rest of their lives, with their traumas and ghost that torment their souls. The second half of the film is not so good, easily becomes an average action movie, full of gun shots and dead guys.

Its raw portrait of the consequences of war, a must see. If you like this film', i recommend: "20, 13" (another one from Joaquim Leitão) and "Os Imortais"

Husbands (1970)

"Terrific!!"

[10/10 · 29 April 2010]

What can i say? Brilliant! "Husbands" its a genial movie. Full of reality, comedy, drama and love. Its an ecstatic portrait of three man,three best friends, each everyone of them represents a stereotype of an average western society middle-age man. Its a portrait of their crisis, ideals, beliefs, valors and fears. The actors John Cassavattes ( also the director), Ben Gazzara, and Peter Falk make a superb, wonderful, incredible realistic roles. "Husbands" is unbelievable truthful and honest. Once again John Cassavettes make me with a Jaw-dropping! If you like this one i recommend: "Woman under the influence" (john Cassavettes - 1974)

The Blade Master (1983)

The zero degree of Sword and Sorcery Flicks...

[1/10 · 26 April 2010]

Like all sword and sorcery fans, i sincerely expect that the next sword and sorcery flick that i can get, it would be better..but i always fell in the same mistake all over again...do you know what i mean?Im sure you do... What can i say about "Ator the invincible"...hum..its really bad, one of the crappiest ultra-low-budget sword and sorcery flicks i ever seen, even worst than "Ator, the Fighting Eagle". Milles O'keefe is bad, Lisa Foster is awful as actress, but is a beautiful girl (maybe the best thing in the movie). Zor,NOOOOO...ITS ONE THE WORST BAD GUY EVER, is a Genghis Khan rip off with a fake mustache!!!!The plot is terrible, i think everything is terrible in "Ator the Invencible - 2"...But what can we say...definitely, along with "Gunan il Gerriero" (Franco Prosperi) and "Wizards of the Demon Sword" its the WORST sword and sorcery flick ever made, JOE D'AMATO F@CK YOU!. If you like this one, i recommend: ,"Gunan il Gerriero"(Franco Prosperi - 1982); "Ator, the Fighting Eagle"(Joe d'Amato) and "Warrior and the Sorceress".

A Man Called Blade (1977)

Youuuu, alóóóóneeeee.... a sóóóóóóóólitaaaaarie man!!!!!

[6/10 · 26 April 2010]

"Mannaja - A Man called Blade", its a 70's late spaghetti western by Sergio Martino. Its not a great movie, but its fun to watch, and have some good details. Light years away from Sergio Leone movies, or even "Keoma"(Enzo G.Castellari), which by the way "Mannaja" is greatly inspired by.

It is a typical Western Spaghetti, with a main character( "Blade" ) with the characteristic of a macho super-hero. Thats the all point of this kind of films, all the main characters in various Westerns Spaghettis like "Blondie", "Django", "Navajo Joe", "Cuchillo", "Keoma" are bigger than life, capable of doing the impossible. They know everything, they do everything, kill everything, they are bad ass, and they love action and hate talking, but they always have a good heart. "Mannaja - A man called Blade" is not a masterpiece, far from that, but its entertaining, have good moments and a epic\comic soundtrack that fits like a glove. For all Western Spaghetti aficionados this one is pretty good. If you like this one, i recommend: All Sergio Leone's Westerns(the finest); "Django" (Sergio Corbucci) and "Keoma"(Castellari)

Land of Silence and Darkness (1971)

A punch in the stomach..

[10/10 · 26 April 2010]

Once again the cult German director Werner Herzog touches deeply in our heart. I think, everyone should see this documentary. Makes us realize that sometimes we should rethink and reevaluate our "insignificant" problems. I say that, cause when i saw "Land of Silence and Darkness", all my "insignificant" problems are nothing in comparison with persons, who could not see, hear and speak. Its a powerful and honest documentary, about a forgotten small portion of persons that live in the edge of existence, they actually live in a innocuous void of "silence and darkness". Werner Herzog give us a masterful piece of documentary without being pretentious or sentimentalist. He simply shows the reality just the away she is. If you like this one, i recommend any other Werner Herzog Documentary.

A Woman Under the Influence (1974)

Two thumbs up!

[10/10 · 26 April 2010]

One of the most fascinating American movies i ever seen. A superb journey which send us too a hyper-realistic movie experience. With a fantastic cast, the amazing John Cassavette's fetish actress Gena Rowlands and the visceral Peter Falk. The directing and acting are unbelievable! the narrative and the action sublime... In my opinion, this film is one of the finest moment in 70's worldwide cinema.

There some moments in the film that we are "almost" on the set in interaction with the characters, because of there unique, powerful and unexpected performances, with a help of a masterful direction of John Cassavettes.

Trust me, if you like ultra realistic movies, full with a marvelous and subtle poetic vein, this is the ultimate experience in cinema. A must see! Im sure that it will surprise you, like it did too me. If you like this movie, i recommend: "Husbands" (John Cassavettes) ; "La graine et le mulet" (2007)

Conquest (1983)

This one didn't conquest me...

[3/10 · 25 April 2010]

I must apologize all sword and sorcery fan's, but this films sucks! And i must say that is a pity. Im a fan of fantasy\sword and sorcery movies. But "Conquest" is on one of the most boredom sword and sorcery flicks i ever seen (when i say that, i don't even refer flicks like "Gunan il guerriero", "Wizards of the Demon Sword", "Ator 1 and 2" or even "Deathstalker" sequels, because after all, we must say that "Conquest" its much better movie!), the plot is horrible, the soundtrack is really, really annoying, the sound design (no comments), the narrative losses completely along the film. Yes, i known that the budget is really, really, really low, but sometimes is no excuse to do such bad plots and nonsensical narratives, that are so terrible in most of the "B" and "Z" sword and sorcery movies. One thing i must say, Lucio Fulci creates a great ambiance, he capt beautiful landscapes that emanate a strange mystic atmosphere, that sends us too a dreamlike fantastic world. But unfortunately is very few, and the rest of the movie fails completely. If you like this one i recommend: "The Sword and the Sorcerer"(Albert Pyun - 1982), in many ways have a similar aura.

Hercules (1983)

Ridiculous, even for me!

[4/10 · 21 April 2010]

I accept bad movies with low budgets. But usually, its hard to me accept really, really bad movies with a reasonable budget! And "Hercules" is flagrant case. I know that Yoran and Globus productions are a quite "B", but they are reasonable in terms of cache, actually they are pretty reasonable for the "B" universe. I think Luigi Cozzi (the director), did a mediocre movie. The plot is absurd, makes no sense! King Minos is the bad guy? King Minos? but why? And what the hell are that robots? (Ray Harryhausen rip off?)If Hercules is so strong why he makes a such a brutal effort in a sword fight against normal human beings?? Well we never know..Oh one more thing, Daedalus, evil? a woman??!!...no comments.. With that budget, many directors could been done a much better movie.. But not everything is terrible in this movie, if you are in the mood for bad movies, call friends,and watch this incredible comedy! Tremendous fun! Trust me! If if you like this one, i recommend: "Hercules 2"(Luigi Cozzi) and maybe "Battle Beyond Stars" (well, don't ask me why, but i find similarities)"

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008 Video)

Would you like to watch more?

[1/10 · 1 January 2009]

NO!! I Don't WANT TO WATCH MORE!!!!This film it's piece of crap! Really, far, far, far away from the first "Starship Troopers". Don't say to me that is a good sequel, because its not, its a fucklng shlt!!

And the fact that the director are always insisting on the network news and propaganda : "would you like to know more?"...give me a break, it is simply a terrible rip off from the first "Starship Troopers".

But the worst thing in the movie, its definitely Casper Van Dien, trying to do a though character...but he fail 100%..

Im a Starship Trooper first flick fan, sincerely, this Starship 3: Marauder in my opinion is a bad movie. If you like this one, i recommend: "Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation" (its even worst than the third one).

Wizards of the Demon Sword (1991)

What the f@ck....

[1/10 · 12 December 2008]

.....ONE OF THE WORST FANTASY SWORD AND SORCERY EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF THE CINEMA..really, trust me...For all fantasy sword and sorcery all over the world, this film is an insult to fantasy, and to Troma. The film is awful, its look like an early 90's soft-core movie. The story its horrifying, the costumes make me cry, the music..., the actors are porno style. I don't know, the film its a piece of crap... Its really bad but, strangely don't make laugh, it just too bad, a suffering. Its a journey of pain to see this film until the end. Hum, i think we can say that Fred Olen Ray is really a unhappy director. If you like this brilliant film, i recommend: "Nymphoid Barbarian In Dinosaur Hell".

Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia (1999 Video Game)

Mighty and Magical

[10/10 · 11 December 2008]

One of the best strategy Rpg ever. Heroes of Might and Magic III : Restoration of Erathia its a true fantasy game with a great story, graphics and exceptional music.

One of the most entertainment and addict games i ever played, i play Heroes III all over the years, and still hook me in front of a screen playing it for hours. Im suspicious, but in my opinion in many ways Heroes III its much better than Heroes IV.

If you like Heroes of Might and Magic III : Restoration of Erathia, i also recommend: Heroes II; Heroes IV; Ages of Wonders ( in my opinion a Heroes of Might and Magic rip off, but still a good game)

Ator, the Fighting Eagle (1982)

Sword and sor.... huh?.....

[1/10 · 9 December 2008]

Like all sword and sorcery fans, i sincerely expect that the next sword and sorcery flick that i can get, it would be better..but i always fell in the same mistake all over again...do you know what i mean?Im sure you do... What can i say about "Ator"...hum..its really bad, one of the crappiest ultra-low-budget sword and sorcery flicks i ever seen. Milles O'keefe is bad, Sabrina Sianni is awful(as actress). Dakkar, the High Priest of the Spider...ITS ONE THE WORST BAD GUY EVER!!!!The plot is terrible, i think everything is terrible in "Ator the Invencible"...But what can we say. If you like this one i recommend: "Deathstalker" sequels; "Ator the invencible", "Gunan il Guerriero" and "Warrior and the Sorceress".

The Funeral (1996)

I give you a fuk1ng choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[8/10 · 9 December 2008]

Great, and a unusual mafia/gangster movie. Full of excellent actors, like Christopher Walken, Vicent Gallo, Anabella Sciorra, Isabella Rossellini and the phenomenal Chris Penn, with a monstrous performance which make him win "Best Actor" Venice great prize. Once again this film is about limits and the madness of the human mind, the character Chez (Chris Penn), it an ambiguous, and unbalanced persona, that it explode in fury and anger, crying all the time, in total despair. Once more, Abel Ferrara shows us an unexpected and brutal film climax. A must see, for all Ferrara's fans. If you like this one, i recommend: "Godfather part- 1 and 2".

Bad Lieutenant (1992)

Fuklng Strawberry!!!!

[10/10 · 9 December 2008]

What can i say, one of the best, brutal and realistic performance i ever see in cinema, by one of the best American actor, Harvey Keithel. There is moments in the film that are so realistic, that we ask ourselves, "this cant be more real!!!". This is a mean and nasty portrait of the human condition,there limits, and beyonds. Its a spiral of corruption, violence, substance abuse, that culminates in a total desperation of the human being. No one capt the city "limits" like Abel Ferrara does.

If you like over the edge cinema, this one is a must see. And if you like this movie i cant also recommend: "Taxi Driver" (Martin Scorcese) ; "King of New York" (Abel Ferrara); "MS45" (Abel Ferrara)

Platoon (1986)

The Platoon braves...

[10/10 · 28 September 2007]

With no doubt a Oliver Stone(director) masterpiece, one of the best war films in the history of cinema.

Its a film with a fantastic direction, footage, ambiance, picture, soundtrack, and a brilliant cast.

"Platoon" is a brutal and realistic portrait not only of the Vietnam war, but the all wars.The film touch in very important subjects, moral issues, but always focusing on the men who fought the battles and suffered the wounds, physical and mentally.

Maybe Oliver Stone best film, and one of the 80's best America movies. If you like this movie, i recommend: "Deer Hunter", "Full-Metal Jacket" and "Apocalipse Now".

StarCraft (1998 Video Game)

For the Overmind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[10/10 · 24 September 2007]

One of the best Rts ever, and one of the best game ever made, everything in this game is almost perfect, the story, the characters, the playability, the soundtrack, the graphics, the videos, everything.

"Starcratf" is one the most well succeeded internet game ever,it moved millions of people to play in the internet(battle-net). Starcraft have three races: Terran(humans), Zerg (a primitive race of alien) and Protoss(an evaluated alien race), they fighting each other to take control of the entire universe.

Personally i like all "Blizzard" games, but this one its special. If you like Starcrat\BroodWar i recommend: "Warcraft 2 and 3"(Blizzard), "Comand and Conquer: Tiberian Sun" (Westwood)

Hawk the Slayer (1980)

"Dungeons & Dragons" fantasy

[7/10 · 24 September 2007]

"Hawk the Slayer" its a nice fantasy\sword and sorcery movie from the begin of the 80's, its a low budget production, but very well done, and well directed by Terry Marcel.

Terry Marcel embraces all the "Lord of the Rings" ingredients; the warrior(John Terry play the role of Hawk), the thief, the elf, the giant, the witch,the evil warlord, etc, etc...the old story of the good vs evil, and the importance of friendship, honor and justice against the evil warlord Voltan (Jack Palance)and the powers of darkness..

Its a film for fantasy\sword and sorcery fans, its a peculiar movie, with nice actors, nice ambiance, footages and a bizarre epic\comic electronic soundtrack.. If you like "Hawk the Slayer", i recommend:

"Krull"(Peter Yates), "Willow"(highly recommended for fantasy fans)

Scrapbook (2000 Video)

"Z" movie brutality

[6/10 · 23 September 2007]

Attention, this film is not for everyone, its an horrifying portrait of the human mind and human condition. This is not an ordinary home made flick, this one its very realistic and brutal, very credible.. The cast are incredible, Tommy Biondo and Emily Haack play their role in a fantastic way.. Its an intense, disturbing and violent movie..and unfortunately its a reflex of some part of our society.But "its only a movie" :).

If you like "Scrapbook", i recommend: "Funny Games"(Michael Haneke)and "The Piano Player"(Michael Haneke);"Last House on the left"(Wes Craven)";"I spit on your grave"

Black Past (1989 Video)

"Z" movie HardGore

[5/10 · 23 September 2007]

For all ultra-gore fans, "Black Past" its a "Z" home-made flick, the screenplay is ridiculous, but who cares, what we care, is the ultra gore and sadistic scenes.

Its Olaf Ittenbach first flick, and i think thats is pretty good, for an ultra amateur movie. The special effects are superb, the acting is terrible, the footage too, but the all point of this flick is too shock with brutal graphic violence.

If you like "Black Past", i recommend: "Burning Moon" and "Premutos" (two flicks from Olaf Ittenbach), "Evil Dead"(Sam Raimi), "VS3:Infantry of Doom"(Andrea Schnnas)

Repo Man (1984)

A Repo Man is always intense...

[8/10 · 29 April 2007]

Repo Man is a cult classic from the British cult director Alex Cox, its one of strangest and unrated movie of the 80's. The film tells the story of Otto(Emilio Estevez)a punk that becomes a Repo Man, a car repossessor. Otto and is partner, and boss Bud(Harry Dean Stanton) have a '64 Malibu that have a reward of $20,000..

In the end of the movie, the last 5 minutes are memorable, Miller the repo-mechanic,crazy, kind of human\alien guy, flies over the town in a Malibu from outer space. Repo Man its a rare sci-fi cult film, highly recommend for all fans of unrated movies..

If you like "Repo Man" i recommend:

"Liquid Sky"(another bizarre movie) and "UFOria"(weird)

Army of Darkness (1992)

"Grooooovy!!!!"

[7/10 · 29 April 2007]

One of the most unrated fantasy flicks ever made, the third part of the the EviL Dead series, Evil Dead 3 The Army of Darkness its a great, funny and unusual adventure and fantasy movie, Ash (Bruce Campell) its an over the edge character who is transported by the powers of a mysterious book, Necromicon to an medieval fantastic era. With the chainsaw in one hand and a shotgun in another, Ash fights against the evil Skeletons Army of the dark ages. Sam Raimi is a great director, the series of 3 movies: "The Evil Dead", "Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn" and " Army of Darkness, in my opinion are his 3 master pieces.

If you like "Evil Dead 3 Army of Darkness" i recommend:

"Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn" and "BrainDead".

Sinbad of the Seven Seas (1989)

Sinbad of the seven bullshlts!

[5/10 · 29 April 2007]

"Sinbad of the Seven Seas" its another great "Z" movie from the director Enzo G. Castellari, "Sinbad of the seven seas" its an Italian fantasy a muscle-bound Sinbad (Lou Ferrigno) and his sailors cross the seas to recover the magic stones and help a young prince regain his throne battling it out with a powerful, wicked wizard Jaffar (John Steiner). The lack of money its clearly in the movie, the acting its terrible..well, its entertaining and makes laugh, its a 5 o'clock fantasy flick...

If you like this one, i recommend:

"Hercules in the Haunted World" ( Mario Bava, Franco Prosperi); "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger"(Sam Wanamaker) and "Clash of the Titans"(because of special effects of Ray Harryhausen) .

Bully (2001)

Larry Clark best movie.

[7/10 · 29 April 2007]

"Bully" have impressive acting,its very realistic and brutal, its a film about slackers, bad persons, violence, drugs, sex, that affects teenagers, not only in U.S.A but in the all world, the normalization of violence its a subject very explicit in the movie. Its the story about teens that don't do anything and don't have any objectives in their life's,..

"Bully" its a strong portrait of nowadays society, in special the wealthy society...

I think that Bully its the Larry Clark best flick, much much better then "Ken Park", "Bully" in some ways its better than "Kids" (Larry Clark first movie), in the terms of acting and narrative..

If you like "Bully" i recommend:

"Kids","Ken Park", "Teenage Caveman", "L.I.E" and "River's Edge"..

Conan the Destroyer (1984)

"- Bombaata!!!Bombaata!!I need you!!!!!"

[8/10 · 2 October 2005]

For ultra fans of sword and sorcery\barbarian flicks like me, this one is the second best (the first, is of course "Conan the Barbarian")..

I know Richard Fleischer is not John Milius and "Conan the Destroyer" is a much softer film that "Conan the Barbarian", but "Conan the Destroyer" is a great and enjoyable film, is a bit campy,and the jokes aren't so good,but ,in my opinion is very well done, is a nice classic..

The film tell us the story of Conan the Cimerian ("Uncle" Arnie), and his new friends: the traitor Bombataa (Wilt Chamberlain), the comedian Akiro (Mako), the looney Malak (Tracey "fukin" Walter) the famous diamond eater and the princess Jehnna(Olivia D'Abo, i never saw another movie with her..:p), in a quest (demanded by Queen Taramis), to find a magic crystal before the sorcerer Toth Amon(Pat Roach) can use it. They plan use the crystal to get the Horn of Dagoth, Queen Taramis (Sarah Douglas) betray Conan, and try to kill him, and bring Dagoth (Andre the Giant)to life..But Conan is not for funny stuff, and kick butt Dagoth, Bombataa, Queen Taramis and shes entire corrupted Kingdom... Once again from Dino di Laurentiis productions and the same great soundtrack by Basil Poleudoris, "Conan the Destroyer", shouldn't be missed by sword and sorcery\barbarian freaks!!If you like this film, i recommend:

"Conan the Barbarian" (the best sword and sorcery\barbarian film ever);"Red Sonja" (the third best); "The Archer:fugitive from empire" (great one); "Beastmaster" (nice, but a little bit "B")