sockfork Reviews

Vampyres (1974)

Lots of nudity, but not much else.

[3/10 · 14 January 2024]

I like Hammer Horror movies of the 1970s, so was interested to come across this film.

I am sad to report that I found Vampyres to be a tedious, plodding movie stuffed with unconvincing B grade actors, and suffering from lacklustre direction by José Ramón Larraz.

Even the copious nude scenes are dreary and uninspiring. Its saying something, when the Austin 1800 land crab is the most charismatic character on screen.

I assume it was made on the cheap, as it certainly feels like there was no budget or script.

People may be tempted to watch this as a period piece, but honestly, I cannot recommend it.

Tomorrowland (2015)

Entertaining film, with spectacular special effects.

[7/10 · 7 January 2024]

I have nothing new to add, but I thought I would dip my oar in the water.

I came to this movie at some distance from it's release date, and watched it on spec, not knowing anything about it, and therefore without any preconceptions.

This is a great film, and I don't know why I had not come across it earlier.

It has what I like in a Sci-Fi/Action film. High production values, astonishing special effects, good performances and a regular supply of surprising events to keep the pace moving along. And as a bonus, there is plenty of plot/story to hang it on.

It is unquestionably aimed at Tweens, so bear that in mind before you start viewing, for a bit of reference. However that should not prohibit others from seeing it.

Tomorrowland is a pleasant movie, which I will add to my list for repeat viewing.

Flaked (2016–2017)

Hey dude, don't make it bad.

[3/10 · 28 May 2023]

I wanted to like this; but the protagonist is just so objectionable I didn't care, so I stopped watching. I bailed out halfway through episode 6.

Maybe its because I have never been a stoned slacker, or aspired to this lifestyle, I just didn't find any of it funny or interesting. Thats on me.

On the surface it has an appealing premise of hipster life at sunny Venice beach (although its not all filmed there).

There are high production values, and a glossy look with lots of women in beachwear. But this doesn't make up for the lack of substance. Its all just a bit blah! A feeling I frequently get with streaming service shows where lots of money has been thrown at project.

It's hard to see why any of the characters would have remained friends long enough for the series to even begin.

Lesbian true story collection. Vol 2 (2008 Video)

Female/Female Fun

[3/10 · 7 March 2023]

A collection of vignettes on the theme of female/female relations.

The video features a lot of the deep kissing, heavy tongue action expected of a Henry Tsukamoto film.

This release is one and a half hours long and includes quite a few scenes, some of varying quality. Of note is scene two, which is the most well-known. It features two mature women (Tamaki Sakura and Mariko Kawana) traveling on a train together, where they meet a schoolgirl (Akira Sakurai), and after a short interaction, entice her back to their apartment.

Many of the scenes have been repackaged a number of times, and can be seen in other similar collections from Fa Pro.

After Shopping (2019)

Strawberries and cream

[5/10 · 9 February 2023]

The pace of this film is slow, gentle and romantic, as the two women take their time to lovingly caress each other's breasts. This is very much what you expect from Nadine Jansen video.

The movie opens with Kaho dressed in a cream top, gently massaging Hitomis ample bosom as it spills from her strawberry pink cardigan.

After some time spent manipulating and kissing Hitomis cleavage, they move to a bed where the girls become topless and indulge in some passionate kneading and suckling.

This is a feast for breast lovers, and a chance to see two of Japans most famously endowed actresses work together.

Nekototachi - Namanama shî aiyoku no seikôi-shû (2007 Video)

Cat and Tachi action

[3/10 · 3 January 2023]

Proceedings of Sexual Lust and the Cat Has to Tachinamanama is a collection of vignettes on the theme of female/female relations.

Each scene has a dominant (tachi), and a submissive (cat) participant. With the cat at first reluctant, but, soon becoming an enthusiastic participant.

The video features a lot of the deep kissing, heavy tongue action expected of a Henry Tsukamoto film.

This release is two and a half hours long and includes quite a few scenes, some of varying quality. Of note is scene one, which is the most well-known. It features two mature women (Tamaki Sakura and Mariko Kawana) traveling on a train together, where they meet a schoolgirl (Akira Sakurai), and after a short interaction, entice her back to their apartment.

Many of the scenes have been repackaged a number of times, and can be seen in other similar collections from Fa Pro.

Marilyn Chambers' Private Fantasies 2 (1984 Video)

Marilyn Chambers!

[5/10 · 13 October 2022]

A series of vignettes grouped together with the theme of Marilyns fantasies. As the title suggests this is the second of a series filmed in the mid 80s on the back of her success in a couple of big budget films. These scenes focus on taboo subjects, and there is no political correctness expressed here. This may make them harder to watch with todays sensibilities.

Marilyns output was quite small, so if you are a fan, any content featuring her is of interest. These clips have the shot on film look that adds a feeling of quality, and Marilyn, of course, looks gorgeous.

Scene 1: Young Boy. Marilyn uses her womanly charms to attract the attention of the titled young boy played by Tom Byron. If you can look past the post production comedy music track, this is a well filmed scene.

Scene 2: Scarlet Chambers. In an interracial scene, Marilyn reminisces about her family owning a civil war plantation.

Scene 3: How the West Was Fun. This is an ancient clip used to pad out the movie. Marilyn is not in this one.

Scene 4: Moving Day. Marilyn is moving house. She offers the moving guys a beer and one thing leads to another. It includes the obligatory Ivory Snow shot.

Scenes 5-6: Abduction. Marilyn is waiting by the side of the road when she is bundled into a van and taken away for a group scene and some light bondage.

The Other Side of Julie (1978)

70s movie with echos of San Francisco hippy vibe.

[6/10 · 10 August 2022]

This film was shot when San Francisco was the centre of the industry, and you went to the cinema to watch a movie.

Although the director, Anthony Riverton only has on credit in IMDB, its not unusual for people to work under an assumed name, and the film is clearly made by people who know what they are doing. It has the trademark features of a cinema release of this era. Plot, dialogue, location shooting, cross cut scenes, acting, a dedicated score and an obligatory orgy scene.

As the centre of the hippy counter culture San Francisco was ideally placed to attract people to work in the burgeoning industry; and that sunny hippy free love vibe echo's in this film.

The movie contains some San Francisco locations (and attitudes) that no longer exist. Tastes (and attention spans) have changed, and it may not appeal to everyone, but it's a good bet for anyone looking for a bit of 70s nostalgia.

China White (1986 Video)

Erica Boyer at her best.

[5/10 · 12 June 2022]

This is a by the numbers video, despite its higher pretensions.

However, that said. Erica gets a starring role, and a chance to show off her tanned and toned 80s body; and she looks spectacular.

Her performance has an easy naturalness, and of course her trade mark husky voice.

The opening scene is the stand out, and is worth the price of admission in itself.

Definitely check it out if you are an Erica Boyer fan.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

I am in the thumbs down brigade.

[2/10 · 29 May 2022]

I do not need to work this hard.

Firstly; continually switching between English and subtitles is tiresome, and makes it hard to focus on the film.

Some of the situations felt a bit silly.

The rapid switching between scenes is jarring, and there is a general air of incoherence about the whole film; in an irritating way, not one that endears.

The Lost City (2022)

I wish I had read the reviews. What a stinker!

[2/10 · 20 May 2022]

Its soooooooooo bad.

This is promoted as an Action Rom-Com; and there is neither Action nor Rom nor for that matter Com.

The plot doesn't make any sense. All the situations feel forced, and the interactions between the characters are stilted and by the numbers.

What passes for humour, falls flat, and you feel embarrassed for the actors.

I stopped watching.

The Butterfly Effect (1995)

Tasty Spanish Omelette.

[6/10 · 18 May 2022]

The Butterfly effect of the title refers to the small random happenstances of life, and the sometimes large (sometimes comic) effects that they can have.

The small event; Luis is attracted to his aunt. The effect; for those around him, the conventions associated with relationships dissolve, leading to increasing chaos.

This is a low budget movie with much of the emphasis on dialogue, rather than effects or exotic locations. As can be seen by its surprise setting in the grimy surrounds of a London council housing estate (Kennington Park Estate).

The acting is of a high standard. With an interesting juxtaposition between the easy going style of the Spanish actors and the more rigid English style. The female leads, María Barranco and Rosa Maria Sardà are particularly good.

All in all, a gentle romp with pleasant characters.

The Pentaverate (2022)

Cringeworthy TV that somebody should have stopped.

[2/10 · 13 May 2022]

You know a comedy show is bad when they have to explain the jokes.

It probably looked good at the pitch meeting; especially as streaming services need endless content. But someone should have been put in place to check the script before they made it.

The overwhelming feeling is one of disappointment.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

It feels seven dog years long. Oh my god its slow.

[4/10 · 20 February 2022]

Never mind the plot. Nothing happens; and it takes a long time to do that. Two hours feels like seven dog years. If you are looking for an engaging movie you are barking up the wrong tree.

Odds and Ends (1980 Video)

Repackaged 1970s loops containing some famous names.

[2/10 · 26 August 2019]

This is a collection of 8mm loops from the late 1970s. Most, if not all are from the Regal Collection series. This should tell you all you need to know about the production values and acting.

The main fun to be gained here is from spotting famous porn stars in their early years. The names in the credits seem to have been made up just for this movie, which adds to the challenge.

Swedish Dicks (2016–2018)

Noir Private-eye comedy/drama with a (Swedish) twist.

[6/10 · 31 March 2017]

Swedish Dicks is a Noir Private-eye, with the usual trimmings of dingy office, dysfunctional characters and anti-hero protagonist.

The show is never demanding, and has an easy gentle humour that will grow on you.

It's best watched after dark, say mid-week when there nothing else in the TV schedule, or late on a Friday after you return home from an evening out.