Customer Reviews:
Jess Franco's Shock-o-rama Double Feature.......2006-03-04
In a sense Jess Franco's "Tender Flesh" and "Lust For Frankenstein" are throwbacks to the earliest age of cinema: as the soundtracks of both films are garbled, often unintelligible, they result in essentially silent movies. I suggest, however, that such silence does not constitute a handicap: in fact, it concentrates the viewer's attention on the films' purely visual aspects, which are quite wonderful. These are truly "motion pictures"--visionary works that few directors (besides Jess Franco himself) can ever hope to equal.
As their titles imply, the two films unleash an abundance of wild, almost indescribable eroticism. At all times the director's visual genius is pervasive, his feverish imagination unfaltering. Thus he lends even the most ferocious sexual encounters an artistic integrity that is light years beyond the commercial shoddiness called "porn." In effect, Franco uses flesh and lust to convey a variety of emotional/mental states--ranging from extreme Romanticism (sexuality and spirit become identical) to the most outrageous brutality (evoking a world in which appetite alone prevails). Whatever cosmic view Franco explores, he does so with a true artist's candor--and the results are genuinely exhilarating, stunning.
I recommend both "Tender Flesh" and "Lust For Frankenstein" to the fortunate few--to those visionaries and artists who shamelessly love the shameless medium of film. What adventures await you! These films are not made for the uncreative, neo-puritan masses, however. I hope that all would-be censors will continue to stay focused on televised ball games, the latest Academy Awards sponges and similar species of Rot Americana... Jess Franco's uncompromising, amoral brilliance will always remain at odds with those poor souls who confuse moving pictures with their own moral prejudices.
Customer Reviews:
Don't let naysayers put you off. It's Franco-town, people!.......2003-04-18
Okay. This is not a Hammer horror film. This is Jess Franco territory. If you hate Franco, stay away. It should be pretty obvious by now, 175 or 180 films after his first one, that he's not going to change his style for you. You either like him or you hate him. Cringing in abhorent distaste and writing hyperbolic reviews of his films being the worst in the world are not going to make anyone take his camera away from him nor will it change anyone else mind about him or his films. The mass army of Franco haters has never made a dent in the loyal of his fans and curious admirers.
I'm not going to be simplistic and say that people who hate Franco films just don't "get it." There's nothing to get here. In LUST FOR FRANKENSTEIN Franco has created a surreal world in which a beautiful Frankenstein monster (Michelle Bauer, the monster on the sleeve and in the movie) wrecks havoc on the life of Frankenstein's plain-Jane daughter (Lina Romay). A bunch of beautiful victims litter the trail of the monster's murderous path from opening scene to the finale. Super sexy Amber Newman is a beautiful stripper who gets stripped of more than just her costume, Frankenstein's daughter surgically transfers her life juices into the monster. (Amber's on the cover and in the movie too, by the way.) It's not High Art time, folks, it's just plain FRANCO.
If you like watching European horror films that are throwbacks to the nasty days of the '70s and early '80s, then LUST FOR FRANKENSTEIN is for you. The girls are plenty and there's a blonde, a brunette, a redhead, etc. There's skinny ones, fat ones, bodacious ones, etc. It's all here. And where else can you find a stark naked Frankenstein monster who looks like Michelle Bauer? It's exploitation to the hilt. Open-minded fun seekers rush to place your orders! All others should just look somewhere else much safer to spend your dollars.
Don't let the simplistic critics scare you. I'm not saying this is a great film but it is certainly enjoyable if you are in the right frame of mind. (And where else can you see a female monster make love to a tree?)
Try it, you'll like it.
A 1 star rating is too kind.......2002-09-23
After 30 something years of watching terrible movies, I have finally found it, the world's worst movie. Move over Plan 9 from Outer Space, you've been dethroned. But while Plan 9 is enjoyable, Lust for Frankenstein certainly is not.
I can sit through anything, but this was painful. I kept watching it, because I bought it, but I just wanted it to get over with. It's now back in the DVD case, never to see the light of day again.
I wish I could give this movie any positive comment, but I can't, it's just awful. The Euro-goth metal soundtrack is puddy to the ears, there is absolutly NO plot, the hot chicks on the cover are nowhere to be seen, the nude scenes will make you wretch. For all the nudity this movie has, there is nothing that even a 13 year old boy would get excited over.
My wife best described this movie as she tried to watch it "This isn't a head-scratcher, it's a
scratcher!"
Please people hear me. AVOID this movie at all costs. I will never ever ever watch this again!
Romay should keep her clothes on.......2002-05-12
I have one other Jesus Franco film with Lina Romay starring in it (Ilsa/Greta/Wanda The Wicked Warden/Mad Butcher), and in it she is young and beautiful. That film was made circa 1977, and some 25+ years later here she is in Franco's Lust For Frankenstein. I don't believe anybody who buys Franco films is hoping to see a woman in her mid-50's at youngest, complete with liverspots and vericose veins, expose herself and have love scenes. Please, if you have any common sense, stay away from this movie. I wonder if the late Soledad Miranda (Franco starlette/lover who died young) would be still doing movies if she were alive.....
I'm SO disappointed!!.......2001-10-12
Those people (like me) who buy Jesus Franco's movies don't expect high art or even much plot for that matter. However, I don't know what he was thinking about here. I love the kinkiness and nudity of most Franco movies, as well as the occasional kinky night club act scenes and music. This movie fails to capture any of that. So what does that leave? Not much and I sincerely wish that I could get my money back for this one. Thank you very much.
EEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2001-10-01
WHERE ARE THE WOMEN ON THE COVER AT IN THIS SLOPFEST?ok,i know not expect anything mindboggling,but please,if the gimmick is beautifull babes,SUPPLY THEM!!!!!!all i saw was an OLD dumppy lil seahaglooking for love of some kind.and what does she do?find an ungly arsed monster(cover advertised beautifull monster)i guess the director didnt need make-up on the breast area,they came with their own scars.NOW THAT IS JUST NASTY.scarred breasts are the equivalent of army boot stew.just plain old nasty.this movie didnt have much else to push it so i must say that those looking for pretty women,go elsewhere.and if youre looking for a good horror movie,shame on you for looking here.
Average customer rating:
- Another Franco folly
- Tepid fury without the typical Franco flair! But cool music
- Killer Barbys
|
Killer Barbys
Starring:
Santiago Segura ,
Mariangela Giordano ,
Aldo Sambrell ,
Charlie S. Chaplin , and
Silvia Superstar
Director:
Jesus Franco
Manufacturer: Shriek Show
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
 General
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Spain
| By Country
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Spanish
| By Original Language
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Horror
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Occult
| Things That Go Bump
| Horror
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Erotic
| By Theme
| Horror
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Music Video & Concerts
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Comedy
| Silent Films
| Classics
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Anime & Manga
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Feature Films
| Animation
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
DVDs Under $7.49
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
( K )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
4-for-3 Anime & Manga
| 4-for-3 DVD
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
4-for-3 Art House & International
| 4-for-3 DVD
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
4-for-3 Horror
| 4-for-3 DVD
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
4-for-3 All DVDs
| 4-for-3 DVD
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
General
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Spain
| European Cinema
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Horror
| By Genre
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Spanish
| By Original Language
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
Killer Barbys Vs. Dracula
-
Vampire Blues
-
Jess Franco's Count Dracula (Special Edition)
-
Murder Set Pieces
-
Muertos de Risa
ASIN: B00005LMAT
Release Date: 2001-09-25 |
Description
The Killer Barbys are a touring rock band with a problem. They're stranded in the middle of nowhere and they need to find someone willing to put them up for the night. They end up at the mansion of the countess Von Fledermaus, an ancient woman shrouded in evil. She needs to fresh blood of young men to regain her lost youth, and the Killer Barbys are on the menu!
Customer Reviews:
Another Franco folly.......2005-09-25
The mere mention of the name Jesus "Jess" Franco in the presence of movie fans will elicit several reactions. Some filmgoers will shrug their shoulders as if to say, "Who's he?" These people likely spend a lot of time watching big budget, multiplex friendly cinema. Other folks will smile. These film fans recognize this director's name in the context of "Vampyros Lesbos" and "The Marquis De Sade's Justine," two Franco movies that actually contain a hint of style. Then there are the poor wretches who'll hear his name and visibly pale, groan as though they've eaten food that's given them salmonella poisoning, and slink quietly away into a corner for a few hours of serious sulking. I fall somewhere in between the last two categories. I liked "Vampyros Lesbos" and "Justine," but I've also seen enough Franco films to understand the utter banality of a large segment of his filmography. Falling with a resounding clunk in the "so bad its pretty bad" category is the 1996 effort "Killer Barbys." Franco proves once again that he's lost none of the traits that make up a bad filmmaker. Actually, a couple of things in the film work, but most of what we see here is strictly groan inducing.
The movie begins by showing us some poor chap dying at the hands of goofball simpleton Baltasar (Santiago Segura) and two dwarfs. Yep, this is a Jess Franco film. Then the movie shifts focus to the Spanish rock/punk band The Killer Barbies performing at some small venue. Why is there a spelling change in the title of the film? Perhaps Ken and Barbie threatened to sue. Anyway, as the group bangs out one of its Ramones-esque tunes on stage one fact becomes glaringly obvious. The lead singer of the group, a young lady known here as Flavia but whose real world name is Silvia Superstar, is blazingly hot. The music isn't too bad, either. Then disaster sets in as the band finishes performing, loads up the requisite van, and heads off into the night destined for their next gig. Banal small talk follows for several minutes, obviously in an attempt to provide the necessary "character" development so we will feel something other than pure joy when the sauce starts to flow later on. With teeth grinding predictability, the van breaks down out in the middle of nowhere. Boy, what an original way to set up a scary movie! Never saw that coming, Jess!
The band members dither around trying to fix the tire when the sudden appearance of an elderly gent named Arkan (Aldo Sambrell) startles them. This friendly man invites them up to a creepy looking castle, promising to call for a tow truck. But wouldn't you know it? Assistance won't arrive until morning, so the kids will just have to spend the night in a castle so gloomy it makes Count Dracula's digs look like a Howard Johnson's hotel in Barbados. What the band doesn't know, but will soon find out, is that the owner of the castle, the Countess (Mariangela Giordano), is an Elizabeth Bathory type kook currently lounging in her bed planning another comeback. She needs the blood of the band to accomplish this feat, however, and that's where Arkan comes in. He needs to keep Flavia and her posse around long enough for the Countess to woo one of the males back to her bedroom. Of course the band soon discovers what is going on, too late to save one of their friends, and "Killer Barbys" becomes a race to defeat the forces of evil in order to live long enough to make it to their next performance on time. Expect to see a lot of nonsense in the meantime, including a death by steamroller, crazed dwarfs, and some genuine blood bathing.
Sigh. Aside from the ample talents of Silvia Superstar and an amazingly svelte and alluring Mariangela Giordano, "Killer Barbys" made we want to take a header off my barcalounger. The elderly Franco shoots firmly from the hip replacement in what must surely rank as one of the most banal zero budget bombs in Euroflick history. The movie attempts to achieve an artful blend of horror, comedy, and musical but fails on more than a few levels. Sure, it's occasionally gory. Sure, it occasionally builds an iota of atmosphere. But the attempt to garner laughs fails miserably. I never cracked a single smile during the entire film, unless a grimace counts as a grin. In fact, you'll likely find more laughs in your second cousin's four and a half hour home movie of his trip to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota than you will with Franco's "Killer Barbys." Grandpa Jess should have dropped the "comedy" angle in favor of what he does best, namely reveling in lots of bloodshed and birthday suited babes. What keeps me up at nights is the knowledge that Franco shot a sequel a few years later entitled, horribly enough, "Killer Barbys vs. Dracula." I'm removing your name from my Christmas card list, Jess.
At least the extras on the disc aren't bad. We get a couple of interviews with the luscious Silvia Superstar and a fellow band member, cast and crew biographies, a lobby card gallery, a "Scream" Access menu, and a couple of decent music videos of the band performing a song named "Mars" and a version of Petula Clark's "Downtown." Text information on the band and trailers for "Eaten Alive," "Burial Ground," "Jungle Holocaust," and "Beyond the Darkness" round out the disc. "Killer Barbys" is definitely a film only Jess Franco completists will want to add to their collection. For newcomers to the man with the lead covered camera lens, I recommend starting with "Vampyros Lesbos" and "Faceless."
Tepid fury without the typical Franco flair! But cool music.......2003-04-15
Not one of Jess Franco's better films but certainly not one of his worst either. I would have liked to see this film directed by Franco but produced by his American company One Shot Productions. They would have trimmed a lot of the stale time and left us with pure Jess Franco. The story is pretty straightforward, espcially for a Franco film, with a rock band getting lost and winding up at the home a madwoman in search of human blood. Segura and Superstar are definitely the best elements of the film. The Killer Barbies music is especially hot! Kind of like having a female Joey Ramone singing the soundtrack. [Some trivia I learned in an interview: although this is not a One Shot Productions film by Franco, the head of One Shot Productions, Kevin Collins, actually gave the film its name when the actual producers realized that they might get sued if they called it "Killer Barbies"!]
Killer Barbys.......2002-04-04
The Killer Barbies (the name of the film was changed for obvious reasons) are a rock band traveling to their next gig when their van breaks down. They are offered shelter for the night at the castle of Countess Fledermaus. Soon the band is being killed one by one for their blood. Mr. Arkan is restoring the rotting Countess to youth with blood. The remaining two members of the band kill Arkan and the Countess and flee to safety. This movie gave a shot in the arm to Jess Franco's career, which was lagging in the early nineties. He turns out a professional looking film that is a horror/comedy/rock movie for a new generation of fans. The film pokes fun at itself and the whole gore genre. The horror-comedy is a hard style to [fufill], but Franco pulls it off with genuinely funny dialogue and some ridiculous situations. There are some obvious continuity errors: the countess' death being one and the end titles state that Balthazar continues to roam the woods when we just witnessed his unquestionable death by steamroller! This is one of the more distinctive works in the latter part of Franco's career and his only take on the Elizabeth Bathory legend. This DVD has a lot of extras: an interview with Killer Barbies' Billy King and Sylvia Superstar and some of their music videos (see them do a cover of "Downtown"),and trailers for the film. Language tracks include Spanish w/ optional English subtitles and an English dub track. The transfer looks great too.
amazon.com
Former rodeo star Roy Rogers decides to help his old friend, ex-rodeo champ Sam Bennett (Shannon), when he discovers that Sam bragged to his East Coast daughter Sue (Ryan) that he actually owns Roy's prosperous and large ranch, wanting to impress her. When Sue arrives, she sees Roy working for an apparently wealthy and prosperous Sam. But trouble brews on the horizon when crooked rodeo owner Jim Calvert (MacLane) learns of the subterfuge, and decides to exploit it to his own gain.
Average customer rating:
- Miserable Plot, And a waste of your time
- BABS BOY SAVES THE DAY
- Only for Amanda Pays
|
Subterfuge
Starring:
Matt McColm ,
Amanda Pays ,
Jason Gould ,
Richard Brake , and
Glynn Turman
Director:
Herb Freed
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Suspense
| Mystery & Suspense
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Gould, Jason
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hammer, Ben
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
McColm, Matt
| ( M )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Pays, Amanda
| ( P )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Turman, Glynn
| ( T )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
DVDs Under $7.49
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
General
| Action & Adventure
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
All Deals
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
( S )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
Red Scorpion 2
-
Hunk
-
Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds
ASIN: B000059ZT7
Release Date: 1999-06-22 |
Customer Reviews:
Miserable Plot, And a waste of your time.......2005-08-01
Let me say this: If you are considering purchasing this film, then I will let you make your own decision. This is simply my opinion. Subterfuge is miserable, and it is not worthy of any of your money. The Action Channel loops this movie over and over, thus proving they assume the viewers have poor intelligence as well. Well, as a viewer I can tell you I am disgusted. There is a reason why this thing is only on VHS and not DVD and that is because it shouldn't be a DVD. As for the people who made this movie, well they have been paid so they don't have a reason to worry. But for those who haven't benefited from the production of this film, I must warn you that you will not gain anything by buying it either. Instead you will waste money and valuable time. I don't care how much you are paid an hour at work, THIS film is not worth an hour of your time. Even if you are paid minimum wage, this movie is still not worth 3 minutes of your time. If you are bored enough to consider watching this thing, call the boss tell him you are working early/late and go to work. Jobs can be miserable, but at least you are doing something constructive with your time.
BABS BOY SAVES THE DAY.......2004-07-24
Jason Gould, the son of Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould, shows up as a computer nerd with a jock brother in this mildly diverting action flick. Brother Jonathan (hunky stuntman Matt McColm) is forced into a covert action to retrieve the black box from a downed airliner, because if he doesn't help brother Alfie will go to jail for computer hacking. Head honcho Glynn Turman (Room 222) forces operative Hensell (overplayed by Richard Brake) to coerce McColm into helping. McColm is given a partner played by the always lovely Amanda Pays, and they're off to the Black Sea to find the Black Box!
Pacing is erratic and there's too much "down time" but McColm and Pays make an interesting pairing and Gould seems to be trying out some of his mom's mannerisms and affectations, but he is funny once in a while.
Certainly not one to make the classics list, but it's fun to watch.
Only for Amanda Pays.......2002-04-06
Subterfuge is really bad, but the reason it's worth getting is because first it's ten dollars. But second, and most important of all is because Amanda Pays is in it.
If your a fan of Amanda Pays then Subterfuge is worth it. Highlights are of Amanda Pays turning around a motorcycle while someone is driving the motorcycle with her on it. And, when Amanda Pays Suits up in a wet-suit at the end of the movie. That's it.
Average customer rating:
- Miserable Plot, And a waste of your time
- BABS BOY SAVES THE DAY
- Only for Amanda Pays
|
Subterfuge
Starring:
Matt McColm ,
Amanda Pays ,
Jason Gould ,
Richard Brake , and
Glynn Turman
Director:
Herb Freed
Manufacturer: Avalanche Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Action & Adventure
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Drama
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Gould, Jason
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Hammer, Ben
| ( H )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
McColm, Matt
| ( M )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Pays, Amanda
| ( P )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Turman, Glynn
| ( T )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
DVDs Under $14.99
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
( S )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
-
Red Scorpion 2
-
Hunk
-
Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds
ASIN: B00001U0G6
Release Date: 2007-05-01 |
Customer Reviews:
Miserable Plot, And a waste of your time.......2005-08-01
Let me say this: If you are considering purchasing this film, then I will let you make your own decision. This is simply my opinion. Subterfuge is miserable, and it is not worthy of any of your money. The Action Channel loops this movie over and over, thus proving they assume the viewers have poor intelligence as well. Well, as a viewer I can tell you I am disgusted. There is a reason why this thing is only on VHS and not DVD and that is because it shouldn't be a DVD. As for the people who made this movie, well they have been paid so they don't have a reason to worry. But for those who haven't benefited from the production of this film, I must warn you that you will not gain anything by buying it either. Instead you will waste money and valuable time. I don't care how much you are paid an hour at work, THIS film is not worth an hour of your time. Even if you are paid minimum wage, this movie is still not worth 3 minutes of your time. If you are bored enough to consider watching this thing, call the boss tell him you are working early/late and go to work. Jobs can be miserable, but at least you are doing something constructive with your time.
BABS BOY SAVES THE DAY.......2004-07-24
Jason Gould, the son of Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould, shows up as a computer nerd with a jock brother in this mildly diverting action flick. Brother Jonathan (hunky stuntman Matt McColm) is forced into a covert action to retrieve the black box from a downed airliner, because if he doesn't help brother Alfie will go to jail for computer hacking. Head honcho Glynn Turman (Room 222) forces operative Hensell (overplayed by Richard Brake) to coerce McColm into helping. McColm is given a partner played by the always lovely Amanda Pays, and they're off to the Black Sea to find the Black Box!
Pacing is erratic and there's too much "down time" but McColm and Pays make an interesting pairing and Gould seems to be trying out some of his mom's mannerisms and affectations, but he is funny once in a while.
Certainly not one to make the classics list, but it's fun to watch.
Only for Amanda Pays.......2002-04-06
Subterfuge is really bad, but the reason it's worth getting is because first it's ten dollars. But second, and most important of all is because Amanda Pays is in it.
If your a fan of Amanda Pays then Subterfuge is worth it. Highlights are of Amanda Pays turning around a motorcycle while someone is driving the motorcycle with her on it. And, when Amanda Pays Suits up in a wet-suit at the end of the movie. That's it.
Average customer rating:
|
Subterfuge (Faux Fuyants)
Starring:
Olivier Perrier ,
Rachel Rachel ,
Serge De Closets ,
Nicolas Raynaud , and
Claude Gaignaire
Director:
Jean-Pierre Limosin , and
Alain Bergala
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
French
| By Original Language
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Drama
| By Genre
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| France
| By Country
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Drama
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Pascal, Christine
| ( P )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
General
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
France
| European Cinema
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Drama
| By Genre
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
French
| By Original Language
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
DVDs Under $14.99
| Today's Deals in DVD
| Special Features
| DVD
| Video
( S )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
ASIN: B0000687D9
Release Date: 2002-07-30 |
Description
Driving home late one night in the heart of Paris, Serge accidentally hits and kills a man. Fearing the consequences of reporting the accident, he panics and flees the scene. Consumed by guilt and obsessed by the man's death, Serge soon finds a newspaper article about the dead man and visits the suburb where he lived, discovering that he has a beautiful young daughter. Serge finds himself strangely attracted to her. Intriguing and moving, "Subterfuge" earned great acclaim upon its release, capturing film festivals' top awards.
Average customer rating:
|
Shark / Last Hour / Beyond Obsession / Lethal Victims / Subterfuge / the Cape Town Affair [6 Movie Set]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
Genres
| DVD
| Video
| Action & Adventure
| African American Cinema
| Animation
| Anime & Manga
| Art House & International
| Classics
| Comedy
| Cult Movies
| Documentary
| Drama
| Educational
| Fitness & Yoga
| Gay & Lesbian
| Horror
| Kids & Family
| Military & War
| Music Video & Concerts
| Musicals & Performing Arts
| Mystery & Suspense
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Special Interests
| Sports
| Television
| Westerns
ASIN: B000ALAD7Y |
Product Description
6 MOVIE SET; SHARK starring: Burt Reynolds / LAST HOUR starring: Shannon Tweed / SUBTERFUGE starring: Joan Collins / THE CAPE TOWN AFFAIR starring: Jacqueline Bisset / BEYOND OBSESSION starring: Tom Berenger / LETHAL VICTIMS starring: Martin Landau ***SPECIAL FEATURES*** DIGITALLY REMASTERED WITH CHAPTER STOPS & INTERACTIVE MENUS.
Customer Reviews:
Another Franco folly.......2005-09-25
The mere mention of the name Jesus "Jess" Franco in the presence of movie fans will elicit several reactions. Some filmgoers will shrug their shoulders as if to say, "Who's he?" These people likely spend a lot of time watching big budget, multiplex friendly cinema. Other folks will smile. These film fans recognize this director's name in the context of "Vampyros Lesbos" and "The Marquis De Sade's Justine," two Franco movies that actually contain a hint of style. Then there are the poor wretches who'll hear his name and visibly pale, groan as though they've eaten food that's given them salmonella poisoning, and slink quietly away into a corner for a few hours of serious sulking. I fall somewhere in between the last two categories. I liked "Vampyros Lesbos" and "Justine," but I've also seen enough Franco films to understand the utter banality of a large segment of his filmography. Falling with a resounding clunk in the "so bad its pretty bad" category is the 1996 effort "Killer Barbys." Franco proves once again that he's lost none of the traits that make up a bad filmmaker. Actually, a couple of things in the film work, but most of what we see here is strictly groan inducing.
The movie begins by showing us some poor chap dying at the hands of goofball simpleton Baltasar (Santiago Segura) and two dwarfs. Yep, this is a Jess Franco film. Then the movie shifts focus to the Spanish rock/punk band The Killer Barbies performing at some small venue. Why is there a spelling change in the title of the film? Perhaps Ken and Barbie threatened to sue. Anyway, as the group bangs out one of its Ramones-esque tunes on stage one fact becomes glaringly obvious. The lead singer of the group, a young lady known here as Flavia but whose real world name is Silvia Superstar, is blazingly hot. The music isn't too bad, either. Then disaster sets in as the band finishes performing, loads up the requisite van, and heads off into the night destined for their next gig. Banal small talk follows for several minutes, obviously in an attempt to provide the necessary "character" development so we will feel something other than pure joy when the sauce starts to flow later on. With teeth grinding predictability, the van breaks down out in the middle of nowhere. Boy, what an original way to set up a scary movie! Never saw that coming, Jess!
The band members dither around trying to fix the tire when the sudden appearance of an elderly gent named Arkan (Aldo Sambrell) startles them. This friendly man invites them up to a creepy looking castle, promising to call for a tow truck. But wouldn't you know it? Assistance won't arrive until morning, so the kids will just have to spend the night in a castle so gloomy it makes Count Dracula's digs look like a Howard Johnson's hotel in Barbados. What the band doesn't know, but will soon find out, is that the owner of the castle, the Countess (Mariangela Giordano), is an Elizabeth Bathory type kook currently lounging in her bed planning another comeback. She needs the blood of the band to accomplish this feat, however, and that's where Arkan comes in. He needs to keep Flavia and her posse around long enough for the Countess to woo one of the males back to her bedroom. Of course the band soon discovers what is going on, too late to save one of their friends, and "Killer Barbys" becomes a race to defeat the forces of evil in order to live long enough to make it to their next performance on time. Expect to see a lot of nonsense in the meantime, including a death by steamroller, crazed dwarfs, and some genuine blood bathing.
Sigh. Aside from the ample talents of Silvia Superstar and an amazingly svelte and alluring Mariangela Giordano, "Killer Barbys" made we want to take a header off my barcalounger. The elderly Franco shoots firmly from the hip replacement in what must surely rank as one of the most banal zero budget bombs in Euroflick history. The movie attempts to achieve an artful blend of horror, comedy, and musical but fails on more than a few levels. Sure, it's occasionally gory. Sure, it occasionally builds an iota of atmosphere. But the attempt to garner laughs fails miserably. I never cracked a single smile during the entire film, unless a grimace counts as a grin. In fact, you'll likely find more laughs in your second cousin's four and a half hour home movie of his trip to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota than you will with Franco's "Killer Barbys." Grandpa Jess should have dropped the "comedy" angle in favor of what he does best, namely reveling in lots of bloodshed and birthday suited babes. What keeps me up at nights is the knowledge that Franco shot a sequel a few years later entitled, horribly enough, "Killer Barbys vs. Dracula." I'm removing your name from my Christmas card list, Jess.
At least the extras on the disc aren't bad. We get a couple of interviews with the luscious Silvia Superstar and a fellow band member, cast and crew biographies, a lobby card gallery, a "Scream" Access menu, and a couple of decent music videos of the band performing a song named "Mars" and a version of Petula Clark's "Downtown." Text information on the band and trailers for "Eaten Alive," "Burial Ground," "Jungle Holocaust," and "Beyond the Darkness" round out the disc. "Killer Barbys" is definitely a film only Jess Franco completists will want to add to their collection. For newcomers to the man with the lead covered camera lens, I recommend starting with "Vampyros Lesbos" and "Faceless."
Tepid fury without the typical Franco flair! But cool music.......2003-04-15
Not one of Jess Franco's better films but certainly not one of his worst either. I would have liked to see this film directed by Franco but produced by his American company One Shot Productions. They would have trimmed a lot of the stale time and left us with pure Jess Franco. The story is pretty straightforward, espcially for a Franco film, with a rock band getting lost and winding up at the home a madwoman in search of human blood. Segura and Superstar are definitely the best elements of the film. The Killer Barbies music is especially hot! Kind of like having a female Joey Ramone singing the soundtrack. [Some trivia I learned in an interview: although this is not a One Shot Productions film by Franco, the head of One Shot Productions, Kevin Collins, actually gave the film its name when the actual producers realized that they might get sued if they called it "Killer Barbies"!]
Killer Barbys.......2002-04-04
The Killer Barbies (the name of the film was changed for obvious reasons) are a rock band traveling to their next gig when their van breaks down. They are offered shelter for the night at the castle of Countess Fledermaus. Soon the band is being killed one by one for their blood. Mr. Arkan is restoring the rotting Countess to youth with blood. The remaining two members of the band kill Arkan and the Countess and flee to safety. This movie gave a shot in the arm to Jess Franco's career, which was lagging in the early nineties. He turns out a professional looking film that is a horror/comedy/rock movie for a new generation of fans. The film pokes fun at itself and the whole gore genre. The horror-comedy is a hard style to [fufill], but Franco pulls it off with genuinely funny dialogue and some ridiculous situations. There are some obvious continuity errors: the countess' death being one and the end titles state that Balthazar continues to roam the woods when we just witnessed his unquestionable death by steamroller! This is one of the more distinctive works in the latter part of Franco's career and his only take on the Elizabeth Bathory legend. This DVD has a lot of extras: an interview with Killer Barbies' Billy King and Sylvia Superstar and some of their music videos (see them do a cover of "Downtown"),and trailers for the film. Language tracks include Spanish w/ optional English subtitles and an English dub track. The transfer looks great too.
Average customer rating:
|
Una Temporada En Subterfuge
Starring:
Fangoria
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Collectibles
| Categories
|
ASIN: B000EKIH0G
Release Date: 2005-08-29 |
DVD:
- Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings
- Mercury Rising - DTS
- Militant Eagle / The Prodigal Boxer (Martial Arts Classics Double Feature)
- Monkey Kung Fu: Monkey Fist, Floating Snake
- Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom: King Cobra and I / Great Cats of India / Grizzly Encounters
- On the Borderline
- One Armed Swordsman vs. 9 Killers
- Panic in the Skies
- Peach Underground: Hollywood Hotties
- Pokemon Advanced Challenge - Love at First Flight (Vol. 1)
DVD
DVD
Broken Dolls
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula (aka Eight Legs to Love You) DVD
Incubus
Gwendoline - Unrated Director's Cut (aka - The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak)
