The world's coolest track on Friday

Ahh, The Pixies with "Where is my mind". I lived in a shared house filled with Kiwis in Gant's Hill, Essex when this came out. Obviously, the Pixis' obscure music was what kept my mind from disappearing completely into the abyss. New Zealanders are weird, man!! LOL.

The video is a fun fan made video by the way.

Lost Asia: YOUNG FLYING HERO (1970)

For the longest time this film (which appears to be an amazing kung fu monster movie!!) was considered lost among fans! Well, as we speak it's on its way to Casa J!!

:-D

YOUNG FLYING HERO (Taiwan, 1970)





Unfortunately, this remains lost:

DEVIL FIGHTER (Taiwan, 1969)

Argento on Danish ex-rental

Over at Uncut.dk messages board we're trying to figure out how many collectors have these very rare Danish ex-rental tapes of Argento films. I know, I know, a completely waste of time but, well, that's how it is to be a geeky collector. :-D

In the early days these Danish tapes were very sought after by international horror and splatter movie fans as they offered uncut, English dubbed prints. Well, most of them were uncut anyway. ;-)

So, if you're either in Denmark or somewhere else; if you have one of these tapes do let us know. Cheers. You'll find the thread here.

And if you don't collect your films in a modly format that belongs to a bygone era then if nothing else you can enjoy these very rare covers that sure beat the crappy photoshop covers of today's DVD releases. They just don't make 'em like this anymore!







(click scans for bigger size)
All above scans are courtesy mr. Diabolik.

Crazy Indonesia: The amazing THE WARRIOR series

If you have never come across any of the JAKA SEMBUNG films starring Barry Prima you have been missing out on some WILD cinema!! The Jaka Sembung series, or THE WARRIOR as it's known in English, is a series of totally awesome and highly entertaining adventure films from Indonesia. Gory adventure films I might add! In short the series deal with the historical freedom fighter Jaka Sembung who fought the Dutch imperialists when they occupied Indonesia until fairly recently. A rather amusing detail is that one of the markets where the films have been most widely distributed on video is actually Holland. Indonesia's old scurge. :-D

The first film is THE WARRIOR (original title: Jaka Sembung Sang Penakluk) from 1981. It's directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra and stars Barry Prima in the lead role as Jaka Sembung. Also Eva Arnaz and Dana Christina are featured. Just like Barry Prima they starred in tons of genre films in the 80s. Barry Prima stars as the main character thru out the whole series. Here's a trailer for THE WARRIOR:



Fortunately, THE WARRIOR is easy to get hold of as it has been released on a spiffy wee shiny disk by those gents from Mondo Macabro, Pete Tombs and Andy Starke. The first film is also out as a handful of different video releases, both in Greece, Holland, and the UK. There are also versions dubbed into funny languages such as German. LOL. Beware of the UK tape as it's cut. It's missing no less than 31 seconds!!!

Unfortunately, the MM DVD release is the only DVD of any of films in the series. :-( Mondo Macabro were considering to put out the four sequels which would have been amazing not least since the last two films have never been released outside of Indonesia/Malaysia, nor have they ever been dubbed or subtitled into English. However unfortunately the MM's DVD hardly didn't sell at all! According to Pete Tombs (from his posts on Cinehound) most "fans" were happy enough with downloading the film (illegally) from torrent sites. It's terrible to think that because of this we may never see proper DVD releases of these sequels.

Here's my VHS from Holland:



The second film in the series is THE WARRIOR AGAINST THE BLIND SWORDSMAN (original title: Si Buta Lawan Jaka Sembung). Directed by Dasri Yacob, 1983. The film is out on VHS in Greece, Holland and the UK. The UK tape is cut by 5 seconds. Check out the trailer here:



As the title suggests Jaka Sembung teams up with the blind swordsman character (it's a slightly odd title as they're actually fighting together against the oppression, not each other, haha). The blind swordsman later returned in the spin-off sequel simply entitled THE BLIND WARRIOR (more on that later).

And here's my Dutch VHS cover for the film:



The last English dubbed THE WARRIOR sequel is THE WARRIOR AND THE NINJA (original title: Bajing Ireng Dan Jaka Sembung). Directed by H. Tjut Djalil (1983) who also directed LADY TERMINATOR, MYSTICS IN BALI, and many more. Some sources claim THE WARRIORAND THE NINJA is aka The Warrior 2 but my Dutch VHS release clearly labels THE WARRIOR AGAINST THE BLIND SWORDSMAN as films #2. But whether the two films were swapped around in some territories I don't know. But my gut feeling tells me it's merely a fuck-up by fans who didn't spend enough time on their research.

EDIT: However, for a different opinion see the comments from Worldweird's Jared in the commentary box.

Here's the trailer for NINJA:



And here's my Greek VHS release which is the one to go for as it's letterboxed. There's also a letterboxed tape from Australia but finding that one is probably more rare than getting laid at a dike slumber party (to coin an old Damon Foster joke, haha). Unfortunately, all the video versions I've seen are too dark during the night scenes. The best version (during the night scenes) is actually the Malay VCD where you can see what the bloody hell is going on, LOL. Unfortunately, it's in Indonesian, it's fullscreen, and pixelates all over the place. There are als Dutch and UK releases. Amazingly enough the UK tape is uncut according to the BBFC. :-O



The last two sequels are BERGOLA IJO , dir: Arizal (1983) and JAKA SEMBUNG DAN DEWI SAMUDRA, dir: Atok Sugiarto (1990). None of them have English titles and I haven't been able to find any trailers for them, nor do I have any scans of the VCD covers. But anyway, regardless of how rare these films are (apart from #1) or that two of them aren't in English, if you enjoy wild and crazy movies then you really ought to check out the JAKA SEMBUNG / THE WARRIOR series.

And finally, the bastard 6th film in the series; the spin-off sequel THE BLIND WARRIOR (original title: Neraka perut bumi) in which the blind warrior character from THE WARRIOR AND THE BLIND SWORDSMAN makes a return. Directed by RATNO TIMOER in 1987. Timoer also did THE DEVIL'S SWORD (also released by Mondo Macabro, and highly recommended!) and many more. In contradiction to the "real" THE WARRIOR sequels this was actually released on DVD. Unfortunately it's long out of print but at least you have to chance of getting a copy from a friend.

There's no trailer for THE BLIND WARRIOR on YouTube so here's a clip from the film instead. It's... over the top - as is the entire series!!! You should try and find them.



THE WARRIOR AGAINST THE BLIND SWORDSMAN and THE WARRIOR AND THE NINJA are available from Far East Flix (yes, they are boots off Dutch video tapes). The picture quality equals VHS quality.

Drool away. Again. This time with correct info even.

I posted a couple of rare Danish cover scans here of which one of them was LEMORA: A CHILD'S TALE OF THE SUPERNATURAL (aka Lemora, Lady Dracula). I remember Cinehound member Diabolik (aka Hans-Jørn) telling me his tape was the only known copy so obviously that's what I wrote. How was I supposed to know HE HAD ANOTHER RELEASE AS WELL!!! Argh, haha. And obviously THAT release is the one that only exists in one copy. Well, one copy known to collectors that is. Who knows what'll turn up one day.

I remember back when old hardcore collector Henrik Ibsen owned what was believed to be the only copy of the Danish tape for MAD FOXES (Rockerne og discodrengen). Then about five years ago two friends and I found around TEN copies of the tape in some boxes at a second hand store!!

Anyway, altho the edition with the yellow cover might not be the only version known to man it's still very rare. I for one have never come across it. Thanks for this rare scan and the correct info, Hans-Jørn.



PS: Also thanks for the info on THE LOVE BUTCHER, HJ (i.e. that it's the longest copy there is, even longer than the Dutch). You got that info from an old BD, right?

PS.PS. - And you definitely ought to check out Hans-Jørn's museum for Danish ex-rental releases of Italian genre films; go here.

Jack J's "Banned in Britain" free download

Thanks to Cinehound member Jazel I can now offer you issue #2 of my own zine Banned in Britain!! This issue came out in 2004 and everyone is still awaiting the arrival of issue 3 (or maybe they've all forgotten about it, haha). Anyway, you can download it here. If you don't have a program to view it with you can download a free one here. Although it should be self-explanatory lemme just point out that this is obviously a totally legit download since it is my publication and I own the copyrights. You can share it as much as you want, just don't make a profit on it. Enjoy!

Lunchmeat #3

There aren't too many horror movie fanzines left so it's cool to see a new one! This is Lunchmeat from the US. Unfortunately the first two issues are already sold out but issue #3 just came out about a month ago. I've seen a copy of #2 and it looks totally rad! I can't wait to get this.


Lunchmeat #3 is available here. 10 bucks outside of the US.

Son Savasci (Last Warrior) trailer

I'm getting a subtitled version of THIS! Yay spiffy!!!
(ehh, I'm getting a subbed version of the film that is. Not the trailer, haha).
SON SAVASCI ( LAST WARRIOR ) Trailer

Turkish pop cinema: NEHIR (aka The River)

Fantastic! I bought this tonight!! The film is the Turkish horror flick NEHIR, in English known as The River.

Bill Barounis of ONAR FILMS described NEHIR as "Turkish Deliverance"!!

(click scan for bigger size)

And here's the Greek release of the film!


NEHIR is also out on VHS in Norway and Finland (as Verinen Joki). The Norwegian tape is even letterboxed (which I certainly hope the Danish one is as well). The Norwegian cover shown here is actually from a Betamax release (and comes courtesy of Patrick, a drunken Norwegian with a beard).







[click the scan for a bigger size]

EDIT:
The term "Turkish pop cinema" was first used by Mondo Macabro and I realise they used it for their DVD release and, well, those two films they put out ARE pop cinema. And NEHIR most likely isn't. But back when I wrote it it seemed like a cool headline. Well, back in the day we all did stuff we might not wanna do today but we tend to forget. Back in the day. Ahm, yesterday. :/

Dark HK: THE RAPE AFTER (1986)

If you want a completely uncut and letterboxed version of one of the very best of the dark and nasty HK horror movies from 1980s; here it is: Moon-Tong Lau's THE RAPE AFTER (aka Yin Zhong).
The auction runs for another 6 days.

EDIT: The film is from 1983, not '86. Thanks, Andras.

Gory & nasty Hong Kong: THE BEASTS (Dutch cover)

[VHS/Holland/letterbox/English dub/Dutch subtitles/uncut]
(click scan for bigger size)

I have written about the HK movie THE BEASTS (aka Flesh And Bloody Terror) several times this week and I've fortunately been able to show you a scan of the cool pre-cert VHS release from the UK. However, the DVD-r I own is actually taken from the video tape released in Holland and it annoyed me greatly that I didn't have a scan of this version to post. Obviously, all I needed was to write my mate Teade (aka KingofB) in Holland and ask for a scan. :D I knew he had one cos, well, initially I got my DVD-r from him, LOL. Thanks buddy, you're the best!

I should point out I have never seen the UK tape so I can't tell you whether it's presented in fullscreen or letterbox. The Dutch tape is both uncut and letterboxed. The print carries the English dub.

PS: If you think the UK cover is heaps better I won't argue with you.
;-)



And here's a bootleg "release" of the Flesh And Bloody Terror version (or Flesh And Bloody Horror as it's re-titled here).

Too cute for school

Oh, G.E.M. is a popular pop singer from HK by the way. :D

Not a film you see every day

Jared published this over at Worldweird but I gotta post it here too!



NB: YouTube have begun to show their videos in widescreen now and unfortunately Blogger haven't updated the "video window" layout so you'll still see it as a square picture here, i.e. some of the video is missing. To see the proper picture just go to YouTube.

Turkish Star Wars trailer

Alright, if you read the comments to the last post; here it is: The rare trailer for TURKISH STAR WARS (aka The Man Who Saves The World):

The lowdown on Mr Turkish Rambo

Ed Glaser, the gent behind the RAMPAGE (aka Turkish Rambo/Korkusuz) DVD, has just posted an interview they did with Serdar Kebapcilar who played the Turkish Rambo character in RAMPAGE. It's a pretty long and relaxed interview, and it gives a good impression of the guy and how he started out in films and stuff. It's in Turkish with English subs.



Cetin Inanc, the director of RAMPAGE who also did über-cool films such as TURKISH ROCKY, DEATH WARRIOR, and TURKISH STAR WARS.

Serdar Kebapcilar

Dark Hong Kong: BRUTAL SORCERY clip

I mentioned BRUTAL SORCERY a couple of days ago and here's a clip from the film. Now I really wanna get hold of this! :D



[VHS/HK/fullscreen/English dub/no subs]

[VHS/Japan/in Chinese/Japanese subs]

Drool away

No, it's certainly not the greatness or cool artwork that make these cover scans so appealing!! With the top one it's knowing that this is the only known copy of this tape! This is the Danish VHS release of LEMORA: A CHILD'S TALE OF THE SUPERNATURAL (1973) and no, unfortunately I don't own it, a collector buddy does. :(
But man, that cover!!

Here's another very rare one that I'm happy to report is sitting nicely on my shelf (the scan is of my mate's copy though); LOVE BUTCHER (1975).


EDIT: For an update go here.

De Dødes Tjern on upcoming dvd?

A couple of months back, Jocke (of Gummimonster-fetischism blog) reviewed the Norwegian horror movie DE DØDES TJERN (aka Lake of the Dead) from 1958, directed by Kåre Bergstrøm.

Apparently the film is totally rad and one IMDb user said he had to turn it off as it was too scary. Gee. So obviously I'd like to watch this spooky slice of celluloid but unfortunately it seems there's no DVD or VHS versions available. It's only been released as a film club VHS and shown on Norwegian TV. I haven't been able to find any info on upcoming DVDs either. Boo-hoo. So my question to my scores of Norwegian readers; do any of you know of an upcoming release (or if it's scheduled for broadcast)??? Thanks.

NB: No need to direct me towards torrent sites. I don't download. I fear the gestapo of the Eastern block country that I live in more than I want to see these rare films. And yes that is sad. :/
LOL.

Blah!

Blah! I had too much pizza and I feel sick now. I feel bloated. I feel like a preggie. :-(

Dark Hong Kong: DEVIL SORCERY (1988)

I watched DEVIL SORCERY last night. It's directed by Do Gong-Yue who also did BLOOD SORCERY two years previously. Like BLACK MAGIC 1 & 2, SEEDING OF A GHOST, CENTIPDE HORROR, DEAD CURSE, and most of the other movies in the dark and nasty horror movie genre from Hong Kong in the 1980s it deals with black magic and a wizard who does evil deeds in his own favour. The wizard gone astray in DEVIL SORCERY was really a student of a good wizard but the good life went down the toilet for him when he decided to get it on with his master's wife, and when the good wizard came home unexpectedly he stabbed him and stole half of his magic gear. Anyway, it all takes a while to kick off but once it does it's a roller coaster ride that's for sure. Just like in CENTIPEDE HORROR there are scenes of a girl chucking up live centipedes with the rest of her dinner but in this one it's definitely in more gross detail. DEVIL SORCERY is in the same vein like those other flicks but it's easy to see it was made on a lower budget than the Shaw Brothers produced films (eg. Black Magic + Seeding) but don't let that put you off. It's pretty entertaining. The only version available is the DVD pictured here which comes to us from down Malaysia way. The company Dragon Jester have released quite a few Hong Kong horror movies that aren't released anywhere else on DVD. It's weird to think that the only HK releases of these films are on VHS and VCD, but not on DVD, and that you have to venture to Malaysia to get DVD releases of these old (and forgotten) HK horror movies. Oh well. Fortunately we have 1) internet shopping, and 2) the cool store Sensasian! :-) Not the best in the genre but pretty entertaining! The DVD is fullscreen, has Cantonese and Mandarin audio, and has optional English subtitles. The picture quality is atrociously bad. It looks like it's lifted from a VCD or VHS. But as I said; it's the only version there is so I can certainly live with that.