Despiser (2002)

We look back on practical effects that might have been cheap, but they become appreciated for their aesthetic value and effort, in contrast to CGI now. So it will be with dated CGI, particularly as the decades pass and what was once the new thing becomes ossified into a time-stamped style. Directed by Phillip J. […]

Thrilling Bloody Sword (1981)

Bless Justin Decloux and Gold Ninja Video as I would never have come across the Taiwanese martial arts adventure Thrilling Bloody Sword (1981) without their blu-ray release. The title gave me a different impression of what this film would be, which I bought sight unseen from Gold Ninja Video, as some violent wuxia swordsman action […]

The Dragon Lives Again (1977)

This film is dedicated to the millions who love Bruce Lee. The Dragon Lives Again (1977) opens with this text, and within the next ten minutes, the character of “Bruce Lee” is lying on a slab in the underworld after his death, and there’s an erection joke. Later in the movie, Bruce Lee talks about […]

Iron Warrior (1987)

I can’t imagine the Italian filmmakers directing Conan knock-offs in the 1980s really gave a shit about the mythology or the lore in their movies. They weren’t sketching maps of the various realms or had a bible of notes about the kingdoms and tribes living in this fantasy world. Whatever worked in Conan, or any […]

Ator: The Fighting Eagle (1982)

I’ve seen Ator: The Fighting Eagle (1982) before, the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 version from the Netflix revival awhile back, but I decided to watch it without the commentary, inspired by it being on Tubi (naturally) and it being on this excellent Bong Hit/Van Mural list. Ator is a Conan The Barbarian knock-off by Italian […]