First Blood (1982) & The Case Of The Moving Panties

Green beret Vietnam veteran John Rambo

Well I just passed the Rambo banten on to my son. Having myself watched First Blood as a 13 year old. That special time had come. To pass the burning torch on to my boy, Kofi. Passing the flame of the Rambo origin story to the next generation.

I’m not going to do a post about First Blood as everyone knows all there is to know. However one thing sticks out, how could such an anti war film turn into such a macho warmonger machine? Don’t get me wrong I love those roided up sequels but just saying, that end emotional broken man speech scene from Sylvester Stallone really hits the heart strings ….. Anyhoo

Mickey One (1965) – Free Jazz New Wave

Within five minutes of Mickey One, this experimental film levellies a barrage of outstanding cool black and white images at you. Everyone you could instantly freeze frame, print and stick straight up on your wall.

Enemy Territory (1987) – “Ghost” Busting

Enemy Territory is another movie in a long tradition of tower blocks and council flats being turned into all out war zones, think of The Raid, Attack The Block & Dredd. But add some elements of Walter Hill’s The Warriors, a dash of The Lost Boys and dollop of any black and white buddy movie from the 80’s, I’m gonna go for Running Scared.  Then you get a taste of what to expect in this really surprisingly brilliant low budget little gem.

The Collector (1965) – Stamp Collecting

Social misfit and butterfly collector Freddie Clegg (Terence Stamp) prowls the streets of London in his Ford Thames 400E van stalking his childhood fascination, the beautiful art student Miranda Grey (Samantha Eggar). With his trusty bottle of chloroform to hand, he hopes that after keeping her hostage she will grow to love him.

Freddie’s inner monologue – “I knew where she was every minute of the day!”

Wolf Lake (1980) – Messed Up War Veterans

An hour and half and not one sign of any wolves, lycans or otherwise. No one howling at the moon, no metamorphosis from human to wolf or visa a versa, I want my money back! Well it was free, so I mustn’t grumble, Wolf Lake Youtube.  Will give them the lake part of the title though, there was one big ass lake. Wolf Lake is located in Yukon, Canada but I’ve just read it was filmed in Mexico!

Tagline – Survive the night at Wolf Lake if the suspense doesn’t kill you first!

Wait Until Dark (1967) – Blind Crime

Gonna start at the end on this one, don’t worry, no spoilers. After this excellent film finished the final theme tune came on whilst it showcased the players and you know what dude, that ditty from Henry Mancini with Sue Raney gorgeous voice hit me for six. What a stunning little bossa jazz number that I just wish went on and on, Wait Until Dark, just so beautiful.

The Onion Field (1979) – Jive Talkin Criminals

I try to read as little as possible before embarking on a new film journey. All I knew about The Onion Field was it starred the brilliant James Woods as a messed up ex-con. What I wasn’t expecting was a James Woods jive talking, silver toothed, wannabe big time gangster, lunatic. He plays Gregory Ulas Powell a disturbed fast talking criminal who terrifies his new recruit to join him, a gullible recently released convict called Jimmy Lee ‘Youngblood’ Smith played by Franklyn Seales.

What’s Been Watched This Month – March 2017

I do like a list. Here’s what has been watched in March 2017.

With my Wolfy rating next to the IMDB one. I try to do my rating before I see the IMDB ones. They are surprisingly close, bar a few, that either blew my mind or that I enjoyed on fun factor alone.

White Line Fever (1975) – Mother Truckers

An amazing poster but I’m not so bought on the likeness of Jan-Michael!

Way before Stringfellow Hawke was blowing the shit out of stuff as a renegade pilot in his battle helicopter Airwolf and not long after trying his hand at being a mechanic called Steve Mckenna working for a certain Mr Charles Bronson. Jan-Michael Vincent alterego went under the guise of Carrol Jo Hummer, a no nonsense son of a trucker, a long haul driver with a rig called Blue Mule.

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) Fools Gold

Quite seriously the beginning opening sequence of Aguirre The Wrath Of God is ridiculously breathtaking, so stunning. A visually beautiful set piece, the panning shots of hundreds of men marching down the side of cliffs and mountains carrying all manner of unnecessary items. Hundreds of slaves and sherpers, interspersed with men in full armour, conquistadores in all their glory.

Tagline – A breathtaking journey into the heart of darkness.