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Fly Me (USA/Philippines, 1973) [DVD] - 1.5/5
Stewardesses vs. the world's most incompetent kung fu killers! Inept action / skin flick combo about American girls getting involved with a woman trafficking syndicate in Asia. And one of the girls has brought her babbling mother with her... Locations (Hong Kong, Tokyo, Philippines), plentiful skin and slight b (actually, make that c) film appeal are the only things this piece of sloppiness has going for it.
Cover Girl Models (USA/Philippines, 1973) [DVD] - 1.5/5
Another Cirio H. Santiago film offers better kung fu but even more nonsensical storyline than Fly Me. The boring plot is something about a microfilm and American models in Hong Kong and Singapore accidentally getting involved. Plenty of (unspectacular) skin again, and thankfully no comedy characters. Mercifully short at 73 minutes - any more off this dullness would've been hazardous.
The Arena (USA/Italy, 1974) [DVD] - 2/5
Regrettably lame peplum with Pam Grier and Margaret Markov captured by the Romans and forced to fight as gladiators. There's a bit of appeal to the cast and concept, which however soon wears off due to the mediocre filmmaking and poor action. Too soft and light-hearted to work as proper exploitation with its goofy Romans and silly supporting girls.
Foxy Brown (USA, 1974) [BD] - 4/5
Ultra groovy blaxploitation with Pam Grier taking revenge on a drug and prostitution ring lead by a young white woman! Great soundtrack, plenty of kick ass Grier and fantastic costumes, though you wish Pam would show skin a bit more generously. Also, not too much dumb humour despite a brief Sid Haig appearance. Better than Coffy.
The Human Tornado (USA, 1976) [DVD] - 1.5/5
Tongue-in-the-cheek blaxploitation flick is positively nuts, but unfortunately an amateurish mess. The joke wears off fast and the plentiful action is painful to watch. Some fun lines and a ridiculously over the top racist sheriff character just barely kept me from falling asleep.
Rolling Thunder (USA, 1977) [DVD] - 4/5
Excellent, gritty action thriller about two Vietnam vets who return home after enduring years of torture in Vietnam. Screenwriter Paul Schrader famously complained that the studio had turned an anti-fascist story into a fascist movie. I think he's going too far; some of his intended commentary may be missing from the film, but any viewer with a brain could only interpret the movie as a powerful, critical portrayal of two men who have lost their minds. It may not be another Taxi Driver, but as an action film it is interesting, well acted and directed, easily above the likes of it by lesser filmmakers.
Stewardesses vs. the world's most incompetent kung fu killers! Inept action / skin flick combo about American girls getting involved with a woman trafficking syndicate in Asia. And one of the girls has brought her babbling mother with her... Locations (Hong Kong, Tokyo, Philippines), plentiful skin and slight b (actually, make that c) film appeal are the only things this piece of sloppiness has going for it.
Cover Girl Models (USA/Philippines, 1973) [DVD] - 1.5/5
Another Cirio H. Santiago film offers better kung fu but even more nonsensical storyline than Fly Me. The boring plot is something about a microfilm and American models in Hong Kong and Singapore accidentally getting involved. Plenty of (unspectacular) skin again, and thankfully no comedy characters. Mercifully short at 73 minutes - any more off this dullness would've been hazardous.
The Arena (USA/Italy, 1974) [DVD] - 2/5
Regrettably lame peplum with Pam Grier and Margaret Markov captured by the Romans and forced to fight as gladiators. There's a bit of appeal to the cast and concept, which however soon wears off due to the mediocre filmmaking and poor action. Too soft and light-hearted to work as proper exploitation with its goofy Romans and silly supporting girls.
Foxy Brown (USA, 1974) [BD] - 4/5
Ultra groovy blaxploitation with Pam Grier taking revenge on a drug and prostitution ring lead by a young white woman! Great soundtrack, plenty of kick ass Grier and fantastic costumes, though you wish Pam would show skin a bit more generously. Also, not too much dumb humour despite a brief Sid Haig appearance. Better than Coffy.
The Human Tornado (USA, 1976) [DVD] - 1.5/5
Tongue-in-the-cheek blaxploitation flick is positively nuts, but unfortunately an amateurish mess. The joke wears off fast and the plentiful action is painful to watch. Some fun lines and a ridiculously over the top racist sheriff character just barely kept me from falling asleep.
Rolling Thunder (USA, 1977) [DVD] - 4/5
Excellent, gritty action thriller about two Vietnam vets who return home after enduring years of torture in Vietnam. Screenwriter Paul Schrader famously complained that the studio had turned an anti-fascist story into a fascist movie. I think he's going too far; some of his intended commentary may be missing from the film, but any viewer with a brain could only interpret the movie as a powerful, critical portrayal of two men who have lost their minds. It may not be another Taxi Driver, but as an action film it is interesting, well acted and directed, easily above the likes of it by lesser filmmakers.
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