Movies Till Dawn: Terror is a Man

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Paul Gaita

* indicates that this title is also available to rent, stream, or purchase on various platforms. Please note that streaming options may differ from these home video presentations in terms of visuals, supplemental features, etc.

“Terror is a Man” * (1959, Severin Films) A shipwreck brings Richard Derr to remote Isla de Sangre — Blood Island — where scientist Francis Lederer claims to be conducting experiments on a panther, but the bandage-swathed creature slaughtering the locals appears more human than feline. Low-budget Filipino creature feature plays in part to the grindhouse crowd with its marauding monster and amusing/aggravating gimmick: A bell that rings to warn audiences of (very mild) gory scenes. But Emmanuel Rojas’s B&W photography is appreciably eerie and the film refuses to paint Lederer and his creation as solely mad scientist and monster; in doing so, “Terror” becomes one of the more solid adaptations of “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” even without acknowledging its source material. Co-directors Gerardo de Leon and Eddie Romero returned to Blood Island for three more films (“Brides of Blood,” “Mad Doctor of Blood Island,” and “Beast of Blood”), all far less subtle but enjoyably pulpy shockers, and all compiled in Severin’s “Fear in the Philippines: The Complete Blood Island” Blu-ray set. Its “Terror” presentation offers an uncut scan from newly discovered film elements, promotional material, and interviews with Romero, Mondo Macabro chief/author Pete Tombs, critic Mark Holcomb, and Stateside distributor/Independent-International boss Sam Sherman.

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Movies Till Dawn: Born Under Punches

Posted on April 6, 2025 by Paul Gaita

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“Killer Constable” * (1980, Arrow Video) A fortune in gold has been stolen from the Forbidden City, and the Dowager Empress knows who should retrieve it: court constable Leng Tian-Ying (Chen Kuan-tai), known by the title sobriquet for his murder-first-ask-questions-later approach to police work. Leng finds and brutally dispatches some of the culprits, but also discovers that a) his violent strategy isn’t favored by his downtrodden constituents (as an assistant constable learns the hard way), and b) he may be working for the real criminals. Grim, hard-bitten period swordplay action from the Shaw Brothers Studios and director Kuei Chih-hung, who divided his career between critiques of Hong Kong social and political inequalities and bizarre horror and exploitation titles (like the hard-to-believe “Boxer’s Omen”). “Constable” is firmly in the former camp, eschewing the flash and spectacle of wuxia films in favor of an almost noir-ish examination of reaping what one sows through scene after scene of merciless, unheroic violence, often photographed in darkness or ugly settings (lots of mud). The end result may be a downer for Shaw Bros fans hoping for pure swordplay, but may prove compelling for both casual viewers and serious Shaw scholars, who may also note, with no amusement, how Leng’s take-no-prisoners aesthetic is embraced by our current administration (see Representative Victoria Sparz’s recent comments on due process). Arrow’s Blu-ray, part of its colossal “ShawScope Vol. 3” collection, features a 2K remaster with Mandarin and English audio tracks, and three separate commentary tracks by historians/critics Tony Rayns, Frank Djeng, and Brian Bankston, as well as scenes from a South Korean version of the film (which is featured in its entirety on a bonus disc), alternate titles, and Chinese and English-language trailers.

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Movies Till Dawn: The Good Guys and the Bad Guys

Posted on March 29, 2025 by Paul Gaita

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“The Long Kiss Goodnight” * (1996, Arrow Video) Deeply silly but action-packed thriller with Geena Davis as a suburban mom who discovers that amnesia has blocked her secret past as a government assassin. Davis and Samuel L. Jackson (in sidekick/incredulous reaction mode) do all the heavy lifting for Shane Black’s script, which is needlessly convoluted but wisely loaded with his signature smart-funny quips, and covers its tracks with a wealth of action setpieces, all precisely orchestrated for maximum boom potential by Davis’s then-husband, Renny Harlin. Solid support from Brian Cox and Craig Bierko figures into the mix; despite its absurdities, “Goodnight” has a cult following, which should be pleased with Arrow’s Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray presentation. It includes two new commentary tracks, interviews with stunt coordinator Steve Davidson, makeup artist Gordon Smith, and actress Yvonne Zima, who played Davis’s daughter, and multiple video essays, many focusing on the film’s status as a female-led action pic, as well as vintage interviews and making-of featurettes.

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at The Original Farmers Market!

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Karin E. Baker

 

Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day at the iconic Original Farmers Market with Guinness and other Irish beers from Bar 326 and E.B.’s Beer & Wine, traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage at Farmers Market stalwart Magee’s Kitchen, and tunes from Glen the Strolling Bagpiper!

The Original Farmers Market is located at 6333 W. Third Street (cross street is Fairfax Avenue). Sláinte!

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Movies Till Dawn: We Now Return To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

Posted on March 14, 2025 by Paul Gaita

* indicates that this title is also available to rent, stream, or purchase on various platforms. Please note that streaming options may differ from these home video presentations in terms of visuals, supplemental features, etc.

“Inglourious Basterds” * (2009, Arrow Video) Violent but meticulously crafted action-drama allows writer-director Quentin Tarantino to rework World War II to his liking, this time as a revenge-fantasy/classic Hollywood tribute, with Jewish-American GIs going further than John Wayne by hunting Nazis and a movie theater-owning French woman (Melanie Laurent) bringing down Hitler himself, no less. The gambit is audacious, and the posturing by Basterds Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, et al, wears thin (though at this particularly foul juncture in time, watching Fascists take their lumps is a pleasure), but Tarantino buttresses the flashier material with his still-astonishing ear for dialogue and intricate plotting, which allow Laurent and Christoph Waltz to craft memorable (and in Waltz’s case, Oscar-winning) performances. There’s no doubt that the more pickle-pussed digital obsessives will find minute fault in Arrow’s 4K UHD/Blu- presentation, but a) I couldn’t care less and b) the movie looks beautiful; the plentiful extras include both new material (observant commentary by Tim Lucas, interviews with actor Omar Doom and FX legend Greg Nicotero) and vintage supplements (extended scenes, interviews with Pitt and Rod Taylor, a nod to the 1978 Enzo Castellari actioner that provided the title). The sizable liner notes include top-notch writing by my pal Dennis Cozzalio and Bill Ryan and choice ephemera, including a beer mat and a recipe for strudel.

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Mariupol Survivors Screening March 11

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Elise Thompson

Are you infuriated by the White House’s treatment of Ukranian President Zelenskyy  today? Are you ashamed by the way we are abandoning our allies in need? Do you wish there were something you could do to help the Ukraine today? You can!!!!

Mar 11, 2025, at 5:30 PM, there will be a film screening of “Mariupol: Survivors” during International Women’s Month. This documentary, directed by Mariia Mykhno allows three intergenerational survivors to tell you their stories of the Russian massacre of Mariupol, where the Russian army indiscriminately murdered between 87,000 and 138,000 civilians at the beginning of the war.

Mariupol is still controlled by Russia, and the exact victim count is unknowable. This documentary is not only a film but also serves as a call to action.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

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watt’s picture of the week – monday, february 24, 2025

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Mike Watt

forgot to get this up last week, so sorry. however, still current mood…

photo by mike watt

– – – – –
mike watt’s hoot page

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LA Beat Recommends – The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell at Slamdance 2025

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Bob Lee

In The Secret Lives Of Bill Bartell, filmmaker Dave Markey takes an indepth look at a character who populated his earliest films, the leader of deeply sincere punk satirists White Flag, and his co-conspirator in the Tater Totz, who traumatized Beatlefest ’88 by performing a screeching cover of “Don’t Worry Kyoko” in the middle of a bunch of poncey mop top clone bands. I actually remember hearing the Tater Totz when I first moved to LA in 1988, with no knowledge that it was made up of members of Redd Kross, The Germs, Markey’s girl band muses The Lovedolls, Bartell himself and even former teen idol Jimmy McNichol.

If that sounds like a braintwister of a supergroup, strap in, because Bill Bartell was a guy whose life took some unexpected twists and turns. A lack of familiarity with the discography of White Flag will be no deterrent to enjoying the movie – as with the heartwarming Anvil!: The Story of Anvil, the most interesting thing on display is this can-do attitude of the title character, seeing it displayed in all kinds of unexpected ways.

But it’s not just a punk movie or even just a music movie. As one of his co conspirators points out in the film, Bill had so many different circles of people in his life that it was impossible to keep track, and while some people were in two or three of his same circles, nobody was in all of them. There was a part of him even the people who felt close to him, knew they didn’t know about. Continue reading →

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How to Get a Free Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha on Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Karin E. Baker

Love is in the air (and so is free coffee)

Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha. Image courtesy of Heavy Water Coffee Shop.

Looking for the perfect way to celebrate love—whether it’s for your sweetheart, your friends, or yourself? Heavy Water Coffee Shop in Chinatown has you covered. On February 14, they’re offering a free Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha to the first 50 lucky customers who order it!

Only available for a limited time, this drink combines vibrant matcha, creamy Minor Figures Organic Barista Oat Milk, and a sweet strawberry twist. Heavy Water’s beans are roasted right here in LA, while Minor Figures’ oat milk is the creamiest in the game. Don’t sleep on this – Heavy Water is located at 1021 Alpine Street, Los Angeles, 90012.

 

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A Last-Minute Guide to Valentine’s Day 2025 in LA

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Karin E. Baker

Image courtesy of San Pedro Fish Market.

Valentine’s Day is just a couple of days away. Still haven’t made plans? See below. Whether you want a romantic dinner, elegant tea service at a five-star hotel, a humble meal, a classic romance on the big screen, or singles speed dating on a scenic rooftop, we’ve got   some ideas. Don’t delay! As of publication time, some dinner reservations remained, but they’re going fast.

1500 free roses will be given away on Valentine’s Day by the DTLA Alliance at six different Downtown Los Angeles spots! During the initiative, “With Love, From DTLA,” you’ll also be able to listen to live jazz music by The Pepper Moons at Settecento in Maguire Gardens from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The roses will be passed out at Bank of America Plaza (333 S. Hope St.), The Bloc (700 W. 7th St.), City National Plaza (515 Flower St.),  FourFortyFour South Flower (444 Flower St.), Maguire Gardens (Flower St.), and US Bank Tower (633 W. 5th St.) beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Raise a glass to amour during an elegant dinner at Caldo Verde, the flagship restaurant at Downtown LA’s Proper Hotel. You’ll savor a thoughtfully curated four-course menu created by James Beard award-winning chef Suzanne Goin in a luxe, romantic setting, with options that include Ricotta Gnocchi & Lobster and Braised Beef Short Rib. A DJ will be spinning tunes on vinyl for a soulful soundtrack. You can make a reservation here.

Love is Just is a singles speed dating event taking place on Valentine’s Day on the rooftop of H Hotel Los Angeles. Hosted by Keith Manley of Netflix’s Married at First Sight, the evening includes an unlimited open bar with romance-themed cocktails, gift bags, a flower wall for photo opps, a DJ set, and sweeping skyline views. Guests aren’t required to participate in the speed dating – feel free to mingle and meet new people underneath the stars and a nearly-full moon! Tickets begin at $85 and can be purchased here.

ALK (acronym for “About Last Knife”) is a chic restaurant at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood with a kitchen manned by talented French Chef Olivier Rousselle. Visit ALK for its Valentine’s Day Jazz Dinner on February 14, featuring live jazz, a special blood-orange take on the classic French 75 cocktail, and a special 4-course meal for just $70 per person. Reservations can be made here.  Continue reading →

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