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Complex World (1991)
incorrect information
You are incorrect. Jimmy Wolpaw directed and wrote the movie, yes.
The delightful folk songs were written by leading man Stanley Matis. He also co-wrote some of the script. NRBQ and The Young Adults also showcased some of their talents here. Captain Lou Albano is great in this movie.
It was filmed in and around Providence, Rhode Island. The club was the original Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel which was torn down shortly afterward. Luckily, it was rebuilt at a new location, 79 Washington Street.
I think this movie is in a class by itself, and is a bit ahead of its time. Time for a multi-commentary DVD with all the trimmings. Why it's not shown once in a while on IFC or Sundance is rather puzzling. It rules.
A Strange Adventure (1956)
Decent JD-type flick...
I am attempting to give you my opinion of the film, while providing the basic story, but not revealing any real "spoilers"... This is a decent JD-type flick. Starts out at a motel run by a mother and her son, Harold. Harold is into cars and girls. When pretty girl Lynn Novack is staying at the motel, she gets Harold tangled up with some bad guys in the middle of a plan to rob an armored car. The main bad guy, Al Kutner is played by Jan Merlin, who basically slaps the girls around and counts the money, while his sidekick, played by the late Nick Adams, does little more than sneeze, sniffle, and talk like he has a clothespin on his nose.
The roads are blocked and they end up at a weather station in the mountains, run by Luther Dolgin and his sister Terry, played by lovely Joan Evans. She becomes a love interest for Harold. One highlight of the movie occurs when has to change her blouse in one scene, providing us with a glimpse of her in a bra.
The money ends up hidden in the snow and they try to blame Harold for its disappearance.
I give it 8/10 because it succeeded as an engaging, mildly exploitive JD-type flick.
That's all I care to say, but I might add, if they remade this film, they would have to do things differently now!
Beast of the Yellow Night (1971)
Talk about enjoyable!
After recently finding a copy of this on DVD, I brought it home and was amazed to find this was everything I was looking for and a whole lot more. Filmed in the Philippines and directed by Eddie Romero, I was horrified/enlightened by its blasphemous blend of cannibalism, comedy, and deals with the devil gone bad. John Ashley is excellent as one of the most frightening, gruesome, and demented-looking monsters I've ever seen. Entertaining as can be. For me, the only thing scarier than this movie is the fact that I almost never got to see it! Great flick!
The Magic Christian (1969)
Greed is no laughing matter...
...but this movie is so twisted that it makes you forget that you shouldn't laugh. I am a huge Peter Sellers fan, and movies like this (um, I suppose there are no movies like this) ...are a constant reminder. Ringo Starr is perfect in his role, and it's all for one fun for all as they wander about, watching people do just about anything for money.
Watch this right after FEAR FACTOR and you'll agree, this movie said it first and said it best. Badfinger's delightful music really adds atmosphere. I'm not sure how the reviews were when it came out (1969, 1970?) but I was born in '70 so I wouldn't know. I caught this on the big screen at a matinee in S.F. back in 1988. Really cool and offbeat film I strongly recommend. Should you require a second opinion, check the review results, as most folks rate it a "10".
The Screaming Skull (1973)
Chomping and whistling and causing havoc...
Weirdo doc likes to conduct experiments in the basement of his house at his wealthy wife's expense. She hates his guts because he allowed their son to die. This is one reason he spends most of his time drinking and popping tranqulizers. His friend warns him about side effects, including hallucinations. We assume that the skull's antics are merely in his mind. Never for a moment would we believe that the skull really is able to perform these feats...
I won't give the entire story away, but what follows involves a skull that is burned in a fireplace to the fascinating sound of wah-wah disco guitar, thrown out the front door late at night during a storm, and all the while continually reappearing and tormenting and eventually killing everyone! Chomping and whistling and causing havoc. One guy tries to reason with the skull. He dies moments afterward. The eerie harpsichord music adds to the flavor of the early-1970's made-for-TV feel of this warped wonder. What I saw was a black and white kinescope, though my guess is that this was originally aired in color?