teljilad Reviews

Necrophobia (1995)

One hour of Dutch psychological horror.

[8/10 · 2 October 2000]

Those with a more than average knowledge of horror cinema, will undoubtedly recognize the fact that this genre is almost non-existent in the Netherlands. Only a few movies ever saw the light, let alone full-length movies. Perhaps one hour doesn't really count as full... but hey... give this small country a break.

Necrophobia is a small gem of a Dutch psychological horror movie about a man whose wife passed away after an accident, and his confrontation with a beautiful but macabre woman after her burial.

Both collaborating directors have made this movie into a visual treat in every shot, and the music sounds really dated but adds to the sinister atmosphere. All in all, this movie is worth watching for all lovers of the genre. It certainly leaves behind movies like "De Johnsons" and "Intensive care", and can easily rival "De lift" or "Amsterdamned", even though its budget was far less.

Guinea Pig 2: Flower of Flesh and Blood (1985 Video)

The absolute top of Japanese gore!

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

Although still very hard to find on video, this is absolutely the top of sadistic Japanese gore. The dismemberment of a naked Japanese girl strapped to a bed, filmed in intense close-ups and decorated with subtle sound effects, is one of the best examples of how gory horror movies should be made. In my eyes "Flowers of flesh and blood" has definitely set some new visual standards for the industry... And it even manages to eroticise the act of mutilation! This is absolutely unique and will perhaps shock the less hardened viewers among us. However, I found it quite the experience.

But be warned: you will have to be a little sick in the mind to fully appreciate its content.

The End of Man (1971)

Another alter-ego of director and actor Marins

[7/10 · 4 May 2000]

After Brazilian critics had told him he was only able to play his evil alter-ego Zé do Caixao (a.k.a. Coffin Joe), director and actor José Mojica Marins starred in another of his own films as a Messiah-like figure, apparently emerging from the sea, bringing kindness to the world around him.

What makes this movie stand out is the fact that Marins is seen walking naked through the streets of his home town, for which he could have been imprisoned at that time, a result of the harsh Brazilian dictatorship. However, state police never arrived on time at the scene to catch him in the act. It shows how far Marins would go to give that special edge to his films.

Although not the best of his films, still a piece of entertaining cult cinema.

Ohm Krüger (1941)

An impressive film from the Nazi propaganda machine

[7/10 · 12 January 2000]

Although Ohm Krüger seems to show a realistic account of what happened during the war of the South African 'boers' against the English roughly 100 years ago, it is a good example of how the Nazi propaganda machine worked during World War II. The film is historically not entirely correct, and was mainly meant to have the audience sympathize with the South African 'boers' representing the German people fighting against the English. But with this in mind the film is even more interesting to watch: it clearly shows how the propaganda machine of Nazi-Germany worked under the leadership of Minister of Propaganda Goebbels. Still, for a more realistic account of the boer-wars it is recommended to visit your local library.