Amin, the Rise and Fall: (1982) Unintentionally hilarious low-renter based on the real life exploits of Africa's notorious dictator Idi Amin. Lots of tasteless fascist antics (ol' Idi keeps the heads of his enemies in his freezer, shoots the Pope in the head, and is a generally nice guy, "The ladies love Amin.") with some of the worst acting this side of an Ed Wood flick. A more appropriate title would have been Plan 9 from Outta Africa. Hilarious stuff that was originally panned by the critics for being excessively tasteless and violent. [B]
	The Devils of Monza: (1986) A.k.a. Sacrilege. Well made, stylish remake of the Anne Heywood classic The Lady of Monza based on that ever popular true story. When the local nobleman sets his sights on deflowering the nuns in the convent next door, the Lady of Monza, puts the kabosh on his stiffy and there's hell to pay (sorry, it had to be said)! He sets his sights on the Lady who actually is a bit on the horny side herself and this throws the convent into a frenzy of lust, murder and betrayal. Well acted with Coralina Cataldi Tassoni as one of the nuns who finally spill the beans on the whole affair. In English with Dutch subs. [B]
	Five by Scorsese: (c. 1970) Five of Martin Scorsese's early shorts made in the 60's and 70's during and after his University days. The collection is a mixed variety, two being documentaries, the first of which, American Boy, has a guy retelling an event in his life in which he had to deliver an adrenaline shot into a woman's heart (yes, using a swift stabbing motion to punch through the breast bone) after drawing a circle around it with a magic marker. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so, too.
	Ghosts of the Civil Dead: (1988) Downbeat, gritty, and brutal futuristic Aussie prison flick supposedly based on a true story about a prison, overrun with drugs, prostitution and black market deals that gradually has it's privileges taken away causing the inmates to become increasingly more aggravated until they snap and start killing each other and the guards. Semi-pop star Nick Cave co-wrote the screenplay and makes an appearance as a racist lunatic. Fair quality.
	Kenny & Company: (1976) Rare second film from Phantasm helmsman Don Coscarelli starring several Phantasm cast members. Michael Baldwin (before he grew up to become a dick) and Dan McCann star as a couple of average '70s kids dealing with bullies, death, girls, the horrors of Halloween and the crazy old lady that lives at the end of the street. The cool man with the ice-cream van Reggie Bannister shows up as their hip, chair-rollin' teacher. Good stuff, though definitely kid-stuff.
	The Lady of Monza: (1969) A.k.a. The Nun of Monza, The Awful Story of the Nun of Monza. One of the first of a slew of Nunsploitation pictures, this being based on the real events that took place in Spanish occupied Italy in 1608. When a young nobleman (Antonio Sabato) seeks refuge for killing a traitor to Italy, he is allowed to hide out in the Nunery of Monza. Things are not all heady spiritualism there and the head nun (Anne Heywood) has her eye, as do her flock, on the strapping lad. Things rapidly spiral out of control with rape, murder and rampant blasphemy ending in torture and death. Well produced and not nearly as exploitational as some that followed (like d' Amato's Dreams in a Convent), but a good movie all the same with a solid cast and music by Ennio Morricone. Widescreen in English with Dutch subtitles. [B]
	The Secret of Seagull Island: (1981) Cool UK/Italian thriller about a woman who is searching for her sister, a blind soloist who recently went missing around Italy. Eventually it seems as if a rich recluse (Jeremy Brett) might have spirited her away to his island to keep his disfigured son company. Very engaging and well made with a plot twist around every corner. I'd rather not spoil any more surprises, but I must admit it had me pretty well riveted to the conclusion. Good stuff. Widescreen in English with Dutch subtitles. [B]
	The Sign of the Pagan: (1955) Very rare sword n' sandal flick starring Jack Palance as Attila the Hun (how cool is that?)! As the Huns are contemplating the conquest of Rome, a Roman centurion (Jeff Chandler) is captured. Attila takes a liking to him and spares his life. Later they form a mutual respect, but in the end the centurion, his own daughter and the Christian God are the only things stopping his conquest. Surprisingly entertaining, mostly due to Palance's obvious enjoyment of the role. In English with Greek subtitles. [B]
	Subway: (1985) Cool Luc Besson action / comedy / drama about a criminal (Christopher Lambert) who is on the run from the mob and the cops and hides out in the recesses of the French subway, encountering an entire culture and all sorts of strange characters who live there. Also stars Isabelle Adjani, Jean Reno and Eric Serra. Widescreen in French with English subtitles. [B]
	Vlad the Impaler: (197?) Epic historical retelling of the story of Vlad Tepes, the ruthless, bloodthirsty ruler of Translvania and who became know as a vampire called Dracula. A well made film that maybe a bit dry for some, but I actually found it to be pretty damn interesting change of pace, even if ol' Vlad bears an uncanny resemblance to Tom Selleck. Letterboxed in Romanian with English subtitles in goodish quality.