B. Harris | Wildside Cinema

Box Set Beatdown: Grindhouse Experience Vol.1 – ‘Savage Man Savage Beast’ (Ultime grida dalla savana – 1975)

B. Harris, Box Set, Cannibals, Documentary, Exploitation, Extreme, Italy No Responses »

Jan 302012

Those of you unfamiliar with Mondo may want to take note that it is most certainly not going to be everybody’s cup o’ tea as it is typically filled with bizarre rituals, nudity, sex and graphic, bloody violence from around the world. Often overflowing with gruesome sequences depicting mutilated animals and the human casualties of war, execution and accidents; watching a Mondo film is like settling in for a night of National Geographic edited by sadistic perverts. It cannot be stressed enough that while many Mondo films feature facts of zoological and anthropological interest, they’re still exploitation films and should never be mistaken for anything remotely educational. You’d think most would know that but some folks might be tempted to see this thinking they’ll learn something of worth. Trust me, you’ll not Continue reading »

Is Exploitation Cinema Right for Me?

Articles, B. Harris No Responses »

Jan 242012

Over the years I’ve crossed paths with many people interested in becoming exploitation/cult cinema fans, as if one could “choose” to be such a way, and I’ve done my best to point them in the direction of beginner fare before leading them into the real ugliness. A few (very few) have remained, the rest faded away when they realized that it isn’t at all the campy fun of MST3K or their local horror host. Certainly exploitation and cult cinema can be campy fun but, generally speaking, it’s sleazy and offensive; the lowest common denominator served up on a nudie girl plate by a horny black girl named Nubia. It stinks, it’s sticky and ugly, and it grates on your ears like the sound of a million chalk boards being clawed at. You don’t become a fan of exploitation cinema for the “fun” of it, you become one because Continue reading »

Staff Picks: Brian Harris 1/12

B. Harris, Staff Picks 5 Responses »

Jan 162012

Enter The Ninja (1981) – This film is so fun it should have been titled “Django vs. Mega Ninja!” Legendary Italian bad ass Franco Nero goes toe-to-toe with legendary Japanese martial artist/actor Sho Kosugi in this entertaining flick from MGM. Now available on DVD thru their limited edition MOD (Manufacture on Demand) service, Enter The Ninja is must-see Ninjasploitation packed with talent, action and hilariously bad sequences; a true Cannon classic. Grab it now. Continue reading »

BEST OF 2011: Brian Harris

B. Harris, Staff Picks 1 Response »

Dec 282011

Drive – There’s a good reason why Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive has made so many favorites lists on and offline this year and that’s because it was one of the best damn films to hit theaters in 2011. Incorporating the stillness of art house drama with shocking bursts of graphic violence, Winding Refn has crafted the kind of film that reeks of cult status and walks with an Oscar-winning swagger. Throw in a stunning performance by Albert Brooks and a soundtrack that almost surpasses the film in style and you’ve got cinematic gold. Continue reading »

Film Review: Song’s ‘A Better Tomorrow’ (2010) Remake Respectfully Spins Woo’s Masterpiece into Successful South Korean Crime Cinema

Action, Asian Cinema, B. Harris, B. Woodell, Bollywood, Crime, John Woo, S. Korea, Thriller No Responses »

Nov 222011

Throughout the years, there are a handful of films that are made that are truly game changers. Films that not only stand the test of time, but also redefine genres and how future filmmakers hone their own craft. John Woo’s 1986 masterpiece, A Better Tomorrow is one of those films. So much of the way we see action films nowadays is because of this film. So to take a film such as this and remake it, the filmmakers have to not only love and understand the original, but also know how to make their own film and relevant to the world around them.

Hae-sung Song, and his team of six writers set out to remake this classic and not only did Woo’s original justice, but they exceeded in making the film completely fresh and Continue reading »

Film Review: Nishimura’s ‘Helldriver’ (2010) Drives Levels of Splatter & Comedy to New Heights

Action, Asian Cinema, B. Harris, Comedy, Exploitation, Extreme, Horror, Japan, Sci-Fi, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Zombies 1 Response »

Nov 222011

After a meteorite makes impact with Japan, it sends alien spores into the atmosphere, infecting humans with a virus that mutates them into flesh-eating fiends with little horns protruding from their foreheads. Japan, as the world knows it, ceases to exist and in its place is an island nation divided into two parts by a massive wall, effectively separating the living from the infected (read: zombies). To make matters worse, the horns of the dead are being illegally harvested, dried, ground up and sold on the black market as a new drug.

Factions within the current Japanese government are intent on halting the advance of the horde by putting together a special team, lead by Kika, and sending them into the infected zone. Their mission Continue reading »

Film Review: Full Moon’s ‘Savage Island’ (1985) is a Chopped-Up, Wipped-Out Sleaze Fest

Action, Adventure, B. Harris, Crime, Exploitation, Full Moon, Italy, Revenge No Responses »

Nov 172011

When the gorgeous Daly makes an appointment to see a shady jewel dealer named Luker (as in filthy?), she has no intention of purchasing precious gems, she’s out for cold-hard revenge. Armed with righteous fury and a machine gun, Daly weaves a tale of terror on a jungle island that Luker will never forget!

Let’s be upfront here, this isn’t a “grindhouse” film, despite the label being slapped on the front of the DVD case. These days pretty much everybody uses the words “grindhouse” and “cult classic” for whatever the hell they please, almost to the point of stripping the words of any real meaning. It was bound to happen, there’s no sense whining about it as, eventually, the trend will burn itself out. Until Continue reading »

Film Review: Benny Chan’s ‘Shaolin’ (Xin shao lin si – 2011) is a Strong Return to HK Cinema’s Glorious Heyday

Action, Adventure, Asian Cinema, B. Harris, Drama, Hong Kong, Jackie Chan, Martial Arts No Responses »

Nov 172011

A darkness falls upon China when warlords and their armies clash in bloody combat and the noble Shaolin temple’s warrior monks find themselves caught in the middle. Intent on remaining separate from the violence of the outside world, yet willing to offer a helping hand to all those in need, their way of life is put to the test when a fallen general seeks medical help, and eventually enlightenment, from the very same monks he offended.

To those who doubt the Hong Kong film industry’s ability to continue Continue reading »

Film Review: The Asylum’s ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ (2011) Never Misses a Bloody, Shambling Beat

Asylum, B. Harris, Horror, Zombies 1 Response »

Nov 022011

DVD Artwork

A deadly virus wipes out the majority of life on Earth, transforming mankind into undead zombies looking for the breathing meal. A small band of survivors are determined to fight their way across the country and to the California coast in the hopes of reaching Catalina Island, where there’s rumored to be a thriving population of survivors and, best of all, no undead.

I wish I could give you more to go on but, seriously, that’s about all there is to Zombie Apocalypse and, believe it or not, it works just fine for what it is. Now I know some of you out there may be turned off by the fact that this was produced by The Asylum, well known for their deceptive brand of exploitation cinema, but don’t judge this production by its producer. If you’re looking for a zombie film Continue reading »

Box Set Beatdown: Scream Theater – ‘Young Hannah, Queen of the Vampires’ (1973)

B. Harris, Box Set, Horror, Turkey, Vampires No Responses »

Oct 252011

VCI Entertainment

While chasing an unknown culprit thru some ruins, Professor Bolton plummets down a hole and into the hidden crypt of the vampire queen Hannah. Before the realization of his archaeological discovery sets in however, he’s strangled from behind and his body is stuffed beneath the massive marble sarcophagus and crushed.

Bolton’s son Chris is summoned to the island to make arrangements and he’s adamant that the sarcophagus be lifted and his father’s remains be removed for a proper burial. Naturally the villagers are none too happy about this as they’re convinced that by disturbing Hannah’s undead slumber they will also awaken her insatiable blood lust. Refusing to believe in local superstitions, Chris Continue reading »

Bubonic Films & Mondo Macabro Take Another Stab at Lollywood Horror with Mauthala: Circle of Doom (Poster/Synopsis Included)

B. Harris, News No Responses »

Oct 252011

Zibahkhana (2007)

Director Omar Ali Khan and his Bubonic Films, with the backing of Pete Tombs and cult cinema label Mondo Macabro, may once again be emerging from the darkness with a second helping of global horror with MAUTHALA: CIRCLE OF DOOM! Khan and Tombs are looking to breathe life into a terrifying anthology in the same vein as Amicus Productions’ Tales from the Crypt and our very own stateside classic, Creepshow.

Readers that may not immediately be familiar with the name Omar Ali Khan may recall his first film Zibahkhana (2007), an excellent Lollywood horror film featuring a cross-dressing, Morning Star-wielding psycho, a flesh-eating Baba and Fulci-esque zombies, released thru TLA’s now defunct imprint Danger Continue reading »

Box Set Beatdown: Scream Theater – ‘The Twilight People’ (1973)

B. Harris, Box Set, Horror, Philippines No Responses »

Oct 232011

VCI Entertainment

While out on an undersea excursion, a well-known diver Matt Farrell is kidnapped by unknown assailants and brought to a remote island run by the brilliant geneticist Dr. Gordon. His intention is simple, he plans to use Farrell in an experiment that would change him from a man…into a manimal!

Turns out ol’ Doc Gordon believes the only hope for mankind’s future survival is to actually leave its humanity behind and become more animalistic. None of this is mere theory though, Farrell soon discovers that Gordon is keeping all kinds of half-man/half-animal creations locked up in a dungeon below his villa. Naturally Farrell isn’t exactly game but escape looks to be hopeless, especially with the dangerous hunter Steinman working as head of security Continue reading »