Twas the week before Christmas

Hi! Nothing new here really. Work has been not busy at all and we had a bonus that isn't even worth mentioning. I don't feel festive, maybe it's because I haven't been downing beers in gaudily decorated pubs this year, odd really as I usually get excited. Probably will tomorrow as it's Christmas eve, god I hope we get let out of work early, can't wait to begin my week away from that place.

So, what have we been watching? Only managed half an episode of 'Lost in Space' the other day as it put me in a coma AND we watched it in the morning! Am I getting old or what? The episodes have been dragging, I wish the Jupiter 2 would move around space more, really the series should have been called 'Lost on a Planet' as they never go anywhere.

Have watched all but one DVD in the Doctor Who 'The Key To Time' Boxset. Really love it, although the jury is still out on Romana (Mary Tamm) even though she's in 'Tales That Witness Madness' and is it me or did Tom Baker have a bad case of cold sores during some episodes? Nice. I remember watching 'The Power of Kroll' as a child and being scared of the giant squid monster.

Last night we saw 'Crime of Passion' sarring Barbara Stanwyck and Sterling Hayden. It was pretty good, Stanwyck's role could have been written for Joan Crawford (ie: hysterics and doing everything to get something, namely murder). There's a couple of priceless scenes of sheer bitchiness that had me laughing out loud - Stanwyck's character is very determined to get what she wants, even if it means sleeping with her husbands boss! Robert Quarry (Count Yorga) makes a short appearance as a reporter, blink and you'll miss him though.

Looked at Lisa Gerrard's website the other day. I can't believe she's done so many soundtracks, what a busy woman. Kind of dispells my myth of her living in a pre-raphaelite painting though, which is a shame. Oh my God! She's working with Ennio Morricone! I cannot wait to hear what that's going to be like as I love him too (although it has to be said, I only know a fraction of his work and that is pre '79). Wish Brendan Perry would release another solo album. . . Brendan and Lisa are reforming as Dead Can Dance for a series of world tours next year, they're playing at the Barbican in March. Not sure if I should go or not, I did get to see them play years ago, which was great but I remember their terms of playing were very strict, no smoking and the bar wasn't to be open whilst they were performing, in hindsight I can see why but at the time it annoyed me! I was only about twenty two.

Right, that's it for me, until after Christmas when I shall be stuffing my tummy to it's full capacity at every moment, lounging around and playing with my new toys.

Be seeing you.

'Ator The Fighting Eagle' DVD

Had to mention that I saw this a few days ago. It was a really cheap label 'Hollywood', I think and was on a double sided disc (with Samson and Delilah) for only £1.99, so of course I had to get it, especially when I read that it was directed by the infamous Joe D'Amato.

It was really quite trashy, but I enjoyed it. A sort of sword and sandal fantasy set back in the mists of time (well a place similar to Conan's). Miles O'Keeffe ('Tarzan, the Ape Man') plays Ator (who isn't a fighting eagle) but a child born with a tattoo who must save the common people from the bad guy who rules the 'Kingdom of Spiders'. Along his journey he falls in love with and marries his adoptive sister, who is kidnapped on their wedding day by the evil leader (who wears outrageous silver eye-shadow and lets large spiders crawl over his head and arms, come to think of it, he spends most of his time on screen doing this and not much else). A guy who had watched over him from birth tells Ator he is 'the chosen one' and must fight to bring down the Spider Kingdom. So off he goes to fight and to rescue his bride taking with him some kind of pygmy bear, no, not cute. He saves some blonde female warrior type theif 'Roon' (Sabrina Siani) from a gang of men on horseback but she in turn has him caught by her tribe of Amazons. He is kept tied to a tree until he must have sex with her before being killed (nice girls!). Anyway the blonde falls for his charms and agrees to help him escape which they do, that is until he is trapped by a woman called Indun (played by Laura Gemser) in her cave. She drugs him and plans to keep him as her sex slave, blah, blah, blah, however, Roon saves Ator by killing Indun via a mirror - well, she turns into a haggard old witch, great special effects here, that halloween mask must have cost at least 12p. To cut a long story short, Ator gets to the Kingdom of Spiders and has his showdown with the bad guy and the giant spider, who bleeds beer and moves his legs up and down, up and down always in the same position.

This film has lots to offer someone like me: awful acting, bad special effects, beefy men, buxom amazons and a giant spider. Ator's hair is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen on any human being, ever. On a woman it would look not dissimilar to Jocelyn Wildenstein's but on a man, yuk!

I am looking forward to seeing the film on the reverse of the disc: 'Samson and Delilah' starring the late, gay, Antony Hamilton.

Must also mention that I watched 'The Revenge of Samson' (?) directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra and made in Indonesia. I had won this on ebay and watched it a month or two ago, it was dubbed into french, but that didn't matter as it was hardly taxing. The film stars Paul Hay (Mr Muscle Australia), his only role I think and some dodgy wig wearing actress called Suzzana. It was hilarious, really, really, funny and one film that I would show my mates to witness the horror of it all, cheesy martial arts, eyes in breasts, polystyrene rock throwing, beheading, body dismemberment, cheap trashy clothes meant to look like period costumes and levitation. What more could you want?

While I'm on a roll, I'll mention that I got (from ebay) 'Hercules Conquers Atlantis' (aka 'Hercules and the Captive Women') directed by Vittorio Cottafavi and starring one of my favourite peplum actors Reg Park. While the french DVD has a superb print, the language was only in Italian or French but that didn't stop me watching it - if you are 'into' weird genre films you'll know what I'm talking about. Anyway, it was brilliant and possibly one of my favourite strong-man movies. I've just got the 50 sci-fi horror boxset thing that came out a while ago and the picture on the dubbed version is dreadful.

Update

Wiltshire was fun. Saw my Southampton family at Grandparents on the friday night. Met Mom for lunch the next day with my Sister (who then went on to the pub!), bought loads of stuff (rubbish) in the shops. looked in all the charity shops. Went to the 'Red Lion Hotel' in the evening for beer - how un rock and roll is that? Place was weird. My sister joined us at 9pm for a couple of drinks, left her then went to the 'Cloisters' for a late one - which was hideous, so we left and went back to Gran's. Got the train back to London early afternoon.

Had the hospital on monday morning, for my EEG (or was it ECG?). My appointment was for 8am so of course we woke up at twenty minutes to and had to jump in a taxi. Tsskkk. Went well, the nurse was fun - she was into ebay.

Had a busy-ish week at work. Herbert Lom was in the shop again and he was on the TV tonight in 'Miss Marple', I watched it with the sound off as I'm doing another mini disc of trashy tunes for JP.

Matt's much better and is eating fully. We have decided to go to his parents this Christmas and come home on Boxing day (when I shall get my gifts - hoorah!)

Yesterday (saturday) morning we got the tube to South Woodford and some other place I can't remember, anyway there's loads of good charity shops there... I bought about eight LP's for 80p, the covers of which, all look fantastic - One is entitled 'Music For Dining'! And last night we watched 'Star Wars', which we have'nt seen for over five years. I SO love the fact Peter Cushing is in that film, he's so good at being evil, much to his usual casting.

Ta Ra

Weekend & 'This Time I'll Make You Rich'

We are going back to my family's hometown this weekend, staying with my Grandparents in Wiltshire. I'm actually excited (!) as we're going to be seeing lots of friends and family. Dying to get my hands on the DVD's my sister Jess, brought back from California. Might also pick up some early Christmas gifts, yay!

Our friends Simon and Grace came over last night for soup and icecream, was great to catch up with them, hope Simon loses that cold soon.

Watched 'This Time I'll Make You Rich' ('Questa volta ti faccio ricco!') on Tuesday night. I got this because of my current obsession with Brad Harris (one of the main stars). Sadly, after having won the video on ebay and having it shipped from Canada, it wasn't very good. It was directed by Gianfranco Parolini (who did most of the Kommissar X films and a number of peplums) and released in 1974. Brad Harris plays a scotsman 'Brad McCoy' with no accent (hmm dubbed maybe?) and Antonio Sabato ('When Women Played Ding Dong' & 'Seven Blood-Stained Orchids') stars as 'Joe Esposito'. They both play down-at-their-heel rogues who share a house boat (with a painted sign displaying their nicknames. . . very suspect) and get hired by some fat, greek, drug-trafficker person called Giorgiakis to do some deliveries. Along the way they encounter another gangster and his crew who cause them trouble via martial arts (of sorts). Karin Schubert plays an undercover policewoman from America, 'Joyce O'Hara' (she also starred with Brad in the giallo 'La Casa della paura' - 'The Girl in Room 2a').
Memorable moments? Well, (amongst the fantastic/hideous 70's fashions) Brad's muscly torso gets an airing at a swimming pool and in some scenes he wears the shortest demin hot-pants I have ever seen on a man! There's some great footwear worn by prossies, I'm talking big stack heels, Joyce wears a pair with a bikini on, looooking good. The soundtrack was great too, although I'd never heard of the composer, it was very Ennio Morricone and the wordless vocals sounded exactly like Edda Dell'orso's.

Laters.

Bubble Headed Booby

Back to work today. Not very busy. Had a laugh with David & we both listened to our new CD's, mine of course are far better. One CD turned up in the post - Piero Umiliani's soundtracks to 'Due Mafiosi Contro Goldginger' & 'Due Mafiosi Contro Al Capone', two 60's spy/gangster/spoof/comedies, I only skipped through the tracks and they sound right up my street.

I've just been outbid on ebay, it was for a japanese import of Money Mark's (Beastie Boys) 'Mark On The Mic', bloody hell! It would have been a Christmas gift for Matt (who's feeling much better, which is a relief - at last I can cook a decent meal) that boy is SO difficult to get presents for.

Watched another 'Lost In Space' episode (The Space Vikings), which was miles better than the last one we saw. Just looked at an episode guide here: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~idak/lis/ which is quite good, I'm looking forward to 'The Great Vegetable Rebellion'. . .

Well, that's all for Monday.

The pain, the pain.

I've been neglecting this blog. Loads to tell (hmmm).

Matt is still ill has been on and off for ages now, wish he'd get better and back to normal.

last Saturday night I went out with Bex, met Peter in the 'John Snow' had too many Prinz beers, then dragged Bex to that shit club in Bethnal Green, for 'ladies of size' - the last time I went there I was thrown out for causing a disterbance on the dance floor (well those miserable fat bitches were annoying me). Anyway after having one drink stolen by an ugly cow and dancing rather stupidly to 80's madonna Bex walked me home (as far as she could), then rang Matt to take me the rest of the way (that was nice for him, being as it was gone 2am and he was ill!). Tried to have a poo in the bathtub apparently (was Matt trying to make my shame even bigger?) when I got home.

Watched loads of films since I last typed anything here, amongst the ones I can rember are:

'The Satan Bug' (1965 dir. John Sturges - 'The Magnificent Seven', 'The Great Escape ' & 'Ice Station Zebra') which was pretty good. I had picked that DVD up really cheaply from Italy and the picture quality was great. It was like a James Bond film without the humor. Just noticed that it is not available on DVD in the States or UK, might have to sell that for a big profit, yeah, treat myself, not sure anybody would want it!

'Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare' (1974 dir. Umberto Lenzi, who needs no introduction) starring Tomas Milian, Henry Silva & Anita Strindberg (I love her! - she's in some great gialli: 'Who Saw Her Die?', 'Your Vice Is a Locked Door and Only I Have the Key', 'Case of the Scorpion's Tail', 'A Lizard In A Woman's Skin'). This film was outragous! Tomas Milian plays a total fruitloop (Giulio Sacchi) who will stop at nothing to kidnap a millionaire's daughter. Lot's of things I wasn't expecting like when Sacchi and his gang break into the house where the girl has escaped to and forces a bloke to give him a blowjob at gunpoint, while his accomplices get blown by the women in the house (also at gun point), drug taking, beatings and a child gets snatched and thrown out of a car (Yay!). Sadly, Anita Strindberg, who plays Iona isn't in it much and winds up going over a cliff in her bright red Mini Cooper, into Lake Como, or was it Lake Lugano?, I can't remember, I'd give it 8/10. As for the DVD, the picture quality is brilliant, dubbing wasn't bad at all and has some minor features including a great trailer with psychadelic titles. Shame all of the text is in Italian as there is loads of information on the cast members. Oh almost forgot to mention that the film also stars the once very cute Ray Lovelock ('Autopsy', 'Squadra volante', 'Let Sleeping Corpses Lie' etc.) so that's an added bonus for me.

'Eyeball' ('Gatti rossi in un labirinto di vetro' dir.Umberto Lenzi 1975). Watched this for the second time and I have to say this is one of my favourite giallo's, it's just brilliant! Features some well known to the genre actors and actresses like Martine Brochard, John Richardson and Silvia Solar (have you seen 'The Devil's Kiss'? hysterical!). There's a trendy lesbian model who gets to wear a different wig in almost every scene, eyeball gauging, nice red rain macs, scenes of Barcelona, death by pigs, a gloved killer and a superb soundtrack by Bruno Nicolai. This DVD is released by 'Marketing Film' from Germany, the picture is brilliant and the dubbing isn't that bad at all.

Talking of soundtracks, I have bought lots of CD's recently, loads of the 'Mood Mosaic' Volumes, which are totally fantastic. Fopp in Shaftesbury Avenue are selling these for only £5 a piece, that's £11 pounds cheaper than my favourite CD website www.moviegrooves.com. Fopp are also selling the 'From Latin. . . To Jazz Dance' Volumes 1-5 and 'The Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms' Volumes 1-6 for £5 too, which is just great. I don't have enough time to listen to all my purchases! One of the disc's features Connie Francis doing 'Bossa Nova Hand Dance', which I never knew existed and is totally ace (Hmmm I am SO easy to please).

It's Sunday afternoon now, I have just had my Mom on the phone, for ages. Then my Granmother rang to ask me what did I want from her house when she passes away (nice!) looks like I might be getting a clock and a bookshelf made by my Father when he was at school. Matt has gone into work (fool) & Max has gone out to renew her travel card, hope she's back in time for our regular 'Smallville' outing. . .

Must mention that we watched possibly the worst episode of 'Lost In Space' last week, 'Mutiny In Space', which was fucking awful. I know the series descended into camp delirium once it went into colour, but this was just boring and stupid. I hope they don't all get this bad, as I won't be getting the final series. Wish, wish, wish the second series of 'Wonder Woman' would get released as well as DVD outings from 'The Man From Atlantis' and 'The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.'. Would you say I have camp taste? Just found out that Brad Harris guest stars in an episode of the 'Incredible Hulk' ("A Minor Problem") - hope that gets released too as I am a bit obsessed with him at the moment.

Oh well I've spent far too long here. Be seeing you.