What's New On coolasscinema.com 09/27/09

This update contains some new features. I had planned to include some additional material for this one, but have bumped them for the next one. For the next update, it's more horror, Italian crime and the return of sword & sandal on coolasscinema among some other items.



First up is a review for an unusual movie in the Eurocrime canon. One of the more interesting Maurizio Merli films in that it gives the man an occasion to partake in some comedy before the movie takes a turn into more serious territory. Below is a write up for the detective, mystery thriller, FEARLESS FUZZ. You can also see it by accessing the 'Maurizio Merli' and 'Italian Crime Movies volume 1' labels...

http://www.coolasscinema.com/search/label/Fearless%20Fuzz



Next is a new feature called Cool Ass Comedies. This new section is for comedic films that are either partial to me in some way, or were box office bombs, or were successful but over time, have fell through the cracks so to speak, or are a little of all three. The first entry is for the underrated cult item, UP THE ACADEMY (1980)...

http://www.coolasscinema.com/search/label/Up%20the%20Academy



Following that is one of my favorite Japanese giant monster movies, TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975). It was the last of the Showa series and the last series entry for nearly a decade before the series was revived with GODZILLA (1984). With that film not really setting the box office on fire in either Japan or America (where it was christened GODZILLA 1985), the series continued with a new set of films called the Heisei series in the 1990's. This mid 70's Godzilla movie, was also the last G film for series regular and respected director, Ishiro Honda. It's easily the best G film of the 1970's. The review is linked below...

http://www.coolasscinema.com/search/label/Terror%20of%20Mechagodzilla



Moving on from there, we introduce another new feature, Remakes: Redux, or Ridiculous? This column takes a classic horror picture and compares it to its remake(s) as to whether or not the new films do the original justice, or not, or are even welcome at all. The first inaugural entry is BLACK CHRISTMAS 1974 vs. BLACK CHRISTMAS of 2006. The link is below...

http://www.coolasscinema.com/search/label/Remakes%3A%20Redux%20Or%20Ridiculous%3F%20Black%20Christmas%20%2774%20vs%20Black%20Christmas%20%2706



The next review returns to the Blaxploitation genre with the goofy charm (or lack thereof) of BLACK SHAMPOO (1976), a somewhat pornographic comedy/action flick from Greydon Clark. Just the mention of Clark's name lets you in on what to expect. The review is linked below or by clicking 'Blaxploitation Flicks volume 1' label to the left of the site...

http://www.coolasscinema.com/search/label/Black%20Shampoo



And now on to Hong Kong for the remaining three write ups. First, is the third chapter in a long running article on the Godfather of HK Cinema, Chang Cheh. This third chapter covers Cheh's team movie concept as well as his 'Cast of Thousands' epics he directed throughout the first ten years of his career. Part three is linked below...

http://www.coolasscinema.com/search/label/Cinema%20of%20Excess%3A%20Chang%20Cheh%20Part%203



Second, is a review for one of Cheh's more popular venom movies, KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (1978). It's not a favorite of mine, but it has some good points. This review is peppered with images from a black & white lobby set I have in my collection. Follow the link or click the 'Kung Fu Theater volume 3' label...

http://www.coolasscinema.com/search/label/Kid%20With%20the%20Golden%20Arm



And last, but certainly not least is one of Chang Cheh's best films of his later career. MASKED AVENGERS (1981) is another of his fan named venom films, only two (not counting Wei Pai) of the original members had left the group by this point. This particular movie is likewise a fan favorite and is partial to me as I was lucky enough to catch it at the drive in back in the early 80's. You can also access it by clicking the 'Kung Fu Theater volume 3' label...

http://www.coolasscinema.com/search/label/Masked%20Avengers