Sexual Heights / Undulations - Peekarama Double Feature (DVD Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

USA/1981
Directed By: Carlos Tobalina
Starring: John Holmes, Tawny Pearl, Jamie Gillis
Color/170 Minutes/X
Region FREE
Release Date: January 13, 2015

The Films
What happens when four divorced men get together and watch porno tapes together? Well a ridiculous plan to have sex with one of their old babysitters of course! The plan involves the men dressing up as a married couple with a made and chauffeur, drugging her and getting her horny before they bust in on her. Their plans works better than they could have planned when the girl calls over three friends and a giant orgy ensues, ending with the man finally getting to sleep with the babysitter that cost him his marriage.

Some notable adult film stars come together in SEXUAL HEIGHTS which has plenty of silly moments to keep things light and fun. A couple of unrelated scenes featuring John Holmes break up the action for no real reason but to add a good 15 minutes on to the film's run time. All things considered it would have been better if SEXUAL HEIGHTS was a breezier 75 minutes and focused on the actual story at hand. I'm sure fans of Holmes will argue that with me and that's okay.

UNDULATIONS features another who's who of the adult film world circa 1981 when John Holmes, Jamie Gillis, Serena, Mai Lin and others join together for a talk show about their careers and end up having an orgy. What else would you expect from five porn stars talking about their time spent sucking and fucking? There's some funny cuts to viewers of the talk show and their reactions to what is happening on screen and there's plenty of the raunchy stuff. Pacing is no problem as it moves at a brisk pace and never overstays its welcome.   

The Audio & Video
Vinegar Syndrome's DVD is great again, showing love to these films when few others would even consider it. The 16x9 anamorphic widescreen 2K transfers maintain the films' original aspect ratios. Picture quality is nice with strong colors and a crisp image. There are some scratches on the prints used but it is hardly a big issue. The mono audio tracks also sound good despite some minor intermittent crackling. Dialogue is complimented by the music and even though there is a bit of crackling it still sounds good.

The Extras
A trailer is included for each film

The Bottom Line
This double feature of Carlos Tobalina films is entertaining and features some classic group scenes with some of the biggest names ever to appear in adult films. Recommended.

The Peekarama double feature of SEXUAL HEIGHTS and UNDULATIONS is available HERE

Sex World (Blu-ray Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

USA/1977
Directed By: Anthony Spinelli
Written By: Dean Rogers, Anthony Spinelli
Starring: Lesllie Bovee, Kent Hall, Kay Parker
Color/91 Minutes/X
Region FREE
Release Date: January 13, 2015
Limited Edition: 1,500 Copies

The Film
SEX WORLD is a luxury resort for anyone looking for a weekend getaway to fulfill any and all of their wildest desires. Singles, couples, young and old take the trip to explore their fantasies, save their marriage or just learn to open up. Anything and everything is possible with the robot lovers of SEX WORLD!

When I first heard of this film I was hoping for a science fiction driven adult picture. The makings of that film are there, you can see how it would take shape but SEX WORLD doesn't go that direction. Instead, SEX WORLD is a straight forward adult film with the slightest Sci-fi flavor. The film certainly works at what it does and what it does is sex. There's plenty of it, and with some seriously fucked up people. From the bigot who claims to a black lover "I'm not a racist, I just don't like you people" (until he's balls deep in her of course) to the man that only wants to experience love like when his sister blew him at Christmas time along with the broken marriages and those simply terrified to experience sex. This is a motley crew if I've ever seen one.

SEX WORLD has some well done sex scenes and it's certainly a bigger and much nicer production than most other porno flicks from the era. There's some really nice photography throughout on top of its funky score including the SEX WORLD theme song. It's not everything I had hoped for which certainly would have set it apart from an entire era of a genre but it knew where its money would be made and the filmmakers knocked it out of the park in that regard. There's few porno films that can claim to be as well made or original as SEX WORLD.

The Audio & Video
Vinegar Syndrome continues to impress with their output and SEX WORLD is another fantastic example of their work. This Blu-ray features a new 4K transfer taken from the original 35mm camera negatives. Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the anamorphic widescreen transfer has a warm and natural film look to it. Detail is strong in both surfaces and skin which looks natural and healthy without any waxiness. Colors are nice without looking artificially pumped up. The transfer is clean and sharp with no noticeable damage. The audio is handled through a DTS-HD MA mono track that sounds crisp and clear. There's no audible damage or annoying distractions such as popping, crackling or other distortions. The score compliments the dialogue so there's never any struggle to make out what is being said. 

The Extras
-Alternate "soft" cut of the film
-Interviews with actors Kay Parker and Joey Silvera and photographer Joel Sussman
-Trailers
-CD Soundtrack
-DVD copy of the film

The Bottom Line
While I was hoping for something a bit different and more sci-fi based what SEX WORLD does offer up is pretty top notch in the world of 70s smut. 

SEX WORLD is available HERE

The Long Hair Of Death (Blu-ray Review) - Raro Video

Italy/1964
Directed By: Antonio Margheriti
Written By: Ernesto Gastaldi, Tonino Valerii, Antonio Margheriti
Starring: Barbara Steele, George Ardisson, Halina Zalewska
Black & White/94 Minutes/Not Rated
Region A
Release Date:

The Film
When a woman is accused of witchcraft in the 15th century, she is sentenced to burn at the stake. Her oldest daughter knows the truth behind her execution and when her sexual advances at her accuser fail and she confronts the man with the truth she too is murdered. The younger daughter, Lisabeth is kept alive and taken care of by the family that killed her mother. About a decade later Lisabeth is forced to marry the Baron until someone baring a striking resemblance to her older sister comes to the castle while a plague takes its toll on the village and the Baron falls for the visitor who reciprocates the feelings. Unbeknownst to the Baron, the woman is Lisabeth's sister returned from the dead and looking to avenge the death of her mother.

THE LONG HAIR OF DEATH was the second gothic horror film that director Antonio Margheriti made in as many years. Following up what could be considered his masterpiece from 1963, Castle Of Blood, this film has been lost in the shuffle of time, probably due to its limited availability in the days of DVD and Blu-ray. That problem is solved with this release and fans of gothic horror can now experience the slow burn nature of the film that ends up being a slowly descending curtain of dread if you will. There are flourishes of violence and visible horror throughout but there's long stretches where the true horror lies in the impending vengeance that our main antagonist is not privy to as the audience is.

The stark black and white photography gives a certain coldness to the castle interiors, and really over the entire film. It fits very well with George Ardisson's icy and heartless portrayal of the Baron. Of course the face of the film is Barbara Steele, as she is in most films she appeared in. She once again has dual roles, and her face seems tailor made for gothic horror. She's brilliant here as she was in the aforementioned Castles Of Blood and in Mario Bava's Black Sunday (1960). Also brilliant is the score by Carlo Rustichelli, who scored Bava's Blood And Black Lace in the same year and would go on to score his Kill Baby Kill in 1967, along with well over 200 other composing credits. There's no need to look further than Rustichelli's score for THE LONG HAIR OF DEATH to see what he's capable of though. The classic orchestral score raises the striking visuals to another level with his pounding strings and brass.

The more I think about THE LONG HAIR OF DEATH the more I like it. I want to give it another viewing before too long. I wouldn't be comfortable putting it on the same level as Black Sunday or Castle Of Blood, not yet anyways. Perhaps with future viewings it will get there. As for now, it's close. And being close to those films means that this is a damn good film. Hopefully the new release of this film on Blu-ray will get a wider audience to discover it and its director.

The Audio & Video
Raro Video's transfer of THE LONG HAIR OF DEATH is presented with a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation that largely looks brilliant. The stark black and white photography looks damn good here with deep black levels that have no compression issues and vibrant white levels without burning too hot. Detail is strong with textures and surfaces along with facial close-ups. There's no waxiness to this picture at all and aside from the occasional scene that is a bit softer or has the odd scratch, which obviously has to do with the condition of the source material and not the transfer, this Blu-ray looks as good as you could hope for. Two audio options are available, both with mono tracks. The Italian track is the more natural choice for matching up lines to mouth movements and sounds nice. Dialogue is never lost under the score but the mix is well done so that the music can still shine while complimenting the images on screen. There's no background noise or damage to speak of. Optional English subtitles are available and they're timed perfectly and read well. There's a few very minor errors in translation but nothing that will leave you scratching your head. I only skipped around on the English track seems okay, a bit thinner sounding than the Italian but free of any damage as well.

The Extras
-Video introduction by Chris Alexander (Fangoria magazine)
-Interview with Edoardo Margheriti
-Interview with Antonio Tentori
-Original Italian Trailer
-Original English Trailer
-Booklet with notes on the film by Chris Alexander

The Bottom Line
All horror fans should take note of this excellent release of a film that deserves to be re-discovered in 2015 so that it can take its rightful place among the better gothic horror films in history.

THE LONG HAIR OF DEATH is available HERE

The Claire Sinclair Show (DVD Review) - Cult Epics

USA/2014
Directed By: Nico B.
Starring: Claire Sinclair, Bunny Yeager
Color/75 Minutes/Not Rated
Region FREE
Release Date: January 13, 2015

The Show
CLAIRE SINCLAIR started modeling as a teenager and quickly found a niche in the pin-up style that she loved. Claire was Miss October 2010 for Playboy magazine and at just 19 years old she was named Playmate of the Year for 2011. She has appeared on various Playboy inspired reality TV shows, had a successful run with the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret show and has become the face of the Bettie Page Clothing company.

The CLAIRE SINCLAIR SHOW features a pair of episodes, the first where Claire interviews herself discussing her history and life up to now and her plans for the future which are extensive. The second episode is a sit down interview and a photo shoot with famed photography Bunny Yeager who is best known for her work with Bettie Page. This would be Yeager's last on camera interview and photo shoot before her death in May of 2014. The first episode is a good way to get to know Claire who is an instantly likeable young woman on top her incredible looks. The second episode is definitely the more interesting of the two episodes as there is some historical value and a good bit of footage from the nude photo shoot. 

The Audio & Video
Cult Epics releases this collection of two episodes of the CLAIRE SINCLAIR SHOW to DVD with a nice looking 1.33:1 full frame transfer. Colors are strong and vibrant while the digital photography is crisp and clear. There's nothing really to complain about. The 2.0 Dolby Digital audio in the first segment is fine but the sitdown with Bunny Yeager is a bit on the quiet and thin side so you may need to use your remote control accordingly. Otherwise the audio is free of any distractions or damage.

The Extras
-Original Super 8mm Films of Claire and Bunny shot by Nico B.
-The Erotica Channel Introductions by Claire

The Bottom Line
Big fans of pin-up models and culture will be interested but if you don't fall in to that category you're not missing out on anything.

THE CLAIRE SINCLAIR SHOW is available HERE

Zarra's Law (DVD Review) - Arc Entertainment

USA, Finland/2014
Directed By: Juha Wuolijoki
Written By: Joseph Scarpinito, Charles Kipps
Starring: Tony Sirico, Brendan Fehr, Erin Cummings
Color/79 Minutes/R
Region 1
Release Date: January 13, 2015

The Film
Tony is a retired cop who is infuriated when the man that murdered his brother is getting out of prison after serving only two years. Along with his nephew Gaetano, who is a military hardened lawyer, Tony busts down the doors of the city's organized crime family while Gaetano brings his hard ass stance in the courtroom to protect a wife and son of one of the mob's top guys before joining his uncle in a literal blaze of glory shootout.

ZARRA'S LAW is a crime thriller in the vein of countless others and ends up being little more than run-of-the-mill. It is an easy watch and a fast moving film. Too fast, perhaps as the 79 minute run time doesn't allow the story to reach the depth that it really needed to fully resonate with the audience. There's too many storylines and subplots going on to be more than briefly grazed over leaving any emotional sentiment to go by the way side.

ZARRA'S LAW is not a bad film as it features decent production values from top to bottom and the cast does a good job. Unfortunately it seems satisfied with being average and a rather typical example of the genre.

The Audio & Video
Arc Entertainment delivers ZARRA'S LAW on DVD with a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that looks good overall. Clarity and sharpness are solid for a standard definition presentation while the picture is clean and free of any damage. Black levels are handled better than I expected them to be with very little crush or compression issues. The 5.1 Dolby audio track sounds nice with a crisp mix that is stable and doesn't fluctuate. The mix between dialogue and score is complimentary and there's no background noise to speak of.

The Extras
Bare bones.

The Bottom Line
If you enjoy films based around organized crime or those seeking revenge ZARRA'S LAW is worth checking out via rental but don't expect to be blow

ZARRA'S LAW is available HERE

The Houses October Built (Blu-ray Review) - Image/RLJ

USA/2014
Directed By: Bobby Roe
Written By: Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe, Jason Zada
Starring: Brandy Schaeffer, Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe
Color/91 Minutes/Not Rated
Region A
Release Date: January 6, 2014

The Film
A group of friends set out in a cross country RV trip to discover the best and most extreme haunted house attractions in the country and document their trip. They interview employees and guests at each haunt as they search for the underground haunt known as The Blue Skeleton which is supposed to be as extreme as it gets. Their trip becomes increasingly disturbing and potentially dangerous as they get closer to Blue Skeleton until they finally get their chance to experience the haunt for themselves.

I've previously sung the praises of THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT in a full review of the film itself back during the October Horror Challenge and more recently on my Top Ten Films Of 2014 list so I'll let those posts do the talking for this film. I will say that I was pleased to find out that my first return viewing of the film still yielded seriously entertaining results and that it holds up well. 

The Audio & Video
Image/RLJ deliver a gorgeous looking and sounding disc for THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT. The 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer has a very sharp picture with vibrant and vivid colors. Detail level in textures, surfaces and skin is high. Black levels are handled very nicely with no compression issues or blocking, which is very important for a film that largely takes place in dark settings. There are no signs of edge enhancement, or excessive DNR. The picture is crisp and not at all waxy. The 5.1 DTSHD-Master Audio track sounds crystal clear with a steady mix job. Levels don't fluctuate when they shouldn't and there's no distractions such as background noise or damage such as crackling or popping. English subtitles are available. 

The Extras
-The Houses October Built- a 94 minute documentary from 2011 that inspired the feature film. (Best Buy Exclusive)
-"Behind The Screams" Featurette - An inside look at the haunts
-Deleted Scenes (24 minutes)
-"Portrait of a Scare Artist" photo gallery
-Cast carvings by The Pumpkin Geek

The Bottom Line
When one of your favorite films of the year gets a beautiful Blu-ray release with a healthy dose of special features how could you not recommend it? Highly recommended! 

THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT is available HERE

Sweet & Perverse Milly - One 7 Movies

Italy/1990
Directed By: Christoph Clark
Starring: Milly D'Abbraccio, Joanna Lin, Lou Louray
Color/80 Minutes/X
Region FREE
Release Date: December 9, 2014

The Film
Milly craves sex like no other. She wants the ultimate satisfaction so badly that she is heading to America to fuck her way through the states. Her sex acts happen early and often, in cars, in driveways, with two men, at live sex shows and beyond. 

SWEET & PERVERSE MILLY is 80 minutes of sex and some ridiculous dialogue. With lines such as "You're fucking me to smithereens", "this is a Guinness record blowjob!" and "I love commanding dicks with my iron pussy" you should know what you're getting in for. As far as production goes it is a decent enough production, but there are some laughs in there along with some of the raunchiest sex I've seen in any movie. It takes anything and everything to satisfy Milly!

The Audio & Video
One 7 Movies brings this piece of early 90s Italian hardcore to DVD with an average but passable presentation. The 1.33:1 full frame transfer has decent clarity and sharpness with good looking colors. The source material was in good condition as there is little damage such as scratches and little dirt or dust. The Italian mono audio track sounds fine and is also in pretty good condition with no background noise or damage to the track. English subtitles are optional and are well timed and translated.

The Extras
None.

The Bottom Line
Recommended for fans of hardcore adult fare that like it raunchy.

SWEET & PERVERSE MILLY is available HERE