HONEST FILM REVIEWS
THRILLER FILMS
CRUMB CATCHER (US 2023) Directed by Chris Skotchdopole
The debut feature of director Chris Skotchdopole, this 2023 production finally sees the light of day in the UK & Ireland courtesy of Arrow Video. This bizarre ride tells the tale of two married couples who cross each others paths unexpectedly, leading to a night of insanity, mayhem, and violence. After celebrating their big day and calling it a night, a very drunk groom heads off on his own – blacking out and not knowing what happened. The following day, Shane and Leah head to a remote house in the woods to celebrate their honeymoon and allow Shane to work peacefully on his new novel. But things suddenly take a turn when John – one of the waiters from the wedding venue – knocks on their door late that night. With him is his wife, Rose, one of the bartenders who looks familiar to Shane. As tensions rise, it soon becomes apparent that the pair intend to blackmail the newly weds in a bid to raise funds for their new invention; The Crumb Catcher!
As an independent director of 7 features, I do like to champion indie cinema and am always pleased when something comes along that's a little more unique and off-the-wall. And Crumb Catcher was one such movie. Although each of the main cast members give fantastic performances, the show-stopper for me was definitely the crazed inventor/waiter, John, played with a twisted lunacy who believes so much in his crumb catcher he's willing to go to the greatest length in a bid to find a business partner. He is played by John Speredakos, an actor that has appeared in over 50 television and film productions since the late 80s including Wendigo, Rules of Engagement, The House of the Dead, Law & Order, The Inn Keepers and more. But without a doubt, his role in Crumb Catcher will perhaps be known as his best to date. While the film is far from perfect and could have done with a good 15 minutes trimmed off it to tighten things up, it does keep you intrigued with its slow build-up – gradually making you more and more uncomfortable as it rolls along while you try to figure out where things are going. It doesn't follow the typical Hollywood formula, and that's what keeps you watching...
For it's Blu-ray release, Arrow delivers a pretty sweet package with a gorgeously designed O-ring and illustrated collector's booklet with some neat articles. On the disc we get a brand new audio commentary from writer/director Chris Skotchdopole which makes for an interesting listen, but it's hardly engrossing to be honest. There's a lengthy behind-the-scenes featurette that proves to be a pretty exciting watch. As a film-maker, I'm always intrigued as to how a film is made and the work that goes into it, and this was a well put together feature with producer Larry Fessenden having some great things to say about everyone involved. Aside from that and the original trailer, we are treated to two of Chris Skotchdopole's earlier shorts – The Egg and The Hatchett from 2016 and Camp Out from 2010. Both are definitely interesting and carry a theme of broken relationships which obviously continues throughout Crumb Catcher. Overall, it was certainly an interesting title for Arrow to put out there, but I'm glad they did. I certainly enjoyed what was on offer and I look forward to seeing more from Skotchdopole in the future. Rating: 3.7/5 George @invincibleasia
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TERROR IN THE FOG: THE WALLACE KRIMI AT CCC (GER. 1963-64)
Released by Eureka Entertainment with stunning new artwork by Japanese artist Poochamin, comes the Terror In The Fog Collection – a series of crime-thrillers from classic German cinema including The Curse Of The Yellow Snake (1963), The Strangler Of Blackmoor Castle (1963), The Mad Executioners (1963), The Monster Of London City (1964), and The Racetrack Murders (1964) as well as a bonus feature presentation of The Phantom Of Soho (1964). Aside from the latter, each of the movies have been lovingly restored and look fantastic, delivering this collection of films in their finest visual presentation to date. Adapted from stories by British crime writers Edgar Wallace and his son, Bryan Edgar Wallace, each of the titles prove to be highly enjoyable pieces of black and white cinema backed by exciting scores of experimental electronic music that really fits the tone. Each movie on the set gives the viewers the option to watch in it's original language or English dub, and with the chance to start each title with an introduction by film expert Tim Lucas (often running around 10 minutes or so) which are worth checking out if you are new to this collection or classic German cinema...
The Curse Of The Yellow Snake (1963) is the first film of the set and a film that is often considered the most lacklustre of the CCC adaptations. There's just something special about films from this period – how they are shot, directed, and acted. In fact, I'd go as far to say that it's pretty hard to find films and performances today that offer the same feel. The plot revolves around a Chinese cult who are determined to take over the world once they get their hands on a historical idol known as the Yellow Snake – or Golden Reptile depending on which version you see. From detectives to antique dealers, lovers to brothers, no-one is safe in their search for power. Delivering a little more humour than expected, The Curse Of The Yellow Snake features a large Chinese cast also, and as a long-time fan of Hong Kong cinema was pleased to see them mention the Boxer Rebellion throughout. Still, I can understand the gripes of other viewers as I did feel the film was missing something, although I still enjoyed my first ever viewing of this CCC classic. Popular Austrian-born director Franz Josef Gottlieb – the same man behind The Black Abbott (1963), Spy Today, Die Tomorrow (1967) and a host of German television shows – does a fine job at the helm, bringing together a great cast including Joachim Fuchsberger, Brigitte Grothum, Pinkas Braun, Claus Holm, the directors wife Doris Kirchner, and the fantastic Werner Peters who also starred in the CCC produced Dr. Mabuse titles, Battle Of The Bulge (1965), The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (1970), and most of the other titles in this collection.
The Strangler Of Blackmoor Castle (1963) is almost Hammer-esque in it's approach, but very much akin to the other titles CCC were putting out as part of their krimi (crime) series. Interestingly, the film is set on a British estate – although completely in German, of course – and tells the story of a mysterious serial killer who is on the loose around the grounds of Blackmoor who likes to strangle his victims, brand their foreheads with an 'M' and sometimes decapitate them. As the plot thickens and the mystery unravels, we soon learn that there is more behind to the killings than first expected. Directed by Harald Reinl, who was behind Face Of The Frog (1959), Chariots Of The Gods (1970), The Return Of Dr. Mabuse (1961) and The Invisible Dr. Mabuse (1962), The Strangler Of Blackmoor Castle is a highly enjoyable piece from CCC that keeps the tension going and offers some great performances from stars Karin Dor, Harry Riebauer, Rudolf Fernau, Dieter Eppler, and others.
The Mad Executioners (1963) follows – another beautifully shot thriller that harks back to the early days of the famed Hammer Studio. Also known as The Executioner of London, the plot focuses on a secret gang of hooded men who like to play judge and executioner with their victims. Wonderfully filmed and offering up a classic plot twist, The Mad Executioners features Hansjorg Felmy, Maria Perschy, Rudolf Fernau, and the great Wolfgang Preiss – star of CCC studios Dr. Mabuse series throughout the 1960s. The film was directed by Edwin Zbonek, the same man behind Twenty Brave Men (1960) and The Monster of London City (1964), a Jack the Ripper inspired-movie that is also featured in this set. Speaking of which, and on this same disc, The Phantom Of Soho is included as a bonus movie – another wonderfully made murder-mystery that sees a number of high-profile Londoners around Soho by a masked killer. Oddly, each of the victims are connect by surviving a shipwreck sometime before. This time, Franz Josef Gottlied returns to take the reigns while several regular faces from the series return. I quite enjoyed this entry – made during a time when cinema was simple, yet captivating. It's not incredible by today's but it certainly keeps you entertained and proves to be one of best of the collection...
Jack is back in the aforementioned slasher-mystery, The Monster Of London City, another well made and exciting title of the collection. Directed once again by Edwin Zbonek, the film sees London plagued with killings that once again, bear the markings of the infamous Jack the Ripper. Naturally, every Londoner is German, but the atmospheric settings, dark humour, seedy locations, and fog-filled streets, make this an obvious krimi that isn't afraid to be violent. Wonderfully composed, often funny, and brilliantly directed, The Monster Of London City is exciting and brutal at times, but never boring. And finally, the last film of the set is The Racetrack Murders (aka) The Seventh Victim – another well-made piece from Franz Josef Gottlieb, the man behind The Curse Of The Yellow Snake (1963), and a film that sits very different to the rest. While there may be a lot less fog than the rest, The Racetrack Murders still proves to be an enjoyable murder mystery. Set in and around the estate of rich horse-owners, a string of elaborate murders keep viewers guessing while the story plays out with some laughs and great performances. Hansjorg Felmy, Ann Smyrner and Wolfgang Lukschy star along with Trude Herr who delivers a highly entertaining role as Molly.
Eureka Video deliver once again with this fantastic collection of German cinema. While it obviously offers a great selection of films, the set comes with a host of great special features for fans to enjoy and learn more about these classics. Film critic Kim Newman is joined by a few different people on audio commentaries throughout, while some interviews and informative video essays help flesh things out. Produced by famed German production studio CCC who gave us the fantastic Dr. Mabuse series – also released by Eureka as another fabulous collection – Terror in the Fog: The Wallace Krimi at CCC collection is only limited to 2000 copies and features an exclusive hardbound slipcase with a limited edition 60 page collectors book. So fans of classic cinema and this wonderful German studio best be quick! Rating: 4 / 5 George @invincibleasia
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DR. MABUSE LIVES! DR. MABUSE AT CCC (GERMANY 1960-64)
Released as part of the Masters Of Cinema series by Eureka Video, the beautifully designed and wonderfully produced Mabuse Lives! Collection features six of the later films from the CCC studio, featuring stories on the criminal genius known as Dr. Mabuse – a name that strikes fear into many and a master of disguise and telepathic hypnosis, with the ability to transfer his subconscious through demonic possession. This, in turn, means that his appearance can quite often change – with others committing his crimes while Dr. Mabuse is locked up or even dead. An interesting and highly original plot-point, considering that the stories of Mabuse first began over 100 years ago in 1921 by German novelist Norbert Jacques. But it would only be a year later that accomplished film director Fritz Lang brought the best-seller to the big screen; albeit via revised version written by himself and second wife Thea Von Harbou. Running around four hours in length, Lang's Dr. Mabuse The Gambler was released in two parts and proved to be as big a success as it's original material. Having been kept busy with the five-hour long Die Nibelungen (1924), highly praised Metropolis (1927), science fiction film Woman In The Moon (1929), and killer-thriller M (1931), it would be just over 10 years later before Lang delivered the first sequel, The Testament Of Dr. Mabuse (1933), with original actor Rudolf Klien-Rogge returning as the titular character and the film itself gaining a ban by the Nazi regime...
After making his move to Hollywood to escape Hitler and his war, Lang made a host of classics including Man Hunt (1941), Cloak & Dagger (1946), Scarlet Street (1945), and The Big Heat (1953). But in 1960, as ill-health caught up with him and blindness set in, the celebrated film-maker would make a return to his criminal mastermind with The Thousand Eyes Of Dr. Mabuse – his final project as director and the first of a new series of films produced by Artur Brauner; not to mention the first title of this fantastic box set from Eureka...
Set in and around a German hotel from the Nazi-era that was adapted to spy on all guests, the mysterious Dr. Mabuse returns after years of absence to cause more fear and death, using hypnotised victims and the hotel's old surveillance equipment to steal the nuclear technology from a visiting American guest. Why have I never seen these films before? The Thousand Eyes Of Dr. Mabuse was a wonderful introduction to the series, tremendously directed and wonderfully acted – in that special 1960s kinda way – I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast was just fantastic, one of which was the prolific and enjoyable Gert Frobe; the infamous Goldfinger himself from the 007 adventure of the same name that came just four years after this. But unlike his James Bond counterpart, Frobe's portrayal of Inspector Kras is both humorous and enjoyable. Likewise, the great Wolfgang Preiss is equally as brilliant as the master of disguise, Dr. Mabuse, and his many alter-egos. I must also give credit to Eureka for making my first time watch even better with their stunning 2K restorations of the film and its sequels contained. I don't think I've seen a more prominent title of black & white cinema look as great as this in some time!
In The Return Of Dr. Mabuse, this time directed by Harald Reinl, the genius supervillain gets back to work by using brain washed prison inmates to do his evil deeds and killings. But Commisioner Lohmann is on the case, with Gert Frobe returning (formely known as Inspector Kras), aided by American FBI agent Joe Como and a gutsy female reporter. Also known as The FBI vs Dr. Mabuse, In The Steel Net Of Dr. Mabuse, and The Phantom Fiend (among others), The Return Of Dr. Mabuse delivers another exciting and beautifully made crime-mystery with some great moments of surprise. These include the burning of a woman with a flame thrower which was quite realistic and a well-executed scene, while an exciting car chase, explosion in a church, a man's suicide out a window, and the water room escape keeps viewers glued to the screen. The Invisible Dr. Mabuse follows and is an interesting one that takes the comic-book element of the famed criminal to another level. In an attempt to steal the secret of invisibility from a professor, Mabuse's plans are thwarted when the police and FBI become involved after someone is killed at a popular theatre and the body-count keeps rising. While not quite as gripping as the previous two, The Invisible Dr. Mabuse gets better as it moves along, and still proves to be a fun watch with FBI agent Joe Como returning as the hero.
A loose remake of Fritz Lang's 1933 original, The Testament Of Dr. Mabuse follows, this time directed by Werner Klingler. Also known as The Terror Of Dr. Mabuse and The Terror Of The Mad Doctor, the film carries many changes to the previous version that sees Gert Frobe return as the brilliant Commissioner Lohmann to solve a string of crimes and robberies that bear the markings of master criminal Mabuse. But the crazed doctor is locked up in a local asylum, so how can he be involved? The Testament Of Dr. Mabuse is a great addition to the series and a decent remake overall with the great Wolfgang Preiss appearing once again as the titular evil genius. Wonderfully shot and acted, exciting and humorous at times, the film looks even more stunning than ever in this new 2K restoration. In Scotland Yard Hunts Dr. Mabuse, also known as Dr.Mabuse vs Scotland Yard and Scotland Yard In Pursuit of Dr.Mabuse, the spirit of the recently deceased Dr. Mabuse takes over the body of a famous German professor. Accepting himself as the new master criminal, Professor Mabuse begins another reign of terror with plans to overthrow the British government. While not as slick as those that came before it, Scotland Yard Hunts Dr. Mabuse still proves to be an exciting romp from director Paul May – the very same man behind 1959's Duel With Death and many episodes of the popular German TV series of Sherlock Holmes. Wolfgang Preiss shows up as the ghost of Dr. Mabuse while regular actor Werner Peters returns as yet another different character – this time, the Inspector on the case. Peter Van Eyck returns for the first time since The Thousand Eyes Of Dr. Mabuse (again, as a different character) with a young Klaus Kinski appearing as another detective. Prolific German actress Agnes Windeck is a joy to watch as Van Eyck's cigar smoking, wannabe-detective mother.
The final movie of the collection is 1964's The Death Ray Of Dr. Mabuse, directed by the great Hugo Fregonese; the very same man behind films such as Man In The Attic (1953), Marco Polo (1961), and Black Tuesday (1954). Once again, Mabuse possesses another body to commit his crimes, threatening the world with a new death ray that he has developed! It's perhaps the most outlandish plot-line of this collection yet, but at a time when James Bond villains were just as inventive, works pretty well for it's decade of release. While it lacks the mysterious Mabuse feel that the others did so well, The Death Ray Of Dr. Mabuse still proves to be an enjoyable spy thriller respectively. Peter Van Eyck takes the lead one more time, again as a different character than before, while Wolfgang Preiss only appears through archival footage taken from other films. Interestingly, an extended Italian version of the film accompanies the original on the disc – coming in at around 17 minutes longer with an alternate edit that changes up the order of the footage somewhat. The film was also released in the United States as The Secret Of Dr. Mabuse...
Overall, I really can't express just how pleased I am with this new release from Eureka Video. Wonderfully put together with gorgeous artwork from Tony Stella, along with a host of informative audio commentaries and exciting extra features (some new and archival) including alternate endings for The Thousand Eyes Of Dr. Mabuse and (aforementioned) The Death Ray Of Dr. Mabuse, as well as six fantastic films with stunning 2K restorations which highlights their beautiful cinematography and gorgeously composed scores even more. I can't recommend this collection enough – a must for any true cinephile and fans of 60s cinema, the Mabuse Lives! Collection: Dr. Mabuse at CCC 1960 – 1964 is well worth picking up and a great introduction to classic German cinema from some of the finest directors of that era! Rating: 5 / 5 George @invincibleasia
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JUGGERNAUT (UK 1974) Directed by Richard Lester
Although released in 1974, I never had the pleasure of watching this fantastic crime-thriller disaster flick until it's wonderful Blu-ray release courtesy of Eureka Video. And what a breath of fresh air! Even after 50 years later, it just felt good to see a slice of classic British cinema from director Richard Lester, one of the most influential directors of the 60s, 70s and 80s delivering titles such as A Hard Day's Night (1964), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1966), The Three Musketeers (1973) and their sequels, Superman 2 (1980) and Superman 3 (1983) as well as many others. Prior to him coming onboard for Juggernaut, it was said that two other directors had already started and left the project due to it's complexities – but Lester made it happen. Laced with plenty of cheeky British humour and an all-star cast, Juggernaut tells the tense and dramatic story of a cruise liner travelling through the North Atlantic unknowingly carrying a number of explosives. Placed on the ship by a man who calls himself Juggernaut, the terrorist makes a call to the police demanding a hefty ransom, claiming that he can stop them from going off if they deliver the money by noon the following day. Now, in a race against time, a team of explosives experts are flown out to sea to disarm all the explosives and save everyone onboard!
I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping cinematic gem, beautifully restored by Eureka and definitely a movie I will return to again in the near future. Inspired by the real-life bomb threat against the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise liner on May 17th 1972, the film is superbly done and very real on many levels. There's no CGI here! What you see on screen is happening – a real cruise liner, borrowed for the film from it's Soviet Union owners, that was filmed off the coast of Devon and close to Iceland. When you see the weather conditions and rough seas, you know there was no faking things -but this is what helps make Juggernaut an even more exciting, nail-biting suspense thriller. And that final moment indeciding to either cut the red or the blue wire... I've seen it so many times in different movies over the years, but this really had me on the edge of my seat at this point.
Directed with visual flair and superbly edited to keep you gripped, Juggernaut also offers viewers the pleasure of an incredible cast which was an absolute highlight for me. The scene stealing and late Richard Harris stars as the Royal Navy Officer that leads a team of bomb disposal experts on a mission to save the ship. Cynical, angry, yet often hilarious, Harris plays his role with confidence and charm and was a complete joy to watch. The same must be said for the entertaining Roy Kinnear, the prolific television and film actor who stars as the determined social director in charge of distracting the passengers from the threat onboard. Delivering many of the films more comedic moments, Kinnear almost steals the show from Harris – but not quite. Lord Of The Rings star, Ian Holm, appears as the boat owner who first learns of the bombs onboard and is the target of the ransom who is then guided by a government official. The legendary Omar Sharif co-stars as one of the ships captains, while a young Anthony Hopkins impresses as the London cop who has more to lose with his wife and children onboard. The prolific and late Shirley Knight stars as one of the passengers, and love interest to Sharif, while others such as Clifton James, David Hemmings, John Stride, and Kenneth Colley – Admiral Piett from the original Star Wars movies – help flesh things out...
Sitting right up there with classics such as The Poseiden Adventure (1972), The Towering Inferno (1974), and Airport 1975 (1974), Juggernaut stills holds strong today and deserves to be seen by any fan of modern CGI-heavy disaster flicks for a lesson in how less is more – and the experience of 110 minutes of gripping entertainment. The new Blu-ray release from Eureka also features a great audio commentary by British cinema experts Melanie Williams and James Leggott, as well as two featurettes with film historians Neil Sinyard and Sheldon Hall discussing the movie, a trailer and a stills gallery. Inside the Blu-ray, a neatly put together 24 page booklet adds to things. Overall, it's a fantastic release of a 1970s classic that deserves to be picked up! Rating: 4.5 / 5 George @invincibleasia
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