The Expendables

I just got wind of this great, fantastic, awesome cast for The Expendables and I thought now that sounds like an action flick I would sit back and make up as a kid. I cant say I know much about the movie besides this small paragraph I found on imdb. It says:

"After years of coruption , murder of american hostages and betrayal of foreign policies, The US with the help of other Nations secretly put together a squad of its most trained millitary personal to finaly over throw the dictator who has caused devastation in South America for over 20 years. The team sets out on its mission to complete the assasination but with little help from the nations as they try to keep the mission secret. After they realize that there will be no outside help they rely on their own sources to fight not only the dictator's army but also the Governments that set them up."

That is all good and all but the best part has to the be cast. 

- First off the movie not only stars but is directed by Sylvester Stallone. Stallone was once again in top form in Rambo which he also directed. If this movie is anything like that one the action will be mind blowingly gory. 

- Arnold Schwarzenegger has some sort of role in the movie, I don't know about you but I have been wanting to see an Arnold and Stallone team up since I was a kid. Not sure if it happens in this movie but its cool they are both even in the same movie. It is said Arnolds role is more of a cameo which could lead to bigger roles in sequels.

- Mickey Rourke is also in the movie fresh off his oscar nominated role in The Wrestler. If he can bring anything from that movie and his role as Marv in Sin City we are in for a treat, just imagine him kicking ass next to these guys.

- Jason Statham, fuck man this list gets crazier! We now have the Transporter himself in this movie! He is like the go to bad ass guy of the 2000's it will be cool to see him kicking ass with the old school guys.

- Dolph Lundgren, speaking of old school. You even get some Dolph! The classic Russian badass is teaming up with Stallone since they made Rocky IV. 

- Jet Li also has a role in the movie and adds some martial arts to all the muscle.

- The movie also is said to have Terry Crews, Danny Trejo, and Eric Roberts in various roles.

This movie sounds like it could be the best shit ever for action fans. The funny thing is the cast who turned down roles or couldn't be in the movie, I found this list of actors who were offered roles but couldnt be in the movie for one reason or another. 

Jean Claude Van Damme

Wesley Snipes

Kurt Russell 

Ben Kingsley

Forest Whitaker 

50 Cent

Denis Leary

I would have loved to see JCVD in the movie, teamming back up with Dolph again in some form would be cool. Anyway I am really stoked for this movie and all that it hopefully can be. 

THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN THE WORLD (1969) - Gregory Peck meets THE CHAIRMAN

THE CHAIRMAN
a.k.a. THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN THE WORLD
(1969, USA)

First saw this when it was first released in England, under the title The Most Dangerous Man In The World. As a pre-teen, I wasn't interested in talky spy-thrillers, but the countdown clock climax and Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack made an impression. I thought that the film had disappeared, only recently aware of the original US title change.


Gregory Peck (Moby Dick, Arabesque, The Omen) plays Hathaway, a scientist sent to China on a secret mission. He's to get hold of a formula that could allow the growth of food in inhospitable climates. As an expert in the field, and able to read Chinese, he travels there under the pretence of seeing a former colleague (Keye Luke).

As he says goodbye to his girlfriend (Anne Heywood), there's a sense that he won't be coming back. He has a one-way radio transmitter implanted in his skull to send any information back undetected, not realising that military intelligence have packed the device with explosive, in case they need to prevent him from talking.

Travelling through Hong Kong then China, to his friend's laboratory, Chairman Mao himself asks to meet him, and suddenly America has the opportunity to eliminate the communist leader with the oblivious walking bomb...


This is an intelligent, if gimmicky, spy thriller, with the suspense ramped up by frantic cross-cutting between Peck and his eavesdroppers, with their collective finger on the button.

Seeing it in 2.35 widescreen for the first time in 40 years, it still has much to offer. With China once again at the forefront of the world's economic stage, and the current threat of an insular Communist leader in North Korea, this story could almost play unchanged today.


I was impressed by the extent of the location filming. While the interiors and a huge compound were built at Pinewood Studios in London, there are some great scenes in 1960s' Hong Kong. I couldn't say for sure whether anything was actually shot in China. It would have been rare to film there at the time, though I've heard actress Zienia Merton talking about when she visited with Gregory Peck, and had to leave in a hurry when the Chinese heard about script being about assassinating their beloved leader!

The scenes of the huge temple and paddy fields could easily have been shot around Hong Kong. While the climax was apparently shot in the Welsh mountains of Snowdonia.


I always thought of this as shot in the US, but recognising many British actors throughout. Burt Kwouk, Mai Ling, Zienia Merton (a regular on Space 1999) plus Oli Levy (the same year he was in Moon Zero Two) again playing a Russian. The only American actors that needed to be ferried over are Gregory Peck, Keye Luke and Arthur Hiller (The Andromeda Strain, Futureworld). Director J. Lee Thompson (Happy Birthday To Me, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes) wrings as much excitement out of the story as possible.

Even now, I'm unsure if The Most Dangerous Man In The World is supposed to refer to Gregory Peck's character, or Mao Tse Tung...


The DVD (artwork at top) is presented 2.35 anamorphic widescreen. There is a commentary track, two alternate scenes with extra nudity, some trailers and a 'mini-movie' of alternate takes. The trailer and the nude scenes are the most interesting items.

Talking of nude scenes, actress Zienia Merton is still in the acting game, and has recently written her autobiography, available from her website.

The title sequence is on YouTube, a powerful photo-montage of communist China as was...

New sounds from old movies - Pogo remixes ALICE IN WONDERLAND

When I'm not watching films, I'm always listening to music old and new. I was delighted to hear this artist who combines the old with the new. Pogo remixes and samples movie soundtracks to a modern chill-out vibe. It's a little off-topic, but most of his music is film-related and there are also tightly-edited, cut-up videos made from film clips.

Pogo's most popular work includes four tracks reworking Disney's psychedelic animated musical Alice In Wonderland (1951). Fans of the original can be reassured that this is an affectionate update rather than any sort of blasphemy. The familiar aural atmosphere is preserved but re-edited into a whole new song - the remaining lyrics of Alice (above) are now nonsensical, using only parts of words.

Other tracks are based on Harry Potter, Carry On films, Disney's The Sword in the Stone (1963), The King and I (1956) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). This week, I was listening to music on the train to work while reading a biography of the late Richard Harris (Hellraisers by Robert Sellers). I was a little spooked when I realised I was also listening to his voice, as Dumbledore in Pogo's Harry Potter track.

The young musician also wants to make movies, according to this interview. He's already made a short film Out With It, which shows incredible promise - also on YouTube.

All his music videos are also here on YouTube, under the band's original name of Faggottron. 15 tracks by Pogo can heard and legally downloaded for free from LastFM.

A huge thanks to Frankie F. for leading me to these.

BRAIN DAMAGE (1988) - Henenlotter's most cerebral outing

BRAIN DAMAGE

(1988, USA)

Grindhouse pre-cursor to Requiem for a Dream

Funny, horrifying, tightly-plotted, unique. I love Brain Damage, but it's probably the director's least well-known film.

After enjoying Frank Henenlotter's first two Basket Case movies (reviewed here and here) and Frankenhooker, I was further rewarded by his next film, Brain Damage, which proved to be his best film in many respects. It actually has a meaning behind all the mauling. In fact, there's an awful lot of subtext going on here, but here's the story so far...


Brian is having trouble getting up one morning. He feels drained and dizzy and finds blood on his bedsheets. He discovers a weird-looking parasite has attached itself to his body. It looks like a turd, or maybe a large penis, and it talks! It persuades him to place it on his neck and injects a blue liquid into his brain, giving him powerful and colourful dreams. What Brian doesn't realise is that while he's dreaming, the parasite uses his body to carry him to its next meal... brains...


This would be grim material for a horror film, but Hennenlotter and his team use a large amount of humour, especially with the parasite glibly talking back to its host. The fairly basic special effects look a wacky as well, with Elmer the parasite looking a little like a cartoon character, especially the eyes. We get to see inside Brian's brain as the needle delivers its hallucinogenic load! I'd say that this is also the goriest of all his films and easily contains the most powerful shock moment, all in the same scene.

With Brian unable to resist further injections and his health and reliability rapidly declining, it's easy to see the parallel with drug addiction, but there's no preachy message, just a horrifying glimpse of a downward spiral, suitably portrayed against the backdrop of Manhattan.


The other subtext is more complex, as my 'gaydar' goes off the scale with this film. The two well-built brothers are always wearing tight white underwear. The parasite often looks and acts like a penis and even gets confusingly pulled into sexual activity. Brian appears to enjoy his drug like an orgasm, while his neck is being penetrated from behind (ahem). There's more male nudity than female (usually Hennenlotter balances the two) and while there are no explicitly gay characters, there are several possibles, and even a fantasy threesome. Again, like the drug parallel, this subtext isn't part of the story and there's no explicit message - quite an achievement considering AIDS hysteria was everywhere at the time.


Like his other films, the low budget means that the quality of acting is variable, which is a shame during the more maniacal moments. The limber parasite puppet, together with Zacharle's melodious voice, proves to be one of the best performances in the film. Though Rick Hearst does an incredible and difficult job in the lead as Brian.

My Synapse DVD (cover art pictured at top) restores the censored scenes that were missing from the UK and US versions of the film. It's presented in widescreen, which looks accurately framed, but the DVD is non-anamorphic (the black letterboxing is part of the picture). The extras are a trailer and a commentary track from Frank Hennenlotter. I'd guess that the more recent UK and US DVDs are anamorphic widescreen.

Right, now to track down Bad Biology, Frank's first film in years...

Asking For Your Vote

I am officially campaging for Bengie Molina to be the All-Star game starter for the National League. Last year despite being the top catcher in the NL in RBI's Molina was excluded from the NL squad. I was a little upset, see to me the game should be played with players who are the best at each position. For this I just look at baseball stats, I want the guy with the best stats at his position in the All-Star game. The thing is everyone plays fan favorites, it explains players like Ozzie Smith being in the game so much. Here is a small break down.

Last years all star game catcher (not taking anything away, these guys had great seasons): 

 Brian McCann, C -  The braves catcher had a great year, batting .301, with 23 HR and 87 RBI. 

Geovany Soto, C-  Was NL ROY, he also was well deserving of being an all star, batting .285, with 23 HR and 86 RBI. 

Russell Martin, C - Dodger player batted respectable .280, with 13 HR and 69 RBI.

So Molinas stats at the end of last year read: batted .292, with 16 HR and 95 RBI. Yeah he didn't have the most HR or flashy play but the guy hit a mere .009 lower in average then McCann and had more RBI then any other NL catcher. 

I also know players get voted in not just for hitting. A look at these four players Fielding % just leads to even more questioning...

Molina - .995

Soto - .995

McCann- .991

Martin- .990

No need for explaining, seems that while Mr. Martin had a great year he should have been passed over in favor for Molina. I guess the draw was that Martin could play at third base. I understand McCann and Soto, and they really deserved to be there. 

BUT....that was last year. We are now in 09, so why should Molina get your vote? 

in 36 games this year Molina has been on a tear- batting .304 with 8 HR and 30 RBI. The only player who has played in more then 30 games and has a better average is his teammate Pablo Sandoval, who really plays 3B this year. He leads the NL catcher in RBI and HR. He already has half of the HR he has last year, in only 36 games! I think its obvious that Molina should be on the team, in fact he should BE STARTING this years all star game in St. Louis.

I am not going to announce him the starter straight out, that would be a real miracle. The game is in St Louis this year and Bengies brother Yadier Molina is having a good year, not even close to his bros but his stats read: .291, 3 HR, and 15 RBI. He could get the nod at catcher, and McCann is always a good hitter. He was out for a few weeks but it was because he needed to wear glasses, wow I have never heard of a guy being put on the DL because he needed glasses. Next time just go to lenscrafters, they make glasses in about an hour. McCann is most likely a shoe in he is batting .282 with 3 HR and 12 RBI in just 22 games. The only other catcher I could see being a problem is another fan favorite. Pudge Rodrguez. He signed with the Astros and has been decent this year, we all know he can do the job defensively. He is bating .286 with 5HR and 19 RBI. I just hope his popularity isn't enough to kick out Molina. 

Just to show you something extra, Molina leads ALL CATCHERS in HR and RBI. and his average is 6th best of all catcher who have played in 30 games or more. I even threw in Napoli whos only played in 29 games. Still not too fucking shabby! He is also 3rd of all catchers in On Base % trailing only Victor Martinez of the Indians and Mike Napoli of the Angels. 

So thats my case, why wouldn't you pick the guy who leads all NL catcher in HR and RBI? I know I would, even if he played on the Nationals! Plus who doesnt love a guy with some character? Bengie is a vet who is by means losing anymore weight, its always fun to have some big guy around to have fun with, we all know David Ortiz isn't making the All Star game, why not have some other big guy around! 

Vote Bengie Molina, your NL All Star Game Catcher!

Not on DVD: JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (1967) - animated fun in 2D

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
(1968, USA, TV)

Filmation Studios' animated movie spin-offs

In the sixties, a TV series that had me hooked was this Filmation cartoon. One image, that haunted me ever since, was the intrepid bunch surrounded by eerie giant moving slabs of stone. How were they going to get out of that one? Being really young, I was genuinely concerned that they would one day escape the bowels of the earth and return to the surface. According to this Wikipedia entry, I finally learnt that they never did!

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1967) is another series that I've wanted to revisit out of nostalgia, that hasn't been released on VHS or DVD. Unsurprisingly, I guess, I'm finding more and more rare items are easier to find on YouTube, Google Video, VEOH etc. Only a few moments after remembering something I've not seen in decades, I can watch it online.

Now that my memory has been refreshed, I was surprised that the cartoon series of 17 episodes was a follow-on from the colourful, epic movie from 1959. The linking character being Gertrude the Duck! I'd like to know how she survived the film. She's trapped under the earth along with Professor Lindenbrook, two kids and a guide who are being chased by an evil-doer and his sidekick. They meet a lot of giant monsters and a multitude of subterranean civilisations, mostly hostile!

With exciting cliffhangers before each ad break, this is still fun, if you can get used to Filmation's 'limited animation' techniques. These similar the cost-saving devices used in anime, but at the time, it looked like a step backward from the dynamic action of Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry and of course Disney. But a weekly half-hour of TV animation had a far lower budget.

Here's a few more Filmation productions that I remember playing on TV here in the UK. Fantastic Voyage (1968) extended the 1966 movie into regular missions of the Combined Miniature Defence Force. The traitor among them has been wisely weeded out and replaced with a Spock-like Indian psychic. The memorably catchy soundtrack is the main reason I'd like to see these again. Here's the zingy theme tune on YouTube with the incredibly shouty voiceover...

The animated Star Trek (1973) series even made peak-time Saturday night on the BBC, as an alternative to the endless re-runs of the classic live-action show. Having most of the original cast doing the voices really helped. This site about animated Star Trek includes a guide to the other Filmation shows on DVD.


Filmation also made two animated Batman series in 1968 and 1977. The 1968 version is much more watchable, despite not having Adam West's voice. Mainly because the annoying Bat-Mite (Batman's very own Scrappy Doo) was added to the 1977 series. Annoyingly, this is the series available on DVD. The earlier show is immediately notable for it's epilepsy-unfriendly title sequence that uses the same flashing colours that triggered the infamous Pokemon mass-fainting phenomenon in Japan. Dozens of these short 1968 episodes (segments of The Batman/Superman Hour) are on YouTube. Love the Bat-ejector seats in the Batmobile!

I think Filmation's Flash Gordon (1979) was also widely seen, especially when the series was condensed into an animated feature-length version. The first 16 episodes roughly follow Flash's first adventures on the planet Mongo, just pre-dating the famous Dino De Laurentiis movie of 1980.

I'd recommend the wonderful Saturday Morning Blog - a treasure trove of cartoon episodes from this era, that are viewable online.

If you want to know more, Wikipedia has a long, thorough entry on the short, prolific life of Filmation productions.

RED SHADOW (2001) - from the director of SAMURAI FICTION

RED SHADOW

(2001, Japan, Akakage)

Tragi-comedy ninja action in this homage to the beloved Toei series

I only started watching samurai movies relatively recently. After overdosing on Asian horror, I dipped my toe into a few other genres. I tried some Akira Kurosawa classics, like The Seven Samurai, but struggled to appreciate them. I found the more recent, realistic dramas The Hidden Blade and The Twilight Samurai more accessible and impressive. I loved the sword-swinging action hits Princess Blade and Azumi. Hong Kong's House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower are full of truly impossible feats, and tremendous eye candy, but I don't feel the need to catch every epic. The same goes for the huge backlog of samurai and Chinese martial arts films through the decades. I'm looking for the more offbeat movies. The same way I prefer the westerns of Sergio Leone over John Ford. So I was very pleased to stumble upon Red Shadow.

It's a modern spin on a ninja hero. Based on a popular TV and film series produced by Toei Studios, who celebrated their 50th anniversary with this irreverent homage. The ninja heroes' ultra-athletic abilities are sent up with light, but not slapstick, comedy. While die-hard Red Shadow fans might not welcome this, there's also plenty of action and drama. The approach is much the same as director Hiroyuki Nakano's acclaimed Samurai Fiction (1998), also a modern update of the samurai genre.

Red Shadow focuses on three young ninja students who are part of a secret movement who use their special abilities to prevent civil war and unnecessary bloodshed. They can camouflage themselves in darkness, scale impossible walls, and defend themselves from any weapon. Red Shadow, Blue Shadow and female ninja buddy Asuka are given a mission to keep two clans from going to war. The three friends are in constant peril, and in danger of falling into a love triangle, in defiance of their ninja code.


If you liked Samurai Fiction, this is most definitely for you. Red Shadow is all-round entertaining and accessible. Jarringly, the soundtrack is techno music (which works for me), a technique Nakano also used in Samurai Fiction.

Composer/actor/pop star Hotei Tomoyasu makes an early cameo appearance and provides the magnificent electric guitar solo over the closing credits. I wish Tomoyasu was as famous in the west as his music - he wrote and performed one of the most famous tracks in Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol 1.

I watched a blurry DVD from Hong Kong, which lost a lot of detail in the many night scenes, but there must be a better Japanese or US DVD edition out there for me to upgrade to for my next viewing.

For a taste of the action, here's a French trailer for Red Shadow on YouTube...

Also check out this promo for the 1960s Toei TV series, it has giant monsters!