DVD Collectors Online

Voodoo Woman, a review by GSyren

Voodoo Woman (5-025539-960583)

United States 1943 | Released 2001-09-03 on DVD from Orbit Media

67 minutes | Aspect ratio Non-anamorphic 1.37:1 | Audio: English Dolby Digital Mono

Directed by Edward L. Cahn and starring Marla English, Tom Conway, Touch Connors, Lance Fuller, Mary Ellen Kay

Tom Conway plays the mad scientist determined to create the perfect human being. Using a combination of science and black voodoo he creates a new species - a cross between man and beast. When his creations will not kill upon his telepathic command he meets the murderous English and turns her into his kiler monster.

My thoughts about Voodoo Woman:

I knew Voodoo Woman was a crappy movie, so why would I subject myself to it? Well, for me there are two main reasons to watch crappy fifties B-movies. Some of them have a naive charm that I find endearing. Some people might call it "so bad that it's good". I don't quite buy that. For me it's more "bad but yet it's good". It's not the badness in itself that makes it good. I can't quite put my finger on what it is. Then there is the other reason I may watch a movie like that. It's because it has something special that interests me. In the case of Voodoo Woman it was the monster suit. I knew that they used Paul Blaisdell's She Creature suit, slightly modified, mainly with a different head. I saw pictures of it in Famous Monsters back in the sixties, being compared to how it looked in The She Creature. It might be a bit of an overstatement to say that I'm a fan of Paul Blaisdell, but I do admire how he managed to create monsters on a budget that one wouldn't even call "shoestring". Some of them look rather crappy, but that was not always Blaisdell's fault. "Beaulah", the monster in It Conquered the World was originally flat topped, but deemed to short, so it was redesigned with that pointy head. It was also only supposed to be shown inside the dimly lit cave, but ultimately shot outside in full daylight. The design for The She Creature wasn't bad at all. Unfortunately the film wasn't very good, though. When it was modified for Voodoo Woman the design didn't make much sense, and the head looked terrible. And when the woman changed into the monster, her clothes changed as well. Oh, well, logic was never the strong suit in these films. Anyway, I blame Forry Ackerman for my interest in this title. In fact, I blame him for my interest in 50's genre B-movies in general. No, on second thought I shouldn't say that I blame him. I credit him. He piqued my interest, and I've had a lot of fun watching these movies over the years. It would be a gross exaggeration to say that Voodoo Woman is a good movie. It isn't. But I have to say that I find it easier to watch than movies with choppy fast cutting like for example Quantum of Solace.

I rate this title

(From Reviews and ramblings by Gunnar on July 7th, 2015)

Carnal Knowledge, a review by Hal

Title: Carnal Knowledge
Year: 1971
Director: Mike Nichols
Rating: R
Length: 98 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1, Pan & Scan 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles: English, French

Stars:
Jack Nicholson
Candice Bergen
Art Garfunkel
Ann-Margret
Rita Moreno

Plot:
One of the most controversial movies of its time, this "thought-provoking" (Leonard Maltin ) comedy-drama from legendary director Mike Nichols (The Birdcage) is a funny, poignant look at relationships as seen through the eyes of two friends over a 20-year period. Superbly crafted by playwright Jules Feiffer, Carnal Knowledge is brimming with touching insights, sexy banter and powerful performances by three-time Oscar winner Jack Nicholson, Ann-Margaret, Candice Bergen and pop music icon Arthur Garfunkel.

Jonathan (Nicholson) and Sandy (Garfunkel) are college roommates who share an endless fascination - and obsession - with women. As time goes by, their relentless pursuit for the joys of the flesh becomes more competitive. And more damaging. Soon, Jonathan and Sandy's lives become a vicious circle of girls, booze and unfulfillment, and they realize only too late that - in the war of the sexes they are their own worst enemy.

Extras:
Scene Access




(From Carnal Knowledge on July 4th, 2010)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Best Student Council (2005/Japan) IMDb | Wikipedia ADV Films (United States) Length: 650 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English

---

Plot:
After her mother's death, Rino has no one to turn to, but with the help of a mysterious pen pal she never met, she transfers to the very selective Miyagami Private Academy. Along with her hand-puppet Pucchan, who seems to have a mind of his own, Rino arrives on the steps of this prestigious institution to discover a gifted group of individuals who are willing to serve and protect the school and the students at all costs: the "maximum authority-wielding" Best Student Council. Part student council, part special covert operations society and totally staffed by the best, the brightest and the wackiest the academy has to offer, the Best Student Council stands ready to tackle any challenge no matter how large or how small. But no one but the secretive president of the council seems to realize just how much of a change Rino's (and Pucchan's) arrival heralds for Miyagami. Don't miss this charming comedy about life, love and friendship at Miyagami with the Best Student Council!

Best School Council
1.01 Dear Mr. Poppit

This first episode, although strange, looks like this series could be fun. But I still haven't managed to watch past the first disc of this series as of now.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on March 27th, 2011)