Category Archives: Italian

Black Cobra 2, The (1989) Review

October 17, 2021 Paul Bramhall

Director: Edoardo Margheriti Cast: Fred Williamson, Nicholas Hammond, Emma Hoagland, Najid Jadali, Ned Hourani, Kristine Erlandson, Oscar Daniels, Mike Monty, Leopoldo Salcedo Running Time: 94 min. By Paul Bramhall It’s questionable if anyone was clamouring to see more of Fred ‘The Hammer’ Williamson as tough New York cop Robert ‘Bob’ Malone after 1987’s lacklustre Italian action flick Black Cobra, but for anyone that was, a couple of years later their … Continue reading →

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Black Cobra, The (1987) Review

October 11, 2021 Paul Bramhall

Director: Stelvio Massi Cast: Fred Williamson, Eva Grimaldi, Bruno Bilotta, Maurice Poli, Vassili Karis, Sabrina Siani, Aldo Mengolini, Sabina Gaddi, Laura Lancia, Gaetano Russo Running Time: 85 min. By Paul Bramhall The 1970’s blaxploitation genre gave us some of grindhouse cinemas most recognisable names – from Pam Grier to Richard Roundtree – but perhaps the most popular of all blaxploitation stars would be the man who’d become known as Fred … Continue reading →

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Beast with a Gun | aka Mad Dog Killer (1977) Review

February 7, 2017 Z Ravas
"Mad Dog Killer" DVD Cover

AKA: Ferocious Director: Sergio Grieco Cast: Helmut Berger, Richard Harrison, Marisa Mell, Marina Giordana, Luigi Bonos, Ezio Marano, Vittorio Duse, Alberto Squillante, Nello Pazzafini Running Time: 95 min. By HKFanatic Beast with a Gun could loosely be associated with the Poliziotteschi genre (Italian police films) since the hero is a cop, but most of the film’s screentime is devoted to actor Helmut Berger’s crazed bad guy and his violent antics. … Continue reading →

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Fifth Cord, The (1971) Review

November 21, 2016 Z Ravas
"The Fifth Cord" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Luigi Bazzoni Producer: Manolo Bolognini Cast: Franco Nero, Silvia Monti, Rossella Falk, Edmund Purdom, Maurizio Bonuglia, Pamela Tiffin Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic Barely five minutes into The Fifth Cord and Franco Nero’s character is swigging back a bottle of J&B behind the wheel of an automobile. So I had a feeling this was going to be a good giallo, and for the most part I was right. … Continue reading →

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Deep Red (1975) Review

October 18, 2016 Z Ravas
Deep Red Blu-ray/DVD (Blue Underground)

Director: Dario Argento Cast: Macha Meril, David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia, Giuliana Calandra, Glauco Mauri, Clara Calamai, Piero Mazzinghi, Glauco Mauri, Aldo Bonamano Running Time: 126 min. By HKFanatic I consider myself a massive fan of Italian horror and, specifically, director Dario Argento. That said, I’ve never felt that Deep Red (released as Suspiria 2 in Japan) was the masterpiece that many claim it is. So maybe that makes … Continue reading →

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Day of Anger | aka Gunlaw (1967) Review

March 28, 2015 Kelly Warner
"Day of Anger" Blu-ray Cover

Director: Tonino Valerii Cast: Lee Van Cleef, Giuliano Gemma, Walter Rilla, Christa Linder, Yvonne Sanson, Lukas Ammann, Andrea Bosi, Al Mulock, Giorgio Gargiullo, José Calvo, HansasOtto Alberty Anna Orso, Benito Stefanelli, Nino Nini, Franco Balducci, Virgilio Gazzolo, Eleonora Morana Running Time: 95 min. By Kelly Warner Sergio Leone’s westerns made a star out of Clint Eastwood, who was mostly thought of as a TV actor up until that time. And … Continue reading →

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1990: The Bronx Warriors (1982) Review

December 13, 2014 Z Ravas
Escape From the Bronx | Blu-ray & DVD (Blue Underground)

Director: Enzo G. Castellari Cast: Mark Gregory, Fred Williamson, Vic Morrow, Christopher Connelly, “Betty” Elisabetta Dessy, Stefania Girolami, Enzo G. Castellari, Carla Brait Running Time: 86 min. By HKFanatic By 1981, the Italian film industry was already showing signs that the bottom was about to fall out. Giallos, crime films, and spaghetti Westerns – once Italy’s filmic bread ‘n butter – had run their course with the public. Instead of innovating … Continue reading →

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Who Saw Her Die? | aka The Child (1972) Review

November 10, 2011 Z Ravas
"Who Saw Her Die?" Italian Theatrical Poster

AKA: Chi l’ha vista morire? Director: Aldo Lado Cast: George Lazenby, Anita Strindberg, Adolfo Celi, Dominique Boschero, Peter Chatel, Piero Vida, José Quaglio, Alessandro Haber, Nicoletta Elmi Running Time: 90 min. By HKFanatic “Who Saw Her Die?” is a 1972 giallo from director Alan Aldo that stars George Lazenby in a rare post-James Bond leading role. Unfortunately, Lazenby looks quite unflattering here, with a thick handlebar mustache and a gaunt, … Continue reading →

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Big Racket, The (1976) Review

August 17, 2011 Z Ravas
"The Big Racket" Italian Theatrical Poster

Director: Enzo G. Castellari Cast: Fabio Testi, Vincent Gardenia, Renzo Palmer, Orso Maria Guerrini, Glauco Onorato, Marcella Michelangeli, Romano Puppo, Antonio Marsina Running Time: 106 min. By HKFanatic Two years after “Street Law,” director Enzo G. Castellari returned to the Poliziotteschi genre, or Italian police films, with “The Big Racket.” This time around the main character is actually a cop (played by Fabio Testo) instead of a vigilante. Italian horror … Continue reading →

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Street Law | aka The Anonymous Avenger (1974) Review

August 15, 2011 Z Ravas

AKA: The Citizen Rebels, Vigilante II Director: Enzo G. Castellari Cast: Franco Nero, Giancarlo Prete, Barbara Bach, Renzo Palmer, Nazzareno Zamperla, Romano Puppo Running Time: 105 min. By HKFanatic Following my review of “Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man“, I continue my exploration of the “Poliziotteschi” genre, or Italian police films from the 1970’s, with “Street Law.” Much like “Live Like a Cop…” this film opens with a … Continue reading →

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Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man (1976) Review

August 6, 2011 Z Ravas
"Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Ruggero Deodato Cast: Marc Porel, Ray Lovelock, Adolfo Celi, Franco Citti, Silvia Dionisio , Marino Masé , Renato Salvatori, Sergio Ammirata , Bruno Corazzari, Daniele Dublino Running Time: 100 min. By HKFanatic “Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man” – let’s just take a moment to reflect on how awesome that title is. During its opening minutes, the film seems like it’s actually going to live up its … Continue reading →

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Name of the Rose, The (1986) Review

May 18, 2011 JJ Hatfield
"The Name of the Rose" American Theatrical Poster

AKA: Der Name der Rose Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud Cast: Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Michael Lonsdale, Ron Perlman, F. Murray Abraham Running Time: 126 min. By JJ Hatfield In 1327 The Franciscan Order representatives are gathering with Pope John to determine if the Church should take vows of poverty or profit. This is a most important meeting hosted by the Franciscan Benedictine Abbey in the north of Italy. The Franciscan Monks … Continue reading →

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Django (1966) Review

March 5, 2011 JJ Hatfield
"Django" Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Sergio Corbucci Cast: Franco Nero, Loredana Nusciak, José Bódalo, Ángel Álvarez, Eduardo Fajardo Running Time: 97 min. By JJ Hatfield “Django” (no not the jazz great) may be considered amongst the “spaghetti westerns” seeing that it was made in Italy and helmed by Sergio Corbucci, with Bruno Corbucci and made Franco Nero a name associated with stardom. “Django” (1966) should really be categorized as a sub genre, with movies … Continue reading →

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Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave | aka The Stranger (1976) Review

January 30, 2011 JJ Bona
"Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave" US Theatrical Poster

AKA: Visitor in America Director: Lee Doo-Yong Cast: Jun Chong (aka Bruce K. L. Lea), Deborah Chaplin, Anthony Bronson, Steve Mak, Jack Houston, Charlie Chow, Philip Kennedy, Jimmy Sato, Sho Kosugi Running Time: 85 min. By Mighty Peking Man Next to Fist of Fear, Touch of Death and Clones of Bruce Lee, this film is right up there as one of the biggest oddballs of the Bruceploitation genre. The funny thing … Continue reading →

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