So I spent New Years Eve-Early Morning watching Lucio Fulci's New York Ripper (1982), Bo Arne Vibenius' Thriller - A Cruel Picture (1974) and William Lustig's Maniac (1980). I admit it's a sleazy way to enter 2009 but can you blame me?



For the double bill of Fulci and Vibenius I was not alone. I was accompanied by Ben and the trusty concubine Carla.
Before we began the viewing I had previously seen both of these films, promising not to ruin the red herrings of New York Ripper, we popped the DVD in. From the opening shot of the harbor my immediate thoughts were "They are going to think this is so cheesy". They would be right...It is a cheesy film, doesn't mean it's bad.

So we all came to the conclusion that New York Ripper is a pretty damn sleazy film. I don't know if there is any need to go into great detail as I would make an extreme guess that most of you reading this have already seen it. What with it's showcasing of live sex shows and brutal slayings of women. In head I began to think about Fulci and his apparent hatred towards women and then relating it to this film. My conclusion was that most if not all the women in New York Ripper are portrayed as prostitutes or just generally promiscuous, what with one woman getting 'toe fucked' under a table in a greasy diner. Then 'offing' them in a gruesome fashion by some serial killer who makes noises like a duck, with one particular scene involving a nipple being split in two with a razor blade.

Once the credits began to roll, I immediately turned to Carla asking her how some of the scenes made her feel. She responded by saying 'Uncomfortable' when asked why, she said "It made me feel that way because I'm a woman. It made me feel worthless and cheap, seeing women being treated that way is a loss of dignity". A fair point which many would accept. Interesting as this can be praise to Fulci's film making skills. Unfortunately Ben was too baked to comment, offering a inaudible mumble of "Yeashhggoohud".

Taking a slight break, swapping discs, and refill my glass of cola (I don't drink alcohol). We jump straight into Bo Arne Vibenius' gritty Thriller - A Cruel Picture.
Going into this one I had seen it previously, neither Ben or Carla had. Before you wonder which version we are watching it is the full uncut version with the hardcore inserts. They were bound to enjoy it. This being one of the best revenge movies I have ever seen I wanted to know Ben and Carla's thoughts. The basic plot is about a girl who was sexually molested at a young age turning her into a mute is taken by a pimp, pumped with drugs so she can't escape and is forced into being a prostitute. However she takes the money she earns as a hooker to pay for weapons training, martial arts training and to drive a car so she can enact her well earned revenge. This film is known for a few reasons; the infamous 'real corpse' eye ball scene and the numerous hardcore porn inserts. One thing I personally love about this film is the slow motion sequences during One Eye's revenge. Considering Bo Arne Vibenius only directed this and one other film the cinematography and direction in this film is outstanding. Only hampered by slightly below average acting, though not on Christina Lindberg's part as she has no actual lines.
--Spoiler ALERT--
After getting the ultimate revenge and finally killing the man who forced her into prostitution by placing him in a hole the ground up to his neck, tying a noose round it and attaching it too a horse which has a bowl of water in front of it. A killing that sounds like a cruel game of 'Mouse Trap'.
The credits roll. Ben thought of this film as pure trash but enjoyed the porno segments and gruesome deaths. Carla had a similar feeling towards this as New York Ripper. Noting the degradation of women in 'trashy cinema'.

By this time it was getting late. We called it a night and got some shut eye. Waking up at 10:20am me and Carla decided to head back to mine.
Having Lustig's Maniac left over there was only one option. To watch and love it. For me to re-watch it and continue to love every moment of it.
Out of all the slasher films I have seen and I've seen a lot. This is by far my favourite and probably the best. It has everything, a lovable killer, gory kills and a great location.
William Lustig does a grand job of capturing late 1970's early 1980's New York.
Colour themes in this film are clear influences from Dario Argento's Suspiria and Profondo Rosso.
The plot basically revolves around a man who suffered severe abuse as a child from his mother. Giving him this urge to kill certain women. As a viewer you observe 'Frank Zito' change from being an ordinary guy to a...well...a maniac. He is able to form a relationship with a photographer, while brutally slay other females.
Joe Spinell's performance is simply amazing, brilliantly and chillingly his character to life. As his character evolves his behaviour becomes much more frantic and erratic. His urge to kill becoming harder and harder to control.

I could tell Carla enjoyed this movie more than the previous too. It it's still a pretty scummy film but in comparison to the others for sheer nastiness it doesn't quite match up.

So that's it for my New Year. With it I bring my new blog and a return to the blogging scene.