What is there to say about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (TCM), Tobe Hooper's 1974 masterpiece about murderous hillbillies and their attack on a group of isolated youths? The film has been endlessly studied since its release, not to mention fawned over and pointed to by scholars, film buffs and famous directors as being one of…Read more Film Review: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
1970s Reviews
Film Review: Stroszek (1977)
After finishing my graduate program last month, I decided to treat myself to a few presents. Ok, quite a few presents. Fine, more like a couple of shopping sprees. One of the more notable items that arrived during this barrage of Amazon deliveries was a collection of Werner Herzog films, aptly titled Herzog: The Collection.…Read more Film Review: Stroszek (1977)
Film Review: Scarecrow (1973)
The 1970s are fondly and nostalgically remembered as a golden age for American cinema, which saw the release of a number of iconic, groundbreaking films. Of course, despite all of the Easy Riders and Raging Bulls of that period, the era also contained a number of stinkers. Perhaps more common however than either of those…Read more Film Review: Scarecrow (1973)
Film Review: Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)
Steeped in atmospheric dread, Werner Herzog's Nosferatu the Vampyre is easily one of the most distinctive vampire movies ever made. With its mystical imagery and foreboding score, the film gradually takes on the appearance of a bad dream, a waking nightmare from which none of the characters can escape. That being said, it is not…Read more Film Review: Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)
Film Review: Hell Up In Harlem (1973)
Regardless of the medium they work in, it is always important that an artist knows when to stop. Unfortunately, most filmmakers typically take insightful adages (such as less being more) and viciously throw them out the window when they latch onto a viable (and profitable) character or premise. Such is the case with the 1973…Read more Film Review: Hell Up In Harlem (1973)
Film Review: The Boys From Brazil (1978)
Whether serving as the punching bag of Indiana Jones or as the thorn in Rick Blaine's side, Nazis have proven themselves time and time again to be perfect fodder for cinematic villainy. This potential is exploited to the fullest in director Franklin J. Schaffner's bizarre thriller, The Boys From Brazil, which stars two heavyweights: Gregory…Read more Film Review: The Boys From Brazil (1978)
Adam Mohrbacher 