Before The ABC's of Death, Chillerama, The Theatre Bizarre, Little Deaths and the upcoming The Profane Exhibit (I'm really looking forward to see it, but when will it be released?) there was Trapped Ashes. I've known about this forgotten anthology movie for some years know but it wasn't until now, 2013, I actually decided to buy it. I have a tendency to like movies that's ignored by the fan media AND mainstream media. What makes this one extra interesting is the talent involved: Joe Dante, Monte Hellman, Sean S. Cunningham, Ken Russell and... John "Who-the-fuck-is-this?" Gaeta. He's actually a visual effects dude who works a lot with the Wachowski siblings.
Joe Dante gets the honor to direct the hardest part of the show (as usual), the wraparound. This time it's the always excellent Henry Gibson (a character actor you've seen everywhere) playing a guide at a sinister, deserted, film studio, driving around with the guests in one of those small open mini-buses. Have he tells a story about a mysterious house in the middle of the studio area the guest - among them John Saxon - talks him into letting them into the house. Bad idea. They're soon trapped in the twisted house and sooner or later they end up telling each other horror stories...
First out is Ken Russell's The Girl with Golden Breasts, a very bizarre and far-out story about an actress who believes she can achieve success by breast implants. We all know it's not normal breast implants, instead they're blood-sucking BEASTS! True story. TGWGB is a tasteless, colorful, tacky and totally over-the-top sci-fi, horror, comedy-esque story - like only Ken Russell can do 'em. There's broad strokes here, nothing small and descreet. And it's a lot of fun.
Next story is Sean S. Cunningham's Jibaku, which is extra interesting for many reasons. First of all, it's shot and produced in Japan. Not a surprise, because Trapped Ashes is actually a co-production between Japan and the US. What's really interesting is that Sean S. Cunningham, who could be considered "Mr Generic Slasher Director No. 1" goes totally haywire here delivering a fresh take on Japanese neo-horror. But with male, handsome ghost and interesting use of both Manga and Anime into the storytelling. Great job. I'm impressed.
Monte Hellman's Stanley"s Girlfriend is hardly a horror story, even if the main concept is related to vampirism. It's more a nostalgic story about the old Hollywood and the struggles of an upcoming and hot director and a b-movie screenwriter. John Saxon plays the older screenwriter remembering this story from his youth. The twist is nice and a bit cocky, but not shocking at all. But the darkness, the pessimistic twist is a good one.
Last, but not least, is John Gaeta's My Twin, The Worm, which deals with the obsession of a worm who lives in the belly of a woman and how it (maybe) tries to take control over the baby daughter inside the belly. It's a good-looking production, fine actors and good effects, but it might lack that extra punch and personality that the other veterans delivers in their sleep. Make no mistake, I like it and it would be intersting to see a feature lenght movie using this theme.
Trapped Ashes is high on sex, nudity and some good graphic, gory violence. The special effects is very well done, especially the physical effects. It's a damn fine production. I'm pretty sure not everything is for everyone, but I like the mix of styles and how even veterans who's done everything can squeeze out excellent productions with very little money. Cunningham's is the best - I think - a lot because of him trying to do something so different from what he's done before. I want to see more!
Anthology movies is nothing more than collection of short stories for books. There's no reason to bash them or loath them because it's hip to do so. They belong in a grand tradition of Grand Guignol theatre. A new chapter whenever the audience is getting bored, a new bloody surprise around every corner. Trapped Ashes is one of the better films in this fine genre I've seen the last couple of years. It won't get up the originality and high class of old favorites like Creepshow 1 and 2 or the criminally underrated and absurdly dark masterpiece From a Whisper to a Scream (Jeff Burr, 1987), but watch it anyway.
Most of you will like it.
"there was Trapped Ashes. I've known about this forgotten anthology movie for some years know but it wasn't until now, 2013, I actually decided to buy it. I have a tendency to like movies that's ignored by the fan media AND mainstream media."
I think I missed this one completely.
"What makes this one extra interesting is the talent involved: Joe Dante, Monte Hellman, Sean S. Cunningham, Ken Russell and... John "Who-the-fuck-is-this?" Gaeta. He's actually a visual effects dude who works a lot with the Wachowski siblings."
With those names it´s even more surprising that I missed this one.
"First out is Ken Russell's The Girl with Golden Breasts, a very bizarre and far-out story about an actress who believes she can achieve success by breast implants. We all know it's not normal breast implants, instead they're blood-sucking BEASTS! True story. TGWGB is a tasteless, colorful, tacky and totally over-the-top sci-fi, horror, comedy-esque story - like only Ken Russell can do 'em. There's broad strokes here, nothing small and descreet. And it's a lot of fun."
Not surprised......The Lair of the White Worm (1988) is one of Russells works.
"Trapped Ashes is high on sex, nudity and some good graphic, gory violence. The special effects is very well done, especially the physical effects. It's a damn fine production. I'm pretty sure not everything is for everyone, but I like the mix of styles and how even veterans who's done everything can squeeze out excellent productions with very little money. Cunningham's is the best - I think - a lot because of him trying to do something so different from what he's done before. I want to see more!"
What I like about horror anthology is diversity and teh mix of genres, I like that.
Only seen Friday the 13th (1980) so far, I can´t say I seen that much of him.
"Anthology movies is nothing more than collection of short stories for books. There's no reason to bash them or loath them because it's hip to do so. They belong in a grand tradition of Grand Guignol theatre. A new chapter whenever the audience is getting bored, a new bloody surprise around every corner."
I agree but most of them are uneven for various reasons.
They are hard to do.
Good revíew, thanks, would love a review of Peur(s) du noir (2007).
Megatron
Posted by: Megatron | February 19, 2013 at 00:32