#NowWatching “Dr. Phibes Rises Again” (1972) Blu-ray from Arrow
Directed by Robert Fuest
Starring Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, Valli Kemp
The vengeful doctor rises again, seeking the Scrolls of Life in an attempt to resurrect his deceased wife.
Now watching “*Somewhere In Berlin” / “*Irgendwo in Berlin” (1946) from the Wrack and Ruin: The Rubble Film at DEFA Blu-ray box set from Eureka Films
Written & Directed by Gerhard Lamprecht
Starring Charles Brauer, Harry Hindemith**,** Hans Leibelt
After WWII, Berlin lies in ruins. For Gustav, Willi and their friends the rubble provides an adventurous, dangerous playground. Especially for Gustav, it helps pass the time, as he longs for his father's return from a POW camp. One day a stranger arrives, looking helpless and hopeless...
Now watching “The Last of Sheila” (1973) on Blu-ray from Warner Brothers
Directed by Herbert Ross
Written by Stephen Sondheim & Anthony Perkins
Starring Richard Benjamin, James Coburn, James Mason, Dyan Cannon
A year after Sheila was killed by a hit-and-run driver, her wealthy husband invites a group of friends to spend a week on his yacht playing a scavenger hunt mystery game. The game turns out to be all too real and all too deadly.
Now watching “Savage Three” / “Fango Bollente” (1975) from the Years of Lead: Five Classic Italian Crime Thrillers 1973-1977 Blu-ray box set from Arrow Video
Directed by Vittorio Salerno
Starring Joe Dallesandro, Gianfranco De Grassi, Guido De Carli
Bored by their corporate tech jobs, three young colleagues succumb to nihilism. They spend their nights roaming the city, escalating from petty thrills to a sadistic spree of random violence.
Now watching “Old Shatterhand” (1964) as part of the Adventure Calls! Karl May at CCC 1964-1968 Blu-Ray box set from Eureka! Films.
Directed by Hugo Fregonese
Starring Lex Barker**,** Pierre Brice**,** Daliah Lavi
Renegades trying to get the army to abandon their fort get the Indians addicted to whiskey, then convince them to attack and drive out the soldiers.
Now watching “Whore” (1991) Blu-ray from Kino
Directed by Ken Russell
Starring Theresa Russell, Benjamin Mouton, Antonio Fargas, Elizabeth Morehead
A night in the life of a cynical prostitute forms the basis of Ken Russell's portrait of the world's oldest profession.
Nowwatching “Dad & Step-Dad” (2023) Blu-ray from NoBudge (a Vinegar Syndrome partner)
Directed by Tynan DeLong
Starring Colin Burgess, Brian Fiddyment, Anthony Oberbeck, Clare O'Kane
Jim and Dave, a dad and a step-dad, have trouble bonding during a 3-day weekend upstate with their son, Branson.
Now watching “Never Take Sweets from a Stranger” (1960) Blu-ray from Indicator Films (Powerhouse)
Directed by Cyril Frankel
Starring Gwen Watford**,** Patrick Allen**,** Felix Aylmer
One of Hammer’s more controversial films.
In Canada, a British schoolmaster meets official resistance when he learns that his 9-year-old daughter has been the victim of the pedophile patriarch of the town's most powerful family.
#NowWatching “On the Buses” (1971) Blu-ray from Via Vision Entertainment
Directed by Harry Booth
Starring Reg Varney**,** Doris Hare, Michael Robbins, Anna Karen
Based on the ITV TV series.
When the bus company finds itself short-staffed, Inspector Blake comes up with the brilliant idea of employing female drivers. The company is delighted, but the bus crews are horrified and try to get rid of the women.
Now watching “Depraved” (2019) on 4K UHD Blu-ray from IFC Films (a Vinegar Syndrome partner)
Directed by Larry Fessenden
Starring David Call, Joshua Leonard, Alex Breaux
A A disillusioned field surgeon suffering from PTSD makes a man out of body parts and brings him to life in a Brooklyn loft.
Now watching “The Psychic” / “Sette Note in Nero” (1977) on 4K UHD Blu-ray from Severin Films
Directed by Lucio Fulci
Starring Jennifer O'Neill, Gabriele Ferzetti, Marc Porel
A clairvoyant woman discovers a skeleton in a wall in her husband's house, and seeks to find the truth about what happened to the victim.
Now watching “Santo vs. Evil Brain” / “Santo contra Cerebro del Mal” (1961) Blu-ray from Indicator Films
Directed by Joselito Rodríguez
Starring Joaquín Cordero**,** Santo**,** Norma Suárez
An undercover police officer is kidnapped by Dr. Campos who brainwashes him into becoming a member of his gang.
Now watching “Homebodies” (19) Blu-ray from Kino Lorber
Directed by Larry Yust
Starring Peter Brocco, Frances Fuller**,** William Hansen**,** Ruth McDevitt
Six elderly people living in a condemned small tenement building will do anything not to relocate, including murder.
Now watching “Gamera vs. Barugon” / “Daikaijû kettô: Gamera tai Barugon” (1966) GAMERA: THE SHOWA ERA Blu-ray box set from Arrow Video
Directed by Shigeo Tanaka
Starring Kôjirô Hongô**,** Kyôko Enami**,** Yūzō Hayakawa
A giant monster that emits a destructive ray from its back attacks Japan and takes on Gamera.
Now watching “Long Weekend” (1978) Blu-ray from Second Sight
Directed by Colin Eggleston
Starring John Hargreaves**,** Briony Behets
When a suburban couple go camping for the weekend at a remote beach, they discover that nature isn't in an accommodating mood.
Now watching “Some Like It Hot” (1959) on 4K UHD Blu-ray from Kino Lorber (also available from The Criterion Collection)
Directed by Billy Wilder
Starring Marilyn Monroe**,** Tony Curtis, Jack Lemon
After two male musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in.
Now watching “Savage Summer” / “Verano Salvaje” (1980) from the The Films of Enrique Gómez Vadillo (1980-1991) Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray box set
Directed by Enrique Gómez Vadillo
Starring Ana Martín, Fernando Allende, Jorge Rivero
After a romantic betrayal, young Cecilia decides to sleep around with the men she grew up with.
Now watching “Shanghai Blues” / “Shang Hai Zhi Yen” (1984) on 4K UHD Blu-ray from Film Movement (a Vinegar Syndrome partner)
Directed by Hark Tsui
Starring Kenny Bee, Sylvia Chang, Sally Yeh
During a 1937 Shanghai bombing, a soldier and a woman meet under a bridge and promise to reunite post-war. 10 years later, she's a singer who helps a country girl. The girl falls for her upstairs neighbor - the same soldier.
Now watching “The Brides of Fu Manchu” (1966) Blu-ray from Indicator Films
Directed by Don Sharp
Starring Christopher Lee, Douglas Wilmer
Fu Manchu blackmails several industrialists and scientists into helping him construct a super-weapon by kidnapping their daughters & wives.
Now watching “Fantomas Unleashed” / “Fantômas se Déchaîne” (1965) as part of the Fantômas Returns: The Fantômas Trilogy, 1964-1967 Blu-ray box set from Eureka! Films
Directed by André Hunebelle
Starring Jean Marais**,** Louis de Funès**,** Mylène Demongeot
When Professor Marchand, a famous scientist, mysteriously disappears, the commissioner, Juve, immediately suspects Fantomas