Mark Cowherd Reviews

Violence in a Women's Prison (1982)

not just anyone can make trash like this!!!!

[5 January 2002]

its true, not just anyone can! . why are they certain trashy exploitation movies we hold dear?

Mattei did bring style/substance to his films. Watch "Violenza in un carcere femminile" There is a dark mood to this film--done by style of cinematography, the score, the right cast, great flesh, script and direction. And by the way; cheese was intentional!! I really believe this. God I love this movie; I think I'll watch it tonight.



I like "women's camp 119" and "Night of the Zombies" aka Virus for the same reasons but "SS girls" is my favorite. Those who do not believe Mattei Cheesiness was not intentional should see this. In fact all of you who have not seen this film, should. It may be his masterpiece.

Beyond the Darkness (1979)

horror, Twisted and Sick

[22 December 2001]

warning!!! Spoilers ahead

It's a great film of it's type. If you like your horror twisted and sick, this is a must have. While I'm no expert on Joe D'Amato this is by far and away his best-- that I have seen anyway. He seemed to know where he was going in this one and the nudity and sex aids in the characterization-however sick-and is interwoven nicely.

Those into necrophilia must love this one, in that this is best case yet for necrophilia yet; Cinzia Monreale makes one pretty corpse and is quite *naked. This makes the rest of this very gorefest work. It almost makes necrophilia plausible. While it's effective in this area this is why this film will never get wide recognition in mainstream horror. I can not see this film on the shelf at the store. BTD is not the kind of film you take to airports also.

What do they do to this film in the UK?

other thing to note Franca Stoppi is great here as she was in her WIP stuff. The part where she displaying her table manners is a classic!! She could only improve any weird film.

This film makes me want to see more of Joe's stuff. This film shows that he was(is) a gifted film maker. Maybe he's like Franco: sometimes he put forth an effort and sometimes he paid the rent.

When this is out on DVD R1 , I'll be all over it!!

*my old faded VHS there is fogging here.

99 Women (1969)

a classy erotic drama

[10 November 2001]

This is one of Franco titles that receives little comment.

So I will.

First of all it proves Franco could have of gone mainstream if he chose to. This a competent drama. Maybe he would have if "99 Women" could have received more acclaim.

99 Women is a *tasteful, well-done yet erotic WIP film; I know of no other WIP film that is. If you do please share.

In this lovely but sad movie, in "99 Women" Franco quickly strikes this tone and stays there. It's an erotic drama set on a tropical island, and yet has no lines like "take her to the Playpen!" -like the Corman stuff much later. It plays it straight. It is Erotic but has class. Know Rosalba Neri has a lot of screen time. This film is a must for fans

But maybe I'm glad he didn't go mainstream- I do love some of his later stuff which is hardly that )

*I love trashy WIP films also, but they all don't have to be

Caligula (1979)

Caligula's world is a dark dream-I champion this film

[4 April 2001]

I like Caligula a lot and will always rush to its defense. here is why.

1. cinematography-is almost dream like. Great mammoth, yet cheesy sets. Like a very sick costume drama.

2. Caligula's world is a dark dream, do you like dark films-while it is uneven(most films are) it succeeds here.

3. it uses violence and sex exploitatively and with equal zeal. While many films pull their punches Caligula is very much unabashedly in your face. Yet as over the edge as it is from all accounts, it's no exaggeration.

4. it is well cast. Teresa Ann Savoy is a beautiful and effective actress as you will find but is in no other american films-really, with so many euro influences I don't regard Caligula as an american film. Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Peter O'Toole are all great here and play this sick costume drama for all its worth-O'Toole and McDowell in particular. I love the scene where after trying to half-heartedly poison Caligula he states while leaving "you're not looking well today,not at all"

5. the score is beautiful and lush.

6. time has been kind to this film. A. many of us saw it on release but just didn't get it--many were merely focused on the porn inserts. B. films have become so homogenized , predictable and safe C. through horror and exploitation films many americans have a new appreciation-if not love- of Italian/Euro film-making.

7. Its a curious fact that many ridiculously conform when confronted with decadence. Yes we can become real pigs if given the chance. In many ways this is what Caligula is all about. This with great execution is why Caligula never rings false. Also this was made in 1980 and shows that mindset. So if you want to flee the traditional, forgo the R rated version and try Caligula. It will not remind you of another film before or since.