Classics Review: Onibaba

Set in the 14th Century during the Nanboku-chō period, an old woman and her daughter-in-law kill samurai, discard their inventory and sell ’em in order to stay alive. The former meets a man wearing a mask. Meanwhile, the latter sneaks out at night visiting a neighbor. All heck breaks lose. Released in 1964, (same year […]

Classics Review: The Raven (1963)

In 1845, Edgar Allen Poe published a short story on the form of a poem titled, “The Raven.” It’s about a man who descends to insanity when the titular bird torments him. 118 Years Later, the late Roger Corman & Richard Matheson collaborated again adapting yet another Edgar Allen Poe work since “House of Usher.” […]

Classics Review: The Pit and the Pendulum

In 1843, Edgar Allen Poe published a short story titled, “The Pit and the Pendulum.” Set during the Spanish Inquisition, an unnamed man sentenced to death must confront his fears. Suddenly, he wakes up in a dungeon with a bottomless pit, and a swinging pendulum. The man must overcome fear and evade obstacles if he […]

Classics Review: The Fly (1958)

In 1957, George Langelaan published a short story in a Playboy magazine titled, “The Fly.” It’s about a scientist working on a teleportation device in an attempt to push the boundaries of science. One day, the scientist enters a chamber that test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a fly entered the same chamber. Emerging […]

Classics Review: High and Low

In 1959, crime fiction author, Evan Hunter (under the pseudonym, Ed McBain) published a novel titled, “King’s Ransom.” The tenth installment of the “87th Precinct” series focuses on a businessman who gets caught in a moral predicament. Refuse to pay the ransom money to a kidnapper in exchange of letting a kid free or keep […]

Spaceballs: The Review

During the ’80s, Mel Brooks directed “History of the World Part I.” Produced (his name uncredited) serious movies outside his comfort zone including “The Elephant Man” & “The Fly.” One parody film in particular pokes fun at “Star Wars.” Before “Spaceballs” was green-lit, Mel made a deal with George Lucas not a single piece of […]