Hammerscope’s Film Reviews

About me: Arty, left-leaning, retro-loving, roller coaster-riding movie enthusiast.
My website: www.pinterest.com/hammerscope/.

13 Films have been rated or reviewed by Hammerscope.

Death and the Maiden (1994): Incredible character study that creates an almost unbearable tension, encompassing political themes as well. Since Polanski left Hollywood much of his work has been overlooked. This is one of the very best films of the 1990s.
Night of the Eagle (Burn, Witch, Burn) (1962): Creepy horror that sits up there with the best of them, including Night of the Demon. The horror is mostly implied, making it all the scarier and then what is finally shown is truly chilling. The British cast go full tilt against the sinister proceedings.
Polyester (1981): Poor Francine Fishpaw... Her husband runs a porn theatre, her daughter is a crazed nymphomaniac and her son is the notorious Baltimore foot stomper! Could this be the John Water\'s answer to...Douglas Sirk?!
Satanic Rites of Dracula, The (1973): A very interesting take on the Dracula legend, more a modern thriller than a traditional Hammer horror film, and well worth a look. Somewhat dismissed on release, this is actually one of the very best Dracula entries.
Mahler (1974): I think this is Ken Russell\'s greatest film: a fascinating, no–holds–barred biopic of a great but flawed composer. It\'s also one of his more restrained films, but like his best work really gets to the heart of the subject, finer facts be damned.
Don's Party (1976): It\'s a lot of fun seeing these characters\' behaviour degenerate throughout the booze–fuelled evening, but the film is also a great expose of human foibles that transcends the suburban Aussie setting.
Fritz the Cat (1972): This fantastically animated film brilliantly portrays bad, dirty old New York before it got Disney–fied. Ralph Bakshi\'s Heavy Traffic and Coonskin, which used his own characters, are even better. Hopefully they\'ll get a decent release soon.
Horror of Dracula (1958): Lush Hammer adaptation, with Lee an outstanding, sophisticated Count. The vibrant colour, music, sets, etc, are in Hammer\'s best gothic horror tradition.
Damned, The (These Are The Damned) (1963): This is a bit of a lost classic, with some very topical themes of its time, and it stands the test of time as one of the most interesting and untypical Hammer productions. The sense of paranoia and its bleak Weymouth backdrops are really extraordinary.
Dirty Harry (1971): Don Siegel was a great, economical director, but did show the odd rightwing flourish here and there throughout his career... This is one such film, with a totally one–dimensional antagonist, but is saved by its awesome set pieces.

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Hammerscope’s Film Reviews