500 Words or Less...Vampyres (1974)

Dir: Jose Ramon Larraz
Starring: Marianne Morris, Anulka Dziubinska, Murray Brown, Brian Deacon, Harriet Faulkner, Michael Byrne, Karl Lanchbury
Country: UK
Runtime: 1hr 27 min

The mythology surrounding Vampires has become so misconstrued modern day, that something such as a "true" vampire film perhaps does not exist. The concept was revitalized in the Victorian era to serve as a warning to young girls about promiscuity, and men. However, the reaction has always been quite the opposite having Vampires being highly sexualized in the modern age. What better time for this sexualization than in the tail end years of the sexpolitation and erotic boom of the '60s and '70s. Although set in 1974, Vampyres keeps the feel of a Victorian tale, taking place in rural England near a vacant gothic mansion. The two female leads, have almost no backstory and little is known about them for the films entirety aside for the manner in which they kill and stalk their prey. Perhaps rather feministic, both women use their sexuality to lure, sexually toy with, and eventually kill single male travellers. This adds to some interesting social commentary. Also effective, is the use of bystanders; a couple coincidentally chooses a camping spot facing the old mansion, and a "victim" is left alive for a series of days. This provides "outlets" for the viewers to both sympathize with, and in turn give the effect that they are taking the subsequent characters place. That being said, the gore and eroticism greatly amounts for a majority of the films content which is extremely well executed.

Cheesy: 2/5
Sleazy: 5/5
Culty: 4/5

Overall: 3.5/5

500 words or Less: Caliber 9 (1972)

Dir: Fernando Di Leo
Starring: Gastone Moschin, Barbara Bouchet, Mario Ardof, Frank Wolff, Luigi Pistilli, Ivo Garanni
Runtime: 1hr 28min
Country: Italy

The first in a neo-noir crime trilogy based in Milan from rediscovered director Fernando Di Leo, Caliber 9 successfully pulls of a thriller that is attention grabbing without too much violence. A great fan of noir films, Di Leo stays faithful to necessary cliches (cops, vigilantes, the femme fatale etc.), while adding his own twists that in turn criticize the genre; the most notable being corrupt and ill intended police officers. While the officers are not made out to be straight villains, unlike their American counterparts they are displayed as faulted, and at times, lackadaisical. Unlike other Italian crime films (even some from Di Leo himself) it is unknown through almost the entirety of the film if the protagonist is in fact, innocent. What makes Gastone's character so charming is his mysticism connected to our reliance on him. Also added into the ix are fascist/communist and new vs. old vigiliantism undertones. With its political commenary, violence, great soundtrack from Luis Bacalov, and likeable characters Caliber 9 should not be missed by fans.

Cheesy: 3/5
Sleazy: 3/5
Culty: 4.5/5

Overall: 3.5/5

500 Words or Less: The Lords of Salem (2013)

Dir: Rob Zombie
Starring: Sheri Moon-Zombie, Dee Wallace, Bruce Davison, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Ken Foree, Judy Geeson, Meg Foster, Patricia Quinn
Runtime: 1hr 41 min
Country: USA

A modern set horror story with the look an atmosphere of a low-budget early 1970s flick. Relying heavily on occult themes, Zombie pays homage to the wave of films that attempted to grab at the Rosemary's Baby success. Zombie achieves this through his inclusion of almost all (if not all) of the makings of one of these culty "knock-offs" such as apartments, creepy old people, a shy priest, and a raunchy soundtrack. This has to be Zombie's lowest budgeted film, but it holds itself up well and adds to its realistic aspects. Unlike Zombie's previous films it disturbs subtly and in waves. Placing the focus on a single, and relatable female protagonist also enhanced the film's realism, proving to be a smart move. This film is a definite watch for fans of 1970s occult films.

Cheesy: 2.5/5
Sleazy: 2.5/5
Culty: 4/5

Overall: 3/5