So I have been catching up on my exploitation films recently. Finally watch Sex and Fury and another disc in the Pinky Violence Collection called Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom (I know its the most strangest and longest title ever). Both films were highly entertaining for fans of the genre. Too bad that both actresses that were icons of Japanese exploitation, Miki Sugimoto and Reiko Ike, retired from acting in the late 70s, because I think they could have had career revivals just like Pam Grier. They definitely have the look, charisma and coolness just as she did as she reigned the blaxploitation era that same decade. Come on Tarantino work your magic. One can only dream, I guess.

I am convinced that the Pinky Violence Collection is possibly one of the best boxsets available, second to The Yakuza Papers box (the Battle without Honor and Humanity series) of course.

In the theme of exploitation I picked up Thriller: They Call Me One Eye. It was only 11 bucks because it is the stripped down "vengeance edition" with no extras and the hardcore scenes cut out. Yes, I said hardcore scenes. Apparently the film has straight up porn scenes in it for no apparent reason. Friends have said its pointless and distracting so I figure I would pick up the newer version to check the film out for myself without distractions. I am looking forward to this disc's viewing soon.

Chiaki took me to see Duck, You Sucker (aka A Fistful of Dynamite) last night at the Cleveland Cinematheque for my birthday. The awesome thing was that my parents got us memberships as a gift so now we can save some cash (savings of 3 bucks per ticket actually). The film was great. Sergio Leone is great at mixing humor and over the top violence together perfectly. Duck, You Sucker seems at first almost more of a comedy than anything else but the second half turns more into typical Leone fare with a political flavor to it. The leads of Rod Steiger and James Coburn are absolutely made for these roles. Matter of fact, Chiaki was floored when I told her Steiger was a famous American and not a Mexican like he portrays. That's how convincing he was.