I got some viewing in this weekend, it was awesome. I bought a ticket to the virtual event AGFADROME II which was 6 hours of programming from restorations they have worked on. I missed the first few hours due to work but was able to catch the last 3 films and boy was a it a trip
Double Agent 73 dir
by Doris Whitman
First up is this gem of a film. Chesty working as a undercover spy who has a camera implanted in her left boob so every time she needs to capture important info she has to take off her shirt and lift her boob, we are then treated to a camera flash and click sound. Her top is off so much in this film, it's hilarious. I had a blast watching it, it's pure 70's exploitation cinema and the print looked really fucking good.
The Black Beyond dir by S. Torriano Berry
This was a film I had never heard and one I think most people haven't heard of. It's an anthology collecting 3 shorts from S. Torriano Berry's early career. Shot on video (SOV!) and the lowest of low budget but it's essentially a fully black cast doing Twilight Zone esque shorts. Some really interesting stuff in here and I was happy it was part of the programming. AGFA are releasing his slasher from '96 called The Embalmer which I had never heard of but now very interested in and this film will be a bonus feature on the set.
Master of the Flying Guillotine dir by Jimmy Wang Yu
Holy shit this was the highlight of the night. I've never seen this and they showed off a 35mm print they have preserved, they did say they are not releasing a bluray of this but that they just love the movie so much they wanted to show a print they had rescued. A sequel to One Armed Boxer, this one comes out swinging and never lets up, it's mostly fight scenes from beginning to end with lots of blood, some really "experimental" editing tricks for the era and some really excellent choreography. I loved it and this is easily one of my favorite martial arts films from 70's now. I hope some one restores it and puts out a bluray. One thing I found really impressive is that it wasn't shot on a sound stage like most of the films from that era. It really helps make the film feel bigger shooting on the mountain and then just having the fights take place outdoors. Seriously if you love martial arts and have never seen this then seek it out asap.
Hatching dir by Hanna Bergholm
The film is shot so oddly, it is immediately distracting but eventually you get used to it's visual style. Basic premise is a girl finds an egg in the woods, brings it home to try and hatch it. It grows and grows until it's about human size and then hatches a fascinating monstrosity. I loved this creature design. From there the film continues down a path that didn't really do much for me and ultimately had a conclusion that was quite obvious. It's been getting a ton of praise from the festival showings but didn't really work for me. It's a decent film but not something I'll ever revisit.
Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers dir by Akiva Schafer
I watched this show when I was a kid and thought this sounded so stupid, until I saw the trailer and realized they were really just going for a Roger Rabbit level of absurdity. Overall this was really fun, tons of stupid in jokes and references to shit I have no idea how Disney was able to pull off since they are properties they don't own. The films biggest issue was the main police officer was not good dealing with the absence of actual people in her scenes when she was talking to and reacting to these cartoon characters. It was really bad. Outside of her the cast is excellent and really fun.
and the final film of the weekend.....
Black Rain dir by Ridley Scott
Why did no one tell me this was so good? Just kidding you all have been telling me that. Man this film was excellent, I wish I had picked up that score when I had the chance. I've got nothing to say that hasn't already been said so if you're like me and haven't seen it, it is on Amazon Prime now so go watch it.