|
5 Films, 5 Years Volume 3: Golden Age Erotica
by Flash
Overall: 5/5
Distributor: Vinegar Syndrome
Edition Details: Limited Edition Blu-ray
Release Specs:
Video Format: NTSC
Format: Blu-ray
Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All)
Number of discs: 2
To celebrate their fifth year in business, throughout 2018 Vinegar Syndrome released four limited edition commemorative Blu-ray sets; the 5 Films, 5 Years series. All of the films being released through the 5 Films, 5 Years series have all been previously released via Vinegar Syndrome with DVD only editions. The first two volumes in the series were released in January with volume one containing hardcore films and volume two containing exploitation films. The second two volumes in the series were released in July with volume three containing hardcore films and volume four containing exploitation films.
None of the extras from any of the previously released DVD only editions were ported over nor were any second feature films that may have also been on the release. There aren't any new extras that were created for the 5 Films ▪? 5 Years series releases either. People should view the 5 Films ▪? 5 Years series as high definition supplemental material to go along with the previous DVDs and not as a replacement for the DVDs.
5 Films, 5 Years Volume 3 is the final of the hardcore collections to come out through the 5 Films, 5 Years series. 5 Films,5 Years Volume 3 is limited to 2,500 copies and contains two Blu-rays. The five films included in the collection span two Blu-ray discs. The first disc has Dracula Sucks and Corporate A$$ets. The second disc has The Vixens of Kung Fu, Tropic of Desire, and Baby Rosemary.
Below are individual reviews for each of the films contained within 5 Films, 5 Years Volume 3 presented alphabetically.
Baby Rosemary
Movie Specs:
Genres: Adult, Hardcore, Thriller, Drama, Golden Age Classic, Feature Film
Run Time: 80 minutes
Rated: X
Release Year: 1976
Director: John Hayes (as Howard Perkins)
Written by: Ruth Price, Virgil Rome
Cast: Sharon Thorpe, John Leslie (as John Leslie Dupré), Lesllie Bovee (as Leslie Bovée), Ken Scudder (as Ken Cotton), Monique Cardin (as Semantha King), John Seeman, Candida Royalle, Melba Bruce (as Melba Poché), Dale Meador, Tino Costello (as Jino Costello), Ralph Johnson, Rhoda Forbes
Release Specs:
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
Subtitles: none
Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic)
The Film (5/5)
Baby Rosemary is a very dark dramatic adult film from writers Ruth Price and Virgil Rome and director John Hayes. Baby Rosemary is a very different adult film. Quite often the point behind an adult film is to highlight erotic sex for the pleasure of the viewer. John Hayes has done a very different direction with Baby Rosemary.
The plot for Baby Rosemary has the titular Rosemary (Sharon Thorpe) who is dating John (John Leslie). Rosemary is still a virgin, despite John's attempts for them to be together. Rosemary has accepted a teaching position out of town and goes to visit her father whom she is mostly estranged from Thomas (Dale Meador). She finds her father is out and ends up being raped by Mick (Ken Scudder) and his girlfriend Katie (Monique Cardin). Years later John, now a cop, finds Rosemary to tell her that Thomas has passed on. John tries to rekindle what he and Rosemary previously had, but Rosemary finds herself seeking out Mick.
The story for Baby Rosemary is very well done, and different viewers are likely to come away from the film with varying opinions on what has happened; this is because John Hayes presents Baby Rosemary to the viewer as is. He opts not to take the viewer by the hand and explain to them what has happened. Instead, John Hayes has included various clues to what has occurred, but even the hints don't give a precise answer to the viewer.
Honestly, the fact that Baby Rosemary can be interpreted in multiple ways speaks to the quality of the story. The story in Baby Rosemary isn't a throwaway, the story is the film, and everything within the film works toward advancing the story. The sex scenes are an integral part of the story being told as well. As a result, some of the sex scenes are not overly erotic since they are serving other purposes within the story.
The cast does an excellent job with their roles. During the entire film, including the sex scenes, the cast stays in character and this reviewer couldn't find a bad performance in the film. Sharon Thorpe does a great job carrying the film as the titular Rosemary. John Leslie is, unsurprisingly, also excellent as John.
For fans of adult films to be watched as actual films, Baby Rosemary is a film that shouldn't be missed. It has a great story and cast and will leave the viewer to figure out what just occurred.
Audio/Video (5/5)
Vinegar Syndrome has done a beautiful job with their Blu-ray release of Baby Rosemary. Baby Rosemary was shot on 35mm film, and Vinegar Syndrome has used a 2K scan of the camera negative for this release. Baby Rosemary is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 1080p. The image looks absolutely beautiful with grain and some instances of print damage. The colors in the film look beautiful.
Baby Rosemary is presented with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 monaural audio track. There aren't any noticeable issues with the sound quality. The dialog in the film is clear and easy to understand at all times.
Extras (0/5)
Vinegar Syndrome hasn't included any extras for Baby Rosemary.
Corporate A$$ets
Movie Specs:
Genres: Adult, Hardcore, Classic, Feature Film, Drama
Also known as: Corporate Assets
Run Time: 104 minutes
Rated: X
Release Year: 1985
Director: Paul S. Parco (as Thomas Paine)
Written by: Paul S. Parco (as Thomas Paine)
Cast: Tish Ambrose, Eric Edwards, R. Bolla, Rachel Ashley, Amber Lynn, Sheri St. Clair (as Sheri St. Claire), Herschel Savage (as Hershel Savage), Nick Random, Harry Reems, Jamie Gillis, Paul Thomas, Robert Bullock (as Richard Parnes), Tamara Longley, Francois Papillon, William Margold, Stephanie Bradley
Release Specs:
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
Subtitles: none
Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic)
The Film (5/5)
Corporate A$$ets is a dark, dramatic adult film from writer and director Paul S. Parco. At first glance, it is easy to dismiss Corporate A$$ets as a simple wall-to-wall sex film that is typical of what the mid-to-late-1980s was so commonly churning out. For almost the first half hour of the film, there is essentially non-stop sex scenes with little else going on for the film. However, viewers must give Corporate A$$ets a chance before ditching it to the side as just a heavy-sex and light-plot waste of time from the 1980s. After the first half-hour, the plot starts coming into the film heavily and from that point on the plot doesn't stop or become light again.
The story for Corporate A$$ets is that Jill Jamison (Tish Ambrose) runs a corporate house of prostitution for executive pimp J.W. Sheeves (R. Bolla). J.W. uses the girls in his employ as a means to blackmail important people to do his bidding. Babette (Sheri St. Clair), a newly hired prostitute, catches on to J.W.'s nefarious practices. At the same time, Jill is becoming weary of the madam business and finds that she is falling in love with her pen pal Winston Fields (Eric Edwards), a troubled Vietnam veteran.
Corporate A$$ets is a rather dark drama that uses the sex scenes in the film to advance the story. Even those seemingly wall-to-wall sex scenes from the beginning of the film were part of the story; they just didn't appear to be at the time. Some of the sex scenes are rather dark and depressing; however, they fit in perfectly with the plot and characters. The story itself is relatively complex and does a great job entertaining the viewer.
Every one of the cast members puts in solid acting performance, along with excellent sexual performances. The characters in the film are beautifully brought to life and viewers will find themselves being sucked into the film and caring about what happens to the characters.
Corporate A$$ets is visually impressive giving away that first-time adult filmmaker Thomas Paine had a mainstream film career prior to making this film. The film is beautifully shot and has some nice 80s style actioner music that would feel at home in any medium-budget 1980s action film. Corporate A$$ets is an excellent adult film that shouldn't be missed.
Audio/Video (5/5)
Vinegar Syndrome has done a beautiful job with their Blu-ray release of Corporate A$$ets. Corporate A$$ets was shot on 35mm film, and Vinegar Syndrome has used a 2K scan of the original camera negative for this release. Corporate A$$ets is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 1080p. The image for Corporate A$$ets looks absolutely stunning with an essentially defect-free picture with grain. The grain is noticeably heavier in darker scenes. The colors in the film look beautiful.
Corporate A$$ets is presented with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 monaural audio track. There aren't any noticeable issues whatsoever with the sound presentation. The dialog in the film is clear and easy to understand at all times. The music in the film sounds great as well.
Extras (0/5)
Vinegar Syndrome hasn't included any extras for Corporate A$$ets,
Dracula Sucks
Movie Specs:
Genres: Adult, Hardcore, Feature Film, Horror, Comedy, Golden Age Classic
Also known as: Dracula Sssucks, The Coming of Dracula's Bride, Dracula's Bride, Lust at First Bite
Run Time: 95 minutes
Rated: X
Release Year: 1978
Director: Phillip Marshak (as Philip Marshak)
Written by: Darryl Marshak (as Darryl A. Marshak) (screenplay), David Kern (as David J. Kern) (screenplay), William Margold (additional scenes), Mitch Morrill (additional scenes), T. Bell (additional dialog), Bram Stoker (novel)
Cast: Jamie Gillis, Annette Haven, John Leslie, Serena, Reggie Nalder (as Detlef Van Berg), Kay Parker, John Holmes, Mike Ranger, Paul Thomas, Richard Bulik, Pat Manning, David Lee Bynum, Seka, Martin L. Dorf, Irene Best, George Lee, Renee Andre, Slavica, Kurt Sjoberg, Ken Yontz (as Ken Michaels), Nancy Hoffman, Mitch Morrill, William Margold
Release Specs:
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
Subtitles: none
Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic)
The Film (3/5)
Dracula Sucks is a hardcore feature film that takes on the legend of Count Dracula. Dracula Sucks boasts an all-star cast and is practically a Who's Who of adult film stars from the time, a director who also worked on mainstream (although not until later in his career), and an actual castle. How can it go wrong?
Dracula Sucks is set in the 1930s where Dracula (Jamie Gillis) moves into Carfax Abbey, which happens to be next to an insane asylum run by Dr. Arthur Stewart (John Leslie). There he falls in love with Dr. Stewart's niece Mina (Annette Haven), much to the chagrin of her fiancé Jonathan Harker (Paul Thomas).
Had Dracula Sucks stuck to this story, the film likely would have been a home run. However, the film went through numerous script revisions, culminating in a whopping five writers (which is an extreme number for an adult film). The film starts with two screenplay writers, Darryl Marshak and David Kern. Then is likely when the issues began as the next two writers are for additional scenes, William Margold and Mitch Morrill, and then finally additional dialog with T. Bell.
It is quite apparent that with the numerous rewrites – some while the film was shot – the film managed to lose its way completely. As a result, the sometimes madcap comedic film and sometimes atmospheric horror film rarely makes sense and the two styles never manage to mesh together well.
For the most part, the cast does a great job, which is unfortunate given all of the issues with the story. Jamie Gillis knocks it out of the park as Dracula; however, the film is stolen by Richard Bulik in a non-sexual role as the utterly insane Richard Renfield. However, William Margold poorly fits in as the sunglassed orderly Henry looking very out of place for the 1930s.
The director's cut of Dracula Sucks contains very little hardcore sex giving the viewer the feeling that Philip Marshak was hoping that Dracula Sucks would have mainstream appeal. Dracula Sucks did indeed come out in an R-rated version as well. Dracula Sucks is beautifully shot, which again adds to the frustration of the disjointed story that plays out in the film.
Ultimately, Dracula Sucks falls far short of where it should have; the cast and locations are excellent, and the film is beautiful to watch. The story is a significant letdown though. Dracula Sucks is worth watching and will entertain the viewer just expect the film to have some significant shortcomings going into it.
Audio/Video (4/5)
Vinegar Syndrome has done a nice job with their Blu-ray release of Dracula Sucks. Dracula Sucks was shot on 35mm film, and Vinegar Syndrome has used a 2K scan of archival elements for this release. Dracula Sucks is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 1080p. The version of Dracula Sucks on the Blu-ray is Vinegar Syndrome's restored director's cut, which is the feature version from their previous DVD release. The image contains grain, print damage, artifacts, and flickers. The picture overall looks very good, and the colors in the film are vibrant.
Dracula Sucks is presented with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 monaural audio track. The sound quality is relatively good. There is a hum and hiss present throughout the film; however, the viewer gets used to it quickly. The dialog in the film is clear and easy to understand at all times.
Extras (0/5)
Vinegar Syndrome hasn't included any extras for Dracula Sucks.
Tropic of Desire
Movie Specs:
Genres: Hardcore, Adult, Golden Age Classic, Drama
Run Time: 81 minutes
Rated: X
Release Year: 1979
Director: Bob Chinn
Written by: Jeffrey Fairbanks (as Jeffrey Neal)
Cast: Georgina Spelvin, Jesie St. James, Kitty Shayne, Starr Wood (as Star Hills), Dorothy LeMay (as Dorothy Le May), Mandy Ashley, Susan Nero (as Susan Shields), Jon Martin, Ken Scudder (as Ken Cotton), David Blair, James Price, Tim Wade (as Tim Wade and Jerry Wade), Greg Anderson, Terrence Soo, Marlene Munroe (as Liz Torrez), Jeffrey Fairbanks (as Jeff Fairbanks), Eric Stein (as Roy Guerro), Don Fernando
Release Specs:
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
Subtitles: none
Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic)
The Film (4/5)
Bob Chinn's dramatic adult film Tropic of Desire is a World War II period piece set in 1945 that takes place on Hawaii. The drama unfolds over the waning days of World War II, and the story is told through sailors on leave in Hawaii who visit The Pink Flamingo brothel run by Frances (Georgina Spelvin).
Bob Chinn has done a remarkable job with the visuals in Tropic of Desire. From very well made sets that make up the reed-walled brothel and a battleship berth laying below deck. Not was the construction of the sets was well done, so were the props used in the film. The sets and props do an excellent job of making the film feel period. The costuming in the film is spot on as well. Bob Chinn has also used a jazz soundtrack for the film giving the film even more of a period feel.
The cast does a good job with their sex scenes. There are a lot of great sexual performers in the film, and Bob Chinn makes good use of them in the sex scenes. He also has created a stag film, or at least appears to have created a stag film, for presentation at the brothel, which was a nice touch.
The story is the only place that Tropic of Desire is lacking. While various subplots play out throughout the film, that is essentially all there is to the film. There isn't a main driving plot in the film; just the series of small situational plots that play out. The subplots do a good job of filling the movie, making the film more than just a series of sex scenes. However, viewers looking for a well-developed plot may feel disappointed.
Tropic of Desire is a fun period adult film to watch. There is enough substance that the viewer becomes interested in the film and, despite the fact little happens in the film, is entertained throughout the film. Tropic of Desire is definitely worth watching.
Audio/Video (4.5/5)
Vinegar Syndrome has done a beautiful job with their Blu-ray release of Tropic of Passion. Tropic of Passion was shot on 35mm film, and Vinegar Syndrome has used a 2K scan of the camera negative for this release. Tropic of Passion is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 1080p. The image looks beautiful sporting grain along with minimal print damage and artifacts. The colors in the film are vibrant.
Tropic of Passion is presented with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 monaural audio track. There aren't any noticeable issues with the sound in the film. The dialog in the film is clear and easy to understand, and the music sounds good.
Extras (0/5)
Vinegar Syndrome hasn't included any extras for Tropic of Desire.
The Vixens of Kung Fu (A Tale of Yin Yang)
Movie Specs:
Genres: Adult, Hardcore, Golden Age Classic, Action
Run Time: 71 minutes
Rated: X
Release Year: 1975
Director: Bill Milling (as Chiang)
Written by: Cho En Young
Cast: Bree Anthony (as Brie Anthony), Tony Richards (as Tony Blue), Peonies Jong (Peonies Jung), C.J. Laing, Jamie Gillis, Bobby Astyr, Lin Chen Fu, Juliet Graham (as Bonnie King), Linda Trussell, Roger Caine (as Wesley Artur), Arlana Blue (as Rosanne Lang), Ling Fat, Anthony Wong, Douglas Wood
Release Specs:
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
Subtitles: none
Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic)
The Film (1.5/5)
The Vixens of Kung Fu is an attempt at a hardcore feature kung fu actioner from director, and likely writer, Bill Milling. The Vixens of Kung Fu was obviously an attempt to make an adult film to capitalize off of the popularity of martial arts films being produced in China at the time. Unfortunately, Bill Milling missed every mark with The Vixens of Kung Fu and ended up creating a film that will only be enjoyed by a few viewers.
The narrative set-up for The Vixens of Kung Fu is the ancient Chinese legend of Yin and Yang. Yang, man, became the master of his world; conquering wind, sea, and the dragon. However, his greatest challenge is Yin, woman; this, however, can all be discarded since The Vixens of Kung Fu has nothing to do with this.
The Chinese legend told in The Vixens of Kung Fu appears to unfold in upstate New York and New York City's Chinatown. In The Vixens of Kung Fu, Paula, a prostitute, is shot with a tranquilizer gun and raped by three hunters (Bobby Astyr, Jamie Gillis, and Douglas Wood) in the woods. After, she is brought to a beach and left naked to be found by Quin Chin (C.J. Laing), the leader of the Vixens of Kung Fu, a five-woman group, where she is taught kung fu under the tutelage of Quin Chin.
If this wasn't bizarre enough, enter a wandering monk (Tony Richards), who gets told by the Vixens of Kung Fu he doesn't have the necessary sexual prowess. He seeks out Ha Tien Sau (Peonies Jong), a short-order cook in a food truck in New York City's Chinatown who is also a martial arts master so he can return to the Vixens of Kung Fu as a master.
This reviewer isn't sure what exactly what Bill Milling thought when he created The Vixens of Kung Fu. The martial arts sequences are embarrassingly bad. The few fight sequences, which are essentially presented in stop-motion animation style photography except with live action, that are in the film make the current direct-to-video Steven Seagal martial arts movies look like the work of Bruce Lee. This reviewer doesn't expect an adult movie star to know kung fu more than he would expect a stand-up comedian to know kung fu; however, if one is going to make a kung fu film, one ought to have something that can pass as kung fu in it.
The story itself, credited to Cho En Young who this reviewer is assuming is Bill Milling, is a convoluted mess; each part of the story that gets introduced rarely makes sense with the previous portions, and the film twists and twines its way until it finally reaches completion. Honestly, watching the film unfold often feels like a chore.
In fact, the only redeeming quality this film has is the cast. The cast does a good job with their sex scenes, which is good since otherwise there would be nothing to watch at all. Unfortunately, the sex scenes aren't enough to make the tedium of sitting through The Vixens of Kung Fu worth it. The Vixens of Kung Fu is an easy pass.
Audio/Video (4/5)
Vinegar Syndrome has done a nice job with their Blu-ray release of The Vixens of Kung Fu. The Vixens of Kung Fu was shot on 35mm film, and Vinegar Syndrome has done a new 2K scan of the camera negative for this release. The Vixens of Kung Fu is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 1080p. The image looks good with grain along with print damage and artifacts. There are periods of heavier print damage, but it doesn't ruin the viewing experience. The colors in the film are beautiful.
The Vixens of Kung Fu is presented with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 monaural audio track. There weren't any noticeable issues with the sound quality on the release, and the dialog in the film is clear and easy to understand at all times.
Extras (0/5)
Vinegar Syndrome hasn't included any extras for The Vixens of Kung Fu.
Overall
Vinegar Syndrome closes out their commemorative hardcore five year Blu-ray releases strong with 5 Films ▪? 5 Years Volume 3. As far as this reviewer is concerned two of the films, Baby Rosemary and Corporate A$$ets, are must-own films and two of the films, Dracula Sucks and Tropic of Desire, are well worth watching. The only stinker on the release is The Vixens of Kung Fu. 5 Films ▪? 5 Years Volume 3 is a definite buy, just don't wait too long since the release is limited. Vinegar Syndrome has done a beautiful job with this Blu-ray set with excellent video and audio quality.
|
