Blood Beach (1980)

I remember seeing the poster of this as a child at a local video store down the street from my house. It must have been the early early 90s. Even then, this film was considered old. I was always intrigued by the cover, but never got around to watching it until the other day. As much as I am in love with the movie poster, I still had my reservations.

I thought the concept of the film was basically people falling into quick sand. I mean, we have films about killer sharks, twisters, volcanoes, any natural disaster/phenomena, so why not quick sand?

But oh no, it's not really quick sand, it's an ugly over sized monster thing that lives under the sand and sucks people up. After 35 minutes into the film I lost interest. The only good parts were when people would sink in quick sand. I am always amazed by how that effect is done in film.

This film does have a side story, a lame one if that. Our leading male is reunited with an old love through the death of her mother (who was eaten by the quick sand monster). If it takes a quick sand monster, and the death of a mother and family pet to reunite a boring couple, then clearly it was meant to be.

I am happy I finally saw this film, but I think it would have been more interesting as a slasher. Perhaps an ex life guard who throws people who litter on the beach into the quick sand. Just a thought.

They Call Her One Eye... (1974)

The title says it all...

If you love revenge, guts, and 70s porn....this film is for you! This Swedish pulp/horror/porn flick begins with our main girl, Frigga, both eyes intact...Frigga is basically mute because of emotional trauma of being raped when she was younger. She misses the bus to speech therapy classes, and catches a ride with a rich, suave, handsome gentleman, Tony. He takes her out, drugs her, and keeps her imprisoned in his gorgeous home...similar to an Ikea catalogue. He forces her to be a prostitute for him, and drugs her with heroine so she can become an addict and dependent on him, hence making it even more difficult for her to leave. After scratching her clients face, Tony teaches poor Frigga a lesson by taking out one of her eyes. After finding out that Tony had written a fake letter to her worried parents stating that she hated their guts and was never coming home, both parents committed suicide and then finding out that her prostitute friend was killed by Tony, "One Eye" decides to get her revenge.
Saving up every penny she earns she secretly takes courses in offensive driving, martial arts, shooting, and more, until she becomes confident enough to whoop some pimp daddy ass.



I really enjoyed this film. I can see how it inspired many many films such as "I Spit On Your Grave" and "Kill Bill". Even the art direction and color palettes (yellow and black) of "Kill Bill" was reminiscent of "They Call Her One Eye". One thing I can't get over is the porn sequences. Full on penises going into vaginas, and even a few love squirts. At times I forgot I was watching an actual film.

I hope one day they make a criterion collection of this.