APRIL 19: Exhumed
Films Presents a Double Feature of Bizarre Biker Battles!
Doors at
8:30
/ Show at
9:00pm
$10
(please note the later start time)
KNIGHTRIDERS
Following the phenomenal
success of his living dead classic Dawn of the Dead, horror
icon George A. Romero took a break from zombies and monsters to
create Knightriders, an odd fantasy/fable about a group of
bikers/performers that tries to recapture the glory and nobility of
medieval knights by performing at "Renaissance Faires" and jousting
on Harleys instead of horses. The troupe must contend with the
challenge of maintaining the purity of their idyllic "kingdom" while
being tempted by the contemporary lures of wealth and celebrity.
Though it may sound bizarre, Knightriders has a great deal of
heart and is one of Romero's most personal films. Starring Ed Harris
(in his first major role) and genre favorite Tom Savini.
Dir. George Romero \ US \ 1981
\ 35mm \ 145 min. \ Color
1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS
The Italian film industry of
the 1980s apparently didn't have much faith in the future of
American society. In the wake of dystopic sci-fi classics like John
Carpenter's Escape from New York and George Miller's Mad
Max came a new subgenre of Italian action films set in a post
apocalyptic United States, most with remarkably derivative titles:
After the Fall of New York, Escape from the Bronx, 2020: Texas
Gladiators, etc. Exhumed Films is "proud" to present one of the
most infamous movies of the genre, 1990: The Bronx Warriors.
In the distant future of...well...1990..., Trash (Mark Gregory)
leads a gang of big haired, spandexed bikers called The Riders, who
fight for their turf in the lawless streets of a ravaged New York
City. But when Trash falls in with a wealthy runaway with ties to a
corporate fortune, he encounters the ruthless mercenary Hammer (Vic
Morrow, wielding a mean flame thrower) who has been sent into The
Bronx to reclaim the missing heiress. Full of violence and
absurdity, 1990: The Bronx Warriors is sure to entertain.
Also featuring Fred Willamson and Italian horror stalwart George
Eastman.
Dir. Enzo Castellari \ Italy \
1982 \ 35mm \ 89 min. \ Color
June 7: 70's
Nightmares!!
Doors at 7:30 / Show at 8:00pm $12
Malatesta's Carnival of Blood
- Directed by Christopher Speeth. USA. 1973. 74
minutes. Color. 35mm. Until just a few years ago,
Malatesta's Carnival of Blood was considered a lost film.
Shot in the early '70s and released -- barely -- in 1973, the
film became the subject of horror fan lore until it was released
on the director's own DVD label in 2003. The film concerns a
family who poses as new workers at a sinister carnival to find
their missing son. As they soon find out, the carnival is
populated by ghouls, cannibals and flesh-eating freaks, many of
whom are obsessed with old silent films. More a
lysergic, hallucinogenic nightmare than a straight-ahead horror
film, Malatesta disturbs and confounds the viewer with
some of the most bizarre art direction captured on film. The
film was shot outside Philadelphia with a mostly local cast and
crew. The aforementioned surreal art design was created by a
Philly-based art troupe called Alley Friends, who are now famous
in the architecture world for their eco-friendly, sustainable
energy building designs. The late Herve Villechaize, best known
as the dwarf "Tattoo" on television's Fantasy Island, plays
a significant role (his first film role). Come join local
director Christopher Speeth as he presents the only 35mm print
in existence: his own archival print, which may never again be
screened to the public. Mr. Speeth will be on hand to introduce
his film and to answer questions after it runs.
Messiah of Evil -
Directed Huyck. USA. 1973. 90 minutes. Color. 35mm. Written by
the team of Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz, who a few years later
went on to write the script for American Graffiti,
Messiah of Evil is one of the finest, most neglected horror
films of the 1970s. Only ever released cropped on VHS and on
poor-quality, bootleg DVDs, this is one film that needs to be
seen projected thanks to its 2.35:1 'scope photography, which is
essential to creating the film's bleak mood. This movie achieves
what so many direct H.P. Lovecraft film adaptations have failed
to rise to: a truly Lovecraftian feel. Coupled with post-Night
of the Living Dead flesh-eating zombies, you have a horror
film capable of getting under your skin like few others.
Messiah of Evil boasts some of the creepiest set pieces in
'70s cinema and a cast of well-loved cult film performers
including Joy Bang, Marianna Hill, Royal Dano, Anitra Ford and
Elisha Cook, Jr. You won't want to miss this rare screening.
