Video Nasty - Don't Ride On Late Night Trains

Don't Ride On Late Night Trains

AKA Night Train Murders.

(1975)

European Incorporation : Hallmark Releasing / Blue Underground / Shameless Entertainment

6.5 / 10

This is Italy's version of Wes Craven's The Last House On The Left, though I have to say I prefer this film.  For the main reason is there's no annoying music on this film.  Also, it's more throughout and deeper in psychological content.  The principles are the same, here you have two girls on their way out to the country for the Christmas holidays.  While on the train they meet the two thugs, who have previously mugged a street Santa.  Their attack is unbeknown to the girls so they are friendly with the two men.  Though as the train travels further they become more wary of the pair and the blonde woman the men have met.  When the train is stopped for a bomb search the girls hop off the train to board another.  It's not until they're on the move that the girls realise the trio had hopped trains too.  From here on in things get nasty, violent, and cruel.

It's these scenes that are the hardest to watch as they lead to the girl's deaths.  However, this isn't where the movie stops  It's the second half which treads on the unbelievable.  The evil trio is picked up by the girl's parents.  Who, when they realise what's happened, take their revenge.  It's the coincidence of the group meeting that stretches the boundaries of reality.

That said, that incident is the only issue I have with the film.

It's Macha Meril as the lady on the train that gives this film a nasty and depraved edge.  In the beginning, she appears to be a reserved nymphomaniac.  Though when they start to torture and rape the girls she's the one who's controlling the thugs, even though she's only known them for a matter of hours.  She is definitely twisted and coldly calculating.  She stole the show.

Even though you know what's going to happen and you probably know how the film will end, the director Aldo Lado does a fantastic job of weaving a subtle and disturbing story into a watchable film with believable characters.  It's nice that he doesn't go the exploitation route, especially in the torture sequences.  The reality of the scenes really strengthens the film.

I cannot say I really enjoyed this film as some of the scenes are disturbing, both visually and psychologically.  It is, however, truly watchable and does emote emotions.  It is a film that I may watch again... though not for some time.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - Don't Ride On Late Night Trains

Movie Review - Girls Against Boys

Girls Against Boys

(2012)

Floren Shieh Productions : Anchor Bay Films / Anchor Bay Entertainment

6.75 / 10

This little independent movie has a lot going for it.  A believable story line with realistic characters and situations, a strong and truthful story that is directed with care.

Danielle Panabaker does a spectacular job of creating a very believable victim of rape, Shae, who, with her new friend and work colleague Lulu, subtly portrayed by Nicole LaLiberte, take fatal action on her attackers.

Yes, this has been done numerous times, the last big budget version being The Brave One, starring Jodie Foster.  Though what this story gives you is the more nitty-gritty feel of real life.  Shae is an ordinary woman trying to make her way through life, she attends college and works a bar part-time.  There's a wonderful scene where she asks a colleague to take over for her and she walks away to catch five minutes as she's having a bad day.  Panabaker's walk behind the bar and in front of the bar speaks volumes of Shae's tiredness, dejectedness, and all over weariness of her life at this point.  Nicely acted and well directed.

While in the stairway she meets Lulu and they strike up a conversation.  When Lulu hears about Shae's day she decides to take her to a nightclub to take her mind off things.  At the end of the night, they go back to an apartment shared by a couple of men they met at the club.  Shae, worn out, chooses to go home.  Tyler, who paired off with Shea offers to be a gentleman and escort her home.  However, he doesn't take being rejected at the door to her apartment building and resolves to get what he think he deserves.

What I like about this film is the lack of graphic violence, most of the time the director Austin Chick, who also wrote the story, chooses to cut away.  This allows the viewer imagination to take over because we're not stupid we know what's going on, there's no need to depict it.

From here on Lulu takes over and becomes the dominant character in the newly formed duo.  She takes Shae to the police to report the crime, though they find them indifferent and unconcerned about the crime or the victim.  It's Lulu who decides on the course of action to take and she's the one to start the ball rolling.  Shae, still traumatised by the incident wonders around in a fugue most of the time.  It's Shae's state of shock which makes this a more plausible tale of revenge.

The resulting conclusion is pretty inevitable.

This is a slow, well thought out psychological thriller, which gives a breath of fresh air to a much-used storyline.

This isn't a pleasant film to watch.  You don't really root for the victim to have her revenge, as the story isn't just about Shae's rape and her resolution, but of her relationship with Lulu, who is broken in her own way.  This is a film that is made to make you think.

Well worth a watch once, though I don't think I'll ever go back to it, as it will stay with me for quite a while.