Horror Crush: JJ North

It's time for another inductee into the hallowed walls of this site's Horror Crush section. And, this time around we have 90s scream queen bombshell: JJ North!

Also known as Janey Jaye North, JJ North was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was raised in New Jersey and got her Bachelor's degree in Motel Management/ Tourism in Montclair State College (nowadays known as Montclair State University). Post winning a beauty contest she made her acting debut in Beauty School (1993), which starred softcore legend Sylvia Kristel. 

She very soon began to appear in exploitation and low budget horror movies. Wherein, North soon made a name for herself amongst genre fans who liked cheap-o horror filled with hot and usually nude babes. I, myself, really knew her best from her appearances in magazines like the legendary Femme Fatales (genuinely one of my favorite magazines of the 90s) and meeting her at Chiller Theatre con (more on that later). So, despite the fact it would take me a good twenty years or so to watch a film of hers, I already had a huge crush on her and considered myself a fan. At the very least, any time she was featured on the cover of the aforementioned rag, I would totally buy a copy.

The first notable project that she worked on, had a major role in, and the first one that really got her major exposure would be Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold. This sci-fi comedy is a parody of the 1950s sci-fi/ horror comedy Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. In that movie the giantess was played by the gorgeous Allison Hayes. 

JJ plays the title in this one. In it she is a model for skin mags, as the title suggests. Beauty enhancement drugs mutate her and makes her grow, to well, giant sized. Directed by Fred (Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers) Olen Ray it also starred B-movie and adult flick goddess Tammy Parks. And, unlike the original, this flick is said to have nudity a plenty! 

That same year, she appeared in another parody with a quirky title: Vampire Vixens from Venus. This sci-fi/ horror/ comedy has three aliens disguise themselves as hot, human, women to drain the lifeforce off of guys. Like the aforementioned movie, I never saw this one, but I do remember it getting a lot of publicity at conventions and the B-horror movie world in general. 

  

1997 saw her appear in the sci-fi/ horror movie Hybrid. This one takes place after an alien attack in a post apocalyptic world. A group of commandos, both male and female, find shelter in some abdonanded research facility. It is here that they are hunted by some alien/ human hybrid.

Unlike the two aforementioned movies, I never heard about this one. But, I don't think I'm making much of a stretch to guess that this one is heavy, err, influenced by Alien/ Aliens... But, still it has JJ! 

The following year, in 98, saw her appear in one of her most popular movies: Psycho Sisters. A remake of his own movie of the same title, Pete Jacelone's flick once again tells the tale of two gorgeous but psycho sisters (well, I mean it is in the fucking title!), played by JJ North and Theresa Lynn (a scream queen in her own right, at the time), are released from a mental institution. You see before this they were raped and beaten and their sister raped and killed by a group of scumbag guys. Now, free, they kill men who cross their paths always chopping their dicks off. 

While, I enjoyed both movies I think this is the better movie. It improves on the original's pacing. It also tells the story in a more satisfactory manner. It does eliminate the dirtier and more kinky feel of that flick, but I don't thank that is necessarily a bad thing. The black and sometimes campy humor adds to the fun, as does the metal music soundtrack. And, the wild climax kicks a lot of ass. In all, it's a good hybrid of the slasher, rape-revenge, and horror/ comedy sub-genres.

Needless to say, the women are gorgeous! I mean it does have North and Lynn in it, after all. We also get cameos by two other top favorite B-movie babes of mine in Sasha Graham (who nowadays is an author) and Tina Krause (who also starred in the original). There is some topless nudity, of course (the boobs below belong to Ms. North).

I met both North and Lynn at Chiller promoting this movie back in the day. But, I wouldn't actually see it till I bought the Blu-Ray this year. Anyway, this is the only movie of hers that I've seen. But, thanks to con and magazine appearances I was a long time fan, and, as I said earlier, had a crush on her back in the day, Watching this movie reminded me of that and is why this induction happened. 

Her final movie came out in 1999, where she teamed up with one of the greatest scream queens ever, and friend to this website, Debbie Rochon. I've heard about this one but never seen it. Seems like North's role is small in it. Though, having not seen it, I can't really confirm. If you saw it, let me know in the comments section below how she is in it, and how the movie itself is.

And, that's it, as far as her acting career goes really. I have no clue, what she is up to these days. And, since she isn't on the extra features of Psycho Sisters, I'm guessing she wants to stay out of the limelight. Whatever, she is doing, I hope she is happy and well.

JJ North was a popular scream queen for B-horror film buffs in the 90s. Thanks to her roles, scream queen magazine spreads and interviews, and her con appearances, this breathtaking stunner will forever be loved by her fans. It is with great honor that she is an official inductee to Horror Crushes!

Read More

Mezco One:12 Collective Major Toht and the Ark of the Covenant (Toy Review, Pics & Video)

The Mezco One:12 Collective Major Toht and Arc of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost Arc came out fairly recently. And, here is my review of this truly amazing and mind blowing (melting?) figure!

Packaging- The packaging of this figure  looks awesome! The front (right) has very cool looking artwork. I love the shading and limited use of colors The right lens on his glasses has this cool reflective color, which is a nice addition. In all, he looks very much as it does in the movie.

The left side of the box has artwork of the Arc of the Covenant. While the right side also has artwork, but only showing part of it as well as a spirit, all in a horizontal manner. Both look awesome!

The top of it has the Indy logo and artwork of Toht's face beginning to melt. I get a kick out of seeing this bloody image now associated with Disney!

The bottom, of course, has the legal and copyright info.

The back showcases the figure and his accessories. Below it is a cross-cell with glamour shots of him, all of which are super cool!

As with most of these releases, the contents are split into three compartments of packaging. This is unlike the Indy figure which was split into two. Anyways, I can already tell that this is gonna be a truly awesome figure!

First Impressions & Articulation- I really like the way that he looks right out of the box. The likeness to the actor who played him, Ronald Lacey, is uncanny. He is packaged with a regular face, an open right hand, and curled left fingers on the other hand. 

His suit looks and feels great. The stripes are a nice detail. I love the shirt and tie, too, as well as the handkerchief. 

Arm and elbow articulation are definitely limited by the suit. It doesn't seem removable, nor am I gonna try to do so. Wrist movement is excellent though.

Legs have better mobility but are still limited by his pants. 

His shoes have some detail, while his ankles have nice articulation. 

He comes with the same stand as Indy did. Although, he stands well enough on his own, I will be using this stand from here on in.

Accessories- There are a couple of pieces that this character always wears, so let's put those on now. 

First up, we have his coat, which he wears over his shoulders. It looks pretty damn good and stays on well enough on the figure.

There are four sets of glasses. We'll use the regular set for now, as the others are for the various stages of him melting.

The glasses slide on easily and feel nice and tight on him. They stay on perfectly. With the glasses on, I said to myself, this is definitely Toht! 

The left hand he comes packaged with has the burnt in marks from the medallion! 

We get 3 1/2 sets of extra hands. The first one we'll look at from these is the one that can hold the the head of the staff of Ra. 

It has a real nice grip on the medallion, which has some awesome detail, by the way. I gave him the screaming head to show that he is in pain! 

We get trigger hands, which hold on really nicely and securely to the Luger pistol. 

Let's move use the pair of non-gloved hands for him to grip the fire poker. It looks real good, especially the glowing tip. You can now recreate the scene with him threatening Indy that he will melt Miriam's eye! Will except we don't have Miriam. But, you get my drift, and it's another awesome accessory.

Let's move on to the Arc of the Covenant. First off, we have a ghost and a display stand with a base. The ghost looks really cool, and I love the fact that the stand is translucent. 

The Ark of the Covenant, itself, comes with batteries and is in four pieces, the body, top cover, and the two side, carrying handles. The color and detail on it is awesome.

The three batteries go underneath the body of the Arc. The screw on mine was screwed in too tightly was a bitch to unscrew and open. But, eventually, I did get the batteries in. And, let me tell it looks awesome lit up. You will be using the on/ off switch also located at the bottom of the Ark.

On a side note, the lighting from the Ark makes for a cool effect and look on the ghost, who looks extra eerie now!

Recreating Toht melting is the most fun aspect of this figure. We will be using the various heads and the set of bloody hands for this part.

The bloody hands look particularly cool and truly fucking awesome!

Each head has its own pair of glasses that go with it, as we see the progression of his face melting. This is so fucking cool! 

Until we get to the final stage head, which is a bloody skull of melted flesh. This is my preferred look for him, and I how I chose to display him. 
 

I absolutely love that something that Disney owns has this much gore. And, save for the more adult side of the MCU and obviously the horror 20th Century Fox releases, I don't see them going down this route themselves. I mean their Indy had no graphic violence, and I also had zero interest in seeing it. And, no it's not cuz Indy needs splatter, it's just I didn't give a flying fuck for anything post the third flick.

 

Final Thoughts- Holy fuck! This figure rules! The level of detail and the accessories fit perfectly with Major Toht. The welcome addition of gore makes for a fun display and play piece. This is bwithout a shadow of a doubt not just one of the best figures of the year, but one of the best One:12 Collective figures ever!

Rating- 

 

Read More