DEATH KISS (Review)

Writer/ Director: Rene Perez
Cast: Robert Kovacs Bronzi, Daniel Baldwin, Richard Tyson, Eva Hamilton, Stormi Maya, J.D. Angstadt
Min: 90
Year: 2018

A Stranger (Rober Kovacs Bronzi) takes justice into his own hands killing drug pushers, those who pimp under-aged kids, and other assorted human filth. Along the way he also financially helps a pretty, single mom named Ana (Eva Hamilton) and her wheelchair bound daughter, by anonymously sending them money. She sees him one day, putting the cash in her mailbox, and tries to befriend him. But, while he talks to her; he remains distant and mysterious. A the same time, but unbeknownst to her, he is continuing to rack up a scumbag body count.

Death Kiss is an awesome and loving tribute to the late, great Charles Bronson and the cult favorite Death Wish franchise. The character of the Stranger is never named, and the actor who plays him Robert Kovacs Bronzi has an uncanny resemblance to the legendary Bronson, himself. In some ways, one might think of this as the Death Wish sequel that never was. But, it is ultimately its own movie and a damn good at that.

Long time B-movie director Rene Perez does a good job in this movie. The movie is fluid and is well shot. It has good action scenes and a good use of some slow-mo scenes. The result is a flick that is never boring and always fun, as it is thoroughly entertaining throughout. If you, like me, love this type of exploitation movie, you will love this one! It is also wonderfully ultra-violent, as it features some of the most blood spattering squibs that you ever likely to see!

The climax is well done. It features a nice moment/ revelation that ties in the whole film quite nicely. The music by writer/ director Perez is very suitable, as it sounds and feels like an actual soundtrack to a Death Wish movie. Aside, from the obvious homages to those movies, eagle eye fans will notice a scene that shows its love for the first Dirty Harry movie. This is also present in the gun that our hero likes to use.

I love the character of the Stranger, himself, who makes for a great protagonist. Kovacs is so calm and badass as him, just as Bronson was playing Paul Kersey in the aforementioned Death Wish movies. The relationship between he and Ana is one of the more interesting aspects of the film. It helps to give the movie more heart and, in turn, makes him more likable.

The rest of acting is fine, as well. Daniel Baldwin is especially good as a right wing radio host. His character adds some interesting, if controversial dialogue. This is actually true in tone with the message of the first Death Wish movie, which  explicitly mentioned that liberal Kersey would go to adopt more conservative views as the movie progressed. The gorgeous Eva Hamilton is quite likable as the single mom, and also helps to add some nice eye candy to the proceedings.

Death Kiss is one of the best indie/ underground, exploitation movies of 2018. And, truth be told, is actually better than most Hollywood action movies released this year. It is fun and well acted. Kovacs, with his psychical resemblance to Bronson, is quite the discovery. The film, itself, is a wonderful and bloody tribute to Bronson and the Death Wish movies. If you, like me, love those movies and graphically  violent action movies in general, then you need to see this one!

4 out of 4

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The 10 Best Revenge Films of All Time

Yesterday, I saw Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson. It featured a moving performance by him, a solid, well thought out plot, and some shocking bits of brutal violence. I think it is the best American made revenge film in recent years. But, what are the all time top ten? I love a good revenge film. It's a pretty simple idea. Our hero has something horrible happen to him/ her or to a loved one and then sets out to avenge that. The sub-genre can fall under action, exploitation, horror, or even sci-fi (Mad Max), but the best of the lot hit us with hard, vicious violence, as well as awakening an almost primal feeling in one. And, it should come to no one's shock that the Death Wish series and Chan Wook Park's films dominate this list. In the end, you owe it to yourself to see all these movies.

10. - Mixing horror, action, and gothic imagery this classic adaptation of the comic book is one of the most visually stunning and kick ass movies of the 90s, as our hero comes back from the grave to avenge the rape and death of his wife.

9. - The first of Park's fantastic revenge trilogy tackles the fact that when one wants revenge their is always another who will want to avenge that. And, hence it is a pointless, violent, and horrifying circle. Great acting, a wonderful plot, and an unforgettable climax make this a classic.

8. - After Paul Kersey's friend is killed by a gang of punks in Brooklyn, NY he (now back in NY) exacts his brand of vengeance and helps the scared community. One of the most wonderfully over the top and violent American action films of all time, Death Wish 3 has become a huge fan favorite and a classic over the years. The wild climax where senior citizen Charles Bronson mows down a seemingly endless group of punk scumbags using a Browning M1919 A4 machine gun, a .475 Widley Magnum, and (in the movie's wildest moment) a rocket launcher! All fucking hail Death Wish 3!

7. - Awesome, badass, and exploitative mix of the revenge film and the women in prison sub-genres. An amazing personal fav, this one has it all you could ask for: stylish movie directing, sexy, naked Japanese girls, red, hot lesbian action, graphic violence, and a great revenge story as our beautiful heroine seeks to get those who unjustly imprisoned her. The greatest women in prison film, ever!

6. - The sleaziest of the Death Wish series is, I think, the best sequel in the series. After his daughter is raped, (as is the housekeeper in a particularly mean spirited scene) again (!) and killed, Kersey goes off to kill the scumbags. Classic dialogue and graphic violence abound.

5. - The rape-revenge film is one of horror and exploitation cinema's nastiest sub-genres. This classic by Abel Ferrara is the best, in my humble opinion. A beautiful mute girl is raped twice in one day by two different pieces of shit. She flips out and eradicates scumbags and sexist men in what might be called a sort of feminist fantasy. Regardless of what you call it, this movie has excellent acting and some nice bits of bloody violence.

4. - When the shogun's decapitator's wife is killed by said shogun, our badass hero swears vengeance and wanders Japan with his cute little kid and armed carriage. My full review of this ultra-violent classic: http://gorezone.net/dvdcrypt/reviewstxt/stu/shogunassassin.html

3. - The single finest American made revenge film, this highly influential classic is not the bloodiest nor the wildest in the sub-genre, but it is smart and excellently directed. Liberal guy changes his ways after his wife is killed and raped, and his daughter raped, too. Lots of movies ripped this one off, many increasing the gore quota, but this remains a masterpiece.

2. - The most moving film in this list Lady Vengeance is the last film in Park's trilogy. This one feels different than the other ones in the series, probably cause our heroine has a truly understandable and just cause and the villain is so deplorable. An unjustly imprisoned woman looks to get her revenge and reunite with her little daughter. The climax of the film is amazing and moving. A beautifully made movie that never feels cheap or sleazy despite the graphic violence. The ending really pulls at your heartstrings. This one made me cray and only gets better with each viewing.

1. - The middle part of Park's trilogy, this story of a man who unjustly spends many years in jail is violent, shocking, and enthralling. The fight scene with the claw hammer kicks some major ass, while the ending is one of the finest and most shocking in movie history.

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Now playing: Beastie Boys - Sure Shot
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The 10 Greatest Guy Heroes Ever

With the release of the awesome Dirty Harry DVD box set, i thought it would be fun to run through the 10 greatest guy heroes, ever. they are all badass and are a man's man. Here they go:
10. Iron Man - I could have chosen Batman, but Tony Stark is a cooler "guy hero", if only because he does not lead as a dark a view on things, he is rich, drinks (perhaps harder than anyone on this list being a recovering alcoholic and all), gets lots of hotties, has awesome battle suits to kick evil ass, plus he has a fucking porn mustache. How cool (or not) is that?!

9. Indiana Jones - OK, so the last one was kind of bleh, but ignore it. He gets hot babes and battles Nazis and evil cults and other assorted low lives. And, he does it all with a nice bit of attitude. And, yet somehow, he finds the cool artifact!

8. Marion Cobretti - What do you get when Dirty Harry meets Rambo? Why Cobretti from Cobra of course! Bad ass gun, tooth pick in mouth, and cool car, this dude is one of the coolest cops, ever!

7. Wolverine - Listen the dude kills, fucks hot babes, smokes (but can't die from cancer), has a healing factor, fucking claws come out of the back of his fists, drinks, and has a bad attitude, of course, he is on this list!

6. Snake-Eyes - Despite being mute, there is no more badass G.I. Joe than Snake-Eyes. he is a ninja, has killed lots of bad guys, and gets the hot redhead (Scarlett!). Oh, yeah and he has a pet wolf, how cool is that?!

5. John J. Rambo - In the shoot-em up world, there is no greater one-man army than Rambo. The guy can take on asshole cops, Nam, Soviet, or Burma soldiers and bury their asses. Plus, in the second one he scored a hot Asian girl. that she got snuffed is a different story, but hey, the bad guys got it for doing that. Plus, he always he has the best speeches, even with Stallone's garbled delivery!

4. The Punisher - Of all comic-book heroes none are more deadly than the Punisher. In a world were heroes allow their enemies to live, Castle puts the fuckers six-feet under. And, he has no super powers, which makes that much cooler, in my book.

3. Paul Kersey - Film's definitive vigilante, Death Wish's Kersey takes vengeance on the scum of the world. He does what many wish they could. And, how badass, and awesome, is it, when a man his age mows down scumbag punks in Death Wish III?

2. Dirty Harry - He is the work model for the loner hero. All others came from him. The cop that will do whatever it takes to kick the ass of the bad guy. He has the most bad ass lines, and is not above making a perp suffer (witness him stepping on sick-o villain, Scorpio in the classic original).

1. James Bond - He is pretty much the guy, every dude wants to be. I mean I have wanted to be Bond since I was a kid. He has a license to kill, is well dressed, beats the bad guys, gets all the girls, travels the world, saves the day, has the cool car, and the best gadgets. Do i really need to explain this one?

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