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The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980)
A delightful film . . . for those who get it
I have always been a bit mystified at the rather harsh critical reaction this film received when released in 1980. Granted, it does trade in some Asian stereotypes (as well as American and English stereotypes), but then one should remember that the film was a send-up of the original Fu Manchu novels and films, which were largely "Yellow Peril" fantasies. Further granted that it was not Peter Sellers best film. Still, despite some bits that fall a bit flat, it is a genuinely funny film with good performances, especially from Sellers in his dual role, and Helen Mirren, as the PC with the acting bug turned femme fatale. Not necessarily for Sellers fans only, but it does help if you already have some familiarity with the Fu Manchu character.
Dementia 13 (1963)
Overrated. WAY overrated.
If the young Francis Ford Coppola had went on to have a career more like that of Ed Wood, Jr., instead of his actual career, this film would likely be universally regarded as the overwrought piece of crap that it is. I first saw this film as a college student, and regarded it as one of the most unintendedly hilarious "horror" films I ever saw (along with several of my friends). The viewer should be warned, however, that there are many long, dragging, boring bits in between the moments of unintended humor. The truly remarkable thing about this film is the way it shows the long, LONG progress Coppola made beyond this film later (The Godfather, Part III, nonwithstanding).
Mr. Mike's Mondo Video (1979)
Absolutely craptacular!
I saw this cinematic wretchedness in a dollar theater with a friend in 1979 (back when the tickets actually sold for $1). This is the only film I have ever walked out on (with my friend, while the idiocy that is the "Laser Bra 2000" sketch was on screen). Evidently, my and my friend's reaction to the film was a common one. It is not that I found the film offensive (either as an 18-year-old or now), but rather that it is mind-numbingly stupid and patently unfunny, devoid even of the unintended humor that makes a Ed Wood film watchable. This is the real reason why NBC refused to air it, rather than a failure to comprehend Mr. Mike's "vision" (unless, of course, his vision was to drive the film's backers into bankruptcy).
I remained surprised to this day that this film does not seem to have made any published "10 worst films of all time" list. It certainly makes mine. You have been warned.