Wednesday 1 June
Planet Terror
8:50pm, SBS 2Available after broadcast at SBS On Demand
MA15+
USA, 2007
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Rose McGowan, Josh Brolin, Freddy Rodriguez, Bruce Willis
What's it about?Planet Terror, the other half of the Rodriguez-Tarantino double-bill project Grindhouse, has got all your B-grade movie needs covered – gore, guns, zombies – and simply is a lot of fun. When an experimental gas is accidentally released at a remote military base in Texas, it turns millions into zombies out to kill. Stripper Cherry (Rose McGowan) – who after being mutilated by a zombie transforms her body into a powerful weapon – her shady ex-boyfriend (Freddy Rodriguez, from Six Feet Under), a strong-willed doctor and the local sheriff must join forces to survive.
Watch the original Movie Show ★★★ ½ review
Machete Kills
10:50pm, SBS 2Available after broadcast at SBS On Demand
MA15+
USA, 2013
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Michelle Rodriguez, Danny Trejo, Amber Heard
What's it about?
Based on the Grindhouse fake trailers (on which Rodriguez collaborated with Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth), this sequel to Machete sees Danny Trejo return as ex-Federale agent Machete, who is recruited by the U.S. President to take down a madman revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war and anarchy across the planet. You'll get your fix of explosions, fearless sexy ladies and self-referential jokes in this star-studded "Mexploitation" flick, which includes Modern Family's Sofia Vergara as a badass Madame, as well as Antonio Banderas, Lady Gaga and Mel Gibson.
Wednesday 8 June
Evil Dead
MA15+
USA, 2013
Director: Fede Alvarez
Starring: Lou Taylor Pucci, Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez
What's it about?
When five twenty-something friends holed up in a remote cabin discover a Book of the Dead, they unwittingly summon up dormant demons living in the nearby woods, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival. This totally, utterly terrifying remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film, directed by Fede Alvarez (and produced by Sam Raimi), offers its own twist on the original storyline and contains even more gore, puke, blood and dismemberment than the first version.
High Lane
10:35pm, SBS 2Watch now at SBS On Demand
MA15+
France, 2009
Director: Abel Ferry
Starring: Fanny Valette, Johan Libéreau, Raphaël Lenglet
What's it about?
It's Cliffhanger meets Wolf Creek in the Croatian mountains for this French horror movie, where a group of friends on a rock-climbing holiday venture onto a mountain trail that has been closed for repairs. The climb proves more perilous than planned when they realise they are not alone, and their trek becomes a high-altitude fight for survival.
Wednesday 15 June
Rurouni Kenshin
8:55pm, SBS 2Available after broadcast at SBS On Demand
MA15+
Japan, 2012
Director: Keishi Ohtomo
Starring: Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Yu Aoi
What's it about?
Based on a popular manga, Rurouni Kenshin became a box office in Japan thanks to its stunning sword fights and its action-packed story. Set in 1868 Japan, the movie centres on Battosai the Killera, a lone swordsman leads a samurai uprising and manages to defeat the shogun's forces, marking the dawn of a new era. Once legendary for his killing prowess, Battosai becomes a wanderer under the name of Kenshin Himura and vows never to kill again. But things are not so simple: faced with those who wish to return Japan to times of darkness, Kenshin grapples with the consequences of his decision.
The Raid
11:20pm, SBS 2Available after broadcast at SBS On Demand
MA15+
Indonesia, 2011
Director: Gareth Evans
Starring: Iko Uwais, Ananda George, Ray Sahetapy
What's it about?
In the heart of Jakarta lies a rundown apartment, ruled by a ruthless drug lord who uses the tenement to shelter his junkie customers, pushers, enforcers and brutal killers. The apartment block is considered untouchable by even the bravest of police, until one early morning when an elite SWAT team, led by officer Rama (the hugely popular Iko Uwais), raids the peril-filled structure. A lot of gunfire ensues, but martial arts lovers will also enjoy beautifully choreographed scenes of "pencak silat", a traditional Indonesian fighting style.
[link title="Read ★★★ ½ review" url="node/5797"]
Wednesday 22 June
Man of Tai Chi
MA15+
USA/China/Hong Kong, 2013
Director: Keanu Reeves
Starring: Tiger Hu Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen Mok
What's it about?Man of Tai Chi marks Keanu Reeves' exciting and stylish directorial debut. Set in modern Beijing, the film follows the spiritual journey of a young martial artist (played by Tiger Chen, with whom Reeves worked on The Matrix) whose unparalleled Tai Chi skills land him in a highly lucrative underworld fight club run by the shady Donaka Mark (Reeves). But Donaka has ulterior motives for Chen, which will see the young man being torn between his philosophy and his anger against the developers who threaten to demolish the temple at which Chen studies with his master.
Man of Tai Chi: Keanu Reeves interview
Read: Man of Tai Chi ★ ★ ★ ½ Review
Rollerball
M
UK, 1975
Director: Norman Jewison
Starring: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck
What's it about?
Rollerball is set in 2018, in a futuristic society where corporations have replaced countries and where the only sources of entertainment are brutal, no-holds-barred sport competitions – Rollerball – used to control the populace by demonstrating the futility of individuality. However, one player, Jonathan E. (James Caan), rises to the top, fights for his personal freedom, and threatens the corporate control. A fast-hitting, action-packed glimpse of a future where murder is just part of the game.
Wednesday 29 June
Red State
MA15+
USA, 2011
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Michael Parks, Melissa Leo, John Goodman
What's it about?
Red State marks a fine return to form for director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma) with a fiery polemic about Christian fundamentalism and American values. The story centres on a trio of horny teenagers who are lured into the compound of a cult fundamentalist Christian group and their pastor, Alvin Cooper, with the promise of an orgy. As the Pastor and his congregation embark on a reign of unholy terror, the teenagers soon also have to contend with an imminent hail of gun fighting with the US Army. An adventurous, unpredictable, and unique film.
[link title="Why You Should Watch: Red State" url="node/18156"]
[link title="Read ★★★★ review" url="node/5598"]
The Devil's Rejects
MA15+
Germany/USA, 2005
Director: Rob Zombie
Starring: Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie
What's it about?
This gruesome, funny and nasty sequel to heavy metal star Rob Zombie’s The House of 1000 Corpses boasts a body count that rivals the original. When the Firefly family are ambushed at their isolated home by Sheriff Wydell and a squad of armed men guns blazing, only Otis and his sister, Baby, manage to escape unharmed. Hiding out in a backwater motel, the siblings wait to rendezvous with their errant father, killing whoever happens to stand in their way.
