It's Kung Fu and horror this episode, as we take on a demon in Devil's Express, with Roosters Brewing DIPA. This was a collaboration, as I suggested Jayson watch it, and he added it to the list.
One of our rules: If a movie has multiple titles, it's likely a B-Movie.
While not his real name, Warhawk Tanzania, as our hero Luke is an awesome name. He's a mysterious figure. Did two movies and disappeared. Seriously, it's hard to find anything about him. Closest thing was an interview with co-star Wilfredo Roldan.
The subtitles on Amazon are wild. 16-17 different ways to describe music. I wrote them down. "Ruminative Instrumental" is a personal favorite.
Monks stash a crate in a cave, sealing it with an amulet, then all of them are killed, we presume to keep the location secret.
New York was a rough place in the 70s.
Luke has a loose deal with Officer Cris: teach him Kung Fu, but that's it! Rodan, Luke's buddy, is a terrible choice in friends. He is, in fact, the reason for all the bad that happens.
Luke and Rodan have a trip to China planned: Luke to compete for his master's belt in Kung Fu (we think?)
The fight scenes are something else: Like a demo tape or something you'd see at a farmer's market. Rodan proves once again to be an unreliable friend. This leads him to the cave, the crate and the amulet, which he takes. This frees the demon.
The demon possesses a businessman waiting to board a ship. Low budget as it is, they painted eyes on the actor's eyelids to indicate possession. I think it's a pretty creepy effect. The actor does a game job with this.
Roosters DIPA is going down nicely. We visited their restaurant on a visit, and suggest you do the same if you're visiting that area.
The demon hits New York. Rodan makes more poor decisions, buying a large quantity of cocaine in broad daylight on a busy street.
Montage of Luke's happy life in New York, with a brilliant song playing over it. Lots of casual 70s shirtless and unbuttoned shirts to be had. We could not find anything about the song, so if you know anything, let us know.
Did everyone in 70s New York know martial arts? Luke notices the amulet Rodan's wearing.
The demon bursting out of the businessman is a cool effect.
Oh, yeah, officer Cris. We forgot about him. He also has a new partner, sam, who's a square from money, while Cris is from the streets. Odd couple alert.
There's a gang war afoot. A man makes a really bad decision, following a voice into the subway tunnel.
Is this film a metaphor about New York at the time? New York had demons in the 70s. Haunted, if you will. We're dealing with the underground and above ground.
Another body found in the subway! Sam has a theory. A classic urban legend about New York.
This movie could have been a Kolchak episode.
Sam invites Cris to play tennis, then he's surprised to find Cris doesn't play tennis.
Crazy Bag Lady on subway alone makes this movie worth watching.
The beer is so good. We both take a swing at connecting the movie to the beer. It meanders.
Cris is getting desperate as the bodies pile up. Luke is pretty unhelpful.
The demon inadvertently plays good Samaritan.
5 murders in three days in the subway! New theory, not a gang war, it's a maniac!
Rodan gets his after bailing on his friend, and we don't feel bad.
Luke beats up some rival gangsters, the last one takes him to the old, old, old, man. He breaks down the demon/amulet situation to Luke. Luke, of course, is the Chosen One to save us from the demon. Easy enough.
Luke/Demon subway showdown. It's, well...about as good as the other fights in the movie. Luke emerges victorious.
Finish up with Luke in the hospital. The old man's taking the amulet on a "slow boat to China." Not a Cole Porter song, by the way, despite what Sam thinks.
Would Jayson recommend it? Not at first, but multiple viewings brought him around. The clothes and music are fun. You have to watch it to experience it. I would recommend it. It's fun, weird, we may be looking too deep for meaning, but I dig it. Roosters DIPA? We highly recommend it. I've had many of their beers, and enjoyed each one.
Intro music for this episode is a mix of (1) Turn on The Funk (Story Blocks Audio subscription), (2) sample 1961’s The Phantom Planet [in the public domain], and (3) sample 1968’s Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women [in the public domain]. Outro music Vintage Background Jazz Atmosphere by Volodymyr Piddubnyk (Story Blocks Audio subscription).
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