Written by respected film critic Roger Ebert (under the pseudonym R. Hyde) in 1978 with cult director Russ Meyer, Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens
is a sex farce/satire/comedy/porno flick with a good dose of jibes
aimed at the Catholic church thrown in for good measure. Oh, there's
also the...well...what can best be described as a "Norg-Fest". This
is a surprisingly funny movie, full of great one-liners and sexual
innuendo. But don't worry, somewhere amongst the bustacious stars there
is a thinly veiled story - disguising itself as a plot - disguising
itself as a pair of breasts. Junkyard worker Lamar is
having a strange marital problem - however, there's only one thing that
can turn him on, and it’s rather uncomfortable for his wife,
Lavonia (the gorgeously sexy Kitten Natividad) who is "...hotter than a
Mexican's lunch...". If Lamar doesn’t get help soon, though,
Lavonia may go through every man in town to get her own satisfaction.
Luckily, buxom radio evangelist Eufaula Roop may be able to help Lamar
before it’s too late. This is the final feature film
completed by director Russ Meyer before the end of the 20th century.
Having gained proffesional experience as a newsreel cameraman during
WWII, he took up a job as a Playboy photographer upon his return to the
States. Meyer' unique creation of sexploitation films during the 60's
(such as the cult hits Motor Psycho and Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!)
spawned many imitations. However, by the dawn of the 1980's, Meyer'
popularity began to wane with the advent of hardcore pornography. The film features the director’s most masterful, rapid-fire editing to date. Ultra-Vixens
is also the most sexually graphic of any Meyer film, with many comical
close-ups of male and female genitalia. But there's a good dose of
broad humor, with non-stop visual gags, comic sound effects, and
Meyer’s typically hyperbolic narration. All of his films are the
major influences behind the boundary pushing filmmakers of today
including Quentin Tarantino and the Farrely Brothers. It's
certainly not film-making at it's best. It's difficult to even describe
it, as it's not so much "filmaking" as it is "a guy with a camera
and some naked friends". Nonetheless, it is an important piece of
American film history - and also a great comeback if Roger Ebert ever
has a bad word to say about your work! DVD
Extras The
extras are surprisingly good. There is a commentary by Russ Meyers
himself recorded just prior to his death in September of 2004. Also
included are trailers for several other Russ Meyer films. The most interesting extra is a 15 minute interview with The Latin Brunhilde: Kitten Natividad who talks very opening about her time making the films, as well as her sexual relationship with Russ Meyer's himself. Conclusion:
Movie 65% Extras: 50% 
|