Rating: 
Summary: more low-budget rape & revenge from the early 80's
Review: "Ms. 45" is a movie that's well-made and transfixing in some ways, but also shallow and typical of the popular 'revenge' genre. The one major twist that sets this apart from other movies--"I Spit on Your Grave," for instance--is that the beautiful female victim who is raped 2x just happens to be mute. For a while, it's interesting to see her as she stalks the streets of New York, killing specimens of male scum entirely at random, until she snaps in a surreal Halloween-party sequence. "Ms. 45" gets extra mileage out of its female lead (Zoe Tamerlis)--it's interesting to imagine what her world must be like. But unfortunately, even this interesting character winds up being just another screw-loose vigilante because the script's aspirations are too lowbrow. Abel Ferrara is a talented director (certainly better than ISoYG's Meir Zarchi) and this movie kept my attention, but it probably won't take long to fade from my memory.On a technical level, the version I rented was actually a bootlegged copy of the film with sludgy, near-unwatchable picture quality, so maybe that's a negative influence. If you can find a good copy of "Ms. 45," it's worth checking out at least once.
Rating:
Summary: more low-budget rape & revenge from the early 80's
Review: "Ms. 45" is a movie that's well-made and transfixing in some ways, but also shallow and typical of the popular 'revenge' genre. The one major twist that sets this apart from other movies--"I Spit on Your Grave," for instance--is that the beautiful female victim who is raped 2x just happens to be mute. For a while, it's interesting to see her as she stalks the streets of New York, killing specimens of male scum entirely at random, until she snaps in a surreal Halloween-party sequence. "Ms. 45" gets extra mileage out of its female lead (Zoe Tamerlis)--it's interesting to imagine what her world must be like. But unfortunately, even this interesting character winds up being just another screw-loose vigilante because the script's aspirations are too lowbrow. Abel Ferrara is a talented director (certainly better than ISoYG's Meir Zarchi) and this movie kept my attention, but it probably won't take long to fade from my memory. On a technical level, the version I rented was actually a bootlegged copy of the film with sludgy, near-unwatchable picture quality, so maybe that's a negative influence. If you can find a good copy of "Ms. 45," it's worth checking out at least once.
Rating: 
Summary: Wooden acting and bad FX can't stunt the power of this film
Review: A trash classic. A mute garment worker is raped twice within a few hours. She gets a gun and begins killing every man who makes a sleazy pass at her. That's it. The late Zoe Tamerlis Lund carries the film with a spooky performance. And Abel Ferrara gives everything a gritty sheen that he later perfected in films like KING OF NEW YORK and BAD LIEUTENANT.
Rating: 
Summary: Not your typical feminist revenge film...
Review: Abel Ferrara's second major film (after Driller Killer, also rereleased on DVD), which has just been released on DVD, is the controversial "Ms. 45." The picture transfer is well done, really crisp and clear...you couldn't tell it was made 20 years ago except by hairstyles and clothes. The sound is not the greatest; some parts are hardly audible. And, there are no extras at all in this edition; no trailers, commentary, interviews, nothing. But as for the movie itself, those who are into revenge films will find it a pleasant surprise. The late Zoe Tamerlaine (who has an uncanny resemblance to Denise Richards) stars as Thana, a sexy mute woman, who is the victim of rape and burglary. She survives, killing one of the rapists. But she doesn't call the cops...she instead takes the dead rapist and starts sawing up his body, later disposed in garbage bags. She then takes his 45 caliber, and this is when the movies gets really crazy. Her world becomes very delusional, and Thana starts shooting guys out of paranoia. But progressively she becomes even more trigger happy, and starts to kill any guy who advances on her, even when he is posing no immediate threat to her. The movie climaxes with a very wild, bloody shootout. "Ms. 45" has been quoted as Ferrara's "Taxi Driver"; Ferrara's direction is a less-gritty Scorsese, displaying New York through funny dialogue and scenes. The movie will satisfy gorehounds, and it will keep the viewer interested in this gory black comedy from start to finish. "Ms. 45" has been banned in many countries, and it had to be cut to get an "R" rating. Ferrara's excellent direction is a huge accomplishment this being only his second major film, and it places "Ms. 45" much higher than other feminist revenge films (eg I spit on your grave). After watching this movie, you'll see where they got the idea for "American Psycho"...
Rating:
Summary: Not your typical feminist revenge film...
Review: Abel Ferrara's second major film (after Driller Killer, also rereleased on DVD), which has just been released on DVD, is the controversial "Ms. 45." The picture transfer is well done, really crisp and clear...you couldn't tell it was made 20 years ago except by hairstyles and clothes. The sound is not the greatest; some parts are hardly audible. And, there are no extras at all in this edition; no trailers, commentary, interviews, nothing. But as for the movie itself, those who are into revenge films will find it a pleasant surprise. The late Zoe Tamerlaine (who has an uncanny resemblance to Denise Richards) stars as Thana, a sexy mute woman, who is the victim of rape and burglary. She survives, killing one of the rapists. But she doesn't call the cops...she instead takes the dead rapist and starts sawing up his body, later disposed in garbage bags. She then takes his 45 caliber, and this is when the movies gets really crazy. Her world becomes very delusional, and Thana starts shooting guys out of paranoia. But progressively she becomes even more trigger happy, and starts to kill any guy who advances on her, even when he is posing no immediate threat to her. The movie climaxes with a very wild, bloody shootout. "Ms. 45" has been quoted as Ferrara's "Taxi Driver"; Ferrara's direction is a less-gritty Scorsese, displaying New York through funny dialogue and scenes. The movie will satisfy gorehounds, and it will keep the viewer interested in this gory black comedy from start to finish. "Ms. 45" has been banned in many countries, and it had to be cut to get an "R" rating. Ferrara's excellent direction is a huge accomplishment this being only his second major film, and it places "Ms. 45" much higher than other feminist revenge films (eg I spit on your grave). After watching this movie, you'll see where they got the idea for "American Psycho"...
Rating:
Summary: Exploitation at its Finest.
Review: Good exploitation films should upset the apple-cart, cross over the line, and upset community censors. Many of Abel Ferrar's best films: King of New York, Bad Lieutenant, Fear City and The Addition do just that. His best film however remains this very low budget 1981 effort which fuses the most effective parts of Taxi Driver and Death Wish, with I Spit on Your Grave. It was his second legit. film (after Driller Killer). While 'I Spit..", was made in sub-Herschell Gordon Lewis fashion and is a nearly unwatchable, amateurish gore film, Ms. 45 remains an exploitation classic. And it's been made by a director who despite a minimal budget, delivers a film of some vision and atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, this is still sick and rather strong stuff. Ms. 45 gives us a young, sexy woman as it's protagonist (a rarity at the time). She is at first a pitiful victim. She's a 17 - year- old garment-district worker, who's barely surviving on the mean streets of New York. The film quickly establishes how alone she is in the crowded city. She's not just alone, but she's unable to fit in or communicate effectively with anyone (Taxi Driver). She's a mute (most likely a traumatic reaction to a childhood of probable sexual abuse) and she's raped not once, but twice in one day (yes the first alley-way rapist is Abel himself). She fights back, killing her second rapist/robber, and gaining confidence as she cuts up his body in her bathtub. Perhaps an homage or two to Diabolique, Psycho and Repulsion are intended (but don't worry this is exploitation at it's finest--not art). She decides her new mission in life is as an avenger against man's sexual aggressions toward women. No overly agressive man or would-be rapist is going to get away unscathed if caught by MS. 45. But not all the people she kills even in movie realy deserve to be killed. So our beautiful, mute, avenger becomes herself a serial killer. She's no longer a sympathetic victim out for revenge, but a stalker herself. There's a few surprises, some interesting jazz music on the soundtrack and plenty of violence and gore to satisfy the exploitation lover. There's also some fine low budget film-making on display as well. And Zoe Tamerlis' performance is much better than the type of performances one is used to encountering in films of this type. That means the film isn't one to enjoy on a campy level, and it's not one that allows its audience to simply enjoy it's blood lust (as say Death Wish may have). This film has more on its mind, and it's a disturbing, memorable film. The controversy this film still creates is purposefully earned. The film was written by usual Abel collaborator, Nicholas St. John. Chris Jarmick Author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder - A steamy cyber thriller available January 2001. Please order it today. Thank You
Rating:
Summary: Early Abel Ferrara Greatness
Review: Here's a neat early offering from director great Abel Ferrara. A young woman is raped twice in the same day, and is so distraught by the event that she sets off to eradicate the male gender. This film is her mostly luring men into traps and taking their life. The finale is incredible, with the star dressed up as some sort of avenging nun, opening fire on everyone. The rest of the cast is lackluster, and serves no real purpose except to catch the star's bullets. Ferrara has certainly put out better films, but Ms.45 is definitely worth your time.
Rating:
Summary: How come...
Review: Hey,why is it that I'm the only one to review this cult classic? C'mon it was VERY well-done, and the ending- Whoa, that was among the greats. RIP to Zoe Tamerlis.
Rating:
Summary: And you thought you were having a bad day
Review: I am glad "Ms. 45" is back on the shelf, because for a long time it was hard to find, certainly up here in Canada. This film is superior to "Driller Killer" in every way except for the lead track. Nothing touches the live performance of Tony Coca Cola and the Roosters playing The Grand Street Stomp. It is quite obvious in "Ms. 45" that that is not the sound of a trumpet. Anyway, for those who don't dig this, you can't tell me you can diss it. This, his second film, is night and day between "Driller Killer". What an obvious improvement. I was hoping that the DVD wouldn't be Vanilla and have at least a directors commentary. "Driller Killer's" commentray is legendary. And while you could chalk this up as being the female version of "Death Wish" there are some elements here that make it a true horror flick. For all those who liked "Eating Raoul", this is a must see. Suspension of disbelief is an obvious exercise here, but you won't be disappointed with it if this is your thing. See if you can spot Michael Richards as one of the extras at the Halloween party.
Rating:
Summary: And you thought you were having a bad day
Review: I am glad "Ms. 45" is back on the shelf, because for a long time it was hard to find, certainly up here in Canada. This film is superior to "Driller Killer" in every way except for the lead track. Nothing touches the live performance of Tony Coca Cola and the Roosters playing The Grand Street Stomp. It is quite obvious in "Ms. 45" that that is not the sound of a trumpet. Anyway, for those who don't dig this, you can't tell me you can diss it. This, his second film, is night and day between "Driller Killer". What an obvious improvement. I was hoping that the DVD wouldn't be Vanilla and have at least a directors commentary. "Driller Killer's" commentray is legendary. And while you could chalk this up as being the female version of "Death Wish" there are some elements here that make it a true horror flick. For all those who liked "Eating Raoul", this is a must see. Suspension of disbelief is an obvious exercise here, but you won't be disappointed with it if this is your thing. See if you can spot Michael Richards as one of the extras at the Halloween party.
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