Luc Merenda Movies

Three American students studying art in Rome are drawn into a grim world of torture and suffering in director Eli Roth's blackly comic sequel to the horror hit that shocked the world. Beth (Lauren German), Whitney (Bijou Phillips), and Lorna (Heather Matarazzo) have ventured outside of their stateside surroundings in order to get a more worldly appreciation of the arts. But sketching nudes all day can take its toll on even the most talented artist, and when class is over the three girls jump at the opportunity to experience Europe firsthand. As they set out on the train for an impromptu weekend trip, however, the coeds are surprised to cross paths with the beautiful model they had just been sketching. It appears that she, too, is preparing for a vacation that promises to be both relaxing and rejuvenating, and a generous invitation to join her at a remote hostel surrounded by soothing hot springs ultimately proves too tempting for the adventurous Americans to pass up. Unfortunately for the unsuspecting students, one person's idea of relaxing can be another's worst nightmare. Now on an unavoidable collision course with two American businessmen who long to get an edge on their competition by experiencing the thrill of the kill and a scythe-wielding woman who maintains her youthful visage using the Elizabeth Bathory method, these unsuspecting students are about to fall into a trap that remains one of the sadistic and wealthy elite's most well-guarded secrets. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The Fantozzi character was created by Paolo Villaggio, based on stories he had written, and first appeared onscreen in 1975. Between then and 1987, six films featuring this hapless and much put-upon sad-sack man were made, and their great popularity was such that they continued to be made for years after that. By the time this film was made, the very word "Fantozzi" conjured up visions of a loser of epic proportions for almost any Italian. Thus, it seems only natural that this film explores all the Fantozzis of human history, beginning in the Garden of Eden. Even there, in paradise, he is the low man on the ladder of creation and is married to his shrewish wife Pina and suffers from having to look at his magnificently ugly daughter, Mariangela. God, it seems, was only practicing when he made Fantozzi and his family; Adam and Eve were his finished products. Since that time, Fantozzi families have appeared in every era, and in every era they have had a difficult time of it, as this comedy shows. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

The Italian Could It Happen Here? answers its own question early on. A "typical" city falls under the sphere of influence of despots. Imposing martial law, the new civic leaders unleash a reign of terror on the hapless citizens. It's worth noting that this sort of film always looks a bit arch and phony in American hands, but uncomfortably credible when the filmmakers are Europeans, thus well versed in the perils and pitfalls of totalitarianism. Most available prints of Could It Happen Here? are dubbed in English. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bruno Martel Luc Merenda is an idealistic hero who questions the meaning of life in this confusing and sometimes hallucinatory erotic drama. After a night in jail, he is gang-raped by punk rockers in a garbage dump. He later saves an old man who believes he is Garibaldi Alberto Sorrentino and a woman he believes is Ophelia Susanna Javicoli. Bruno watches helplessly as she later jumps from a window. The feature recalls some of the more avant garde efforts of Italian cinema from the 1960s. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

The Last Round stars Luc Merendea as a man who seeks revenge against some very bad men. In order to succeed, he must become the middle-man in a dangerous gang war. He must play both sides against each other, without anyone discovering his real motivations. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

After his son is kidnapped, a millionaire industrialist (James Mason) seeks revenge, in spite of the potential danger that his rash actions will bring about for his child and another kidnapped boy, the son of a poor mechanic (Luc Merenda). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

A group of extremely glamourous college coeds (Suzy Kendall among them) are being stalked by a hooded sex-killer whose weapon of choice is a hacksaw. Despite this perverse premise and an equally sick title (which translates as "The Bodies Show Signs of Carnal Violence"), this remains a rather dull exercise, representing the lower end of the Italian giallo thriller spectrum and lacking much of the violence common to films of the same genre, thus failing to keep its flimsy plot in motion. What gore was present in the Italian cut has been all but wiped out by the film's U.S. distributor. Released on video as Torso. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

In this Italian action film, a suspended police officer risks his badge in an attempt to bring a mob kingpin to justice. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

Steve McQueen is ideally cast as a champion race car driver, participating in the famed 24-hour race headquartered in Le Mans, France. Though dedicated to Going for the Gold, McQueen finds time to romance widowed Elga Andersen. The dramatic angle to this plot wrinkle is that McQueen may well have been responsible for the death of Andersen's husband during a previous car pile-up. Director John Sturges, who'd previously helmed Steve McQueen's legendary motorcycle chase scenes in The Great Escape, was originally slated to direct Le Mans, but withdrew from the project; it was then taken over by Lee H. Katzin of The Phynx. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A pretty secretary is fired after refusing to give in to her boss' amorous advances. While walking home, she is picked up by a bordello madame. She and her roommates visit the bordello but find the facility to be tawdry. They conspire to become high priced call girls and use the files of the lecherous boss to assess the income of prospective clients. Their apartment soon is turned into a luxurious love nest as they acquire a steady business of wealthy men. One man likes to videotape his erotic adventures for later viewing. Although the trio attains financial independence, they are unable to free themselves from the daily responsibilities and separate their personal and professional lives. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide