Hmmmm, what? How can the Japanese movie industry come up with this crazy titles and projects? This time, seems like a female swim team is up against a madman bent on creating an army of killing machines. Now, I haven’t seen this yet but the DVD cover sure is appealing (isn’t that a chainsaw?).

Of course, everybody likes fine reading. The fact is, since the popularity of the Internet, I less and less continued to buy movie magazines, as prices went up and the topicality became out of touch. There are some rare exceptions to my shopping habits, though, and one of them is Video Watchdog, still going strong.

Doubly sweet for that last issue is the fact that you can find the usual quality reviews of the last important DVD releases, but you can also take delight in two very important articles on a couple of legendary Sirens with very different backgrounds and careers, namely the sadly recently departed Hazel Court and the iconic and enigmatic Meiko Kaji.

It’s not for nothing that our Links section makes available to you Video Watchblog, VW editor Tim Lucas’ own fascinating space on the web. Go visit!

Of course engraved in our memories will always be the perfect legs and the exceptional talent, but also we’ll miss a very classy lady…

First appearing in print for Batman #1 (Spring 1940), Catwoman is one of the most recognized female character in the comic world. Named Selina Kyle, she was portrayed as a burglar who liked to use a whip in her nocturnal activities. The popularity of the campy Batman television show of the sixties was of course a great help for getting more recognition all around the world. For that series and a couple of movie projects that came much later, Catwoman was mainly portrayed by the following five actresses, five very different women in terms of acting experience and looks.

Julie Newmar
Born August 16, 1933
Having played Catwoman the most often for the TV series, Julie Newmar is eternally associated with the character, probably her best part ever. Her impressive beauty and height were of course appealing, but let’s not forget her awesome timing for comedy.

Lee Meriwether
Born May 27, 1935
Replacing Julie Newmar who was endlessly shooting the troubled western McKenna’s Gold, Lee Meriwether was elected to portray Catwoman for the Batman movie, which reunited the original male cast from the show. She stood her own, bringing great looks and sexiness to a role already defined by Julie.

Eartha Kitt
Born January 17, 1927
Eartha Kitt was a bold choice for the time as a replacement for some episodes, with the producers going on a completely different look, her the daughter of a white farmer and a black Cherokee mother. She already had a cat-like personality as a performer so it would have been interesting to see her grow into the character, if more episodes have been shot.

Michelle Pfeiffer
Born April 29, 1958
Catwoman got a real shot in the arm in terms of popularity for Batman Forever, the second episode of a newly hot superhero movie franchise. Michelle Pfeiffer was also very high on the list of top Hollywood actresses at the time, so nothing could go wrong. Her costume is still a classic of the genre and produced great interest for latex/rubber fashions.

Halle Berry
Born August 14, 1966
Even before a single scene was shot, that 2004 production was already reviled and shrouded in controversy. Hailed as one of the turkeys of the year, I’m one of the nine people worldwide who actually had some fun seeing it in an empty theater. Of course, Halle Berry fared much better as Storm for the X-Men franchise. But is it any worse than Elektra or The Punisher, I can only ask?

Is there any possibility left that Catwoman could make a return to the big screen? In a future Christian Bale movie episode, maybe? Recently, throaty actress Gina Gershon has done some voice work for the character in the animated The Batman TV series. I could easily picture her in the flesh with that kind of costume, though…

These two amazing French beauties are patiently waiting to become official Cult Sirens for quite some time. But which should be crowned first? Why don’t YOU decide? Drop me a line and make your main suggestion right now!

(Of course, Mylène’s on the left on your screen, Michèle’s on the right.)

The last time I posted a Lucy Pinder picture, it was met with great success and enthusiasm. I wonder why…? Why not strike back, all in the name of good friendship and essential visual study? I know you won’t blame me.

Whazzup with Lucy these days? Well, she’s been asked to write a novel… and more importantly, to read it on video to her thousands of fans. She already started a similar trend, when reading books including Shakespeare’s Henry V and Hamlet, lectures that you can witness for yourself on YouTube! (example) Give the gift of literacy today!