Incannerax What a waste of my time!!!

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Bumpy Chip It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Predrag "Private Parts" tells the story of the runaway teen Cheryl Stratton (Ayn Ruymen) and her stay in her aunt's shady San Francisco hotel. Cheryl's story is not one of those pleasant coming of age films knee deep in moral values or road movies that enlightens the viewer about the importance of the journey. No, director Paul Bartel, in his first feature, has something completely different in mind, as he presents an extraordinarily bizarre tale of voyeurism, sexuality, and passionate murder. The voyeuristically loaded opening credits apply camera flashes and exposed body parts, which cue the audience in the direction of the story's sexual nature. The subsequent scene presents the sexual nature of the film in a much more tangible manner, as Cheryl sneaks a look at her friend and her boyfriend. However, Cheryl finds herself caught peeping. It places her in an awkward situation, which she avoids by leaving after she has stolen her friend's money. Here "Private Parts" pays homage to "Psycho (1960)" with similarities such as having a girl with stolen money seeking room and board at a hotel. Additional parallels to "Psycho" emerge as the film unfolds; for example, there is an intriguing bathroom scene.This was a very odd movie, and I really enjoyed it. The story may not be all that unique, but it's told with flair, originality, and a dark, comic undertone that kept me interested throughout (the seediness and squalor of the characters quickly overshadows that of the hotel and its surroundings). The really interesting aspect for me was how, as the movie started, it just seemed a series of loosely connected events and strange details not really leading anywhere, but later on I began to realize this wasn't the case, as there was a sly subtly in the hinting of the material in terms of the various relationships and past occurrences with the hotel and its residents. Bartel made a number of films, some of them not so great, but when he's working with material that suits him, as is the case here, wonderfully tacky things ensue.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

otis von zipper They don't make 'em like this anymore.Private Parts was the first feature film for Paul (Eating Raoul) Bartel, and it is an odd little film combining elements of 70's exploitation, Bartel's usual luridness and dark humor, and some genuinely creepy situations.Acting slightly more naive than she actually is, Cheryl has become a resident of her aunt Martha's seedy and eccentric filled Los Angeles hotel. While most of the folk Cheryl meets seem harmless enough, someone is going around hacking up nosy visitors. The plot may be a familiar one, but this movie will take you places you could never imagine, mostly due to the strange relationship that emerges between Cheryl and George, a neighbor who is an avid photographer.For a 70's cheapie, the film looks great, and it completely captures the grimy feel of its hotel setting. As Cheryl playfully makes her way through the locked doors of her neighbors, it's easy to become anxious wondering what she may encounter. The cast on a whole is also exceptional with Lucille Benson as Aunt Martha a particular stand out. Lucille Benson's portrayal is an expert mix of sweetness and an unsettling sternness.Saying much more would give away too much. Suffice to say, this is a fun and unusual little 70's thriller. Anyone who enjoyed "Eating Raoul" or "Death Race 2000" would probably get a big kick out of this one too.

udar55 Young Cheryl (Ayn Ruymen) moves into her Aunt Martha's (Lucille Benson) rundown hotel in L.A. Unfortunately the hotel offers a bevy of senile old folks, weirdos and creeps. She immediately starts to receive anonymous messages from someone peeping at her through the walls. But the attention seems to turn Cheryl on and, after uncovering the stalker's identity, she begins to become obsessed with him. What a sick and twisted little masterpiece from Paul Bartel. I've only seen three of his films (DEATH RACE 2000, EATING RAOUL, SCENES FROM...) before this and this rocketed to no. 1 on my list. I'm not saying the others are bad by any means but this movie is so unique in its quirky personality. It is hard to believe it was made in 1972. The film also has a unique and surprising twist that must have been quite groundbreaking back in the day (and - spoilers - beat THE CRYING GAME by over 20 years). Ayn Ruymen is quite the hottie as well. Definitely check it out.

fertilecelluloid Bizarre, delightfully weird drama from Paul Bartel, the director of "Eating Raoul", "Lust in the Dust" and "Death Race 2000". These are all interesting films, but "Private Parts" is better -- it's fascinating, too.Little Cheryl, the cute Ayn Ruymen, turns up at her aunt's hotel, The King Edward, and discovers she's entered an urban catacomb of weirdos. Everybody is either a pervert or a raving nutcase. One character, George (John Ventantanio), a porno photographer, is both, and is central to the film's final revelation.The script is filled with intriguing ideas. For example, because George can't have a real woman, he fills a plastic one with water and makes love to her. When he's finished, just before he climaxes, he injects his own blood into her belly and watches it spread through her body.The film captures an authentic, skid-row ambiance that was LA in the early 70's. Ayn Ruymen's curious, naive, adventurous runaway from Cleveland even reminded me of Naomi Watts' character in Lynch's "Mulholland Drive". In fact, "Private Parts" is quite a Lynchian piece and may have been one of the director's cinematic influences.Lucille Benson's Aunt Martha is a wonderful creation, a fussing, fanatical, Shelley Winters type who brings enormous authority to her role and wears the very familiar skin of a typical Los Angeles native of the period.Bartel invents something unique in every scene and packs his story with wonderful and bizarre elements. A sudden beheading is a lovely, macabre surprise and the generous nudity is much appreciated.Entirely original and relentlessly odd. I loved it.