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August 2008 ~ October 2008
2008 ~ Director: Patrick Beacham
Indie Pictures
This DVD is supposed to be about random Star Wars fans that were chosen from a post-Revenge of the Sith viewing crowd to be part of a discussion about Star Wars, and more specifically Revenge of the Sith. I have to say I was a little disappointed to learn that they're not "real" fans but actors and actresses portraying "real" fans so that discounted the whole premise of the movie for me.
What we get is over-acted dialogue about these nine people's experiences about seeing the Star Wars movies and how it affected their lives. At some points in the movie their personal lives interfere with the discussion, a gay couple defend their love of Star Wars and being gay, a married couple have a few revelations about their relationship, and a few other people get involved in a heated fundamentalist Christian discussion that really is the most interesting section of the whole movie. Basically the director used this movie as a tool to comment on certain aspects in the world and Star Wars was the starting point for these discussions. Honestly, I'd find it more interesting if I got together with a bunch of my friends that are Star Wars fans and discuss in an improvisational manner the same things they discuss here, except I would find it more entertaining.
There are some extras and the set also comes with an audio CD containing the soundtrack music which is nice at times but mostly easy listening elevator music.
C- -Matt Smith
1988 ~ Director: Tom Holland
20th Century Fox
Back in the fall of 1988, Hollywood was unleashing what was soon to become the freshest face in horror franchises. And it was in the form of a talking doll that was possessed by a murderer! Sounds far fetched on paper, but Child's Play became a monster success, raking in over $25 million at the box office. Since then, 4 sequels have made the Child's Play series one of the most popular in horror history. But what once was a murdering toy soon became the way of Fredrick Krueger in becoming a jokester, which alienated most of its fanbase and creating a whole new one. But let's remember the time when Chucky was a real badass in Tom Holland's Child's Play: Chucky's 20th Birthday Edition thanks to MGM.
Wanted murderer Charles Lee Ray (the always awesome Brad Dourif), in a botched robbery attempt is shot by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon) in a toy store. Fearing death approaching he recites a voodoo passage that allows his soul to enter into the body of a Good Guy doll (the store also happens to be destroyed in the soul transfer). Six-year-old Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent) has a birthday coming up and wants a Good Guy doll in the worst way from his mother Karen (Catherine Hicks). Unable to purchase the expensive gift, Karen luckily finds a bum with a Good Guy doll from the aforementioned toy store unbeknownst of the doll's past. Named Chucky, Alex is happy with the doll, but soon happiness turns to dread as Charles Lee Ray continues his murderous ways. And if he doesn't get out of the doll in time, he will remain one for all eternity.
This movie is a modern classic example of how well a movie can work without the use of CGI. The animatronics of Child's Play are top notch and shows the filmmakers that they weren't kidding with how serious they were. Kevin Yagher's work is beyond masterful. Very meticulously created as to how Chucky moved and spoke. Acting is very good too as Vincent's turn as Andy is subtle in a Heather O'Roarke sort of way. And Dourif is Chucky! Evil to the point of being ugly, Chucky lays out some wickedly dark humor to spice things up a bit. Holland's direction is even throughout and barely a dull moment during the film's remaining 20 minutes.
The DVD is presented (finally) in 1.85:1 widescreen with Dolby 5.1 Stereo Surround Sound. Extras include commentaries (including a scene specific commentary by Chucky!), featurettes, and galleries. And look for some unimportant, though interesting easter eggs.
Scary, suspenseful, and intriguing, Child's Play is a tour de force. The animatronics are the real star (though Dourif certainly does not disappoint) and Yagher deserves highest praise. If you haven't seen this, now is the time to pick it up. You'll be mad at yourself if you do. Remember Chucky the way he used to be dammit!
A -Rabid Rich
2005 ~ Director: Andrew Leman
HPLHS Motion Pictures
While researching for an upcoming article on Lovecraft in the movies, I came across this short film that was made in 2005 and I was truly impressed. Filmed in “Mythoscope”, which mixes vintage and modern special effects, the film truly captures the essence of the early days of film while staying true to the original story. The actors really did a great job conveying the storyline in this silent film and the essence of the early days of film is maintained throughout. The mix of old and new techniques are blended quite well and it wasn’t until I viewed the special features that I realized how much movie magic was utilized.
I was totally blown away by this film, it was the best Lovecraft film I’ve seen in years and I can recommend it to both Lovecraft enthusiasts and filmmakers alike. I can’t say enough about how great this movie really is, other than saying it was awesome. I look forward to other productions from the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society. Cthulhu Fthagn!
A -Choppy
2008 ~ Director: Dan Gildark
Regent Releasing
You would think that with a name like Cthulhu that you’d see even a glimpse of the great Lovecraftian god, but not in this extremely dull film. The film is an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s short story The Shadow Over Innsmouth which is more of a reimagining than an adaptation. The story is updated to more modern times and the main character was developed into a homosexual lead, which really makes no sense since his family is a bunch of bizarre cultists that mates with sea creatures, why would someone being gay be such a problem? This film moves along like old people fuck; it’s slow, dry, painful, and no one gets any real excitement out of it, especially if you wait the whole movie for Cthulhu to show up.
I will say that the film is shot very well and there are some very beautiful scenes visually, it’s just that the plot plods along at an excruciating pace. Besides a few quick shots of Cthulhu on a manhole cover or the sign for the church of Dagon, you’d never know that this was a Lovecraft movie. I think the writer and director assumed that only fans of Lovecraft would see this film or just thought that everyone knew all about his stories because the film gives the viewer no indication of who this cult is or what they worship exactly. I was truly disappointed in this film, maybe I would have liked it a little bit better if it was called something else like The Lovecraft Story That We Completely Fucked Up.
C -Choppy
1989 ~ Director: Brett Leonard
Code Red Films
Not long after George Romero supplanted himself with his third zombie film, Day of the Dead in 1985, most thought that the zombie film was going to be gone for good, as it was a huge failure. But for the past 7 years or so, zombie films have made a triumphant comeback. You see them literally everywhere! And with DVD, zombie films are not only making the comeback huge, but also making fans old and new reinvested in the zombie films of the past. One such film was kinda overlooked during its release. But director Brett Leonard and Code Red Films have brought back their own zombie flick known as Dead Pit released in 1989.
Dr. Ramzi (Danny Gochnauer) is a sadistic doctor who had a love of torturing his patients. Killed by a fellow doctor, Ramzi is buried in the basement of the hospital never to be heard from again. Fast forward a couple decades, amnesia patient Jane Doe (Heather Langenkamp look-a-like Cheryl Lawson) desperately wants to remember who she is. A major earthquake rocks the hospital, thereby opening the basement pit where Dr. Ramzi and his patients were laid to rest. However, Dr. Ramzi's experiments are not finished yet as he and a plague of zombies rule the asylum.
The film is somewhat of an uneven, however interesting take on the zombie sub-genre. The film sometimes veers off into areas it doesn't need to. Thereby making the characters a little too complex at times. The gore is decent and the acting is pretty good too. The look of the film, sadly, gives it a cheap quality. As if you know the film is good enough to give it a better print than this. The colors seem to bleed, especially the reds. Other colors are far too soft.
The DVD is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen with Dolby Digital sound. Extras included in this 2 DVD set are a commentary, on camera interview (Lawson looks HOT!!!!!), galleries, behind the scenes footage, alternate scenes, FX test footage, and trailers.
Dead Pit isn't a bad film. Its just that it didn't age well. The softness of the print is its real downfall. But zombie completists will want to see this. Just wish there was a better print out there. There has to be.
C+ -Rabid Rich
2006 ~ Director: Adam Mason
Sony
Director Adam Mason, fresh from his earlier work Broken, has delve into very familiar territory, but with a new spin, in his film The Devil's Chair, released by Sony Pictures.
Nick West (Andrew Howard) has been locked up in an insane asylum for the past four years trying to convince that his girlfriend, after taking hits of acid, sat in a chair at a burned down asylum which killed her. Upon hearing about his story Dr. Willard (David Gant) wants to write a story on his experiences. West brings him and a few of his students to the area in question where the chair still sits. The chair is a demonic device that leads who ever sitting in it to the outskirts of hell.
The Devil's Chair is an interesting story, but one we have seen before. It looks like a collaboration between Guy Ritchie and Clive Barker. Howard is good as West, but gives off the vibe of Jason Statham. Not all his fault however as the film is constantly interrupted with freeze framing along with inner dialogue by West. And being sent to hell, and most notably seeing the demon, gives off too much of a Clive Barker feel. Weirdly enough, these two seem to work pretty good together and hand off something a little different. The gore quotient is pretty high too for you bloodhounds out there. But the film feels a bit too important. Like it's trying to be bigger than what its supposed to be. Maybe its a case of trying too hard.
The DVD is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen with 5.1 Dolby Digital. Extras include a commentary and making of featurette.
The Devil's Chair is far from perfect, but a good little bone rattler if you're in the mood. Check it out. You could always do worse.
B -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Director: Peter McManus
Genius
Hearken back to a simpler time when films like Them! or Kingdom of the Spiders were scaring the pants off of you. Or at the very least making you feel all queezed out. Personally, I hate insects. I don't like anything that has more legs than a dog or more eyes than it should. But I digress. Other films like Squirm, Bugs, and Day of the Locust show how the lower life form can suddenly take over the earth. Well director Peter McManus and Genius Entertainment have brought together another film for the "Maneater Series", this time surrounding an overwhelming colony of ants in a film called The Hive.
Len (Kal Weber) runs a super-extermination team called Thorax. Their most experienced member Bill (Dukes of Hazzard's Tom Wopat) and crew travel to Brazil to eliminate a super colony of ants. A size and type of ant that has never been seen before. They travel in a pack of 200 million and devour everything in their path, including humans. Soon Len and Bill, with super charged extermination packs, understand the ants origins and realize the problem is much more than they could've expected.
I really don't know where to begin with this. Constant word from fans claim this to be pretty damn good. And it is....if it isn't compared with anything else. The schlocky storyline is typical Sci-Fi Channel patheticness. The CGI is completely abysmal and the acting is so horrendous, John Waters would have a chill going up his spine. The dialogue is laughable and seeing Wopat trying to go past is "Luke Duke" days is embarrassing. The characters look like rejects from a lame ass Ghostbusters play. Suspense is nil at best. And exactly why is a film that deals with a huge colony of ants called The Hive? Yeah, I don't know either.
DVD presented here 1.78:1 widescreen with Dolby sound. No extras.
The Hive wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for everything involved. Maybe if Uncle Jesse was still around making moonshine, that could've taken care of the ant problem. But there is another problem called The Hive, and I don't think there's anything that can kill this after seeing it.
D -Rabid Rich
Sony
This 2-dvd set holds 4 classic Hammer films.
The Two Faces Of Dr. Jekyll -
1960
A bearded, Henry Jekyll (Paul Massie) is a lone researcher attempting to define and control the duality of man. He wants to show the seperation of man's personality from the restraints of conscience and morality. Jekyll's wife Kitty (Dawn Addams) spends the movie having an affair with his good friend Paul Allen (Christopher Lee). This bizarre love triangle gets complicated after Jekyll's other personality "Mr.
Hyde" takes form and advantage of the situation.
An odd thing about this version of the Jekyll/Hyde story is that as Hyde he is beardless and seemingly dashing. But still a "monster" deep down. I found this movie to be fairly entertaining and probably the best of the 4. Sex, violence, mystery and intelligence.
The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb -
1964
The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb starts with a bloody hand-chopping scene, but then lays off of the gore for the rest of the film. This isn't Hammer's best Mummy installment, infact the movie kinda lacks major substance. The Mummy itself isn't anything to write home about either, infact the only really good things I can say are the color in the film was great, and the movie moves pretty quickly.
The Gorgon -
1965
Starring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley and Richard Pasco. In the early-twentieth-century a European, village is being haunted by the spirit of a Medusa. The authorities try to cover up the situation, but on the full moon, Medusa leaves her castle lair and anyone looking on her face is turned to stone. Honestly, the movie was okay, but I was a little bored.
Scream of Fear -
1961
Filmed in B&W is probably one of the best psychological thrillers filmed after Psycho. Jane, the step-mother of Penny Appleby seems up to no good from the get go. But who is her partner in crime? Or is Penny just neurotic? There are many questions to ask yourself while watching this movie. and Who is the girl in the beginning of the movie? Ad where is Penny's father? Sounds like a lot of questions doesn't it? Watch and you will find out the answer to all of these and more. Add one more movie of the set to be graced by Christopher Lee along with the beautiful Susan Strasberg as Penny. I really liked this movie. I'd say the set is worth it for this movie alone.
As a set I'll give it a C+... only because 3 of the 4 movies I'm not crazy about. However if you love Hammer Films you will most likely buy this regardless, and thats great because the films look and sound incredible.
C+ -Erik Guntor
2007 ~ Director: Jon Knautz
Anchor Bay
A real monster movie has been out of the horror loop for some time now. True monsters; the kind that is played by a man in a rubber suit. Oh the days of yesterday. You kids have no clue what you missed out on. CGI has taken over and not for the better. Well Anchor Bay and director Jon Knautz thought that bringing back the old suits again would revive the old monster sub genre in the form of Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer.
As a child, Jack Brooks' (Trevor Matthews) family was torn apart by a hideous monster. eaten alive right in front of his shocked eyes. Fast forward 20 years or so, and Jack, now a plumber, has never learned to deal with what happened so long ago. Therefore having severe anger issues, including seeing a shrink. Attending a night class, Professor Crowley (Robert Englund) is having problems with his plumbing at an old house he recently purchased. Unbeknownst to everyone, except for an old codger working at the local hardware store, that monsters lurk in that very area. Crowley is attacked and soon not only becomes a monster, but transforms those who are defeated by him to be monsters as well.
Jack Brooks Monster Slayer is a rip roaring great time to the olden days of monster movie making. Nothing is CGI (okay maybe very little), but the monsters are really there and look great! Sure they look a little phony, but that is what gives this film, and most monster film of its time, a lot of its charm. Matthews as Brooks seems to channel the inner Ash in all of us as he changes from someone who takes his anger out on people and transfers it to the dreadful monsters. Englund here is notably good as Crowley and probably his best role outside of a Freddy Krueger sweater. Goofy best suiting his character, I don't know to laugh at him because he's funny or because I know that is the man who is best known for being a vicious child murderer. The action takes a while to get going. But once it does, look out!
The DVD is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen in Dolby Surround 5.1. Monstrous extras include a commentary, behind the scenes, world premiere, storyboards, galleries, featurettes, deleted scenes, and a trailer.
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer will have something for everyone. A true pleaser in the horror genre and one that finally delivers on the promise of real monster movies of the past.
A -Rabid Rich
2008 ~ Director: Brenton Spencer
Genius Products
This was not the worst werewolf movie I’ve ever seen, but it’s certainly not anywhere near the best either. There were a lot of things about this film that when you think about them later, are just wrong. So if a single guy moved in next door to you, would you let your kids hang out with him without first meeting him to see if he’s not a complete nutjob or pedophile? Sure this guy’s a werewolf, but for all intensive purposes he’s a pedophile too, since he’s hung up on a girl in high school and spends the whole movie trying to get into her pants.
I don’t have a lot more to say about this film other than it was OK. I thought Kevin Sorbo was amusing as the great white hunter who’s never been hunting in his life.
Most of the werewolf effects were not bad, but the final werewolf creature was quite poor and nearly laughable. Another rainy day, nothing to do type movies, that’s mildly entertaining at best.
C -Choppy
2008 ~ Director: Andrey Iskanov
Unearthed Films
Back in 1987, T.F. Mou created a film that made a world that was once forgotten. At least by those who weren't involved. And that is the war between Russia and Japan in the 1940's. Man Behind the Sun 731 is a explicit and brutal portrayal of the Japanese utilizing inhuman experiments on prisoners to see how they were reacting. Well, Russian director Andrey Iskanov and Unearthed Films have released Philosophy of a Knife, a film that tries to make their story more explicit than the Mou classic.
Unit 731, a Japanese chemical warfare research lab, is where prisoners of the Russian/Japanese war are taken and subject to the most inhumane crimes known in history. Decompression chambers, insect tests, freezings, and others of its ilk are taken out to see how well the war soldiers would be under such situations. As we are subject to these atrocities (which are in B&W, by the way), we are also subject to Anatoliy Protasov; one of the Russian soldiers during the war.
This film is graphic, gory, violent, unrelenting, unapologetic, and severe. It's also 4 1/2 hours long! Now I don't care how much you like this kind of stuff. Sitting 4 1/2 hours of this stuff can get to be not only tiresome but also depressing. No joy can come out of watching this. Now Iskanov's intent was to create a recreation of the horrors during that time and not create a horror film, as he puts it. Whether he knows it or not, horror fans will view this as a horror film simply due to the exploitations the actors/actresses went through to make the film. One actress in particular is succumbed to a cockroack/vagina scene so explicit, the idea of this presented to her had to be something to see. Problem also exists with this film as it desperately tries to feel like a documentary. Then it shakes off that feeling by throwing in rapid fire edits like something out of a Saw film.
This single DVD (there is a 2 DVD set, for those who really want to explore the making of this film that much more) presentation is 1.33:1 with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound. No extras.
The film is a decent look into this travesty, but its no Man Behind the Sun 731. If you have the patience and time for it, just watch the first half. And just think, you have a whole 2 1/4 hours remaining! Even the hardcore fans will find this to be a bit more than they could chew.
C -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Director: Uwe Boll
Universal Music & Video Distribution
Possibly the most offensive movie in recent history, if you like black humor, you’ll love Postal. Director Uwe Boll (House of the Dead) takes on yet another video game in this version of the game that started games like Grand Theft Auto. Zack Ward plays Postal Dude, a guy who just can’t get a break and when life finally gets to be too much for him, he picks up a gun and takes to the streets. Dave Foley is pretty funny as the hippy cult leader that is just bullshitting his way through his bohemian lifestyle.
To give you an idea of just how far the film goes to be offensive, the film starts in the cockpit of one of the planes that hit the Twin Towers where the Islamic pilots are arguing about how many virgins they get after they kill themselves for Allah and it’s the passengers that actually end up crashing the plane in an effort to subdue the hijackers.
Other fun offensive points were the Disney-like German theme park that focuses on Nazi Germany and when a shoot-out takes place, it’s the kids that get shot amidst pastel buildings and happy animatronic nazi children like a twisted version of It’s a Small World. If this kind of thing makes you squirm, then this is not the film for you. Dropped by U.S. distributors, this DVD release offends just about everyone and if that’s not enough to make you want to check this film out, it comes with a nifty full version of the PC game Postal 2 that doesn’t work.
A- -Choppy
2008 ~ Director: Lloyd Kaufman
Troma
Lloyd Kaufman be praised! This man has set the independent filmmaking genre on its toxic waste oozing ear. For 35 years, Kaufman has made bad taste fun for the whole family and sees no sign in slowing down anytime soon. In the past, he has taken subjects like toxic waste, Shakespeare, and surgical body enhancements and turned them into gory, goofy, send-ups with a message that would surprising make you think. But only well after you're done laughing. Well, his latest creation tackles the fast food industry with a musical called Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.
Arbie (Jason Yachanin) is having trouble dealing with his girlfriend Wendy (Kate Graham) dumping him and becoming a lesbian with her new girlfriend Micki (Allyson Sereboff). But Micki (along with Wendy) is also against the grand opening of a new fast food joint opening up called the American Chicken Bunker. As Arbie tries to win his girlfriend back applying at the ACB, the restaurant is overcome by chickens of the dead as General Lee Roy (Robin Watkins) knowingly builds on top of an old Indian chicken burial ground. Soon, all hell "beaks" loose as everyone is turned into chicken zombies!
Only through the mind of Lloyd Kaufman can something like this come out someone's brain (these 'someones' being writers Daniel Bova and Gabe Friedman) and actually make it interesting, funny, and a fucking musical! The songs are a riot and some clear messaging about how our world is nowadays. The acting, in true Troma fashion, is very over-the-top and extremely funny. Some of the best acting since Tromeo & Juliet. And Kaufman doesn't skip a beat with the characters named after fast food establishments (Hardee's and Red Lobster quickly come to mind). This is also probably the goriest Troma film of all time. Blood is literally everywhere and the feathers fly fast and furious. And make sure you look for Troma staple Ron Jeremy as Crazy Ron, a take off from Crazy Ralph in the first two Friday the 13th films.
DVD presented is widescreen with Dolby sound. Extras are abundant with a commentary, full length making-of, deleted scenes, music videos, trailers, an alternate ending, film making lessons, and the other usual stuff you get with a Troma DVD.
So get the cluck out of that chair and get this immediately! Its not scary in the slightest. But if your sense of humor is where mine is, then you should be laughing till next year. Rude, crude, and full of lesbians, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead is their best film to date!
A -Rabid Rich
2008 ~ Director: Shawn Papazian
Raw Feed Films
For those who might have either been a constant reader since the beginning or someone new leafing through the past reviews, might notice that my review of the 2006 film Rest Stop was not a very favorable one. In fact, I rated it as the worst horror film of 2006. So bad was my view of the film that when I got the opportunity to interview its star Jaime Alexander, I basically received the cold shoulder in her responses. Oh well. Now I have the pleasure to review for you Rest Stop: Don't Look Back directed by Shawn Papazian and distributed by Raw Feed Films.
Former Iraqi war vet Tom Hilts (Richard Tillman), girlfriend Marilyn Culver (Jessie Ward), and friend Jared (Graham Norris, who tries to do his best Jaime Kennedy impersonation) travel the highways and byways of California in search of Tom's brother Jess (Joey Mendicino) and his girlfriend Nicole (Julie Mond). The trio happen upon the same rest stop where there have been disappearances for years prior. They also happen upon not only the driver of the yellow pick-up (Brionne Davis), but also the bizarre family in the Winnebago. Do they rescue Jess and Nicole? Or is everything going on just figments of their imagination?
Rest Stop: Don't Look Back is bigger, badder, and better than the first. We are privy to the explanations on how the driver came to be as well as the fucked up family in the Winnebago. But the story suffers from it trying to be too intelligent for its own good. By trying to throw in even more characters, to make the story even more than what it needs to be, gives one the feeling that the director that's trying too hard. But give them points for trying. The characters are better in the sequel, though character Marilyn got on my nerves really quick. The Winnebago family is fleshed out even more and admittedly, a bit creepier. The torture scenes look like rejected scenes from a Saw film. In the end, what this ends up becoming is a very bloody ghost story. And expect a third film, as it is left wide open for one.
The DVD presentation is widescreen 1:85.1 with Dolby Digital Sound. Extras include a commentary, featurette, deleted scenes, alternate ending, and trailers. Colors and sound are nice and crisp in typical Warner Brother tradition.
Rest Stop: Don't Look Back is far from a perfect horror film. Far, far from it. But it is a better film than its predecessor. Still, that's not saying much at all, although it does hold a little hope that Part 3 could get better. And before we can say "Au revoir Pee-Wee!", Rest Stop 3 could be a decent horror film.
C -Rabid Rich
1989 ~ Director: Carter Smith
Dreamworks
The year is 1982. George A. Romero's anthology Creepshow hits horror fans with glee. Maine horror author Stephen King stars in one of the short stories as Jordy Verrill as a lone farmer who happens upon a meteor, turning everything, including himself, into a lush, green plant. The year is 2008. Director Carter Smith creates a film adaptation of Scott B. Smith's novel of the same name The Ruins released by DreamWorks.
Four college students Jeff (Jonathan Tucker), Amy (Jena Malone), Eric (Shawn Ashmore), and Stacy (Laura Ramsey) are in Mexico for a nice vacation. There, they meet Mathias(Joe Anderson), a German young man who is trying to find his lost brother. He entices the couples to travel with him to some Mayan ruins that are nowhere on any map. They find the ruins and begin to excavate, but not before being harassed by the locals for no apparent reason. Their harassment forces them to climb to the top of a Mayan temple, where their fears have just started.
Carter Smith has created some pretty good tension from the Smith book. While the characters are well fleshed out, they are also a bit 2 dimensional. Sex and survival, when needed, seem to be the only thing that keeps the story going. Not too impressive are the FX. Limbs look too rubbery to be taken seriously and some look like they were made right out of a school project. And if you've seen "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill" out of Creepshow, you'll see where this story is going. The cinematography however is beautiful. Sun drenched scenes give a rather hypnotic feel throughout, you can almost feel the heat.
The DVD is presented in 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital sound. Extras include a commentray, alternate endings, deleted scenes, and featurettes. The color is really good, particularly the daytime scenes.
The Ruins is a good, if not subtly flawed, horror film. What Smith has done is not entirely original, but it does have integrity about relationships. Recommended.
C+ -Rabid Rich
1975 ~ Director:
Pier Paolo Pasolini
Criterion
Everyone can remember the first time they watched a film that was so revolting, images were burned in your brain forever. And not the good kind either. I'm talking the kind that just thinking about them would make you feel though as if you are breaking some sort of law. I had that feeling first watching Salo: The 120 Days of Sodom as a blind buy on laserdisc about 15 years ago. Images that will, and by no means of this review, stay within the darkest recesses of my brain for the rest of my unnatural life. 15 years later, Criterion has turned that laserdisc release into the newly released 2 DVD set of Salo directed by the late Pier Paolo Pasolini.
Taken from the Marquis De Sade's book of 18th century France, the story is placed during the rise and fall of Mussolini during the 1940's. Four male fascists known simply as The Duke (Duc de Blangis), The Magistrate (Umberto Paolo Quintavalle), The President (Aldo Valletti), and The Bishop (Giorgio Cataldi) place orders among their army to kidnap the local teenagers in the area; many ranging in ages from 15-19. Taken to their palace, the kids are under a new law which allows the fascists to do whatever they wish with the kids. Mostly are of a sexual nature as these men are also aroused by the stories from women who lived the lives these kids are about to endure. The teens are treated as dogs as they are to walk on all fours naked and forced to eat shit. Until they finally choose either to kill themselves or live a life of degradation.
Filmed in 1975 Italy, anything that you might have seen before or since will take a backseat to Salo. In fact, Pasolini was murdered just before the film's release. Whether or not it was because of this film is unknown. But the stark reality of this film cannot be set aside. This is about as brutal as it gets and just when you thought it couldn't get worse... well you know the rest. The film has a very artsy style to it and that is what separates this from other 'torture' films that have plagued the cinemas for the past 5-6 years. The pacing is slow, but once it gets started, its only a matter of time before the next vulgar scene smacks you in the head. The most horrifying truth about this film is that this is based on actual happenings during Mussolini's regime. As far as performances go, they are very realistic. There are men kissing other men and others grabbing each other. But the fake scenes of violence, while knowing that they are fake, gives a surreal feeling of reality a la Cannibal Holocaust.
The Criterion DVD is presented with an HD digital transfer with 1.85:1 widescreen and the Dolby sound has never been better. This is the best looking version of Salo I have seen. Also included is a trailer to the film. The second disc holds 3 documentaries and interviews. Also a booklet containing essays and an on-set diary.
Some of you may know that years ago, Criterion released Salo for a very short time and is considered the rarest of all DVDs and receives high bids on auction sites for roughly $800! But now Criterion has released this two DVD set and it is gorgeous! If you are into filth and total degradation of children (which by the way are not. Makes me feel a whole lot better knowing that.), then get this DVD. If you are into the history of one of cinema's most treasured filmmakers, get this DVD. If something like this is what makes you sick, then stay away. Stay far away. Because everything you have heard about this film is probably true.
A -Rabid Rich
2008 ~ Director: David Winning
Genius Products
I watched this film, fell asleep somewhere in the middle, woke up near the end and didn’t miss a thing. Great premise, a sticky black goo entity that causes a psychotropic reaction that basically scares people to death, but the storyline just wasn’t tight enough to make the film interesting.
The acting was mediocre with the exception of Kevin Sorbo, who would have made a believable as an author or even scientist of some sort, but just didn’t work as a priest, plus the Thornbirds references were thrown around one too many times. Brittany Scobie also did a decent job getting on my nerves as the Paris Hilton type actress/socialite but they killed her too soon to really keep me interested. Half the fun is waiting to watch annoying characters like that die and when they die too soon, it kills the fun along with it.
There’s not much else to say about this film other than it’s an average film that’s fairly flatline. This is the type of film that you watch on a lazy Weekend afternoon when there’s nothing else on.
C -Choppy
1988 ~ Director: Stuart Gordon
Image Entertainment
True life crimes relegated to the horror genre is common. From the crimes of Vlad Dracul to Adolf Hitler to Jeffery Dahmer, horror has sustained itself (a small percentage luckily) through the lives of those who have made others lives a living hell. In 2001, a Texas woman was convicted for 50 years for a hit-and-run accident which she left the victim in her windshield until he died the next day. Director Stuart Gordon and Image Entertainment brings us the film based on those events called Stuck.
Brandi Boski (Mena Suvari) is a nurse working in a retirement home. Upon hearing of her great possibility of being hired for a promotion, her and her friend Tanya (Rukiya Bernard) as well as Brandi's boyfriend Rashid (Russell Hornsby) celebrate at a club where she drinks too much and takes ecstasy. Down on his luck Thomas Bardo (Stephen Rea) is homeless and unable to find any job opportunities, therefore living on the streets. During a stroll, Bardo is struck by Boski's car while driving home completely smashed. Instead of calling 911, she decides to leave him in the windshield hoping he will die and her promotion would not exterminated. Bardo survives and begins a fight for his life against Boski and Rashid.
Think of this as Rob Reiner's Misery set in real life. If you knew what really happened in the actual case, you should know how this is basically going to end. But the suspense is there and Suvari's role as Boski is brutal. Not in an Annie Wilkes way, but in a just being careless and looking out for herself kinda way. And that is much more horrifying because at least Wilkes was crazy. There was a reason for her actions. Boski is just narcissistic. The acting throughout is exceptionally good (especially Rea), and the pacing for the film is tight.
The DVD presentation is widescreen 1.78:1 ration with 5.1 Surround Sound. Only extra is a trailer.
Its nice to see Stuart Gordon working on something other than the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Not that that is a bad thing, believe me. But to see him working on true crime is certainly a welcome change. And its a change worth watching. Despite a rather predictable ending, Stuck is worthy of your time.
B -Rabid Rich
1932 ~ Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Criterion
Germany has the horror thing down pat. Especially when regarding around 1920-1935. Their use of expressionism, light and shadow cannot be compared with. Even with the most accomplished American crew, they fall to their German counterparts by a mile. A great example of this style goes to director Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1932 film Vampyr, released by the fine folks at Criterion.
Allen Grey (Julien West) happens upon a mansion along the French countryside in which Der Schlossherr (Maurice Schutz) and his two daughters live. Staying at the mansion, Grey encounters various bizarre sights, including one of the daughters, who is deathly ill, to be seeing vampires.
The overall look of the film is probably the most atmospheric German film since Nosferatu. The chilling use of light and shadow probably surpasses that of the Murnau classic, including the use of a gauze filter to show dream sequences. the locations are authentic, which just adds to the beauty and grandness of the film.
Criterion presents Vampyr in a 1.19:1 ratio with Dolby Digital Sound. Extras include the English alternate version with subs, commentary, a documentary, essays, radio broadcasts, and an intriguing booklet of the film.
Vampyr is a lost classic that deserves to be seen. And thanks to Criterion, this film gets a whole new life. This is one of those B&W films that look best at night with the lights off. A worthy addition to your collection.
A -Rabid Rich
2008 ~ Director: Bill Corcoran
Genius
I don't mind telling you guys, but I am sick and tired of these "killer animals run amok" movies that feature the worst of the worst in CGI. Naturally never being a fan of CGI, the use has run its course, no matter how good it is. From Boa to Python to Boa vs. Python, and even Snakes on a Plane, the use of CGI snakes is just dumb. they look horrible and never ever convincing. Has my view changed upon looking at director Bill Corcoran's Vipers? Read on.
In the Pacific Northwest, Eden Island is a tranquil community with folks living the simple life. But a man named Burton (Corbin Bernsen) runs a high tech company which enhances snake venom to cure cancer. Sad side effect of this new type of breeding is that it makes the snakes more volatile, therefore attacking people more ferociously. Naturally the snakes escape and the people of Eden Island are under attack. Nicky Swift (Tara Reid) is a woman who runs a garden and Cal Taylor (Jonathan Scarfe) is a young doctor taking over the island's patients from retiring Dr. Silverton (Don S. Davis) concoct a plan to rid of the snakes, despite orders from Burton to take matters in a completely and devastatingly different manner.
Well surprise, surprise! This one is not all that bad! The CGI still sucks and the acting is far from better. The whole film could be finished in 40 minutes, but Corcoran had to figure how to pad the 89 minute running time. So he does so by having the characters scare off the snakes first before trying to kill them. Needless to say, this is pretty stupid stuff and we have seen it all before. One plus it does have is that this film finally has more gore in the film than on the DVD sleeve. A major accomplishment, no doubt!
The DVD presentation is widescreen with 5.1 sound. No extras.
Vipers is by far the best of the Maneater Series that I have reviewed so far. Still nothing to be excited over, but worth a look on a lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon.
B -Rabid Rich
2008 ~ Director: Jay Lee
Sony
Jay Lee's Zombie Strippers plays out as a politically satirizing horror comedy. Many mentioned are made towards the Bush administration throughout the film (I'll touch upon some later in the review). The big names in the cast are Jenna Jameson and Robert Englund.
The movie starts off with a cable new station broadcasting news of President Bush being elected for his fourth straight term (dear god, NO!). He has shut down the Congress, banned public nudity, and is at war with France, Iran, Syria, Canada and Alaska (to name just a few). A secret lab (the company name is W) has been working on a virus to re-animate the dead soldiers so that they can go back to battle and fortify the troops. Of course, the virus gets out and a team of Marines called the Z Squad is sent in to help destroy the zombies before it gets too widespread. One of these Marines, Byrdflough (ugh!), is bitten by a zombie and sneaks off so the others don't kill him. He ends up stumbling into an underground strip club, the Rhino, which is run by Ian Essko (Englund). To make a long story short, he ends up biting Kat (Jameson), who then re-animates and dances up a storm, bringing the crowd to it's feet and showering money onto the stage. The re-animated Kat kills and eats one of the patrons, leaving only the re-animated head, which is tossed in a bag and under the rug by the club owners. She also bites Lillith, one of the other strippers, and they become the only two dancers who make any money at the club, all the while increasing the body count of patrons that are killed (whose re-animated bodies are stored in the basement of the club). There is a funny scene where Kat and one of the other zombified strippers are battling, and Kat shoots ping-pong and then billiard balls out of her vagina at her opponent - one of them hitting a "Live Nude Girls" neon light in the background and shattering the "Live" part of it (ugh!).
After a while of seeing all sorts of zombified boobs on the stage, the Z Squad finds their way into the club and kills off the zombies. At one point, they pass a doorway of the W company, which has a Mount Rushmore style picture featuring Bush, Cheney, Carl Rove, and Condie Rice on it (UGH!). After a monumental battle with a lot of blood and guts, they seem to have killed off the zombies for good. One of them says "Mission Accomplished", to which another replies "Where have I heard that before". In walks the scientist we saw earlier, with two men in white coats (Cheney Co printed on the back). We then find out that the Bush administration actually wanted the zombies to escape to distract the public from the wars and economic problems. While scientist guy and Cheney Co whitecoats survey the damage, they discover the plastic bag that contains the re-animated head from earlier. Scientist guy opens the bag, the screen goes black, and we hear him get bit...roll credits, and wait for the sequel...
Extras here include a cast/crew commentary, a bunch of deleted/extended scenes, and two short documentaries about making the movie. Maybe worth watching once, but nothing really prized in there.
Zombie Strippers certainly isn't a great movie, but it isn't nearly as horrible as I thought it would be. There are some pretty decent special effects used, and plenty of blood, gore and naked boobs to go around. I mean, it is called Zombie Strippers after all, so you kinda have to have all that stuff. There is plenty of bad humor and Bush bashing to go around, and lots of bad acting as well. Shut down your brain, pop open a beer, and pop the disc in.
B(oobs)- -Goz
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