The Legend of Hell House Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- The Legend of Hell House
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: August 26th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Color, 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio, DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Runtime: 95 Minutes
The Legend of Hell House (Scream Factory)
The Film:
“Although the story of this film is fictitious, the events depicted involving psychic phenomena are not only very much within the bounds of possibility, but could well be true.” –Tom Corbett, Clairvoyant and Psychic Consultant to European Royalty (From the opening scroll of The Legend of Hell House)
Based on the book by Richard Matheson (who also wrote the screenplay) and released into theaters in June 1973, The Legend of Hell House stars Clive Revill as Dr. Lionel Barrett, a physicist who is tasked with the challenge of proving the existence of life after death. After some hesitation, he proceeds to venture to the so-called “Mount Everest of haunted houses”: The Belasco House, which is more commonly referred to as “Hell House.”
Accompanying him on this trip into the supernatural is his wife Ann (Gayle Hunnicutt), renowned “mental” medium Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin), and the sole survivor of the last investigation into Hell Houses’ secrets; “physical” medium Benjamin Franklin Fisher (Roddy McDowall). Upon their arrival, Benjamin explains, rather vaguely, some of the monstrosities that occurred in the house throughout its years under Mr. Belasco’s ownership. A grotesque and evil man, everything from murder to séances, and torture and necrophilia were common place. On their first night in the house, Florence conducts a prayer followed by a psychic channeling of the evil spirits that remain in Hell House, causing physical and vocal phenomena to emanate from her. It’s a truly unsettling scene.
As the spirits of the house continue to terrorize the unwelcome guests, trust begins to dwindle among the group, as Dr. Barrett suspects the hostile force to be a product of Florence’s doing, not Belasco’s son as she insists. Chandeliers crash and poltergeist fingernails terrorize, promiscuous ghosts seduce and black cats attack among other mayhems, as the group morale crumbles and Hell House takes hold of its victims.
I’m not sure I would count The Legend of Hell House among my favorite “haunted house” films. It’s a little stuffy, more than a little slow, and lacking much in the way of genuine scares. That’s not to say it’s an outright disappointment in the slightest. The film is a gorgeously produced modern gothic horror entry, with impeccably framed shots, some fun special effects for the time, and a particularly energetic performance from the always magnificent Roddy McDowall. The music from Brian Hodgson and Delia Derbyshire adds to the creepy atmosphere to boot, sounding like some sort of macabre tribal music. For many Horror fans, this is a welcome addition to the Scream Factory line, and at the end of the day, it’s a genre film you can respect, even with a few bumps along the way.
Video Quality:
Scream Factory brings The Legend of Hell House to Blu-Ray with an overall solid transfer. Colors look authentic, bold, and retain the look of the period. Film grain is natural and plentiful as well. There are sporadic artifacts and slight damage to the print in places, ranging from minimal scratches to a few burns, but as I’ve stated many times before, I tend to look at those anomalies as an added “bonus” to films of this genre. It makes for a fun grindhouse-style experience while watching at home. There are some hazy or soft shots, particularly in wide shots, but detail in facial features and clothing looks nice and solid in nearly every close-up.
Audio Quality:
The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track balances dialogue, the creepy tribal drum score, and background effects quite well. A slight crackling noise accompanies the audio in select scenes (similar to the natural audio static you hear in early sound films), but it seems likely to be inherent to the source. There are moments of surprising power here, especially when Hell House begins to wreak havoc on its victims, making for a fine home audio experience.
Special Features:
Scream Factory has provided fans of The Legend of Hell House with select special features for this Blu-Ray release. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Audio Commentary– This feature-length audio commentary with Actress Pamela Franklin is really laid back, fun, and informative for the viewer. Pamela reminisces about her costars, the sets, the Director, and more. Definitely a fun addition to this fine release.
- Theatrical Trailer- The original theatrical trailer runs about 2 ½ minutes and definitely gives the viewer an idea of the bizarre and terrifying experience they’re in for with the film.
- The Story of Hell House: An Interview with Director John Hough- This nearly 30 minute extended interview from Scream Factory and Calum Waddell is a wonderful addition to this Blu-Ray release. Mixing High Definition interview footage with clips from the film, Director John Hough provides some fascinating insight into the making of The Legend of Hell House, from the hauntingly beautiful shooting location to his thoughts on the cast and performances, and much more. Well done!
- Photo Gallery- Nearly 3 minutes worth of production stills and behind-the-scenes photos from The Legend of Hell House, including some really beautiful black and white photos presented in High Definition.
- Radio Spots- Exactly two minutes worth of vintage radio commercials created during the theatrical campaign for The Legend of Hell House. You have to admire the great voice-over work and background effects here, definitely would have made me run to the theater to see it back in 1973.
- Also Available from Scream Factory- Vintage trailers for two other titles in the Scream Factory line including The Vampire Lovers and The Amityville Horror.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory features the original theatrical poster design for The Legend of Hell House. It’s a creepy and effective cover, with the one-eyed skull dripping blood over Hell House, being held in the grip of a finely manicured hand. On the reverse of the packaging you’ll find a plot synopsis, technical specifications, and a list of special features that accompany this Blu-Ray release. On the interior of the case is the Blu-Ray disc as well as some reversible cover art for those that prefer it.
The Legend of Hell House (reverse)
The Legend of Hell House (interior)
The Legend of Hell House (reversible slip-sheet)
Final Report:
Though I’m not sure I would count The Legend of Hell House among my personal favorite “haunted house” films, it remains a gorgeously produced modern gothic horror entry, with impeccably framed shots, some fun special effects for the time, and a particularly energetic performance from the always magnificent Roddy McDowall. The Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory features overall solid picture quality that retains authentic color reproduction and nice fine object detail in close-up shots. The DTS-HD mono track nicely balances dialogue, the creepy score, and background effects as well. The special features are once again the standout aspect on this release, with a great extended interview with the Director of the film, an audio commentary from Pamela Franklin, and select other goodies. For many Horror fans, this is a welcome addition to the Scream Factory line, and at the end of the day, it’s a genre film you can respect, even with a few bumps along the way.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Leviathan Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Leviathan
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: August 19th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Color, 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Runtime: 98 Minutes
Leviathan (Scream Factory)
The Film:
Released in 1989 in direct competition with two other aquatic-themed science fiction films (Deep Star Six and The Abyss), Leviathan may not have blown away the critics or scored big at the Box Office, but it has slowly and rightfully developed a cult following over the years. Featuring one of the most underrated movie monsters in film history (designed by Stan Winston) and solid performances from a talented cast with great on-screen chemistry, Leviathan remains a wildly entertaining creature feature that deserves more recognition.
Directed by George P. Cosmatos, Leviathan stars Peter Weller as Steven Beck, geologist and captain of a deep sea mining crew in charge of mining for precious metals for the Tri-Oceanic Corporation. With only a few days left on the job, the crew is looking forward to getting back home to their families and back to the real world. The team consists of the always absent Dr. Glen Thompson (Richard Crenna), soon-to-be astronaut Elizabeth “Willie” Williams (the beautiful Amanda Pays), the horn-ball Buzz “Six-Pack” Parrish (Daniel Stern), the cool and calm Justin Jones (Ernie Hudson), and the seasoned veteran G.P. Cobb (Hector Elizondo) among others. Each of the ragtag crew are fully fleshed out in a short amount of time, letting the viewer inside their claustrophobic world of dirty jokes, pranks, and bitching about the job.
Things take a turn for the worse when two of the crew members fall off the mining platform and stumble upon a soviet shipwreck. Dr. Glen is able to translate the Russian name of the ship to Leviathan, a vessel that oddly shows up on “active duty” when they search their computer database. “Six-Pack” decides to bring a rusted safe back from the wreck, which the crew happily explores, finding some alcohol and other souvenirs. But that’s not all they brought back with them! One by one, the crew becomes sick with an unidentified virus that mutates them into a terrifying creature capable of absorbing their bodies and minds, and continuously sprouting horrifying appendages. With a hurricane on the surface affecting their escape, and an ever-growing list of excuses from Tri-Oceanic Corp as to why they can’t be rescued, the crew is forced to battle the creature and find their own way to survive.
Twenty-five years after its theatrical release, Leviathan remains an incredibly exciting creature feature with top-notch performances, brilliant special effects from Stan Winston, and exciting action sequences. While it may borrow elements from other movies in the genre, the execution from Director George P. Cosmatos is near perfection, leaving the viewer on the edge of their seat for the entirety of the film. Revisiting the film on Scream Factory’s brand new Blu-Ray edition was a treat, and makes for one of my favorite releases from their Summer of Fear lineup.
Video Quality:
I was incredibly pleased with this transfer of Leviathan from Scream Factory, and this is without a doubt, the best it’s ever looked on home video. Color grading is important on a release like this, especially with a film that features such deep underwater blues and metallic shine, and the work here is consistently solid. Detail in facial features, clothing, the mining gear, and especially the creature itself is very clear in High Definition. The transfer is clean and virtually free from any artifacts or anomalies as well. The natural grain structure has been left intact, making for a beautiful and authentic presentation.
Audio Quality:
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track sounds terrific on your home theater system, and I was actually taken aback by how dynamic and balanced this sounds in HD audio. The underwater mining station has some very fun background effects that envelop the audience, dialogue is always strong and clear, and the frenetic mayhem in the latter half of the film is powerful on this track.
Special Features:
Scream Factory has provided fans of Leviathan with an array of great special features for this Blu-Ray release. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Leviathan: Monster Melting Pot– This 40 minute documentary focuses mostly on Stan Winston’s creature effects, featuring entertaining stories and anecdotes from the team that worked closely with him, and is an absolute treat for Leviathan fans. This is very well assembled, mixing entertaining highlights from the individual interviews with clips from the film. Breaking down everything from concept drawings to effects rendering and assembly, as well as the occasional awkward tension and arguments between Stan and Director George P. Cosmatos (chalk it up to egos and creativity), this is yet another fine addition to the phenomenal special features that Scream Factory has come to be known for. The Leicht/Scream Factory team strikes again!
- Dissecting Cobb with Hector Elizondo- How can you not adore this guy? Hector Elizondo is fascinating to listen to, and comes off as such a seasoned professional and joyful human being. Discussing everything from the heavy fiberglass suits to a particularly claustrophobic moment on the set, he’s ridiculously entertaining! I loved hearing about the advice that Lee Marvin gave him on one of his first movies, as well as his thoughts on the late, great, Stan Winston.
- Surviving Leviathan with Ernie Hudson- Ernie Hudson sits down with the folks at Scream Factory to discuss his experience making the film. Ernie is very engaging from start to finish, discussing his thoughts on everything from the monster design (“I thought it looked like a chicken.”) to working with the politically incorrect George P. Cosmatos, and seeing the film with an audience in South Central, Los Angeles. I had no idea the filmmakers achieved the underwater segments by simply floating small feathers in the air underneath the actors. It’s very clear that Ernie didn’t agree with a particular death scene in the film as well…very clear. His stories are fun, and this extended interview is well put together!
- Theatrical Trailer- The original theatrical trailer for Leviathan, fast paced and fun, and genuinely gives the viewer a decent look at what they’re in for.
- More from Scream Factory- Vintage trailers for other titles in the Scream Factory line including: Without Warning, Lake Placid, Saturn 3, and Swamp Thing.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory features the original theatrical poster design for Leviathan (which also makes for a fun animated menu on the disc). The poster is one of my favorites! Honestly, who doesn’t remember that image, the tagline (“How long can you hold your breath?”), and those cheeks on Amanda Pays while perusing their local video store during their childhood? On the reverse of the packaging you’ll find a plot synopsis, a list of special features and technical specifications, as well as select production stills from the film. On the interior of the packaging is the Blu-Ray disc and some fun reversible cover art.
Leviathan (reverse)
Leviathan (interior)
Final Report:
Twenty-five years after its theatrical release, Leviathan remains an incredibly exciting creature feature with top-notch performances, brilliant special effects from Stan Winston, and exciting action sequences. The Blu-Ray transfer from Scream Factory boasts impressive detail, authentic color reproduction, and is virtually artifact-free. I was taken aback by the dynamic power of the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track as well. Once again, the special features are the standout aspect of this release, with some truly terrific documentaries and interviews with the cast and crew from the film. Leviathan is one of my personal favorite titles from Scream Factory’s Summer of Fear lineup, and this brand new Blu-Ray edition comes highly recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Motel Hell Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Motel Hell
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: August 12th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Color, 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio, 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
Runtime: 101 Minutes
Motel Hell (Scream Factory)
The Film:
“It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent’s fritters.”
There is oh so much to love about Motel Hell, Kevin Connor’s 1980 Horror-satire that is legitimately scary in its own right, while poking fun at the genre it so clearly inhibits and adores. From the terrifyingly hilarious performances from Rory Calhoun and Nancy Parsons to the unsettling and hypnotic score by Lance Rubin, Motel Hell has remains an 80’s Horror classic with a fervent and well-deserved fan following.
In Motel Hell, we meet Vincent Smith (Rory Calhoun), proprietor of the Motel Hello (the “o” flickers on the sign), a sick and sadistic man with a dark sense of humor. With help from his equally psychotic toddler-esque sister Ida (Nancy Parsons), the pair set traps for weary travelers on the property surrounding their Motel, bury them up to their necks in dirt, and proceed to cure and process them for Vincent’s famous local “smoked meat”, unbeknownst to those unlucky enough to try it.
When Vincent’s next victims lose control of their motorcycle before he even gets a chance to trap them, he’s immediately taken by the beautiful female Terry (Nina Axelrod), and takes her back to the Motel, tricking her by saying that her boyfriend died in the accident, while he’s actually neck-deep in Vincent’s garden. The siblings continue their macabre charade, with the clueless Terry happily staying at the Motel, and their younger brother Bruce (the town Sheriff) completely unaware of their nightly activities. As the inconsistencies start to stack up and Terry and Vincent begin to grow fond of each other, Ida’s jealousy is unleashed and Bruce’s suspicions are confirmed. I hesitate to say too much more about Motel Hell, and allow you to enjoy the film for yourself.
Motel Hell works on many levels, even with shades of Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the film manages to be an original outing strengthened by the fantastic chemistry between Rory Calhoun and Nancy Parsons, and enhanced with fine execution by Director Kevin Connor. Featuring as many scary moments as laugh out loud ridiculousness, it’s the kind of Horror film that you can’t help but feel bad for laughing along with these wacky characters.
Video Quality:
Scream Factory has brought Motel Hell to the Blu-Ray format with a pleasant and natural transfer featuring bold colors, impressive clarity given the stock, and authentic film grain. It looks great in High Definition, and is a clear improvement over past DVD releases. Detail is solid in most scenes, especially close-up shots (Vincent’s suspenders for example). Any softness that the print exhibits is likely inherent to the original negative.
Audio Quality:
The 2 channel DTS-HD track works very well for the most part, balancing the various elements (dialogue, music, background effects) equally and strongly throughout your home theater. The sound is crisp and clean, with little to no hiccups along the way, and Lance Rubin’s score in particular sounds amazing. I usually don’t mention other reviews in my own reviews (and won’t name call here), but seeing another website critique the amplitude as “anemic” is about as far off as one could imagine. There is no need for subtitles, period. Dialogue/vocals are strong and steady throughout the entire presentation. Well done!
Special Features:
Scream Factory has given Motel Hell the deluxe treatment with some great special features for this Blu-Ray release. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Commentary– This audio commentary features Director Kevin Connor, moderated by Dave Parker, and delves into all things Motel Hell. From the initial screenwriting and pre-production to casting choices and tales from the set, this is a very fun listen for fans of the film.
- It Takes All Kinds: The Making of Motel Hell- This nearly 25 minute documentary is extremely well put together, and features various cast and crew detailing the experience of making the film. The interview subjects are candid and often very funny, providing great insight into both the making of the film and its legacy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Producer Aine Leicht and the folks at Scream Factory make for a wonderful team! In an age where most companies don’t bother to include special features, or simply recycle older materials, their work is a breath of fresh air for fans and collectors alike.
- Shooting Old School- Cinematographer Thomas Del Ruth details his involvement in shooting Motel Hell, sharing a little bit of personal history as well as his experience on the set. He’s easy to listen to and provides plenty of worthwhile stories from his career.
- Ida, Be Thy Name: The Frightful Females of Fear- Running over 18 minutes, this fun featurette features several actresses, commentators, and critics discussing Nancy Parson’s role as Ida Smith in Motel Hell, as well as other important female roles in Horror films (Friday the 13th, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, Misery, etc.). Directed by Calum Waddel, this is another interesting piece that fits well with the movie’s themes.
- From Glamour to Gore: Rosanne Katon Remembers Motel Hell- This featurette runs over 11 minutes and features Rosanne Katon (Suzy) discussing her experiencing acting in the film. Though she’s barely in the film, Rosanne’s experience getting into the film and how important her career was to her family at the time makes for an interesting watch.
- Another Head on the Chopping Block: An Interview with Paul Linke- This extended interview runs almost 15 minutes and features Paul Linke, who played Sheriff Bruce Smith in the film, sharing his memories on the making of the film and the importance of his role.
- Motel Hell Trailer- This rough looking vintage trailer is fun, especially with its gravely voice-over, but definitely makes the film look more terrifying than darkly funny, which must have been a welcome bonus for audiences when they actually saw the film.
- Behind the Scenes Gallery- About 2 ½ minutes’ worth of behind the scenes photos and production stills, which play automatically.
- Posters and Production Gallery- A lengthy series of various poster designs and production photos from the marketing campaign for the film, running over 17 minutes.
- More from Scream Factory- Original Theatrical Trailers for The Funhouse, Terror Train, The Fog, and Without Warning.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory features awesome newly commissioned cover art from Nathan Thomas Milliner featuring Vincent in his Pig head with chainsaw, Ida looking creepy with her butcher knife, the garden of heads, and a great font design meant to resemble the flickering motel sign. It’s important to note that this Blu-Ray set features the original theatrical cover art on the inside slip-sheet, which fans can reverse if they please. On the reverse of the packaging you’ll find a plot synopsis, special features, technical specifications, and select stills from the film. Inside the Blu-Ray case you’ll find the discs (BD & DVD) with some fun artwork to boot.
Motel Hell (reverse)
Motel Hell (interior)
Final Report:
Kevin Connor’s Motel Hell remains a top notch Horror satire, strengthened by the fantastic chemistry between Rory Calhoun and Nancy Parsons. It’s the kind of Horror film that you can’t help but feel guilty for laughing along with these wacky characters. The fervent fan following is well deserved. This Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory features a strong transfer with natural film grain and bold color reproduction, and audio that nicely balances the clever dialogue and creepy score from Lance Rubin. The wealth of bonus features are incredibly impressive, featuring insightful documentaries and featurettes that fans will adore. This brand new Blu-Ray edition of Motel Hell comes highly recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Sorceress Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Sorceress
Distributor: Scorpion Releasing
Street Date: August 19th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio, DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Runtime: 83 Minutes
Sorceress (Scorpion Releasing)
The Film:
Working with the same cost effective formula established at AIP, Roger Corman’s New World Pictures delivered an array of memorable B-movie goodness throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Made for only half a million dollars, Sorceress would go on to gross roughly 4 million dollars at the box office, and become a late-night cult staple of premium television entertainment on HBO and Cinemax.
Sorceress begins in unintentionally hilarious campy fashion, with the wizard Traigon in hot pursuit of his wife in the forest, who has run away from him after giving birth to their twin daughters. Traigon had plans to sacrifice his first born child to their God Caligara, but is unsure which daughter was born first. The Gandalf-esque wizard Krona shows up to save the day, leaving Traigon dead, but not before he promises to resurrect himself and finish the job. Traigon’s wife leaves her twin daughters to Krona, who promises to raise them as warriors, but then promptly leaves them with a trusted friend. You get an immediate sense of the camp value involved here with the forced line delivery, bad dubbing, and cheap effects during the battle between Krona and Traigon’s guards.
Several years pass, and Traigon returns with the help of his hairy-pit female companion and a man in a monkey suit. The twins, Mira and Mara, are grown up now and played by Playboy playmates Leigh and Lynette Harris. They’re trained warriors now, catching arrows with their bare hands, glowing bright blue at random times (for unexplained reasons), and swimming naked in lakes while being watched by a horny goat man. When their adoptive parents are killed, they come across the Barbarian Erlik and Baldar the Viking, who join the girls in their journey to defeat Traigon before he can fulfill his promise to Caligara.
When watching a film like Sorceress, you have to put things in perspective. I don’t think there’s any way you could call this a quality film, but New World Pictures was never aiming for Oscar material. This is pure Roger Corman B-movie goodness, with plenty of poorly choreographed action scenes, ample sex and nudity, and genuine laughs (both intentional and unintentional). There’s even a lion-bat hybrid God, which Corman had created and filmed in post to reflect the already made poster. Sorceress falls into the “so bad it’s good” category of cult classics, and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting it in High Definition.
Video Quality:
Scorpion Releasing has conjured Sorceress onto the Blu-Ray format with a solid High Definition presentation. The film grain is intact and authentic, colors look accurate, and fine object detail is impressive for the most part. You can see a surprising amount of detail in the recycled Corman costumes and set dressing. The bottom line is that the picture quality is consistent throughout, with only a handful of scenes exhibiting some anomalies (scratches, pops, etc.). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, for me personally, those anomalies are part of the fun for B-movie genre films. Scorpion Releasing has done a fine job on the transfer.
Audio Quality:
The DTS-HD Mono track isn’t quite as strong as the video presentation, but it certainly gets the job done. The dialogue, sound effects, and the score come through just fine, but seem a bit “tinny” and lack the dynamic range of a multi-channel effort, which is to be expected. I was satisfied with the presentation, especially given the nature of the film.
Special Features:
Scorpion Releasing has provided fans of Sorceress with select interviews and trailers on this new Blu-Ray edition. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- The Magic Behind Sorceress: An Interview with Roger Corman– This interview with the legendary Roger Corman runs nearly seven minutes and details the production of Sorceress in surprising depth given the runtime. From the initial budget and filming restraints to the sexy Playboy Playmate Harris twins, and the low budget special effects to filming in Mexico, we get to hear quite a bit about the making of the film. Corman, as always, is a delight to listen to. He seems to remember the production on each of his films so well on these interviews with Scorpion and other distributors, which is great for the fans!
- The Illusion Behind Sorceress: An Interview with John Carl Buechler– This extended interview runs nearly 16 minutes and features Special Effects technician John Carl Buechler discussing his work on the film. Buechler discusses starting the production after working on Galaxy of Terror, being asked by Corman to pick-up Don Post masks from Famous Monsters of Filmland and manipulate them for the film, deciding to sculpt his own masks after all, and other fun insights into the low budget effects for the movie. He does a killer Roger Corman impression to boot! Buechler is hilarious, and his on-set stories are so much fun for fans of the film.
- The Incantation Behind Sorceress: An Interview with Jim Wynorski- This roughly 10 minute interview with Screenwriter Jim Wynorski details his involvement on Sorceress, including being given a single week to write the script for the film (which Roger Corman requested after seeing the box office success of Conan the Barbarian), the last time he saw Jack Hill after he turned in a religious-themed final product, the re-editing and re-shoots involved, the inclusion of the horny goat man, and much more.
- Interview with Clark Henderson- The former head of Post Production for Corman, Clark Henderson spends this nearly 9 minute interview discussing his work on the production of Sorceress. The discussion of Corman and Hill’s conflict during the making of the film is fascinating. With this final interview featurette, we get a very well-rounded look into the making of the movie. Great stuff!
- Trailers- Roughly 9 ½ minutes of trailers for current and upcoming titles from Scorpion Releasing including: Sorceress, Space Raiders, Stripped to Kill, Sorority House Massacre, and Seizure.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Scorpion Releasing features the fantastic original theatrical poster design for Sorceress, which according to Roger Corman, helped the film achieve great success. It’s the perfect sword and sorcery imagery, with the hybrid animal, barely dressed babe, and shiny steel weapons. On the reverse of the case you’ll find a plot synopsis for the film, a list of special features, technical specifications, and select production stills. On the interior of the case is a Blu-Ray disc that features the same theatrical poster design.
Sorceress (reverse)
Sorceress (interior)
Final Report:
Sorceress falls into the “so bad it’s good” category of cult classics, and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting it in High Definition. This is pure Roger Corman B-movie goodness, with plenty of poorly choreographed action scenes, ample sex and nudity, and genuine laughs (both intentional and unintentional). The video presentation looks clean and consistent, with natural film grain present and accurate color reproduction. The DTS-HD master audio track lacks the dynamic quality of a bigger production, but it gets the job done. The special features are the standout aspect on this Blu-Ray release, with wonderful interviews with the likes of Roger Corman, Jim Wynorski, and more. Scorpion Releasing put a lot of effort and passion into this release for B-movie fans, and they absolutely delivered. If you’re a fan of “so bad it’s good” cinema, then this is an easy recommendation.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Deadly Eyes Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Deadly Eyes
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: July 15th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio, DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Runtime: 87 Minutes
Deadly Eyes (Scream Factory)
The Film:
How could one not enjoy the camp value and sheer fun that a film about giant man-eating rats (played by Dachshunds) brings? Deadly Eyes is the kind of 80’s B flick that I could throw on anytime. It has a brilliantly creepy score by Anthony Guefen, solid direction from Robert Clouse (Enter the Dragon), and a terrified Scatman Crothers being chased through a sewer by loveable rat-dogs. What’s not to love?
Deadly Eyes stars “perfectly coiffed haired” Sam Groom as Paul Harris, a recently divorced High School teacher who becomes romantically involved with Elly (Sara Botsford), a Health Department inspector, as giant killer rats begin to take over the city of Toronto. We also get to know Trudy (the beautiful Lisa Langlois), one of Paul’s students who harbors a massive crush on her teacher, whom she believes to be much more mature than her basketball player boyfriend. Lesleh Donaldson plays Martha, one of Trudy’s friends who can’t help but tease her about her complicated love life.
With the help of Paul’s friend and former Professor Dr. Spencer (Cec Linder), it’s soon determined that the massive rats have spawned from feeding off steroid laced grain that was burned on Health Department orders earlier in the film. Having lost their home and possessing a new taste for human flesh, the mega-rats begin to infest the city (and the brand new subway line), leaving our human protagonists searching for a way to get rid of them once and for all.
Deadly Eyes is simply too much fun. The acting is sincere, with everyone playing it straight, which absolutely enhances the terror and fun for the viewer. The dachshunds in rat suits are hilarious to behold, hopping along in an almost loving fashion towards their victims, and the close-up special effects shots are well done for the time. I love the cornball moments too, especially when Paul visits one of his students in the hospital, where the cheese is nearly too much to take. I’m always up for a good old fashioned creature feature, and Deadly Eyes, with its sincerity and goofy fun, remains a satisfying B-flick for a rainy Saturday night.
Video Quality:
Scream Factory brings Deadly Eyes to High Definition with a solid transfer, boasting natural film grain and accurate color reproduction, and consistently inky black levels to boot. You can almost smell the masculinity that certainly must have been emulating from Sam Groom’s brown leather jacket. The transfer is virtually free of anomalies as well, with only an occasional scratch or pop in the reel here or there. This one makes for yet another great presentation from the fine folks at Scream Factory.
Audio Quality:
The DTS-HD Mono track works very well, and adds to the natural nostalgia one feels when watching a B movie from the early 80’s. The dynamic range of a multi-channel effort isn’t here, but this authentic front mix handles dialogue, music, and sound effects very well.
Special Features:
Scream Factory has provided fans of Deadly Eyes with some fun special features for this Blu-Ray release. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Deadly Eyes: Dogs in Rats’ Clothing– This fantastic documentary piece runs over 24 minutes and features brand new interviews with the crew of Deadly Eyes. From romance budding behind the scenes between writer Charles H. Eglee and production designer Ninkey Dalton to the special effects sequences and the hilarious training of the dachshunds in rat costumes, there is an abundance of fun and engaging discussion going on here. Producer Aine Leicht and the folks at Scream Factory have hit gold on these recent collaborations, and this one is an absolute treat for fans of the film!
- Interviews-
- Lisa Langlois- A nearly 19 minute interview with the beautiful Lisa Langlois, brought to you in collaboration with Scorpion Releasing. Lisa talks all things Deadly Eyes, from her beginnings as an actress and her nervousness around Sam Groom with the sexual undertones between their characters. She also discusses her make-out scene with her cinematic boyfriend Joseph Kelly, and shares some funny memories of the dachshunds on set.
- Lesleh Donaldson- Another Scorpion produced interview that runs nearly 14 minutes and features the sweet and funny Lesleh Donaldson speaking on her role in Deadly Eyes.
- Joseph Kelly- I was amazed how little Joseph Kelly has changed over the years! If her were to shave off the goatee he would look almost the same as he did in Deadly Eyes. This Scorpion interview features Joseph’s memories on the making of the movie.
- Allan Ipone- Ipone discusses the special effects and challenges involved in making the rats seem realistic in the film.
- TV Spot- This lightning quick television spot for Deadly Eyes is so short that it hardly gives the viewer an idea of what they’re in for, but it’s a nice addition to this release. Even with poor film elements to work with, I love it when distributors add vintage promotional material.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory features the original theatrical poster design for Deadly Eyes with the menacing rodent eyes above the title, the chewed through barbwire fence, and the city in the background. On the reverse of the case you’ll find a plot synopsis for the film, a list of special features, technical specifications, and select production stills. On the interior of the case is a Blu-Ray disc, a DVD disc, and more fun production stills from the film lining the slip-sheet.
Deadly Eyes (reverse)
Deadly Eyes (interior)
Final Report:
Deadly Eyes is my type of Horror film, providing plenty of scares, laughs, and camp value in only 90 minutes. It’s the kind of genre film that you could revisit anytime and have just as much fun as you did on the first viewing. It has Dachshund’s in rat costumes for Pete’s sake! The Blu-Ray transfer from Scream Factory is very solid, sporting authentic color timing and inky black levels. The DTS-HD Mono track is effective as well, supporting dialogue, music, and sound effects with ease. But it’s the special features that fans will die for, featuring the stellar Dogs in Rats’ Clothing documentary that is an absolute blast. This brand new Blu-Ray edition of Deadly Eyes from Scream Factory comes highly recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Curtains Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Curtains
Distributor: Synapse Films
Street Date: July 29th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio/Original 2.0 Mono
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Curtains (Synapse Films)
The Film:
After watching Curtains, I found myself thinking about how a film achieves cult status over time. If you do some research, you’ll find various definitions of the term cult classic, as well as various sub-types (“so bad it’s good”, camp, guilty pleasure). I believe that Curtains has gone from an obscure Canadian horror film to “cult classic worthy” based on the fascinating troubled production history and behind-the-scenes disputes, a fantastic ice-skating kill sequence, and one hell of a strangely creative execution. The film is part soap-opera, part slasher film, and all bizarre. Though Curtains wasn’t exactly up my alley, after a few days of mulling it over, I believe I finally understand the adoration from fans, though I still can’t conceive revisiting it again anytime soon. Perhaps that will change, and if it does, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve enjoyed a movie more the second time around.
In Curtains, we meet Samantha Sherwood (Samantha Egger), a seasoned actress of stage and screen who decides to commit herself to a mental asylum in preparation for the title role in Jonathan Stryker’s (John Vernon) upcoming film Audra. Jonathan and Samantha are romantically involved, and given the great lengths she goes to impress him for the part, the casting decision is a given as far as she’s concerned. Samantha is soon surprised to find out from a Variety column that Jonathan has invited several actresses to his secluded mansion to audition for the part, and she’s understandably furious.
The female contenders for the lead in Audra include a figure skater, a comedian, a musician, a dancer, and an actress. A wronged and bitter Samantha soon shows up at Stryker’s mansion as well, still eager to convince him that she was born for this role. As the women are put through various method acting challenges (including sleeping with Stryker, ha!), a killer in an old hag mask is stalking them one by one.
I found Curtains to be a mixed bag frankly, but I get the strange affection some seem to have for it. It has an amazing and unique ice skating murder sequence, a very creepy masked killer, an equally creepy doll, and soapy camp performances from everyone involved. Sound like fun? It did to me too, which is why I’m sad to say that it just didn’t live up to expectations. Though it does have some standout moments mentioned above, for the most part Curtains is an agonizingly slow and poorly edited film with so much wasted potential. I think the wasted potential is part of the fun for fans, as it just doesn’t “gel” even with all of the right pieces in place.
Video Quality:
It goes to show how much Synapse truly cares about not only their product, but their fan-base, when they slightly delayed Curtains in early July to ensure that the transfer looked as good as it possibly could. Let me tell you folks, they knocked this one out of the park! Re-mastered from original vault materials in 2K resolution, Curtains has been given the deluxe treatment on Blu-Ray. Colors look very authentic to the time period, detail is surprisingly clear and vivid given the age, and fine natural film grain is thankfully present. Any anomalies that have appeared in previous DVD releases have also been removed. Simply put, Curtains looks fantastic in High Definition.
Audio Quality:
Synapse has graciously provided two separate audio options for fans of the film: the original 2.0 Mono track, as well as a newly created 5.1 DTS-HD mix. From Paul Zaza’s lovely and creepy score, to dialogue and suspense sequences, everything comes through beautifully on this track. There is some surprising dynamic range here, especially on the new 5.1 mix, with all channels utilized nicely, making for a balanced and pleasant audio presentation.
Special Features:
Synapse Films has included a solid array of bonus content for this Blu-Ray edition of Curtains. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Audio Commentary– Stars Lesleh Donaldson and Lynne Griffin discuss the film after several years of avoiding it in this great commentary track moderated by Edwin Samuelson. Just like The Ultimate Nightmare documentary, this is fascinating stuff, and provides for a really fun and engaging listen for the viewer.
- Vintage Audio Interviews– These audio interviews play throughout the film when selected from the main menu under “setup”, and feature Producer Peter R. Simpson & Star Samantha Eggar discussing their contributions to the film. The audio is admittedly a little rough, but it works just fine.
- Ciupka: A Filmmaker in Transition- This vintage documentary runs about fifteen minutes and focuses on Director Richard Ciupka’s transition into the film industry. The feature starts directly after a quick prompt from Synapse regarding the image quality of the featurette. This piece is pretty by the numbers, but it’s a fun look at Ciupka’s rise at the time of production.
- The Ultimate Nightmare: The Making of Curtains– This is a brand new 35 minute documentary on the making of the film from Red Shirt Pictures and Synapse. Through interviews with Director Richard Ciupka and talent like Lesleh Donaldson among others, we get to hear about the troubled production of the film (re-shoots, creative spats, etc), the confused response of the cast and crew to the finished product, and the cult love that has developed over the years. This is extremely thoughtful and informative for both fans and non-fans of the film.
- Theatrical Trailer– This is a really fun vintage trailer, complete with the Jensen Farley Pictures logo, red screen “R” rating card, and cheesy 80’s voice over.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Synapse films features the ultra-creepy original theatrical poster design for the film with the Special Edition banner across the top. On the reverse of the case you’ll find a detailed plot synopsis, a list of the fantastic bonus features, and technical specifications along with select production stills from the film. Inside the case there is a Blu-Ray disc with some nice artwork, and a background design featuring the classic ice skating scene from the film.
Curtains (reverse)
Curtains (interior)
Final Report:
Though Curtains wasn’t my personal cup of tea, I do understand the adoration from fans. The film is part soap-opera, part slasher film, and all bizarre. For those that dig the Canadian cult classic, this Blu-Ray edition from Synapse Films is the definitive edition to own. Featuring a breathtaking 2K restoration, the picture quality is simply excellent, and both audio options provide for a dynamic catalog experience. The special features alone are worth a recommendation, proving excellent insight into the troubled production. Though I didn’t appreciate the film as much as some folks in the Horror community seem to, Synapse has put together a wonderful release here, and there is no denying their pure love for the genre and dedication to the format. Recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Anaconda Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Anaconda
Distributor: Mill Creek Home Entertainment
Street Date: July 22nd 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Color, 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio, 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio
Runtime: 89 Minutes
Anaconda (Mill Creek Entertainment)
The Film:
“When you can’t breathe, you can’t scream.” –Anaconda Promotional Tagline
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m a sucker for creature features, especially of the aquatic type. The thought of being grabbed, bitten, or pulled from beneath the water by something is a terrifying and helpless one. If the creature itself doesn’t get you, you’ll succumb to the agonizing death of drowning. It’s a scary concept, executed so well in movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon, Jaws, Piranha (1978), and Lake Placid. Needless to say I was excited walking into the movie theater at the age of 14 to watch Anaconda, which I remember enjoying at the time. Unfortunately, revisiting the film on Blu-Ray 17 years later simply didn’t prove as satisfying as it was to my teenage counterpart.
Jennifer Lopez plays Terri Flores, the Director on a camera crew sent to the Amazon River to document a reclusive tribe for the first time. She’s joined by a Professor of Anthropology (Eric Stoltz), her cameraman (Ice Cube), and a sound engineer (Owen Wilson), among others. There’s a slight romantic aura surrounding Stoltz and Lopez, which is never fleshed out enough for anyone to care. Soon the crew comes across a stranded Paraguayan Snake hunter named Paul (a ridiculously over-the-top Jon Voight), who purposely guides the crew in the wrong direction to pursue a ferocious Anaconda he had been tracking before everything went south.
With the crew intimated by Paul and desperate to get help for a wounded Stoltz, they go along with Paul’s mission to capture the Anaconda. Though it involves endangering everyone on board, they need his help to get back to civilization. What follows is certainly goofy, harmless fun, but the years have not been kind to many of the 90’s era B movies that utilized CGI. The snake looks laughably bad in most scenes, and even when practical effects are utilized, the mechanics and polish appears cheap. The story is lacks any depth or involvement with the characters, never taking the time to flesh out the leads enough for the audience to care what happens to them. It may sound like I’m being a bit harsh on an admittedly campy and somewhat self-aware B flick, but the bottom line here is that Anaconda just doesn’t hold up, and certainly doesn’t warrant repeat viewings. This one is recommended for die-hard creature feature fanatics only.
Video Quality:
Mill Creek Home Entertainment has provided Anaconda with a watchable, but somewhat disappointing Blu-Ray transfer. I don’t fault them for it, as this is the very same transfer that accompanied the 2009 Sony release. The transfer comes across soft and washed out, with inconsistent clarity and detail from scene to scene. Some of the softness could very well be inherent to the source material. The good news is that the print we have here is generally clean and free from artifacts or anomalies. The dated CGI definitely becomes more apparent in High Definition.
Audio Quality:
The audio is a bit of a head-scratcher on this release from Mill Creek Entertainment. This new Blu-Ray edition sports a 2.0 Dolby Digital stereo track, unlike the previous Blu-Ray release from Sony which featured lossless 5.1 Dolby TrueHD audio. Though I didn’t own the previous Sony release to contrast and compare the two, the exclusion of the HD audio here is a bummer. What you’re getting is DVD quality sound, which just isn’t up to today’s standards. With that being said, dialogue always comes through clean, and there is some power to the track during the intense action moments. The problem is the dynamic range and crystal clear advantage of an HD track is notably absent. Background sound effects, the score, and other aspects seem to get jumbled in the mix, and this track, plain and simple, just doesn’t feature the clarity of what we’re accustomed to for the format.
Special Features:
It’s become pretty standard for Mill Creek releases to not feature many, if any, bonus materials. Anaconda is not the exception. Though I would hardly blame it on the distributor, as Sony has never included any special features on any of their past home video releases of the film. For a fan of creature features, I would have loved to see some featurettes or documentaries on the making of the film. From the special effects to the action set pieces, it would no doubt provide some added entertainment for admirers of the genre.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Mill Creek Entertainment features cover art that mimics the theatrical poster design for the film, and very closely resembles the previous Sony Pictures Blu-Ray release. On the reverse of the packaging you’ll find a plot synopsis, credits for the film, and a quote from Roger Ebert’s review of the film. Inside of the case you’ll find the Blu-Ray disc featuring some art that resembles the cover design. There is no interior artwork on this release.
Anaconda (reverse)
Anaconda (interior)
Final Report:
Anaconda is certainly goofy, harmless fun, but the years have not been too kind to this 90’s-era creature feature. The snake looks laughably bad in most scenes, the story lacks any depth or involvement with the characters, and it certainly doesn’t warrant any repeat viewings. The Blu-Ray edition from Mill Creek Entertainment features a watchable but somewhat soft and muted transfer, and a disappointing 2 channel stereo track. With no special features to speak of, this is a hard one to recommend. The good news for fans of the film is that Anaconda is available for very cheap on this brand new Blu-Ray edition, so you can’t complain too much at a great price point, as long as you enjoyed the film more than I did. This one is recommended for die-hard creature feature fanatics only.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Ginger Snaps Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Ginger Snaps
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: July 22nd 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Runtime: 108 Minutes
Ginger Snaps (Scream Factory)
The Film:
“Out by sixteen or dead on the scene, but together forever.”
Pairing the cycle of the werewolf with the puberty experience of a teenage girl, Ginger Snaps is truly a horror film unlike any other. In the cookie-cutter town of Bailey Downs, sisters Ginger and Brigitte Fitzgerald (Katharine Isabelle & Emily Perkins) stand out from the rest of their high school peers. They’re morbid obsession with death, suicide, and all things macabre doesn’t fare too well for popularity, and both girls are several years late experiencing their first period. None of this seems to matter too much to their loving mother, or anyone else for that matter, in this bland, boring town. The only break from the mundane comes from the occasional family dog being torn apart by a mysterious beast that lurks in the woods.
Seeking revenge on a female classmate who wronged them, Ginger and Brigitte head through the woods one night, intent on killing the girl’s dog and making it look like the work of the mysterious beast. The girls quickly realize they’re in trouble when the beast, a werewolf, stops them in their tracks, dragging Ginger through the woods with Brigitte attempting to fight it off. Scared off by the girls, the wolf is killed in a car accident, but Ginger appears mortally wounded as Brigitte drags her back to their house. Surprisingly, Ginger’s wounds heal in a matter of minutes, but something is different about her. Thinking at first that her mood swings and sudden hair growth could be the side effects of her first menstruation coming on, the sinister truth of Ginger’s transformation will change their lives forever.
Somewhat overlooked and underappreciated at it’s time of release, Ginger Snaps has gone on to develop a fervent cult following. It’s not your average teenage Horror film, and certainly not your average werewolf picture. The teen angst feels real and genuine, it’s darkly funny with memorable dialogue, and the town may remind you of your old stomping grounds and the reasons why you left it all behind.
The acting here is top notch as well, and though she has the less flashy role, Emily Perkins in particular nails her character’s inhibited nature and increasing worry for her beloved sister. Their complex relationship makes the film unique, and even though the cause of their rift is an element of fantasy, there are obvious parallels to the real-world problems of teenage girls everywhere. Ginger Snaps remains a brilliant little Horror film after 14 years, and it was an absolute treat to revisit on this Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory.
Video Quality:
Scream Factory presents Ginger Snaps in High Definition for the first time on this latest Blu-Ray release, and they’ve done a fine job! The transfer exhibits very accurate color timing and impressive fine object detail in everything from clothes, facial features, and even the gory stuff (notice the clarity of the white hairs growing out of Ginger’s wounds). Film grain looks natural and authentic, and this print is relatively free of anomalies. I was in High School when Ginger Snaps was released theatrically, so I had a good laugh noticing the clothing from the time period look so accurate on this HD print.
Audio Quality:
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track included is a solid upgrade! Dialogue comes through clean, with little to no background distortion or hiccups during the runtime. The score sounds terrific and is evenly balanced throughout your system to provide a very rich and dynamic track. Well done!
Special Features:
Scream Factory has once again gone above and beyond to make their Collector’s Edition releases very special for the fans. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Audio Commentary (2)- There are two audio commentaries on this disc, one from Director John Fawcett, and another from Writer Karen Walton. The team that eventually brought us Orphan Black provides us with some detailed and informative commentaries discussing the film, screenwriting process, pre and post-production, and their careers in film.
- Ginger Snaps: Blood, Teeth, and Fur- This is the absolute standout special feature on this release, running over an hour long, it includes incredible insight into the making of the film, it’s themes, and production. From location scouting to Ginger Snaps’ legacy, to casting and feminism in film, there are a variety of topics explored in this wonderful documentary.
- Growing Pains: Puberty in Horror Films- From Aine Leicht and Kristy Jett, this featurette runs nearly half an hour and features Jett, Rebekah McKendry, Heidi Honeycutt, and Axelle Carolyn discussing the concept of puberty in horror films. These lovely ladies recall their first experience watching films like Carrie and Ginger Snaps, how they related to them, and their impact on horror culture. The conversation is engaging throughout, and even the tangents the group tends to go on are thought provoking. This was a wonderful idea for a featurette, and fits quite nicely with the tone of the film.
- Deleted Scenes– Presented here in three separate ways, you can watch the deleted scenes by themselves, with commentary from John Fawcett, or with commentary from Karen Walton. The 25 minutes worth of deleted scenes presented here are quite fun, some existing as entire stand-alone segments, and some that were merely trimmed from existing scenes in the final film.
- Featurette- This short featurette is a catalog promo for the film presented in standard definition, possibly featured on an earlier DVD release. It features the cast and crew discussing the film, why people should go see it, and other anecdotes all while clips from the movie play throughout.
- Cast Auditions & Rehearsals- Roughly 18 minutes of auditions and rehearsals with Katharine Isabelle, Emily Perkins, and select other cast members. This is a fun watch, especially seeing the interplay between the two leads develop.
- Creation of the Beast- This is a fun behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the werewolf utilizing practical effects.
- Being John Fawcett- A short, fun little video shot by John Fawcett of him and the actresses goofing around during pre-production.
- Theatrical Trailers- Various trailers used throughout the theatrical campaign for the film.
- TV Spots- Various television spots used throughout the theatrical campaign for the film.
- Production Design Artwork- A quick but fun look through some of the production design logos associated with various items or products throughout the film: cigarettes, alcohol, logos, magazines, etc.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory features impressive newly commissioned cover art from artist Joel Robinson. The colors look great, the likenesses are perfect, and the full moon background and werewolf design on the bottom look fantastic. On the reverse of the packaging you’ll find a plot synopsis for the film, a list of special features, and technical specifications for this release. On the inside of the case you will find both the Blu-Ray and DVD discs with a nice picture of Ginger and Brigitte. As always on their collector’s edition releases, the cover art is reversible, and features the original theatrical poster design for the film.
Ginger Snaps (reverse)
Ginger Snaps (interior)
Final Report:
Overlooked and underappreciated during it’s theatrical release, Ginger Snaps has gone on to develop a fervent cult following. It’s not your average teenage Horror film, and certainly not your average werewolf picture. The teen angst feels genuine, it’s darkly funny with memorable dialogue, and the parallels to the real-world problems of teenage girls are cleverly alluded to. The picture quality is very good, with natural color timing and impressive fine object detail, and the audio delivers the dialogue and scares with full force. The special features are the standout aspect on this release, including a wonderful documentary and featurette made specifically for this edition. Ginger Snaps remains a brilliant little Horror film after 14 years, and this Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory is the definitive home video release.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Ginger Snaps: Collector’s Edition (Artwork: Joel Robinson)
Lake Placid Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Lake Placid
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: July 8th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P, Color, 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Runtime: 82 Minutes
Lake Placid (Scream Factory)
The Film:
The creature feature subgenre of Horror has always fascinated and terrified me, specifically, the aquatic monsters featured in movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon, Jaws, Piranha, and many more. The thought of being attacked from beneath, unable to scream, run, or even hear your attacker coming, gives me nightmares. I feel safe and secure swimming at the lake that surrounds my family cabin, but to this day, I’m more than a little edgy going into the ocean. In 1999, television writer David E. Kelly and Director Steve Miner teamed up to release Lake Placid, which works as both a modern day take on creature feature concept and a witty homage to B-movie cinema.
In the film, Paleontologist Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda) is reluctantly sent to Black Lake, Maine to assist in the investigation of a Fish and Game officer who was bitten in half by an unseen creature from beneath the water. Once there, she joins local Sheriff Hank Keough (Brendan Gleeson) and Fish and Game Officer Jack Wells (Bill Pullman). They’re an odd crew to say the least, and tempers flare even more when egotistical Professor of Mythology Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt) joins the search for the mysterious creature.
After a series of lethal encounters, including an overturned canoe, a severed toe, and the decapitation death of one of their crew, the team discovers that the creature they’re dealing with is a prehistoric 30-foot crocodile. And as it turns out, foul-mouthed lake resident Delores Bickerman (Betty White) knows more than she initially let on about this killer croc’s origins and feeding habits. As the bodies pile up, the team has to find a way to capture or kill this ancient behemoth to assure that the local community can be safe once more.
As always, I hesitate to say too much more about the plot of Lake Placid and let you enjoy this fun film for yourselves. Believe it or not, the main draw of the film (and repeat watch factor) is the witty and creative dialogue from screenwriter David E. Kelly. The dialogue is consistently fresh and playful, and the humor is very dark and fitting. Lake Placid plays more like a tribute or homage to the B-movie creature features of yesteryear than a straight horror film, but offers plenty of unique kills and bloodshed for those that require it. The characters are extremely well written, and in turn, creatively played by the cast involved, which is something unique for a film of this genre. I really enjoyed revisiting Lake Placid after all these years, and it’s the perfect summer entertainment for horror fans.
Video Quality:
Fans of Lake Placid can rest assured that the film looks great in High Definition. Some of Scream Factory’s abundant admirers seemed worried that this transfer might be plagued with some of the picture quality issues that their most recent license from Fox (Ravenous) displayed. There is no reason for concern here, and point of fact, this is a strong video presentation. Film grain looks natural and authentic, and textures and fine object detail in clothing, crocodile scales, and the surrounding woods of the lake is very clear. Colors are also accurately reproduced here, with the golden-hued and forest green color scheme really coming to life. There are no signs of digital noise reduction, and the print is relatively free of artifacts or scratches, making for a fantastic video presentation.
Audio Quality:
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track featured here represents the film well on Blu-Ray. Dialogue, music, and sound effects are all equally balanced across your home entertainment system in a surprisingly dynamic presentation. From the larger scale action scenes (crocodile chomps, boat motors, helicopter blades) to the films quieter moments (birds chirping, crickets on the lake), this audio presentation is respectful to the source and enhances this fun B-movie for home viewing.
Special Features:
Scream Factory has given fans of Lake Placid the deluxe treatment on this brand new Blu-Ray edition. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- The Making of Lake Placid– This brand new HD documentary runs over thirty minutes and features interviews with the likes of Actor Bill Pullman, Director Steve Miner, Editor Marshall Harvey, Cinematographer Daryn Okada, and many more. The cast and crew discuss David Kelly’s witty script, the blend of animatronics and CGI used to bring the crocodile to life, the enormous water tank used in production, Betty White’s time on the set, and other fun details from filming. I especially enjoyed the story that Nick Marra (effects supervisor) told about the grizzly bear being scared of the animatronic crocodile. This is another standout job from Scream Factory and crew.
- Theatrical Trailer- The original theatrical trailer is presented in standard definition and runs just under two minutes. This is a classic 90’s preview, with the “smoky” tone voiceover and recycled climactic music from Aliens, and offered theatrical audiences a good taste of the humor and mayhem from the film.
- Featurette- This featurette includes what appears to be carried over interview footage from the previous Fox DVD release that has been edited together with film footage from the new high definition transfer. It runs a little over five minutes, and is presented in standard definition.
- TV Spots- Roughly a minute and a half of television promos for Lake Placid that ran during the original theatrical campaign for the film. Like the aforementioned trailer, these little clips help establish the fun and campy nature of the film.
- Croc Test Footage- This is over seven minutes of camcorder footage (no audio) from the filming during the summer of 1998. Just a few test shots from the animatronic designers to make sure the mouth, nostrils, and eyes were working on the crocodile.
- Behind the Scenes Gallery- Over five minutes of fun behind-the-scenes photos and production stills from the making of the film. I especially enjoyed seeing the various camera rigs and mechanical elements used to make the crocodile come to life.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory includes newly commissioned artwork from artist Robert O’Brien. I love the postcard style utilized here, and really appreciate the minimalist approach that really evokes terror. It’s clean, simple, and uncluttered. On the reverse of the slipcover you’ll find a plot synopsis, production stills, a list of special features, and the technical specifications for this release. On the inside of the packaging, you’ll find the Blu-Ray disc with some nice artwork, and a reversible slip-sheet featuring the original theatrical poster design for the film. Very well done!
Lake Placid (reverse)
Lake Placid (interior)
Final Report:
If you’re like me, and “creature feature” horror is your thing, you’ll get a kick out of Lake Placid. This self-aware B movie homage is well written, funny, and offers up more than a few “light” scares. It’s a shame that most of the subgenre films today are relegated to television films, because Lake Placid demonstrates how you can make a fun, campy, big-budget creature feature that is a hit with audiences and (most) critics alike. The Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory features an outstanding video presentation with authentic film grain and natural colors, and an audio presentation with a surprisingly dynamic range. Special Features are top notch as well here, especially the brand new documentary made for this release. All in all, this might just be my favorite release from Scream Factory’s “Summer of Fear” thus far. Lake Placid comes Highly Recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Joy Ride 3: Road Kill Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Joy Ride 3: Road Kill
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Street Date: June 17th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Runtime: 96 Minutes
Joy Ride 3: Road Kill (20th Century Fox)
The Film:
I actually enjoyed the first Joy Ride film when it was released. Sure, it was a knockoff of Duel, but the script from J.J. Abrams was fresh and fun, the performances were earnest for the genre, and the thrills were genuine. The direct-to-video sequel served as nothing more than shot-on-the-cheap cash-in entertainment, and unfortunately, Joy Ride 3: Road Kill is more of the same.
In the opening moments of the film, a crack-addicted couple devises a plan to rob a random trucker of their imagined “stash” by having the female invite them over via CB radio. When the trucker shows up, of course, it’s none other than Rusty Nail. In one of the few thrilling sequences in the film, Rusty chains the couple to the hood of his semi, informing them that all they have to do is survive one mile of his driving, and not only will he let them go, but he’ll reward them with some of his “stash.” It’s a shame that this intense scene ends so unbelievably that viewers will be left shaking their head.
The story picks up with a group of young street-racers and their girlfriends embarking on a cross-country road trip to the Road Rally 1000. On their way they encounter Rusty Nail and his sinister semi, challenging him to some high-speed hijinks, not knowing whom they’re dealing with. As is typical with the genre, our maniac trucker hunts the crew down, providing for plenty of gore and mayhem. The main bulk of the plot centers on the lead getting his kidnapped girlfriend back from the clutches of Rusty Nail.
I will fully admit that die-hard fans of the series will enjoy this film’s genuine practical gore effects, cheesy one-liners from Rusty Nail, and well choreographed “kill” scenes. Between a semi-fan dicing up a face, chains squeezing someone to death, and multiple vehicular related accidents, there is plenty to cringe at. But this just isn’t my type of Horror film at the end of the day. The script is severely lacking, and even though the genre doesn’t command a David Mamet type treatment for the film, the dialogue could have used some polishing. Ken Kirzinger does a fine job playing the villain here, and we get to see more of the character than we did in previous outings. Though Joy Ride 3 will likely please the fan-base, for me, it seemed repetitive and unoriginal in its execution.
Video Quality:
Though I wasn’t very enthusiastic about the film itself, there is no denying that 20th Century Fox has provided a stellar transfer of Joy Ride 3. Black levels are deep and inky, the golden-hued color scheme remains intact and consistent, and fine object detail is near perfect, providing for a great visual experience in High Definition.
Audio Quality:
The engineers at 20th Century Fox have provided a fantastic 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio track for Joy Ride 3. The car chases, stunts, engine growls, blood splatter, and dialogue all come through with pristine clarity on this HD track. If you’re a fan of the series, you won’t be disappointed here, as this disc will give your channels a workout.
Special Features:
20th Century Fox has given fans of the Joy Ride series some fun bonus features for this Blu-Ray release! Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Riding Shotgun with Declan: Director’s Die-aries– Running over nine minutes, this featurette comes in four parts, each documenting a day in the production of Joy Ride 3. The crew clearly had a lot of fun making the film, and we get to see storyboards, makeup effects, and action sequences being setup for the film.
- Jewel’s Message- Running just over a minute, this is Jewel’s videotaped message from the film. I’m baffled as to why it is presented as a special feature here.
- Road Rage: The Blood, Sweat and Gears of Joy Ride 3– This one runs nearly twelve minutes and details the making of the film. The Director states that he wanted to make a hybrid between the previous Joyride films and The Fast and the Furious series. I enjoyed seeing Ken Kirzinger discuss his role as Rusty Nail this time around, as well as how many fans sought him out on the set as fans of his Jason Voorhees portrayal in that franchise. There are some fun makeup effects sequences, and it’s fun to see some practical effects utilized during the production of this film.
- Deleted Scenes- Almost six minutes of deleted scenes, all presented in High Definition with final score and background music. There’s a scene at a gas station, characters changing a tire, and two police officers discussing the events. All of these scenes were indeed, better left on the cutting room floor.
- Pre-Vis Sequences- Declan O’Brien discusses a pre-visualization sequence featuring a car chase from the film, having been inspired by Robert Rodriguez’ “Film School” series. Declan purchased various toy trucks and cars to pre-visualize one of the car chases, filmed it, and we get to see it placed side-by-side with the final scenes from the film.
- Finding Large Marge- This is a nearly four minute featurette on how Director Declan O’Brien found Heather Hueging, the actress who played the throwback character of Large Marge from Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.
- Commentary by Declan O’Brien- Director O’Brien clearly enjoys the genre, and this commentary is a relatively easy listen. He details the making of certain scenes, editing choices for the final film, and how he paid homage to various films and horror concepts.
- Sneak Peek- This section of the special features provides previews for the following titles from 20th Century Fox: Devil’s Due, Out of the Furnace, In the Name of the King 3: The Last Mission, 3 Days to Kill, Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses, The Bridge: Season 1, and Wilfred Season 3.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray release from 20th Century Fox features Rusty Nail’s murderous semi-truck, with a smoky skull enhanced over the grill. The reverse of the packaging features a plot synopsis for the film, along with a listing of the special features, and technical specifications. On the inside of the case you’ll find the Blu-Ray and DVD discs featuring artwork similar to the cover design, a digital HD copy code, and an advertisement flyer for more Horror titles from 20th Century Fox. This particular edition is a Limited set with the “Killer Packaging” cardboard insert with alternate artwork for the film. The insert is glued onto the outside plastic wrap, so be careful when you’re opening the set if you don’t want to damage it.
Joy Ride 3: Road Kill (reverse)
Joy Ride 3: Road Kill (interior)
Final Report:
Though I enjoyed the first Joy Ride film for mindless Horror entertainment, the subsequent direct-to-video sequels have been the epitome of shot-on-the-cheap cash-in cinema. Joy Ride 3: Road Kill features more of the same, though it does showcase some unique “kills” and practical gore effects. The good news is that 20th Century Fox has done a wonderful job transferring the film to Blu-Ray, with picture quality that retains the gritty golden-hued intentions of the filmmakers. The audio track is equally as impressive here, especially with the dynamic range on display during the car chase sequences. Special Features are loaded, but are mostly short, unnecessary featurettes that act as filler for the disc. This is rental material for me, only recommended for die-hard fans of the series.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Joy Ride 3: Road Kill (with insert)
The Final Terror Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- The Final Terror
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: July 1st 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio, 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
Runtime: 82 Minutes
The Final Terror (Scream Factory)
The Film:
I like to imagine Director Andrew Davis pitching The Final Terror to studio executives like Johnny Depp did in Ed Wood…
Mr. Davis: “Alright, here we go…Bump…in the Night! The Campsite…Massacre! The Creeper! The Forest…Primeval!”
Studio Exec: “How about The Final Terror?”
Mr. Davis: It’s perfect!
All joking aside, the above titles were, at one point or another, all working titles for what would eventually become The Final Terror. As Horror fans, we’re fortunate this film even saw the light of day. Luckily enough, some of the stars from the film began to make it big in Hollywood, and it was finally released in 1983 after sitting on the shelf for two years.
In the Final Terror, the young men of the Redwood County Youth Corps join some lovely local ladies (including a young Daryl Hannah) for a weekend camping adventure in the Redwood forest. On a side note, Daryl Hannah apparently felt the need to bring her Bavarian Yodeling uniform. Not that I’m not complaining, she looks incredible! The campers clear out a lakeside ravine and tell scary stories by the campfire, when the easily agitated Eggar (an unrecognizable Joe Pantoliano) leaves the group. During the first night, a camper goes missing, and the two lead counselors are brutally murdered by an unseen killer disguised in camouflage.
As the bodies pile up, the remaining campers suspect the unstable Eggar, whom they believe is hiding in a shack in the woods. After finding a working raft, the campers make their way down the river to escape the woodland killer and notify the authorities. This turns out to be harder than they imagined, as the killer stalks their every move, forcing the campers to set a trap for a final showdown.
The Final Terror is a curious Horror film, reminding one much more of First Blood than Sleepaway Camp. The kills compared to other films of the genre are relatively weak and uninspired, and the story truly moves along at a snails pace. It’s not a total loss by any means, as it provides some fun camp value, and features earnest performances from the cast. I’m glad to have seen it, but at the end of the day, I’m not sure it’s one that I would revisit again.
Video Quality:
You have to give it to Scream Factory, who truly went above and beyond for this release. Before the film itself even plays, a title card gives notice that all of the original film elements for The Final Terror were lost, and that Scream Factory utilized six different prints from private film collectors to complete the transfer for this Blu-Ray release. So before I even get into my thoughts on the transfer herein, hats off to this company for putting in the extra effort!
Given the title card and advance warning from Scream Factory, I was surprised to find that The Final Terror looks better than I had imagined it would. If there’s a main fault, it’s the consistency in each reel, as colors and skin tones can fluctuate in a single moment. There is the expected damage to the print, with scratches and artifacts popping up fairly regularly, but that’s to be expected. Believe it or not, there are actually some fine aspects to this release, such as the inky black levels, and fine object detail in facial features, the forest environment, and clothing. While it won’t knock the socks off of most High Definition enthusiasts, it’s impressive that Scream Factory was able to piece this film together after all original film elements were lost.
Audio Quality:
This 2.0 DTS HD Master Audio track works well enough for this genre title, but definitely sounds “tinny” and hollow. The catchy musical score for the film features some deep bass and guitar that resonates well, but dialogue and sound effects are often unbalanced and can get lost in the mix. Similar to any minor gripes with the video, this is likely the best this movie is ever going to sound on home video, so we have to give credit where credit is due.
Special Features:
Scream Factory has given fans of The Final Terror some outstanding bonus features for this Blu-Ray release! Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Post Terror: Finishing The Final Terror- Running nearly twenty-three minutes in length, this documentary piece from Shout! Factory and Aine Lecht is endlessly engaging, even if I didn’t appreciate the film itself as much as others seem to. We get the opportunity to hear from Post Production supervisor Allan Holzman as he discusses the complex editing of the film, and Composter Susan Justin talking about the score she created for this low budget thriller. I especially enjoyed hearing Holzman discuss Joe Pantoliano’s great performance in the film.
- The First Terror with Adrian Zmed and Lewis Smith- Running over sixteen minutes, this fun featurette has Adrian Zmed (Marco) and Lewis Smith (Boone) discussing their roles in the film, how they got their roles, stories from the shoot, and much more. With such a low budget film, the actors talk about how they had to perform many of their own stunts, which was especially fun to listen to. Adrian even mentions the bizarre opening prologue deaths that are unrelated to the rest of the film. Great stuff!
- Theatrical Trailer- Running over two minutes, this original theatrical trailer for the film is cleverly edited together, and the corny voice-over makes it that much better!
- Behind the Scenes Still Gallery- This bonus segment includes roughly nine minutes of behind the scenes photos and production stills, many of which have never been seen before this Blu-Ray.
- Commentary with Director Andrew Davis- Probably my favorite special feature on this release is the wonderful commentary from Director Andrew Davis. He provides a lot of insight into this low budget production, and some funny stories from the shoot.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory features the original theatrical poster design for the cover art. I love the design, which almost makes it look like a Science Fiction film. On the reverse of the packaging you’ll find a plot synopsis, list of special features, technical specifications, and production stills. Inside the case itself are the Blu-Ray and DVD discs, which both feature art that mimics the cover design. Behind the discs, Scream Factory has included some nice production photos on the reverse of the slip-sheet.
The Final Terror (reverse)
The Final Terror (interior)
Final Report:
More First Blood than Sleepaway Camp, The Final Terror features some earnest performances and camp value for fans of the genre, but features weak kills and a story that moves at a snails pace. Though I’m glad to have finally seen it, I’m not sure it’s a film I would revisit again. With that being said, hats off to Scream Factory for bringing The Final Terror to Blu-Ray, and painstakingly re-assembling the film after the original elements were lost. The picture and audio quality won’t impress many, but most of you will be glad to have the film available in your collections at long last. Even though I wasn’t crazy about the film itself, this Blu-Ray edition includes some fun and worthwhile special features, and it’s very evident that Scream Factory put in the extra effort for fans. Recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
The Final Terror (cover)
True Detective DVD Review
DVD Review- True Detective: The Complete First Season
Distributor: HBO Home Entertainment
Street Date: June 10th 2014
Technical Specifications: 480P, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio, 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround
Runtime: 458 Minutes
True Detective: The Complete First Season (HBO Home Entertainment)
The Series:
I’ve been watching HBO’s excellent programming since I was a teenager, back in the good old days of Tales from the Crypt and Dream On. In High School, the network introduced me to The Sopranos, The Wire, and Six Feet Under, all of which I still consider among my favorite television programs of all time. In college, it was all about Deadwood, and even though it was incredibly short lived, it’s a series that I’ve revisited multiple times on home video. And right now, we have several great shows airing on the pay network, including Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire. Unlike the aforementioned shows, I wasn’t immediately drawn into the trailers and television promos building up to the premiere of True Detective. In fact, my wife and I casually sat down on the living room couch a few months back, unaware that the premiere was about to begin as we turned on the television, and decided to give it a chance. From the opening moments, we were hooked.
True Detective follows the seventeen-year long investigation into a gruesome murder from the perspectives of Detectives Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey). In the beginning, it’s 1995, and the mismatched partners from Louisiana’s Criminal Investigation Division (C.I.D.) are assigned to solve the ritualistic murder of Dora Lange, a young woman whose killer has left her naked and bound to the roots of a tree, deer antlers affixed to her skull, with strange homemade artifacts left behind. Marty is the faithful believer, married with children, but with problems he doesn’t want to confront. Rust is the existential atheist with nowhere to call home, obsessed with the murders and motives behind the crimes he is tasked to solve. True Detective features a non-linear narrative, frequently jumping back and forth between the present (2012) where Marty and Rust are interviewed separately about the Dora Lange investigation, and the past where the investigation leads them down increasingly dark and sinister paths.
The worst thing that a reviewer can do is spoil a show that has so many surprises to offer, so I’ll leave my synopsis at that. True Detective features career-best performances from both Harrelson and McConaughey, who utilize their distinct abilities (and the incredible screenplay) to believably bring their characters to life. These are hardened men, who have seen things that many people will fortunately never have to experience. They’re also flawed human beings, who each have something they can learn from one another.
It’s commendable and impressive how much style and suspense True Detective offers up in only eight hour-long episodes. The cast is superb, the music is unnerving and beautifully composed to each sequence, and the story itself is consistently captivating. Rarely in a television series do we get a finale that is so utterly perfect as well, completely tying up any loose ends and character arcs. I am thrilled that HBO has decided to continue this series, with each new season featuring a new case and detectives to follow. Though the 8-episode first season could have stood all on it’s own as a memorable miniseries, I look forward to seeing what’s in store for future seasons. True Detective receives my absolute highest recommendation.
Video Quality:
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get my hands on a Blu-Ray edition to review, but this DVD set looks surprisingly good for an “inferior” format. True Detective is a show that features a very stark and gritty visual appearance, and the solid black levels and subdued color scheme look fantastic here on DVD. Definition isn’t quite as clear and precise as it would be on Blu-Ray, but overall this is a fine looking release. Judging from screenshots I’ve seen for the High Definition edition, that is obviously the preferred format to own.
Audio Quality:
Again, the DVD edition lacks the DTS-HD Master Audio track of the Blu-Ray, so while this does sound plenty powerful and dynamic for a DVD release, it will always sound better in High Definition. Dialogue does come through very clear, and background music and action is well balanced.
Special Features:
HBO Home Entertainment has provided fans of True Detective with a somewhat generic, but enjoyable set of special features to accompany the show. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Making True Detective– Running over fifteen minutes, this is a decent, if somewhat standard, making-of featurette from HBO. Like most “making-of” segments from the network, this reveals a bit too much about the show, it’s central mystery, and it’s character arcs, so if you’ve never seen the show, avoid this until you experience it in it’s entirety. With that being said, this is a nice overview of the series and you get to hear from the central cast and crew including Nic Pizzolatto, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Monaghan, and many more.
- Inside the Episode- This portion of the special features offers two separate featurettes on specific episodes including After You’ve Gone and Form and Void. You can choose to watch them separately or “play all.” Both segments run 4-5 minutes each, and offer a short inside look at the meaning behind the episodes, especially some of the more existential questions viewers may have about the characters and the mystery at hand.
- Deleted Scenes- I’m not even sure you could call these deleted scenes to be frank. Running nearly four minutes long, this is a series of scenery shots of various locations from the series: a burning field, Louisiana swamplands, roadways, graveyards, all set against some unnerving music. There is not a single set of dialogue throughout the entire sequence. It’s almost as if random pieces of cinematography from the entire series (those in-between moments of Marty & Rust driving through the country) were assembled together here in one long sequence.
- Up Close with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson- Though short, this is probably my favorite special feature on this release, with introspective interviews with both stars on four different scenes from the series including: the dinner scene, the fight scene, the bar scene, and fatigue. It’s a heck of a lot of fun to hear Harrelson and McConaughey discuss their characters’ reasoning and choices in the select scenes. The two stars discussing their fight scene from the series is especially fun and hilarious, and it’s obvious they enjoyed working together. You can choose to watch these separately or simply “play all.” The entirety lasts about eight minutes.
- A Conversation with Nic Pizzolatto and T-Bone Burnett- Running slightly over fourteen minutes, this is a video discussion between Musician T-Bone Burnett and Series Producer and writer Nic Pizzolatto. If you enjoyed the fantastic and moody music from the show, you’ll really get a kick out of hearing from Mr. Burnett. He obviously studied not only the script itself but also the music and social scene in Louisiana. Great stuff!
- Audio Commentary (2)- Nic Pizzolatto, T Bone Burnett, and Scott Stephens provide commentary on two select episodes.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this DVD release from HBO Home Entertainment features some fantastic artwork that mimics the poster campaign during broadcast, and captures so much style in subtle fashion. This is a hard shell slipcase, with the special features and series synopsis on the reverse of the packaging. Inside you’ll find a fold-out digipack with individual episode listings, some nice background art, and three DVD discs.
True Detective (reverse)
True Detective (digi-pack)
Final Report:
True Detective is a stylish thriller series featuring career-best performances from Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey. The writing is superb and believable, the cinematography gritty and gorgeous, and the brilliant musical score just adds to the effect. I love the journey that both detectives take throughout their investigation and the aftermath, and this features one of the best final episodes of any show in recent memory. I’m excited to see what the creators have in store for subsequent seasons, which will each feature different actors and storylines. The DVD edition features solid picture and audio quality, but the Blu-Ray edition is the one to pick up for video and audiophiles alike. The special features left me wanting more, especially for a show with so much to offer. With that being said, this is simply one of the better television shows of the past decade, and is a must own on either format. True Detective comes Highly Recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
True Detective (interior)
Ravenous Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Ravenous
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: June 3rd 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Color, 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 101 Minutes
Ravenous (Scream Factory)
The Film:
Captain John Boyd (Guy Pearce) receives a hero’s welcome from the United States Army after capturing the enemy’s outpost during the Mexican-American war. The truth of the matter is literally making Boyd sick to his stomach, as he “played dead” like a coward while his fellow soldiers died, conjured up strength from drinking the blood of the pile of dead comrades above him, and took the fort. When the truth of his cowardice is revealed, Boyd is banished by his superiors to Fort Spencer in California.
Upon arrival, the boozing bookworm Colonel Hart (Jeffrey Jones) introduces Boyd to the unique cast of characters he is to share the foreseeable future with: the cocky Private Reich (Neal McDonough), the goofball Private Cleaves (David Arquette), the faithful shepherd Private Toffler (Jeremy Davies), and their Native American caretakers George and Martha (Joseph Runningfox and Sheila Tousey). Boyd seems hesitant to make any new friends, and lay low until the war subsides. But his hopes of forgetting his past wrongdoings and moving on with his new assignment will be short lived.
A seemingly distraught and near-death stranger by the name of Colqhoun (Robert Carlyle) arrives to Fort Spencer, with a grim tale of his wagon party, led by the mad Colonel Ives, resorting to cannibalism after being stranded in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for some time. When Boyd and his fellow soldiers are lead on an expedition to investigate the story, Colqhoun’s true identity is revealed as the blood thirsty Colonel Ives. Boyd manages to escape the ensuing massacre that follows, but when he arrives back at Fort Spencer to tell his story, Ives has already assumed command of Fort Spencer, and Boyd’s wild story falls on deaf ears.
What follows from this point on I don’t dare reveal, as I implore you to watch Ravenous for yourself. This is a unique brand of Horror story, not only in its historical setting and unique brand of humor amongst the gore, but with an array of strong and sincere performances from a stellar cast. The action is exciting, and the twists and turns cleverly written. Ravenous is one of those oddball films that didn’t get the attention it deserved upon release. Luckily, it has developed a strong cult following over the years, one that I wish you, dear reader, fall in line with.
Video Quality:
While the picture quality is not the total disaster that it’s being made out to be in other early reviews you may have seen, there is definitely a lack of definition here, and various problematic aspects to the source. The print provided by 20th Century Fox features a lack of definition in facial features, scenery, clothing, and other detail that fares only slightly better than DVD quality. The bottom line is that some scenes look better than others, and the lack of overall clarity is more evident in darker, dimly lit scenes than the bright daylight cinematography sequences or the candle/fire-lit interiors of Fort Spencer. Though it’s hard to pinpoint the main source of error that occurred here, it is obvious that some sort of digital scrubbing was utilized prior to Scream Factory’s disc pressing. Though I love the film dearly, this transfer is not up to par.
Audio Quality:
The good news is that the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track gets the job done. Dialogue and background music and effects are well balanced, and while the various channels are never put to full force use, it’s dynamic and spacious enough to warrant a recommendation. Damon Albarn’s score in particular sounds amazing here, a true treat to experience in HD sound.
Special Features:
Scream Factory has included some fun special features for their release of Ravenous on Blu-Ray. Features range from newly created specifically for this release to ported content from the previous DVD edition. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Interview with Jeffrey Jones: The Ravenous Tales of Colonel Hart- Running over twenty minutes, this fascinating interview with actor Jeffrey Jones is one of the brand new special features created for this Blu-Ray release. The man not only offers some insight into the making of the film, but he truly knows his American history as well. Sharing his knowledge about everything from the westward expansion to early American settlements, and the Mexican-American war to Native American wendigo legends, Jones is clearly an actor who doesn’t just show up on set with his lines memorized, but researches and becomes his role. For me, this is definitely the standout feature on this set.
- Deleted Scenes- Roughly twelve minutes of deleted scenes from the film, ported over from the DVD release. Having never been mastered at the same quality as the final cut, these scenes are in rough shape and presented in standard definition. The audio is also very hard to hear for the most part, again I’m guessing, a product of not being “finalized” for inclusion in the eventual film. With most deleted scenes I come across, it’s obvious why they were left on the cutting room floor, but for Ravenous, I actually really enjoyed each of these moments, and would love to someday see an “extended” edition with the scenes reincorporated. I’m glad Scream Factory decided to include these for their Blu-Ray edition, which fans of the film will enjoy revisiting.
- Deleted Scenes with Commentary– The aforementioned deleted scenes are included here again, but this time with running commentary from the Director of the film, the witty and talented Antonia Bird, who sadly passed away just last year. Antonia explains the various reasons why each scene was left on the cutting room floor, as well as explains her reasoning for the scripted scenes’ individual purpose in the original script.
- Theatrical Trailer- The original theatrical trailer for the film is presented in standard definition, running exactly two minutes long. It’s not surprising that the film didn’t fare very well at the box office with this misleading promo, but then again, a film featuring cannibalism set during the Mexican-American war is already a tough sell for a studio.
- TV Spot- The rather short 32 second TV spot for the film features select scenes from the above trailer with a different voiceover.
- Photo Gallery (Costume Design & Production Design)- This photo gallery provides a look at the unique costume and production design for the film, providing drawings and storyboards along with text explanations for select items from the film. This is also presented in standard definition, but I’m glad it was carried over.
- Audio Commentaries (3)- Scream Factory has also included three separate audio commentaries for this Blu-Ray release. The first features Director Antonia Bird and composer/songwriter Damon Albarn (of Blur and Gorillaz fame). The second commentary features screenwriter Ted Griffin and Jeffrey Jones, and the third features Robert Carlyle. All three segments provide for an interesting listen, with each set of associated folks offering their own take on the making of the film, its significance, and the history behind it.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory features the original theatrical artwork for the film with Pearce, Carlyle, and Arquette among some skulls and bones. The reverse of the packaging includes a plot synopsis and a special features listing, with a few select promotional stills from the film. Inside you’ll find reversible artwork and some nice disc art. Well done!
Ravenous (reverse)
Ravenous (interior)
Final Report:
Ravenous is a film that I have revisited several times since its initial release, finding something new to appreciate each time. It’s a unique brand of Horror story with a wicked sense of humor, fun performances from a talented cast, and a brilliant score. This brand new Blu-Ray edition from Scream Factory features a disappointing transfer of the film, a legitimate complaint in an otherwise great release. The audio is perfect, and the special features are fascinating if you’re a fan of the film. It was especially engaging to hear the talented and informative Jeffrey Jones discuss his thoughts on the making of the movie.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Countess Dracula Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Countess Dracula
Distributor: Synapse Films
Street Date: May 6th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Color, 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 93 Minutes
Countess Dracula (Synapse Films)
The Film:
In 1971, Hammer Films took a chance on producing Countess Dracula, their fictional take on the very real story of Elizabeth Bathory (Elizabeth Nadasdy in the film), who is often referred to as the most prolific female serial killer in history. Born into a noble Hungarian family, the real Elizabeth was said to use her power and deception to lure innocent villagers into the castle, torture them for days, and eventually kill and dispose of their bodies. Depending on what story you read, the number of Bathory’s victims range anywhere from 30-600 women, as a precise number was never established. What is more than likely the truth of the matter is that the legends of Elizabeth Bathory (such as bathing in her victims blood to stay young) far outweigh the facts. It makes for a fascinating Horror story, a fact that Hammer Films knew well enough to produce Countess Dracula, a different kind of macabre tale for them after many repetitive outings featuring Frankenstein, The Mummy, and the Count himself.
Countess Dracula begins with the funeral of Count Nadasdy, who has left little fortune to his wife Elizabeth (Ingrid Pitt) in his will. She is a crude, hateful old woman, who punishes her handmaidens for the slightest perceived misdeed. The funeral has also brought Lieutenant Imre Toth (Sandor Eles) to the family castle, a young friend of the late Count who Elizabeth is instantly taken with. After discovering the youthful effect that young blood has on her appearance, Elizabeth kills a female servant, bathes in her blood, and becomes youthful and beautiful once more. Conspiring with her faithful steward Dobi (Nigel Green), she hides her newly arrived daughter Llona away, fooling everyone into thinking that she is in fact, her own daughter. Elizabeth’s youthful appearance aids her in seducing Lieutenant Toth, but at a price, as more victims have to be sacrificed for Elizabeth to maintain this façade, and the castle historian begins to suspect something sinister is brewing.
Revisiting Countess Dracula was an absolute treat. Ingrid Pitt is as breathtaking as ever, turning in one of her best performances. The gothic production design, polished cinematography, elegant costumes, and eerie music by Harry Robertson (incorrectly credited in the opening credits as Harry Robinson) just adds to the pleasure. This remains one of my personal favorite stand-alone films in the Hammer catalog.
Video Quality:
The Blu-Ray presentation for Countess Dracula is about as impressive as it gets. It’s obvious that a lot of time and care went into making sure this High Definition release would impress Horror fans and Blu-Ray aficionados alike. Colors look accurate, scenery looks crisp and gorgeous, the wonderful costume design shows incredible detail and clarity, and the blood…the blood looks crimson red! The film grain has been kept intact and authentic throughout the restoration process, which is always appreciated! There is some slight damage to the print here and there, but these moments are few and far between, save for the occasional speckles. The lengths that Synapse has gone to in order to preserve this film is commendable, and it looks fantastic in High Definition.
Audio Quality:
The DTS-HD Mono track provided here is surprisingly powerful: regularly balancing dialogue, background sound effects, and Harry Robertson’s eerie score. It’s a bit jolting at first to hear so much power and balance from two channels. This is another standout area on this release.
Special Features:
Synapse Films has provided Horror fans with plenty of great special features to enjoy on this disc. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Audio Commentary- This commentary features actress Ingrid Pitt, Director Peter Sasdy, Screenwriter Jeremy Paul, and Author Jonathan Sothcott discussing nearly all aspects of production on Countess Dracula. Continuously engaging and fun, this is one of the more enjoyable commentaries I’ve experienced in some time.
- Countess Dracula Still Gallery- Roughly seven minutes of fantastic behind-the-scenes photos and production stills set to the brilliant piano score from the film. There are some really captivating pictures provided here, showcasing the elaborate costume and production design for the film.
- Immortal Countess: The Cinematic Life of Ingrid Pitt– Running nearly eleven minutes, this featurette is extremely well made and showcases the career of the gorgeous and talented Ingrid Pitt. Several film scholars and noteworthy people contribute to telling her life story in brief, from the unimaginable horror she must have experienced spending the first few years of her life in a concentration camp, to her beginning acting career in film. I knew very little about Ingrid going into this, and came out knowing (and wanting to further research) so much more. It’s fascinating that she escaped Berlin by swimming across the river, being pulled out by a United States soldier, whom she would later marry. The featurette further discusses her roles in Where Eagles Dare, The Vampire Lovers, and finally, Countess Dracula. This is absolutely my favorite special feature on the set.
- Archival Audio Interview with Ingrid Pitt- Over eight minutes worth of audio featuring an interview with Ingrid Pitt. The audio is in rough shape, and a little hard to hear at times, but there are some interesting topics discussed including violence in film, her beginnings in Hollywood, and her Horror film roles.
- Theatrical Trailer- The original theatrical trailer for Countess Dracula is a lot of fun, with a great rhyming voiceover, gothic Hammer title cards, and like most older trailers, showcases a bit too much of the final film.
The Packaging:
Synapse has crafted a beautiful looking release for Countess Dracula with artwork featuring the original theatrical poster for the film, with the “Hammer Horror Collection” banner at the top. The reverse features a plot synopsis for the film, a list of special features, and technical specifications. Inside you will find some beautiful (and naughty) reversible artwork as well as the Blu-Ray and DVD discs for the film.
Countess Dracula (interior)
Countess Dracula (reverse)
Final Report:
Revisiting Countess Dracula was an absolute treat. Ingrid Pitt is as breathtaking as ever, turning in one of her best performances. The gothic production design, polished cinematography, elegant costumes, and eerie music by Harry Robertson just adds to the pleasure. Synapse Films has gone to great lengths to provide viewers with a beautiful restored print, surprisingly great sound quality, and a wealth of bonus material. The Immortal Countess featurette is a particular treat, providing viewers with a look at Ingrid Pitt’s beautiful life and legacy. This Blu-Ray release receives my Highest Recommendation.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Countess Dracula (alternate art)
Sleepaway Camp Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Sleepaway Camp
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: May 27th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 85 Minutes
Sleepaway Camp (Scream Factory)
The Film:
Ah…the Summer Camp slasher films of the 1980’s. From Friday the 13th to The Burning, there are an abundance of fun movies in this subgenre that have become yearly staples for a Horror fans’ summer viewing experience. It’s an odd cocktail of entertainment we’re talking about here: a blended concoction of the innocence of youth, being away from the watchful eyes of our parents, and an evil stranger hacking our peers to death. Sleepaway Camp is a bizarre but extremely memorable entry, standing alone in a class of films that often feature repetitive villains, deaths, and characters. I will never forget seeing it for the first time during a sleepover as a teenager, my jaw literally hanging open in shock during the ending moments, as goose bumps tingled up my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Though for some it may be a chore to get there, once you’ve been, it’s a film that you will revisit time and time again and appreciate anew with each subsequent viewing.
Eight years after a terrible boating accident kills her Father and brother, Angela Baker (Felissa Rose) now lives with her whack-a-doodle Aunt Martha and her cousin Ricky (Jonathan Tierston). Sent off to Camp Arawak for the summer, the shy and withdrawn Angela quickly experiences bullying and torment from her peers, and Ricky is always there to defend her. Though a dash of romance could be in the cards for Angela when fellow camper Paul takes a liking to her, the atmosphere at Camp Arawak has grown increasingly eerie as campers begin to turn up dead. But who could be the killer? Could it be the snotty and flirtatious Judy? Perhaps even the shy and withdrawn Angela? Or even a cousin who is fed up with her sister’s tormentors? Half the fun of Sleepaway Camp is the journey in answering that very question, and the resulting answer will not only shock you, but it will remain engrained in your memory long after viewing.
Benefitting from its naïve charm and creepy atmosphere, Sleepaway Camp remains one of the better slasher films from the era. Sure, it features some wooden and hammy performances, some incredibly creepy characters (the cook), and cheesy dialogue that will have you howling at parts, but it’s about the whole package. As I stated before, it is a film that Horror fans will revisit time and time again and appreciate the corny performances (Aunt Martha is a standout), the fun kills and makeup effects, and the rather genius ending that will haunt your dreams.
Video Quality:
Scream Factory’s Blu-Ray release of Sleepaway Camp is, simply put, stunning. Featuring a transfer from a 2K scan of the original camera negative, this company has gone above and beyond to treat fans of the film with a beautiful viewing experience. Film grain is intact here and authentic to the time period, with no digital scrubbing to be seen. Colors look better than ever, with the lush green lawns of the camp and clear blue water of the lake in full view. But the standout aspect of this presentation is the fine detail; from hair to clothing, the textures look incredible. There is some minor damage to the print from time to time, but this is to be expected from a film this old. For Horror fans and Blu-Ray aficionados, this is as good as it gets, and I can guarantee that you have never seen Sleepaway Camp look this incredible.
Audio Quality:
The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track provided here suits the film very well. All of the dialogue comes through clean and clear, background noise at the camp (birds chirping, water splashing, crickets chirping) sound great and never “tinny”, and escalating swells in the score are handled nicely. I was surprised how dynamic this seemed for a mono track. Fans will be pleased with its authenticity and power.
Special Features:
Scream Factory has once again gone above and beyond to include some amazing special features for fans of the film. Though I do question the inclusion of a couple of them, the majority of these features are fantastic. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- At the Waterfront after the Social: The Legacy of Sleepaway Camp– Running over 45 minutes, this documentary from Scream Factory and Justin Beahm’s Reverend Entertainment is the standout feature on a release already jam-packed with gems. We not only get the opportunity to hear from cast members such as Felissa Rose, Jonathan Tierston, Karen Fields, and more, but the amount of depth and detail the cast and crew go into regarding the development of the film is incredible. From how the cast members won over their director during auditions to the screenwriting and filming process and on-set crushes, there is truly something for everyone here. The behind-the-scenes discussion and special effects that went into a particular scene from the ending, is especially hilarious and engaging. The entertainment factor aside, Justin Beahm and Scream Factory have delivered the goods to the Horror fan-base with a top quality documentary filmed in high definition with great title logos and animations. The final shot of Felissa becoming emotional discussing the impact of the film is especially sincere and moving. Excellent work.
- Judy: A Short film by Jeff Hayes- Judy is an incredibly silly low budget short film from Jeff Hayes, the webmaster at sleepawaycampmovies.com. Featuring Karen Fields reprising her role from Sleepaway Camp, the ridiculous plot has Judy exacting revenge on a flirtatious married man. It’s fun seeing Karen bring back her Judy-tude, but the majority of this is mostly cringe worthy. Sorry Jeff!
- Princess: A Music Video by Jonathan Tierston- Actually titled The Princess, this music video from Jonathan Tierston is not related to the film in the slightest. Though it features some nice camerawork, it’s five minutes worth of b-i-z-a-r-r-o lyrics and awkward lip-syncing with Jonathan promoting his music career. This wasn’t for me, and I’ll leave it at that.
- Camp Arawak Scrapbook- Over nine minutes worth of behind-the-scenes pictures from the cast and crew. Everyone involved clearly had fun making the movie, and it’s nice that these were preserved over the years and included on this release for fans of the film.
- Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots- The original theatrical trailer and two television spots are included back-to-back. You have to appreciate the campy voiceover and out-of-context footage used to promote the film. I could watch 80’s Horror previews all day long, so this was a short and sweet treat.
- Rare Images from Make-up effects artist Ed French- Roughly a minute and a half worth of rare storyboard drawings for the makeup and effects shots featured in the film. Though it’s a short montage, there are some fascinating pictures here from Ed French’s archive, and the final effects they achieved are impressive for a low budget horror film.
- A Demonstration of the 2K film scan process- Ian Turpen at Technicolor runs us through the impressive 2K scanning process that Sleepaway Camp underwent for this Blu-Ray release. Running exactly nine minutes long, this segment reminded me of some of the restoration featurettes that the Criterion Collection and Arrow Video have included on their releases before. Though it’s a welcome addition to this release and we get some interesting technical information on the scanners themselves, we never get to see a “before and after” shot of the print. It’s even more confusing that the footage from the film that is included in this segment is all in standard definition. I would recommend the half-screen comparison shot next time interspersed with footage from the Technicolor labs. That slight criticism aside, as mentioned above, the transfer on this release is simply stunning and I’m so glad that Scream Factory went the extra mile to deliver a 2K scan for the Blu-Ray release.
- Audio Commentaries (3)- Scream Factory was kind enough to include three audio commentaries on this release. The first features actors Felissa Rose and Jonathan Tierston, the second Director Robert Hiltzik (moderated by Jeff Hayes), and the third features both Hiltzik and Rose. Felissa and Jonathan’s commentary is especially fun and the two obviously enjoyed their experience working together all those years ago, and seem appreciative of the enormous cult fan-base their movie has now.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory features newly commissioned artwork on the slipcover from fan favorite artist, Nathan Thomas Milliner. There is little doubt that Milliner captured the spirit of the film with his atmospheric and brutal art for this release. For nostalgic purists, Scream Factory has also included the original theatrical artwork as a reversible case slip with the classic “knife through the tennis shoe” design. On the reverse of the packaging you’ll find a plot synopsis along with the aforementioned special features listed. The interior of the case includes some nice disc art to boot.
Sleepaway Camp (reverse)
Sleepaway Camp (interior)
Final Report:
Sleepaway Camp remains a bizarre and shocking entry in the summer camp sub-genre of 80’s slasher films, and one of my personal favorites. Scream Factory has gone above and beyond to provide an absolutely gorgeous 2K scan of the original camera negative, a surprisingly dynamic and authentic HD mono audio track, and a wealth of bonus material to peruse for fans. Special marks have to be given for the beyond entertaining At the Waterfront after the Social: The Legacy of Sleepaway Camp from Justin Beahm, which will go down as one of the definitive bonus feature documentaries of 2014. Highly Recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Sleepaway Camp (Available May 27th from Scream Factory)
Evilspeak Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Evilspeak
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: May 13th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 92 Minutes
Evilspeak (Scream Factory)
The Film:
Eric Weston’s Evilspeak begins in the 1600’s with a group of Satanists being banished from their land. They wander the beaches, gathering followers as they travel. Their leader performs a ritual sacrifice, beheading a young woman who was drawn to their pack. Fast forward to 1981, and we meet poor, poor Stanley Coopersmith (Clint Howard). Stanley is an outcast at West Andover Military Academy, and the frequent punching bag of his fellow students. He’s the classic oddball that you can’t help but feel for, not only in his looks but his poor sports performance, awkward demeanor, and jumbled speech.
When the West Andover faculty punishes Stanley by putting him on clean up duty at the Academy’s chapel, he discovers the hidden crypt of Father Esteban, one of the 16th Century Satanists featured in the prologue. Among the creepy relics left behind is a book used in black mass rituals, which Stanley has no qualms about taking for his own. Utilizing his downtime and computer savvy, Stanley creates a program to translate the text from the ancient book.
Increasingly disillusioned with life at the Academy and the never ending bullying he experiences, Stanley warms up to the ancient writings and concocts a plan for revenge: synchronize his computer program with the evil entity to create a computerized black mass, and get rid of his tormentors for good.
What follows features some outstanding gore effects for the time, from satanic pigs ripping people to shreds (you heard that right), stigmata nails flying through skulls, and wickedly awful beheadings, there’s plenty of mayhem to both cringe and cheer for. Clint Howard’s performance is also worth mentioning, as he turns in a very genuine performance here. Evilspeak has just about everything a Horror fan would want out of a genre film, and I had a great time revisiting it in High Definition.
Video Quality:
Scream Factory’s Blu-Ray release of Evilspeak has been licensed through Code Red, and features a transfer that has been “completely restored from a newly discovered 35mm inter-positive source.” While the film without a doubt looks better than it ever has before, complete with natural film grain and a nice color grading, it could have used a little bit of clean up work before release. There are plenty of scratches, pops, and even light damage throughout the entire runtime. It’s a delicate issue of course, especially when some transfers are overly manipulated to appear “brand new.” For some, those instances of scratches and debris might add up to some nostalgia factor. It’s the kind of experience that reminds you of watching a grindhouse film in a dirty second-rate cinema in the 80’s, and on that note, you may be forgiving. For others, despite featuring a great inter-positive source, it might be slightly distracting. I’m in the forgiving/nostalgia factor camp, especially because I’m just plain happy to have this rather niche Horror film available on Blu-Ray.
Audio Quality:
This DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track provided here won’t rumble the floors or wake the neighbors, but it gets the job done. Dialogue comes through very clear, and is well balanced between the creepy musical score and background effects. It can sound slightly “tinny” at times, but overall fans of the film will be pleased with the audio experience.
Special Features:
Scream Factory has included some truly awesome special features on this Blu-Ray edition, in fact it could have been labeled a Collector’s Edition frankly, featuring some truly great content for fans of the film. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Satan’s Pigs and Severed Heads: The Making of Evilspeak- Running nearly 28 minutes, this is another fantastic documentary from Scream Factory. We get to hear from most of the principal cast discussing every aspect of the film’s production. From how the cast members got their respective roles to discussing how genuinely nice Clint Howard was, and from the stunt sequences to the special gore effects, all of the bases are covered here. This is brand new interview footage filmed in High Definition, with footage from the film dispersed throughout, and it works really well. Richard Moll is especially hilarious, and has some fun stories to reminisce about. Definitely one of Scream Factory’s better documentaries!
- Effects Speak with Allan A. Apone- This segment runs nearly 15 minutes and features Allan A. Apone discussing his career creating gore effects for movies. It’s fascinating hearing Allan speak about making the practical effects cost efficient yet stylish, and improvising plenty of times on the set to get the right results. From learning about the practical effects involved in everything from beheadings to pigs eating people, this is great stuff!
- Cast Interviews- This section of the bonus features includes three separate interviews with Clint Howard, Don Stark, and Joseph Cortese. The interviews are really fun, detailing how each of these actors got involved with the production. The standout is absolutely hearing from Clint Howard. The quality isn’t quite as polished as the other featurettes on this Blu-Ray, as the film footage looks like it’s been taken from a VHS tape, and the interviews seem to be taken from a standard definition source.
- Theatrical Trailer- The original theatrical trailer runs about 2 minutes long and is quite fun. Definitely evokes that 80’s feel with its corny voice-over and reveal of roughly the entire plot. Definitely glad it was included in this package.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory features the outstanding original theatrical artwork for the film on the cover. On the reverse of the packaging you’ll find a plot synopsis along with the aforementioned special features listed. The interior of the case includes some nice disc art and foreign posters for the film on the reverse of the slip-sheet.
Evilspeak (reverse)
Evilspeak (interior)
Final Report:
Evilspeak is a terrific Horror movie with a dedicated performance from Clint Howard, amazing practical gore effects, and an ever-captivating plotline that plays like a hybrid between Carrie, The Lords of Discipline, and The Exorcist. The Blu-Ray from Scream Factory features a transfer that will divide enthusiasts for the format. It’s impressive in it’s authenticity but features some light damage throughout. The audio track works just fine here, and Scream Factory has loaded this with worthwhile special features. The documentary alone is worth a purchase! Recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Final Exam Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Final Exam
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: May 13th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 94 Minutes
Final Exam (Scream Factory)
The Film:
“Some may pass the test…God help the rest.”
How could a filmmaker break away from the conventional slasher movies of the early 1980’s? If they took time to establish the characters, composed a simple yet unnerving score, and featured quality camera work, it might be possible. Jimmy Huston’s 1981 film Final Exam did exactly that, and while it’s not a superb Horror movie by any means, it’s certainly an underrated entry in the genre.
Following the rather typical opening involving the bloodless slashing of a couple parked lakeside for a midnight rendezvous, we proceed to Lanier College. It’s the end of the trimester, and students and staff are anxious to be through with final exams and eager to party, pack-up, and head home. We’re introduced to a stereotypical cast of characters: the jock “Wildman”, the macabre-obsessed nerd Radish, the naïve yet book-smart Courtney, the promiscuous Lisa, sleazy professors, and more.
Things start to look grim for our college friends when the knife-wielding killer from the nearby March college murders begins to pick them off, one by one. It doesn’t help that local police are hesitant to respond to distress calls after the Gamma Fraternity’s latest prank.
It’s easy to see how a film like Final Exam could have been lost in the shuffle of 80’s slasher films, only to recently be rediscovered and appreciated by a new generation of fans. The plot isn’t all that original, the characters (at a glance) are stereotypical, and it features yet another faceless maniac with mysterious motives. The difference here is absolutely in the execution, and Final Exam captured my attention from start to finish. The cast puts quite a bit of effort into making their characters believable, and for a genre film, the script isn’t half bad. Also worth noting is the impressive camera angles and cinematography, which again, is against the norm for the genre and period. An extended tracking shot through a dorm hallway, blood spraying on painted canvases, and the first person perspective of an automated dishwashing machine are just a few of the unique filmmaking examples within.
Those looking for a gore-fest may be slightly disappointed, as the majority of the kills feature little to no blood. But the nostalgia factor is huge here: from the early 80’s cheek-high gym shorts on DeAnna Robbins to the elaborately coiffed hair on the men, just add a dose of Horror into the mix, and you have yourself a highly entertaining concoction for a rainy Saturday night.
Video Quality:
Working from a brand High Definition print taken from the original camera negative (courtesy of Code Red), Scream Factory has unleashed Final Exam onto Blu-Ray with a respectable transfer. While I got a little worried during the opening credits, which features a lot of scratches and spots, things clean up pretty quickly after that. The college campus features lush green lawns, character clothing and interior sets are well detailed and defined, and fine object detail is surprisingly clear, considering the age and film stock utilized. There are a few quick moments of light print damage throughout, but for the most part, there is a nice balance to the overall image, and the entire feature is devoid of any intrusive digital noise reduction or edge enhancement. This is clearly the best Final Exam has ever looked on home video.
Audio Quality:
The DTS-HD audio herein sounds authentic to the time period and budget of a film like this, and frankly, I was surprised by the dynamic power of this mono track. The creepy score by Gary Scott will be stuck in your head for days after viewing, and it sounds great here. Dialogue comes through very clean and clear, with the peak “kill” musical ascension working well enough to make me jump more than a few times. Background noise is appropriately balanced, such as birds chirping on campus during the daytime scenes, or papers and pencils shuffling in class. This is another area of strength on this release.
Special Features:
Scream Factory and Code Red have teamed up to provide a few worthwhile bonus features here, in fact, it’s more than enough to satisfy the niche audience that a film like this attracts. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Audio Commentary: The included commentary features some fun insight into the making of the film from actors Joel Rice, Cecile Bagdadi, and Sherry Willis-Burch. Though they do seem to talk over each other quite a bit, it’s an engaging commentary and the featured cast seems to have a fun time reminiscing about their past efforts, as well as what they’ve been up to lately.
- Interviews: Featuring a static camera angle of the individual actors on a couch, these aren’t the usual polished and well-edited interviews we’ve come to expect from Scream Factory’s previous releases, but it’s less about the production and more about the fun content. We get recently filmed interviews from cast members Joel Rice (Radish), Cecile Bagdadi (Courtney), and Sherry Willis-Burch (Janet). The questions posed to the actors are presented as simple white type against a black backdrop, with the filmed responses thereafter. Joel Rice is especially fun to listen to here, with some fun memories to share from the making of the movie. It would have been fun to see if anyone could have tracked down DeAnna Robbins, as she seems to have disappeared from the acting world in the late 1980’s.
- Theatrical Trailer: Running about a minute and a half, this original trailer is in very rough shape, but it’s still fun to have it included on the release.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory comes with a stylish cover art design featuring the original theatrical poster for the film: the killer’s silhouette cast against the Lanier college campus backdrop on a full moon night. It definitely captures the mood of the film. On the reverse of the case you’ll find a synopsis for the film, the aforementioned special features listed, and a few technical specifications. On the inside you’ll find some nice disc art that mirrors the cover art, and a bloody background design. Well done!
Final Exam (cover design and disc art)
Final Exam (reverse)
Final Report:
What Final Exam lacks in originality, it makes up for with a fun script, eerie score, dedicated genre performances, and unique cinematography. The Blu-Ray from Scream Factory retains authentic film grain and accurate color reproduction, but features frequent light damage throughout. The good news is that for the Horror genre, those minor issues often just add to the nostalgia factor. The audio track delivers the dialogue and chills appropriately, and there are some fun special features included as well. I had a great time with Final Exam, and it’s the perfect 80’s slasher for a stormy spring night. Recommended.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Gamera: Ultimate Collection 1 and 2 Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume 1 & 2
Distributor: Mill Creek Entertainment
Street Date: April 29th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Japanese 2.0 Dolby Digital Audio, B&W/Color, 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio, English Subtitles
Runtime: Volume 1- 5 Hours, 45 Minutes, Volume 2- 5 Hours, 43 Minutes
Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume 1 & 2
The Films:
“Guardian of the Universe. Friend of all children!”
Originally conceived as a rival to Toho’s Godzilla franchise, Daiei Studios’ beloved Gamera series quickly became a hit across Japan with the 1965 release of Gamera: The Giant Monster. Starting out in a similar fashion to the aforementioned Toho films, Gamera began as an ancient turtle unfrozen by an atomic bomb, terrorizing Japan with his size and indestructability, but quickly became the family favorite “friend to all children” in later films. Unlike the Big G’s awkward transition to kid friendly entertainment, Gamera seemed a much more suitable monster for children’s fascination. He was a giant fire-breathing turtle with teeth, a shell that could repel rockets, and the ability to fly into outer space. He protected Earth from alien Kaiju villains, and watched over the children of Japan, who rooted for him from the sidelines. The Showa era films were produced and distributed by Daiei Studios until their bankruptcy in 1974, until a parent company took over and assisted with one last Gamera release in 1980 (thus the large gap in releases during the 1970’s). Here’s my quick plot breakdown and thoughts for each film included in these two wonderful collections:
Volume One:
- Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965)- A soviet bomb awakens Gamera from his icy slumber, and he quickly makes his way to Japan to cause destruction of epic proportions. Much like the original Godzilla film, the Military intervenes to come up with a plan to get rid of this giant nuisance for good. The first film in the franchise is the only one filmed in black and white, and features Gamera as a villain. I enjoy the original, but it’s no match for the later, cornier, family friendly entries featuring Gamera as a friendly protector of Japan and it’s children. It’s actually a bit funny to say that, since I usually prefer the darker tone of Kaiju films, but the later Gamera films are too much fun to forget.
- Gamera Vs. Barugon (1966)- As a comet collides with the rocket that trapped Gamera and sent him into space, a thief steals a precious stone from an island in Japan. Turns out the stone is actually an egg, and after accidentally leaving it under a light for some time, Barugon is born and begins terrorizing Japan. Gamera falls from space and the ensuing fights begin! While still not quite the “friend to all children” of later films, Gamera’s intentions do seem to be protecting Japan from Barugon in this entry, and he’s less hell-bent on unnecessary destruction. There are some fun battles between the creatures in this one, and plenty of destruction in Daiei’s first color film in the series.
- Gamera Vs. Gyaos (1967)- This is the beginning of Gamera’s clear intentions of protecting the cities and children of Japan, and one of my favorite entries in the Gamera series. Gyaos, resembling a giant pterodactyl, is found in a mysterious mountain cave by a young boy, and Gamera quickly flies into action to save him. The resulting battles here are a lot of fun, and this third entry in the series has a change in tone and atmosphere that marks the beginning of the family friendly switch for Gamera.
- Gamera Vs. Viras (1968)- A seemingly humanoid alien race comes to earth, declaring Gamera as their enemy. They kidnap two young boys, and put a mind control device on Gamera, who cannot help but do their bidding, and begins destroying parts of Japan. Gamera, soon free from their control, sets out to battle the aliens, who have now formed together to create the giant monster Viras. This is another exciting entry in the series, which absolutely has its corny moments, but it’s a lot of fun. The final battle between Gamera and Viras is especially entertaining.
Volume Two:
- Gamera Vs. Guiron (1969)- This entry is possibly my favorite in the series, but though it’s seemingly family friendly with it’s plot, beware that there are a few intense scenes within involving Guiron’s blade kills, and the planet Terra’s female alien cannibals (though they are not referred as such). Two young boys are whisked off to outer space after entering a UFO that had landed nearby their homes. Landing on the planet Terra, they discover a female race of aliens with dastardly plans, the giant knife-nosed monster Guiron, and more. Gamera quickly comes to the rescue.
- Gamera Vs. Jiger (1970)- Set during the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka, the porcupine-like Jiger soon appears, mysteriously connected to a statue that is in the midst of removal. One of Gamera’s trickiest opponents yet, Jiger is one of the most memorable Kaiju villains from the series. The film itself is a bit too convoluted for the youngsters, but it features some great battle scenes and Gamera in dire circumstances for the first time in awhile.
- Gamera Vs. Zigra (1971)- The last “true” Gamera film from the Showa series, Gamera vs. Zigra is a lot of fun. After a family investigates the crash site of a strange alien ship, they quickly regret their choice as their held hostage by a female Zigran, of the planet Zigra. She uses her advanced technology and power to create earthquakes all across Japan. Gamera swoops into action to save the day, but his fire breath transformers the Zigran spaceship into a massive Kaiju shark. The battle scenes are a lot of fun, and Zigra is a towering opponent for our favorite turtle.
- Gamera: Super Monster (1980)- This is quite the disastrous last film in the Showa Gamera series. Made by Daiei (and their new parent company) after nearly a decade of bankruptcy and leadership turnover, this Gamera film features stock footage from all of the previous entries in the series, edited together with newly shot scenes featuring the alien Zanon. This entry reminded me Godzilla Vs. Megalon’s production, which similarly spliced together stock footage and newly filmed scenes in an incoherent fashion.
Video Quality:
Mill Creek Entertainment has done a phenomenal job transferring all eight Gamera films to High Definition. Licensed directly from Kadokawa Pictures, these transfers feature beautiful color reproduction, with a mostly clean and clear image for each film. There are occasional artifacts and anomalies throughout that seem inherent to the source material, but wow, color me impressed! Detail on Gamera and other Kaiju’s is remarkably effective, with an almost tangible scaled and slimy appearance. Flesh tones on our human friends are accurate, and never appear boosted. In fact, the High Definition presentation on all eight films is so good that you can clearly make out the special effects components of the time period, including wires and matte paintings. All of the films appear authentic to the time period and original presentation, with digital noise reduction held at bay, the film grain is left intact to maintain a natural appearance.
Audio Quality:
The Japanese 2.0 Dolby Digital Track included for all eight films suits them well. There is a slight “canned” effect to some moments of dialogue and sound effects, but it all adds to the nostalgic fun of these entries in the 1965-1980 Gamera series. English subtitles are included of course, and occasionally appear and disappear a bit too fast for the dialogue to keep up. I was actually surprised by the dynamic sound in quite a few sequences, especially from a two-channel track. The audio on all eight films is more than suitable, and easily recommended when paired with the beautiful picture quality.
Special Features:
If I have a single solitary area of complaint on these discs, it’s in the bonus features. There is not a single supplement across all eight films and two discs. Not a commentary, vintage featurette, photo gallery, or trailer. I would imagine this is due to the specific licensing agreement that Mill Creek obtained with the rights holders, because there must be some features out there waiting to be unleashed for Gamera fans.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, these Blu-Ray releases from Mill Creek Entertainment come with gorgeous slipcovers that perfectly capture the destructive yet fun mood of the Gamera franchise. With both the English and Japanese titles, a mini-poster for each film with the respective title and release date, and an epic shot of Gamera from the respective Daiei Studios eras, the artwork couldn’t be any more perfect. On the reverse of the case and slipcover you’ll find a brief synopsis for each film, as well as the technical specifications. On the interior of the case is a single Blu-Ray for each 4-film set, with some nice artwork that mimics the front slipcover. Well done!
Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume 1 (reverse)
Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume 2 (reverse)
Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume 1 (interior)
Gamera: Ultimate Collection Volume 2 (interior)
Final Report:
Often overshadowed by Toho’s Godzilla series, the Gamera films from Daiei Studios are true gems from a bygone era. With a much more family friendly atmosphere than some of the aforementioned Godzilla entries, Gamera remains the true guardian of the universe, and friend to all children. The Blu-Ray releases from Mill Creek Entertainment feature outstanding and authentic video presentations with remarkable color reproduction, intact film grain, and surprising detail and depth in most sequences. The 2.0 Dolby Digital audio presentations are mostly respectable here, with dialogue coming through clear and music and sound surprisingly dynamic. If there were a lone complaint on both of these sets, it would be the lack of special features, which I would assume is due to licensing agreements between the distributor and rights holder. Despite that small complaint, Gamera has never looked better, and is a welcome addition to any Kaiju fans collection. Highly recommended!
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Dead Shadows Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Dead Shadows
Distributor: Scream Factory
Street Date: April 29th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Color, 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio, English Subtitles
Runtime(s): 74 Minutes
Dead Shadows (Scream Factory)
The Film:
At the beginning of David Cholewa’s Dead Shadows, strange black tentacles appear in the outer universe, and as they form a black hole, a meteor emerges. The glowing meteor breaks apart as it enters Earth’s atmosphere, leaving small particles strewn in its wake. Young Chris wakes after hearing some commotion, only to find his Stepfather slashing his Mother’s face in the kitchen. Fast-forward to ten years later, Chris is now in his early twenties and “working” as an over-the-phone computer support specialist. Of course he would much rather play video games than actually help any of his customers.
After a short run-in with neighborhood bullies and end-is-nigh spouting alcoholics, David finally gets a chance to meet the beautiful Claire, the neighbor across the hall from his apartment. David is shy and soft-spoken, and Claire is sarcastic and forward. After some small talk, David agrees to attend the “end of the world” party down the block to celebrate the passing of another comet.
The promising party quickly turns sour, thanks to some melting faces, mutated alien genitalia, and other creepy comet shenanigans. Making his way back to his apartment, David is soon forced to overcome his fear of the dark and troubled past to take on the alien invaders. With a little help from his samurai sword-wielding neighbor, and a couple of baseball bats, he just might get the job done. Or will he become part of the problem?
Dead Shadows is an odd genre mix, produced on a low budget, and seemingly cobbled together from other, better films. One of the main problems with the film is its odd length and frantic timing, with the main action sequences saved for the last twenty minutes of the movie. It’s a shame because the first 40 minutes or so had me hooked, even with a lack of originality, it kept my interest with it’s ominous opening and creepy musical score by Kevin Riepl. But alas the creatures are very Cronenberg-esque, the CGI effects are a bit sloppy, and the editing is inconsistent (count the fade-to-black moments), resulting in a forgettable film experience.
Those who have followed me here from The Film Fan Channel know that I am a huge supporter of Scream Factory and their mission. They are without a doubt the best company distributing Horror titles right now, ever mindful of pleasing the fans while crafting a quality product line of cult-classics Horror titles. But I’ll be honest with you: whenever Scream Factory announces a modern film title (like the Chiller TV entries they have put out), I get a little nervous. The anxiety, unfortunately, was substantiated here.
Video Quality:
Dead Shadows looks pretty good in High Definition from Scream Factory. There are moments, usually during the visual effects sequences, where parts of the picture seem pixelated or soft, but then it quickly clears up in the next shot. When evaluating the picture quality, you do have to take into account the production budget and digital development Dead Shadows was filmed with, which wasn’t exactly high end. The overall look of the film has a slight blue-green tint. Fine object detail is never stand-out, but color reproduction is relatively good and this is likely an accurate representation of what it looked like theatrically.
Audio Quality:
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio here works well. Dialogue (in French) comes through clean and clear, the music is well balanced, and sound effects and background noise are integrated just fine. It won’t blow you away or wake the neighbors, but it gets the job done. Whatever you do, watch the film in French with English subtitles. I briefly turned on the English dub to test it out, and very quickly changed back.
Special Features:
Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Interview with David Cholewa: Running over thirty minutes in length, this extended interview with the Director is in French with English subtitles. Clearly a fan of the genre and with the best intentions in mind, David Cholewa is interesting to hear from. The interview questions come in title cards with a static shot of Cholewa answering to the camera. This isn’t the usual well-made interview featurette from Scream Factory, but it’s obvious that they didn’t have much to do with making this particular segment.
- Making of Special Effects: This short featurette runs nearly four minutes and is a simple before and after look at several sequences from the film, before and after the CGI effects were added. There is no commentary throughout this, just a song that plays over the visuals.
- Deleted Scenes: Not exactly what you expect. This is forty-nine seconds of slightly extended scenes that were already in the film including the aforementioned mutated genitalia (which looks slightly different), a practical effect shot of an arm falling off, and a tentacle arm effect shot.
- Unfinished VFX Scene: Yet another strange and short (32 seconds) segment from the end of the film where a human-faced alien slug slithers in the background.
- Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for the film.
- Teaser Trailer: The original teaser trailer.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Scream Factory release comes with a nice slipcover as well as reversible artwork and disc art. Though I wasn’t crazy about the film itself, I really dig the cover art here, and it’s an all-around nice looking package.
Dead Shadows (reverse)
Dead Shadows (interior)
Final Report:
I went into Dead Shadows with a positive attitude and ready for fun, but what I experienced was an odd genre mix that just didn’t work for me. Heavy on borrowed elements, poor CGI effects, and a disappointing finale, this is rental material at best. The good news is that Scream Factory (as always) has included some worthwhile bonus features for fans, and the picture and audio quality get the job done. Luckily this great company has some terrific catalog classics up their sleeves for their upcoming Summer of Fear.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
White of the Eye Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- White of the Eye
Distributor: Arrow Video (Region B/2)
Street Date: March 31st 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Uncompressed 2.0 Stereo PCM, Color, 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 111 Minutes
White of the Eye (Arrow Video)
The Film:
White of the Eye stars David Keith and Cathy Moriarty as Paul and Joan White. Paul works as a hi-fi stereo specialist, with the unique gift of being able to perfectly arrange his upper class customer’s audio experience for their home. Cathy is his sexy and supportive wife, who is obviously enamored by her husband’s charm and knowledge. The two of them enjoy their seemingly happy and secure life in Arizona, but all that is about to change. Our drama begins when the wealthy female citizens of their isolated community begin to fall victim to a serial killer, and both Joan and local law enforcement’s suspicions turn to Paul.
There is much to admire about this thriller from the late Donald Cammell. For the majority of this film, this isn’t your standard serial killer “slasher” thriller. In fact, there is a twisted beauty to the unique cinematography, creative use of filtering and lighting, and meticulous editing that you don’t normally find in films of this genre. The murder sequences in particular are brilliantly executed. One of them takes place in a kitchen as our female victim prepares a meal: Glass shatters in slow motion, a fish struggles for air after his bowl is smashed to pieces, red wine sprays violently across the walls, all while the signature electronic 80’s soundtrack pounds in the background. Much like other works in Cammell’s short filmography, this is stylish art-house filmmaking wrapped in a B-movie package.
The acting here is especially involved and dynamic for a genre film, and David Keith turns in a multi-layered performance that is quite memorable. Cathy Moriarty also turns in an effective performance here that exhibits sexiness, vulnerability, and strength interchangeably. The writing is natural, featuring realistic dialogue and a police procedural that unfolds in a believable manner.
Unfortunately, the climax of the film falls into some seriously goofy territory, and without revealing pivotal plot points, settles into a more cliché’ ending that took me out of the film. The events that unfold reminded me of Martin Scorsese’s remake of Cape Fear, where you’re completely along for the ride until the ending transforms into a Looney Tunes special. I forgave that particular film for its over-the-top finale, and I feel the same way about White of the Eye. The majority of the film is so stylishly executed, well-acted, and tense, that it’s easy to forgive the uninspired ending.
Video Quality:
The folks at Arrow Video have proved once again that they can bring together the right team of people, existing elements, and technology to create a wonderful High Definition transfer of an older film. Other movies of the late 1980’s often suffer from issues related to the film stock used at the time, even when remastered. But Arrow has provided an authentic and natural looking transfer that retains the film grain and color scheme while cleaning up unnatural debris and scratches. Detail is clear and objects defined, and there are no signs of manipulation via digital noise reduction. The desert cinematography and dry dusty landscapes are beautiful to behold on Blu-Ray. Well done!
Audio Quality:
The original uncompressed Stereo PCM track included here supports the film well enough, and is even quite dynamic during the electronic music sequences. Dialogue is appropriately balanced among background effects and music as well. It’s not as powerful as it could be, but again, it gets the job done. The musical score in particular sounds great on this release.
Special Features:
Arrow Video has, once again, knocked it out of the park. This Blu-Ray release is jam packed with commentary, a feature-length documentary, deleted scenes, a short film, and so much more. This is absolutely one of the best bonus feature packages of the year so far. As a film buff and collector, being able to learn so much more about a film and its creation is exactly what owning physical copies is all about. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Audio Commentary by Biographer Sam Umland– This commentary is rich and entertaining. It’s absolutely worth listening to after watching the film first. Sam Umland knows his stuff, and makes it abundantly clear that Cammell was setting out to make a different kind of thriller. He discusses filming techniques, personal anecdotes, and some of the on-set history behind White of the Eye.
- Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance– Originally broadcast on the BBC following Cammell’s death, this 1998 documentary is fascinating. We get to hear from not only the Director himself, but his friends, colleagues, and family. If you weren’t aware, Donald Cammell committed suicide at the age of 62. His family explains that he had known since the age of seven that he would take his own life one day. Though parts of the documentary are incredibly depressing, it’s so well made, and hearing about his genius from those who knew him is consistently enthralling.
- The Argument (1972)– This is one of Donald’s short films that was discovered posthumously, and re-edited by Frank Mazzola, one of his frequent collaborators on film. Filmed in the Utah desert, the imagery assembled here is breathtaking. It’s only 11 minutes long, but it packs quite the punch.
- Into the White– In this bonus segment we get a brief interview with Larry McConkey, cinematographer and collaborator of Cammell’s.
- Rare Deleted Scenes– This is a special treat for fans of the film! Several deleted scenes that have been newly remastered from the original film negative. I’m always grateful when distributors go to great lengths to find deleted or extended scenes for catalog releases, but Arrow went above and beyond by remastering them in High Definition.
- Bleach Bypass Sequences– A series of comparison shots of the flashback sequences in the film before undergoing the “bleach bypass” processing for the final film.
- Alternate Credits Sequence– This one is rather self-explanatory, but it’s a fun alternate segment of the opening credits and imagery that was left on the cutting room floor.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Arrow Video features some spectacular cover art with a brilliant color scheme and design by Nathanael Marsh. You also have the option of reversing the sleeve for alternate art featuring the original theatrical poster design. The included Blu-Ray and DVD discs include some beautiful and creative artwork as well. You will also find a very detailed booklet with behind-the-scenes photographs and an essay by Brad Stevens. If you’ve never seen the film before, avoid reading the essay as it does contain significant spoilers. With that being said, it’s incredibly well written. Biographer Sam Umland (featured in the aforementioned commentary) also contributes with his essay on The Argument. You’ll also find an insert advertising Arrow’s upcoming release for City of the Walking Dead.
White of the Eye (reverse)
White of the Eye (interior)
Final Report:
White of the Eye is an incredibly well-made and entertaining thriller that grows increasingly intense up until the goofy, over-the-top ending. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter as much because you will revisit this film for the brilliantly executed cinematography and filming techniques, memorable performances from the cast, and nostalgic 80’s soundtrack. The late Donald Cammell made very few films, but each of them were memorable and unique. The transfer here is authentic, and the audio is generally well balanced. The big reason to purchase this one is the significant amount of worthwhile bonus features on this release, including the heartbreaking and finely assembled documentary. This one comes Highly Recommended.
Yours truly,
Doctor Macabre
Blind Woman’s Curse Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Blind Woman’s Curse
Distributor: Arrow Video (Region B/2)
Street Date: March 31st 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, Japanese Mono 2.0 PCM, Color, 2.44:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 85 Minutes
Blind Woman’s Curse (Arrow Video)
The Film:
Teruo Ishii’s Blind Woman’s Curse is a bizarre and highly entertaining mix of samurai films and traditional Japanese ghost stories. Having seen this and Lady Snowblood after the fact, it’s very clear that Director Quentin Tarantino paid homage to these violent yet strangely beautiful films from the Nikkatsu and Toho catalogs with his Kill Bill series.
In the beginning of the film we meet Akemi (Meiko Kaji), leader of the Tachibana yakuza clan, as she leads her fellow dragon tattooed warriors against a rival gang. This sequence is one of the most beautiful battle scenes I have encountered, with a mix of fast action and slow motion camera techniques capturing the dueling samurai swords clashing in the rain. The showdown comes to a screeching halt with Akemi blinding the brother of the rival gang’s leader, Boss Goda. A black cat licks the blood from the injured girls face, growling and staring at Akema as she becomes cursed for what she has done.
We follow Akemi to her prison experience some time later, as she tells her story to fellow female inmates. The blind girl and black cat are giving her nightmares, and she knows revenge will soon follow. Cut to three years later, the local villages are in a state of unrest as the rival gang war over territory reaches a new peak. The blind woman slowly begins to exact her revenge on Akemi’s gang, skinning the dragon tattoo’s from their backs one-by-one.
Director Ishii’s film is heavy on style and mood, but has a sense of humor about the story at hand as well, as evidence by some of the outrageous facial expressions left on the blind woman’s victims. The female characters are very strong in this, with some of the male roles left solely for comic relief. This is a welcome gender role change from other Japanese films that proceeded Blind Woman’s Curse, helping to usher in a new era in cult cinema’s tough women.
The climactic showdown between Akemi and the blind woman is skillfully done and a treat for genre fans. This movie is a lot of fun, everything from the sincere performances, light comedic moments, matte painting backgrounds, set design, and musical score creates a mood that is undeniably cult and consistently entertaining.
Video Quality:
Arrow Video has breathed new life into this 1970 cult-classic with a 1080P transfer that retains the look of the time period, yet graces us with a remastered image that looks great on a High Definition screen. Colors are authentic and bold, from the slightly blue hue of the timing to the bright red blood spraying on the walls, there is a balance here that looks marvelous. There is some minor print damage in some scenes including scratches and “pops”, but it’s never distracting and adds to the cult atmosphere. Detail is crystal clear in most scenes, particularly close-up shots of the main cast. I also didn’t detect any digital noise reduction or edge enhancement on the transfer, which is always a bonus for those of us that appreciate the original intended look of the film. This is yet another standout transfer from Arrow.
Audio Quality:
The uncompressed Mono PCM audio track included here is surprisingly powerful, even though it doesn’t have the dynamic range of HD 5.1. Dialogue is supported very well, as are the incredible action scenes. There is a respectable balance to the audio that Arrow provided, and it absolutely sounds authentic to the time period of the film. Swords clang and clash, blood squirts, flesh peals, there’s a little bit of everything to find safely balanced on this track. Well done.
Special Features:
Arrow Video has included some decent bonus content here, but fans of the UK distributor don’t get quite as much as we usually do from their other catalog releases. Nevertheless, the Audio Commentary alone is extremely informative and easy to listen to. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Audio Commentary by Japanese Cinema Expert Jasper Sharp– Truly an expert on the genre and time period for Japanese cinema, Jasper is easy to listen to and extremely informative.
- Original Theatrical Trailer– This is a short but fun trailer for the film that originally played in front of Japanese audiences in 1970.
- Stray Cat Rock Trailer Series – Four trailers for Nikkatsu studio films also starring Meiko Kaji.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition from Arrow Video features some spectacular cover art featuring Meiko Kaji and her dragon tattoo. You also have the option of reversing the sleeve for alternate art as well. The included Blu-Ray and DVD discs also feature some nice art with a blood-red color scheme. You will also find a very detailed booklet with behind-the-scenes photographs and an essay by Tom Mes, as well advertisements for other Arrow titles such as The Beast Within.
Blind Woman’s Curse (reverse)
Blind Woman’s Curse (interior)
Final Report:
Blind Woman’s Curse is an enormously entertaining cult mix of Japanese samurai, yakuza, and traditional ghost stories. With an odd but fascinating mix of drama, action, and dark comedy, there is a little something for everyone in this film. The transfer and audio from Arrow Video is top notch, but slightly lacking on bonus features. I’m amazed that this movie evaded me for so long, and the release from Arrow is an absolute treat to add to the collection. Highly recommended.
Yours truly,
Doctor Macabre
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
Distributor: Paramount Home Entertainment
Street Date: April 8th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Color, 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, and Portuguese
Runtime(s): Theatrical: 84 Minutes, Extended: 101 Minutes
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (Paramount Home Entertainment)
The Film:
The original Paranormal Activity was released in 2009 on a budget of fifteen thousand dollars, and subsequently made over two hundred million dollars at the box office. The found footage genre was nothing new, but Writer/Director Oren Peli was able to inject some life and technical ingenuity into the concept. While this sort of Horror series is not my personal cup of tea, I will admit that I thought the first film was both scary and entertaining as far as the found footage concept goes.
Fast-forward to 2014, and we’ve had multiple sequels in the franchise, every one of them making an incredible amount of money on very small budgets (though the total haul has decreased significantly over time). Unfortunately, like most studio cash-in’s, by the fourth film the series had become repetitive, silly, parody-fuel material.
The Marked Ones begins with our main character Jesse graduating from Lincoln High School, Class of 2012. His vast family and friends celebrate throughout the night, and we get the obligatory strange neighbor conversation regarding Ana, a young girl who lives directly under Jesse’s apartment. Odd noises and wailing are regularly heard but dismissed by neighbors in the complex. Jesse and his friend Victor’s curiosity gets the best of them as they use their newly acquired Go Pro camera to spy on Ana through the floor vent. Witnessing a strange ritual occur, they shrug it off for the most part until Ana winds up dead. After exploring Ana’s seemingly empty apartment late one night, Jesse winds up with superhuman abilities, and a strange mark on his forearm.
Like most movie characters with newly acquired powers, Jesse revels in exploring his abilities: floating in mid-air, increased strength, and even more confidence with the ladies. But this blessing quickly turns into a curse, as Jesse’s body begins to slowly change into something sinister. To avoid spoiling any fun for you, I’ll leave my synopsis at that.
While Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones does not break any new ground in the realm of horror (not even close), it’s certainly more watchable and unique from the films in this franchise that preceded it. The mystery surrounding the witchcraft and occult aspects of the story consistently drew me in, at least up until the last ten minutes where the filmmakers clearly had a hard time deciding how to conclude their tale. The ending of this film makes no sense at all, and really took me out of an otherwise decent entry in the series. While there are definitely some enjoyable elements to The Marked Ones, this is a rental recommendation at best.
Video Quality:
This type of film is always a bit difficult to judge when it comes to picture quality, simply because it looks rather terrible, but it’s supposed to. This is not some brand new polished studio epic to behold in High Definition. This is a grainy, rough, soft-looking, digital noise laden transfer. But again, this is how it looked in theaters, and represents the filmmaker’s vision. When you take into account, Paramount has done a great job in staying true to the source material and replicating the original theatrical presentation for this High Definition release.
Audio Quality:
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track offered here by Paramount is, again, faithful to the source material. This track will definitely not rattle the floors, wake the neighbors, or send the dog into a fit. The 5.1 channels, while never utilized to their fullest, support dialogue and increasingly disturbing sound effects very well for what it’s worth. Like most of the films in the franchise, audio becomes more important and significant as the movie progresses, and by the end of the track, you will feel as if the audio experience was well replicated for home viewing.
Special Features:
Paramount Home Entertainment offers up only one special feature for this Blu-Ray release. Titled “Found Footage”, the segment features multiple short deleted scenes that were left on the cutting room floor during the editing process. You can choose to ‘play all’, or watch the scenes individually. Specific deleted scenes include: Grandma’s rant (in Spanish), Cleaning Out Ana’s Apartment, Chavo growling at the closet, Jesse on ledge of Church after party, Possessed SIMON, Religious shop/Irma cleanses Jesse and apartment, and finally MEUS in Jesse’s room.
The entire segment runs roughly ten minutes, with the religious shop/Irma cleansing section taking up nearly half of that time. Though the scenes are interesting to watch, I’m not sure that they would have added anything significant had they been included in the final film. I would have enjoyed seeing a making-of documentary or even a short featurette included on this release, especially to give the filmmakers the opportunity to discuss their unique direction for this spin-off series.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray Combo Pack from Paramount Pictures comes with a nice lenticular slipcover, an Ultraviolet Digital Copy Code, and plain blue disc art with the title of the film. The reverse side of the Ultraviolet code features promos for the previous Paranormal Activity Blu-Ray releases.
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (reverse)
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (interior)
Final Report:
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, while nothing groundbreaking, is definitely a step in the right direction for this franchise. I like the idea of further entries in the series being spin-off films rather than direct sequels to the tired storyline from the original. If it weren’t for the jumbled and confusing ending to the film, I might be recommending more than just a rental for the casual horror fan. Regarding the Blu-Ray release, the video and audio quality remain authentic to the filmmaker’s intentions, but the special features are lacking with only a handful of deleted scenes. Unless you’re a hardcore fan of the franchise, you may want to rent this one first.
Yours Truly,
Doctor Macabre
Patrick Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- Patrick
Distributor: Severin Films
Street Date: March 25th 2014
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, English Dolby Digital 2.0, Color, 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 96 Minutes
Patrick (Severin Films)
The Film:
The subject of telekinesis has been tackled in many fine Horror films throughout the years. From The Power to Carrie, The Fury to Scanners, and many more entertaining stories put on celluloid, the ability itself has led to both fascinating and terrifying fantasies.
In 1978, Director Richard Franklin directed Patrick, a startling slow-build tale of a disturbed young man, hospitalized and seemingly comatose after the vicious death of his mother years earlier. His weekly habits include staring off into nothingness, playing guinea pig to creepy Dr. Roget’s little experiments, as well as putting on the occasional telekinetic magic show for Nurse Kathie (Susan Penhaligon).
Frustrated with his condition, treatment, and inability to communicate in traditional terms, Patrick uses his powers and blooming relationship with Nurse Kathie in one last desperate attempt to stop the madness that surrounds him. Whether telekinetically leaving messages on a typewriter, smashing objects around his hospital room, or eventually killing off the wicked staff (let’s be honest they had it coming), Patrick’s misery is finally experienced by all.
I truly enjoyed revisiting this quaint low budget shocker from the late Richard Franklin. Patrick is an effective psychological thriller with confident performances from the cast, assured direction from Franklin, and a few light scares. This is not a gory or graphic piece, and the overlong movie certainly could have benefited from some editing, but those are minor complaints in an otherwise fun horror treat.
Video Quality:
Severin should be proud of their work here. Sourced from the original camera negative and scanned in 2K resolution, there is no doubt that Patrick looks incredible in High Definition. The picture is very clean with only the occasional speck or spot, which must be inherent to the negative itself. The work they put into color-timing is obvious. Skin tones look authentic, clothing and colors look natural and accurate to the period, and black levels are inky and well maintained. Grain levels remain authentic to the late 70’s film stock source material, and digital noise reduction never rears its ugly head. If only every distributor put as much time and care into restoring cult classics like Severin Films does. Fans will be very pleased.
Audio Quality:
The Dolby Digital 2.0 track won’t knock your socks off, but it suits the period of the film and supports dialogue and sound effects well enough. I always make sure to note while watching a disc if there are any inconsistencies in balance or stability, and luckily Patrick fares very well on this release from Severin. A small part of me would have liked to hear the eerie score on more channels, but fans of the film will not complain.
Special Features:
Here we have a wealth of bonus material from Severin Films, who have graciously included several interesting special features. I’ll give you a brief rundown of each:
- Audio Commentary with Director Richard Franklin– This commentary from the late Richard Franklin covers all bases and is absolutely worth listening to for fans of the film. Franklin discusses nearly all aspects of the film from concept to production, on-set memories and writing, and even his influence from Alfred Hitchcock that he sprinkled throughout Patrick. Some commentaries can be dry and uninvolving with long periods of quiet, so hearing Franklin talk consistently and so in-depth about his movie was a nice change of pace on this release.
- Extended Interviews– This bonus segment features fifty minutes of clips from the cast and crew involved in the making-of Patrick, with roughly ten minutes of interview material from each participant. The interviews included herein are excerpts from Mark Hartley’s documentary Not Quite Hollywood from 2008. Highlights include actress Susan Penhaligon discussing her excitement of flying to Australia to film Patrick, and Richard Franklin and Penhaligon offering their perspective on how the film differs from other Horror studio films at the time (Hammer namely). We also hear from actor Rod Mullinar, writer Everett DeRoche, and producer Antony I. Ginnane. Each segment is fairly in-depth, but if you already listened to the commentary at this point, may be a little repetitive.
- Vintage TV Interview with Director Richard Franklin– Though it’s listed at 25 minutes, this vintage Australian interview/featurette on Richard Franklin’s early career is actually closer to 21 minutes. Discussion points include everything from Patrick, to Roadgames with Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis (please release a Blu-Ray of this film soon), how Franklin studied film in America and was heavily influenced by Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford, his return to Australia to direct Homicide (1971), co-producing The Blue Lagoon, and much more. Shot on video, it’s in rough shape but gets the point across.
- Original Theatrical Trailer– A retro trailer for Patrick with the perfect voice-over narration. Complete with scratches and pops, it’s always fun to see how a film was marketed at the time of release.
- TV Spots– Several creepy television spots that aired during the theatrical campaign.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition features some very creepy disc art. Unfortunately we were not able to get out hands on the final Blu-Ray case with art, but pictures of the slip sheet are included here as well for those interested.
Patrick (disc art)
Final Report:
Patrick holds up after all these years. It’s a creepy entry in the telekinetic horror genre, with great performances from the cast, assured direction from the late Richard Franklin, and an insanely creepy score from Brian May. The love and dedication from Severin Films’ on this new Blu-Ray edition is evident, with a fantastic transfer and bonus material, the company has added another gem to their respectable release catalog. This edition comes highly recommended.
Yours truly,
Doctor Macabre M.D.
The Monster Squad Blu-Ray Review
Blu-Ray Review- The Monster Squad
Distributor: Olive Films
Street Date: February 19th 2013
Technical Specifications: 1080P Video, English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, Color, 2.36:1 Aspect Ratio
Runtime: 82 Minutes
The Monster Squad (Olive Films)
The Film:
As a child, my Father would hook up the old Betamax player to our small kitchen television, put it on a rolling cart, and set it just outside the front door for Trick or Treaters on Halloween night. The extension cord would strain so much that it came close to snapping around the door frame, but this was important to him. I wouldn’t call my Dad a big Horror fan, but he grew up on a specific set of Horror films that were very dear to him: the Universal Monster classics. Lugosi’s Dracula, Chaney Jr.’s Wolf Man, Karloff’s monster, these were the films that spawned a genre and terrified the baby boomers for years to come. Though as an adult I grew very fond of the Hammer Horror series as well, the Universal Monsters will always hold a special place in my heart. When I “got too old” for Trick-or-treating, I took over for my Father and wheeled out the old Betamax cart, often becoming so entranced by the movies themselves that I would just hold the candy bowl with an outstretched arm for the kiddies to grab what they may.
In 1987, Shane Black and Fred Dekker wrote and directed a film that paid enormous homage to the Universal Classics from my childhood: The Monster Squad. Released to theaters as some sort of hybrid between Stand By Me and The Goonies, it failed to gain momentum at the box office. The good news is that the film quickly turned into a VHS favorite among Horror fans, and has gone on to become a minor cult classic.
In The Monster Squad, Sean and his friends are middle-school misfits who idolize the classic movie monsters, hold secret meetings in their tree fort, and bond over absent fathers and bullies. Sean’s Dad is a local Police Detective, and his younger sister Phoebe is desperate to be a part of the treehouse gang. Our story is set in motion when Sean finds a treasure among pre-teen creature fanatics: the personal diary of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. The boys reach out to a local elderly man (dubbed the “scary German guy”) who translates the diary for them. In it, Van Helsing warns of a powerful amulet that maintains a balance between good and evil, but becomes vulnerable every hundred years. The boys soon find out that Dracula himself has conjured up nearly every creature imaginable to help him find the amulet including Frankenstein, The Creature from the Black Lagoon (Gill-man), The Wolf Man, and The Mummy. Our young heroes set off on their journey to find the amulet before the monsters can take over the world. If their successful, they can use the amulet and the diary to open a portal and cast the monsters back from whence they came.
More than twenty-five years later, the film remains an absolute treat. There’s swearing kids, monsters, battles between good and evil, and even The Wolf Man getting kicked in his junk. It’s the kind of movie that is purely 80’s, and would never get made today. It’s also an odd genre mix, too scary and inappropriate for the little kids, and perhaps a bit too goofy for extreme Horror fans (there is little to no blood in this film). A product of its time and place, The Monster Squad remains a fun and creative venture in the genre, with especially great writing from Shane Black. Revisiting it once again reminded me of being twelve years old, wheeling that Betamax cart out on Halloween night, and letting my imagination run wild.
Video Quality:
Despite the reservations I had going into this release lacking any bonus material (see below), the High Definition transfer actually bests the previous version on the Lionsgate release, but it’s not perfect by any means. The picture is very clean with no noticeable artifacts or blemishes on the transfer itself. Colors are intact, bright, and authentic. Black levels are a bit on the dull side, but it’s barely noticeable to the naked eye. Detail in makeup, costumes, and sets are very clear for a film that stems from late 80’s film stock. Grain levels remain authentic to the film source material, and digital noise is at a minimum.
Audio Quality:
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is disappointing. While dialogue comes through clear, background noise and effects are unbalanced and seem to waver in and out. It’s especially concerning because the previous Lionsgate edition included a 5.1 Surround mix, which is undoubtedly more pleasing to the ears. I couldn’t pinpoint whether or not there was a legitimate error in the audio encode, but it sure could have been handled better for this release.
Special Features:
Zero. Zip. Nada. Not a single feature is carried over from the Lionsgate Anniversary edition, likely because of licensing issues, which is understandable. But with that being said, honestly? Not even a theatrical trailer or vintage featurette? A new commentary recorded for the release? A booklet featuring an essay on the making of the film? Unfortunately this is per the norm for Olive Films, whose transfers and audio mixes are anywhere from satisfactory to fantastic, but fail to provide any substantial bonus material on their releases, if any at all. If you were lucky enough to snag a copy of the Lionsgate release, you will find a wealth of bonus material worth perusing. Unfortunately this Olive Films release is completely bare bones, even the menu screen is about as basic as it gets.
The Packaging:
As you can see from the “Unboxing” pictures below, this Blu-Ray edition features some beautiful cover art, far eclipsing the art utilized on the Lionsgate release. Besides the nice disc art, there is a small pamphlet with pictures of other Blu-Ray titles from Olive Films such as Cujo, The Boogens, and The Quiet Man.
The Monster Squad (interior)
The Monster Squad (reverse)
Final Report:
Though I adore the film, this Blu-Ray release from Olive Films leaves much to be desired for fans of this 80’s classic. Sporting an authentic and clean video transfer and newly commissioned cover art was a great start, but unfortunately you have to weigh in a disappointing audio mix and lack of bonus material as well. If you already own the previous Lionsgate Anniversary edition from 2009, consider yourself lucky. It is now out of print and selling for unreasonable prices from third party sellers. If you just came for the movie itself, it holds up after nearly 25 years, looks great, and is currently on sale at Best Buy for nearly ten dollars.
Yours truly,
Doctor Macabre M.D.
Doctor Macabre's Laboratory 
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