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February 2008 ~ April 2008
2008 ~ Director: Varied
Synapse
Since the film Grindhouse hit theaters last year, the need for anything grindhouse has been in constant demand. Cheap DVDs selling off supposed "grindhouse" films are taking up a good majority of the shelves in the horror/cult section at your local store, I bet. But Synapse has been coming through with what was truly essential...trailer compilations. There have been others through various DVD companies, but Synapse has done it right every time. And now, thanks to Synapse, 42nd Street Forever Vol. 3- Exploitation Explosion can be added to your library. But is it worth it?
Now this is a trailer compilation, so there really isn't much to say. But this volume is probably the best of the bunch so far with its mix of horror, sci-fi, crimesploitation, WIP, and cheeseball sex comedies. All seem to be in very good condition, though its unknown if Synapse did any restoration to them. Probably better that they didn't so as to preserve the overall feel of a true 42nd Street theater.
The extras include an audio commentary and TV spots.
Take it for what its worth. Even if you were too young to enjoy these films in their heyday or weren't even born yet, 42nd Street Forever Vol. 3- Exploitation Explosion is a fun time, even without the sticky floors and weird smells. And if you need that, you could always go for 42nd Street Forever- XXX-Treme Special Edition (hardcore porno trailers of the 70's-80's).
A -Rabid Rich
2006 ~ Director: Steven C. Miller
Dimension Extreme
The fast zombie has been around alot longer than some people think. Many think they have been around since 1985 in Dan O'Bannon's fucking incredible Return of the Living Dead. Nay, I say. Instead check out Umberto Lenzi's Nightmare City. Not only do they feature zombs, but zombs that use weapons like guns and sickles! Now Lenzi has maintained that they are not zombies per se. Sorry U-Dawg, they are and the rest of the horror community knows it too.
Recently, the fast zombie has taken over the onslaught of living dead films that have hit us over the past 5-6 years. The remake to Dawn of the Dead has fast moving zombs in it. Weird for me because I love slow moving zombs, but the fast ones are a bit scarier. Does that make me a bad person? Probably. But enough of my personal loves. I'm here to discuss another fast moving zomb flick. Automaton Transfusion directed by Steven C. Miller and distributed by Dimension Extreme.
Chris (Garrett Jones), Jackie (Juliet Reeves), and Scott (William Howard Bowman) are overcome with a plague of zombies thirsty for human flesh. Apparently, a biological serum used during the Vietnam War was to reactivate the dead soldiers back to life to destroy the enemy. Instead, the serum is loose in modern day society with all hell breaking loose as a result.
You might notice that I spread out that last paragraph to fill it up a bit. The reason is because there really isn't much more to this than just another zombie flick. With another reasoning is because of the military. The zombs move pretty quick, but that's because they are consisted of the filmmakers friends; all of which are probably somewhere between 19-24 years old. So the film is cast with kids. Zombs are kids, saviors are kids. You can see where I'm going with this. The gore is also nothing you haven't seen before. Heads blown off, chainsaws and the like. The acting is kinda bad and the script is even worse with some really cheesy tag lines thrown out by Scott every few minutes. And oh holy shit! The camera movements along with the frame rate is absolutely atrocious! The entire film plays out with a severely choppy look to it that I think I suffered an epileptic seizure a one point! This can be felt more acutely during the slow panning scenes. The thing is that this is an ambitious effort by Miller and company, so I'm really torn by the whole thing. After learning that this is the first of a trilogy makes me wonder more. When you see the ending, you'll be pulling your hair out!
The DVD presentation is 1.66:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1. Extras include a commentary, music video, deleted scenes, a short film by the director, and making of. The sound is decent, but the colors are very soft for a gore pic. I've already told you about the frame rate.
Overall Automaton Transfusion is quite a jumbled bag. I don't know to like it for its ambitiousness or hate it for everything else. I love indie projects, but this is really a hard pill to swallow. I say see it, but be very wary of what you're gonna get. And if you are ready to put in the time for the two upcoming sequels.
C -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Director: Terra Shin
Genius Products
I guess, sooner or later, that the "young girl with the long, black hair terrorizing people" phase has finally met an end.....possibly. You can never be too sure in this genre. But every now and then, an Asian horror film will come along and surprise you by not throwing ghosts at your face. Genius is proud to introduce to the Asian horror viewing public Black House, directed by Terra Shin.
Insurance agent Jun-oh (Jeong-min Hwang) senses something awry with the claim that Chung-bae (Shin-il Kang) has made about his son committing suicide. Jun-oh discovers the boy, yet is positive that the boy was murdered rather than suicidal. As Jun-oh digs deeper into the past of the family (courtesy of Chung-bae's insistence that he and his wife gets paid $30,000,000), he uncovers more than just insurance fraud. He uncovers the darkest type of greed known, while at the same time, uncovering his own tragic past.
Black House, for starters, is a poor title for this film. I don't care what the translation is. It has nothing to do with the story. Also, if history has proven anything, a man will not put his family in danger to prove any kind of insurance fraud. So characterization is right out the window. But the characters do put up solid performances, despite the silly script. The gore is okay, but nothing too special to be discussed here. And the DVD cover art is just abysmal as that too has nothing to do with the film. Probably the biggest letdown is the fact the film is just so damn predictable. You know what's coming and no fear can be evoked from that. It tries to get fancy by throwing in another spin, but its too late. The viewer has had enough at this point.
The DVD presentation is of a 2.35.1 widescreen with Dolby Digital sound. Extras include a making of, featurette, and deleted scenes. The colors boast a nice sharpness to them. Shame to be used in this film as it has no balls.
But hey, don't fret. Just because its not a ghost story, doesn't mean it can't be good. Check out Bloody Reunion for a more than adequate film. I guess this can be a good time waster, but you would have to shut down your brain completely.
C -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Director: Stewart Raffill
Genius Products
Picture, if you will, a sea creature that devours people like they were a late night snack. Along with that, a booze guzzling "great white hunter" who has been on the hunt for this sea creature for many years. Along with that, picture the low string bass thumping score as things start to get a little hairy. Sounds like the Spielberg film Jaws. Well, its not. Its director Stewart Raffill's Croc, distributed by Genius Entertainment.
Preservationist Jack McQuade (Peter Tuinstra) is an American who owns and runs a wildlife resort on a beachside in Thailand along with his nephew Theo (Scott Hazell). He has problems such as tax evasion and poor diet for his animals which the health board is looking into. Som (David Asavanond), is also looking to get McQuade out of business by buying him out to create property for himself. But there's a 20 ft. crocodile that is terrorizing the locals as well as vacationers. Enter Hawkins (Michael Madsen), a croc hunter who has been on the search for this very killer for a long time. The croc now has Hawkins and McQuade to deal with as they want to put its terror to bed for good.
This has pure Sci-Fi Network written all over it. A mixture of real footage of the crocs married with puppetry and horrible CGI makes for a very cheesy outcome. The film is photographed rather well (particularly of scenes underwater) and gives a nice landscape of a small village in Thailand. The acting has definitely seen better days as the actors are just going by the numbers and Madsen's performance is mind-numbingly bad as he seems to just not want to be there. He doesn't show up until halfway through the film anyway. And yes, this is a Jaws rip-off with some Lake Placid thrown in. Even the score is similar to Jaws.
The DVD presents itself in 1.85:1 widescreen with absolutely no extras. Not even a trailer. the colors are really sharp and the underwater scenes are even better.
The DVD declares itself "Unrated", but I don't see it. This is strictly a soft R rating at best. Come to think of it, this could be seen completely uncut on television and censors wouldn't bat an eyelash. But if you like the really cheesy stuff like what Sci-Fi Network throws at ya, you could do worse. Ever see Mansquito?
D+ -Rabid Rich
1999 ~ Director: Heiko Flipper
Unearthed Films
Leave it to the Germans. They know how to throw the gore around. Of course, this is long after the days of Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Ever since the unbelievable Nekromantik, directed by Jorg Buttgereit in 1987, was released, every low budget German director have been trying to outdo each other in the gore and gross-out department. And while some have been successful, even by Buttgereit himself with his sequel Nekromantik 2, they haven't been able to deliver a constructive story around all the bloodshed. With that said, I am here to review Das Komabrutale Duell directed by Heiko Fipper and released by Unearthed Films.
Two mafia gangs, The Eightlets and the Banderas, have been rivaling each other for some time. The Banderas, however, are immortal. Do anything you want to them and they will continue to come after you. Mike (Mike Hoffman) and Stefan (Stefan Hoft) are members of the Banderas gang and will do anything to get the revenge they so desperately seek.
That's where one of many problems lie. There is no story behind their rivalry. Its just a bunch of people beating the living hell outta one another.....literally. The Banderas family utilize anything to heal themselves and move back in on the Eightlets. The acting is so horrible it makes Independence Day look good. But the main attraction here is the gore. This film is a gorehound's wet dream come true. Blood is literally pouring, gushing, and spraying every second of the film. Everything that can involve gore is in this film. You do get to see a couple of neat gore pieces like the foot stomping on a couple of fetuses. Then there's laughable scenes of a woman having her vagina kicked in while hardly selling the fact that's happening to her. The gore isn't that great to begin with. Its mostly of the watery style. In fact, and I am guessing it's because of the film stock used, some of the blood looks brown. Maybe a few too many diarrhea attacks. Fipper tries to go over the top, and succeeds, but when that's all you have, there really isn't much to go on. The story definitely takes a backseat to the gore. Another problem is the script. Too many "fuck" and "mother fucker" lines going on. While in reality, this might hold true, it just makes the actors look ridiculous and stupid.
The DVD is presented to us in 1.85:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital Sound. Extras include behind the scenes, digital effects comparisons, outtakes, deleted scenes, and trailers. All of which are far more interesting than the film, which still isn't saying much. As for the colors, they appear to be washed out (remember the brown blood?). and the editing has alot to be desired for. There are moments when the scene stops at freeze frame. It seems more to be technical glitches rather than artistic license.
Das Komabrutale Duell is 100% for the gorehound and noone else. Even still, they will find plenty to complain about as the gore isn't that great to begin with. Watery, brown blood? No thanks. No story to go along with this? No thanks. Fipper is ambitious, but that can only carry you so far.
D- -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Director: Gregory M. Wilson
Anchor Bay
Honestly, I don't know too much about Jack Ketchum. I've met the man a couple of times and never really thought about anything he writes (nothing personal, just not into it). But I might have to change my mood about it because The Girl Next Door directed by Gregory M. Wilson (another who I know nothing about) and distributed by Anchor Bay did something to me that I haven't had to do in years. Wanna know what that was? Read on.
Teenager Meg Loughlin (Blythe Auffarth) and younger, crippled sister Susan (Madeline Taylor) are staying at their mentally unstable Aunt Ruth's (Blanche Baker) house with some children who stay with her who all happen to be boys. When Meg does the slightest thing wrong Ruth treats her with a horrible hand. Torturing her (and her younger sister through embarrassment) seems to be the only way to handle her. But it isn't just a mere spanking....this is beating, burning, bound, gagged, whipped, and seared. Even allowing the boys who stay with her to take turns raping her, beating her, and humiliating her. Her only safety net is the boy next door David (Daniel Manche) who sympathizes with her and feels desperately the need to help.
Now for the news. I had to stop watching this movie. I had to shut it off. It was just getting to me. I guarantee you'll do the same. This film is brutal stuff indeed. And how the director got away with the things he filmed is beyond me. You actually have a nude girl (actress Auffarth is actually 20 years old) surrounded by little boys ranging ages from 8-13. The story is very tight and is actually based on a true story. That is where the true terror comes from. Auffarth is amazing as Meg and I find it a colossal feather in director Wilson's cap. Its only a question of what he can do with a work of fiction. Rumor has it, that a petition was created to stop the sale of this DVD as it supposedly supports underage sex.
The DVD presentation is 1.78:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Extras include 2 commentaries, making of, interviews, trailer, and DVD-ROM of the screenplay.
I felt sick after watching this, although I actually cheered at one point. Haven't done that since Meet the Feebles. The film isn't particularly gory, just extremely unsettling. See this and you'll never forget it, I promise you.
A+ -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Directors: Alexandre Bustillo,
Julien Maury
Dimension Extreme
Okay folks. For a while, the Asian horror market has been running away with the horror crown as a leader in the genre. Look at films like Ringu, Shutter, and The Eye (and don't look at their respective remakes....please!). Extremely scary shit, dudes! Well, methinks the wheels are starting to come off as the French are pulling in the lead with a trifecta of horror flicks ready to shrivel your pecker into a stack of dimes! There's Frontier(s), Them, and the one that I am proud to review, Inside; graciously distributed by Dimension Extreme and directed by the duo of Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury.
After a disturbing car crash which left her boyfriend dead, mega-prego newspaper photographer Sarah (Alysson Paradis) is left alone to live her life with the scars of the accident. The unborn baby however, was left unharmed. Some time later, Sarah is besieged by someone menacing her. With visits to the door and phone calls, Sarah is terrified. But not soon after the mysterious person forces way into the housewanting to kill her and steal her unborn baby! They will go through any means to get it!
Inside is a brutal, uncompromising, honest, and fearless effort by the French duo of Maury and Bustillo. This could happen to anyone, and more than likely has in this depraved world we live in nowadays. The acting is sensational (particularly Paradis') and the story never fades into any kind of comedy fearing that the film is getting too harsh. The storyline is tight with real feeling going out to the lead character. The gore is everywhere, literally. This isn't just a gore film, but one with a sinister undertone to it. One that you wouldn't normally see in films like this. And SFX kudos should go to artist Jacques-Olivier Molon for his work.
The DVD presentation is in 1.78:1 widescreen and in Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound. The extras include a trailer and a surprisingly lengthy (for this kind of release anyway) making of segment. The use of a commentary would've been nice for a film like this. The colors are sharp and the browns and reds (alot of them!) set the tone nicely.
Inside is a film that must be seen. Sure you've seen all there is to see, so why not add Inside to your blood stained list? You'll be glad you did! Plus, I must mention that its about time that Dimension Extreme did just what it was supposed to do....give the horror fan hardcore gore and horror. Black Sheep was good, but not this good. Oh well, I guess 1 out of 10 ain't bad.
A -Rabid Rich
2008 ~ Director: Frank Darabont
Genius Products
Frank Darabont is awesome! This is a man who knows how to handle Stephen King novellas. After The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, one knew that Darabont would tackle another King novella, it was just a question of what. Who knew he would take on the old 1980 story of The Mist. Well, he did. And thanks to Dimension, The Mist is now available through DVD. Of course, King adaptations are always hit or miss. Is The Mist a hit or a miss? Let's see.
Family man and artist David Drayton (Thomas Jane) takes a necessary trip to the local grocery store to pick up supplies after his private studio gets destroyed from a vicious storm the night before. Taking along his young son Billy (Nathan Gamble), the two, along with customers at the store, notice a mist coming from the mountains across the lake. Soon the mist takes over the entire area. But something is in the mist as tentacles, giant insects and demonic creatures appear from the mist ready to kill anyone who dares to step outside. But differences in ideas as well as a bible thumping neurotic Mrs. Carmody (Marcia Gay Harden) begin to force everyone to take sides. Mrs. Carmody is a real piece of work as she quotes from the bible proving to everyone that the end is nigh. Tension starts getting out of control and soon and desperation for survival becomes scary. But what started these things in the mist? And is there any way to get out alive?
Darabont has made some very good use of The Mist novella. There's no question that George Romero's Night of the Living Dead plays a very heavy part in this film. Despite the very large amount of room the film takes place in, the claustrophobic feel inside is intense. All the performances are really quite good. But Harden's Mrs. Carmody takes the cake as her performance is stand out personified as the religious nutso making things worse instead of better. And could be the best performance by anyone in a King adaptation. Even the CGI by CafeFX are very well done!
The DVD presentation is 1.85:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Extras include an audio commentary, behind the scenes, featurettes, introductions, trailers, and even a director's vision of the film in black and white (2 DVD set only). The colors are outstanding and the mist itself is very well created. The CGI is excellent, save for a couple of scenes of obvious chicanery going on.
Even though I have stated Cujo is the best King adaptation, I just might have to rethink that. The Mist is done so well, one wonders how the Academy Award Committee passed up on it. This film should've won something...anything! It's that good. Don't believe me? Check it out yourself!
A -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Director: Franck Khalfoun
Summit Entertainment
Rich has a couple of French made horror movies reviewed this issue, and P2 has some French influence as well. It is Directed by first timer Franck Khalfoun (born in Paris), and written by France natives Alexandra Aja and Grégory Levasseur, as well as Khalfoun. This isn't the first time all three have collaborated on a film, as all were involved in 2003's Haute Tension as well as the 2006 remake of The Hills Have Eyes. The film is mainly focused on two characters, low-level corporate desk jockey Angela (Rachel Nichols), and the security guard Thomas (Wes Bentley).
It begins on Christmas eve, with Angela having to work late to try and close out a project she is working on. She is running late for a family party, and when she finally gets out of work, she finds that her car, which is parked on level P2 of her buildings parking garage, won't start (of course). She find Thomas, who tries to help, but can't get the car running either. She calls a cab and heads back up to the building lobby, only to find she is locked in the building. Upon returning to the garage, the lights are turned out and Thomas knocks her out kidnaps her. This is when the real action starts.
Angela wakes up in the security office, redressed by Thomas in a white evening gown, cuffed by her ankle to a chair, and in a daze. Thomas torments her with his weirdness, seeming to think that he owns her. We find out that he has been watching her in the security cameras for a while, and decides to get payback on one of her coworkers who made an advance on her during a company party. He rams his car into the coworker multiple times, spilling his guts in a pretty good gore sequence. From there, she escapes, and the chase begins. Much of the rest of the movie has Angela trying to find a way out, while Thomas is tracking her via the security cameras. Angela calls 911 to report what is happening, but before the police arrive, Thomas has tazed her and locked her in the trunk of her car. The cops check the place out and leave. A car chase ensues, which is a pretty cool scene since it is in such a tight environment, and eventually, Angela gets her revenge on Thomas and escapes the dark garage alive.
This movie plays on fear of confined places. Aside from the very beginning of the movie, it all takes place within the parking garage. Dark and empty, with no way out as the gates are all closed and locked, and the elevators are locked out from the building above as well. Aside from the frightening environment, you also have to deal with Thomas' completely insane behavior. Wes Bentley does a great job playing the psychotic stalker security guard, easily instilling fear with his expressions and delivery of his lines. Rachel Nichols does a good job with Angela as well, portraying the fear when needed, and being tough when she needs to kick Thomas' ass. She looks pretty darn good, as well.
The DVD presentation is fine. Video is 2.35:1 anamorphic, and looks great. The extras include a commentary with Khalfoun, Aja, and Levasseur, and three short featurettes - a making off, one presenting Khalfoun, and one about the design of the set and some of the effects used. There are a couple trailers as well.
Overall, P2 was a good movie. I have always had a fear of enclosed places, even more so if they are dark. This movie plays to those fears quite well.
B+ -Goz
2008 ~ Producer: Mike Baronas
Paura Productions
Lucio Fulci. God, I love saying that name, don't you? Just saying it gives a warm tight feeling around your black, pus-filled heart. The name harkens back to a day when the stories were outrageous, the gore was plentiful, the gratuitous nudity was everywhere, and the maggots were coming down in buckets right on your face. And CGI here folks! Fulci, after a stint as a director for light hearted comedies, was to be known as the "Godfather of Gore" when films like The Beyond, Zombi 2, House by the Cemetery, City of the Living Dead, and The New York Ripper raked in the mega-cash overseas and here through VHS rentals. Yes, it was good to be a horror fan in the 70's-80's. Fulci knew what he wanted, and he gave it to us fifty fold!
Sadly, The Maestro passed away in 1996 after a long illness, but the name will forever live on in our memories. A fire that could never be extinguished.
Several years ago, one of Fulci's biggest admirers, Mike Baronas, took on a challenge to help Fulci's name stay on horror fan's lips for a good long time. He traveled all over the world, asking those who have worked and collaborated with Fulci during his lifetime asking one very simple question, "What is your fondest memory of Lucio Fulci?" And those from Catriona MacColl to Fabio Frizzi to Bruno Mattei to Michele Soavi to Giovanni Lombardo Radice and many, many, many more in the middle have been asked this lone inquiry. How many more? How does 85(!) more sound to you? Many give simple answers that take mere seconds while other gives full details about their time with The Maestro. All those interviewed seem genuinely touched that they would remember Fulci for this compilation DVD and some are more than moved when his name is mentioned (i.e. Paolo Malco).
The overall time frame of this DVD is amazing 4 hours! Baronas poured his heart and soul into this project and is well worth every second of viewing. And on top of all of this, while the DVD is really devoid of any extras (especially considering what you have here is 4 hours of interviews from about 13 films), the very best part of the DVD is right on the cover. Lucio Fulci Remembered VOLUME 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And where there's a Vol. 1, Vol. 2 must come after it!
So there you have it. Lucio Fulci Remembered Vol. 1 is an absolute must have and a great companion piece to Stephen Thrower's Beyond Terror- The Films of Lucio Fulci. So if Fulci is in your vocabulary, then this DVD is essential. Just 3 words....GET THIS NOW!!!
A+ -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Director: Jamie Blanks
Dimension Extreme
Let's look at Dimension's "Extreme" flicks for a minute. I did a review of Welcome to the Jungle a while back and didn't like it too much. It was basically a Cannibal Holocaust rip-off, but the "Extreme" feeling just wasn't there. In this issue, I reviewed Automaton Transfusion and didn't think very highly of that either. The "Extreme" was kinda there, but lame. I'm looking for something that kick my ass. And I hope that another "Extreme" film from Dimension will do it. This time, Storm Warning is on the block for review.
Rob (Robert Taylor) and wife Pia (Nadia Fares) are a pair of soul sucking yuppies who get themselves lost in the swamps of the Aussie outback. As a major rainstorm heads their way, they try to find shelter. They come upon a house that is totally deserted save for a major ganja crop growing in the shed. As the owners return home, Rob and Pia are backhandedly welcome to stay overnight until the storm is gone. The owners begin to harass and beat up Rob and Pia. The lead of the group known as Poppy (John Brumpton) orders his sons how to handle them. As they are bound in the barn, Rob and Pia construct a way to kill their captors.
This film stinks on ice. The acting reeks and the storyline is hackneyed. The gore is trying to be its saving grace, but it takes too much from other films. Hellraiser comes to mind real quick! There just isn't anything new in Storm Warning.
The unrated DVD presentation is 1.78:1 widescreen. Extras include a commentary and teaser/trailer of the film.
Really not much to this film. Dimension, if it wants to get it's act together anytime soon, needs to be a bit more "Extreme" than what they claim to be if they want to run with the big boys. Skip it.
D -Rabid Rich
2007 ~ Director: Tim Burton
Dreamworks
You probably think this is the only horror musical ever made. Don't let the unusual idea of a horror musical fool you, because they happen to be a bit more common than you might think. Now I'm not saying that every year, a new one shows up at our doorstep, but they do happen. The musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Wicker Man, Cannibal:The Musical, or even Phantom of the Opera to a certain degree. And horror films are becoming musicals more often with Dracula, The Evil Dead, or Carrie with plenty more on the horizon. But now we discuss Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street written by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Tim Burton thanks to Dreamworks.
Set in the 1850's, Benjamin Barker a.k.a. Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) was sent up the river with no logical reasoning so Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) can run off with his wife and daughter. Seven years later, Barker, now known as Todd, goes back to town to look for the man who unjustly jailed him and took his family. Going as a barber, he and newly formed friend and partner in crime Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), weed out everyone, including a few average folk, to kill those who get in the way of his revenge by way of the slit throat with a straight edge razor.
Where can I possibly begin with this film? Right off the bat, the overall look of this Burton film beats out Sleepy Hollow as far as style and appearance goes. The gothic tones of rainy mid 19th century London has never looked better. The shadowing of the black streets with grey tones is overwhelmingly beautiful. To hear Depp sing is odd, but dammit, the man can actually sing! Carter is quite good too as she has the tougher of the two roles. And look for Sacha Baron Cohen as Signor Adolfo Pirelli. The man has got some chops on him! The performances are very well done as Depp continues to astound and Carter has never looked sexier! The gore, in contrast to the dreary look of the film, is vibrant. Splashy, squirty, drippy blood all over the place! Now the music (cause what is a musical without the music) is very, very good. Don't let the fact that its not particularly rhythmic. It keeps with the time of the film.
The 2 DVD set is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen with 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Extras include behind the scenes, 7 featurettes, trailers, and more! The colors are absolutely gorgeous and makes me wish I lived in this era. Gothic villages are my milk!
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is essential viewing! Put away that fucking male ego and see this now! I cannot stress this enough and can honestly say this is Burton and Depp's best collaboration since Ed Wood. See this....see this now!
A+ -Rabid Rich
2006 ~ Directors: David Moreau and Xavier Palud
Dark Sky Films
The French are coming at that's a good thing! They really have been sorta quiet on the horror front for some time and knowing their somewhat rich history on the genre, makes me all warm inside. That's why the film to start off the trend of the French coming back with a vengeance can be seen by Them, directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud and distributed by Dark Sky Films.
School teacher Clementine (Olivia Bonamy) and her writer hubby Lucas (Michael Cohen) live alone secluded in the middle of nowhere. A rash of murders have been taking place with no motives or evidence. During one night, Clem and Lucas are awakened by mysterious noises outside their house and they seem to be coming from everywhere. Lights on off and on, TV sets turn on, and things being thrown around make the couple suffer in their own abode. So who is doing this?
Them is an excellent "home invasion" film that deserves to be looked at numerous times. The tension is so thick at times, you could cut it with a knife. The home itself can be considered a character as while it looks safe with its wide open areas, could spell death as you have no clue what or who could be around the corner. Not bloody really, but the tension the film builds up after a while makes up for that. Who says you really need blood to make a great horror film anyways? The performances are sturdy with a really tight storyline that just goes in one direction and doesn't veer off into anything else. Its survival or nothing.
The DVD presents itself in 2:35.1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Digital (crank the sucker up for this one!). Extras include a making of, 2 featurettes, and trailers. The colors, especially the blacks, are sharp and look outstanding.
Don't be put off by its brief 77 minute running time. Like I said, its all about survival and nothing else gets in the way to pad things out a bit. See Them tonight, tomorrow, or whenever. I don't care when you see it, just see it.
A -Rabid Rich
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