This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, July 1st, 2014

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 7/1
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  THE AFFLICTED  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST  [Blu-ray]
*  CITY OF LUST
*  DARK ISLAND
*  THE FINAL TERROR  [Blu-ray/DVD combo pack]
*  GRIZZLY RAGE
*  INFLICTION
*  KILLERVISION
*  LUCKY BASTARD
*  THE MUMMY:  RESURRECTED
*  NO VACANCY
*  SCAVENGER KILLERS
*  THE TWILIGHT ZONE:  ESSENTIAL EPISODES
*  VAMPERIFICA

Check out the trailer for the creepy Dutch film, BORGMAN

  I have seen some talk of BORGMAN on the internet, but knew nothing about the film.  I finally sat down and watched the trailer tonight and I have to say I am very intrigued.  This doesn't look to be a true horror film, it's more of a psychological thriller, but some of the imagery in the trailer is just downright creepy!  Here is the plot of the film from the Drafthouse Films website:

  A dark suburban fable exploring the nature of evil in unexpected places, BORGMAN follows an enigmatic vagrant who enters the lives of an upper-class family and quickly unravels their carefully curated lifestyle.
  Charming and mysterious, Camiel Borgman seems almost otherworldly, and it isn't long before he has the wife, children and nanny under his spell in a calculated bid to take over their home life. However, his domestic assimilation takes a malevolent turn as his ultimate plan comes to bear, igniting a series of increasingly maddening and menacing events.


Check out the trailer and let me know what you think.  I think this looks like it could be a very creepy film!!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

Blu-ray Review: DEVIL'S KNOT

DEVIL'S KNOT
Directed by Atom Egoyan
Distributed by RLJ/Image Entertainment

  If you have followed the case of The West Memphis Three, then you surely know about the book DEVIL'S KNOT by Mara Leveritt.  That book is one of the best resources about this tragic case.   There have been many films about this case, all of which were documentaries if I recall correctly.  Most well known is the trilogy of PARADISE LOST films produced by HBO.   Atom Egoyan's film DEVIL'S KNOT is based on Leveritt's book, and is the first "Hollywood-ized" version of the WM3 story that I know about.   I was a little leery going in, wondering what a film with a big name actors would do to the WM3 story. Turns out, even though this is a big budget Hollywood film, it was just as informative as any other films or books out there on this subject.    Here is the basic synopsis from the Image Entertainment website:

  Academy Award® winners Colin Firth (The King’s Speech, 2010) and Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line, 2005) lead an all-star cast in this gripping, heart-wrenching true story that shocked the nation. May 5, 1993. West Memphis, Arkansas. Three young boys playing in the nearby woods never come home for dinner. In the rush to find and convict the killers, police focus on a trio of teenagers suspected of devil worship. As the mother of one of the murdered boys (Witherspoon) tries to come to grips with this unspeakable tragedy, she is desperate to believe that the killers have been found and will be brought to justice. It is only when an investigator (Firth) reveals that the evidence doesn’t all add up, that the community is forced to face the reality that the true killer might still be out there.

  First off, if you do not know anything about the West Memphis Three case, it a very sad and tragic case to follow.  I highly suggest you Google the subject and read up about it.  It is a truly fascinating case and should anger you at the way our Justice System works sometimes.  Everything started back in 1993 when three 8 year old boys were brutally murdered and the police accused and convicted 3 teenage boys of the crimes, even though they had zero evidence that tied any of them to the murders.
That sparked years of appeals and petitions to "Free the West Memphis Three", as most people could see that the teenage boys convicted of this crime most likely had no involvement in it.

  The film DEVIL'S KNOT gives a very accurate portrayal of all the events that occurred in this case.  The films is brilliantly acted from everyone involved, especially Reese Witherspoon who gives an incredibly touching and emotional performance as one of the Mothers of one of the murdered young boys.   Also, the actors they got to portray the 3 convicted teenagers, or the West Memphis 3, were spot on.  Each one looked remarkably like the real person they were portraying.

  This film is not easy to watch.  In fact, in a couple of places the film brought tears to my eyes.   Being the father of two 8 year old boys probably made this film hit home more than it would to some, but I think anyone and everyone will be effected in some way when they see this film.  The image of when the cops find the boy's bodies is truly heartbreaking, and was extremely well done in terms of looking very realistic.   That was the first scene that really got to me.   There were many other scenes that got to me, some that made me very sad, and then some that made me extremely angry.  You can't help but wonder how the West Memphis police department could do such a horrible job like they did with this case.   Evidence was lost, evidence not taken, etc. Very sad situation for all involved.  You feel for the parents of the murdered little boys, and you can't help but feel for the three teenagers that most likely did not do this crime.  The three convicted teenagers were finally released from prison back in 2011 after entering Alford Pleas, after serving over 18 years of their lives behind bars.

  Weather you know nothing about this case or think you know everything there is to  know, do yourself a favor and watch DEVIL'S KNOT.  While hard to watch due to the subject matter, it is a very well made film and worthy of your attention.

  DEVIL'S KNOT is available now on DVD and Blu-ray from RLJ/Image Entertainment and contains the following Special Features:

*  Deleted Scenes
*  The Making of Devil's Knot
* Getting Into Character:  The Cast of Devil's Knot featurette


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, June 24th, 2014

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 6/24
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  THE ADDICTED
*  THE COED AND THE ZOMBIE STONER
*  DEADLY REVENGE
*  ENEMY*  THE JUNGLE
*  THE LEGEND OF SIX FINGERS
*  THE OUIJA EXPERIMENT
*  REPENTANCE
*  SCREAMERS  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  WOLF CREEK 2

Blu-ray Review: KILL ZOMBIE!

 
KILL ZOMBIE
Directed by  Martijn Smits and Erwin van den Eshof
Distributed by  Well Go USA

  I have a feeling a lot of you have probably never heard of this movie, but you should have!  KILL ZOMBIE! is a hilarious horror-comedy from the Netherlands that succeeds at being both gory and funny.  Here is the plot synopsis from the Well Go USA website:

  A Russian Space station crashes in Amsterdam, releasing a deadly virus that turns everyday citizens into flesh-craving psychopaths. Aziz (Yahya Gaier), his brother Mo (Ouled Radi) and several strangers emerge from jail, oblivious to the mayhem until they team up with a local police officer (Gigi Ravelli). After receiving a desperate call for help, this unlikely band of heroes sets out on an insane rescue mission - and it's going to take a seriously crazy plan if they want to get out alive...

 I am always a little nervous when it comes to horror-comedies, because most of the time they are just really not that good.  I was worried about that when I started watching KILL ZOMBIE!, but I soon realized that this was not going to be the case with this film.  The film is hilarious with some laugh-out-loud moments for me.  The acting was great, and the production value seems very high.  The post-apocalyptic look of the film is very well done.  I also enjoyed the zombie effects, complete with gross green slimy stuff mixed with their blood. You see a lot of this splattered all over the place, which is a good thing, except that most all of the effects are CG.   That is probably my only complaint about this film, but that is a very minor complaint.  I usually hate when horror movies use CG blood and effects in movies, but I guess I didn't mind it as much in this film since it was more of a comedy.   Since the CG blood splatters have almost a slight goofy look to them, it really takes away from the eerie feeling in a straight horror film, but since this is more of a comedy, it actually kind of works.

  If you are a fan of horror-comedies, especially zombie comedies like SHAUN OF THE DEAD, you definitely need to give KILL ZOMBIE! a shot.  The movie is available now from Well Go USA on DVD and Blu-ray.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Check out Tim Burton's 1982 short film, HANSEL AND GRETEL

  I found this while browsing one of my favorite horror websites, Fearnet.com.  It is a short film about by Tim Burton on the classic Hansel and Gretel story.  This was made by Burton back in 1982 when Burton worked for Disney.  The article states that Burton's HANSEL AND GRETEL played one the Disney Channel one time back in 1983 during Halloween.  It has not been seen since, until now! 
 While not truly horror, the short film has some very creepy elements in it, including a super creepy gingerbread man that makes Hansel eat him!  

  It's amazing way back then you can see such Burtonesque designs and set pieces.  Check out the short film and let me know what you think.


CLICK HERE to read the full article and details about this lost film.
CLICK HERE to watch the short film

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 6/17
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  13 SINS  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  ALMOST HUMAN
*  ASSUMED KILLER
*  BLOOD OF THE VIRGINS
*  BLOOD SOAKED
*  DARK SOULS
*  DOCTOR FAUSTUS
*  FLATLINERS
*  GHOSTS OF MARS
*  HOUSE OF MORTAL SIN  [Blu-ray]
*  INVASION OF THE SCREAM QUEENS
*  JOY RIDE 3 [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE MACHINE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  A MEASURE OF THE SIN
*  THE MONKEY'S PAW  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  NIGHT OF THE COBRA WOMAN
*  THE OCCUPANTS
*  PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK  [Blu-ray/DVD combo]
*  PSYCHOPATHS:  SEX WITH HOSTAGES
*  RISE OF THE DINOSAURS
*  SHIKI:  THE COMPLETE SERIES
*  SOLO
*  WRATH OF THE CROWS
*  ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

Happy Friday the 13th!!

  I hope you all are having a great Friday the 13th!  If you're reading this, you have survived it so far!  I hope you all have a great night, hopefully filled with a FRIDAY THE 13TH MOVIE marathon!!

  I've seen a lot of sites ask about picking your favorite F13TH film, but I'm curious as to what your LEAST favorite of the F13TH film series is!  Mine would probably be JASON GOES TO HELL, followed closely by part VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN.   I haven't seen either of these in years, but I remember not caring for them much at the time.  Maybe I need to revisit them and see if I can garner some appreciate for them now.

  So which of the F13TH films do you dislike the most?   Leave a comment and discuss!

Check out FEARnet's list of the best annimated Horror

   Recently FEARnet.com published a great article on animated horror features.  They picked their top ten, and while I agree with most of them, I'm not sure I would put a few of these on a top 10 list.  Also, I think a couple of features were left off of this list, most notably two of my favorite horror animated shows, TALES FROM THE CRYPTKEEPER and the Japanese anime HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD. 

  Take a moment and check out FEARnet's list and see what you think!  Leave a comment with any animated horror films or shows you think should have made the list!


CLICK HERE to read FEARnet's top 10 animated horrors list

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, June 10th, 2014

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 6/3
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  BIGFOOT VS. D.B. COOPER
*  DEVIL'S KNOT  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  FRACTURED
*  GHOST OF GOODNIGHT LANE
*  HAUNT
*  HIDE AND SEEK
*  KILL ZOMBIE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  PATRICK:  EVIL AWAKENS  [DVD & Blu-ray]

DVD Review: EMPIRE OF THE APES (2013)

EMPIRE OF THE APES
Written & Directed by Mark Polonia
Distributed by MVD Entertainment

  Wow.  I have seen some bad, low budget movies before, but this one is up there among the worst.
Here is the plot synopsis from the MVD website:

  In a distant galaxy three escaped female convicts crash land on a primitive world inhabited by a race of warlike apes. They fight for survival as the humanoid apes fight for their possession, body and soul. A daring escape is their only way out. Hot on their heels are the blood lusting gorillas and a prison warden bent on their return to the prison ship they escaped from.

  EMPIRE OF THE APES is one of those films that could have been in the "so bad, it's good" category.  Unfortunately, it is just in the "so bad, it's really bad" category.   I really don't like giving negative reviews, as I know how hard it is to make a movie.  So much time and effort goes into making a film, that I feel bad for writing negatively about someone's work.  But, I don't really fell bad this time because I think the filmmakers know this is a bad film.  They have to...how could they not?  The actors also had to know they were in a bad movie the first time they saw the actors dressed up in the ape costumes and read any line of dialog for the film.  Also, anytime you put "special effects" in your film that look this bad, I can't help but think that it was intentional.  Maybe it wasn't, but I am giving the filmmakers the benefit of the doubt.

  I usually like to point out some good things in a negative review, but I honestly just can't find anything good to say about this one.  What could have been a fun, cheesy, sci-fi/horror/exploitation film turned out to be nothing but a big dud.  Better luck to the filmmakers on their next effort.

  If you want to give this a watch and see for yourself, the DVD is available now from MVD Entertainment.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Check out the trailer for the upcoming film, SHARKNADO 2!

 Ha!  Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...or back on land...or anywhere for that matter, comes SHARKNADO 2!  The tornado full of sharks is back and it is bigger and better than ever!!  This time, the freak weather condition is happening in New York City!  

 The brilliantly named SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE stars Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Vivica A. Fox, Mark McGrath, and horror fan fave Tiffany Shepis!

Check it out when SHARKNADO 2 premieres Wednesday, July 30th, at 9/8 Central on the Syfy network


CLICK HERE to watch the teaser trailer

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 6/3
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  BLOOD WIDOW
*  BREEDING FARM
*  COWBOYS VS. ZOMBIES
*  CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES:  THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF FRIDAY THE 13TH
*  DEATH BED: THE BED THAT EATS  [Blu-ray]
*  GHOSTLIGHT
*  JUNK FILMS:  THE COLLECTED SHORT SHOCKUMENTARIES OF TSURISAKI  KIYOTAKA
*  RAVENOUS  [Blu-ray]
*  TRUE BLOOD:  SEASON 6  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  VIDEO NASTIES:  THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE

Blu-ray Review: DRACULA (1974)

DRACULA
Written by Richard Matheson
Produced & Directed by Dan Curtis   
Distributed by MPI Home Video

  There have been tons of films made about the story of Count Dracula.  There are a few good ones, and there are some really bad ones.  Luckily, the subject of tonight's review falls into the category of good ones!   Dan Curtis' DRACULA was released in 1974 as a TV movie, which explains the lack of gore in the film.  Yet even with minimal gore, this is a very well made adaptation of the Dracula story!  Here is some info on this new release from the MPI press release:

  Academy Award winner Jack Palance stars in this terrifying adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic vampire novel Dracula, written for the screen by sci-fi/horror master Richard Matheson (The Twilight Zone, I Am Legend, Duel) and produced by the legendary Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows, Trilogy of Terror, The Winds of War). Palance (City Slickers, Batman, Shane, Contempt) is Count Dracula, whose centuries-old existence is threatened after he attacks the lovely Lucy Westenra (Fiona Lewis, Dr. Phibes Rises Again), and her fiance (Simon Ward, The Tudors, Young Winston) calls in famed vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Nigel Davenport, A Man for All Seasons; Mary, Queen of Scots) to investigate. Originally shown on CBS-TV in 1974, DAN CURTIS' DRACULA has long been considered among the most frightening versions of the Dracula story; the

Los Angeles Times called Palance "the definitive Count Dracula - as flesh-crawling an experience as you've ever had." Filmed on location in England and Yugoslavia,

DAN CURTIS' DRACULA has been transferred and restored in 2K High Definition from the original 35mm camera negative and presented here on Blu-ray for the first time.

 

  I have to admit, I had no idea of this movie's existence.  I never knew Jack Palance had ever played Dracula. I really haven't seen Jack Palance in too many things, other than his later stuff like when he hosted Ripley's Believe it or Not back in the 80's or for his role in the film CITY SLICKERS.  I am not familiar with his earlier work, but if this performance is any indication, he was a remarkable actor in his day.   Christopher Lee has always been my favorite "Dracula", but after seeing this film, Mr. Palance may have taken my top spot!

 

  This film had some great names involved, and it is hard to believe it was a made for TV movie.  The production value is very high for a TV movie from this time.   The film was written by Richard Matheson and was produced and directed by Dan Curtis who gave us the TV show,  DARK SHADOWS.   So with that much talent behind the camera, and the talent of Mr. Palance in front of the camera, this film was sure to be a hit, and I believe it is.   

 

  The film is pretty tame by today's standards.  There is very little blood except for when a couple of the vampires get staked, then they spit up some blood, but overall it is very tame.   I didn't know it was a made for TV film before I started watching it, but as I watched it I noticed some fade to black breaks in the film that seemed like a perfect spot for a commercial break.   Once I read the press release, I saw that is was in fact made for CBS Television.  That explains why the film is not gorier than it is, and contains no nudity or bad language.  The film could probably get a PG rating if released to theaters today, yet it still manages to have a very creepy/scary feel to it.

 

  I would highly suggest you check out this version of DRACULA if you are a fan of that character.   Dan Curtis' DRACULA is available now on Blu-ray from MPI Home Video and contains the following special features:

 

*  Interviews with Actor Jack Palance

*  Interview with Producer/Director  Dan Curtis

*  Outtakes

*  TV cuts

*  Trailer

*  Spanish & French Audio Tracks

*  English SDH Subtitles

 

 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray