Blu-ray Review: VILLAGE OF DOOM (1983)

 

VILLAGE OF DOOM

Directed by:   Noboru Tanaka

Distributed by:  Unearthed Films / MVD Entertainment

 Unearthed Films is one of my favorite movie companies out there.  Not only do they release and distribute films that normally wouldn't get a release due to their extreme nature, they also produce their own extreme gore films!   Recently, Unearthed Films created a new line of films called Unearthed Classics.  These are older films that they are releasing that have either been long out of print, or maybe even the first time being released in the U.S.!    Today's review is from the Unearthed Classics line, and it is called VILLAGE OF DOOM.    The film is from 1983, and is one I had never heard of before arriving to me for review!  

 Here is a brief synopsis of the film from the Unearthed Films website:

A classic Japanese true crime story, Village of Doom is a chilling reenactment of the infamous Tsuyama Massacre, a revenge killing spree that occurred on the night of 21 May 1938 in the rural village of Kamo near Tsuyama in Okayama Prefecture. Mutsuo Toi, an emotionally distraught 21-year-old man who had been ostracized by his fellow villagers, went on a violent killing spree that took the lives of 30 people, including his own grandmother. Before finally killing himself, Toi visited his revenge upon the village using a shotgun, Japanese sword and axe. It remains the deadliest mass murder spree in Japanese history.

 The film is based on the true story of the Tsuyama Massacre, something I was not familiar with before this film.   Here is a brief description of the massacre from Wikipedia:

The Tsuyama massacre was a revenge spree killing that occurred on the night of 21 May 1938 in the rural village of Kamo close to Tsuyama in Okayama, Empire of Japan. Mutsuo Toi (都井 睦雄, Toi Mutsuo), a 21-year-old man, killed 30 people, including his grandmother, with a Browning shotgun, katana, and axe, and seriously injured three others before killing himself with the shotgun. It is the deadliest shooting by a lone gunman in Japanese history.

 I always find it so hard to believe that I have gone my whole life never even hearing about some films, especially when they are as good as this one.   I am in tons of horror movie groups on Facebook, and follow lots of horror movie fan accounts on Insta and X, yet somehow this is one that had just slipped by me.   I am not sure how this is not talked about more, because it is definitely worthy of discussion. 

 The film follows a 30ish year old man who lives with his grandmother.  He is a quiet, shy man who is very smart and dreams of being in the military to serve his country.   He is liked by all in his village, but is sometimes taken advantage of by his so called "friends".   This very normal, calm man is instantly changed when he goes to enlist in the military, but is refused due to an illness.   He has been diagnosed with the highly contagious Tuberculosis.   Word spreads quickly around his small town, and he is instantly discriminated against by all the people of his village.  He is also chastised for not serving his country in the military, through no fault of his own.    

 As time passes, this once quiet man get fed up with the way he is treated.   What starts as a minor annoyance grows into pure hatred as the build up of the way he is being treated boils up inside him.   He makes a plan to extract revenge upon his village.   He makes a map and plots out house to house the direction he will go.   He does this in the dead of night, to catch people off guard and while everyone is inside so the streets will be empty for him to navigate without being seen.    This creates some very cool visuals as he straps two flashlights to his head and around his chest, almost giving him the look of some homemade super hero, or I guess in this case, super villian, costume.   Prowling the night in his homemade get up looks very creepy.    He carries out his killing streak using a multitude of weapons including guns, swords, knives, and even an axe. 

 This was an excellent film, and quite topical with todays climate.  Seeing this nice, quiet, young man go from completely normal to a vicious killer was very disturbing.  The movie shows this in such a way that is so realistic, showing the very slow transition, making it so much more realistic and disturbing.   You can see how his transition was created, and you could see the exact exchanges that led to it.  It really makes you think that if we pay more attention to people and how they are treated, maybe we could tell when people are starting to transition to this way of thinking and could stop a something like this from happening in present day.  

I can't recommend VILLAGE OF DOOM enough.   It is a great film that is a must see for all extreme horror fans.   While there is a bit of gore, there is nothing overwhelming, but just the subject matter by itself and the violence our lead takes on innocent people is extreme enough. 

 VILLAGE OF DOOM is available now from Unearthed Films and includes the following Special Features:

• *  Audio commentary by Asian film experts Arne Venema and Mike Leeder
• *  Dark Asia with Megan: Case #57 Japan's Darkest Night, Tsuyama Massacre
• *  Promotional Gallery
• *  Theatrical Trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

CLICK HERE to purchase the BLU-RAY

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4K ULTRA HD Review: THE BLOCK ISLAND SOUND (2020)

THE BLOCK ISLAND SOUND
Written & Directed by:  Kevin McManus & Matthew McManus

Distributed by:  Synapse Films / MVD Entertainment

 I am always surprised when I get a screener in the mail to review, and I have never heard of the film.  Especially with newer films.   Such was the case when THE BLOCK ISLAND SOUND showed up in my mailbox.   This film is one I had somehow missed.   I have never even heard a mention of it!   I was surprised to see that Synapse Films is who put this one out, as I associate them re-issues of older titles.  

 Before I get into the review, here is a brief synopsis of the film from the Synapse Films website:

  Something terrifying is happening off the coast of Block Island. A strange force is thriving, influencing residents and wildlife alike. Birds are dropping out of the sky and fish are mysteriously washing up on shore. As some residents are suffering from inexplicable emotional collapse, Harry Lynch (Chris Sheffield, The Stanford Prison Experiment) watches with dread as his father grows increasingly forgetful, confused and angry. Very, very angry! His sister Audry (Michaela McManus, Into the Grizzly Maze, TV’s The Orville), whose work in marine biology will soon prove invaluable, returns to town with her daughter and leads them all towards chilling revelations that will affect her family in unimaginable ways.

 Let me start off by saying this film will not be for everyone.   It is a bit of a slow burn, but it definitely kept me entertained the entire running time.  This was mainly because I could not figure out what was going on and wanted to find out!    I actually would not classify this as a horror film.  It's more of a dark mystery, suspense sort of film with a bit of a Sci-Fi element to it. 

 The film is about Harry, who is trying to figure out exactly what happened to his father, Tom.  A mysterious sound is causing some very strange things around the island, including mass fish kills and missing people.   Harry keeps seeing his deceased Dad throughout the film, and he seems to be trying to hint to Harry what is going on.   These scenes are very creepy, and it's hard to tell what is real and  what in in Harry's mind.  As the film goes on, we see Harry spiral down a road of madness, causing some major issues with his siblings who have all gathered to find out what happened to their Dad. 

 I'm still not sure I 100% understand this film, and I feel like what is happening and the sound the islanders are hearing is never fully explained.   That was my main issue with this film, as I wanted more of an explanation.  I understand though, that sometimes it's the fact that there is no explanation that makes it more terrifying.   

 The film only has a few scenes involving special effects, but they are very well done.  There is even a special feature on the disc that discusses making the effects on the small budget this film had. 

 The acting in this film is excellent and the cinematography is outstanding.  I love seeing the views of the open water, especially in this 4K Ultra HD edition.  The picture is crystal clear and looks amazing.  

  THE BLOCK ISLAND SOUND is available now on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD, and contains the following Special Features:

• *  The 4K UHD release features a special limited edition slipcover featuring new art from Joel Robinson, while supplies last
• *  Original Trailer
• *  A Practical Apocalypse
• *  Finding the Cast
• *  Filming on the Water
• *  Special Effects on a Shoestring
• *  Los Angeles Behind-the-Scenes (Super 8mm)
• *  McManus Family Home Movies

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K Ultra HD

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

GUEST REVIEW: THE WOMAN & OFFSRING [4K UHD Limited Edition]

-------------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------------------

THE WOMAN

Directed by Lucky McKee

OFFSPRING

Directed by Andrew van den Houten

 When you think about big names in horror fiction, certain names flash into mind: Stephen King, Ramsey Campbell, Clive Barker, H.P. Lovecraft, etc.  But you would be remiss if you did not include Jack Ketchum in that list.  Ketchum wrote some of the most horrific and terrifying novels ever published, and he was a true master of the genre (he passed away in 2018).

 

  Ketchum coordinated with a couple of directors to turn two of his books into movies:  OFFSPRING and THE WOMAN.  (Technically, THE WOMAN was published after the movie was released, but from what I understand Ketchum already had the idea when OFFSPRING was originally published).  Both movies deal with cannibalism and torture, and both have merits…but I must confess I liked THE WOMAN a lot better than OFFSPRING.

 

If you are unfamiliar with either movie, here is the plot synopsis of this set courtesy of Arrow Video:

 Almost a decade after Lucky McKee burst upon the indie horror scene and became a 'Master of Horror' in the making thanks to his directorial debut May, he teamed up with legendary cult author Jack Ketchum for his most shocking and brutal film to date: The Woman, an instant cause célèbre on its Sundance premiere.

The Woman (Pollyanna McIntosh, The Walking Dead) is the last surviving member of a deadly clan of feral cannibals that has roamed the American wilderness for decades. When successful country lawyer Chris Cleek (Sean Bridgers, Room) stumbles upon her whilst hunting in the woods, he decides to capture and "civilize" her with the help of his seemingly perfect all-American family, including his wife Belle (Angela Bettis, May) and daughter Peggy (Lauren Ashley Carter, Darling). The Cleeks will soon learn, however, that hell hath no fury like The Woman scorned...

 Experience McKee and Ketchum's uncompromisingly twisted vision of the dark side of the American family in a definitive edition, including a 4K remaster, a slew of bonus features, and a bonus disc featuring a restoration of its gut-churning 2009 predecessor Offspring, also starring McIntosh.

 

 OFFSPRING is a movie based on his book of the same name.  The book is a follow-up to his controversial debut Off Season, which many critics and reviewers deemed “violent pornography”.  Even so, I am curious as to why the filmmakers decided to make a movie based on the sequel when there was no adaptation for the first one at the time.  I would love to see Off Season translated to the screen.

 

OFFSPRING is a decent film, but it’s a bit confusing to start off (probably because it’s actually a sequel).  The opening scenes use newspaper headlines to sorta build the foundation of the story, which again does help a little bit, but it is still not enough to make a solid start.  The story itself is intriguing enough to warrant attention, and it unfolds at a nice pace within its 79 minute runtime.  Still, I would have liked more clarity as to what was happening and why.

 

 The 4K transfer looks excellent compared to previous versions, and if you don’t believe me there’s a comparison video in the Special Features.  This video runs clips from the movie in both resolutions side-by-side so you can see the difference.  And wow, is there a difference!  The 4K transfer is much more colorful and takes the graininess out of the low-light scenes. 

 

 THE WOMAN is a direct sequel to OFFSPRING and pretty much picks up where its predecessor ends.  This film is much better in my opinion.  It ratchets up the intensity and makes better use of Pollyanna McIntosh’s acting skills.  McIntosh does a superb job of portraying the feral Woman once again, and it’s easy to see why she was selected for the role. 

 

 Like OFFSPRING, the 4K transfer for this film looks great as well.  I had a Blu-ray copy of this film years ago, but I don’t remember what the picture quality was like…it would be interesting to see a side-by-side of it compared with this.

 

 Ketchum set a high standard bar for horror, and both films aim to reach it.  THE WOMAN gets closer to that goal than OFFSPRING, but both films are fun to watch and definitely worth owning.  This Arrow set is a fine addition to any horror fan’s collection, and I feel it would make Jack Ketchum proud.  

THE WOMAN & OFFSRING Box Set is available now and contains the following Special Features:

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• 4K restorations of The Woman and Offspring, supervised and approved by Lucky McKee and Andrew van den Houten
• Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork for both films by Vanessa McKee
• Illustrated collector's booklet featuring writing by Michael Blyth, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Kevin Kovelant

DISC ONE - THE WOMAN (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

• 4K restoration supervised and approved by Lucky McKee
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with director Lucky McKee, editor Zach Passero, sound designer Andrew Smetek and composer Sean Spillane
• Audio commentary with star Pollyanna McIntosh
• Audio commentary with critic Scott Weinberg
• Archive commentary with director Lucky McKee
• Dad on the Wall, a 75-minute fly-on-the-wall behind-the-scenes documentary filmed by the director's father Mike McKee
• Being Peggy Cleek, an interview with star Lauren Ashley Carter
• Malam Domesticam, an archive making-of featurette
• Meet the Makers, a short featurette on the making of the film
• Deleted scenes
• ¡Mi Burro!, a short film by editor Zach Passero
• "Distracted" music video by Sean Spillane
• Frightfest Total Film Panel Discussion, a 2011 onstage chat about the future of American indie horror at the popular horror film festival, featuring Lucky McKee, Andrew van den Houten, Larry Fessenden, Adam Green, Joe Lynch and Ti West
• Theatrical trailers
• Image galleries

DISC TWO - OFFSPRING (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

• 4K restoration supervised and approved by Andrew van den Houten
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with director/producer Andrew van den Houten and digital colorist Matt McClain
• Archive commentary with writer Jack Ketchum, director/producer Andrew van den Houten and producer/cinematographer William M. Miller
• Interview with Pollyanna McIntosh and Andrew van den Houten
• Fly on the Wall, a behind-the-scenes documentary
• Extended interview with Jack Ketchum
• Restoration comparison
• Audition comparison
• Progeny: The Birth of Offspring, an archive behind-the-scenes featurette including interviews with cast and crew
• First Stolen's Bailout, an archive behind-the-scenes featurette
• Webisodes, short featurettes used to promote the film online
• Archive Easter Eggs
• Theatrical trailer
• Image gallery

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K Ultra HD limited edition set

Blu-ray Review: THE PROFANE EXHIBIT (2013)

THE PROFANE EXHIBIT

Distributed by:  Unearthed Films/MVD

  If you are a fan of Unearthed Films, you have probably been following the release of THE PROFANE EXHIBIT for years!  This has been a highly anticipated release, but was delayed for years for reasons I am not sure of.   Well, the wait is over as Unearthed Films has finally released the DVD and  Blu-ray of THE PROFANE EXHIBIT!    

  This is an anthology style film with small short films pieced together, with each section being directed by a different director.   This project brought together 10 top directors of underground horror, giving us a very unique film made by some filmmakers with varying styles.  

Here is the very simple plot from the MVD website:

 Ten renowned horror movie directors from all over the world have recreated their most gruesome dreams and frenzied nightmares

THE PROFANE EXHIBIT contains the following segments:

MOTHER MAY I  - Directed by Anthony DiBlasi

HELL CHEF - Directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura

BASEMENT - Directed by Uwe Boll

THE BRIDGE - Directed by Ruggero Deodato 

TOPHET QUOROM - Directed by Sergio Stivaletti

GOODWIFE - Directed by Ryan Nicholson 

MORS IN TABULA - Directed by Marian Dora

SINS OF THE FATHER - Directed by Nacho Vigalondo

MANNA - Directed by Todd Schneider 

AMUSE BOUCHE - Directed by Jeremy Kasten 

 I had been looking forward to this release for years.  It was mentioned regularly in the horror community, and at some point I think we all gave up on seeing it.  Thankfully, Unearthed Films didn't give up and have finally released this for our viewing pleasure!   Like most anthologies, not all of the segments were a hit for me, but I liked most of them for sure.   This release is unique in it showcases the works of two directors that are no longer with us.  Ryan Nicholson passed away back in 2019 and Ruggero Deodato passed away in 2022, with his contribution to this anthology being his last film project.  

  Of all the segments of this anthology, my favorite was Ryan Nicholson's GOODWIFE.  It tells the tale of what seems to be a normal husband, but he has a secret in the form of a naked woman he's holding captive in his basement.   Apparently this normal looking middle class man is a serial killer, and when his wife finds all his "souvenirs" from his past kills,  her reaction is not anything like what you'd expect!   This segment was among the goriest, which is to be expected if you have followed Nicholson's career. 

  One of the other goriest segments was Todd Schneider's MANNA.   This film has no dialog and is just a series of very gory images and scenes, including some cannibalism themes.   The effects in this segment are very well done and very realistic looking.   

  Another of my favorite segments was Yoshihiro Nishimura's HELL CHEF.   I have seen some Japanese films before where the gore/blood is represented by red balls, or streamers or something similar.  This film had that element in it which I have always found unique and interesting. 

  The film segments I mentioned alone are worth getting this film, but there were many other segments that were very good, and only a couple that I didn't care for at all.    Overall this is a great addition to the Unearthed Films library and one you should add to your collection as well! 

THE PROFANE EXHIBIT is available now from Unearthed Films and MVD, and contains the following Special Features:

• Audio Commentary by Director Michael Todd Schneider, Producer Amanda Manuel and Ultra Violent Magazine's Art Ettinger
• World Premiere Interview
• World Premiere Q&A
• 'Ten Years Later' by Marian Dora
• Sergio Stivaletti's Tophet Quorum
• Awakened Manna
• Tiffany Blem Interviews Michael Todd Schneider
• Tiffany Blem Interviews Uwe Boll
• Tiffany Blem Interviews Amanda Manuel
• Tiffany Blem Interviews Jeremy Kasten
• Galleries
• Trailer

CLICK HERE to watch the  trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Book Review: THE ART OF HORROR

THE ART OF HORROR

Edited by:  Stephen Jones

Published by:  Applause Books

 

  

  If you are not familiar with Applause Books, here is a bit about them from their website:

Applause Theatre & Cinema Books

Now in its fourth decade, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books is America's foremost publisher of theatre, cinema, and TV books. Our books range from biographies of film and theatre luminaries to playscripts, librettos, monologue books, and explorations of film, TV, and theatre history. Applause is an imprint of Globe Pequot.

  I am a huge fan of horror art books, they are so much fun to look through and they contain the history of horror films right at your fingertips.   THE ART OF HORROR:  AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY is one of the best horror art books I have come across.  This beautiful coffee table sized book is a must have for all fans of the horror genre. 

 Here is more about this book, again from the Applause Books website:

The Art of Horror – a celebration of frightful images, compiled and presented by some of the genre's most respected names. While acknowledging the beginnings of horror-related art in legends and folk tales, the focus of the book is on how the genre has presented itself to the world since the creations of Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley first became part of the public consciousness in the 19th century. It's all here: from early engravings – via dust jackets, book illustrations, pulp magazines, movie posters, comic books, and paintings – to today's artists working entirely in the digital realm. Editor Stephen Jones and his stellar team of contributors have sourced visuals from archives and private collections (including their own) worldwide, ensuring an unprecedented selection that is accessible to those discovering the genre, while also including many images that will be rare and unfamiliar to even the most committed fan. From the shockingly lurid to the hauntingly beautiful – including images of vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, demons, serial killers, alien invaders, and more – every aspect of the genre is represented in ten themed chapters. Quotes from artists/illustrators, and a selection from writers and filmmakers, are featured throughout.

  I have read a few of these type books in the past, but this is one of the best ones by far!   While a lot of art books just show art and have a caption with a little description about it, this book goes way beyond that with in depth articles about the art, the actors, the films and the characters.  This is much more than just an art book, so by calling it that I feel I am doing it a little disservice.  

  This book doesn't just cover one aspect of horror, it covers it all!   From ancient Egyptian wall drawings found in pyramids representing horrors in real life, to the modern day slasher and monster films.   I like that it also doesn't just cover one type of media.   While there is a ton of horror film art, it also has the art from old comic books and horror magazines.

  THE ART OF HORROR is available now and should be in any horror fan's library!    Here are some pics of what the book looks like on the inside.    Do yourself a favor and grab this book while you can!

CLICK HERE to purchase the book from Amazon