4K Ultra HD Review: TRICK OR TREAT (1986)

TRICK OR TREAT

Directed by:  Charles Martin Smith

Distributed by:  Synapse Films /  MVD Entertainment

  1986's TRICK OR TREAT is another film to add to my list of films I have always heard and known about, and even owned on DVD for years, but had just never got around to checking out for some reason.  I was excited when Synapse Film's new 4K UHD release arrived for review, as it would finally make me sit down and watch it!    I'm very thankful I got the chance to review this one, because it was a lot of fun!  

 1980's horror films have such a unique feel to them.  That is probably my favorite decade of horror films.  I'm happy to report that TRICK OR TREAT fits right in and is now among one of my favorite 80's horror classics!

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

Rock 'n' roll will never die, in this 1980s cult favorite that stars Marc Price (Family Ties) as Eddie Weinbauer, a teenage outcast who idolizes Sammi Curr (Tony Fields), a heavy metal superstar. After Sammi dies a violent death, his spirit returns to help Eddie get even with his high school tormentors. In doing so, Sammi begins to gain control over Eddie's life and brings him deeper into the world of the occult. When Eddie realizes that he has become the tool of Sammi's vengeance, he attempts to stop him, and the horrifying events that follow leave no one unscathed.

Featuring special appearances by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne, Trick or Treat marked the directorial debut of veteran actor Charles Martin Smith (Never Cry Wolf, Starman) and features a legendary soundtrack by Fastway. Red Shirt Home Video and Synapse Films are proud to present this heavy metal horror classic in an all-new 4K restoration presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) with a head-banging 5.1 surround sound mix and loaded with hours of supplemental material including multiple commentary tracks and a feature-length video retrospective! No false metal!

 I always knew that Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne were in this film, but be advised they were both on screen for a matter of seconds.   Looking back at my old DVD makes me laugh as they both got top billing, purely using their names for DVD sales.   Synapse Films' choice in cover art for this  new release is much better and a much more fitting representation of the film. 

 As soon as the movie started and I saw the main character, Eddie, I immediately recognized him.   It was Skippy from Family Ties!    Marc Price did an excellent job in this film and it was fun to see him in something other than that aforementioned sitcom. The story is pretty cool, especially seeing what is basically a demon conjured by playing a heavy metal album backwards.  That is something all our parents warned us about as kids, at least if you are around my age and grew up in the 70's and 80's.   The special effects are fun and actually still hold up pretty well considering the age of the film. 

 The presentation of this film is outstanding.  The 4K restoration creates vivid colors and contrasts and is super clean.   Also of note is the soundtrack, most of which was done by English Heavy Metal Band, FASTWAY.   There is some great music in this film, and I will be putting the soundtrack on my Amazon Music playlist! 

TRICK OR TREAT is available now on 4K UHD from Synapse Films and like most all of Synapse's releases, they have spared no expense when it comes to Special Features!   Special Features include the following:

• Limited edition o-card available on the FIRST PRESSING ONLY!
• 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative mastered in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and approved by Director of Photography Robert Elswit
• Lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio of the original 2.0 theatrical mix and an all-new 5.1 surround sound mix
• Audio commentary with director Charles Martin Smith, moderated by filmmaker Mark Savage
• Audio interviews with writer/producer Michael S. Murphey and writer Rhet Topham, moderated by film historian Michael Felsher
• Audio conversation with Paul Corupe and Allison Lang, authors of Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s
• Rock  & Shock: The Making of “Trick or Treat” - An all-new retrospective featuring director Charles Martin Smith, actors Marc Price, Glen Morgan, Elise Richards, and Larry Sprinkle, writer/producer Joel Soisson, costume designer Jill Ohanneson, assistant set costumer Francine Decoursey, construction foreman Tom Jones, Jr., special make-up effects artist Everett Burrell, music executive producer Stephen E. Smith, composer Christopher Young, and a special appearance by Gene Simmons
• In The Spotlight: A Tribute to Tony Fields featuring interviews with the late actor’s family and friends
• Horror’s Hallowed Grounds: The Filming Locations of “Trick or Treat” with Sean Clark
  
• “After Midnight” music video
  Theatrical Trailers, TV Spots and Radio Spots
• Still Gallery featuring optional audio interview with still photographer Phillip V. Caruso
• Vintage electronic press kit
• Reversible cover artwork
• Region free for worldwide playback

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K UHD edition

DVD Review: TRILOGY OF BLOOD (2010)

TRILOGY OF BLOOD

Directed by:  Rick Kelley and Charlie Ruckus

Production Company:  Ruckus Productions

I just watched the short film (27 minutes), TRILOGY OF BLOOD.  While the film is basically a way to feature the Psychobilly Rock band, The Deadneks, it also stands alone as a great tribute to the horror films of the 60's and 70's, most notably, those of the legendary Godfather of Gore, Herschell Gordon Lewis.  In fact, the title of the film is a takeoff of Lewis' Blood Trilogy (Blood Feast, Two Thousand Maniacs, Color Me Blood Red) and the film itself is like an updated version of a H.G. Lewis film.  I am a huge fan of H.G. Lewis, so for this reason, I was a huge fan of this film as well.  Here is the basic plot from the Ruckus Productions website:

When a trio of sexy city gals picks up a broken-down hillbilly in the backwoods of Virginia – the three kittens get A LOT more than they bargained for when they accept the drifter’s invitation to a down-home barbecue. What these lovely ladies don’t know just may hurt ‘em – when they find that the menu of this hayseed hoe-down isn’t the standard ‘burgers and dogs’…

Shot on-location by Ruckus Productions in the hills of Virginia with an estimated budget of roughly 62 dollars – TRILOGY OF BLOOD is a grindhouse gore-fest combining old-school drive-in horror, with three (count ‘em – THREE!!!) rowdy performances by the grittiest psychobilly act this side of Pleasant Valley!!!

Starring Brenna Roth (B-movie starlet and daughter of legendary rocker David Lee Roth), and psychobilly sickos THE DEADNEKS – TRILOGY OF BLOOD is a carnage-crazed feast for the eyes and ears of hell-raisin’ Psycho Rock-and-Roll and 70’s exploitation-style cinematic madness!!!

If you see only one triple-music-video-slash-southern-fried-horror-film this century – grab your vomit-bags and earplugs, and treat yourself to a…TRILOGY OF BLOOD!!!!!!!!

As I stated before, this film is an obvious tribute to the gore films of H.G. Lewis.  The filmmakers do an excellent job of creating cheap, bloody effects that look like they came right out of one of Lewis' films from the 60's.   There is a lot of blood packed into the film, esp in the last half of the film, so all you gore hounds will not be disappointed. Some great gore scenes involve the cutting off of fingers and a very disgusting eye gouge scene!

The film is shot in a vintage style, which I found really cool. It's slightly out of focus, washed in a slight sepia tone, and has marks and scratches like the old style film projected movies.  I thought this was a cool touch and made the film feel as if it really was from the 60's or 70's.

The film contains some scenes of the band, The Deadneks, in concert.  The band is a real band that you should definitely check out if they ever play anywhere near you.  From the looks of their performance in this film, they look like a wild group that would put on an awesome show!  Check out their site (here) to keep up to date on their latest shows!

Overall, this was a cool, fun, retro, gore fest that I personally had a fun time with.  If you are a fan of H.G. Lewis, you will love this one!  Get the DVD now for only $10!



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

Check out the awesome Audio Recording and Sound Design company, AUDIO ZOMBIE!!

I was recently contacted by a Sound Design Company called AUDIO ZOMBIE.  They thought I might want to share some info on their company with you, and I am glad they did!  This is an awesome company that makes some great Horror music and sound effects.  Here is a statement from their company which tells you a little more about them:

"Our line of royalty free music and sound effects libraries will bring your haunted attraction, horror film or website to the next level. All of our sound libraries are created using a mixture of the latest in state of the art digital technology and high-end analog recording equipment."

Did you catch that?  Royalty free music!  That is music to an independent filmmaker's ears!! 

Here are the companies newest CD's and some a brief description for each one taken from their official website:

THE ZOMBIE'S PLAYGROUND

Welcome to the Zombie's Playground. A journey to the dark side of sound. Over 50 minutes of chilling atmospheres and creepy soundscapes recorded in high definition. This Royalty free library of atmospheres are suited for use in film, haunted attractions, website design and anywhere else that dark soundscapes are needed.

HAUNTED ATTRACTION THEMES...VOLUME 1

Immerse you customers in the twisted sounds that will bring your theme rooms to the next level. This disc is comprised of our most requested theme room music. Everything from twisted clown music to classic haunted house orchestration. Over one hour in length, this library contains music and atmospheres for a variety of attractions.

ORCHESTRA OF THE DEADFrom haunting melodies to rhythmic stabs, Orchestra of the dead is sure to please. This cd contains over an hour of eerie music of the night. Many uses include haunted attractions and hayrides , horror film trailers and Halloween stores. Also great for the home haunter.

 I have had a chance to listen to a couple of these CD's, and I have to say, these are some of the best instrumental Horror music I have heard.  You get a nice mix of songs, some which are very moody and creepy and would set a great tone in a haunted house or as background music in a horror film.  For those independent filmmakers out there, this music would instantly improve the sound of your film and would give your film an immediate touch of professionalism. Music can do a lot to effect the tone of a film, and having great music like this in your film would make the audience take note and give them a more enjoyable viewing experience.
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Visit Audio Zombie at  www.audiozombiesound.com to purchase the above CD's or call them at (856)-396-7672 to inquire about custom sound design ideas.