Blu-ray Review: PICTURE OF A NYMPH (1987)

 

PICTURE OF A NYMPH

Directed by:  Wu Ma

Distributed by:  88 FILMS / MVD Entertainment

"CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON meets THE EVIL DEAD" 

  I love when I come across a film for review that I know nothing about.    PICTURE OF A NYMPH is one of those films.   I had not even heard of this film before it arrived in my mailbox for review.  The film was released in 1987 and I am amazed that it is not more well known.   Maybe it is, and I just somehow missed it, but I never see it talked about in any of my film groups on facebook or other social media platforms.    Hopefully this changes with the amazing new release of the film from the fine folks at 88 FILMS.  

 Before we go any further, her is a brief plot synopsis from the 88 FILMS website:

  A hauntingly beautiful tale of love, art, and the supernatural, Picture of a Nymph (1988) stars Yuen Biao in one of his most tender and visually stunning roles. Set in ancient China, the story follows a gentle scholar whose chance encounter with a mysterious young woman leads to a love that transcends the boundaries of life and death. But when he unwittingly releases a vengeful demon from centuries of imprisonment, the spirit of his beloved becomes the demon’s only hope for regaining power.
To protect her, the scholar paints her likeness, allowing her to hide within the portrait — but his devotion soon draws the wrath of dark forces. Blending romance, fantasy, and dazzling martial arts spectacle, Picture of a Nymph is a visually rich masterpiece of Hong Kong cinema that captures the eternal struggle between passion, sacrifice, and destiny.

  This is a very strange movie, but in a good way.  It's not a horror movie per se, but it definitely has some horror elements to it.   It's actually very hard to describe this film, as there are element of so many different genres.  In fact, I think that's one of the reasons I liked this film so much.  Part Drama, part Fantasy, part Supernatural Horror, with tons of martial arts mixed in....there is definitely something  for everyone here!    

 The film starts out like a pure horror film, with a party walking through the forest getting attacked by an invisible entity.   The first thing I noticed was the homage to 1981's, THE EVIL DEAD.   You get a first person view from this ghost as it moves along the trail towards the group of people.   At least I assume this was an homage....if the filmmakers used that filming style without seeing or knowing about THE EVIL DEAD,  it would be one heck of a coincidence!   

  The rest of the film is more of a martial arts drama film, with lots of supernatural elements mixed in.   Our main character is in love with a ghost, and other ghosts and demons are trying to keep them apart. 

This creates many instances of fighting in some very fun and unique styles.   One scene that was particularly interesting to me was a fight scene involving a man in a sedan chair.  Ghosts appear that are all inside Sedan Chairs as well, and we get a typical fight scene except everyone remains in their Sedan Chairs and the chairs fight each other!   That might be hard to imagine, it's a scene that must be seen to be understood.  It sounds silly, but they make it work! 

  Another scene that was so much fun was a fight with a demon that looked like an old man.  His long gray hair grew extremely long on demand and he used his hair to fight!   This was a very fun scene for sure!

 One thing I have to note is the beauty of this film. the sets, scenes, and cinematography are all amazing.   The release itself is beautiful as well.  The colors in this film really pop on this new release, and the picture quality and clarity is amazing.  You would never know you were watching a film that is over 30 years old just by looking at it.  The new transfer is truly amazing!

 This was such a fun film and one I cannot recommend enough!  If you are a fan of  the Shaw Brothers films, this one will be right up your alley!

  PICTURE OF A NYMPH is available now on an amazing Deluxe Limited Edition Blu-ray set that features the following Special Features:

*  Limited Edition Rigid Slip Case wtih new artwork by Sean Longmore

*  Limited Edition 40 Page Perfect Bound Book

*  Limited Edition Premium Artcard

*  Brand New 2K Restoration from the Original Negative

*  Remastered Original Cantonese Monoaural Soundtrack

*  Newly Translated English Subtitles

*  Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)

*  Audio Commentary by David West

*  Image Gallery

*  Original Trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the Limited Edition Blu-ray direct from 88 FILMS

CLICK HERE to purchase the Limited Edition Blu-ray from MVD Shop

Blu-ray Review: HELTER SKELTER (2012)

HELTER SKELTER

Directed by:  Mika Ninagawa

Distributed by:  88 Films / MVD Entertainment

"Why do the Gods give us youth and beauty....then take them away?"

"Youth is beautiful, but beauty isn't youth"

  I love when I get a film in for review that I have never heard of before.  HELTER SKELTER is one of those for sure.   The only HELTER SKELTER film I knew about was the 1976 TV mini-series about Charles Manson and some of the newer films of the same name about the Manson Murders.   This HELTER SKELTER has nothing to do with that at all.   HELTER SKELTER in this case is just a term for total chaos, which is what our main character, Lilico, goes through throughout the film. 

  IMDb.com classifies this film as Body Horror and Psychological Drama.  I wouldn't really call this a horror film by any means, but it does have one bloody scene.  This is definitely more of a very dark drama film.   I just want to make sure to point that out so you don't go into this thinking you are going too see anything scary or frightening.   

  This might be a hard film to review, just because it is so hard to describe.  So much is going on in this film and it's hard to categorize.  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of the 88 Films website:

 Top model and fashion idol Lilico (Erika Sawajiri) is used to being the centre of attention – the living epicentre of her own universe and of a multimedia-saturated hyperreality in which everything is airbrushed and colour-adjusted to perfection. When she begins to suffer traumatic side effects from her repeated illegal cosmetic surgery sessions, she finds fame comes at a cost, as she is plunged into a nightmarish world where her sense of self-image and identity begins to fracture. 

 One thing I loved about this film was the cinematography.   The way this movie is filmed  is so interesting, and kudos to whoever edited this film.  So many quick cuts and scene changes had to be a pain to edit.   The most striking thing about this film were the sets and the use of color.    The color in this film is amazing and total eye candy for sure.  

 The film follows Lilico, starting at the height of her popularity.  She is on the cover of every fashion magazine and just a huge star.  She starts to see her popularity fade and a new young model starting to take her place.   To combat this, Lilico goes to a cosmetic surgery center and undergoes multiple surgeries and uses multiple pills and supplements to keep her looking young.    Over time, all these procedures start causing some side effects, starting with dark spots on her body.   Unfortunately she his becoming darker inside as well as she starts becoming a horrible person, and treating people worse and worse, taking advantage of her notoriety and fame. 

 I can't help but think the creators of the film THE SUBSTANCE must have got a lot of inspiration from this film.    THE SUBSTANCE took the same plot and ideas, but multiplied them drastically.    While the character in THE SUBSTANCE turned into a literal monster, Lilico turned into a monster of a person.   

 This is a strange film for sure, but one I thoroughly enjoyed.   I highly recommend it!

 HELTER SKELTER is available now and contains the following Special Features:

*  Numbered OBI Strip [4000]

*  Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Luke Insect

*  Booklet Essay by Violet Burns

*  High-Definition Blu-ray Presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio

*  Original Japanese 5.1 / Stereo Audio with New English Subtitles

*  Interviews with Erika Sawaji and Director Mika Ninagawa

*  Behind the Scenes Footage of the Making of Helter Skelter

*  Production Site Press Conference

*  Japanese Premiere Stage Greeting

*  Opening Day Stage Greeting

*  Taipei Film Festival Introduction by Mika Ninagawa

*  Stills Gallery

*  Teasers and Trailers 

*  Region A/B Coding

This was released as a limited edition Blu-ray with a run of only 4000 units, so get your copy before it's gone!

CLICK HERE to purchase the Limited Edition Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: THE UGLY (1997)

THE UGLY

Written & Directed by:  Scott Reynolds

Distributed by:  Unearthed Films / MVD Entertainment

  THE UGLY is one of those films that I had always known about, but have never seen.  I feel like it's not talked about much, which is why I probably never made a point to see it.   After watching this film, I am shocked it is not talked about more often. 

Here is the basic plot synopsis from the Unearthed Films website:

 Confined to a mental institution, disturbed young serial killer Simon (The Rule of Jenny Pen's Paolo Rotondo) is tormented by cruel orderlies and his own personal demons including “The Ugly” which compels him to kill. Now at his request, Dr. Karen Schumaker (The Brokenwood Mysteries’ Rebecca Hobbs) arrives to discover whether Simon is fit to be released back into society. As the terrifying secrets within Simon’s mind are revealed, no one will be left unscathed by the horrors about to be unleashed.

  If you are a fan of serial killer films, this one is a must see.  This is New Zealand's answer to THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and while not on the same level of that film in terms of budget and production values, it's extremely well made and very entertaining.   The acting in this film is very good, especially from the two main stars, Paolo Rotondo who plays the killer (Simon) and from Rebecca Hobbs who plays the Doctor sent to judge whether or not Simon is fit to be released from prison.   They have a great onscreen chemistry.   

 The movie is pretty simple in terms of production and set.   The film pretty much just takes place at the prison Simon is being held at.   Most of the film is the Doctor and Simon talking in an interrogation room.   The doctor is trying to get inside the mind of Simon to figure out why he killed and to figure out if she thinks he will continue to kill if released.    The doctor asks about all his past kills, in which Simon gives us the details.  We are shown flashbacks to each of his kills, so we see the scene he is describing.   Some of these are pretty brutal, and there is a bit of gore.  

 What sets this film apart from all the other Serial Killer films out there, is the addition of this supernatural element.   "The Ugly" is what Simon calls the vision he sees in his head telling him to kill.   It basically a group of what look to be dead people in a living state that torment him until he kills.   Killing is the only way to make "The Ugly" go away,  yet they always come back eventually and he has to kill again to get them to go away.  

 The film does a good job of showing how "The Ugly" started, with a traumatic experience Simon suffered as a child.   I found this very interesting and was glad to find out how "The Ugly" got it's name!

  

  One thing to note about this film was that in all the gore scenes, the blood was black.  It wasn't in black and white as the scene is in full color, but instead of being a crimson red like expected, it's always a dark black color.   I searched around online for an explanation.  Some say that it's black because Simon doesn't view his victims as human.  He sees them more as a machine or entity, and the black is like the oil that makes the machine run.   Another explanation I saw was that it enhanced the film's dream-like, unsettling aesthetic instead of just conventional gore.   Either way it was an interesting choice by the filmmakers.  

  If you haven't seen THE UGLY, I highly recommend it.  If you have the old DVD  (which if memory serves me was an old Blockbuster exclusive),  you'll definitely want to upgrade to this new Blu-ray.  

 THE UGLY is available now from Unearthed Films and contains the following Special Features:

• NEW 4K restoration of the film from the original 35mm interpositive
• NEW Original Theatrical 2.0 Stereo and 4.0 DTS-HD MA Surround
• NEW Commentary with actors Paolo Rotondo and Rebecca Hobbs, moderated by Nathaniel Thompson
• NEW Scott Reynolds short films 'A Game with No Rules' & 'The M1nute'
• NEW 1997 Radio New Zealand Interview with Scott Reynolds
• NEW Isolated Score
• NEW Photo Gallery
• NEW Original Theatrical Trailer
• NEW The Ugly Visual Essay
• NEW Collectable Booklet
• Reversible Cover

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from Unearthed Films

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from MVD Entertainment

 

Blu-ray Review: THE PARANORMAL (1998)

THE PARANORMAL

Directed by:  Todd Norris

Distributed by:  Visual Vengeance / MVD Entertainment

 Today's review is for another film in the Visual Vengeance line, which is a division of Wild Eye Releasing.   It looks like most of the Visual Vengeance releases are low budget independent films which can be hit or miss for sure.   I'm glad to say that this one was actually quite fun.  Here is the basic plot synopsis from the MVD Entertainment website:

  Something is haunting the Englewood movie theater - an unseen force that comes alive after dark. Paranormal investigator Kyle Jennings is called in, but the moment he steps inside, the nightmare begins. The theater seals itself shut, the screen tears open like a doorway, and the low budget zombie movie playing suddenly becomes real. With the undead spilling into the aisles, Kyle must uncover the source of the disturbance before the entire theater becomes a feeding ground, and the only clues may be trapped inside the film itself.

  Now let me first start by mentioning that this is a low budget film.  Like, a really low budget, and it shows.   It looks like it was shot on an old video camera from the 80's, although the pic is clear thanks to the new blu-ray transfer.   I was surprised to see this film is from 1998, as it felt much older than that.  It had a very early 80's look and feel to it.   Maybe that is what the filmmakers were going for at the time, or maybe 1998 is just a lot longer ago than I realize!   The acting is also subpar for sure, with Director Todd Norris taking the lead role. 

  That all being said, the movie had a great story and was still fun enough to make me overlook all the aforementioned shortcomings.   What I thought was going to be a simple zombie film turned out to be a much more complex film that actually made you think!

  While watching a certain zombie film, the main characters are trapped inside the theater and realizes that the film has opened a doorway to where the zombies can come through the screen and into the real world.  In order to stop this, Kyle realizes that if the zombies can come out of the film into the real world, then the door should work both ways so that he can go in the door and into the movie!   He does this in order to stop the zombie hordes, but realizes that anything he changes in the movie changes the outcome of the real world.  It reminded me of the butterfly effect kind of thing, where those that go back in time change the present and future if they change anything.   This was a very smart aspect of the plot and was very interesting to see how his actions changed things back at the theater.   

 Again, don't expect a blockbuster here, but THE PARANORMAL was a fun film that I was glad to have seen.   

  Once again Visual Vengeance has spared no expense with this release, giving it probably far more than it deserves, if we're being quite honest!   It's packaged in a very nice slipcase and contains the following Special Features:

*  New Director-supervised transfer from original tape elements

*  Commentary with Director Todd Norris

*  Commentary with Director Todd Norris and Composer Paul Roberts

*  New Cast and Crew Interviews

*  The Two Todds:  Todd Norris and Todd Sheets Interview

*  The Paranormal Channel 5 TV Airing Bumpers

*  Blooper Reel

*  Deleted Scenes

*  Original Script Exerpts

*  Storyboard Gallery

*  Short Film:  The Closet

*  Short Film: L...

*  Short Film:  Night of the Growling

*  Short Film:  Parallax

*  Visual Vengeance Trailer

*  Trailers

*  Optional English Subtitles

*  Folded Mini-Poster with Art by Giorgio Credaro

*  Reversible Sleeve Featuring  Original VHS Art

*  'Stick Your Own' VHS Sticker Set

*  Limited Edition O-Card Featuring Art by Uncle Frank - FIRST PRESSING ONLY

*  Limited Edition 'Ghost Finder" Viewer - FIRST PRESSING ONLY

*  Limited Edition Promo Flyer for "Z is for Zombie" Movie

*  Original Sleeve Art by The Dude

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: DREAM EATER (2025)

DREAM EATER

Written & Directed by:  Jay Drakulic, Mallory Drumm, & Alex Lee Williams

Distributed by:  Alliance Entertainment / The Horror Section

 In 2025, Eli Roth created a new company to help get their horror films distribution.  That company is called THE HORROR SECTION, and one of the first releases is the film DREAM EATER.   I knew nothing about this film going into it, but with "Eli Roth Presents" above the title, I knew I wanted to check it out.   I'll be honest, I didn't really have super high expectations for it, as found footage films have been done to death lately it seems.  I am happy to say that this film blew away my expectations and was a fresh and actually very scary and disturbing entry into what had become a very saturated sub-genre in recent years, in my opinion. 

Here is the basic plot synopsis from The Horror Section's website:

  A filmmaker documents her boyfriend's violent parasomnia during their holiday at a remote cabin in the woods, and as his sleepwalking gets worse, she believes the cause might be something far more sinister. 

  It's a simple plot, but it is not a simple film by any means.   I can honestly say this is one of the best found footage films I have ever seen.   While a lot of found footage films start off super slow and only have a pay off at the very end  (I'm looking at you BLAIR WITCH PROJECT), this film had me hooked from the very beginning.   The main character's sleep walking starts from the very beginning and just gets progressively worse with each episode.   It was scary to think what he was going to do the next night, since you knew it was going to be even worse.  It really made you feel for his girlfriend, knowing that every night she was going to have to deal with a progressively worse bout of his sleep walking.   

  The film does have a crazy climax at the end, but the whole film was a crazy ride.    Just the anticipation of what was coming each night was very uncomfortable.   The acting in this film was great, and you really had a connection to these characters, so that made you feel even worse with what was going on.  

  Out of the many scary and uncomfortable scenes, one I found particularly disturbing was actually very tame on the surface.   While Mallory (the girlfriend) goes out looking for Alex  (the sleepwalker), she goes into the shed behind the cabin and finds a stack of drawings that Alex has done, all showing a dark, shrouded character.   What's interesting is that as she thumbs through the stack of sketches, each one gets more disturbing than the last.  The character becomes bigger and the picture as a whole becomes darker with each one she skims through.  I loved the correlations of these sketches and his episodes, showing how each one gets progressively worse. 

  

  One thing I really noticed that I don't in a lot of films, was the music.  The score for this film was very unnerving.  A simple tune whistled with a very eerie sound.   Check out the trailer and you'll know what I am talking about as soon as you hear it. 

 As impressive enough as this film is, even more impressive is the fact that the 3 writers and directors are also the main actors in the film.  It was done a very moderate budget, but the film doesn't look or feel that way.   They made the most of what they had and it paid off  for sure!   

 Watch DREAM EATER with the lights down, and the volume up and buckle in for a wild and scary ride!  

  DREAM EATER is available now on Collector's Edition Blu-ray and contains the following Special Features:

*  Director's Commentary

*  Behind the Scenes Featurette with Eli Roth

*  Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery

*  Trailers

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: BUSTED BABIES (2024)

BUSTED BABIES

Written & Directed by: Kasper Meltedhair

Distributed by:  Blood sick Productions / MVD Entertainment

 It's not often I get a movie and have no clue what to say in a review.  Although, most movies are coherent and have a plot that I can at least follow.   I predict this will be my shortest review in all of the 4H Blog history!  

 Here is the "plot" from the Blood Sick Productions website:

A secret of turning flesh into glass breaks down _____'s reality when she trips in the BBQ Salon, busting rusting immortal goop onto the faces of herself, Movie Star, and Character Name. Blasts party murder of self inflicting wads of death are in the agenda after a green amulet confusion, forever, until the wood chipper reveals the dirty trick. But who are these men with Gartan Galtar and why do they dance so preciously?

  Did that plot synopsis make sense to you?  Was that English?  Well, that plot synopsis fits this movie perfectly.  I didn't understand the synopsis at all and I didn't understand the movie at all.   I usually don't like to completely trash a film, as I can usually find something good about it to focus on.   That is not the case with this one.   I have nothing positive to say about it. 

 

  I was confused from the very start and was even more confused when it ended, although I did have a feeling of relief that it was over.  The movie is just random images and random dialog, none of which makes any sense.  For example, one scene is just minutes of a group of random men opening trash bags.   Sound interesting?  Another scene shows a woman that poops out fluorescent green goo and trades it to a homeless person for some magic chewing gum that will help her end her own life!  None of this makes sense!

  

  What doesn't make the most sense of all is how this "movie" ever got a distribution deal!  

 If you want to see for yourself what this is all about, the blu-ray is available now from Blood Sick Productions and MVD Entertainment and contains the following Special Features:

-Rorph Cranker- stop motion short film by Kasper Meltedhair
-Outakes
-Behind the Scenes
-Trailers
-The Donald Farmer Viewing Experience
-Liner Notes by Caroline Kopko

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-Ray

Blu-Ray Review: HIGHWAY TO HELL (1990)

HIGHWAY TO HELL

Directed by:  Bret McCormick

Distributed by:  Visual Vengeance / Wild Eye Releasing / MVD Distribution

  The only HIGHWAY TO HELL film I had ever heard of was the 1991 horror/dark comedy film from director Ate De Jong.    Look up the film and I'm sure you'll recognize the iconic cover art that was in every Blockbuster and Mom and Pop video store back in the 1990's.   

  When this HIGHWAY TO HELL arrived for my review, I assumed it was that movie with different cover art.   That is not the case.  This is actually a completely different film that came out one year before in 1990.  This is more of an exploitation road adventure movie, and as bad as it was, it was still quite a fun watch!   Here is the basic plot synopsis from the MVD website:

Convicted mass-murderer Toby Gilmore has escaped from prison, and the open desert becomes his playground for sadism and destruction. Determined to stop him after failing to execute him years earlier, officer Earl Dent (Richard Harrison) sets out on a relentless pursuit that turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. But Gilmore has taken a hostage--Fran Tucker, a young woman caught in the wrong place at the worst possible time. As the chase hurtles across backroads and wastelands, Dent closes in, each mile bringing he and Gilmore closer to an explosive reckoning on the highway to hell.

Shot in rural Texas, Highway to Hell stands as a prime example of the regional, low-budget filmmaking that fueled America's video boom of the 1980s and '90s. Originally released on VHS via Rae Don Home Video, the film showcases director Bret McCormick (The Abomination, Repligator), a key figure in the Texas exploitation underground, whose raw energy and ingenuity turn poverty row resources into a fast-paced, sun-baked thriller that captures the true spirit and grit of independent genre cinema.

 This is a very low budget film and it shows.  The acting is not great, the effects are pretty bad, but like I mentioned before, this was still a lot of fun to watch.   It might be a case of laughing AT the film versus laughing WITH the film, though, as I assume this was supposed to be a serious film at the time.   The film follows our killer, Toby Gilmore, as he carjacks his way across country with the law on his tail.  No one is safe from Gilmore, not women or even children!  Gilmore will do anything he has to survive and not go back to prison. 

 Some laughable moments include our killer shooting a truck with one shot from a pistol and it exploding into a huge fireball.   Another is Gilmore shooting a helicopter out of the sky with his pistol, also with a huge explosion!   That pistol he carries must pack quite a punch!

 While the film might not be exceptional by any means, this physical release of the film is for sure.  Visual Vengeance spared no expense on giving this film quite the stellar release.   The film has reversible cover art and an awesome slip case.  There are tons of Special Features including the following:

* Region Free Blu-ray

* SD master from original tape elements

* Commentary with director Bret McCormick

* Director Bret McCormick interview

* Red Hot Asphalt:  actor Richard Harrison interview

* Road Trip: actress Blue Thompson interview

* Writing A Road Map to Hell:  screenwriter Gary Kennamer interview

* Actor Tom Fegan interview

* Image Gallery

* Bonus Movie: REDNECK COUNTY FEVER (1992), directed by Gary Kennamer

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Commentary track with Bret McCormick and Gary Kennamer

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Bret McCormick interview

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Gary Kennamer interview

* Visual Vengeance trailers

* "Stick Your Own" VHS Sticker set

* Reversible sleeve featuring original VHS art

* Folded REDNECK COUNTY FEVER mini-poster

* Optional English Subtitles

* Limited Edition O-Card featuring original poster art (First Pressing Only)

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

4K Ultra HD Review: THE UGLY STEPSISTER (2025)

THE UGLY STEPSISTER

Directed by:  Emilie Blichfeldt

Distributed by:  Second Sight Films

 THE UGLY STEPSISTER is a film I had been curious about for a while, and finally got the chance to check out thanks to Second Sight Films and their new 4K Ultra HD release of the film.   

 Set in the 19th Century, THE UGLY STEPSISTER is a reimaging of the Cinderella story, but with a very dark and brutal twist.  

Here is the basic plot from the Second Sight Film's website:

An impressionable and idealistic young woman dreams of marrying the kingdom’s prince but her beautiful stepsister becomes her greatest rival. Increasingly desperate she resorts to extreme measures in a quest for the physical perfection she believes will win the prince’s heart.

 This is a extremely well made film, from the acting to the wonderful practical effects.   The film focuses on ugly duckling sister, Elvira, and her desire (or more so her Mother's desire) to become beautiful so the Prince will choose her for his wife.    While Elvira's stepsister Agnes is the clear front-runner for the Prince's hand in marriage, a sexual encounter with the stable boy pretty much gets Agnes ostracized from the family.   This opens the way for Elvira to woo the Prince, but she must make some drastic changes first!  

 The changes Elvira does to herself and has done to her, are extremely hard to watch and very cringe inducing.  I looked away from the screen many times, something I rarely do with a horror film.   She uses the only techniques they had at the time, including voluntarily eating a tapeworm to help control her weight.   I looked online to see if this was a technique that was actually used back then, and apparently it was.  It is extremely unsafe, though, which you will see why in this film.  There is a good reason we don't use that form of weight loss these days!    Other modifications Elvira has done to her are a nose job, and the addition of fake lashes.   Adding fake eyelashes might sound like no big deal, but a close up of the eyelashes being sewn onto her eyelid caused my whole body to clinch up!  

 All these things pale in comparison, though, to the main modification Elvira does to herself, all in order to fit into the slipper that was lost at the ball.   You can use your imagination to figure out what she does, or if you can stomach it, just watch this film!  

  THE UGLY STEPSISTER is like a 19th Century version of HOSTEL, except all the body torture is completely voluntary.   This is body horror at it's finest, with graphic scenes disguised by the beautiful cinematography and costumes of what otherwise would look like a beautiful art film.  Kudos to Director Emilie Blichfeldt on an amazing first feature film, I look forward to her future projects. 

  THE UGLY STEPSISTER is available now on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and a 4K Ultra HD limited edition, and contains the following Special Features:

• Presented in HDR with Dolby Vision

• New audio commentary with Director Emilie Blichfeldt and Filmmaker Patrik Syversen

• New audio commentary by Meagan Navarro

• This Is My Ball: a new interview with Emilie Blichfeldt

• Generational Trauma: a new interview with Actor Lea Myren

• Take Up Space: a new interview with Actor Thea Sofie Loch Næss

• Character and Gore: a new interview with Effects Artist Thomas Foldberg

• The Beauty of Ugly: The Effects of The Ugly Stepsister

• A Cinderella Story: Kat Hughes on The Ugly Stepsister

• Deleted Scene

• Short Films: How Do You Like My Hair? and Sara’s Intimate Confessions

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K Ultra HD

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition

Blu-ray Review: GARDEN OF LOVE (2003)

GARDEN OF LOVE

Directed by:  Olaf Ittenbach

Distributed by:  Unearthed Films / MVD Entertainment

 If you are a fan of Director Olaf Ittenbach, then you probably already know about this film.  I have known about Ittenbach for a while now, but I can honestly say I have never seen any of his films.  I heard all the hype around his film DARD DIVORCE, and even tracked down a copy on DVD, but have yet to watch it.  Apparently his films are supposed to be pretty extreme and graphic.  Well, if all his films are like GARDEN OF LOVE, then I can definitely confirm that that is the case.  

Here is the plot synopsis from the Unearthed Films website:

The story of a young woman tormented by bloody visions of a past she can't really remember. All she knows is that all of her family was slaughtered when she was very young. Now, the spirits of the dead lusts for vengeance and they want Rebecca to guide those responsible to them. Rebecca reluctantly agrees and bloodspurting chaos ensues.

  This film was previously released on DVD under the alternative title, THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE. So if you have seen that, just know this is the same film.  But...you'll probably want to do yourself a favor and upgrade to this new Blu-ray, as the picture and colors look amazing!

  If you are a gorehound, you are going to LOVE this one.   Did you like the opening scene of TERRIFIER 3?  Well, if so, you are going to love the opening of this film. In fact, this reminded me so much of TERRIFIER 3, that I have no doubts the makers of that film were a fan of Ittenbach and this film in particular. The similarities are uncanny.   

  The gore is definitely the main star here, but unlike other films that are just made to showcase the gore and effects, this one actually has a really cool story with a nice twist ending.    This film definitely  has more substance than most gore films I am used to watching.  That being said, I have to keep focus on the gore here, as there is so much of it, and it is all so well done.   Throat slashings, beheadings, appendages being ripped of, face splittings, and disembowelments are just a few of the things you will witness in this film.  The fact that it is all done with practical effects makes it that much better. 

 If you have not seen this film, I highly recommend it.  This is one I am glad to add to my collection and will be re-visiting very soon.   This film also makes be want to check out some of Ittenbach's other films!   

 GARDEN OF LOVE is available now on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films, and contains the following Special Features:

*  Making of Garden of Love

*  A Look Behind Garden of Love

*  New Outtakes

*  New Photo Gallery

*  Trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from Unearthed Films

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from MVD Entertainment

Blu-ray Review: FRIGHTMARE (1983)

FRIGHTMARE

Directed by:  Norman Thaddeus Vane

Distributed by:  Troma Films / MVD Entertainment 

  I am always excited when I get a film to review that I have not seen before.   The new release of FRIGHTMARE from 1983 is one of those films.  In fact, I actually own the old Troma DVD of the film, but it's one that has set on my shelf for years and has yet to be watched.  Today I sat down to watch the newly released Blu-ray, and I am now mad at myself for not watching this sooner!   Before I go any further, here is the basic plot synopsis from the Troma Films website:

Following the death of legendary horror actor Conrad Radzoff (Ferdy Mayne, The Howling II, Conan the Destroyer) , a group of overzealous drama students steal his corpse from his crypt and take it to the decrepit haunted house where his finest fright films were made. As the night goes on, the students lean the true meaning of terror, as Conrad’s vengeful spirit takes them out one by one. Featuring incredible special effects by Chuck E. Stewart (Critters, The X Files Bruce Almighty) and early performances by Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator), Nina Talbot (Night Shift, Puppet Master II), Scott Thomson (Police Academy I-IV) and Donna McDaniel (Hollywood Hot Tub), Frightmare is a bloody terror trip from the Tromatic 1980s.

  The movie is from 1983 and stars a pre RE-ANIMATOR Jeffrey Combs.   It was fun seeing him in something that was not any of the RE-ANIMATOR films, as those are the films he is most known for, of course.   Ferdy Mayne plays the star of the film, Conrad Radzoff.   Radzoff is a cult horror actor / icon, kind of like a Bela Lugosi or Boris Karloff type.   He has tons of fans and is one of the biggest stars there is.  It's no wonder that with his untimely passing, that fans of his don't want to let him go.   In fact, this certain group of teenagers want to party with him!   So, they break into his mausoleum to steal his body.  Sounds pretty normal right?    They successfully exhume his body and take him to a deserted house throw a wild party.  All goes good at first, until people start dying! 

 It seems that Conrad Radzoff is not one to stay dead!  He awakens and starts killing off the teens one by one.  I don't think they really explained how he came back to life, or if they did I missed it.  Regardless, once Radzoff wakes up and goes on his killing spree, we get treated to a very fun movie!  Practical effects are a plenty here, with one of the greatest beheadings I have seen on film.    The head rolling down the stairs with a loud "splat" sound on each step became almost laughable as it lasted so long. Kudos to the sound designer for that one!  

 While not a masterpiece by any means, FRIGHTMARE is a fun and entertaining film.  If you love 80's films, this is one you'll want to check out.  It definitely has that 80's vibe to it.    

 FRIGHTMARE is available now from Troma Films and contains the following Special Features:

• * Original DVD Intro Featuring Lloyd Kaufman and Debbie Rechon
• * Archival audio interview with Director Norman Thaddeus Vane
• * Historical Commentary with David Del Valle and David DeCoteau
• * The Hysteria Continues (audio commentary from 'The Hysteria Continues' Podcast)
• * Original Theatrical Trailer
• * Artwork Gallery
• * Man With A Camera: Video Interview With DP Joel King
• * A Gory Lesson From The Set Of Meat For Satan’s Ice Box
• * INNARDS! Music Video
• * Radiation March

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray