DVD Review: SLICE (2012)

SLICE
Directed by Terence Muncy
Distributed by  The Sleaze Box

 The folks at The Sleaze Box bring you another low budget, gritty horror film with SLICE.  The plot is fairly simple....some girls all get together for a costume party and are basically killed off one by one by a deranged lunatic.
 
  That might sound simple enough, but there is a nice plot twist in the film that I didn't see coming.  Also, the ending is not what I expected at all, but I can't say too much about it or I will ruin the shock!  

 Like all of the films in the Sleaze Box library, this film is extremely bloody and full of great gore.  As always with these films, all of the gore is done with practical effects.   This is a huge reason I am a fan of these movies.  Practical effects are far superior to CG effects in every way.  

  The killer in this film is super creepy and quite terrifying, especially when he is wearing his creepy skull/skin mask.  The film is paced well and clocks in right at 1 hour, so there is not a lot of wasted time on this film.  We get to the kills pretty quickly and it never lets up!   You can tell this film was made by some people who love the horror genre!  

  SLICE is available now on DVD from www.thesleazebox.com and contains the following special features:

*  Bonus Short Film:  "BED BUG"
*  Behind The Scenes Footage
*  Sleaze Box Trailers


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

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, February 27th

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's that come out tomorrow, 2/27

*  78/52:  HITCHCOCK'S SHOWER SCENE  [BD]
*  BASKET CASE  [Arrow BD]
*  COLOSSUS:  THE FORBIN PROJECT  [BD]
*  PREY  [BD/DVD combo pack]
*  THE SECT  [BD]
*  SERPENT'S LAIR  [BD & DVD]


I have never heard of 78/52, but that looks like it could be a very interesting doc on the making of the famous PSYCHO shower scene!  I will be checking that out for sure!

Blu-ray Review: THE SLAYER (1982)

THE SLAYER
Written & Directed by  J.S. Cardone
Distributed by Arrow Video / MVD Entertainment Group

 Arrow Video continues to put out some of the best horror releases available.  THE SLAYER is a great film that I had honestly never heard of before.  I love that Arrow is introducing us to some classic, yet lesser known, horror films.  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of the MVD website:

  IS IT A NIGHTMARE? OR IS IT... THE SLAYER? One of the most sought-after titles for slasher fans everywhere, The Slayer finally rises from the ashes of obscurity in a brand new 4K transfer courtesy of Arrow Video. Two young couples set off to a secluded island for what promises to be a restful retreat. But the peace is short-lived: as a storm batters the island, troubled artist Kay begins to sense that a malevolent presence is here with them, stalking them at every turn. Is she losing her mind, or are her childhood nightmares of a demonic assailant coming to terrifying life? Previously only available on home video in truncated or full screen versions, The Slayer - whose nightmares-seeping-into-reality theme predates a certain Wes Craven classic by several years - comes lovingly restored from the original negative in a stunning transfer that will be a revelation to fans both old and new.

 I love horror films from the 1980's.  In fact, I think that is the greatest decade for horror films.   Arrow Video has been putting out so many great horror films lately, and the majority have been these great 80's classics, some more obscure than others. 

  This film is one any 80's horror film fan will want to check out.  Now I will admit it is a little slow at the start, but the 2nd half of the film picks up and makes up for the sluggish first half.    The film is set on a remote island which immediately sets up the eerie tone, knowing how secluded the characters are from other people and any possibility of getting help.  Add in the storm that is headed their way and that completes the very creepy tone of the film, and gives us some of the films more atmospheric and dark visuals.

 As with any horror film from the 80's, we get some great jump scares, some great kill scenes and some great gore, all done with practical effects, of course.  Beheadings, pitch-forkings, hangings, etc are all on display in this film.  At times the film almost feels like an arthouse style horror film, something reminiscent of a Jean Rollin or Jess Franco film mixed with a typical 80's slasher.  This is a film very worthy of a watch!  Also, I have to mention the monster/creature that we finally get to see at the end.  It is one of the most terrifying and frightening creatures I have ever seen in a film, yet we only get to see it for a few seconds.  I really wish we would have seen more of this creature throughout the film!

  THE SLAYER is available now from MVD and Arrow Video and contains the following special features:

*  Brand new restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
*  Original Uncompressed Mono Audio
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Brand new interviews with cast and crew
*  Original Theatrical Trailer
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn
*  FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector’s booklet featuring new liner notes by writer Lee Gambin


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the BD/DVD combo

 

 

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, February 20th

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's that come out tomorrow, 2/20:

*  AMERICAN SATAN  [BD]
*  THE GIRL WITHOUT HANDS  [DVD & BD]
*  MOM AND DAD  [DVD & BD]
*  THE NIGHT WALKER  [BD]

Blu-ray Review: THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE (1972)

THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE
Directed by  Vicente Aranda
Distributed by Mondo Macabro / CAV Distributing

  I always look forward to new releases from Mondo Macabro.   They release some of the best, and lesser known horror films from all over the world.   THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE is one of their films that is a little more well known, I believe.  I actually saw this movie years ago, but I didn't remember much about it at all.   Here is the basic plot of the film from the CAV website:

  Susan, a young bride, travels with her husband to his family’s ancient manor house in the far north of Spain. Susan is a virgin and is very hesitant about her husband's sexual demands. She is also disturbed by her unfamiliar surroundings and wonders if she will ever come to terms with her new married life. She is shocked to discover that all the old portraits of female members of her husband’s family have been locked away in the basement. When she finds them, she discovers that one of the portraits shows a woman holding a strange dagger. The woman’s face has been cut out of the painting. Her name is Mircala Karstein.

  Overall, this is a great classic 70's shocker.   The film is a little slow in parts, and I feel at 102 minutes, it could have been trimmed down some to help with the film's pacing.   That is a very small complaint, though, as the film is great overall.   With a name like THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE, you would expect lots of blood, and the film does not disappoint when it comes to that.   There are some very brutal and bloody scenes, one in particular being a prolonged stabbing scene with copious amounts of spurting blood!  There are also a lot of beautiful and atmospheric scenes, comparable to a some of the vampire films of Jean Rollin.  

 THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE is available now on Blu-ray from Mondo Macabro and CAV Distribution.  The Blu-ray contains the following special features:

- Brand new 4k transfer from film negative
- English/Spanish audio choice
- Newly created English subtitles
- Audio commentary by Samm Deighan and Kat Ellinger
- Interview with cinematographer Fernando Arribas
- Two part interview with actor Simón Andreu
- Interview with Euro Gothic author Jonathan Rigby
- Original trailers and radio spots
- Deleted and alternate scenes
- Mondo Macabro previews


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

 

 

 

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, February 13th

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's that come out tomorrow, 2/13:

*  ALMOST DEAD [DVD & BD]
*  ATROZ  [BD]
*  THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE  [BD]
*  CHAOS / DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT  [BD]
*  DRAG ME TO HELL  [BD]
*  FRANCESCA  [DVD & BD]
*  GAMES  [BD]
*  HELLRAISER:  JUDGMENT
*  INSIDE  [DVD]
*  LEATHERFACE:  THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 3  [BD]
*  MONOLITH  [DVD & BD]
*  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD  [Criterion Collection DVD & BD]
*  NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS [BD]
*  THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS  [Criterion Collection DVD & BD]

DVD Review: DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2: THE NAKED DEAD (2017)

DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2:  THE NAKED DEAD
Written & Directed by Sean Donohue
Distributed by  The Sleaze Box

  A couple of years ago I had the privilege of reviewing an indi horror film called DEATH-SCORT SERVICE.  You can read that review HERE.   The film was from a company called The Sleaze Box and from that name, you should know what's in store for you when you put in one of their DVDs!

 The Sleaze Box is now back with  DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2:  THE NAKED DEAD, and unlike some sequels, this was just as fun of a film as the first one.   Here is the basic plot of the film per the film's imdb.com page:

 Deep in the heart of Las Vegas a new killer has emerged. Having survived the previous psycho's last wrath (Michelle) Krystal "Pixie" Adams is left behind to start anew and forget about her black past. Problem is this new murderer is unstoppable!!. A new group of up and coming hookers are on the streets left to pick up the pieces and start fresh. Will they survive, or will they become prey to this maniac slasher!

  Like the first film, if you are a looking for a plot driven,  smart, stylish, big-budget horror film, you might want to keep looking.   But, if you are like a lot of horror fans and just want to put in a fun dvd full of all the things that make horror great, then this is the movie for you!    DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2 if chock full of great kills with some amazing gore!  Add in plenty of sex and nudity and you get a classic grindhouse experience that you just don't see too much of these days.   Another note about the gore and special effects, all is done with practical effects which is definitely something worth mentioning, as most films today go the cheaper route of CGI, which I think we can all agree never looks nearly as good as the real thing!

  If you were a fan of the first film, or any of the other films from The Sleaze Box, you will love DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2!

  DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2 is available now on Blu-ray and DVD from The Sleaze Box.  The DVD includes autographed cover art and a CD soundtrack!  Special features include trailers and deleted scenes.

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

 
 
 

Check out the trailer for the upcoming film, GAME NIGHT

If you haven't seen a trailer for this film yet, be sure to check it out asap!   The film is called GAME NIGHT, and while not really horror, it looks frightening enough to be worthy of a mention on the 4H blog!   IMDB.com lists it as an Action/Crime/Comedy, but based on the premise it looks to be a very dark comedy.  I have to admit, though, this trailer is hilarious!    Here is the basic plot from the film's official website:

  Bateman and McAdams star as Max and Annie, whose weekly couples game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s charismatic brother, Brooks, arranges a murder mystery party, complete with fake thugs and faux federal agents. So, when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all part of the game…right? But as the six uber-competitive gamers set out to solve the case and win, they begin to discover that neither this “game”—nor Brooks—are what they seem to be.

Check out the trailers and let me know what you think!








 Game night will be in theaters starting February 23.

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, February 6th:

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's that come out tomorrow, 2/6:

*  DAY OF THE DEAD:  BLOODLINE  [DVD & BD]
*  DEMONS  [DVD & BD]
*  THE DIABOLICAL DR. Z  [DVD & BD]
*  GRIZZLY  [BD]
*  HOUSE OF DEMONS  [DVD]
*  VICTOR CROWLEY  [DVD & BD]