Blu-ray Review: THE HILLS HAVE EYES (1977)

THE HILLS HAVE EYES
Written & Directed by Wes Craven
Distributed by Arrow Films / MVD Entertainment Group

  I have seen this film before, but it has been years!  I really didn't remember much about it, so I was excited to see that Arrow Video and MVD were releasing this one to Blu-ray.
It was a nice chance to check the film out again since it had been so long.   Here is the basic plot from the MVD website:

THE LUCKY ONES DIED FIRST... Horror master Wes Craven achieved critical and commercial success with the likes of Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street - but for many genre fans, the director's seminal 1977 effort The Hills Have Eyes remains his masterpiece. Taking a detour whilst on route to Los Angeles, the Carter family run into trouble when their campervan breaks down in the middle of the desert. Stranded, the family find themselves at the mercy of a group of monstrous cannibals lurking in the surrounding hills. With their lives under threat, the Carters are forced to fight back by any means necessary. As grueling a viewing experience today as it was upon initial release, The Hills Have Eyes stands alongside the likes of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Night of the Living Dead as one of the defining moments in American horror cinema.

  Putting a film into the same ranks as THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is pretty bold, but I can honestly say that this film definitely deserves a spot right along side those films.  It is a true classic of horror cinema.   I'm sure most horror fans have seen this one, so I won't go into the film too much, but I have to brag on Arrow's release of this film.  

  The Blu-ray transfer is amazing on this new release.  The picture is extremely crisp/clear.   The addition of the alternate ending was a nice touch as well.   I forgot how intense this film is.  It is very brutal and has moments that are very shocking and suspenseful, especially when the group of cannibals steals the family's baby.  Michael Berryman plays one of the cannibals and was a perfect fit for this role.   This is one of Wes Craven's finest films for sure.   Definitely in my top 5 of his films.

  Most all of Arrow's blu's have great packaging, but THE HILLS HAS EYES gets the Deluxe box treatment complete with a 40 page book and foldout poster!  It is a beautiful set that is very deserving of a place in your collection.  This one is well worth the upgrade to Blu-ray if you have the original DVD.

THE HILLS HAVE EYES is available now from Arrow Video and MVD and is packed with tons of special features including the following:

*  Brand new 4K restoration from original film elements, supervised by producer Peter Locke
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
*  Original mono audio
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  6 Postcards
*  Reversible fold-out poster featuring new and original artwork
*  Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Brad Stevens and a consideration of the Hills franchise by Ewan Cant, illustrated with original archive stills
*  Audio commentary with Wes Craven and Peter Locke
*  Looking Back on The Hills Have Eyes - making-of documentary featuring interviews with Craven, Locke, actors Michael Berryman, Dee Wallace, Janus Blythe, Robert Houston, Susan Lanier and director of photography Eric Saarinen
*  The Desert Sessions - brand new interview with composer Don Peake
*  Alternate ending, in HD for the first time
*  Trailers and TV Spots
*  Image Gallery
*  Original Screenplay (BD/DVD-ROM Content)
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
*  Limited to 10,000 units for the USA


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

 

 

 

Book Review: CONFESSIONS OF A SCREAM QUEEN by Matt Beckoff

CONFESSIONS OF A SCREAM QUEEN
by Matt Beckoff
Published by  BearManor Media

  As horror fans, I think we are all familiar with the term "Scream Queen".   These are the legendary actresses that have graced countless horror films and have somewhat of a cult following.    CONFESSIONS OF A SCREAM QUEEN by Matt Beckoff is an amazing look into the minds, hearts, and careers of some of the top scream queens of all time.

  Here is a brief synopsis of the book courtesy of BearManor Media:

  In Confessions of a Scream Queen, writer Matt Beckoff interviews fifteen legendary "ladies of horror".  Spanning over nine decades of cinema, Confessions is filled with entertaining and informative recollections and personal insights  about Hollywood's best-loved horror films.  Included are some rare and never before seen pictures.

  Ok, so first off, let me give you the list of the 15 Scream Queens interviewed in the book.  They are as follows:

Carla Laemmle

Lupita Tovar

Janet Anngallow

Elena Verdugo

Coleen Gray

Kathleen Hughes

Judith O'Dea

Karen Black

Ingrid Pitt

Jessica Harper

Marilyn Burns

Betsy Palmer

Dee Wallace

P. J. Soles

Adrienne Barbeau


 Now, I'll be the first to admit, even with such a huge horror fan that I am, I did not recognize all the names on this list.  I knew most of them, but some I honestly had never heard of.  It was still interesting to read about them though, as I had seen many of the movies they had been in.  

  I was a little disappointed that my favorite Scream Queen of all time wasn't included, which is the amazing Linnea Quigley.  Other than that, I think Mr. Beckoff was able to put together an amazing lineup.   My favorite one to read about was probably Marilyn Burns, who played Sally in the greatest horror film of all time, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.   I had heard about the uncomfortable shooting conditions before, but it was eye opening to hear it told from the actresses personal witness of it.  Marilyn describes many times in the filming where things that should have been faked were actually real, mainly to save on cost.  She described one instance in which she actually got cut with what she thought was a fake knife.   Years later she found out it was in fact a real knife they filmmakers used, and they planned on using it and actually cutting her all along!    Many instances like this were described, which will make me see TCM a lot differently next time I watch it.


CLICK HERE to purchase the book

The wait is over! Rob Zombie's THE LORDS OF SALEM is in theaters today!!!

Well, it's in some theaters at least.  Apparently the film got a limited release so not everyone will be able to enjoy this film even though some of us have been waiting for this film since we reported about it way back in 2010  (see post)!  Can you tell I'm a little bitter?  Oh well....I have actually moved on from the anger stage and now I am at grief.  I was looking so forward to this film.    Ok, enough about me and my problems...what about you?   Are you seeing THE LORDS OF SALEM tonight or this weekend?  Hopefully it is playing near you!  If you see it, please leave a comment on here telling us all how it was.  I have heard mixed reviews.....what are your thoughts on it?

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website