Blu-ray Review: CREEPSHOW 2 (1987)

CREEPSHOW 2
Directed by Michael Gornick
Distributed by Arrow Films / MVD Entertainment Group

 It has literally been over 20 years since I have seen CREEPSHOW 2.  I remember liking the movie a  lot, but for some reason just have never re-visited it.   That all changed when by Blu-ray copy of the film arrived in my mailbox.   I was really looking forward to watching this one and it definitely didn't disappoint.  It was just as good as I remember it being way back when I saw it for the first time.
Here is the basic plot of the film from the MVD website:

  WHEN THE CURTAIN GOES UP THE TERROR BEGINS Horror titans George A. Romero and Stephen King deliver yet another fiendish selection of blood-curdling tales in Creepshow 2 - now newly remastered in 2K! In "Old Chief Wood'nhead", a group of young hoodlums face retribution from an unlikely source after looting a local hardware store. Meanwhile, "The Raft" sees a group of horny teens wishing they'd read the warning signs first before taking a dip in a remote lake. Finally, an uptight businesswoman finds herself with some unwanted company following a hit-and-run incident in "The Hitch-hiker". Whilst retaining the EC comic book flavour that made the original such a hit, Creepshow 2, this time directed by long-time Romero collaborator Michael Gornick, is a decidedly darker and grimmer affair than its predecessor and remains one of the greatest horror anthologies of all time.

  I am a big fan of anthology horror films, and there is a reason most all anthologies that come out these days are compared to the CREEPSHOW films.   CREEPSHOW and CREEPSHOW 2 are perfect examples of how anthologies should be made.   The 3 stories that make up CREEPSHOW 2 are all wonderful in their own way.  

  The first segment,  "Old Chief Wood'nhead", is about an old wooden storefront Indian that comes to life and takes revenge on the hoodlums that killed the owners of the store he stood out in front of.   The effects are very well done, and the segment has some very memorable scenes, including the shadow silhouette of the 'ol Chief giving one of the hoodlums a good axe to the head.  

  The next segment, "The Raft", is probably my favorite of the three.  It's a simple story of a group of kids that go swimming in a lake and get stranded on a dock out in the middle of the lake, unable to swim to the shore due to the blob like creature waiting for them in the water.   This is a fun tale with some good gory effects as the blob creature basically dissolves the person that it envelops.

  The final segment, "The Hitch-hiker", is a great tale of man that is run over by a car, but then stays with the care and driver, tormenting her along the way, as she continues to "kill" the unwanted passenger.  She soon finds out this guy just can't be killed.  The transition he makes with being more and more beaten and bloodied each time we see him is quite gory, especially at the end when he is basically just a pile of mush with eyeballs hanging down.  This was by far the goriest segment of the film with some amazing effects.

  It's no wonder this film is full of great effects.  The effects were done by Howard Berger, Greg Nicotero, and Tom Savini, among others.   If you have never seen CREEPSHOW 2 or even if you have, you need to grab a copy of this new Arrow Blu-ray.  The picture quality is stunning and makes it look like a movie that was just filmed lately.  
 
  CREEPSHOW 2 is available now from Arrow Video and MVD and contains the following special features:

*  Brand new 2K restoration from original film elements
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
*  Original Uncompressed PCM Mono 1.0, Stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD MA Surround Audio Options
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Audio Commentary with director Michael Gornick
*  Poncho's Last Ride - a brand new interview with actor Daniel Beer
*  The Road to Dover - a brand new interview with actor Tom Wright
*  Screenplay for a Sequel - an interview with screenwriter George A. Romero
*  Tales from the Creep - an interview with actor and make-up artist Tom Savini
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Mike Saputo
*  Nightmares in Foam Rubber - archive featurette on the special effects of Creepshow 2, including interviews with FX artists Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero
*  My Friend Rick - Berger on his special effects mentor Rick Baker
*  Behind-the-Scenes Footage
*  Image Gallery
*  Trailers & TV Spots
*  Original Screenplay (BD-ROM Content)
*  FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michael Blyth


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

 

 

 

Blu-ray Review: JUST DESSERTS: THE MAKING OF "CREEPSHOW" (2007)

JUST DESSERTS:  THE MAKING OF "CREEPSHOW"
Directed by  Michael Felsher
Distributed by  Synapse Films / CAV Distributing

  Rarely does a film's special feature get it's own HD Blu-ray release, but that is just what has happened with JUST DESSERTS:  THE MAKING OF "CREEPSHOW".   After watching it, you can see why.  This is no ordinary "special feature".  Clocking in at 90 minutes, it's a legit feature film itself, that just happens to be about the making of another film.    Here is the basic synopsis of the film from the Synapse Films website:

  In 1982, Author Stephen King and Director George A. Romero collaborated on a feature-film tribute to the controversial EC comics of the 1950s.  Told through five jolting tales of terror, CREEPSHOW has become a celebrated horror classic over the past three decades. With an all-star cast, and featuring groundbreaking special effects by genre legend Tom Savini, CREEPSHOW stands as a horrific and hilarious tribute to the stories that helped influence (and corrupt) a generation of writers and filmmakers.  Now the tales behind the creation of this chilling masterpiece can finally be told!
  Featuring rare behind-the-scenes footage and photographs, JUST DESSERTS: THE MAKING OF “CREEPSHOW” also contains over a dozen interviews, including George A. Romero, Tom Savini, Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins and many others.  These are the terrifying stories behind the film that promised you…“The Most Fun You’ll Ever Have…BEING SCARED!”

  CREEPSHOW has always been one of my favorite horror films of all times.  I love anthology style horror films, and no one has done it better than CREEPSHOW.   George Romero and Stephen King are two masterminds of horror, so a collaboration of those two is bound to be good.   Watching this documentary about the making of the film made me remember just how good CREEPSHOW really is.    I haven't seen it in years,  but after watching JUST DESSERTS, I am really wanting to watch CREEPSHOW again very soon! 

  I am a big fan of "making of" documentaries of horror films, and this is probably one of the greatest I have ever seen.   Other than the strange absence of Stephen King, everyone involved with the movie is on hand here to give you first hand accounts about their experience on the film.  My favorite interviewee was Tom Savini, the mastermind behind the effects of the film.  He is my all time favorite effects person, so seeing him on screen talking about this film was truly awesome.

  Along with the interviews, we get to see tons of behind the scenes photos and footage, along with scenes from CREEPSHOW.   The movie is broken up into segments, talking about each entry in the film, along with a beginning section explaining how the film came to be and the influence the old EC comics had on Romero and King, and on the film itself.   I was a huge fan of EC comics growing up, so that's one reason I always loved this film....it is like watching an old VAULT OF HORROR or TALES FROM THE CRYPT come to life onscreen.

  I cannot recommend JUST DESSERTS enough...it is a must have for any fan of CREEPSHOW.   The special edition Blu-ray is available now from Synapse Films and contains the following special features:

*  Audio Commentary with Director & Editor Michael Felsher
*  Audio Commentary featuring interviews with Actor John Amplas, Property Master Bruce Alan Miller, and Make-Up Effects Assistant Darryl Ferrucci
*  Creepshow Days – An interview with Director of Photography Director Michael Gornick
*  Extended Interview Segments with George A. Romero, Tom Savini, and Bernie Wrightson
*  Behind The Screams – A compilation of on-set video footage from Tom Savini
*  Horror’s Hallowed Grounds with Sean Clark
*  Scream Greats Volume One: Tom Savini, Master of Horror Effects with Optional Audio Commentary with Tom Savini
*  Vintage 1982 Evening Magazine Segment shot on the set of the film, featuring rare cast & crew interviews
*  Behind-The-Scenes of CREEPSHOW Photo Gallery



CLICK HERE to watch a clip of the film
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

DVD Review: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968)

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
Directed by George A. Romero
Distributed by Cheezy Flicks

 If you consider yourself a true horror fan, then there is no possible way you have never heard or seen George Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.  Most people consider this film to be the first true zombie film, and it is definitely the film that ushered in the modern zombie film.    Here is the basic plot from the Cheezy Flicks website:

  Barbra and Johnny visit their father's grave in a remote cemetery when they are suddenly set upon by zombies. Barbra manages to get away and takes refuge in what seems to be an abandoned farm house. She is soon joined by Ben who stopped at the house in need of gad. Beset by the walking dead all around them Ben does his best to secure the doors and windows. The news reports are grim however with creatures returning to life everywhere. Barbra and Ben are surprised when they realize there are 5 people hiding out in the basement: Harry, Helen, and Judy Copper; and a young couple, Tom and Judy. Dissension sets in almost immediately with Harry Cooper wanting to be in charge. As their situation deteriorates, their chances of surviving the night lessen minute by minute.

  While there are many releases of this zombie classic, I have to say that this is my favorite cover art of any of the NOTLD releases to date.   I love the simplicity of the title on the gravestone and the single skeleton hand rising from the grave.     I doubt I really need to talk much about the film itself, as most everyone has seen it I would hope.  It is a classic zombie film that doesn't need the blood and gore like more modern zombie films.  What it lacks in gore it makes up for in atmosphere and suspense.   This is such an important part of film history, and a copy of this DVD belongs in every horror collectors collections for sure.

  One other reason for picking up this release is an exclusive interview with George Romero as a special feature on this DVD.   It's a lot of fun and lets you see the lighter side of Mr. Romero.
 
  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is available now for only $5 from Cheezy Flicks!   Grab your copy today!


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

Check out the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD documentary film, BIRTH OF THE LIVING DEAD!

  One of my all time favorite horror movies is George A. Romero's 1968 film, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.   It is the film that is considered the first real zombie film, and we have it to thank for every zombie film that has come since.  We would not have THE WALKING DEAD if it weren't for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD!  The movie is a true classic and still holds up today, over 40 years since it was made!  There is a new documentary about this legendary film coming out called BIRTH OF THE LIVING DEAD.  Here is the basic synopsis of this new documentary:

  In 1968 a young college drop-out named George A. Romero directed “Night of the Living Dead,” a low budget horror film that shocked the world, became an icon of the counterculture, and spawned a zombie industry worth billions of dollars that continues to this day.

  “Birth of the Living Dead,” a new documentary, shows how Romero gathered an unlikely team of Pittsburghers — policemen, iron workers, teachers, ad-men, housewives and a roller-rink owner — to shoot, with a revolutionary guerrilla, run-and-gun style, his seminal film. During that process Romero and his team created an entirely new and horribly chilling monster – one that was undead and feasted upon human flesh.

  This new documentary also immerses audiences into the singular time in which “Night” was shot.  Archival footage of the horrors of Vietnam and racial violence at home combined with iconic music from the 60s invites viewers to experience how Romero’s tumultuous film reflected this period in American history.  “Birth of the Living Dead” shows us how this young filmmaker created a world-renowned horror film that was also a profound insight into how our society really works.

BIRTH OF THE DEAD is screening now at select locations, and the film is scheduled to be released on DVD January 7, 2014.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the official website