Blu-ray Review: ZOMBIE (1979)

ZOMBIE
Directed by Lucio Fulci
Distributed by Blue Underground / MVD Distribution

 I have been a huge fan of Lucio Fulci ever since I saw my first film by him.  The first film of his I ever saw was ZOMBIE, on an old clam shell VHS back in my college days.   It has been almost 20 years since I have seen this film, so I was thrilled when I got a chance to review this new 40th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray edition of the film.   Here is a brief synopsis of the new release courtesy of the Blue Underground website:

In Italy, it was considered the 'unofficial sequel' to DAWN OF THE DEAD. In England, it was known as ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS and banned as obscene. In America, it was called ZOMBIE and advertised with the depraved tag line "WE ARE GOING TO EAT YOU!" Tisa Farrow (THE GRIM REAPER), Ian McCulloch (CONTAMINATION), Al Cliver (CANNIBALS), and Richard Johnson (THE HAUNTING) star in this worldwide splatter sensation directed by 'Maestro Of Gore' Lucio Fulci (CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY) that remains one of the most eye-skewering, skin-ripping, gore-gushingly graphic horror hits of all time!

  The plot of the film is simple.....a woman goes looking for her father on an island he was last known to be at.  That island is, of course, being ravaged by zombies!  The film is known by quite a few other names, such as:  ZOMBI 2, ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS, ISLAND OF THE LIVING DEAD, ISLAND OF THE FLESH-EATERS, and WOODOO. 

  The zombie effects in this film are top notch, and rank among my favorite zombies in film history, especially the worm infested zombie from the original poster and cover art.   This is how I imagine a zombie looking if they were real, decayed with worms oozing from the eye sockets!   Gross!  Along with the great make up and effects is some amazing gore, including the famous splinter in the eyeball scene and multiple neck biting resulting in tons of blood.   There is also that one scene you might have heard about, where a zombie fights a shark!  It really must be seen to be believed, and if you haven't seen it, you are truly missing out! 

  If you have never seen this film, do yourself a favor and watch it asap.   This is one of my favorite zombie films of all time.  Even if you have seen it, do yourself a favor and check out this new blu-ray release, as you have never seen it like this before! 

 ZOMBIE is available now from Blue Underground and contains the following Special Features:

Disc 1 (Blu-ray) Feature Film + Extras:
*  NEW! Audio Commentary #1 with Troy Howarth, Author of Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and His Films
*  Audio Commentary #2 with Star Ian McCulloch and Diabolik Magazine Editor Jason J. Slater
*  NEW! When The Earth Spits Out The Dead - Interview with Stephen Thrower, Author of Beyond Terror: The Films of Lucio Fulci
*  Theatrical Trailers
*  TV Spots
*  Radio Spots
*  Poster & Still Gallery
*  Guillermo del Toro Intro

Disc 2 (Blu-ray) Extras:
*  Zombie Wasteland - Interviews with Stars Ian McCulloch, Richard Johnson & Al Cliver, and Actor/Stuntman Ottaviano Dell'Acqua
*  Flesh Eaters on Film - Interview with Co-Producer Fabrizio De Angelis
*  Deadtime Stories - Interviews with Co-Writers Elisa Briganti and (Uncredited) Dardano Sacchetti
*  World of the Dead - Interviews with Cinematographer Sergio Salvati and Production & Costume Designer Walter Patriarca
*  Zombi Italiano - Interviews with Special Make-Up Effects Artists Gianetto De Rossi & Maurizio Trani and Special Effects Artist Gino De Rossi
*  Notes on a Headstone - Interview with Composer Fabio Frizzi
*  All in the Family - Interview with Antonella Fulci
*  Zombie Lover - Award-Winning Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro talks about one of his favorite films

BONUS! ZOMBIE Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by Fabio Frizzi

BONUS! Collectable Booklet with new essay by Stephen Thrower


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


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Blu-ray Review: A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN (1971)

A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN
Directe by:  Lucio Fulci
Distributed by Mondo Macabro / CAV Distributing

  Let me start by saying I am a huge fan of Luico Fulci.  I have loved every single film I have seen of his, from his classic zombie epics to his early giallo films.  While I have seen most of Fulci's popular films, A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN somehow never crossed my path.  I was super excited going into a Fulci film that I had never seen before.  I built this film up in my head and really hoped I was not setting myself up for a let-down.  Luckily, not only was I not let down, I was blown away by how good of a film this is.   Needless to say I was not disappointed.  

  Here is the basic plot synopsis from the official press release:

  Mondo Macabro is very proud to present A Lizard In A Women's Skin, released in HD on Blu-ray for the very first time in North America. Carol Hammond, the frustrated wife of a successful London lawyer, is having bizarre, erotic dreams about her uninhibited neighbor, Julia Durer, who presides over noisy, sex and drug filled parties in the house next door. One night, Carol's dreams culminate in violent death and she wakes to find her nightmares have become reality - Julia has been murdered and Carol is the main suspect. This frightening discovery is just the beginning of a labyrinthine psycho sexual shocker which takes the viewer on a wild ride through a series of frequently breathtaking set pieces that set new standards for the Italian thriller.
  This first US Blu-ray release of the film, taken from the original negative, is the longest, uncut version currently available and comes with a host of exclusive extras. Directed by controversial film maker Lucio Fulci (The New York Ripper, House by the Cemetery, Zombie), Lizard in a Woman's Skin is considered by many critics to be his finest achievement.

  While I would probably say that THE BEYOND is my favorite Fulci film, LIZARD ranks right up there near the top for sure.   This film is quite a bit different from Fulci's other films that focus on more gore and shock.   This one really doesn't have that much gore to speak of, but don't let that turn you off of this film.   While the film doesn't focus on the gore, there are still a few great scenes including one with some dissected dogs that was almost too disgusting to stomach!

  The film has some amazing imagery and some fantastic dream sequences.  While I won't pretend I understood everything that was happening at all times, I enjoyed seeing it happen non the less.   The dream sequences were very moody and atmospheric and felt like an arthouse style of film at some points.  

  This one was a lot different that a lot of his films, but I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed it.  This is a must see for any Fulci fans out there!

  A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN is available now from Mondo Macabro and CAV Distributing and contains the following special features:

*  Brand new HD transfer from film negative
*  Shedding the Skin - documentary
*  Dr Lucio Fulci's Day for Night - directed by Antonietta De Lillo - interview with Lucio Fulci
*  Interview with writer Stephen Thrower
*  Interview with actor Tony Adams
*  Audio commentary with Kris Gavin
*  Two original trailers
*  Radio spots
*  Italian/English Language/subtitle choices

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

 

 

 

Did you know famous horror director Lucio Fulci made a western?

 I sure didn't...not until I ran across a copy of his film FOUR OF THE APOCALYPSE on ebay!  A Spaghetti Western by Fulci is something I had to see for myself.  Maybe most everyone knew this, but somehow I had never heard of this film before.   I won the auction on ebay, so hopefully will be checking it out soon!    Fulci is best known to us horror fans for his great gore filled films such as ZOMBIE, CAT IN THE BRAIN, and THE BEYOND.  It should be interesting to see what he did with a western! 
  Click the link below to watch the trailer and let me know what you think!  If you have seen this film, please comment and let me know how it is!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer