Blu-ray Review: MASKS (2011)

MASKS
Written & Directed by  Andreas Marschall
Distributed by  Reelgore Releasing / CAV Distribution

  I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Andreas Marschall's MASKS is one of the best horror movies you have never heard of.   I know I had never heard of it, so I assumed it was a brand new film.  Turns out, it was made back in 2011 but just now getting U.S. distribution thanks to the awesome new extreme genre label, ReelGore Releasing.   Here is the basic plot of the film from the ReelGore website:

  Stella longs to be an actress. When she is accepted to a private school in Berlin, her dream seems to come true. But there is something wrong with the “Matteusz Gdula-Institute”. In the seventies, the school´s founder, Matteusz Gdula, practiced a learning style that promised to let students shine by driving them to their mental limits. In the end his method was banned, as mysterious deaths occurred during his lessons and Gdula committed suicide.At night, Stella hears eerie sounds in the corridors of the school. A fellow student disappears. Stella suspects that behind the closed door to the abandoned, forbidden wing of the school lurks a bloody secret.
A secret that kills the students...

  I had no clue what to expect going into this film, but what I got was a an amazing horror film.  Part slasher, part psychological thriller, part giallo, and part arthouse film all rolled up into one very entertaining movie.  

  A few things really stood out for me, the first one being the music used in this film.  The film has a very haunting theme that plays at many times throughout the film.   The theme is amazing and is a perfect, creepy fit for this film.  It's not often that I really pay attention to the music in horror films, but this one demands your attention for sure.  

  Another thing that stood out was the kills/gore.   I have seen tons of horror films and not many make me jump or cringe anymore, but this film made me do both, and at one particular kill, made me do both at the same time.  I actually let out a yell during the first kill that seemed to come out of nowhere and really caught me off guard!

  I also picked up on some nods or inspiration from other famous films/directors, most notably Dario Argento and the film SUSPIRIA.   The acting school here reminded me a lot of the ballet school from SUSPIRIA, both are run by some creepy women and both hold secrets beyond the walls of the schools.   Also, Argento's use of color and color schemes was on display here in full force...and done quite well.    

  This movie was extremely suspenseful, and I am putting this among my top films I have seen this year.   Give it a watch and let me know what you think.     The Blu-ray/DVD/CD combo pack is available now from ReelGore Releasing and contains the following special features:


*  EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK CD
*  BEHIND THE SCENES
*  DELETED SCENES
*  MUSIC VIDEO CLIP
*  TRAILER & SLIDESHOW


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD/CD combo pack

Blu-ray Review: VIOLENT SHIT: THE MOVIE (2015)

VIOLENT SHIT:  THE MOVIE
Directed by  Luigi Pastore
Distributed by Reelgore Releasing / CAV Distribution

  I have always heard about the 1989 film called VIOLENT SHIT, but I had never had the chance to watch it.  I was very intrigued when I heard about this new remake.    Not only was I excited about the remake itself, but I was excited it was from a new film label called Reelgore Releasing.  If this first release is any indication, we are in store for some good things from Reelgore Releasing in the coming months!   Here is the basic plot of the film from the Reelgore Releasing website:

  Rome is shattered by a series of gruesome murders that paint the Eternal City deep red. Italian Police Inspector Aristide D’Amato and his German counterpart Hans Ebert initiate their criminal investigations. They stumble upon the eccentric Professor Vassago - a master of myths and mysteries - who is linked to Senator Vinci - a corrupt politician – mutually driven by power and perversions.
  The suspicion grows that these atrocious crimes are connected with the return of one of the most heinous serial killers of our time – Karl the Butcher!

 Now, I have to be honest, that plot sounds pretty simple...but when you are watching this film it can actually be sort of confusing at times.  There are also quite a few slow spots, heavy in dialog that seem to go on a bit too long.  But...after that, we are rewarded with some crazy violence and gore, which is what most people watching this film are looking for I would expect.  Some of the gore is excellent, with some scenes actually making me cringe.
 
  For me, the best part of this whole thing isn't the movie itself, but the packaging.  This is an amazing limited edition 3 disc set that contains a DVD of the film, a Blu-ray of the film, and a CD of the soundtrack.   You also get a nice booklet filled with info about the film and stills from the film.

  VIOLENT SHIT:  THE MOVIE is available now from Reelgore Releasing and CAV, and contains the followings special features:

*  MAKING OF THE MOVIE by Director LUIGI PASTORE
*  THE HISTORY OF VIOLENT SHIT – Interview with Producer STEVE AQUILINA
*  TRIBUTE TO LILLI CARATI – The Last Interview
*  INTERVIEWS with members of the cast – VINCENZO PEZZOPANE, MICHELA FORESTA, DANIELA CICCONE, ERIKA KAMESE
*  WORLD OF STARS - INTERVIEWS with members of the cast– GIOVANNI LOMBARDO RADICE, ANTONIO ZEQUILA - & Producer STEVE AQUILINA and Director LUIGI PASTORE
*  TRAILERS & SLIDESHOW


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD/CD combo pack