Blu-ray Review: INQUISITION (1976)

INQUISITION
Directed by Paul Naschy (as Jacinto Molina)
Distributed by Mondo Macabro / CAV Distributing

  Mondo Macabro has long been one of my most favorite video labels.  They are constantly putting out great products and films that I usually have never heard of, but always enjoy.  INQUISITION is a film that once again I had never heard of, but thoroughly enjoyed.   The film stars and was directed by Paul Naschy and centers around a 16th century witch-hunt in France.  Here is the full plot synopsis from the CAV website:

  In 16th century France, Inquisitor and magistrate Bernard de Fossey (Paul Naschy) travels to the plague-ridden region of Peyriac in search of witches and devil worshippers. Local beauty Catherine (Daniela Giordano) quickly catches his eye, tormenting him with impure thoughts, although her affections lie with her handsome fiancé Jean. Meanwhile, embittered one-eyed manservant Rénover (Antonio Iranzo) presents Bernard with his first group of torture victims when he accuses several sexy young things who spurned his advances of being witches responsible for the plague.
One by one beautiful women are tortured on the rack then burned at the stake. No-one seems able to halt the Inquisition's reign of terror or the baseless accusations that cause so many innocent deaths. When Jean dies in mysterious circumstances, Catherine allies herself with Satan to get revenge on her enemies - foremost among them, De Fossey himself.
  This was horror star Paul Naschy's directorial debut and one of his very best films. He plays three roles - Inquisitor De Fossey, the Devil, and the Grim Reaper. The film is a brutal and unrelenting portrait of a past when superstition and terror ruled the minds of men.

  I have always been fascinated by witch trail films.   There is a real horror to the thought of women being tortured and killed based on hysteria and accusations rather than fact and proof.  The fact this actually happened in multiple parts of the world is even more horrifying.  

  This film reminded me a lot of the 1970 film, MARK OF THE DEVIL, except I think I enjoyed this film even more.    There are some great torture scenes in this film, including one involving a woman's nipple that made me cringe!   Yet as grotesque as it was, I had to rewind and watch it again to see if I could figure out how they did the effect!  I am a huge fan of special effects (especially gore effects in horror films), so I was very impressed by this scene.   If you have seen the film, you will know exactly what scene I am talking about.  If you haven't seen this film, I won't say any more to keep from spoiling it for you!

  If you enjoyed MARK OF THE DEVIL and the early Hammer Films, I think you will really enjoy this one. 

  INQUISITION is available now on Blu-ray from Mondo Macabro and CAV Distribution and contains the following special features:

*  Introduction by Paul Naschy
*  Interview with star Daniela Giordano
*  Audio commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn (the Naschycast)
*  Blood and Sand - documentary on Spanish horror films
*  English/Spanish audio choice .
*  Newly created English subtitles
*  Mondo Macabro previews


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

 

 

 

Blu Ray Review: THE CITY OF THE DEAD (1960)

THE CITY OF THE DEAD
Directed by:  John Llewellyn Moxey
Distributed by VCI Entertainment

  I always love when I come across a movie for review that I know nothing about.    I pride myself on being very knowledgeable about most horror films, but there are always a few that have flown under my radar and I have just not had the chance to see or even know about.   Such is the case with tonight's review,  THE CITY OF THE DEAD, also known as HORROR HOTEL.    Here is the basic plot of the film from the VCI website:

  A college student, Nan Barlow is researching the history of witchcraft. Taunted by her brother and fiancé, who have voiced their concern over her silly notions, Nan arms herself with resolve and drives into the small New England village of Whitewood. She is glad that at least she was able to count on the support of her professor. A bit anxious but consumed with curiosity, she will soon embark herself on the journey of her life!

  First off, I have to mention the title of this film threw me off a little.  I knew nothing about the film, so going by the title I thought I was getting into an old zombie film.   Instead, I was treated with a very interesting and eerie film about witchcraft in the same vein as a film like MARK OF THE DEVIL.   The main thing that I really noticed and enjoyed about this film was the very creepy imagery and scenery.  The filmmakers used tons of fog in the filming of this picture, and it is amazing how a little fog will make a scene look so spooky!   This film was shot very well with some great cinematography.   

  I will admit that the film is a little slow moving at some points, but I find that with a lot of the old black and white horror films from the 1960's.  Regardless, that did not keep me from enjoying the film overall by any means.   This is an intriguing story full of mystery and suspense!

  VCI has done a remarkable job with the transfer on this Blu-ray.  The picture quality is superb and is crystal clear.  

  THE CITY OF THE DEAD is now available on Blu-ray from VCI Entertainment and contains the following special features:

*  Horror Hotel, the American Version of City of the Dead
*  Feature length Commentary by Bruce Hallenbeck
*  2nd Feature length Commentary with actor Christopher Lee
*  3rd Commentary by Director John Moxey
*  Interview with Christopher Lee
*  Interview with Venetia Stevenson
*  Interview with Director John Moxey
*  Theatrical Trailer
*  Photo Gallery
*  Liner Notes by Mike Kenny, Film Reviewer
*  English Subtitles


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

Blu-ray Review: SORCERESS (1995)

SORCERESS
Directed by Jim Wynorski
Distributed by  Synapse Films / CAV Distributing

  I love coming across a horror movie I have never seen or even heard about.   I like to think I'm "in the know" on most horror films, but I find out everyday there are films that have just missed me somehow.  This is one of those films.  Synapse Films has released the 1995 film SORCERESS to DVD and Blu-ray.   Here is the basic plot synopsis from the Synapse Films website:

  Larry Barnes (Larry Poindexter) is on the fast track to a partnership in a prestigious law firm, and his sexy witch wife Erica (Julie Strain, HEAVY METAL 2000) will do anything to keep her husband happy. But Erica makes a fatal mistake when she tries to kill Larry’s main competition for the partnership, Howard Reynolds (Edward Albert, GALAXY OF TERROR). With Howard now crippled for life from Erica’s dark magic, his wife Amelia (Linda Blair, THE EXORCIST) plots her revenge. Using witchcraft and a mystical medallion, Amelia tries to destroy everyone and everything in Larry’s life!
  All the pleasures of the flesh and malevolence of black magic collide in this newly remastered and uncensored version of Jim Wynorski’s SORCERESS (aka TEMPTRESS). Presented for the first time ever from a new 2K scan of the original uncut film element, this release features sex scene footage and additional nudity removed from the original release.

  I had no clue what to expect going into this film. What I got was a fun film full of witchcraft and tons of nudity.  What else would you expect from a film like this?!   This film feels like a typical 80's horror film.  I actually find it hard to believe it was made in 1995.  I would more easily believe this was made in 1985.  Everything about this film screamed 1980's to me, especially the hair and wardrobes of some of the main actors and actresses.
 
  Speaking of the actresses, this movie has some of the most beautiful actresses you will see in a film, and pretty much every single one of them has a nude scene (or multiple nude scenes) throughout the film.  I normally don't mention much about the nudity in films, but this film just had so much of it that a review would not be complete without mentioning it.  It basically feels like you're watching a movie on Cinemax or some other pay channel late at night. This is definitely not a film you want the kids around while watching!

  Other than the nudity, the film was actually pretty tame by today's standards in term of violence/gore. Most violence comes from people being shot, and there is no real gore to speak of in this film.

  While some may be disappointed in the gore/scare factor, or lack thereof,  I think everyone would have to admit they enjoyed watching this film.  If you haven't seen it yet, check it out for sure.  

  SORCERESS will be released on June 14th from Synapse Films and CAV Distributing.


CLICK HERE to pre-order the DVD
CLICK HERE to pre-order the Blu-ray

 

Blu-ray Review: MARK OF THE DEVIL

MARK OF THE DEVIL
Directed by  Michael Armstrong and Adrian Hoven
Distributed by Arrow Films / MVD Visual

  I love old horror films from the 70's and 80's.  They have such a nostalgic feel to them.  MARK OF THE DEVIL is indeed a true classic from the 70's.    I had seen this film on DVD just last year for the first time and loved it.  I was excited to see it was being released by Arrow Films on Blu-ray here in the U.S.!   Watching this film on Blu-ray was like watching a completely different movie!  Here is the main plot from the MVD website: 

  Once proclaimed as "positively the most horrifying film ever made", Mark of the Devil arrives in a director-approved edition featuring a new restoration of the feature. A bloody and brutal critique of religious corruption, Mark of the Devil sees horror icon Udo Kier (Flesh for Frankenstein, Suspiria) play a witchfinder's apprentice whose faith in his master (Herbert Lom) becomes severely tested when they settle in an Austrian village. Presided over by the sadistic Albino (a memorably nasty turn from Reggie Nalder), the film presents its morality not so much in shades of grey as shades of black. Written and directed by Michael Armstrong, who would later pen Eskimo Nell, The Black Panther and House of the Long Shadows, this classic shocker has lost none of its power over the years.

  The first thing I noticed about this film is the clarity versus the DVD I had watched before.  Some scenes looked as if they were filmed today based on how crystal clear they were.   I also noticed quite a few scenes that I had not seen before. I looked on my DVD and noticed it was 96 minutes.  This new Arrow Blu-ray clocks in at 108 minutes, so this is definitely the version to go with.

  This is great fun film that reminds me a lot of the old Hammer films.  The film holds up well and contains a few torture scenes that look very good, especially considering the film was made over 40 years ago!  A couple of noteworthy scenes are a couple of women being burned at the stake, and one woman getting her tongue ripped from her mouth!   If you think the SAW films were the first with the crazy torture contraptions, think again! 

  I highly recommend MARK OF THE DEVIL.  This is a must see for horror fans and this is the definitive version of the film to get.

  MARK OF THE DEVIL is available now on Arrow Blu-ray and contains the following special features:

*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of the feature, transferred from original film elements
*  Optional English and German audio
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Newly translated English subtitles for the German audio
*  Audio commentary by Michael Armstrong, moderated by Calum Waddell
*  Mark of the Times - exclusive feature-length documentary from High Rising Productions on the emergence of the 'new wave' of British horror directors that surfaced during the sixties and seventies
*  Hallmark of the Devil - author and critic Michael Gingold looks back at Hallmark Releasing, the controversial and confrontational distributor that introduced Mark of the Devil to American cinemas
*  Interviews with composer Michael Holm and actors Udo Kier, Herbert Fux, Gaby Fuchs, Ingeborg Schoner and Herbert Lom
*  Mark of the Devil: Now and Then - a look at the film's locations and how they appear today
*  Outtakes
*  Gallery
*  Reversible Sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
*  Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Adrian Smith and Anthony Nield, plus an interview with Reggie Nalder by David Del Valle, all illustrated with original stills and artwork

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

Check out the trailer for the upcoming film, ALL CHEERLEADERS DIE!

 
 Most all guys like cheerleaders.  And most anyone reading this blog loves horror.  So, this cheerleader/horror film should be one of the greatest films ever!   Ha!  ALL CHEERLEADERS DIE is a crazy supernatural horror flick from writers/directors Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson.  Here is the basic plot from the production company's (Moderncine) website:

  Cheerleaders follows a rebellious outsider (Stasey) who joins the cheerleading squad, much to the dismay of her ex-girlfriend (Smit-McPhee), who happens to be into witchcraft. After a confrontation with the stars of the football team goes bad, the outsider and her new cheerleader friends are supernaturally thrust onto a bloody path of destruction.

  ALL CHEERLEADERS DIE was recently picked up by Image Entertainment.  There is now news yet on a DVD/Blu-ray release date, but when there is I will let you know!  Watch the trailer below and let me know what you think. I think this looks like it could be a really fun flick!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official facebook page

Don't forget to watch AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN tonight on FX!!

  It's finally here!  The premiere of the third season of AMERICAN HORROR STORY starts tonight at 10/9 Central!!  This season is called COVEN and here is a brief description of the plot this season courtesy of the official website:

American Horror Story: Coven tells the secret history of witches and witchcraft in America. Over three hundred years have passed since the turbulent days of Salem and those who managed to escape are now facing extinction. Mysterious attacks have been escalating against their kind and young girls are being sent away to a special school in New Orleans to learn how to protect themselves. Wrapped up in the turmoil is new arrival, Zoe, who is harboring a terrifying secret of her own. Alarmed by the recent aggression, Fiona, the long-absent Supreme, sweeps back into town, determined to protect the Coven and hell-bent on decimating anyone who gets in her way.

  The first season was one of my favorite shows on TV.  I missed the second season  (I had the episodes on my DVR that died, so never got to watch them).  I am really looking forward to this new season and expect good things!  Check out the first look trailer and some of the teasers in the links below!  

  AMERICAN HORROR STORY:  COVEN starts at 10/9 Central tonight!!   After you watch the show, come back to this post and leave a comment and let me know what you thought of the premiere!  

CLICK HERE to visit the AHS official website
CLICK HERE to visit the official AHS facebook page
CLICK HERE to watch a first look at AHS: COVEN
CLICK HERE to watch a collection of AHS: COVEN teasers