DVD Review: MARK OF THE DEVIL

 
MARK OF THE DEVIL
Written & Directed by Michael Armstrong &  Adrian Hoven
Distributed by Cheezy Flicks Entertainment

I love old horror films, especially ones from the 70's and 80's.  They just don't make
them like that anymore.    MARK OF THE DEVIL is from 1970 and is truly a horror classic.  I had often hear of this film, but had never had the opportunity to check it out until now.  Here is the basic plot of the film from the Cheezy Flicks website:

Banned in many countries!  - Udo Kier is a witch hunter apprentice to Herbert Lom. Udo believes strongly in his mentor and in the ways of the church but loses faith when he catches Lom strangle a man to death for calling him impotent. Kier begins to see for himself that the witch trials are nothing but a scam of the church to seduce women, rob people of their land, money, and other personal belongings. in the end, the towns people revolt, Herbert Llom escapes and poor Udo is tortured to death by the towns people with the his own devices from the dungeon.  - Rated 'V' for violence - this film contains very strong graphic torture!

I was actually surprised at how well the torture scenes held up.  I assumed they would all be super cheesy and look just awful, considering the age of this film, but that was not the case.   The gore looks good and some of the  torture scenes are downright cringe-worthy, especially a scene of two women being burned alive at the stake, due to being accused of being witches.  

 The acting in this movie is pretty good from all actors.  The film reminds me of the old Hammer films, and some of the beautiful, busty actresses could easily be Hammer actresses. 
 
  At 96 minutes, the movie moves along well and has very few dull parts.  Overall, I would highly recommend this film.   This is a welcome addition to my DVD library, and is a film I will be watching again in the near future. 

  Cheezy Flicks has this DVD at the ridiculous price of only $3.99 at the time of this writing.  The DVD comes with a vomit bag, a recreation of the vomit bags handed out in theaters back when the movie was originally released.

Check out the Cheezy Flicks website for crazy cheap deals on this DVD and other great classic films!


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

 

Blu-ray review: THE LORDS OF SALEM

    
THE LORDS OF SALEM
Written & Directed by Rob Zombie
Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment

 I know I am a little late on this review, but better late than never I guess.  THE LORDS OF SALEM is Rob Zombie's latest film which opened back in April of this year in limited theaters.  I didn't think I was going to be able to see this film in the theater, because it was not playing in any theaters around me at the time of it's release.  But a few weeks later, the next city over started playing it so I was able to go see it.   This film had been really hyped up, and being a huge fan of Rob Zombie's previous films, I was super excited to see this film.  Here is the basic plot of the film from the Anchor Bay website:

  It has been called “disturbing” (Los Angeles Times), “nerve-shattering” (Chicago Reader) and “Rob Zombie’s masterpiece” (Loudwire.com). From the nightmare mind of writer/director Rob Zombie comes the terrifying story of Salem, Massachusetts radio DJ Heidi LaRoc (Sheri Moon Zombie of THE DEVIL’S REJECTS) who receives a mysterious record labeled “a gift from The Lords”. But when Heidi plays the disc, its bizarre sounds will trigger visions of the town’s depraved past, release the darkness within her own damaged soul, and unleash the long-awaited vengeance of Satan himself. Bruce Davison (WILLARD) and a coven of genre legends co-star in this stunning witchcraft shocker that Beyond Hollywood calls “a full-on piece of satanic madness…

 I have to admit, when seeing the film in the theater, I was not blown away like I expected to be.  I didn't hate the film either, it seems as though I was just sort of on the fence about this one.  From reading other reviews it seems like you either loved it or hated it.  I was just indifferent to it upon first viewing.  I remember leaving the theater confused, and perplexed, wondering exactly what I had just seen.
 The film had it's pros and cons, and upon second viewing with the Anchor Bay Blu-ray release, I was able to find more pros than cons the second time around.   The movie was more enjoyable to me the second time around, maybe because I knew what to expect and I wasn't expecting a masterpiece like I was upon my first viewing.  I have to say that the acting in this film was excellent, especially from the seasoned veterans such as Bruce Davison, Dee Wallace, Meg Foster, and Patricia Quinn.  The film was also extremely good visually.  There are some very creepy visuals and a very good used of color in this film, reminiscent of the way color was used in Dario Argento's Three Mothers trilogy.

If you saw this film in the theater and felt a bit let down, I encourage you to give it a second viewing on home video.  THE LORDS OF SALEM is available now on DVD and Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment.

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

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

Watch an exclusive clip from the upcoming Rob Zombie film, THE LORDS OF SALEM!

  Earlier this week, Entertainment Weekly posted an exclusive clip from the upcoming Rob Zombie film, THE LORDS OF SALEM!  I can not wait for this film, as it looks very creepy and has the great style we have come to expect from Rob Zombie.  Check out the clip and let me know what you think!  Also, right after the clip from the film is the official trailer #2 of the film.  Check that out as well!  

  THE LORDS OF SALEM is scheduled for theatrical release on April 19th.

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