Spring is in the air and with it comes a batch of new DVD and Blu-ray releases to usher in the season in style. It’s a time of renewal and for some of us, that entails finding the time to take a couple hours out of our stressful day for a little escapist fun, to distract us from real life. Read on for a few recent standouts.
In the House of Flies
Set in 1988, this sly little flick follows a young couple who get knocked unconscious and awake in a small basement with little more than a telephone. The couple is soon tormented by a sinister-sounding caller who fails to reveal his motives. The caller is portrayed by none other than Henry Rollins, who is scary and ominous by phone. While the premise is not wholly original, this claustrophobic, mind-meddler from filmmaker Gabriel Carrer does do a fine job in fostering and facilitating the tension, which rises throughout. It’s also got an astonishing soundtrack, featuring early ‘80s pop/prog band Saga and obscure pop-metal merchants Brighton Rock. (MVD)
Tales From the Crypt/Vault of Horror
You really can’t go wrong with Gothic horror. With roots tracing back to the Universal classics, Gothic horror enjoyed a major renaissance during the early ‘60s with the rise of Hammer Studios, and its two main players Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Known for its plush Victorian-era period pieces, vivid color palette and saucy, atmospheric flair, the studio cranked out dozens of Gothic goodies from the late ‘50s to the mid ‘70s, spawning several imitators in the process.
One such imitator would be the second-tier Amicus Studios, known for its colorful anthology films. And that’s what we have here. Both Tales From the Crypt and Vault of Horror are based on a similar premise. A group of really bad people are brought together under mysterious circumstances where their misdeeds are displayed as separate mini stories, all to be neatly sewn up at the end. Of the two, Tales is slightly stronger, as it features UK vet Sir Ralph Richardson as the crypt keeper and master of the proceedings. The film would also go on to inspire a TV series and other films. In true Amicus fashion, each features some goofy comedic bits, as in Vault’s first story that showcases a vampire-inspired restaurant. It’s purposefully corny, but does provide some respite from the carnage that ensures.
Both films come in crisp hi-def, which should be a treat for fans of the genre, as either has been widely available in these parts for eons. (Shout! Factory)
Late Phases: Night of the Lone Wolf
The werewolf genre has taken a backseat to zombies, ghosts, viruses and others as of late, so it was kind of refreshing to stumble upon this little flick. Shot on a shoestring budget by director Adrian Garcia Bogliano, the film centers on a cranky, retired vet who moves into a senior community, only to find out that that the tight-knit brood is hiding something deadly in its midst. Will his bad attitude help save him from becoming fast-food himself? What it may lack in special effects and acting chops, it makes up for in feel, making for a tense view. (Dark Sky)
Game of Thrones
Season 4
The fourth season of HBO’s epic operetta was both eventful and transitional. The dastardly Lannisters have maintained control for the moment, while underdogs John Snow and Daenerys Targaryen see their stars on the rise. The season also marked the demise of the hopelessly annoying King Joffrey, who’s demise was long overdue. This new Blu-ray set has all the gory details and more—including several worthwhile extras that should have fans salivating as we await the entry of the fifth season in the coming weeks. (HBO)
Blacula/Scream Blacula Scream
Forever fortifying race relations, the Blacula film series was the ‘70s blaxploitation genre’s main foray into horror. After being double-crossed by Count Dracula, an African prince (played to the hilt by actor William Marshall ) is doomed to inhabit the Earth as a lifeless vampire. Once unearthed, the badass prince wreaks havoc on ‘70s LA, now as the creepily hip, Blacula. Both installments of the previously hard-to-find Blacula franchise can now be seen in a tidy 2-fer Blu-ray set, heightening the lunacy in hi-def. (Shout! Factory)
One Step Beyond
Created around a year prior to Twilight Zone, One Step Beyond was a weekly series that showcased dark, macabre suspense stories based on supposedly true events. Host John Newland would introduce each story with his cool TV demeanor, in a similar format to the superior Twilight Zone. But One Step Beyond does feature some well-crafted stories and some organic creepiness in its stark, black-and-white presentation. This new set features a whopping 70 episodes out of the original 96, all for under 20 bucks—a great way to get acquainted. (Film Chest)
Starry Eyes
How far would you go for fame? That’s the question posed to Sarah, a waitress and aspiring actress living in Hollywood. Filmmakers Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer take the Faustian concept of making a deal with the dark side to a whole new level with the impressive Starry Eyes. As Sarah lands her first role, strange things begin to happen, and both her mental and physical states become indelibly affected—and not in a good way. Actress Alex Essoe is highly effective as the ambitious but sensitive Sarah, who shows us her gruesome side as the film progresses. Fans of David Lynch, Rob Zombie and David Cronenberg, will easily be smitten by the dark charms of Starry Eyes. (Dark Sky)
Nekromantik 2
Released in 1991, this strange German film was banned for years in the Fatherland for its over-the-top themes and imagery. The film follows the dishy and disaffected Monika, who prefers the company of corpses over living boyfriends. With slow, measured pacing, an eerie soundtrack and loads of artful shots of Monika (played by the sedate Monika M.) fondling her pet corpse, the film is actually a love story of sorts. While it may not be for everyone, this sequel of sorts does remain an interesting piece nonetheless. (Cult Epics)
Fear Clinic
The premise of Fear Clinic is an interesting one—a doctor uses a machine to animate the fears of his patients in order to help them face the things that scare them. The execution is a little less effective. Aside from a decent lead performance by horror vet Robert Englund, Fear Clinic is a bit wooden in spots, but is entertaining nonetheless. Keep en eye out for Slipknot singer Corey Taylor as well. (Anchor Bay)
Silicon Valley
Season 1
With spring in the air, I didn’t feel right ending this installment on such a heavy note. Per that, Silicon Valley is the perfect way to wrap this one up. The HBO show follows a few NorCal ne’erdowells out to start their own company, facing the pitfalls of doing so in the competitive landscape of its moniker. The edgy dialog and quirky characters make for a funny view with a storyline that’s hard to peel away from. (HBO)
For questions, comments or something you’d like to see, drop me a note at Retrohead77@yahoo.com.
