Week of Monday May 7 to Friday May 11, 2007

Monday, May 7, 2007
The Triangle - 2005

Another SciFi mini-series that turns out to be excellent. These guys (SciFi) have really turned themselves around over the last couple of years. And their DVD releases are nice. Subtitles in a mini-series are especially welcome.

Tomes of CG, much of which is VERY good. And MAN, what a cast! Lou Diamond Phillips, Sam Neill (Event Horizon, Jurassic Parks), Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly in the X-Mens). I didn't think it was quite as good as The Lost Room, but my wife liked it more. It has more production values, but slightly less engaging (at least for me, and since it's MY blog, we'll go with that. Laurel can write her own blog :-> )

I have to say that Sam Neill seems to be making a career of playing smart guys who go crazy. (See In The Mouth of Madness). And like Return of the King, the ending goes on WAY too long. Still, this is another must watch. Very enjoyable.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Mexican Werewolf in Texas - 2005

According to IMDB, this movie had only a $300K budget. And the first sign of no budget, annoying Narration. And what is up with all the guy's eyebrows in this movie?

AND, living in Texas, I got tired VERY quickly of all the Mexican vs Texan BS. I don't need this crap. But, at least they're smart enough to know that at this budget level, don't show the monster full on. But once again, I hate all the people in the movie, and want them all to die.

No extras, and not much reason to watch unless you're a werewolf completest.

Attack of the Gryphon - 2007

For a movie that the title creature requires CG, these are the cheapest CG effects I've seen in years. I mean, it looks like it was done with an Amiga 2000 and Lightwave 1.0. It's laughably bad, really. And plenty of 'over the top' acting. This is one of those movies that's unintentionally funny. The only good thing is Amber Benson (Tara from Buffy).

Actually, it's enjoyable, in its own sort of humble way. Just don't expect a lot of polish. And the laughable CG will definitely keep you from taking it too seriously.

Wednesday, may 9, 2007
Satan's Cannibal Holocaust - 2007

IMDB hasn't even been updated. It still says it's in production. Funny, this DVD looks pretty finished to me. Sub Rosa Extreme obviously hasn't gotten around to updating IMDB.

Fair production values, pretty predictable, bad acting on a lot of people's parts. And one of the most disgusting concepts I've heard in a long time - epicack salad dressing.

Commentary has director (Jim Wayer) along with cast and crew. Here we learn that it was an 11 day shoot. The commentary isn't very good, just a lot of friends talking among themselves.

Other extras include a 17 minute behind the scenes, and "Gag reel and other shit" (no, really, that's what it says in the menu). There's also a bonus short "Love's Revenge" which was not too shabby, but the narration's deadpan-ness really lessens the atmosphere.

Thursday, May 10, 2007
Maniac Cop - 1988

What a cast! Take a look at this:
Written/Prod - Larry Cohen
Directed by - William Lustig
Bruce Campbell
Robert Z'dar
Richard Roundtree
Tom Atkins
Sam Raimi in a cameo
Bucky Flowers in a cameo

It's a pretty standard 80's slasher.

Commentary has Campbell, Cohen, Lustig, and Composer Jay Chattaway. We learn that it was shot in only 4 days in NYC, 21 days total, with a day and a half of pick ups. Lots of history, not very technical, very good natured. It's nice to hear a group of people who seem to get along very well after all these years. Many of these folks have become pretty famous.

Other extras include additional footage filmed for the Japanese TV version (that is referenced in the commentary). And Maniac Cop Memories - interview with Robert Z'Dar, which was pretty good, really.

Friday, May 11, 2007
Ganja & Hess - 1973

Now here is a very odd one. Not sure how this got in my wishlist. It's definitely different. The "hero" is addicted to blood. Within the first 12 minutes, I'm completely lost. This is obviously going to be a WTF movie. The lead is Duane Jones, Ben from Night of the Living Dead. I didn't even recognize him at first.

Okay, I watch a lot of disgusting shit in these movies. But brushing your teeth with bath water may have grossed me out more than anything I've seen in years. Maybe it's because you know it's not a special effect, just some guy sticking his toothbrush down in the water HE'S SITTING IN, and then sticking it in his mouth. God, it's making me gag just thinking about it.

Okay, so he's a rich, black vampire. I get that. But by the end, we're back to WTF. From the commentary, we learn that it's about addiction, and where it takes you. Guess I'm dim, because I didn't get that at all while watching it.

And speaking of commentary, it features Producer Chiz Schultz, Marlene Clark (actress), DP Jim Hinton, and composer Sam Waymon. Shot in Super 16 and blown up. I never would have guessed. It's gorgeous. And it's an historic movie, as it's the first blaxsploitation/horror/art house movie with an all black cast.

Other extras include a Pre-screening Q&A called The Blood Is The Thing. Full history of the movie (with even more details than in the commentary) which is pretty interesting. There's also Ganja & Hess redux, DVD Producer's views, which is VERY interesting. Why he made this DVD, and why he thinks the movie is important.

Shock Corridor - 1963 (B/W)

Very Twilight Zone look and sound. Music just screams 60's TV. And I have to admit that I've never seen a singing striptease act before.

This is basically a film noir version of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. But you are left with a couple of questions. What's the color waterfall mean? And what's up with the ending. Could it have been any darker? Wow!