"Castle Freak" DVD/Movie Review (Full Moon 1995 Issue)

"Castle Freak" DVD/Movie Review (Full Moon 1997 Issue)

1997 -1st Issue DVD Cover

PREFACE:

This is the ninth installment of DVD / Movie reviews of adaptations of the works of H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937).

BASIS: Loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Outsider" written in 1921.

PRODUCTION:

Under the proven hand of master-Lovecraft Director Stuart Gordon with a screenplay by ever-present collaborator Dennis Paoli, "Castle Freak" has elements of "The Outsider" in it, but is, more or less, an excellent horror film. Another frequent collaborator is musician Charles Band who scored the film. Partial credit also to Mr. Band for his "original idea" in which the rest of the story is based.

The production itself took place in Italy in a real castle, which adds to the realism of the film. 

As with several early (1985-1997) Gordon/Paoli Lovecraft adaptations, actors Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator, From Beyond) return as does gorgeous Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, From Beyond). Both give solid performances which are a bit more serious that the other two outings.

NOTE: A third Lovecraft-based film "The Evil Clergyman" starring Combs & Crampton was made in 1987. (After "From Beyond") The completed film was thought lost after Empire Pictures shut down, but a work print was discovered. It has been reported that it was restored & released on DVD in 2012 and is currently available! I'll have to get this one pretty soon!

THE STORY:

A troubled couple, John Reilly (Jeffrey Combs) & Susan (Barbara Crampton) inherit an ancient castle in Italy. They, along with their blind daughter, Rebecca (Jessica Dollarhide) temporarily move into the castle in the hopes it might help mend their broken marriage.
They soon discover that something else is living in the castle with them, something vicious.

The final discovery of who it is might not be shocking, but the manner in which his story is told is particularly gruesome and sadistic.

Guilt-ridden husband, John Reilly (Jeffrey Combs).

Susan Reilly played by Barbara Crampton.

Their blind daughter, Rebecca (Jessica Dollarhide).

Giorgio, the freak, after a lifetime of beatings.

Giorgio breaks his own thumbs to escape his shackles.

The final confrontation with the "castle freak".

THE DVD:

Some fans don't like this movie because of some of the violence towards women by the freak. However, I believe that this is the makers attempt to show the freaks hatred of women because all of his suffering had come from the hands of his mother.

This movie isn't the romp of "Re-Animator", but it has some gory moments. The acting is solid and the sense of regret comes through in the performance of Jeffrey Combs. Barbara Crampton angry wife is also well-played, at times showing coldness to her husband and others blaming him for their daughters blindness and death of their son, J.J.

It runs about 95 minutes and the pace is slow in setting up the story, but picks up quickly.

Special Features:

Presented in Full Frame
VIDEOZONE Video Magazine

"Dreams in the Witch House" DVD Movie Review (Anchor Bay 2006 Issue)

"Dreams in the Witch House" DVD Movie Review - Anchor Bay 2006 Issue

PREFACE:

This is the eighth installment of movie adaptations & DVD reviews stories by H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937).

BASIS:

The short story "The Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft written in 1932. The adaptation changes certain elements to fit within the 55 minute running time & to make the story more contemporary. The original story is much grander in scope and should be read to appreciated.

PRODUCTION:

This adaptation is actually part of the "Masters of Horror" television series. "Dreams in the Witch House" was the second episode of the first season.  

The dynamic duo is back again, Director Stuart Gordon & Written by Dennis Paoli & Stuart Gordon. It is my firm belief that these two Lovecraft fans, alongside of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, are the best at adapting Lovecraft's work into a coherent and filmable story.

The music for this adaptation is by Gordon's frequent collaborator, Richard Band. 

Ezra Godden (Dagon) returns to play protagonist Walter Gilman. 

The effects for all of the Masters of Horror episodes were by effects superpower KNB FX (Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger & Robert Kurtzman). 

THE STORY:


Young Miskatonic University student Walter Gilman (Ezra Godden) rents a cheap room in a very ancient house. Young Walter is studying quantum theory and needs privacy. He starts being haunted by strange dreams and is accosted by a rat with a human face (called Brown Jenkin in the short story). This rat is a familiar to a 17th century witch who has used the non-euclidean geometry of the house as an inter-dimensional gateway between worlds.

This witch requires the sacrifice of an infant. It just so happens that the young single mother next door has an infant boy....

Protagonist Walter Gilman.

Brown Jenkin terrorizes Walter while sleeping.

The Non-Euclidean doorway is open...

Neighbor Mr. Masurewicz warns Walter of his fate.

The witch forces Gilman to "sign" with his blood.

THE DVD (Anchor Bay 2006 Issue)

The DVD comes in an attractive slip case designed in-line with the other "Masters of Horror" individual releases.

Special Features:

1.77:1 Widescreen Presentation; enhanced for 16x9 TV's

Audio Commentary with Stuart Gordon & Actor Ezra Godden

Behind the Scenes: The Making of The Dreams in the Witch House

Working with a Master: Stuart Gordon

Dreams, Darkness and Damnation: AN Interview with Stuart Gordon

On Set: AN Interview with Chelah Horsdal

SFX: Meet Brown Jenkin

Stuart Gordon Bio

Still Gallery

Storyboard Gallery

DVD-Rom: Screenplay

DVD-Rom: Screensaver

DVD-Rom: "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft

No lacking in the old special features on this DVD! I really like this movie, as it has a lot of Lovecraftian references than the usual adaptation. I mean we finally get to see the Rare Books Section of Miskatonic University & the Necronomicon to boot! There's gore & blood and perhaps the saddest ending of any of the adaptations that I've seen.

I only wish that Nyarlahotep had made an appearance as he did in the short story...scary shit right there!

This, of course, is one I would recommend highly!

"Dagon" DVD Movie Review

"Dagon" DVD Movie Review (2001 Issue)

PREFACE:

This is the seventh installment of a series of DVD reviews of motion pictures adapted from stories written by H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937).

"Dagon" DVD Movie Review (2001 Issue)

BASIS: 

The short story "Dagon" written in 1919 and "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" written in 1931. The movie itself owes more to "Shadow" than to "Dagon" actually. 

PRODUCTION:

Ah, the Maestros return! Directed by Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator, From Beyond) from an adapted screenplay by Dennis Paoli, this Lovecraft movie is very good! If anyone knows how to adapt Lovecraft into a movie narrative, it's these two guys! 

Dennis Paoli actually scripted "Dagon" back in the 1980's to be the second Lovecraft feature following "Re-Animator", but the script was rejected & replaced by "From Beyond". The film was made in a small village in Spain named Combarro. In the movie, the place is called "Inboca", a loose translation to "Innsmouth".

Again, Fantastic Factory's founder Brian Yuzna (Beyond Re-Animator) helped get the production underway through his division of Filmax. 

This is also Stuart Gordon's first work with actor Ezra Godden on a Lovecraft adaptation, but not the last!

THE STORY:

Paul Marsh, a Miskatonic University graduate and successful dot com entrepreneur is on a boating holiday with girlfriend Barbara and two other friends, Howard & Vicki near the coast of Spain. Their boat runs aground a reef near a small fishing village & Paul & Barbara leave the boat to go get help.

Paul Marsh (Ezra Godden) on the dock in Inboca.

Once aground, Paul leaves Barbara behind to go back to the wreck to check on Howard & Vicki. They've vanished without trace. Once back in Inboca, Paul begins to see that things are not what they seem, especially once he gets to "Hotel del Mar". After a harrowing and intense chase sequence at the hotel, Paul finds Ezekiel - the last "man" in Inboca.

In perhaps the most interesting parts of the film, old Ezekiel tells Paul "the secret of Inboca". When Ezekiel was a boy, the fishing dried up and the town prayed to God. Then evil Captain Combarro vows to brings the "Great God Dagon" to Inboca to bring fish & riches to the town. The town turns against God and becomes a cult society..complete with human sacrifices to "Dagon".

Captain Combarro turned "Esoteric Orde De Dagon" Priest.

Uxia, daughter of Orpheus Cambarro & Paul Marsh's sister!

Uxia, a woman in the dreams of Paul Marsh, is discovered living in the Combrarro's mansion. She's a product of a union with the creature Dagon and a human female...and Pauls sister! The evil Inbocanos finally catch Paul and he is not alone...and a secret regarding his past will forever change his view of the world.

Ezekiel's death at the hands of the butchers of Dagon.

That's all I'll say regarding this film other than you need to see it! As usual, Stuart Gordon crafts a story as only he can and the results are Lovecraftian cinema at it's best. Although, again, not on par with Re-Animator- this film is probably Gordon & Paoli's best effort up to 2001. 

They have more up their sleeve, as we'll see in the next few reviews!

THE DVD:

DVD Cover Artwork (Lions Gate 2001 Issue)

This is the only U.S. Edition ever released, that I am aware of. I hope someone will give this film a "Special Edition" treatment soon as it certainly deserves it. I like this film, not just as a Lovecraft fan, but as a general horror fan as well. 

Special Features:

16x9 Widescreen (1.78:1 Aspect Ratio)
5.1 Dolby Digital Sound
Production Commentary with Stuart Gordon & Ezra Godden
Storyboards
Production Artwork
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
English & Spanish Subtitles
Trailer

(Here's a bonus for those who have bothered to read this far: during the movie some of the dialogue is in Galacian which is NOT subtitled for the viewer. If you want to know what they're saying, switch to Spanish subtitles and translate...you'll get a neat surprise in several scenes!)

"Beyond Re-Animator" DVD Movie Review (2003 Issue)

PREFACE:

This is the sixth installment of a series of DVD reviews of motion pictures adapted from stories written by H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937).

"BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR" (U.S. Issue DVD; 2003; Lions Gate)

BASIS:

Although this is the third in the series of "Re-Animator" motion pictures, the only elements used from the original short story is, of course, Dr. Herbert West and his reagent. The rest is an original story.

PRODUCTION:

Although directed by Brian Yuzna, this production was entirely shot in Spain. The story by Miguel Tejada-Flores  and screenplay by José Manuel Gómez is by no means up to the standards set by the first two Re-Animator films. However, the film does have what it takes to be, what may be, the final chapter in the Re-Animator Saga: Jeffrey Combs!

There are times when the Spanish production values creep through into the film, but these are minimal (dubbing English mostly) and the films effects are pretty good and are on par with the other two films.

"Beyond Re-Animator" premiered on the Sy-Fy Channel with a PG rating. I remember waiting for the movie to come out and hating to have to wait through the commercials when it finally was aired! 

The US DVD is rated R, but other countries have an unrated cut floating around out there somewhere.

THE STORY: 

The story begins the night of the ending of "Bride of Re-Animator" as Dr. Herbert West is being arrested and placed into the back of a patrol car. A young man, whose sister was just killed by one of Wests rampant experiments, watches as West is carried away. The young boy discovers a syringe dropped by West containing a small amount of reagent.

DR. West (Jeffrey Combs) behind bars.

   The Wardens work of never ending executions.

                                                                                      Execution of the sadistic Warden by West.

14 years later, that young man, Dr.Howard Phillips (Jason Barry) has been employed at the very prison where West has been serving out his sentence.

West, in the interim, has been experimenting on rats and has discovered what he calls "Nano-plasmic energy" and he believes it to be the missing link to a successful reanimation in humans.

The Wardens victim....reanimated.

Once West is reunited with the reagent, all hell will break loose within the confines of the prison. A dope addict thinks it's a drug to get high and over injects himself and literally explodes into living bits and parts, nano- energy is swapped creating strange human/rat hybrids, and of course- our hero West finds a way to slip through the chaos and simply walks away into the darkness....

Don't do drugs, kids...you never know what's in them.

THE DVD:

Lions Gate DVD US Cover (2003)

The movie is good, but definitely not on par with the original. However, it has it's merits. The DVD is pretty standard fare and I could have done without that silly "Music Video". This is the only U.S. Issue that I am aware of.

Special Features:

Directors Commentary

Making of Featurette

Music Video

16x9 Aspect Ratio

5.1 Dolby Digital Sound

Running Time: 95 minutes.

"Bride of Re-Animator" DVD Movie Review (Pioneer 1999 Edition)

PREFACE:

This is the fifth installment of a series of DVD reviews of motion pictures adapted from stories written by H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937).


BASIS:

The short story "Herbert West- The Re-Animator" written in serialization form for "Home Brew" magazine 1921-1922.


PRODUCTION:

The success of "Re-Animator" in 1985 almost assured that there would be a sequel. Unfortunately, Director Stuart Gordon was not available, so the original Producer Brian Yuzna stepped in to fill his partners shoes. Big shoes to fill indeed! The screenplay was written by Woody Keith, Rick Fry & Brian Yuzna, utilizing some original elements from the short story that were not used in "Re-Animator" (1985).



THE STORY:

The story begins eight months after the end of the original film. Now, Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) and Daniel Cain (Bruce Abbott) are now doctors who have volunteered during a bloody Peruvian civil war. During this time, with all of the dead & dying troops, West has had plenty of time to work on his reagent.

West & Cain experiment with body parts.

After returning home to Arkham, the two go back to being doctors at Miskatonic Medical school. West discovers that his reagent can brings body parts to live and sets out to "create NEW life" by piecing together various parts of cadavers - a "bride".

The Bride (Kathleen Kinmont) self destructs.

 -


Dr. Hill's severed head is accidentally discovered & reanimated by pathologist Wilbur Graves (Mel Stewart) and then the chaos begins!

Lt. Chapham & pathologist WIlbur Graves.

A sub-plot involving police Lt. Leslie Chapham (Claude Earl Jones) investigation West & Cain brings about more chaos & the inevitable "tomb legions" (mentioned in the original Lovecraft short stories).

The "Bride", being constructed by various cadaver parts and 'glued' together using the reagent, is given final life by an injection into the heart. The bride, confused by their creators rejection of her, tears her own body apart in a gory climax.

Body parts, blood, a mix & match humanoid creation and other similar creepily created reanimated corpses return for vengeance against West.


THE DVD's

"Bride of Re-Animator" Pioneer Special Edition (1999)

Cover art for first release on DVD in 1999.

The DVD is presented in full-screen with a very annoying option to "matte" out the top & bottom to simulate a theatrical presentation. All is really does is cut off a shit-ton of picture. Not good, Pioneer, not good.

The good news is that the disc includes the R-Rated version (96 minutes) AND an Unrated Version coming in at a whopping (97 minutes). Whoever decided to save those split second trims must've felt real good when Pioneer called them in 1998 to put this DVD together.

Special Features:

Audio commentary with Director brian Yuzna, Jeffrey Combs, Visual Effects Supervisor Tom Rainone and his effects team (including KNB's Bob Kurtzman!)

Deleted Scene in which Meg is Re-Animated from the first film.

Behind the scenes pictures.

Prop Gallery.

Conceptual Drawings.

Promotional Materials.

I recommend that you should watch this movie, just don't watch THIS version of it. I know there has been a Blu-Ray Edition issued with tons more material, picture restoration and new sound. That'll probably be the way to go on this one, folks.

-Nash

"Re-Animator" DVD Review (1997 Issue / 2012 Issue)

PREFACE:

This is the fourth installment of a series of DVD reviews of motion pictures adapted from stories written by H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937).


THE MOVIE:


BASIS:

Lovecraft's short story "Herbert West-Reanimator" was written between June 1921 and July 1922 for serialization in "Home Brew"- an amateur magazine. It was Lovecraft's first mention of Miskatonic University and is also the first written story that refers to "zombies" as scientifically reanimated corpses having an cannibalistic, uncontrollable, animal-like demeanor.

PRODUCTION:

In 1984, Director Stuart Gordon & writer Dennis Paoli wanted, at first, to adapt the HPL story "Dagon" for a filmed adaptation but changed their minds before production. This would be the two's first of many successful Lovecraft movie adaptations.

The movie that was made would be a hit in 1985 and the beginning of a resurgence of interest in the works of H.P. Lovecraft which continues to grow today.


STORY:

The story revolves around Miskatonic University new genius student Herbert West (played by Jeffrey Combs), his friend Daniel Cain (Bruce Abbott) utilizing Wests' newly developed 're-agent' serum that brings the dead back to life. The results, shall we say, are not what West had expected.

                                               Dr. Herbwert West (L) & Daniel Cain (R).

Barbara Crampton plays Megan Halsey, Cains girlfriend and daughter of the Medical Schools Dean- Alan Halsey. The evil Dr. Carl Hill, played with great talent, is the late David Gale - Wests teacher and megalomaniac antagonist.

            Barbara Crampton as Megan Halsey.

                                                                                             Dr. Carl Hill & Dean Alan Halsey.
As West & Cain experiment with the serum, the incredible violence and Hills attempt of theft of the re-agent - results in Hill's murder by decapitation ( and resulting reanimation) by West himself. The crazy, over-the-top gore, violence and black humor only increases from that point to a crescendo of ridiculous proportions in blood, body parts & zombies!

This films mood can be summed up in a single line of dialogue from the climactic ending:        


WEST:(to the talking severed head of Dr.Hill):

"Who's going to believe a talking head? Get a job in a side show!"

DVD REVIEWS:
                                                                             

Re-Animator Review 1st Issue DVD (1997) - Elite Entertainment

Elite Entertainments 1997 DVD Cover Artwork.

This is the first time that Re-Animator was issued on DVD. The print of from Elite Entertainments own laser disc print from earlier years. The picture is well rendered and presented in the 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio with Digital Mono Sound and a running time of 86 minutes.

Special Features:

Digitally remastered Unrated Edition.

Two full-running Audio Commentary Tracks (1)- Stuart Gordon , (2) - Brian Yuzna & Cast.

Over 20 minutes of additional "R-Rated" scenes; including never before seen "Dream Sequence".

Theatrical Trailer & Television Spots.

"Re-Animator" DVD Review (2012 Issue)

Image Entertainments 2012 DVD Cover artwork.

This print is a lot clearer than the 1997 issued DVD's, although they used the same source materials. The sound is greatly improved with it being remastered in 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. The aspect ratio is still 1.85:1, however it is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.

Special Features:

Audio Commentary by Director Stuart Gordon

Audio Commentary by Producer Brian Yuzna and actors Bruce Abbott, Jeffrey Combs, Barbara                                                                                                     Crampton & Robert Sampson.

Interview with Director Stuart Gordon and Producer Brian Yuzna.

Interview with Writer Dennis Paoli.

Interview with Composer Richard Band.

Music Discussion with Composer Richard Band.

Interview with Fangoria Magazine editor Tony Timpone.

Deleted & Extended Scenes.

Theatrical trailer.

Television spots.

Re-Animator IS THE horror movie that NO self respecting horror buff should be without or AT LEAST watched!

Do I recommend "Re-Animator"? Does a bear shit in the woods?

-Nash

"From Beyond" DVD Review (US & German DVD's!)

PREFACE

This is the third in my series of DVD reviews of movie adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft stories. This time around, I'll be taking a look at two versions of "From Beyond". First up is the "official" U.S. "Unrated Directors Cut" from 2007 & secondly a look at the German issued Dragon Entertainment release in 2000.

"H.P. Lovecraft's From Beyond" U.S. Unrated Directors Cut Review - MGM 2007

MGM 2007 DVD Cover Art.

THE MOVIE

This 1986 film adaptation is the second one done by Lovecraft masters Stuart Gordon & Dennis Paoli, the first being 1985's highly inventive "Re-Animator".  The two maestros would continue to collaborate for many years adapting Lovecraft stories with great success.

Effectively, this can be considered a sequel to Lovecraft's short story "From Beyond" written in 1920 as the short story is visually adapted in the pre-credits sequence! So, really, everything after the opening credits is what happened after the original story ended! As a Lovecraft fan, I don't really look at it that way though but it is an interesting idea to consider!

This movie has what Lovecraft fans have come to expect by 1986: gore, slime, tentacles, body horror elements and crazed scientists tampering which things they shouldn't. 

The story is simple: Crawford Tillinghast (Jeffrey Combs) and Dr. Edward Pretorious ( Ted Sorel) have worked to create a machine dubbed "the resonator". The resonator is capable of generating waves that stimulate dormant senses within the human brain that allows a subject "to see" and interact with all of the other-worldly dimensions that surround us unseen every moment.

Pretorious, driven by his own obsessions with sensual pleasures, tests the machine and is consumed by something from beyond as Tillinghast disables the resonator with an ax. Arrested for Pretorious's murder and placed into an asylum, a young psychiatrist Katherine McMicheals (Barbara Crampton) and police officer Bubba Brownlee (Ken Foree) work to re-create the experiment to prove Tillinghast is telling the truth regarding Pretorious' death.

The ensuing madness & mayhem involves a transfigured Pretorious, now a resident of the other dimensions, attempting to bring the two worlds together and unleash an unimaginable horror. 

Dr. Pretorious in one of his transfigured flesh forms.

Pretorious demonstrating that "it's just a body"!

Tillinghast & McMicheals look on in horror.

The infamous "Resonator".

One restored deleted scene. The notorious "eat the brain through the eye socket" shot!

The US Unrated Directors Cut runs 86 minutes with all of the deleted scenes in place. The DVD features are Audio Commentary by Stuart Gordon & Cast; Directors Perspective featurette; The Editing Room: Lost and Found; Interview with the musical composer & more.

It's presented in 1.85:1 Widescreen and only with Dolby Surround. The disc is coded for Region 1.

This is the version to get on DVD, but I read about the new Blu-Ray disc and it seems to have upped the ante regarding extras and audio/video resolution.That's a whole other blog right there!

"H.P. Lovecraft's From Beyond" - Dragon Entertainment Issue (Germany) -2000

German DVD Front Cover.

THE MOVIE:

The DVD is actually the US Theatrical Version and is cut by several minutes despite the packaging listing the running time as 86 minutes. The DVD quality is of a restored quality, but not as good as the US Edition. It does have 5.1 Surround Sound, but in German only. Original English language track is 2.0. It is, however, presented in 1.85:1 Widescreen and the animated DVD Menus are incredible!

This disc is coded Region 0 - capable of being played anywhere in the world.

What makes this version so awesome is the artwork, the slip sleeve, the booklet and the interior artwork. It's amazing! 

Interior DVD Case outer artwork.

Interior DVD Case inner Artwork & Booklet.

Again, I would recommend this film, not to just Lovecraft fans, but to horror fans as well. Newer fans will may not enjoy all of the practical effects, but that's what gives these 80's horror films an edge in the gore factor, in my opinion!

Go & watch this film! I love it!