Edgar Allan Poe's Black Cats (2015, Sergio Martino/Lucio Fulci)

Sadly Halloween has come and gone. I am still trying to get over the fact that I have to wait another 11 months for the spooky Samhain season of tricks, treats and really nutty gothic Italian horror films. Wait! What's that you say? I don't have to wait? Arrow Films recently released a box set just for me featuring a pair of films by two of my favorite Italian directors? Let the celebrating commence!
Edgar Allan Poe's Black Cats box set features two films loosely based on the classic poem by the master of macabre. The first film, Lucio Fulci's The Black Cat stars David Warbeck (The Beyond) as an inspector investigating a series of murders in a small English village. Along the way he meets a photographer named Jill (Mimsy Farmer) whose post-mortem photographs may hold some evidence that a frisky feline might be responsible or at least hold the key to these murders. Also included is one of several expertly crafted giallo films by Sergio Martino, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key. This classic mindbender stars Luigi Pistilli (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) as an abusive, alcoholic writer who tries convincing his wife (Anita Strindberg) that he is not responsible for the odd murders that keep occurring in and around their sprawling villa. His mysterious young niece (the astonishingly beautiful Edwige Fenech) comes to visit and tries to find out who is responsible for the murders as well.
What can I say except that this box set is one of the best releases I have seen in a long time. It hasn't taken long for Arrow to win me over and I have to say they are probably my favorite DVD/Blu Ray releasing company around now. Their Criterion-level care for obscure, yet usually brilliant, films is a dream come true for fringe film lovers. Overall, I'd say Your Vice is the stronger of the two films but gore lovers won't want to miss Fulci's underrated gothic classic. The fact this box set includes two of my favorite Italian film starlets (Fenech and Dagmar Lassander) just makes the whole thing even sweeter. This limited edition box set features two blu ray discs as well as an amazing 80 page book featuring Poe's original story and detailed writings on the two films. Whether you are a fan of Italian horror, gothic, gore or gialli (or all 4 like me), you can't go wrong with this set. Included in this set are:
-Brand new 2K restorations of the films from the original camera negatives
-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
-Original Italian and English soundtracks in mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
-Newly translated subtitles for the Italian soundtracks
-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtracks
-Brand new interview with director Sergio Martino
-Dolls of Flesh and Blood: The Gialli of Sergio Martino - a visual essay by Michael Mackenzie exploring Sergio Martino's unique contributions to the giallo genre
-Stephen Thrower, author of Beyond Terror - The Films of Lucio Fulci, on The Black Cat
-Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Matthew Griffin
-Limited Edition 80-page perfect-bound book featuring new writing on the films, Poe's original story and more, illustrated with archive stills and posters
Purchase this set directly from MVD HERE

Salad Days (2014, Scott Crawford)

New from MVD is a long-awaited document of the Washington DC punk scene from 1980-1980. I have been a fan of many of the bands in this documentary since I was a teenager so this was one doc I did not want to miss.

Directed by scenester Scott Crawford (there is some great footage of him as a teen outside of a punk show back in the day), Salad Days is a chronicle of one of the most beloved and important time periods in punk rock history. Named after a Minor Threat song, this film features interviews with Minor Threat's Ian Mackaye, the most important figure from the DC hardcore scene and possibly of independent music itself, with his philosophies on affordable, youth oriented music through his Dischord record label and all ages shows. Also included are interviews with Henry Rollins, SNL's Fred Armisen and members of such integral DC bands as Fugazi, Government Issue, Minor Threat, Dag Nasty and many more.

Salad Days is a very welcome documentary for the punk community. Both informative and entertaining, with an amazing soundtrack (including a score from DC staple Michael Hampton from The Faith/Embrace/S.O.A.), this film excels on all levels. Well written, visually exciting are the words I would use to describe this great documentary. And the music! What great, great music.


Purchase Salad Days directly from MVD HERE

Eaten Alive (1976, Tobe Hooper)

"Name's Buck... and I'm rarin' to fuck."

Just released from Arrow Films is Eaten Alive, an obscure horror classic that is sadly overshadowed by director Tobe Hooper's masterpiece The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. I first saw this film several years ago and didn't really know what to make of it. A few viewings later (including a beat up print on the big screen) and I finally realized how great this weird, off-beat treat really is.

Eaten Alive stars veteran character actor Neville Brand as Judd, a psychotic war veteran with a hate for prostitutes and a love for crocodiles. In fact, he keeps one right outside his dumpy motel. An odd mix of folks pass by, providing victims for Judd's scythe and food for the croc.

What makes Eaten Alive so great are the claustrophobic sets, the trippy red lighting and most importantly the cast. Rarely have I seen such an amazing cast of B movie greats: Robert "Freddy Krueger" Englund, William Finley (Phantom of the Paradise), Marilyn Burns (Texas Chain Saw Massacre), Mel Ferrer, Roberta Collins (Death Race 2000), Janus Blythe (The Hills Have Eyes), Stuart Whitman (Big Bad Mama) and more round out this stellar cast. Now what Arrow did with this film is nothing short of a miracle. The transfer is beautiful (much better than the beat up print I saw) and the bonus features, which include some archival as well as brand new interviews with Hooper and cast round out this amazing DVD/Blu Ray combo. Another nice thing about this release, like most Arrow releases, is that it comes with a very informative booklet and newly designed cover artwork. Though maybe not as well known as some of Tobe Hooper's other films, Eaten Alive is a sick little goody sure to please horror and exploitation fans alike.

Special Features include:

-Brand new 2K transfer from the original camera negative

-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations

-Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

-Audio commentary with co-writer and producer Mardi Rustam, make-up artist Craig Reardon and stars Roberta Collins, William Finley and Kyle Richards

-New introduction to the film by director Tobe Hooper

-Brand new interview with Hooper

-My Name is Buck: Star Robert Englund discusses his acting career

-The Butcher of Elmendorf: The Legend of Joe Ball - The story of the South Texas bar owner on whom Eaten Alive is loosely based

-5ive Minutes with Marilyn Burns - The star of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre talks about working on Eaten Alive

-The Gator Creator: archival interview with Hooper

-Original theatrical trailers for the film under its various titles Eaten Alive, Death Trap, Starlight Slaughter and Horror Hotel

-US TV and Radio Spots

-Alternate credits sequence

-Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin

-Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

Purchase Eaten Alive directly from MVD HERE

Contamination (1980, Luigi Cozzi)

"What else do you want to know about me? How many times a week I screw?"

Just released from Arrow Films is the low budget Italian sci fi film Contamination (aka Alien Contamination, Toxic Spawn or the director's choice Alien Arrives on Earth) directed by Luigi Cozzi, who previously helmed Star Crash with Caroline Munro (Maniac), Joe Spinell and a 26 year old David Hasselhoff. He also directed the giallo The Killer Must Kill Again and a couple Lou Ferrigno Hercules films! I had seen this film a couple times before and each time I liked it a little more so I definitely wanted to give it another shot.

Contamination begins with a bunch of eggs from outer space that mysteriously appear on a ship with a dead crew. These aren't just any eggs though! Oh no! These suckers pulsate until they pop and spray liquid which causes its victim's chests to explode. Ian McCulloch (the one from Zombi Holocaust and Fulci's Zombie, not the one from Echo and the Bunnymen) plays Commander Ian Hubbard, an ex-Astronaut who might know the secret to these eggs. He joins one of the men who found the eggs and a correspondent from the White House to stop whomever is behind the deadly plot to use these eggs to destroy the human race...or whatever.

Contamination is an unashamed Alien ripoff that moves the setting (due to budget restraints) to Earth. What the film didnt skimp on though is gore. Believe me when I tell you the exploding people in this film are INCREDIBLE!!! So nasty and gory. The story is silly, acting and dubbing appropriately hammy and the "reveal" at the end of the film is laugh out loud absurd. With all that said I Loved this film! I can't think of a movie that I've watched recently that was more watchable and entertaining. Though definitely not for everyone, Italian horror and cheesy B Movie fans should definitely have fun with this film. I must also note that the artwork on the cover of Arrow's new Blu Ray/DVD combo is probably the greatest cover I have seen in a long time. Reminds me of Tron meets 50's Sci Fi. Arrow's release itself is amazing and contains literally EVERYTHING you could want included. See the full specs below:

-High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation
-Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
-Feature Commentary by filmmaker, Fangoria editor and Contamination super-fan Chris Alexander
- Luigi Cozzi on the Creation of Contamination – an archive documentary hosted by the director and including behind-the-scenes footage
- 2014 Q&A with Cozzi and star Ian McCulloch
- Sound of the Cyclops: Goblin’s Maurizio Guarini on the music of Contamination – the Goblin keyboardist discusses Contamination’s dark, progressive rock score and a lifetime of making music for Italian terror
- Imitation Is The Sincerest Form of Flattery – A critical analysis of the Italian “Mockbusters” trend of filmmaking which sought to capitalize on the success of Hollywood blockbusters
- Theatrical Trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
- Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Chris Alexander, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

Purchase this DVD/Blu Ray combo directly from MVD HERE

The Wife Killer (1976, Dacosta Carayan)

New from Mondo Macabro is volume 2 in their brand new Greek collection. As I stated in my review for Tango of Perversion, I knew absolutely nothing about Greek films before these two great titles came along. But if these are any hint of the types of Greek films that are out there, then I hope Mondo Macabro releases more!

The Wife Killer (aka Death Kiss and the rather harsh titled The Rape Killer) tells the story of a gold digger who plans to have his rich sugar mama off'd to inherit her fortune. See he's got a girl on the side that he plans on taking off in his new yacht to live happily ever after with. Who is he going to have commit the crime for him? Well this creep just happens to be friends with a fine chap who gets his jollies by raping and killing women. As would be expected, double crossings, murders and other sleazy activities ensue.

The Wife Killer (as was stated on the DVD cover) definitely felt similar to the Italian gialli from the 70's. And though there was no mystery killer walking around dressed head to toe in black, there were copious amounts of plot twists, sex and bloody violence. Where some of the gialli were more "style over substance" (not that there was anything wrong with that), The Wife Killer, like Tango of Perversion, is very well written and completely sensical. There are beautiful women to ogle at, lots of red stuff and you'll find yourself scratching your head wondering what's going to happen until the last frame. Like Mondo Macabro's Tango of Perversion DVD, The Wife Killer is presented with a very nice looking, uncut transfer as well as an interview with the producer, trailers and a documentary on Greek cinema.

Rating: 9/10

Purchase The Wife Killer directly from Mondo Macabro HERE

Tango of Perversion (1974, Dacosta Carayan)

Greek Exploitation? Admittedly I know absolutely nothing about this exotic genre. This just made me even more excited and eager to check out Tango of Perversion, the first in Mondo Macabro's new Greek Collection. Based on the DVD cover and the synopsis, I could tell that this film had the potential to rival the sleaziest films from around the globe. Luckily, I was right!

Tango of Perversion takes place at the Tango club, where folks of all types go to dance, score drugs, meet interesting people...you know the type of place. It also happens to be the the hangout of local hustler and drug dealer Stathis, who is getting sick of his junkie girlfriend. To spite him after a fight, she takes off with another woman which Stathis doesn't like and after a fight ensues, he accidentally kills his girlfriend's lover. He covers his tracks but what he doesn't know is his creepy, impotent friend caught the whole thing on film. As expected, blackmail, more murders and sex follow.

Well I am happy to report that the Greek world of 70's exploitation doesn't disappoint! Tango of Perversion (aka Tango 2001) is a far out, psychedelic, drug fueled, sex filled classic! There are plenty of beautiful women in various states of undress, a good amount of violence, hippies and just all around weirdness. The thing that struck me particularly by surprise was just how well written the film was. The plot was original and not just an excuse to show boobies. Mondo Macabro's transfer looks incredible for such an odd, obscure film and there is also a nice documentary on the history of Greek film.

Rating: 9/10

Purchase Tango of Perversion directly from Mondo Macabro HERE

Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau (2014, David Gregory)

Just released by Severin Films is Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau. I was familiar with Richard Stanley through his films Hardware and Dust Devil, but didn't know much about what he has been doing since those films or even that he was the original director of Island of Dr. Moreau. In fact, despite being a huge Marlon Brando fan, I haven't even seen Island of Dr. Moreau, so I was basically going into this film blindly.

Lost Soul is a behind the scenes look at what went wrong with Richard Stanley's proposed take on H.G. Wells' classic story about a scientist who creates a civilization of half human/half animals. We begin with Stanley's initial visions, casting choices and then getting New Line's backing all the way up to filming. Problems then arose with the casting of two of Hollywood's most notoriously difficult actors and then continued with weather problems, differing visions and pretty much anything else you could think of. The film collects new interviews with Stanley, cast, crew and film executives all telling their side of the story, before Stanley was fired and replaced with John Frankenheimer.

Lost Soul is a documentary of the highest caliber. Where some documentaries fail by not including the key players involved in the subject, pretty much everyone you'd want to hear from on this "doomed journey" is accounted for. The only obvious exceptions are Brando, who passed away in 2004, and the film's other lead Val Kilmer (but do we really want to hear from him?). The interviews all seem very heartfelt and honest, without shying away from speaking out on possible black listing, on set fighting and egos gone wild. The film also has several funny stories, mostly in respect to Brando and Kilmer. Interviewees include Stanley, actors Fairuza Balk, Rob Morrow, Marco Hofschneider, Executives Edward R. Pressman and Robert Shaye, as well as local cast and crew members and special FX crew members. Severin's amazing, stuffed 3 disc release of this film includes the following:

Disc 1 (Blu Ray)

• Outtakes (over an hour)
• Graham Humphreys concept art gallery with Richard Stanley commentary
• Archive MOREAU interview with John Frankenheimer
• Barbara Steele recalls MOREAU (audio interview)
• “The Beast of Morbido” featurette
• “Return to the Compound” location featurette
• “Boar Man Diary” featurette

Disc 2 (DVD)

• INSEL DER VERSCHOLLENEN (ISLAND OF THE LOST): recently discovered 1921 film version of MOREAU
• “H.G. Wells on Film” featurette
• “Richard Stanley on Wells” featurette

Disc 3 (CD)

• Audiobook: Stanley reads the unexpurgated version of Wells’ THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU

Rating: 10/10

Purchase Lost Soul directly from Severin HERE