Vampire
31
May
2019
DIGITAL DISMEMBERMENT: DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS COLLECTOR’S EDITION BLU-RAY REVIEW
DIGITAL DISMEMBERMENT: DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS COLLECTOR’S EDITION BLU-RAY REVIEW
Director: Terence Fisher
Producer: Anthony Nelson Keys
Special FX: Les Bowie
Cast: Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Keir, Francis Matthews, Suzan Farmer, Charles Tingwell, Thorley Walters, Walter Brown, Philip Latham, George Woodbridge, Philip Ray, Joyce Hemson, John Maxim and Peter Cushing
Released By: Scream Factory
Release Date: 12/18/2018
THE PREMISE: “Dracula: Prince of Darkness, more than any of the Hammer Draculas, embodies the recurrent image of sexual repression threatening … to tear Victorian society apart …” – Moria Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Four English tourists find themselves stranded in the mysterious village of Karlsbad, a sinister and remote place with a deadly, dark legend. Their journey leads them to an abandoned castle where a nightmarish destiny awaits them: an evil in need of resurrection, a blood-craving beast known only as Count Dracula, Prince of Darkness (Christopher Lee, The Lord Of The Rings films, Wicker Man). Released in 1966, this film presents the legendary Lee’s second outing as Dracula, with Hammer Films pushing the cinematic boundaries of graphic gore and terror.
Director Terence Fisher was either a mad genius or the luckiest man alive when he started down the road of telling the story of Dracula in Hammer horror films. The ball got rolling in 1958 with Christopher Lee in the title role and was quickly followed up in 1960 with The Brides of Dracula (strangely without Lee or the Dracula character. It was the return of all three in 1966 when Dracula, Prince Of Darkness was released and the new standard for Hammer Studios and Dracula as a character was born. This is typically the film that most people speak of when they refer to the Hammer vampire films and for good reason. This release was considered to be one of the goriest of its time and even had a different theatrical cut elsewhere than it did in its home country, not to mention the fact that it did very little to hide lesbian overtures in a time when it was considered to be extremely taboo. Many of the tropes that we associate with modern day vampires are on display here, but if you keep in mind the time period in which this film was made, they actually come across as refreshing and still manage to spellbind you…
There are a few other things that stand out and separate it from many other Dracula films. The actual resurrection of Dracula is extremely dramatic and as mentioned before very gory for its time period. The other aspect that stands out is his death. It is quite common knowledge that being staked through the heart, sunlight and even decapitation and fire are all quite common methods to kill a vampire, but this would be the first time that a vampire was dispatched by drowning! Fisher’s direction is quite capable and I feel he gets the best out of his actors, in particular Lee in the starring role. Out of all the films that he played Dracula in, this is his most powerful presence. Very few actors can really immerse themselves in a role like this and no one has played it better since. There is a certain masculinity that he oozes, a confidence that he IS the Prince of Darkness and a willpower of absolute steel that will never be broken. The set pieces and locations are quite striking as well and certainly serve as a character all on their own…
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As the film starts, we see the final scenes from Dracula (1958) where we see Van Helsing (played by Peter Cushing) destroy Count Dracula with sunlight and eliminating his cult of followers so that only the memory of Dracula’s evil reign remains. We later see Father Sandor preventing the local authorities from disposing of a young woman’s body as if it were a vampire. Sandor talks with the head priest for spreading the fear of vampirism to the surrounding town and its people while reminding him that Dracula and his evil cult was destroyed ten years ago. Sandor visits the local inn and warns an English family named the Kents to not visit the village of Karlsbad, but they foolishly ignore his advice and go anyway. As it starts to get dark, the Kents are abandoned by their coach driver very close to Karlsbad and near a castle. A driverless carriage appears and takes them to the castle, where they find a dining table set for them exclusively and their bags are unpacked in the bedrooms, as if they were expected the whole time. A servant by the name of Klove tells them that his master, the late Count Dracula, had standing orders that the castle should always be ready to welcome strangers at any time…
After dinner, everyone head off to their rooms to rest, but later that night Alan (a member of the family) hears a noise and winds up following Klove to a crypt. Klove knows that Alan has followed him and quickly kills him and then mixes his blood with Dracula’s ashes, reviving the Count from his coffin in a billow of ominous fog. Klove then gets Helen (Alan’s significant other) to enter the crypt where she becomes Dracula’s first victim after his resurrection. The next morning, Charles and Diana (the other family members) look for Alan, Helen and Klove but can’t find them anywhere on the grounds. Charles takes Diana to a woodsman’s hut for safety and then returns to the castle to search for them on his own. Klove winds up tricking Diana into returning to the castle while Charles finds Alan’s torn up corpse stuffed in a trunk in the crypt. Darkness has now fallen and Dracula rises from his slumber. Diana runs into Helen who is now a vampire. Suddenly, Dracula enters and scares Helen away from Diana. Charles bursts in and struggles with Dracula. Diana realizes that her crucifix works as an effective deterrent against vampires. Charles makes a larger cross and drives Dracula away from them. They attempt to escape from the castle in a carriage, but lose control on the steep roads…
The carriage crashes and Diana is knocked out. Charles carries her for several hours through the woods until they run into Father Sandor, who takes them to his abbey. Klove shows up at the monastery in a wagon carrying two coffins with Dracula and Helen inside, but is not allowed inside by the monks. A man by the name of Ludwig (who is a patient at the abbey) is basically hypnotized by Dracula and he invites the Count inside. Helen convinces Diana to open the window and let her in, claiming to have escaped from Dracula, but Helen then bites her arm in an attack. Dracula scares Helen off again but Charles breaks into the room and drives the vampires out. Sandor tends to the bite with the heat from an oil lamp. Sandor puts silver crosses in the two coffins to prevent the vampires from coming back to them. He later captures Helen and drives a stake through her heart and killing her. Ludwig once again lures Diana into Dracula’s presence, where the Count hypnotises her into removing her cross. Dracula tries to force her to drink his blood from his bare chest, but once again Charles returns in time to stop him and forces Dracula to flee with the knocked out Diana…
Charles and Sandor prepare for a final battle with Dracula and to save Diana. They arm themselves and set out on horseback. They take a shortcut that gets themt in front of Dracula’s wagon and they manage stop it. Charles winds up shooting Klove who had removed Sandor’s silver crosses from the coffins, but the horses have taken off in fear to the castle. Diana is rescued while Dracula’s coffin is thrown onto the ice that covers the moat surrounding the castle. Charles moves in with an attempt to kill Dracula while he is in his coffin, but Dracula springs out of his coffin and starts beating the hell out of him. Diana and Sandor take the only action that they can and start shooting the ice which breaks, causing Dracula and his coffin to sink into the freezing waters below. Was this the final ending for Dracula? Does the family survive the aftermath of the attacks? Has Dracula’s evil finally been overthrown? You are going to have to watch to find out!
BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
Two Versions! The UK Version And The US Version From The 20th Century Fox Vaults (NEW TO THIS RELEASE)
Audio Commentary With Author Troy Howarth (NEW TO THIS RELEASE)
Audio Commentary With Film The U.S. Version (The UK cinema version was cut by the BBFC with edits to blood flows during the resurrection scene, a closeup shot of Helen’s staking, and a shortening of the seduction scene where Dracula pulls a hypnotized Diana towards his chest wound)*
4K Scan Of The Interpositive Omaker Constantine Nasr And Writer/Producer Steve Haberman (NEW TO THIS RELEASE)
Audio Commentary With Cast Members Christopher Lee, Suzan Farmer, Francis Matthews and Barbara Shelley
World Of Hammer Episode “Dracula And The Undead”: (Run Time of 24 minutes, 53 seconds) This is part of a British television documentary series that was created and written by Robert and Ashley Sidaway and was narrated by Oliver Reed. On this particular episode, the discussion turns to Hammer Films associated with Dracula and The Undead. Films mentioned include Dracula (1958), Brides Of Dracula (1960), Captain Kronos- Vampire Hunter (1974), Vampire Circus (1972), Dracula, Prince Of Darkness (1966), The Legend Of The Seven Golden Vampires (1974), Scars Of Dracula (1970) and Kiss Of The Vampire (1964). It shows scenes from each of the films and names the lead from each as well. Very informative and a nice glimpse into Hammer’s history…
Back To Black – The Making Of Dracula: Prince Of Darkness: (Run Time of 30 minutes, 34 seconds) This is a great piece featuring Marcus Hearn (Hammer Films Historian), Mark Gattis (Actor and Writer), Jonathan Rigby (Author, English Gothic: A Century of Horror Cinema), Barbara Shelley (Actress), Francis Matthews (Actor), David Huckvale (Author, James Bernard, Composer To Count Dracula) and Jon Mann (Technical Restoration Manager, Pinewood Studios). They discuss how the film is one of the most iconic of Hammer’s releases, all of the typical tropes that were seen in Hammer’s productions, the uptick of violence and gore (for its time), the subversive touch of lesbianism in the film, history of the studio and more. Plenty of archival photos are presented as well segments from the film. There is also a tremendous amount of information on the director, actors and the crew as well. Bonus points for the breaking down of the restoration for this release as well as as an education on the score for particular scenes in the film. Pretty much anything you could want to know is supplied here…
Super 8mm Behind-The-Scenes Footage: (Run Time of 4 minutes, 38 seconds) This is footage shot by Paul Shelley (Francis Matthews’ brother) on a 8mm home movie camera. It includes audio from Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Suzan Farmer Francis Matthews that was recorded on February 23rd, 1997. This is an amazing look at different times on the set, rehearsals and locations and the audio is quite priceless. This is certainly a crowning piece for this release!
Theatrical Trailers Trailer 1 runs 2 minutes, 28 seconds, Trailer 2 is a combo trailer of Dracula, Prince of Darkness and Plague of the Zombies that runs 3 minutes 20 seconds and Trailer 3 is a combo trailer for Dracula, Prince of Darkness and Frankenstein Created Woman that runs 35 seconds.
Still Gallery: This is a 7 minute, 5 second long compilation of studio still and behind the scene photos from the release of the film. An amazing wealth of history is contained here!
Poster Gallery: This is a 4 minute, 50 second compilation of different poster and ads advertising the film from all over the world. A stunning addition to this release!
Special Thanks
Discs: 1
Format: NTSC
Color: Color
Rating: NR
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Language: English
Scream Factory once again does an amazing job bringing us this film and and is a great beginning for anyone looking to start a Hammer Horror collection. The quality of the transfer to 2K is pretty stunning for its age and shows very little print damage or grain and the audio will leave you with chills. The Still and Poster Galleries are a fantastic addition, again giving us some great looks at the behind the scenes. The audio commentaries are informative and shed even more light on the cast, crew and the production but if you are going to pick just one to listen to, then I highly recommend the one with cast members Christopher Lee, Suzan Farmer, Francis Matthews and Barbara Shelley as it comes across as the most personal one. To be perfectly blunt, there is not a bad Special Feature included on this release. I am hard pressed to pick the crown jewel of this release as the three featurettes (World Of Hammer Episode “Dracula And The Undead”, Back To Black – The Making Of Dracula: Prince Of Darkness and the Super 8mm Behind-The-Scenes Footage) are all some of the most informative put to disc, so enjoy them all! Even the trailers that are included show a slice of how double features used to be the standard of the movie going experience!
Movie Rating: 4 out of 5
Blu-Ray Rating: 8 out of 10
*IMDB: Dracula, Prince Of Darkness
15
Nov
2018
House of Tortured Souls sits down with Ms. Langanja Estranja
I got to sit down with the amazing, talented and beautiful Ms. Laganja Estranja! We talk about everything So sit back relax, light up your favorite recreational treat, grab those heels, pause that horror movie and let’s break down what’s on Laganja’s mind! 
- HOTS:I’m Jai Alexis here for House of Tortured Souls here with Laganja Estranja!
- LE:YASSS GAWD!
- HOTS:So, I saw the show and it was really good. It was so fun. It felt very natural for you. I know you wanted to do this last year, but for whatever reason it didn’t go through. It was heart breaking we didn’t see it, but we finally have! How did it feel going on stage as FrankenFurter?
- LE:Thank you! Last year was the anniversary, but the rights weren’t available. It felt really nerve racking. I’ll be honest as a drag queen I’m very rarely nervous. As a drag queen I’m so used to that you know, I lip sync, death drop, say a couple catch phrases and hit it! Tonight, was a big night for me I had to remember lines, act and sing. It was very natural it’s what I grew up doing. I felt honored to showcase my talents in other ways.
- HOTS:I know you did Ru Paul drag race, So you can think you can dance to Rocky Horror picture show. Do you think you’ll find yourself venturing into acting?
- LE:Absolutely I think the best queens. Not so much drag queens but queens in general they’re all about reinvention. I’m actually going through a big re-invention myself. I was recently in Miami this year I was in a
dance residency where I was director, choreography, set designer, costume designer. I did it all. It was a spiritual journey for me. It made me realize I have so many gifts. I was able to be multifaced and to show different skills I gained all these years in this world. - HOTS:You come a long way in the years in your career from the beginning to now and as stated you were on, So you can think can dance? Was this your idea, or did your fans or friends encourage you to go forward for an audition?
- LE:It was a little from column A and column B. I tweeted out to my supporters who I call my “Buds” I asked them, “do you think I should go in as a boy or in drag?” They were extremely supportive and said I should audition in drag. I think normally I wouldn’t have gone in drag, but I’m so glad I did, my story was one of the first which was seen especially on FOX. To represent my community in a different light that show is really all about your talent. Not to say that Drag race isn’t about talent but it’s a tv show there’s drama there’s a certain
way thing work where SYTYCD you have 30 seconds to show your talent with what you bring in that solo. It was going back to my roots. I plan on returning next year I have a strong feeling I’ll make it to the live show. I made it to top 33 this year which was a big deal for me something I wanted my whole life I grown up watching it since season 1. I definitely want to go back next year make top 20, top 10 and I want to win. My plan is going back to the studio take some time off to focus on my technique which is where I was failing if you will working from Nov to Feb working on my technique and in Feb I’m going to go kill that audition! - HOTS:I heard your latest song “LOOK AT ME” from your newest album “Exhibit A” what I love is with the music, the outfits your message on expressing your love for Cannabis where you state numerous facts that it’s proven to be a medical drug that helps so many as well as drug arrests for very minor items involving cannabis can you tell us what we expect to hear from the album?
- LE:Yes, so my next single which is called Smoke Break will be coming out this Nov. I’m very vulnerable and open on this album where I express the separation from Jay to Laganja about my life with the difficulties that come with. There’re some fun tracks on it as well. As an artist it was important to focus on a message. Like “Look at me” I focused on the racial injustice that people go through more specifically through marijuana and the jail system and I feel because I’m a white man making rap music dealing with things that come from an African American culture it’s very important I use my platform thanks to Ru Paul drag race I can give a message to people. I represent a lot more than just death drops and tongue pops. It’s my duty as an entertainer and as an artist to be an activist.
- HOTS:Are you finding more fans from cannabis, drag or dance?
- LE:Most of my fans have been Drag race, with that being said my work in the lgbtq community to the cannabis community separate from drag and dance. I have accumulated a group of wonderful weirdos and beautiful people I love so much it’s growing and changing every day as I am rebranding moving into dance, acting where I’m adyrongus not necessarily Laganja with the wig and without a beard where people are used to seeing my horizons are broadening and that’s my goal.
- HOTS:In the past you considered yourself being Non-binary. Do you still feel that way?
- LE:I do. Absolutely. I present male, but I feel female. So that’s why Non-Binary works for me it’s about being one or the other but a beautiful blend of both. For Rocky horror I chose to keep my beard. Usually Frankenfurter doesn’t have a beard.
- HOTS:I thought it worked. A lot of performers when playing Dr. Frankenfurter go for his look where as you brought your own look to it.
- LE:It’s important for me to bring something new to the table. I was inspired by Tim Curry I did several moves he’s known to do. I brought my own flair the dance elements to it. My voice isn’t as low so theirs softer
moments. As an artist we have this opportunity to take a character like Frankenfurter and make it into our own. - HOTS:Do you feel yourself doing more horror after this performance?
- LE:Yes, I love horror it’s my favorite genre! I love Halloween, haunted houses, I’m a big horror fan! I would love to continue more in the genre. It’s a lot of fun with horror there’s a message behind it too for me it’ll be a natural transition. I would love to bring horror to my dance. In college I was known around campus to have these dark dances being inspired by Macbeth, Vampires, Witches. Horror has always had a big influence on me. I was a vampire for seven years as a kid for Halloween!
- HOTS:Would you try to be Non-Binary in the role of a horror movie or just be male for a horror movie?
- LE:Well I would be whatever the role and money called for! I would love to see horror continue to expand in the lgbtq scene the non-binary scene there’s plenty of gay horror movies. I would love to see more of that I think the generation is ready for it.
- HOTS:For your love of Horror and drag. Do you see yourself being a judge for Draugla?
- LE:I would LOVE to be a judge on Dragula! I feel like a shoe in for it! I wanted to be on season 2 but it was a conflict of interest since I’m best friends with Biqtch Pudding and they didn’t want it to be unfair, but I’m hoping to get a seat on season 3!
- HOTS:I’ve seen you perform a few times already where Rey Lopez (Rey Lopez Entertainment) brings you for either a small headlining event or a bigger event bringing down the show with an amazing performances from his showgirls to you . Do you enjoy your times here regardless the event in San Antonio whether it’s a small or big event?
- LE:I love San Antonio! You guys have the best queso in the world! For me San Antonio reminds me of being a child coming here for choir competions this was one of the big hubs we would come to. I always have a place for San Antonio in my heart. I would say I have enjoyed playing Dr. Frankenfurter this role than my club roles. I’m looking to push myself and challenge myself.
- HOTS:Well thank you so much for giving me your time and patience for this interview!
- LE:Of course, my pleasure!
21
Dec
2017
Argyle Goolsby-Darken Your Door Step
The long awaited Argyle Goolsby album “Darken Your Door Step” Record hits the streets and we are all welcomed by something hard hitting and very much not what I personally expected.
I’ve known Mr. Goolsby for many years of my life, like 16 years to be exact, and always admired his ability to transition between genres. Since the disbanding of Blitzkid, a celebrated band in the scene that really paved way for the hardworking horror punk scene it’s plain to see that Gools hasn’t lost his mastery. This is a very versatile musician and he truly knows his way around any genre from 50’s croon style to thrash metal, and heavy hitting punk rock. His name is a staple in the horror punk community. The release of this album was a showcase to what he is actually capable of.
What I expected honestly was something more digital/synthesized and maybe almost slower and on the death rock side. Not sure why, but that’s what I expected and not at all what I was handed with this record. However what I did expect were songs about movies. Of which is a common thing in the horror punk genre, it’s rare if there is ever a song that isn’t titled or reference to a horror movie somewhere in it.
The opening is a bit confusing, but what intro isn’t? A number called “Midnight Approaches”. Then we get into “The Uninvited” right from the get go it’s heavy, fast and makes you start bobbin’ your head, and you know you want to fist pump in a live environment, odds are you’re doing it while cruisin’ in your car. Slide this right into “Ghost Light Waltz” another banger, that is straight to the point and punk as it gets. Listening to the lyrics, you can automatically tell what movie it’s about (Carnival of Souls). I’m not saying this is a bad thing, just predictable in most of the horror punk world.
I won’t do a track by track analysis you can do that yourself. It’s a pretty solid record, with a lot of catchy songs and they all go together so well that I listened to it 3x in a row and didn’t even realize it. Some say that’s bad, some say that’s good. I personally enjoy an album that can go and go and go. Because you know it’s decent album and the catchy demeanor of it keeps you there no matter how many times you listen to it consecutively. With all this said, check out the record it’s well worth it, and Goolsby showed that he is unstoppable and will carry on his own musical endeavors from the ashes of Blitzkid and keep doing what he’s doing. No matter what though it cannot be denied that this is a solid horror punk record.
Argyle Goolsby official site
Argyle Goolsby-Darken Your Door Step Full Album
14
Mar
2017
MOVIE REVIEW: Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)
The golden years of horror franchises seem to be over. With Friday the 13th, and Hellraiser both looking to be rebooted, again, in the near future, the lingering bad taste of the Nightmare on Elm Street re-boot and who knows what in store for Halloween, it looks like the days of continuing series are in the past. Meanwhile Underworld: Blood Wars keeps the Vampire/Lycan series quietly churning on.
Knives and guns, vampires and werewolves are back and so is Beckinsale
I can hear the horror purists screaming now, "Underworld isn't horror!!" and that's okay, get it out. Honestly, I could write a whole article about how I agree with you. Maybe I will, but not today. The fact is a lot of people who identify as horror fans do love the Underworld series. A lot of them hate to admit it though. It's like the guilty pleasure of horror. Our own Fuller House without the annoyance of Bob Saget a couple of times a season.
However you feel about Underworld, Underworld: Blood Wars isn't likely to change your opinion. The film opened well enough that a sixth installment has already been approved, yet it was the lowest opening weekend for a film in the series, a sign it might slowly be running out of gas. Hey, it's been almost fifteen years since the original, and even a Prius can only go so far.
Theo James and Charles Dance protect a wounded Kate Beckinsale in Underworld: Blood Wars
For good or bad, Underworld: Blood Wars is basically more of the same. CGI werewolves, stylized fighting with beautiful heroes and villains. Kate Beckinsale is back in the skin tight spandex she has donned for four of the five installments, looking as delicious as ever. Beckinsale plays Selene, former death dealer now renegade vampire, but if you are reading this, I'm sure you already know all about Selene. Returning from the fourth installment, Underworld: Awakening, is Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, Dracula Untold) and Theo James (Divergent). Also in the cast is Laura Pulver (True Blood) and Daisy Head, the daughter of Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Underworld Blood Wars is also the directorial debut of Anna Forrester.
From watching the trailers, you might be tempted to think the film revolves around the search for Selene's daughter Eve. However, the search never really happens. It's really, as I said above, just more of the same. Werewolves have a leader who unites them against the backstabbing and traitorous vampires. They make attempts to diverge from the standard formula but for the most part it keeps coming back home. There is mention of Eve, as the Lycans try to pry her location from Selene, but it always boils down to wolves against vamps. It does lead up to the sixth installment actually involving the hunt for Eve and a possible last hurrah for Beckinsale as the lead.
Basically if you like the Underworld series, you will probably like Blood Wars. It's not as good as the first installment, but I actually enjoyed it more than the last one. Beckinsale is still as fetching as ever, and I still enjoy watching her. Theo James makes a decent lead to replace the long since gone Scott Steadman, who I still think is actually Scott Stapp of Creed. The acting is decent enough for what it is. If you hate Underworld, this film won't convert you, and neither will Scott Stapp, but that's another story too.
My advice, if you are a hard core Underworld fan, or just need a dose of Beckinsale booty wiggle, rush on out to Underworld: Blood Wars. Anything other than full loyalty to the brand, wait for it to hit DVD or Netflix. I'm giving it five out of ten stars (don't hit me!) for being more of the same, stay the course, but a little extra sexy with Laura Culver.
So, there ya go - 5 out of 10 for Underworld: Blood Wars.
18
Jan
2017
VORTEXX SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 15 – 22, 2017
Welcome to The Vortexx where it’s been ALL HOSTS ALL THE TIME FOR SIX YEARS!
Welcome to THE VORTEXX where it’s ALL HOSTS ALL THE TIME! We’ve got a terrific line-up of hosts, shows, and movies this week, including three new movies and one great show making their Vortexx debut and a tribute to the late Mr. Mephisto on Tuesday. Our hosts this week are Arachna & Deadly, Lord Blood-Rah, Vincent Grimmly & Phydeaux and their special guests Bobby Gammonster & Boris T. Buzzard, Mr. Mephisto, Danvers and special guests Penny & Garou, Timberwulff and co-hosts Lucy & Mina, Scarlett Kaiju & CJ the Werewolf, Deadgar Winter & Maleva Ravic, Misty Brew, and (making their Vortexx debut) Deadwood & Catfish. Enjoy our shows and thanks for hanging out!
Sunday (1/15). 9:00 P.M. (ET)
LORD BLOOD-RAH’S TREMULOUS TRAILERS DOUBLE-HEADED DOUBLE FEATURE!
presents
DOUBLE-HEADED DOUBLE FEATURE!
Since we didn’t air it last Sunday, tonight’s featured movie will be preceded by a Double-Headed episode of LORD BLOOD-RAH’S TREMULOUS TRAILERS. Tonight Lord Blood-Rah will be presenting the trailers for THE INCREDIBLE TWO-HEADED TRANSPLANT (1971) and THE THING WITH TWO HEADS (1972).
Sunday (1/15). 9:15 P.M. (ET)
BEWARE THEATER
presents
Roger Corman’s THE GIANT LEECHES (1959)
[Time approximate.] BEWARE THEATER with Arachna of the Spider People and her friend Deadly presents another cinematic gem from the Golden Age of Black & White — Roger Corman’s THE GIANT LEECHES (1959). If you’ve never seen sexy Yvette Vickers in the best role of her career (or if you want to see her again), tonight is your chance. The former Playboy playmate stars as bayou tramp “Liz Baby,” while Bruno VeSota plays her cuckolded husband, “Fat Dave” Walker. Watch Fat Dave force two-timing Liz and her no-good boyfriend Cal into the swamp, where they get punished for their “leechery” by our title characters. Who cares if the giant leeches are really men in suction-cup-covered suits that don’t quite fit over their air tanks? This cheeseball treat from the B-movie King is a lot of fun to watch!
Monday (1/16). 9:00 P.M. (ET)
NIGHT CHILLS THEATRE
presents
Francis Ford Coppola’s DEMENTIA 13 (1963)
NIGHT CHILLS THEATRE with Vincent Grimmly, Phydeaux and special guests Bobby Gammonster and Boris The Buzzard presents Francis Ford Coppola’s DEMENTIA 13 (1963). Luana Anders stars as a scheming woman who devises a bizarre plan to gain control of her late husband’s money. Co-starring William Campbell and Patrick Magee and produced by Roger Corman, this is a great film with some truly shocking axe murders, a terrific twist ending, and lots of inventive photography. And we expect that Vincent will add to its entertainment value with his usual array of hilarious sound bites and video inserts.
Tuesday (1/17). 9:00 P.M. (ET)
MR. MEPHISTO
presents
ALL-INFERNO INFERNO
Join us tonight for a special ALL-INFERNO INFERNO — a celebration of the life and career of MR MEPHISTO (Dick Flanigan), who sadly passed away on January 5, 2017. Mr. Mephisto was a horror host legend, having hosted LENNY’S INFERNO on WMTV-TV in Madison, Wisconsin, every Friday night at midnight from 1969 until 1982. His accomplishments were recognized by his fellow hosts in 2012 when he was inducted into the Horror Host Hall of Fame. Thanks to his good friend Rich “Freakshow” Peterson, The Big M (as he is affectionately known) was introduced to a whole new generation of viewers when he debuted in The Vortexx with fully reworked episodes on January 31, 2012. Please join us this evening as we honor Dick, his sidekick Voice in the Box (John Sveum), Valdimir the man with the axe (studio manger Bob Friedl), Beauregard Shirley Mumphord (Sveum), the Moat Beast, and the other crazy denizens of The Castle with a fond farewell to the late great Mr. Mephisto!
Wednesday (1/18). 9:00 P.M. (ET)
DANVERS’ DEMENTED FEATURES
presents
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925)
DEMENTED FEATURES with Danvers and special guests Penny Dreadful & Garou presents the 1925 silent classic PHANTOM OF THE OPERA starring Lon Chaney, Sr., and Mary Philbin. This is the first — and undoubtedly the best — adaptation of the Gaston Leroux novel. No Phantom has ever looked scarier than Chaney, the sets created by Maurice Tourneur are fantastic, and tonight’s version is further enhanced by a rousing new musical score by Kevin MacLeod. In addition to the movie, Danvers will be presenting the first chapter of VARNEY THE VAMPIRE, based on the serialized novel first published in 1845-47 as a series of weekly cheap pamphlets known as “penny dreadfuls.” Tonight’s show concludes with a tribute to the king of horror hosts, Zacherley!
Wednessday (1/19). 10:45 P.M. (ET)
SCREAMING SOUP
presents
DEADGIRL (2008)
[Time approximate.] Tonight we welcome SCREAMING SOUP to The Vortexx! Now entering its fourth season, this animated horror host show specializes in raunchy movie reviews. Tonight’s episode is hosted by Deadwood, an outlaw whose life was cut short in a hail of gunfire until he was resurrected from his ditch grave by radioactive tractor beams from bovine thieving UFOs. He is ably assisted by Catfish, a drunken gill man who’s generally found soaking in a beer barrel at the Howl-Inn Grub and Spirits. Tonight our hosts will be skewering DEADGIRL (2008), a zombie movie which they describe as “a festering heap of teenage angst wrapped in a blanket of necrophilia.” Enjoy!
Thursday (1/19). 9:00 P.M. (ET)
TOXIC TALES WITH TIMBER WULFF
presents
The Vortexx premiere of ETERNAL EVIL (1985)
TOXIC TALES with Timber Wulff and co-hosts Mina Rowena the Vampire and Lucy Lovecraft the Ghoul presents The Vortexx premiere of ETERNAL EVIL (1985) aka The Blue Man. This Canadian-made thriller from the director of My Bloody Valentine is about a burned-out TV-director (Winston Rekert) who encounters a mysterious dancer (Karen Black) who teaches him the powers of astral projection. Before long, however, he starts having weird dreams, and people from his circle of acquaintances start dying unnatural deaths. Director George Mihalka livens up the film with some impressive camera tricks, especially during the astral projection sequences. Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny in numerous James Bond movies, co-stars.
Friday (1/20). 9:00 P.M. (ET)
MANSION OF MYSTERY
presents
The Vortexx premiere of PSYCHIC KILLER (1975)
MANSION OF MYSTERY with Scarlett Kaiju and CJ the Werewolf launches its third season with The Vortexx premiere of PSYCHIC KILLER (1975) aka The Kirlian Force. Jim (Ellery Queen) Hutton plays a wrongfully convicted man who inherits a magic amulet, which he uses to take vengeance on those responsible for his imprisonment and to romance psychiatrist Julie (Creature from the Black Lagoon) Adams. Guest victims include Creature co-star and veteran movie villain Whit Bissell (the mad scientist in I Was A Teenage Frankenstein and I Was A Teenage Werewolf), veteran bad guy Nehemiah Persoff (Little Bonaparte in Some Like It Hot), and Al Adamson favorite Graydon Clark. As the victims are stabbed, boiled, incinerated and put through a meat grinder, this may be the grisliest film ever to receive a PG rating from the MPAA! Meanwhile back at the Mansion, CJ, who is still traumatized by the events of the last episode, looks to help from a gypsy amulet to protect him from evil. However, the amulet brings evil to the Mansion in the form of its former owner and Ralphie, who stage a battle to the death over it. Can Scarlett and CJ stop them before they destroy the themselves and the Mansion? Find out tonight in this fun episode entitled Psychic Fiends Network.
Saturday (1/21). 3:30 P.M. (ET)
DEADGAR’S DARK COFFIN CLASSICS
presents
THOR AND THE AMAZON WOMEN (1963)
DEADGAR’S DARK COFFIN CLASSICS with Deadgar Winter, co-host Maleva Ravic, and special guest Wonder Woman presents THOR AND THE AMAZON WOMEN (1963) aka Les Gladiatrices. Our musclebound title hero (Joe Robinson) and his sidekick Ubaratutu (Harry Baird) go up against a race of scantily dressed Amazon warriors and their bloodthirsty Black Queen, who have enslaved the men of their country. As a form of entertainment, the Black Queen enslaves captive women and forces them to fight each other. The movie was filmed on location in the Postojna Caves in Slovenia. The set was apparently very cold, since water vapor can be seen coming from the mouths of the scantily clad Amazons in many of the scenes.
Sunday (1/22). 9:00 P.M. (ET) [Time approximate.]
MISTY BREW’S CREATURE FEATURE
presents
The Vortexx premiere of ANTS! (1977) aka It Happened at Lakewood Manor
MISTY BREW’S CREATURE FEATURE presents The Vortexx premiere of ANTS! (1977) aka It Happened at Lakewood Manor. Robert Foxworth, Suzanne Somers, Lynda Day George, Bernie Casey, Myrna Loy, and Brian Dennehy are among the stars in this TV movie about an army of poisonous ants that attack the residents of an old-fashioned lakeside hotel targeted for purchase by an unsavory gambling casino promoter. This was one of several movies made during the late 1970s to capitalize on the popularity of Jaws. Tonight’s show will be followed by an encore presentation of Wednesday’s episode of SCREAMING SOUP.
SLUGGO!!! OUR DEAR LEADER AND FREELY RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE VORTEXX!!!
23
Dec
2016
MOVIE REVIEW: Afflicted (2013)
By John Roisland
2013 brought Afflicted to us, a vampire film like I promise you've never seen before. The story is of two life long friends who embark on a journey of a lifetime when they fly to Europe and travel across the world, Afflicted follows the friends as they videotape and upload all experiences to the online world.
After what appears to be a night of would be romance gone wrong, with one of the friends bringing a young lady he meets in a European bar to his hotel room, he is found unconscious bloodied, and beaten. Soon our young friend finds himself starting to feel ill while simultaneously realizing that he has acquired almost superhuman powers. He is now incredibly strong and has the ability to run 40-50 miles per hour, scale the outside of buildings, and jump from rooftop to rooftop. The downside to this, as I mentioned, is that our friend is also becoming extremely ill and learning of certain things that he is now craving and desiring. Blood. The taste of blood. It is here where our character goes into his downward spiral both physically and mentally.
His journey to find the answers of what he has become, a vampire, which he can only trace back to his one night of pleasure with the woman he brought home from the bar, is compelling.
While Afflicted does bear more than a passing resemblance to American Werewolf in London (two Americans traveling across country while attacked by a monster of some sort), it is a darker and more serious film. Filmed on location in Europe, at moments Afflicted seems to drag a little bit, but it more than makes up for it with details and story line.
The two main actors, Derek Lee and Clif Prowse, are not only the leads in the movie but are also both writers and directors of the film. And Derek's acting is spot on, sorry Clif. I'm not going to give away any spoilers or the ending, but I will just leave you with... a person has to do what a person has to do to survive, right? SEE THIS MOVIE!
Keep it Evil...
23
Oct
2016
RECIPES: Spirited Halloween Beverages
By John Roisland
As the Halloween weekend rapidly approaches, many a party will be had and much holiday spirits will be consumed. There are many out there for the connoisseur to savor. Some are sweet and some are sour, but all are always creative with keeping the holiday in mind!
So if you’re hosting or heading to a Halloween coven – er, party – here’re a few ideas for you to mix in your cauldron!
Axe Murderer
Ingredients
- 1 oz. amaretto
- 1 oz. gin
- 1/2 oz. grenadine
- 1 oz. rum, light
- 1 oz. Southern Comfort
- 1 oz. tequila, light
- 1 oz. triple sec
- 1 oz. vodka
- 1 splash 7-Up
- Pineapple juice to top
- Ice cubes
Mixing Instructions
- 1. Pour spirits in collins glass.
- 2. Add some ice.
- 3. Top with pineapple juice.
- 4. Enjoy!
Brain Hemorrhage
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp grenadine
- 1 tsp Irish cream
- 1 oz peach schnapps
Mixing Instructions
- 1. Pour the peach schnapps.
- 2. Slowly add Irish cream but do not mix! The creme will clump together and settle at the bottom of the schnapps, giving the appearance of an internal organ.
- 3. Pour the grenadine over the creme for additional disgusting appearance.
- 4. Enjoy!
Sleepy Hollow
Ingredients
- 1/4 oz. Irish cream
- 3/4 oz. pumpkin liqueur (Bols Pumpkin Smash)
- 1 oz. vodka, spiced (Skyy)
- 1 piece (Brachs Mellowcreme Candy Pumpkins) candy
- Ice cubes
Mixing Instructions
- 1. Combine spirits in cocktail shaker with ice.
- 2. Shake well.
- 3. Strain into glass.
- 4. With a warm knife, slice a slit into the bottom side of the pumpkin candy.
- 5. Place candy on rim of glass.
- 6. Enjoy!
Vampire
Ingredients
- 1 oz chambord raspberry liqueur
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- Ice cubes
Mixing Instructions
- 1. Combine all in cocktail shaker with ice.
- 2. Shake well.
- 3. Serve as shots in a highball glass.
- 4. Enjoy!
Vampire's Kiss
Ingredients
- 1/2 oz dry gin
- 1 tblsp tequila
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz tomato juice
- 1 pinch salt
- Ice cubes
Mixing Instructions
- 1. Combine all in cocktail shaker with ice.
- 2. Shake well.
- 3. Strain over ice in an old fashioned glass.
- 4. Enjoy!
Witches’ Brew
Ingredients
- 2 cups vodka (chilled)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 (2 liter) bottle chilled lemon-lime flavored soda or ginger ale
- 3 cups pineapple juice (chilled)
- 1 (6 ounce) package lime gelatin
- Ice cubes
Mixing Instructions
- 1. Place gelatin in punch bowl.
- 2. Dissolve with hot water, stirring well.
- 3. After gelatin is dissolved, add the rest of the ingredients.
- 4. Add ice.
- 5. Enjoy!
Wolf (Howlin')
Ingredients
- 1 oz blue curacao
- 1/2 oz creme de menthe, white
- 1/2 oz vodka
- Sprite
- Ice cubes
Mixing Instructions
- 1. Pour spirits in glass.
- 2. Add some ice.
- 3. Top with Sprite.
- 4. Enjoy!
Zombie
Ingredients
- 1/2 oz creme de almond
- 1 oz rum, light
- 1/2 oz rum, 151 proof
- 1 1/2 oz sweet and sour
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- 1 1/2 oz orange juice
- Ice cubes
Mixing Instructions
- 1. Combine spirits (except 151 proof rum) in cocktail shaker with ice.
- 2. Shake well.
- 3. Strain into collins glass over ice cubes.
- 4. Float the 151 proof rum on top.
- 5. Add a cherry.
- 6. Enjoy!
The coolest thing about Halloween drinks is that you can decorate them endlessly. Head to Dollar Tree, Party City, or Spirit Halloween and grab a handful of plastic eyeballs, skull shaped ice trays, dry ice, or even gummy worms and add them to your drinks to spook them up!
Now, get your costume on and go howl at the moon, Time Warp, and Monster Mash the night away! Just do all of us a favor, and please drink responsibly. Just because you party with the dead, you don’t need to be dead yourself. So, yeah, don't drink and drive. Just don’t.
And without further adieu, let’s get our Halloween on!
Keep It Evil...
18
Jun
2016
BREAKING NEWS: Tony Todd to Voice Count Dracula
Count Dracula Gets a Voiceover
Tony Todd Set to Voice
Dracula in Audio Play
By Woofer McWooferson
Tony Todd as Rev. Zombie in Hatchet
Exciting news from FANGORIA Musick and Bleak December Inc. - Tony Todd will be voicing Count Dracula in a new audio play. If you're a horror fan and don't know who Tony Todd is, then you need to get yourself to IMDb and YouTube for some serious horror education. The rest of you can keep reading.
Todd, whose role as the titular Candyman, is an icon in horror, having also appeared in the Hatchet, Final Destination, and Wishmaster franchises as well as the 1990 Night of the Living Dead remake. At 6'5”, Todd cuts an imposing figure in any role, but his voice is just as imposing - and recognizable - as his appearance. Deep and resonant, Todd's voice lends an ominous tone to even the most innocuous of personas, so it's no surprise that he secured the role that has been immortalized by such greats as Bela Lugosi, Christoper Lee, and Leslie Nielson (shut up). The Dracula audio play will star Anthony D.P. Mann, who is also executive producer, as Dr. Van Helsing, Dracula's nemesis.
The Three Faces of Evil - L to R: Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, and Tony Todd in Wishmaster
According to Mann, the production will focus on “a frightening Victorian-era Count Dracula in the classic mold featuring one of the greatest voices in the business. I’m not only a creator, but a fan of genre film - and Tony Todd is such a coup for us. I’m a long-time fan.”
For his part, Todd had this to say, “I’m honoured and thrilled to form a partnership with Bleak December Inc. and FANGORIA Musick, in presenting the first of hopefully many audio recordings of classic horror characters. First up perhaps most iconic of them all. Yes, I’m so proud to lend my voicing to Bram Stoker’s Dracula.”
Tony Todd in the studio
Image credit Tony Todd Fan Club
Bleak December Inc., Mann's own production company, will be producing the adaptation, and FANGORIA Musick will be releasing the finished piece. Mann has previously worked on Terror of Dracula and Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven, which also featured Goblin keyboardist Maurizio Guarini, for FANGORIA Musick.
Dracula is to be the first of many classic horror audio adaptations fans can expect from Bleak December Inc. and FANGORIA Musick.
Tony Todd on You and Me This Morning thinks cookies should have milk.
26
May
2016
SERIES REVIEW: Penny Dreadful
By Dixielord
Penny Dreadful is a term that harkens back to the beginnings of popular horror. Originally, a Penny Dreadful was a cheap, gaudy, sensationalist paperback that cost, you guessed it, a penny. They became popular in a post industrialization England and introduced the working class to characters such as Varney the Vampire and Sweeney Todd. Now, however, the term also applies to a Showtime series set in Victorian Europe and featuring characters that should be familiar to all horror fans.
Eva Green possessed in Penny Dreadful
Penny Dreadful is in its third season on Showtime. It stars, among others Timothy Dalton, Josh Hartnett, and Eva Green. So far it has introduced quite a few characters from classic horror literature and film, such as Dr. Victor Frankenstein (and his monsters), Dorian Grey, Malcolm and Mina Murray (from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula), Lawrence Talbot (The Wolfman), Dr. Van Helsing, and, as of season three, Dracula himself. The series plays around with the stories we are all familiar with, aka Lawrence Talbot (Josh Hartnett) is an American cowboy, Dr. Seward is a female, and Dr. Van Helsing and Mina both meet their ends early on. The series also introduces a new character in Vanessa Ives played by Eva Green.
The first season of Penny Dreadful introduced the main cast of characters. The central storyline revolved around the kidnapping of Mina Murray by an ancient evil force. Subplots involved Dr. Frankenstein reuniting with his original creation and Vanessa becoming possessed by a demonic force, that might just be the devil himself. While it does play around with familiar themes, it doesn’t change them enough to make them wholly unrecognizable. The vampires who kidnap Mina have connections to Egyptian mythology, and the head vamp in charge isn't Dracula. At least he doesn’t get involved and show himself in the first season. But with the changes, the vamps still have fangs, glowing red eyes, suck blood, and - most importantly - not a fucking sparkle in sight.
One of my favorite scenes in season one is the seance. In attempting to find out what they are up against, the group of would be heroes contact Madame Kali, a medium, to dig into the supernatural happenings. During the seance, Vanessa becomes possessed and tortures Sir Malcolm with his son's death. Watching Dalton's face you can almost feel the pain yourself through the television. It's a disturbing and moving scene expertly acted by Green and Dalton, and it's just one of many great scenes in Penny Dreadful.
Timothy Dalton as Malcolm Murray in Penny Dreadful
Season two finds Vanessa being hunted by a coven of witches called the Nightcomers, secretly lead by Madame Kali from season one. We also dig deeper into Vanessa's past, and Ethan, aka Lawrence Talbot, faces the repercussions of his moonlight snacking. It all culminates in a nighttime raid on the witche's coven to save Malcolm Murray. The final battle sees blood shed on both sides and we say goodbye to a supporting character. Aside from the main storyline, we also witness Dr. Frankenstein trying to make a love connection for his first creation. Like pretty much every experiment, it doesn’t go as he planned. He doesn’t manage to make a mate, but does succeed in making another monster, played by Billie Piper (Doctor Who).
Billie Piper as Brona Croft aka Lilly Frankenstein from Penny Dreadful
Which brings us to season three, which is only a handful of episodes in. This season we have already been introduced to two new classified characters, Dr. Henry Jekyll and the big baddie of the vampire kingdom, Dracula himself. Fans of Dexter should note that Dracula is played by none other than the Ice Truck Killer/Brian Moser actor Christian Camargo. Things are still developing this season, but so far we have seen Dracula stalking and attempting to seduce Vanessa. Meanwhile, Ethan/Lawrence Talbot has been taken prisoner and hauled back to America. He has escaped from the Marshals and bounty hunters (sent by his father) and has formed somewhat of an alliance with Hecate, the last of the witch coven from season two. They are being tracked by Sir Malcolm and an old Apache warrior, Kaetenay, plated by Wes Studi. Meanwhile Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) has sought out his old college friend, Henry Jekyll (Shazad Latif), to help him stop Lilly Frankenstein's evil plan.
Eva Green and Josh Hartnett in Penny Dreadful
Now if you think this is just a cheap attempt to create a monster mash, you are thinking wrong. Penny Dreadful is a well thought out, well written, and expertly acted series. It takes the characters we are all familiar with and twists them in new ways, without destroying our memories of them. Then it tosses in new characters, like Vanessa Ives and Kaetenay and gives them intriguing stories. It's not for the kids either, it has its share of gore and horror moments as well as copious amounts of nudity (but not near the Game of Thrones level) and sex. If you are a horror fan you would be doing yourself a favor to check out Penny Dreadful. It's playing on Showtime, and past seasons can't be found on DVD/Blu Ray or available from Amazon Demand. You might even be able to snag a free month of Showtime which would give you plenty of time to decide if the series is worth subscribing.
31
Mar
2016
This Just In: Corbin Nash is the New Face of Vampires
Vampire Films Getting New Blood
By Woofer McWooferson
Dean Jagger as Corbin Nash.
Corbin Nash has been a movie long in planning, but it looks like it will start filming by the end of the month. Written by brothers Ben and Dean Jagger along with Christopher P. Taylor, Corbin Nash is set to be directed by Ben and to star Dean in the titular role. The story is the age old tale of a child whose parents are murdered so he becomes a cop in order to track down his parents' murderer, but this time there's a twist – the cop is murdered and returns as “the ultimate killer”. In an early interview about the film, Ben Jagger described Nash as a “down and dirty character with all of his flaws and imperfections to show his humanity is still within. An anti-hero the audience could get behind, despite the fact he is a monster”. This is a far cry from the more recent vampire depictions, which Ben described as “ pretty people with fangs falling in love”, and is a welcome change to the vampire genre.
Corbin Nash has slowly been acquiring a strong cast in preparation for filming. In addition to Dean Jagger, genre veterans Bruce Davison (Willard), Rutger Hauer (The Hitcher), Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), and Corey Feldman (Tales From The Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood [in which he also played a vampire]) are attached to the production.
Bruce Davison as Willard
Davison will play Nash's stepfather Jack, while McDowell and Hauer will play The Blind Prophet and a mysterious stranger respectively. Feldman, meanwhile, moves from vampire killer to cross-dressing vampire, and Richard Wagner, who is also one of the producers, will be playing Feldman's boyfriend.
Malcolm McDowell as Alex in A Clockwork Orange
The first feature from StarTree Productions, Corbin Nash promises to make vampires tough again. As Ben puts it, “I plan to film this project with more of a subjective style of shooting to give it a gritty Indie edge, which supports the narrative and the main characters attributes.” This is good news for folks tired of Edward Cullen (Twilight), Bill Compton (True Blood), and other vampire lovers (Feldman's and Wagner's characters notwithstanding), a trend that horror fans hope will burn itself out sooner rather than later.
Rutger Hauer as The Hitcher
You can check out Corbin Nash's Facebook page and follow developments on its IMDb page. As always, House of Tortured Souls will keep you updated as more details surface.
Corey Feldman in Tales From The Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood
Let House of Tortured Souls know what you think.
12
Jan
2016
MOVIE REVIEW (RETRO): The Hunger (1983) Dedicated to David Bowie
The Hunger
Nothing Human Loves Forever
By Woofer McWooferson
The Hunger (1983)
Dedicated to David Bowie
(nee David Robert Jones)
8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016
Thank you.
Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie as Miriam and John Blaylock in The Hunger
Director: Tony Scott; Writers: Ivan Davis and Michael Thomas (screenplay), Whitley Strieber (novel); Stars: Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, Susan Sarandan; Rating: R; Run Time: 97 min; Genre: Fantasy | Horror | Romance; Country: USA; Language: English; Year: 1983
The Hunger, Tony Scott's 1983 adaptation of the Whitley Strieber novel of the same name, is perhaps the most sensual and artistic vampire film ever. The story of ageless Egyptian vampire Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) whose lovers are promised eternal life and youth, The Hunger begins as her latest lover John Blaylock (David Bowie) is beginning to age. Tony Scott's elegant and graceful style is perfect for the story, and he delivers scene after carefully crafted scene of cold lust, warm passion, and hot love. Denueve, Bowie, and Susan Sarandon are uniquely suited for the roles of Miriam, John, and Dr. Sarah Roberts (Sarandon), each bringing raw sexual intensity to mix with the aching hunger of the title.
Peter Murphy of Bauhaus in The Hunger
Opening in a club where Miriam and John are hunting, The Hunger cuts back and forth between Bauhaus performing Bela Lugosi's Dead and Miriam and John scouting the crowd for a suitable meal. This juxtaposition sets the style and tone for the rest of the film. With very little ado, the Blaylocks accompany their meal home, seduce them, and then feed, said feeding being juxtaposed with Dr. Roberts' monkey test subject going wild, attacking his mate, and eating her. Using ankh necklaces with hidden blades, they slash their victims' throats and lap up their blood rather than using something so crude as their teeth. Nevertheless, the message is clear: we, vampire or human or monkey, are all animals with animal urges and animal desires. Shortly after this, John finds himself unable to sleep and realizes that Miriam's promise of eternal youth was hollow and selfish. Eventually John and Miriam separately seek Dr. Roberts because of her research on aging and longevity.
David Bowie as an aging John Blaylock in The Hunger
The gore is minimal, but what there is of it is expertly placed for maximum impact, and the corpse and aging effects are top notch. The viewer believes he is seeing John age right before his eyes, and it is heartbreaking not just for John and Miriam but for the viewer as well. Watch for a young Willem Dafoe as 2nd Phone Booth Youth.
Susan Sarandon as Dr. Sarah Roberts in The Hunger
From Bauhaus to Delibes and from Iggy Pop to Schubert, the soundtrack is haunting and beautiful and further accentuates both the smoldering passion of lust and the heartbreaking anguish of loss. Between the lead performances, Scott's direction, the use of light and shadow, and a soundtrack that feels deftly tailored for the story, The Hunger truly is a masterpiece in the vampire subgenre of horror.
Catherine Deneuve as Miriam Blaylock in The Hunger
10/10 claws – Stylish, sensual, and satisfying.
12
Dec
2015
LARRY FESSENDEN COLLECTION REVIEW PART 2: Habit (1995)
By Nick Durham
The second film in Scream Factory's Larry Fessenden Collection is the Independent Spirit Award winning Habit, which was filmed in 1995 and released in 1997. This was the film that really started getting the ball rolling on Fessenden making a name for himself within the realm of independent horror. While No Telling and his short films were interesting and original to say the least, it was this film that really announced his presence to the genre. It should also be noted that this is a remake of Fessenden's own 1982 short film of the same name, which expands on everything presented there in terms of character and atmosphere.
Habit is a vampire film in which our lead character Sam (Fessenden) finds himself at a crossroads in his life. His father has just passed away, and he's broken up with his long-time girlfriend as well. Finding solace in booze and his bohemian lifestyle in 90s New York City, Sam meets the sexy Anna (Meredith Snaider) at a Halloween party. They eventually engage in a kinky sex-charged relationship and soon things begin to turn a little strange. Sam finds himself getting sicker and weaker, while Anna continuously enjoys sinking her teeth into him. Eventually he realizes what she is, and then things start to get nasty.
As I said above, Habit received a shitload of acclaim upon its original release from the indie circuit, and it's easy to see why. This is a decently original take on vampirism, and it manages to overcome any of the clichés that come with it too. For being super low budget, the film is well-shot and features some great shots of New York City as well. The acting is great all around, particularly from Fessenden as our lead who finds himself deteriorating more and more with each passing day.
Special features wise, Scream Factory's Blu-ray contains a commentary from Fessenden as well as a making of documentary. The Habit short film is included as well, and so is Fessenden's N is for Nexus short from ABCs of Death 2 and a making of for that to boot. There's a weird music video thrown on here as well that Larry was behind too. So yeah, there's some good stuff here for sure.
So yeah, Habit is definitely one of Fessenden's best films to be sure. If you've never seen it before, I strongly recommend giving it a look. It's not likely you'll find a more unique vampire film from the mid-90s era.
Rating: 4/5
18
Oct
2015
MOVIE REVIEW: The Stranger (2014)
By Nick Durham
**Be warned before you start reading that spoilers are ahead.
Don't say I didn't warn you.**
The first thing I noticed about The Stranger, besides the fact that Eli Roth's name is plastered all over the cover art and titles (he served as a producer), is that it manages to be a unique take on the vampire genre. Well, unique in the way that many films that have Eli Roth's name attached to them (Aftershock, Clown) are, yet end up never quite reaching that promise that they show at first glance, and end up being nothing much to write home about. The Stranger sadly manages to keep up that trend of promise and eventual disappointment.
The story of The Stranger revolves around a mysterious man (Cristobal Tapia Montt, who possesses quite an epic beard) searching for his wife (Eli Roth's main squeeze and The Green Inferno star Lorenza Izzo) in a small town, only to manage to piss off everyone he comes in contact with, including a super dirty cop and his criminal son, as well as a young man who he may have more in common with than he thought. That's pretty much the whole gist of the film: dude comes to town, shit happens, blood flows, bodies pile up, predictable ending. All that is The Stranger in a nutshell.
Now the one thing that The Stranger does have going for it is how it treats the tried and true spirit of vampirism. Instead of the typical blood-thirsty and seductive creatures that want to live forever on the blood of their victims, vampirism is treated as more of a virus that the titular lead character wants to completely eradicate off the face of the Earth along with everyone who suffers from it, including himself. That's a relatively welcome change of pace I have to admit. That being said though, our lead character is unsympathetic and just plain dull, along with the rest of the entire cast. Things move at a snail's pace and the overall affair is just plain boring. There are a few shock moments here and there, and they are welcome, but it doesn't change the fact that the film as a whole is pretty much a bore from beginning to end.
So yeah, The Stranger continues that trend of Eli Roth-produced movies that fail to really deliver. It isn't necessarily awful or anything, and it isn't without its positives, but it isn't nearly anything special or even all that interesting. Check it out if you need some assistance falling asleep.
Rating: 2/5
11
Oct
2015
HALLOWEEN HORRORS: Near Dark (1987)
By Nick Durham
One of the films that always finds its way on my TV is Near Dark. While most tend to think of The Lost Boys as an 80s vampire film classic, I, in all honesty, have never, ever liked that fucking movie. Call it blasphemy or what you will, but no, The Lost Boys doesn't mean shit to me.
Near Dark does.
Released in 1987 and directed by Kathryn Bigelow before she became an Oscar winning, Hollywood darling with films like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty (and even before she directed action favorites like Point Break and Strange Days), she directed this nasty little gem written by Eric Red (The Hitcher). Starring a variety of James Cameron vets (and Aliens stars) including Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, and Jeanette Goldstein, Near Dark tells the story of Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) whom, in the process of chasing a girl (Jenny Wright), falls in with her group of vampires. Yeah, it sounds almost exactly like the plot of The Lost Boys, but minus the Corey duo and ups the ante on blood and nastiness...and it also has ten times the heart.
Now I keep making the Lost Boys comparisons because while that film was a massive hit, Near Dark definitely was not. It had some time on VHS before disappearing to obscurity, only to be released on DVD for the first time ever a decade or so ago by Anchor Bay, and was thus rediscovered by many. Now recognized as a cult classic and unique to the vampire genre for a number of reasons (the V-word is never said once, there's no typical vampire-lore stuff, and the blend of horror and western elements is just plain awesome), this is something I pop in every October like clockwork.
If you've never seen Near Dark, I can't recommend it enough. Granted some elements of it haven't aged all that well as the years have gone by, but this is my go-to vampire movie for the Halloween season year after year. You should make it yours too.
Rating: 5/5
27
Sep
2015
Universal’s Dracula on the Big Screen for Halloween 2015
By Dixielord
Turner Classic Movies is bringing Universal's Dracula back to the big screen.
This Halloween looks to be a fun time for Horror fans. We have Kurt Russell returning to horror with Bone Tomahawk, The Green Inferno in theaters now, and next month will see the return of a classic horror movie to the big screen. When I say classic I mean it, not a recent hit, but a true classic of the genre. In October, just in time for Halloween, TMC and Fathom events are teaming up to bring Universal's Dracula back to the big screen. This is the original 1931 Universal horror film starring Bela Lugosi and directed by Tod Browning.
In theaters for two days only, October 25 and 28, the Universal classic that made Bela Lugosi a horror icon will be in theaters nationwide. Now what could make this event even more special? It's actually a double bill with the Spanish language version of the 1931 classic.
While the general public might not be familiar with the Spanish version, film buffs may know the story behind it. The Spanish version was shot alongside the better known Lugosi version, using the same sets. The English language version was shot during the day time, and the Spanish production took over at night. Almost all horror fans consider the Bela version to be a great film and horror classic, but a lot of critics consider the Spanish version to be just as good, if not better. The Spanish language version features Carlos Villaris as Count Dracula and Lupita Tovar as Eva.
Spanish language version of Universal's Dracula
This is a rare opportunity to see a legitimate horror classic on the big screen, and I urge horror fans to support it. For years horror fans have seen a lot of lackluster “horror” on the big screen. PG-13 films made for the masses, and not for the real horror fan. So when we get a good horror movie, or a re-release of a classic we need to turn out in droves. Fathom and TCM are doing us a great service in putting classic horror back on the big screen, with Dracula, and in their release of Psycho in September. We need to show them we support bringing back classic horror.
I still remember the first time I saw the original Dracula. do you? And I know where I will be on October 25, 2015. I'll be sitting in a movie theater, popcorn and drink in hand, celebrating Halloween with the original Universal Dracula. And I encourage all of you to get out, buy your ticket and say "thank you" to TMC and Fathom for bringing Universal's Dracula back to the big screen.
