Horror Movie Reviews

This movie is the one of the best movies of all time. The gore needs some work. But, I must say the movie is overall pretty cool. So, don't wait BUY IT!

What a great package! I sniggered and chortled my way thru all 73 odd...very odd... minutes of this Euro-trash classic at 5 a.m. one morning...aided by huge cups of coffee and a pile of raisin toast...with the wife still dead to the world in the other room. The only way to go!! Mickey Hargitay plays a cracked actor "who used to be in muscleman films". When he sees his ex-fiance among a group of models who have come to his castle hide-away for a photo shoot, he completely flips out and starts torturing and killing off the whole cast...all the time imagining that he is the 'Crimson Executioner' and raving about the "harmony of my perfect body!" His henchmen (in striped T-Shirts) remind me of The Penguin's minions in the old Batman TV series. Some nice touches here! I like the fellow being roasted alive and also the dead guy in the sports car driving around in circles with an arrow thru his neck. After your brain has been sufficiently fried upon movie's end, you can enjoy the extra features. My favorite is the clip from "Primitive Love" which has some Polynesian babes doing the hula to a song by Annette Funicello. Jayne Mansfield (in a black wig) is among them and a moustacheod Mickey Hargitay appears to carry her off yelling "Get back to work, you idiots! Get back to work, you idiots!" HOW CAN YOU RESIST THAT?? BUY IT NOW but be warned...THIS STUFF IS ADDICTIVE!!

Heed the editorial review above if you're big on high quality picture and sound. Otherwise, I imagine this film to be in much the same condition now as it was for audiences in the 60's. The DVD format doesn't really bring anything to the final product but I would think owning a copy that is almost guaranteed never to ware out would be reason enought to purchase it. If it's not, then the extra features such as the deleted scenes, theatrical trailers to coming attractions, and gallery of exploitation art and radio spots should suffice to cement your resolve.

Okay, now that I have gotten past the technical mumbo jumbo I can move on to the good stuff. The story here is a tried and true vehicle. People go to castle to take sleazy pictures, owner of castle believes he's the reincarnation of a 17th century executioner, begins bumping off models in increasingly inventive ways, and hilarity ensues. Mickey Hargitay is outrageously over the top as Travis Anderson (aka the Crimson Executioner). His acting here, if you can call it that, makes William Shatner look subdued by comparison. The dialog is characteristically naive, which is to say that people's reactions to situations are a bit unrealistic to say the least. You'll also get a kick out of the supposed Inquisition era torture devices that the Crimson Executioner uses to torment his unwitting victims.

All around this movie is superb. Its sub par acting and other shortcomings are incidental to its sheer entertainment value. Something Weird video has done a great service in digging up these forgotten films and revamping them. For that they should be commended.

This "giallo" collection, (giallo, meaning "yellow", being the color of the covers of classic Italian, mystery, murder, sleaze, novels, back in the 60's and 70's. My grandfather had many, bringing them back from this great country of Italy, from which he was born.) is a classic, in every sense of the word.Although others that shared their comments on this page, concerning these great movies, may differ a little, in what was the best of the best, in their choice. I'm sure I can speak for most, if not all of them, that we all agree that this is a great package deal. These are all great, classic giallos of the genre. But certainly, not as graphic, or gory, as some fans of this great genre have come to expect, from the likes of The Maestro, Dario Argento, or the great Mario Bava. They all seem to rely more on suspense, and the suspense of the unknown. Which can be just as frightening in it's own right.Take the advice from the other comments you may have read on this page. It's more than worth it.

In my opinion, this Anchor Bay box set is by far one of the major DVD releases of the year 2002. These DVDs let us rediscover four italian movies directed in the seventies and unfortunately half forgotten nowadays. They belong to a peculiar genre the "giallo", a genre whose prominent figures are or were, until this release came out, Mario Bava and Dario Argento.

Two of these movies are masterpieces, SHORT NIGHT OF THE GLASS DOLLS and WHO SAW HER DIE ?, both directed by Aldo Lado. The first one is more a mystery thriller than a pure giallo with his hero Jean Sorel, left for dead in the pragian morgue and trying to remember what has happened to him while the doctors prepare his autopsy. Really frightening, a movie that creates the same terror in you than another masterpiece of the genre : George Sluizer's THE VANISHING.

WHO SAW HER DIE ? is a movie shot entirely in Venice, Italy with a haunting musical score by Ennio Morricone. The uneasiness you feel during the movie is greatly increased by the fact that the killer's main victim is a child who's the main character of WHO SAW HER DIE ? during the first 20 minutes of the film. Terrifying.

Giuliano Carnimeo's THE CASE OF THE BLOODY IRIS is perhaps the movie of the box set that fits the best in the giallo category. One or two sexy scenes with Edwige Fenech, a madman hidden in the apartment of an old lady, subjective points of view that create the nervous tension, policemen with the I.Q. of an houseplant and knives as the main companion of the killer.

Antonio Bido's THE BLOOD STAINED SHADOW is, in my opinion, the weakest of the movies presented here but still presents excellent scenes in a Venice that isn't Venice (the movie was shot in an island nearby), specially the last scene in the church.

Anchor Bay has had the excellent idea to interview the directors of these movies who, in 10 minutes, manage to create in us the desire to discover their entire filmography. Superb work on the images and the sound too. A must-buy.

A box set that should already be in your library.

If you are not familiar with the giallo genre you are in for a treat. These twisting, sometimes opaque, mysteries enjoy on location filming at well chosen locales in Italy. Also, the 70s in Italy seems to have been made of better fabrics and materials, so you get the ultra mod styles of the time but with better drape. The murder scenes while often quite tense are hardly extreme by contemporary standards, and are always staged by methods other than gunfire. There are also usually at least a couple nude scenes, but done in an artsy fashion. Each of these offerings has its delights including acting by Barbara Bach and George Lazenby (in different movies), and scores by Ennio Morricone and Goblin. Of particular and final note is "The Case of the Bloody Iris" featuring the radiant Algerian actress, Edwige Fenech. Ms. Fenech appeared in a number of key giallos, but to date only Mario Bava's "5 Dolls for an August Moon" is also in print.

Anchor Bay's Dario Argento Collection Volume 3 represents the best of the Italian Hitchcock's distinguished career in horror. First up, we have DEEP RED, his breakthrough. I love the way Argento throws a simple eyewitness (in this case, a Jazz pianist/music teacher) into the mystery. There is a detail of the murder that he witnesses that is like a splinter in his mind (a missing painting) and compels him to investigate the murder. First off, DEEP RED is brilliantly realized and scary in its structure and execution; even things that seem unrelated fit into the solution! I also enjoyed the scenes with David Hemmings (the pianist) and Daria Nicolodi (the reporter that is investigating the murder); not only do they have a terrific chemistry lacking in today's movies, but these moments actually allow you to relax and often laugh. Sure the language switches are annoying at first (at least subtitles are provided, and the original Italian dialogue track is included, in 5.1 no less), but at least it's uncut. DEEP RED (aka PROFUNDO ROSSO) is a definite must-watch!
TENEBRE is considered by some Argento fans to be his masterpiece, and it's easy to see why; I bet Stephen King has seen this movie and could relate to it. The title refers to a murder mystery novel that is a best-seller and is being promoted in Rome by its author, Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa). Anyway, someone is on a murderous rampage seemingly inspired by the book (in fact, the first victim has the pages of the book stuffed in her mouth as she is knifed). TENEBRE is rich in symbolism and style; just check out that photography! The ending is one of the greatest horror movie endings of all time! And again, another great performance by Daria Nicolodi as the author's friend; John Saxon steals it as Neal's agent. You have got to see this movie, it will blow you away!
This limited edition 2-pack is the best way to own Dario Argento's greatest achievements! Both films are light years beyond any horror film made before, between, or after them. This is Dario Argento at his best; HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

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SO,LETS MOVE ON THIS 2 CLASSICS.TENEBRE - UNLIKE DEEP RED,THIS IS VERY BRIGHT GIALLO,YOU CAN SEE ALL PERFECT GORY MURDERS IN ALL THEIR GLORY,BUT IT DOES NOT SOFTENED THEIR IMPACT.CAMERA WORK IS,AGAIN,OF COURSE PERFECT,MUSIC IS FOR FIRST EXPERIENCE NOT SO GOOD,BUT WORKS IN FILM VERY GOOD.SO,IF YOU HAVE TASTE FOR PERFECT GORY GIALLO IN HIS FULL REMASTERED GLORY,YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH TENEBRE!
AND IF TENEBRE WASN'T ENOUGH,ON THE SECOND DISC IS DEEP RED - DARK,SCARY GIALLO,WITH REALLY BIG STORY,LEGENDARY MUSIC FROM GOBLINS,GOOD PERFORMANCES FROM ALL ACTORS,AND IN IT'S FULL,UNCUT 126 MIN.VERSION.
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Ive never met an Argento movie i didnt love and these two are no exception. Stylish and intense would describe them both. Called by some, the Italian Hitchcock, Argento is truly a master of the genre. The quality of both DVD's is great, with fantastic sound and picture quality. The musical score by Goblin is marvelous.

Director Jose Mojica Marins took Brazil by storm with the 1963 release of "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul," the first entry in what would soon become known as the Coffin Joe franchise. It may be quite surprising that such a low budget black and white film made in Brazil forty years ago would merit a DVD release, but when you watch the movie, you will readily agree that there is something special about Marins's project. After the release of this movie, the Brazilian director churned out numerous sequels that ultimately led to his becoming a pop culture icon in his native land. Marins often turned up in public dressed in the trademark Coffin Joe attire: a black cape, a black top hat, and hook-like fingernails about three inches long (the fingernails are real, by the way, as an interview with Marins confirms). Genre fans in the United States picked up on the Coffin Joe craze and sought out hard to find copies of his films until an American video company released them here few years ago. Now we can watch the horror that is Coffin Joe on DVD. I love it! I cannot wait to see the other two sequels also out on DVD.

Coffin Joe's works as an undertaker for a small Brazilian town. He is not a popular figure with the locals, who cannot stand his sadistic bullying or his mocking attitudes towards God and Satan. Joe laughs at the silly superstitions of the townspeople as he chows down on meat on Fridays and heckles people in a religious procession. When Joe isn't preparing bodies for burial, he spends time taunting his wife at home, hitting on his friend's girlfriend, and hanging out at the local pub. Coffin Joe's biggest concern in life is his ability to produce an heir to carry on his "bloodline." Since his wife suffers from infertility, Joe cannot stand to be around her and must always be on the lookout for a gal who can have children. Perhaps it isn't all that surprising that his desire for offspring attains a murderous mania: after all, a man who doesn't believe in God or an afterlife would have only his physical presence to fall back upon. Reproduction would be the only way to achieve a sort of immortality.

Joe's hotheaded antics eventually result in several grisly murders. In the course of his crime spree, he visits a fortuneteller who senses his evil and predicts a series of events that will culminate in Coffin Joe's demise. The undertaker scoffs at such supernatural nonsense and continues on his merry way. In various scenes, Joe murders and brutalizes his way through town. He disposes of his wife with a nasty looking spider, gouges out eyes, cuts off a man's fingers, drowns someone, and flogs a local at the pub. You just know that this guy is eventually going to get what's coming to him, especially after seeing his blasphemous jaunts through the local cemetery where he roars in derision at the dead and questions the very existence of a supreme being. Coffin Joe does finally learn that fooling with the primal forces of creation brings about events of a decidedly unpleasant nature.

Marins brilliantly realizes his creation in this film. His performance as Coffin Joe only delves into the melodramatic on a few occasions, for most of the time he exudes an aura of palpable danger. The scenes where the undertaker questions the supreme deity reek of dark atmosphere, made even more intense by the black and white picture. To top the whole thing off, the movie employs some of the eeriest background music I have heard in awhile. The music and pitch black atmosphere help to conceal the low budget production values used in the film. You would swear Coffin Joe is wondering around in a big forest for most of the movie, when in actuality Marins used a very small indoor set for nearly all of his scenes. The best effect in the film occurs during a sequence where Coffin Joe encounters the ghost of one of his victims. In order to create a creepy aura surrounding this walking spirit, Marins glued glitter (yes, glitter!) directly onto the negative. It is simply incredible how well this works on the screen; I have never seen anything like it in any movie I have ever watched. Also, listen for the use of echo boxes during Coffin Joe's blasphemous diatribes, which give the scenes an added dimension of unearthliness. Little tricks like these make "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul" an immensely entertaining experience.

The DVD contains several surprising extras. You get three trailers for three Coffin Joe films and a lengthy interview with Marins about the creation of this project. The most interesting part of this discussion involves Marins's problems with Brazilian film censors at the time of the movie's release. Marins lied to the officials, telling them that he lost the negative of the film because he feared that the censors would confiscate the movie and permanently ruin it. At one time, at least ten different versions of the movie played throughout a Brazilian city. Fortunately, the DVD version is an uncut version of Marins's magical film. The movie's dialogue is in Portuguese, of course, but the subtitles are easy to see and, unlike many Asian films, actually match up with who is speaking. If you are in the mood for something well beyond the ordinary, look no further than "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul."

this has to be perhaps my dvd box set of all time. here we have a splendid example of foreign/ horror cinema at it's all-time best in one box at such a reasonable price. this is enough to make anyone scream for joy! i love every sick, repulsive moment of the coffin joe trilogy & recommend to any serious collector of great films. here we have atmosphere galore, attractive women, and a thoroughly disgusting but original character who rivals any psychopath or monster we've ever seen in american films. while the films at times may remind one of vincent price or perhaps even russ meyer(further into his film making), mr. marins was way ahead of his time and the world has yet to experience the sppokiest villain ever to grace black and white film. not to mention the pyschedelic color which is truly ghastly to say the very least. in the first story, we find an evil and unholy undertaker terrorizing his hometown in search of a woman to carry his child. it's clearly evident that coffin joe will stop at nothing to get what we wants and the devil take the hindmost. no pun intended here folks. considered quite controversial for it's time, the film was successful in marins native country nevertheless. the second film is nearly twice as horrifying and will leave scratching your head or your skin long after you've ejected the disc from your player. coffin joe returns in the second film still seeking the perfect atheistic woman to carry his child. perhaps fate has smiled on zao du caixo because he meets a woman in this film who shares similiar philosophical beliefs and does wish to carry his child. or does she? to add an even greater surprise, our fiendish friend takes a trip into hell where we really see how the other half live on the other side. or does he? i'm not telling. in the third film, marins gives us a distorted but thoroughly artistic vision of people and their strange vices or sick obsessions. through a series of vignettes, we once again are mortified while marins unfolds takes us a trip. it were as though we took an acid trip as well while watching this one. or did we? surprisngly enough, this one is said to be his masterpiece but has never been played in theatres anywhere to this very day. sad, sad story. thank god for dvd and fantoma. don't bother with purchasing each individual title separetely as you will end up spending way too much money. go ahead and purchase the box set and i know you'll be glad you did. no one in the world will ever have the same efect on you as zao du caixo. also, this is a limited edition coffin box set so get it while you still can. unpleasant dreams, my friends. hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman, and Mummy aside, Coffin Joe was one of the first real modern horror archetypes to grace our movie screens. Actually he didn't grace any screen in America, because he was a Brazillian creation, and that was where he remained for the most part, until Something Weird Video introduced him stateside in the eighties. The quality of video was attrocious, but there was no denying the feeling of that suspenseful hook as it went into you.
At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul is not a movie that moves at necksnapping pace. Like all good movies about the darker sides of small towns, it conveys the effect of looking into a terrarium or some kind of cage. The star attraction of this tiny town cage, is Coffin Joe, the gravedigger, who holds all the citizenry in a spell of bullyish terror. Without giving too much away, Joe's dilema is that he has no son and his wife is barren. I'd say this is one man's quest to realize his dream, but you'll laugh at the irony of that statement when you see the movie.
This movie could not have been done in anything other than black and white. It's scratchy, unfocused tone only adds to the dreamlike, hallucinatory quality that the story of this movie is supposed to be made of. This film also is a triumph of imagination over severe financial constraints. Shot over a period of scant days, Marins even had the bad luck of having some of the film stock stolen before he even set to shooting.
Finally there is the matter of Coffin Joe himself. Like Freddy, Jason, or Michael Meyers, Joe has threaded himself through many sequels and vignettes. He is an utterly fascinating example of the complexities of the human psyche. Malicious, sadistic, there is even a touch of the heroic as he defies god and satan alike in the graveyard. There is more than one level to his character, and one viewing of this movie alone cannot pigeonhole him. Marins's (who also directed) portrayal of Coffin Joe is nothing short of electric. His performace shows that real terror sometimes is not above and beyond in the supernatural, but in what we are capable of doing to each other and to ourselves.

First of all, I have to say that this is a Great Movie. It not only held my interest, but it had great thrilling action that keeps you on your toes and a great story, with the ability to grab those scary emotions. The acting was good, the cinematography excellent and the music wonderful. This is a movie that I have added to my video collection and that everyone should go and see. I have to say that some people have more bad luck. Buy and watch the movie you'll love it.

Thanks Brian for the great movie. Hope to see more in the future.

Information from DVD Back Cover: J.M. didn't mean to do it, but in one insane moment he killed his wife. The trouble is he is still in love with her. Unable to cope with what he did, he flees to his sister's desolated farm, the site of his wedding just a year ago. Once there, J.M. makes the haunting realization he is not alone. Someone or something is on his trail; and J.M. has to fight off more than his own demons. Blackmail, killing, betrayal and revenge all stalk J.M. He soon discovers there is no place to hide from murder; or is there?

This DVD is loaded with Extra's
Directors Commentary, 2 Deleted Scenes, Photo Gallery, Talent Bios, Special Digital Effects, The Making of Freez'er, Soundtrack, and Internet Links

Feature Running Time: 83 Minutes
Distributor: Iron Home Entertainment

GN, KINGSPORT, TN

This is a thriller that won't leave you wilted and frustrated. Freezer features a strong cast, good sound and image quality developed from a tight script that is true to its characters. You could call this a low cost film; I prefer to call it priceless. I saw this film at a festival and am delighted to see it is out now on DVD. By the way, they actually call this film Freez'er. If you have seen it, you can figure out the title.

I am a big fan of this Genre and This is one of the better directed Suspense Thrillers I've seen. It defies a low budget production to deliver that rarest of things in film - atmosphere. And this film reeks of atmosphere, the whole production just weaves its magic spell - music - location- cinematography and direction all combine into a masterpiece. With a subtle amount of foreshadowing the story is one of real people in a real situation and was a joy to watch. Don't miss this one.

This 1968 atmospheric and chilling Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows fame) production, made for television, is without a doubt, the best version of the Stevenson story ever done. Jack Palance stars as the submissive, shy, Jekyll and presents an image of Hyde that you will never forget! Portrayed in a Satanic, violent manner, the appearance of Hyde is clever in make-up design. He is not portrayed as a monster but rather as an unabashed hedonistic barfly, somewhat agressive, comical and evil at the same time. Hooked on the excitements that the night can provide; He eventually becomes "addicted" to being Hyde, enjoying the power and rule over women that it brings him. He eventually comes close to criminal prosecution and reforms back to the quiet life that Jekyll provides. However, his associate in chemical research demands money after he discovers that Hyde is Jekyll and Jekyll is Hyde. This leads Jekyll to rely on the drug transformation once more (his leftover bottle) to kill his associate and in doing so, also signs his own death warrant (he is dependent on his associates process of a certain drug to be combined with his own) Seeking escape he contacts a friend of Jekyll and agrees to meet at Jekyll's classroom in the medical academy. This is where a truly monsterous confrontation takes place with police in pursuit and the end will put a scare into you! Palance deserved an emmy for this but was robbed!

This was the first version of the story I ever saw so I may be a bit biased. As a long time student of this genre and of this story in particular, I can say that while not the Stevenson novella verbatim, it is still much closer than other adaptations. Of particular note are the references to drug addiction of young people in Victorian London. Mr. Palance gives a bravura performance in the dual role. Is it my imagination or does the Mr. Hyde make-up created by Master Make-Up Artist Dick Smith resemble classic depictions of Satan or perhaps the Satyr? Dan Curtis assembled an excellent cast in a sterling production. The new DVD version offers enhanced picture and sound quality as well as various subtitles for your viewing enjoyment. You may consider this video/DVD a valued asset to your collection of this strange story of one man's facination with man's dual nature. Perhaps there is a bit of Edward Hyde in all of us!

Jack Palance is outstanding in this very chilling and engaging version of Jekyll and Hyde. I fully concur with the prior review posted on August 22, 1999. This is my favorite version of this Gothic classic.

If every DVD would be this jam-packed, I'd be in heaven. This double feature DVD has almost 3 hours of stuff. The movies are okay but they're not the best thing on the DVD. I preferred Satan's Children over Asylum of Satan. The actress from Asylum was beautiful, though. The quality of both films are borderline acceptable. They both have a lot of scratches and grain but considering these movies had extremely limited releases, it's a miracle they've made it to DVD. No, the best thing on this amazing DVD package is the short called "Satan's Dance" with Burlesque Queen Lorraine Lane. The whole thing is COOL! I love it and it alone is worth the price of the DVD. Also the trailers are great. My favorite trailer is Dr. Tarr's Torture Dungeon. Wow! I can't wait to see that film.

One of the best Something Weird DVDs yet.

Shot in 1972 ASYLUM OF SATAN was director William GIRDLER's debut movie. He would later helm the animal horror flick GRIZZLY, which made quite an impression on me, when I watched it on TV as a young boy.
ASYLUM OF SATAN's plot concerns Lucinda MARTIN, a young woman who is hospitalized after a nervous breakdown and trasferred to a weird private clinic. Her mental and physical health however is at risk there since the rundown medical facility is in fact run by devil worshippers. While the few other patients are killed one by one, Lucinda's fiance despairingly tries to save her, as Lucinda awaits her fate as human sacrifice in a black mass. I don't want to give away the ending, but you can expect a not so unusual twist ending.
ASYLUM OF SATAN clearly shows its shoe-string budget, but is entertaining in a trashy way with its cheap thrills and ridiculous make-up effects. The Devil himself appears toward the end of the film - likely you fall out of your chair laughing when you see this basement make-up "effort". However some scenes manage to be effective, my favorite being the scene with the blind female patient being killed in an indoor swimming pool by snakes.
The second film of this devilish double feature is much better. SATAN'S CHILDREN is a very grim and bad taste movie from the glorious 1970ies, when nobody cared about political correctness.
The plot revolves around runaway teenager Bobby, who flees his sexually teasing stepsister and his tyrant father, only to bump into a vicious homosexual. He holds Bobby at knife-point and phones his equally depraved gay friends for a "hell ass party"(!) They throw Bobby out of their car after they had gang raped him. Bobby is found hurt and naked by some satanists, who resemble more a bunch of hippies than a group of devil worshippers. To put it briefly, problems for Bobby ensue, as the female second in command develops a crush for him, much to the annoyance of other satanists and to the group's leader. Bobby's love interest finds herself buried up to her neck and tortured with ants (!), while Bobby is kicked out of the group, because "Satan hates queers". Will he gain the respect of the satanists?
Without wanting to give too much away I assure you that the end is very mean spirited and cruel - just the way I like it. It involves quicksand, shotgun mayhem, dismemberment and a human sacrifice. Very satisfying ending indeed. I highly recommend SATAN'S CHILDREN, however the squeamish should not apply.
The extras on this DVD are a mixed bag. I urge you to skip the short feature THE SOUL SNATCHER. Despite the brief running time it seems to last forever, is pointless and boring beyond belief. The trailers however are great. Aside from the quite effective trailer for ASYLUM OF SATAN I particularly enjoyed the trashy but fun HORROR HIGH trailer and the trailer for DR. TARR'S TORTURE DUNGEON, which is weird and has a certain arthouse feel to it. My favorite however is the trailer for MANSION OF THE DOOMED, where people are held captive and get their eyes removed. Watch if you dare!
Another cool extra feature is the large gallery of horror comic artwork. I also enjoyed Patty BREEN's extensive liner notes regarding William GIRDLER's ASYLUM OF SATAN. Full of interesting details, it provides entertaining insight into B-movie making.
Conclusion: An essential purchase for fans of trashy horror flicks, all others approach with extreme caution.

This is the best disc Something Weird has put out so far. The first movie is Asylum Of Satan by director William Girdler. This is the tale of a mysterious hospital run by a sinister man who keeps a beautiful woman there against her will. Of course she is going to be given to Satan during a black mass. Leading Lady Carla Borelli is very pleasant on the eyes and does a very good job as the damsel in distress. Charles Kissinger as the menacing Dr. Spector is top notch. Good shocks in this movie.

The second feature is very twisted, but a lot of fun. It's Satan's Children and it's about a young man who is raped by four gay men and dumped on the side of the road and left for dead. A gropu od satanists find him and the female leader falls in love with him. She takes over the coven while the leader is away and proceeds to torture a lesbian member of the sect simply because she is a lesbian. Bobby, the young man who was raped is told he cannot be a satanist because he was raped and it proves he's weak!! He then hunts down his attackers and.....well I won't spoil it. Just ger this disc and see for yourself. You won't be disappointed. Lots of cool extras as well.

CARNIVAL OF SOULS is certainly a movie that was WAY ahead of it's time. Released in 1962, it left audiences bewildered, blankly staring ahead. Today, it fits right in! A woman named Mary (the stunning Candace Hilligoss) and her friends decide to drag race with a carload of guys. The girls are forced over the side of a very narrow bridge, plunging into the lake below. Mary rises from the depths, covered in mud, the sole survivor. Or is she? She moves to Utah where she gets a job playing the pipe organ in a church. Slowly, bizarre things start happening. She keeps seeing a sinister looking man (played by director Herk Harvey), first in her car window. Then, all over the place! She also slips in and out of a sort of dream state, wherein no one notices or hears her talking to them. Mary is also obsessed with an abandoned carnival she drove past. The atmosphere grows creepier by the minute! Is she alive? Dead? Somewhere in between? Candace Hilligoss only did one other film in her career (CURSE OF THE LIVING CORPSE by Del Tenney). In my opinion, this is to hollywood's shame! She is brilliant in SOULS! Buy this classic immediately...

Carnival of Souls aka "Corridors of Evil", is a crowning jewel in American Cinema. Despite the low budget and poor film quality, this 1962 masterpiece stands as a cult more than 40 years after it's release. Candice Hilligoss' fine performance will overwhelm you as she portrays a character caught in a purgatory between life and death. Her beauty alone will strike the viewer in a way few actresses can. Her physical acting, facial gestures, and line delivery will leave you wondering why this woman did not become a household name like Marilyn Monroe or Raquel Welch.

The story is as simple as it is complex. A woman is an innocent passenger in a car that gets into a drag race with some teenage thugs. The result is her car going over a bridge into a fast running, sandy river. As she crawls out of the wreckage covered in mud, the viewer thinks she has survived, but has she?

Ms. Hilligoss' character is a musician, an organist to be exact who takes a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City, Utah. As she begins her journey she is terrified of images of a phantom of sorts who seems to be seeking her out. Anyone who has driven for an average of twelve hours straight can tell you that driving can take its toll, and the mind can play tricks on a sleepy driver. However, after she checks into her room, she finds the same phantom lurking in the window, then in the hallway. Who is this creature, what does he want, where is he from?

The main point of the film is not horror, but human nature. Are we all alone in this world? Is everyone an island unto themselves. The lesson is thrown upon our character by a minister, a psychologist, and a would be male suitor. They all try to help her in their own way (except the suitor who is only interested in her for a chance to have sex). But our character waves a hand at them all, convinced that she can do it her own way. She is an independent woman who needs no man or companionship; a view that may have gone against society's thinking in 1962.

The male suitor (or 'just your normal guy' as he likes to call himself) is an obnoxious oaf to say the least. His headstrong pursuit of her is only his own selfish desire to have her. He's not an alcoholic he claims, yet he drinks at dawn. He quit college because he doesn't like to learn. This is not an ideal resume for a long term relationship for her or any other woman. When she is truly frightened by the visiting spectre, and she reaches out to him as a last resort for help, he runs. Not wanting to get involved, he was only interested in her for her body and his own sexual desire. Yet another lesson in this film for all the young ladies who care to pay attention.

As the story goes on Candace's soul seems to deteriorate. She slips in and out of reality and a strange sort of parallel world. This dimension looks the same as real life, but she cannot be seen or heard. The department store dressing room for example, shows how the lost spirit must learn that she is no longer of this world, but now belongs in the spirit world, where yet another companion awaits her.

Who is this man that haunts her in visions? We see at the end of the film that they are to be together forever. In the final seen where we see Candace's peek at her after-life. She screams in horror as the ghosts dance eternally as the haunt the carnival. She is finally captured by the ghosts and is spirited away. The police and minister are confused and baffled as her footprints and final body print leads nowhere. The minister gives a knowing look as if he has known all along, but says nothing.

The minister must have known there was something wrong with his new organist when he first met and eventually fired her. She had not the soul of a musician, she only had a knowledge for music. She was told this too by the organ builder in the beginning of the film. When she is possessed in the church and her true musician ship comes out as she plays without control, that is her true spirit, but the misinster fires her for 'blasphony'.

This film cannot be watched once and dismissed. It deserves to be watched over and over again. It is a timeless movie where something seems new every time you watch it. I applaud you 'Carnival of Souls'. One of the greatest movies ever made.

Candace Hilligoss is beautiful but creepy, the music is creepy, the photography is creepy, the story is creepy and the directing is creepy. One of the all time great horror classics.

Monster Man is a very silly, fun movie. I enjoyed it immensely, mostly because of the star (also writer/director) Jose Prendes. You can tell he's having a blast in the movie. He is very cute and has a great sense of humor and is really fun to watch. I recommend it to anyone looking for something fun and different.

The following reviews are from people who have attended the MONSTER MAN screening, and are writting reviews under my account. Enjoy!

This has to be one of the great undiscovered classics of horror-comedy! If you have not seen this yet, do yourself a favor and run out and buy it! Hillarious and ingenious...every joke gets a laugh, and who cannot like CONRAD BROOKS??

A worthwhile take on the apocalyptic theme - jealous angels, scared people, and an indifferent satan. God doesn't do a lot in these movies - just mankind (our heroes) vs. angels (Gabriel's goons) in a celebrity deathmatch to determine our fate. And a few other angels tossed in to make things interesting.

I can't usually stomach Christopher Walken, but am writing this review mainly to say he is perfect as Gabriel. The first time I can recall liking his performance(s). I don't generally like movies that require children to act either, but that is fairly easily overlooked in these films. 4 stars.

Anyone who has ever thought about philosophy and teleogical substances will find this movie great. It brings a whole new concept to the classic battle of God vs. The Devil by bringing in good angels who want to be a catalyst to the final end battle.

This series of movies details a war in Heaven between opposing factions of angels, those loyal to the Word of God and those loyal to the Archangel Gabriel (played superbly by Christopher Walken), who is jealously unwilling to be placed on a lower shelf than human beings in receiving God's love, being that we humans (or "talking monkeys", as sneeringly referred to by Gabriel and later Zophael throughout the series) were gifted by The Creator with a soul, which the angels lack.

I won't detail each movie in the trilogy in terms of plot specifics (each movie is reviewed separately under its respective title), but I will go so far as to say that this represents a most original Biblical crisis, foretold in an innovative style. Each movie has its own merits as well as detractions, but the main reason for owning the full set is of course Christopher Walken. He's obviously enjoying himself throughout the entire series, and as a result he gives an inspired performance as an omnipotent being who is surprisingly weak in areas that one wouldn't normally expect.

The key element to remember when watching the series is the lack of Biblical verse set in modern times. This creates a sense of displacement for the angels on Earth as portrayed in the series; Gabriel's fascination for 20th century technology belies his contempt for those who created it, and his inability to drive a car requires him to intercept humans on their way to their Eternal Reward in order for him to move from place to place. This is a problem that couldn't've occurred even in the New Testament and one that I feel is dealt with by the series' producers in a realistic fashion.

If you're a fan of Christopher Walken, each of the movies is worth owning, as his development of the Character of Gabriel is well-worth watching. At the very least I can recommend the first movie in the series to everyone, as it presents a fresh take on a genre of films that lacks many recognized classics, outside of perhaps the "Exorcist" and "Omen" franchises.