What I've Been Watching...

Okay, I’m back. Yes, loyal subjects, your Scream King is delving back into reviewing films for your delight and comfort. 

My musings will feature: new stuff, indie stuff, foreign stuff, old stuff, and basically what I’ve been watching lately. Often, I’ll be wading through crap so you, dear reader, don’t have to. So let’s begin this installment with 3 recent releases (not necessarily “new” films), sit back, enjoy a refreshing adult beverage, put your feet up, and hey, if you’re reading this on your phone whilst taking a shit, all the better! Here we go…

“The Nun”

Billed as “the darkest chapter in the Conjuring universe”, “The Nun”, from horror writer/director/super-guy James Wan (just writing this time) is the latest installment in the aforementioned “The Conjuring” universe.  As far as franchises go, I sort of dig the way they thread all of these films together with seemingly mundane scenes that totally make sense if A. you’re paying attention, and B. if you see all of the sequel/spin-off films.

Director Corin Hardy does an excellent job in the first two acts of this film, strong characters are established by the sketchy priest, Father Burke (ably played by Demián Bichir) and virginal not-quite-a-nun, Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga, keeping it in “The Conjuring” family with big sis Vera), and amazing atmosphere courtesy of a real life castle, as well as some truly creepy effects.

Without giving away too many spoilers, the film scoots along at a great clip, managing to achieve a groovy little combination of gothic horror and supernatural evil. Unfortunately, after a promising first half or so, the movie kind of smashes the gas pedal to get to the “jump-scare-a-thon” ending by revealing virtually all of the answers to what was, until then, a great mystery set up, in a single scene. While this was really disappointing to me, personally, as a viewer, the movie actually bounces back with some truly frightening moments, even though, thanks to the scene mentioned earlier, you can see them coming a mile away. So, despite the film culminating in the cinematic equivalent of a 6 foot, neon orange, ball peen hammer bashing you between the eyes, in slow motion, “The Nun” is a lot of fun, and a decent example of a “studio” film that hits most, if not all, of the marks.

“Dracula: Prince of Darkness”

Disclaimer—I am a HUGE Christopher Lee fan. I think he’s the best screen Dracula in history, and “Horror of Dracula” is one of my “Top 5” easily. So imagine my excitement when Scream Factory announced they were doing a 4k restoration of Terrence Fisher’s direct sequel to HoD, 1966’s “Dracula: Prince of Darkness”. I immediately pre-ordered the Blu-ray from the pleasant people at Scream Factory and anxiously awaited it’s arrival. And waited. And waited some more. Finally, the disc, and it’s accompanying poster arrived. A WEEK AND A HALF AFTER THE RELEASE DATE!! Pre-order? Give me a fucking break! Buncha dicks...

Anyways, the film proper, an entertaining and worthy sequel to the original Hammer masterpiece, has never looked better. Beautiful, vibrant colors, amazing lighting and cinematography, and super rad little tidbits, visually, that you may have never noticed are all front and center here. SF did an impeccable job with the transfer, and even with all of their crappy/lazy business practices, I am impressed.

I won’t bore you with the story synopsis, as any self respecting fan of gothic horror has probably already seen the tale of 2 young English couples stranded in the wilds around Karlsbad multiple times through the years (for the uninitiated, virtually ALL of the awesomely eeeeevil stills of Lee as The Count have come from this film), but I will strongly recommend this release to both first timers, and salty veterans—this transfer is gorgeous!!

Lee, from Dracula PoD, on the wall of my movie lounge...

As far as extras go, this disc is lit (as the kids say…) an encyclopedic “making of” featurette talks to freaking everyone associated with the production, as long as they’re somewhat alive, and leaves no stone unturned for the hardcore fan and/or Hammer Horror Historian. There’s also commentary with Lee, Suzan Farmer, Francis Matthews and the comely Barbara Shelley. This is definitely laden with all the extras a fan could want.

Run, don’t walk, to pick this little gem up. This release blows up any of the Warner Archive releases of the other Hammer classics away easily.

“Zombie”

Fulci's "Zombie" and beer, two of my greatest loves...

Ohhhhhh fuck, did Blue Underground ever make my sick, twisted, gore hound dreams come true with this “balls and all” 4k, super-fucking-duper, release of Lucio Fulci’s seminal chunk-blower “Zombie” (aka “Zombi 2”). Featuring a variety of lenticular 3D slipcovers, (I opted for the “worm face” version showcasing the poster boy rotter), this 2 disc tribute to the ultimate non-Romero undead opus is an absolute MUST for fans of the Italio-splatter genre.

This film has never looked better—breathtakingly clear shots of all of your favorite moments: underwater boobies, zombie vs. tiger shark, eyeball/splinter mayhem, snaggletoothed throat chomping…it’s all here, and like you’ve never seen it before.

Personally, I think it’s kind of  a shitty, cash grab, dick move insult to fans and collectors when labels do multiple “ultimate editions” of beloved films (I’m looking straight at you “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, seriously Dark Sky…what the fuck, man?). But this is well worth the “double dip”—extras ported over from previous release, new stuff—they talked to everyone, even Fulci’s daughter!—and even the soundtrack on CD.

We Are Going To Eat You...

With “Zombie” being among my favorites, this release is like Christmas in a very cool little package! I’ve seen this film, literally, hundreds of times, across all of the various formats (Hell, I own 3 earlier DVD and 2 earlier Blu releases of it, just because I’m a nerd…) and this monument to Spaghetti Splatter has finally reached it’s full cinematic potential. I’m just glad it’s not in Smell-O-Vision.

“The boat can leave now…tell the crew…”

"Paging Dr. Menard...Dr. Menard..."

There you have it, you sick little fuckers, until next time...