"I am sending you to Earth, to study humans.  They have grown far more
evil than we had anticipated.  We must set a new level of horror - A 
level to which humans cannot reach."
"The darkest pleasures of their minds are brought to vision by movies.
You must watch all these horror movies and absorb their thoughts...
THEN PLAY WITH THEM!"
(excerpts from GORMAN COMIC STRIP from issue #2 of the ScreamCraft 
Review (copyright 1998 ScreamCraft)

Director: Sam Raimi
Distributed by: Anchor Bay

In issue #2 of The ScreamCraft Review, under the column Lunatics Video Guide, I deemed this film "One of the best low-budget films ever made." So you could imagine my jubilation when Anchor Bay sent me this newly digitally mastered copy to review. For those of you that have been living under a rock for the past 16 years and have not seen this classic - here is a summary: 5 college students rent an old cottage in the middle of nowhere, Tennesse. They find the original book of the dead, along with some other demonic tools - including a tape recording machine apparently left by the previous occupants of the cottage. Like the foolish kids they are, they unknowingly conjure up the demonic forces held within the Book of the Dead (actually that was the original title of this film). This is where the fun starts. The demons unmercifully attach and torment these students into oblivion (literally). A classic scene has the trees and vines attack and rape one of the female guests. Now I don't endorse this kind of behavior, ecspecially by foilage - but it is a must see scene. Sam Raimi and Bob Tapert spare nothing in giving its audience buckets upon buckets of blood, goo and carnage. They also took such a simple idea of a story and made it into a true piece of cinamatic brilliance. Bruce Campbell launced his career with his portrayal as Ash - the stories hero. He also revitalized his character in two equally successful sequels. Here is some free advice to aspiring filmakers; throw away all your filmaking books and acquire this video, because this is by far a study in "How to make a successful low-budget movie". Now go study!

HALLOWEEN - ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Director: John Carpenter
Distributed by: Anchor Bay

In 1978 I snuck into my very first movie - HALLOWEEN! It scared the piss out of me then, and still does today. It has now been re-released through Anchor Bay Entertainment in all its widescreen glory, to scare the piss out of a whole new generation. Even 20 years after its original showing it still packs a powerful punch. With its haunting theme score, its scares around every corner and of course, the unstoppable Michael Myers.

"Halloween" fans will certainly enjoy this special anniversary release. It has been digitally mastered and shown in widescreen. It also features an original theatrical trailer. An all-time classic!

"I spent 8 years trying to reach him, then another 7 trying to keep him locked up. Because I knew what was behind those eyes was purely and simply evil." - Donald Pleasence (Dr.Loomis)

Director: Jeff Dunn
L.D. Filmworks, Inc.

Jeff Dunn, Whom also worked on VAMPS and CHICKBOXING UNDERGROUND, makes his Directorial debut in this "gorgy"of flesh-eating carnage. ZOMBIE CULT MASSACRE centers around a holy-war (of sorts) between a local biker gang, and an out of control religious sect. The ammunition: Zombies! The movie has a DAWN/DAY OF THE DEAD meets JONESTOWN MASSACRE feel to it. Viewers are treated to an array of disgusting maulings, like; a very large breasted woman getting her very large breasts ripped apart. And, a pregnant woman and her fetus being made in to a mid-day snack. Not to mention the multitudes of arm-biting, torso tearing, head tossing and entrail sucking to satisfy any gore hounds palate. Congratualations are in order for fx make-up masters, Jim Vanbebber and Dave "Blood Boy" Molly. Dunn also added some effective 3-D digital effects to the cornucopia of fx. Being able to add this new dimension to a low-budget film certainly adds to a films appeal, if done and used correctly - Dunn succeeded! The cast as a whole was well directed and performed. Stellar performances were given by Lonzo Jones, Randy Rupp, Bob Elkins and Michael Botouchis. One of ScreamCrafts past "New Blood" girls was also featured - Amy Ballard. Amys little bitch slapping fight scene will be long remembered. Besides some sound flaws in a few interior scenes, and the removal of about 10 minutes of excess footage (it seemed a little long), this is one bad-ass zombie flick to be reckoned with!

"Don't you think they have feelings?" "What are you, some kind of homosexual!" - Randy Rupp (George) and Mike Walsh (Vinny) discussion while hunting zombies.

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