Horror DVD/Blu Ray Releases – May 5, 2009
Not a very interesting week of horror. There are a handful of re-issues – First Look Studios is reissuing THE BONE SNATCHER, and dropping DOG SOLDIERS on Blu Ray. EVENT HORIZON is also available on Blu Ray. THE 8th PLAGUE continues the re-issue onslaught by repacking the film into a special edition DVD set. THE 8th PLAGUE comes from the director of CARVER, which was a fun, if not overly predictable slasher, so if you haven’t seen it and you love indie horror we’d recommend adding it to your queue.
Highlight of the week is MUM & DAD. A British horror film in the vein of HOSTEL, and TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, but perhaps with a bit more intelligence. Easily this is among the top of the British horror films lately, though I highly doubt anything with top EDEN LAKE in the near future. Not to say this title can’t hang right in there with it. Check out Benjamin Bussey’s review by clicking the link above and leave us your comments.
THE BEAST COLLECTION will appeal to old school drive-in enthusists with 11 films on 4 discs, including titles SHRIEK OF THE MUTILATED, MAJIN, MONSTER OF TERROR, RETURN OF THE GIANT MANJIN, THE SNOW CREATURE, and more.
ECOUTE LE TEMPS is an interesting sounding title. It takes on homicidal cults, and psychological terror, promising plenty of terror and brutality. It’s French, what more can we say?
FRANKENHOOD is something of an anomaly. Well let’s just say this… it stars Charlie Murphy. I’m avoiding this completely.
More lackluster horror abounds with FROM A PLACE OF DARKNESS, THE HOUSE OF THE DEMON, and RISE OF THE SCARECROWS. Not wretched titles, but not exactly noteworthy.
I’m looking forward to seeing JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY. This film is from the Ole Bornedal, the director of NIGHTWATCH. This foreign noir flick not only has a standout title, but ought to be the right blend of tension and suspense, with a touch of horror to keep things interesting.
SCARCE takes on winter horror just in time for summer! A group of people take shelter from a nasty winter storm at an isolated cabin. Terror ensues in the way of a homicidal killers who want to eat our cast. Blah, blah, blah. You’ve seen it all before, but hell… no one said it won’t be a good time.
Finally, SLAUGHTER from Dan Martin is an ill timed released, following shortly after the release date for a film that goes by the same name from the AFTERDARK HORRORFEST. However, don’t get confused. This isn’t the same SLAUGHTER. No, this one is a British film that follows an escapee from a mental institution as he hides out from the authorities and video’s himself raping and killing. Interestingly enough the film is shown from two points of view. You have the killer who shows the action through a Hi8 camcorder, and then the film of course picks up in the traditional vantage point of the cops tracking the killer down. EDEN LAKE and THE CHILDREN aside I’ve not been overly impressed by horror from the UK lately, but with this week’s MUM & DAD on DVD hopefully that will give SLAUGHTER a touch of good luck.
Well that’s about it. Like I said, with the exception of a couple titles there’s nothing too interesting to look forward to snatching up. Let’s hold out some hope for next week.
