Weekly DVD Dissection
By Scott Weinberg
Sorry to say that, after a pretty excellent haul last Tuesday, this week looks pretty damn skimpy indeed. Fans of the weird and obscure will find a few interesting picks, but as far as mainstream and / or solid "catalog" titles -- not this week, friends.
The Attic -- Catherine Mary Stewart and John Savage star in this tale of a haunted ... attic. Normally we could dismiss such a generic-looking product, but the flick WAS directed by Mary Lambert. And she also directed the awesome Pet Sematary.
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers -- This 1956 alien invasion flick is one of the templates of the sub-genre, plus it has the bonus feature of special effects by Ray Harryhausen. And those are always worth a look. (Starring Hugh Marlowe & Joan Taylor; directed by Fred Sears) *A 2-disc set loaded with archival goodies.*
Ghost Son -- Another one of those "haunted infant" thrillers that must have seemed scary on the page. Worth a look, perhaps, for the solid cast -- and to catch up on the work of an old-school Italian master. (Starring Laura Harring & Pete Postelthwaite; directed by Lamberto Bava)
Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers -- Fred Olen Ray's 1988 D-grade cheese classic gets polished off for the special edition treatment. And yes, the movie is actually about a bunch of killer whores who dig the chainsaws. (Starring Linnea Quigley & Gunnar Hansen) Note: This release may have been recently postponed. Double-check before heading out in search of it, you nutty schlock-lover.
It Came from Beneath the Sea -- Speaking of Ray Harryhausen, here's one of his crowning achievements: the awesome monster that came ... from beneath the sea. (Dun dun dunnnn) Sure, the flick's a little dry -- and yes, octopi are supposed to have eight arms (not six!), but there's some pretty impressive stop-motion animation on display here. Think of it as an antique version of The Host. (Starring Kenneth Tobey & Faith Domergue; directed by Robert Gordon) *Another 2-disc set loaded with archival goodies.*
Monstroid -- Anyone out there remember a 1979 "environmental monster" movie called Monster (aka Monstroid)? No, not Prophecy, but it sure looks like it. Anyway, this odd little obscurity is finally hitting DVD, and it's packing one of the chintziest DVD covers I've ever seen. (Starring James Mitchum & John Carradine; directed by Kenneth Hartford)
Red Eye -- No, not a special edition of the airplane thriller with Cillian Murphy. This one is a Korean chiller about a haunted subway car. Looks pretty cool, actually.
Winterbeast -- You gotta see this one to believe it. That's all I'm saying.
