This Week's DVDs Dissected
By Scott Weinberg
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon -- Bottom line: If you like slasher flicks, then you will love this movie. The comedy is sharp, the horror is solid, and the entire package is quite clever and very satisfying. Very highly recommended. (Starz / Anchor Bay)
Dead Silence -- James Wan's follow-up to Saw was pretty quickly dismissed upon its theatrical release, but I liked this tale of haunted puppets quite a bit. It's certainly not the high-octane splatter-fest that Saw is, but points to the young filmmaker for trying something "new" for his sophomore project. The flick actually reminded me of an old-school '50s terror tale. (Universal)
Isolation -- I've been waiting for this icky Irish import to hit DVD for a few years now. I saw it back at the Toronto Film Festival in '06, and had a really good time with it. The flick's about the dangers that arise when you monkey with bovine DNA. (The movie's actually quite a bit creepier than it sounds.) I say give this one a rental and I bet you'll dig it. (First Look)
Also this week: A great batch of WB's camp-horror classics, including Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, The Giant Behemoth and Trog!
Coming next week: Grindhouse collections, King-ly box sets, and a maniacal mummy!
