Blu-ray Review: THE BLACK WATERS OF ECHO'S POND (2010)

THE BLACK WATERS OF ECHO'S POND (2010) 

Label: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Region Code: A

Rating: R

Duration: 93 Minutes

Audio: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 with Optional English and Spanish Subtitles

Video: 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)

Director: Gabriel Blogna

Cast: Danielle Harris, James Duvall, Mircea Monroe, Walker Howard, Electra Avellan, Elise Avellan, Nick Mennell, M.D. Walton, Arcady Golubovich, Robert Patrick 

Tagline: Where Your Deepest Secrets Are Revealed

Well, this took it's sweet time finding it's way to DVD and Blu-ray, which is not always a good sign, but it's not always a fatal blow either. I remember that Trick 'r Treat (2007) took quite a while to emerge on Blu-ray, and that's one awesome Halloween watch so going into this I wasn't put off by that fact, just curious why it languished so long without a release. . 

In The Black Waters of Echo's Pond (2009) young couple Anton (Arcadiy Golubovich, Autopsy) and wife Erica (Elise Avellan, Grindhouse) invite a group of friends to stay the weekend on a remote island of the coast of Maine at a Victorian home with a history that's owned by grizzled family friend Pete (Robert Patrick, T2: Judgement Day). We get an average group of annoying horror stereotypes, there's Erica's twin sister Renee (Electra Avellan, Grindhouse), her fiance Josh (Nick Mennell, Friday the 13th), Kathy (Danielle Harris, Halloween), the brown guy Robert (M.D. Walton), the black dude Trent (Walker Howard), the slutty blonde Veronique (Mircea Monroe) and the guy no one likes Rick (James Duvall, (Donnie Darko), there's some real friction between him and Kathy whose brother died in a car wreck that involved Rick in some way, it's further explored as the film roles along. 

The party rolls on until the power goes out that night, by chance Anton 
discovers a century old board game sealed up behind a wall and the group set down for some game play by candle light. It's sorta like a Greek mythology version of Life or Monopoly, with each role of the dice they move a said amount of spaces and draw a card of chance that instruct each player to reveal a secret, voice a buried jealousy or dare another player to perform some indecent act, sounds like fun so far, right? What the game does is tap into the fears, jealousies and desires of each of the players and what had previously been a minor annoyance, lust or insecurity between friends starts to turn violent and deadly real quickly as tempers start to flare, things start to get quite bloody. 

What's happening seems to be possession of each player by the demonic mythical creature called Pan through the board game, the hoofed beast of myth even makes a few small appearances but perhaps not to the degree some might hope for, this isn't a film about Pan axing his way through a group of 20-somethings, though that would have been awesome. The design of the horned, red-eyed beast is pretty great, I wished to see more of him but I  think the film works quite well as just a group of friends turning against each other.

My main issue with the film is that I think the cast is a bit to large for it's own good, we don't get a lot of character development, I think they could have whittled this down this cast by about half and given Robert Patrick a bit more to do, but nor do I mind watching nine friends turn nasty and do awful things to each other, in that respect it's not unlike a Friday the 13th film, a large cast of annoying folks dying one by one, this is a bit more twisted, it's nine friends killing each other and that's a fun time, too.  

Disc: The Blu-ray from Anchor Bay presents the film in 1080p with an MPEG4-AVC encode in widescreen (1.78:1) with Dolby True HD 5.1 audio and it looks quite nice, a pleasing hi-def image with some modest depth and clarity. The 5.1 is nice but not overly active, some decent use of the surrounds but it's not gonna blow-up your speakers. The only extra is an Alternate Opening (2:36) offering up a subtlety different variation on the film's opening pre-credit sequence which takes place in Turkey in the year 1927. There are no deleted scenes, commentaries or featurettes. 

Verdict: It's not a oozing gore but it's pretty bloody, there's even a damn decent chainsaw dismemberment scene once things start to churn.  Truly, it's just not that original, aside from Greek mythology angle it's your basic pretty people in peril story but it's  fun with some decent grue and some breasts. I'd recommend this as a Netflix or Redbox purchase, perfect Friday night fare for a group viewing with a few tasty brews. Watching this brought me back to those heated nights of Monopoly with the family that ended in a cacophony of shouted f-bombs and hurt feeling, fun stuff. 3 Outta 5 

Blu-ray Review: HALLOWEEN 4 - The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

HALLOWEEN 4 - THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS (1988) 

Label: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Region: A

Rating: R

Duration: 88 Mins

Video: Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)

Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 with English, Spanish Subtitles 

Director: Dwight H. Little 

Cast: Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris, Michael Pataki, Donald Pleasance
Tagline: He Changed the Face of Halloween. Tonight, He's Back

Following the commercial failure of HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982)  producer Moutaspha Akkad set out to side-step the third installment of the seminal slasher franchise and set in motion a direct sequel to HALLOWEEN II (1981) with John Carpenter in the directing chair once again, however, things fizzled when producer and director couldn't see eye to eye and the film landed in the lap of upcoming director Dwight D. Little whom had previously directed the action adventure feature BLOODSTONE (1988).

Set ten years after the fiery ending of HALLOWEEN II the film starts of strong with an evocative intro that sets a strong Halloween atmosphere right from the first frame. Michael Myers has lain comatose at the Smith's Grove Sanitarium since the events a decade earlier and is being transferred to another sanitarium without the consult of Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance). It's a stormy night and en route the attendees in the back of the ambulance strike up a conversation about the events a decade prior and reveal that the only surviving member of the family is a young nice Jamie Strode, daughter Michael's sister Laurie who it is revealed died in a car accident. This revelation of course spurs Myers to awaken from his coma and escape after inexplicably pushing his thumb through the forehead of one of the orderlies. We can thank special effects artist Carl Buechler (BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR) who was brought in post production to gore-up the film a bit, which he does quite nicely. The blood-soaked ambulance is discovered the next day turned upside down in a shallow creek, which the authorities believe to be an unfortunate accident spurred by the poor road conditions the night before. 

Enter Donald Pleasance (RAW MEAT) as Dr. Loomis whom is furious when he finds out about the transfer and subsequent escape of Myers, everyone else seems to believe Michael has died in the accident but when no body is recovered Loomis knows he's returning to Haddonfield to finish his work and that young Jamie is in danger. Loomis here is a but unhinged but it's a great performance, Loomis is the heart and soul of the film, this is a bit before Pleasance took it maybe a bit too far in latter sequels but here it's just right. 

Jamie Strode is played by a young  Danielle Harris (HATCHET) who is pretty great considering just how awful the reality of a child character in a slasher film should be, a very sympathetic kid with a good range of emotions. Jamie begins to have frightening visions of Myers, there's some kind of psychic connection between the two, an element that is exploited during the film's final moments. Jamie lives with her adopted family the Caruthers and their daughter Rachel who is left alone with her on Halloween night which does not bode well in this series.

There's a lot to like here, while not on par with Carpenter's original or even the first sequel there's some nice touches, for starters it's got a great Halloween vibe, you totally believe the Fall setting, the atmosphere is spot on and really ads to the proceedings. One of my favorite scenes has Loomis stopping off at a gas station en route to Haddonfield where he encounters Michael's handiwork, a dead mechanic tangled in chain hanging from the ceiling. Loomis nearly shoots Meyers  but he escapes in a tow truck sending the station up in a fiery explosion destroying Loomis's car and leaving him to travel on foot before he's picked-up by a travelling preacher, the doomsayer of sorts, in the film.

After Michael starts his rampage in town a group of locals at the bar form a posse and get a bit trigger happy blasting the wrong guy, a bit later the same posse while transporting Jamie and Rachel to the safety of the next town are taken out one by one by Myeres who's hitched a ride underneath their pick-up CAPE FEAR style, there's a nice gore scene as Meyers rips out the driver's throat. 

Something that just wasn't working for me this time out was the Meyer's mask which changes a bit throughout the film, none of them as effective as the original but nonetheless this is a strong late-80's slasher that at least attempts to maintain the atmosphere and feel of the original film, the introduction of Jamie Strode is a good story arc and we get some cool moments of gore with a shocker ending that is a sweet nod to the original as well. 

Blu-ray: Anchor Bay presents  Halloween 4 in it's original widescreen aspect ratio (1.85:1) with a transfer sourced from a nice print. Colors are nicely saturated and black levels and shadow detail are quite nice. Instances of print damage are minor but you do occasionally get some white specks. Overall we get a robust image that's lacking a bit in areas of sharpness but very nice and the film grain is left intact. 

The Blu-ray comes equipped with an English language Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track with optional English and Spanish subtitles, dialogue, effects and Allan Howarth's score are well-balanced, clean and free of any distortion, not the most robust audio you'll ever hear but adequate. 

Some of the disc's special features have been carried over from the previous Anchor Bay Special Divimax Edition  including the audio commentary with actress Ellen Cornell and Danielle Harris, the two actresses have some chemistry and it makes for an interesting listen filled with anecdotes, recollections and trivia about working on the set and what went on behind-the-scenes. Also ported over from the DVD is the Halloween 4/5 Discussion Panel (18:28) with Jeffrey Landon, Sasha Jenson, Kathleen Kinmont and Danielle Harris whom field questions from convention goers, it's fun stuff even if Harris seems annoyed from time to time as she speaks to her dislike of how HALLOWEEN 7-8 ignores her character altogether, her preference for 4 over 5. Sasha Jenson who's probably best know for his character from Richard Linklatter's 70s stoner comedy DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993) even sportingly fields the question if he actually got high on the set of that film. 

In addition to a Trailer (1:36) we get a brand new audio commentary from director Dwight H. Little and author Justin Beahm from the www.halloweenmovies.com website. It's an entertaining commentary as the director talks about all facets of the production and personal anecdotes, from his own Midwestern roots informing the agrarian introduction of the film which established an aesthetic and mood, the sets and locations, meeting with producer Moustapha Akkad, bringing Donald Pleasance back to the series and working with then child actor Danielle Harris  It's  all around informative track and a great new feature.

Something missing from the disc that was advertised in the early press release are 30 minutes of Deleted and Alternate Scenes which was a whopper of a disappointment - not sure what the story there but it's a major fuck-up - I know a lot of fans including myself were miffed that this was absent. It's also disappointing that the audio commentary with writer Alan B. McElroy from the Divimax edition has been excised, too. While the Blu-ray is definitely worth a purchase for the 1080p upgrade in my opinion including all of the previous features with the new commentary and deleted scenes would have made this a no-brainer. It's a good set, but it could have been great, and with these items lacking there's a certain number of folks who just won't bite the apple a second time until they get what they feel is the definitive edition.

Special Features: 

-  Audio Commentary with Director Dwight H. Little and Author Justin Beahm

-  Audio Commentary with Actors Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris

-  Halloween 4/5 Discussion Panel (18:28) 

-  Theatrical Trailer (1:36)

Verdict: HALLOWEEN 4 is a strong late-80's slasher entry that attempts to maintain some of the atmosphere and feel of the original film with some degree of success. The 1080p upgrade is a strong argument for an upgrade as is the director commentary but I am bummed we do not get the half hour of deleted/alternate scenes - that's a damn shame but this is still a decent slasher with some nice gore, suspense and it's a recommend, 3.5 Outta 5

Michael Biehn's THE VICTIM gets distribution through Anchor Bay Films

There's news that actor Michael Biehn's directorial debut THE VICTIM (2011) has been picked up for distribution through Anchor Bat Films here in North America. The star of TERMINATOR and ALIENS also stars in this psychologival thriller, read all about it below and check out the trailer...

Anchor Bay Films Press Release:

ANCHOR BAY FILMS LOCKS IN NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS FOR THE VICTIM

Written and Directed by Award-Winning Actor Michael Biehn 

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Anchor Bay Films has locked in North American rights to the suspense thriller,  THE VICTIM, starring Michael Biehn (Terminator, Aliens), Jennifer Blanc (Badass, Dark Angel), Ryan Honey (Men of Honor, Hallowed Ground), Denny Kirkwood (Never Been Kissed), Tanya Newbould (Red Dragon, Rush Hour 2) and Danielle Harris (Halloween series).  The deal was made with Preferred Content.  The Victim was written by Michael Biehn and is his directorial debut.  Bill Clark, President of Anchor Bay Entertainment, made today’s announcement. 

“This is a great grindhouse film and audiences won’t be disappointed,” commented Kevin Kasha, Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Anchor Bay Films.  

“From the first day of shooting, I had hoped that Anchor Bay would be interested in THE VICTIM.  I’m very happy they will be working with us to distribute it,” added Michael Biehn.  “I loved making such a down and dirty film – true grindhouse.”  

Good time girls Annie (Jennifer Blanc) and Mary (Danielle Harris) find themselves in a life and death situation. Annie’s life is put in jeopardy when she is witness to a violent act at the hands of two Sheriff’s Deputies. Fleeing from attackers (Ryan Honey, Denny Kirkwood), she stumbles across Kyle (Michael Biehn), a recluse living in the middle of the woods.  The ruggedly handsome loner stays far from civilization – that is – until a single knock on his door throws his solitary life into chaos. Two worlds collide in this psychological thriller that will make you question your trust in mankind.  Who is the victim?

THE VICTIM was executive produced by Brock Morse, Morgan Johnson and Ryan Honey of The Mud Show and produced by Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Lorna Paul and Travis Romero of Blanc/Biehn Productions in association with Pegasus Productions.  Stevan Mena and Vincent Butta of Crimson Films will be handling the theatrical release.  This is the third project between Crimson Films and Anchor Bay Films.  Additionally, Hogan Entertainment and Pegasus Productions will be handling the college tour of the film.  

The deal was brokered by Kevin Kasha on behalf of Anchor Bay Films with Preferred Content working on behalf of the filmmakers. 

To discover more about THE VICTIM, visit www.grindhousethevictim.com.

Film Review: Hatchet II (2010)

HATCHET II (2010)
"Victor Crowley Lives Again"
Dark Sky Films

RATED: Uncut & Unrated
RUNNING TIME: 89 Min.
DIRECTOR: Adam Green
CAST: Dabielle Harris (Marybeth), Tony Todd (rev. Zombie), Kane Hodder (Victor Crowley/Thomas Crowley), Perry Shen (Justin), R.A. Mihailoff (Trent), Alexis Peters (Avery), Ed Aclerman (Cleatust)

FILM: Thank you to AMC Theatres for supporting unrated horror. From what I can tell this is the 1st unrated horror film to play in a major theatre chain since DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978). After the MPAA deemed the film NC17 Green and Dark Skiy Films stuck to their guns and went the unrated route. AMC Theatres after having seen the film offered a limited run. I hear that the Canadian AMC theatres had quite a time of it and had to pull the film from their theatres under threat of fines. I would also like to thank the awesome Dread Central from whom I won free tickets to the screening stemming from a Twitter contest. Upon arriving at the theatre there was an awesome lobby poster for the film but it was not listed on the theatre marquee, so how would anyone know that the film was playing let alone at what time? That was disappointing. Aside from my son and I there were only two other patrons in the theatre which could be attributed to the 5:45PM screening, I only hope the two later screening brought in more splatter fans.

UPDATE: Tuesday Otober 4th, 2010 - As of yesterday AMC announced they would be pulling the film from all AMC Theatre locations due to poor tcket sales. His statement to Entertainment Weekly about the decision can be foun here.

We return to the bloody bayou in HATCHET 2 mere seconds following the events of Hatchet as we find MaryBeth who this time around is portrayed by scream queen Danielle Harris of HALLOWEEN 4 (1988), HALLOWEEN (2007) fame barely escaping the clutches of Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder). She is assisted by grizzled local fisherman Jack Cracker who takes her to the relative safety of his cabin. Once there he realizes who she is and unceremoniously forces her at gunpoint to leave. Not willing to explain himself he tells her to speak with Reverend Zombie (Tony Todd) but she needs to get the Hell out now. Fearing that his involvement with her might bring the wrath of Crowley ...and he's right. Not minutes after she leaves Cracker is strangled and decapitated by his own bloody intestines, as his corpse spews blood against the wall opening credits roll to the sound of Ministry's "Just One Fix".
Marybeth makes her way back to Reverend Zombies voodoo shop and the Rev lays a slightly altered Victor Crowley origin story on us that implicates her family in the death of Crowley all those years ago. It's an interesting spin on the story and it's told in a flashback featuring Kane Hodder once again as Thomas Crowley. Hodder is called upon to act much more dramatically that we've seen him before, and he pulls it off relatively well. Reverend Zombie reluctantly agrees to return to the cursed swamp to recover the bodies of MaryBeth's father and brother as well as his lost tour boat. A hunting party of mercenary gator hunters is amassed and the motley crew head back into the swamp, however, Reverend Zombie has ulterior motives for helping MaryBeth which play out as the band of armed men enter Honey Island Swamp.

Short story shorter, this film freaking rocks! Hatchet 2 is a satisfying, self-indulgent, splatter-romp that pulls no punches. The kills are bloodier, the laughs are louder, the screams are longer and the cliches are full-on. You get power sanders to the skull, chainsaws to the balls, and one of the funniest decapitation during sex scenes you'll likely ever see. Green is a director capable of much more nuanced, tense, and well paced cinema as evidenced by the psycho-thriller SPIRAL (2007) and the newly released FROZEN (2010) but with Hatchet 2 he's having a blast and just rips into it giving tribute to the slasher films of the 80's with the glee and abandon of a horror-geek on steroids.

VERDICT: Hatchet 2 is the antidote to the unfulfilling PG13 films and remakes that shy away from blood and gore. If you've come for the splatter there's nothing a matter here folks, this one is thigh deep in entrails and viscera, you won't be disappointed. The story is overly simple  but no one is coming to HATCHET II expecting anything more or less. I hold Green up there with Ti West (HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, CABIN FEVER 2) and Lucky McKee (RED, MAY, THE WOODS) as up and coming horror directors to watch, these guys are gonna be around for a while. Green is a true fan of the slasher genre and this sequel ramps up the blood & guts to the nth degree. How can you not love a film that begins with Ministry's "Just One Fix" and ends with Overkills "Old School", you cannot
 ***1/2 (3.5 Out of Five Stars)

- McBASTARD