4/14/06

Anthropophagus aka The Grim Reaper double DVD Special Edition. (1981. Italy. Shriek Show. Directed by Joe D’amato. Cast: George Eastman, Tisa Farrow, Saverio Vallone, Serena Grandi, and Margaret Mazzantini. 1.66:1 widescreen. English or Italian mono. 88 minutes. Extras: trailers, alt USA opening, photo gallery, Zora Kerova and George Eastman public appearance in 2005, and the documentary Joe D’amato Totally Uncut Two.). With the possible exception of Jess Franco, no director has had such a love/hate relationship with fans/critics than the late Joe D’amato. Therefore Shriek Show’s double DVD special edition of Anthropophagus aka The Grim Reaper will either be reviled or cherished. Put me in the latter category--because it’s nice to finally get an uncut widescreen print of this nasty. For those who haven’t seen this legendary slice of sleaze, it centers around a group of tourists giving a boat ride to a young woman (genre fave Tisa Farrow). She needs to get to this remote island to work as a babysitter for a young blind girl. No problem, as this group of college age students are going in that direction--and a couple of the guys have the hots for Tisa (which, of course, angers the other girls.). When they arrive at the island, it’s apparent things aren’t right. It seems as if no one is there. While exploring, the boat drifts back out to sea, stranding everyone. There not alone--there’s the blind girl, a mysterious woman, and, oh yeah, a cannibal (brilliantly played by George Eastman). People like to poke fun of the wooden acting, weak plot, and yet another location for Joe D’amato that looks like an Emanuelle movie. All this is true--but it still works because of George Eastman’s insane acting, some nasty gore (the fetus scene is rightfully legendary and, unlike the previous American release is intact on this DVD), and, for me, it’s always great seeing Tisa Farrow. Shriek Show has done a fantastic job with Anthropophagus. It looks and sounds fine (or as good as it’s going to--there are some scratches and a few audio flubs--this is from the source and couldn’t be fixed). It’s loaded with extras, too. Especially nice is Joe D’amato Totally Uncut Two. If you haven’t seen the D’amato documentary, it’s well worth checking out. I’m not saying this is a great work of art--I’m not nuts--but it will get plenty of time in my DVD player.

The Losers (1970. USA. Dark Sky. Directed by Jack Starrett. Cast: William Smith, Bernie Hamilton, Adam Roarke, Houston Savage, Gene Cornelius, and Paul Koslo. 1.85:1 widescreen. Mono. 95 minutes. Extras: Commentary with William Smith and Paul Koslo, photo gallery, radio spots, and trailers.). There are those who refer to The Losers as the greatest biker film of all time. While I wouldn’t go that far (I’m sticking with the Wild Angels), it is rightfully thought of as a classic in the biker genre. Taking place during the Vietnam war, a biker gang, The Devil’s Advocates, has been recruited to try to rescue a captive CIA agent. Most of the Devil’s Advocates are veterans--so they’re very familiar with military protocol. But, that doesn’t stop ‘em from drinking and picking up women. The Losers is a fairly intense movie. Lots of brutal fighting and plenty of tragedy. With some racist dialog, The Losers will also offend some viewers. Great acting, especially from William Smith and Adam Roarke, stunning locations, a well written screenplay, and sharp direction from Jack Starrett make The Losers a wonderful period piece.

Syndicate Sadists (1975. Italy. Shriek Show. Directed by Umberto Lenzi. Cast: Tomas Milian, Joseph Cotton, Maria Fiore, Maria Scalia, Ron Stewart, and Ida Galli. 2.35:1 widescreen. English mono. 92 minutes. Extras: Interview and commentary with Umberto Lenzi, photo gallery, and trailers.). Tomas Milian is Rambo, a biker visiting his brother in Milan. His brother works for a private security squad (it seems as if the police need help) and is murdered on the job. Rambo wants revenge so he plays two crime families against each other to create a turf war. When that fails to get results he just murders everyone! Insane, violent, and essential for Italian crime buffs.

Seven Deaths In The Cat’s Eye (1973. Italy. Blue Underground. Directed by Anthony M. Dawson. Cast: Jane Birkin, Hiram Keller, Anton Diffring, and Serge Gainsbourg. 2.35:1 widescreen. English mono. 95 minutes. Extras: Interview with screenwriter Giovanni Simonelli.). Slow moving gothic horror tale that probably doesn’t provide enough thrills to keep the average horror fan interested. However, those who appreciate plenty of atmosphere might feel differently. Corringa (played by beautiful singer/actress Jane Birkin) moves into her family’s castle. All should be well except for the fact all her guests are dying. In true giallo fashion, Seven Deaths In The Cat’s Eye has enough red herrings to confuse everyone. Might make one look differently at pet cats, too. Not a great story--but with its stylish looks and Jane Birkin in the lead Seven Deaths In The Cat’s Eye should find an audience with Italian horror fans.

Strip Nude For Your Killer (1975. Italy. Blue Underground. Directed by Andrea Bianchi. Cast: Edwige Fenech, Nino Castelnuovo, Femi Benussi, and Solvi Stubing. 2.35:1 widescreen. English mono. 98 minutes. Extras: Interview with Solvi Stubing and co-writer Massimo Felisatti and trailer). One of the great titles of all time. Could you imagine a multiplex putting Strip Nude For Your Killer on its marquee today? Living up to its title, Strip Nude For Your Killer stars plenty of Italian beauties (including everyone’s favorite Edwige Fenech) who frequently get undressed to be murdered by a killer in black leather and a motorcycle helmet. Director Andrea Bianchi is often thought of as a hack, no doubt because of his Burial Ground (inept but still entertaining), but this moves at a brisk pace, has enough twists to please any giallo fan, and, to top it off, it’s got Edwige Fenech. Strip Nude For Your Killer is an essential purchase.

If you have a DVD for review, please send it to Chip Lamey c/o Video Crypt, P.O. Box 54, Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247.