Of course it is always a
subjective view as where to start, but with Vinegar Syndrome having released
British filmmaker Norman J. Warren’s Prey as a 2K restored (from the
original 35mm negative) Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack in February, why not start with
his next film, the Halloween of 1979 theatrical release of Terror.
This indie film production
was picked up by Crown International Pictures for release in the domestic
market, which was a better fate than Warren’s Prey, which had to go the
direct-to-video route in the United States.
In any case, this very British horror/mystery is good fun, which plays
more like a traditional Italian giallo
film — Suspiria, Deep Red, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage,
etc. — which were popular in the 1970s.
The film itself begins as
the ending of a Gothic witch-burning tale (you fully expect to see Vincent Price
in full costume participating in the activities) directed by a chap named James
Garrick (John Nolan — as Fredricks in Batman Begins and The
Dark Knight Rises), which leads us to the arrival of the “victim” pool
for a preview screening of the film at his family mansion. We get a little backstory on the film
production, which Garrick believes is based on an actual curse that has
followed his family around for nearly 300 years.
His cousin Ann (Carolyn
Courage) appears to be at the center of some strange goings-on at the party,
which quickly devolve into a series of gruesome murders that begin the same
night as the party. These all seem to
have some relationship to Ann, perhaps she is a magnet … or the source?
Even the police, in their
investigation of the killings, are not immune to Ann’s “following,” which will
all be revealed in the final confrontation back at the Garrick family mansion
(hint: it ends as it began … pay close attention to a particular character in
the movie ending that was at the beginning of the story).
Terror is a 2K restoration from the original 35mm camera
negative, and, as mentioned, it will be available on Apr. 24 as a Blu-ray/DVD
Combo Pack.
Bonus goodies include deleted
and extended scenes, six newly minted video sessions with director Norman J.
Warren, screenwriter David McGillivray and cast members Carolyn Courage (as
Ann), Tricia Walsh (as Viv), Mary Maude (as Lady Garrick) and Peter Craze (an
adult filmmaker), plus Diabolique
Magazine’s Kat Ellinger is featured in an extended interview session with
filmmaker Norman J. Warren.
Also on the release
calendar from Vinegar Syndrome on Apr. 24 is a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
presentation of J. Christian Ingvordsen’s 1989 film serial killer thriller, Blue
Vengeance. Bonus features include
two separate commentary tracks — one with filmmaker J. Christian Ingvordsen and
the second with actor John Weiner — a documentary titled Making Blue Vengeance
and the featurette titled “On Blue Vengeance.”
As an added attraction, co-writer Danny Kuchuck’s 1996 film, The
First Man, is included as a bonus feature.
Also on the
direct-to-video front is director Jim Mallon’s 1986 slasher film, Blood
Hook, which is getting a 2K restoration from the film’s original 16mm
camera negative. Blood Hook will be
available as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on Apr. 24.
Bonus features include a
trio of featurettes — “Hook, Line and Sinker,” “First Blood Hook” and “What’s
in the Tacklebox?” — plus a video session with cinematographer and editor
Marsha Kahm.
On DVD release front,
Vinegar Syndrome has two adult gems ready for connoisseurs to savor. Adult filmmaker Carlos Tobalina’s two-part
tale of family greed and lust, Flesh & Laces, Part I (June of
1983) and Flesh & Laces, Part II (September of the same year) arrives
as a 2K restoration (yes, from 35mm source material) and Zachary Youngblood
& Curt McDowell’s 1983 adult/arthouse film, Little Showoffs, arrives
with all six erotic vignettes intact and featuring a 2K restoration from the
film’s 35mm camera negative) … bonus features include video sessions with
writer/director Zachary Youngblood and AD Molly Seagrim.
