Jungle Holocaust (1978) Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally, Deodato's first cannibal epic gets a re-release in it's uncut
format - having been out of print for years ever since it's very rare mid 80's vhs release from Video City. The new DVD from Shriek Show touts "uncut for the first time in the US!!" which is somewhat untrue since the Video City tape was also uncut. In fact, the print on the old Video City vhs release ran 91 1/2 minutes, whereas the new DVD only runs 88 minutes (but this appears to be only due to the projection speed or NTSC/PAL difference - the DVD runs slightly faster). However, the new
DVD can be called even more "uncut" since it is now in widescreen. The old VHS suffered from horrible pan-and-scan which elimated important information (including in one early scene - a quick glimpse of a cannibal's face in an airplane window - completely off-screen on the old VHS even though there's an audio shock sound accompanying it). In fact, not only is there extra substantial information to the left and right of the screen, but the DVD even adds a sliver to the top and bottom! The DVD is a great looking presentation compared to the old vhs - no question.
Shriek Show delivers the goods with this release. I've heard some differing opinions on the quality of the transfer of the film, but I must say, I am totally satisfied with the job they've done here. Although not 100% perfect, the anamorphic widescreen image is crisp, colorful and sharp - and it does not suffer from any blatant artifacting or shifting. Aside from some Very minor blotchiness in a scene near the end at the river, it looks great throughout. No complaints. Also featured on this DVD is an audio commentary by Deodato (in italian!), but if you don't speak italian you can watch the movie with the english subtitle translation of his commentary! The subtitles are mostly in the black bar underneath the lbx film so they don't really interfere with the image.
And is this commentary a hoot or what!?! Deodato keeps saying "this is a realistic movie","everything is real", "this scene is real", "isn't this scene real", "nothing is fake", "everything is real", etc. You get the idea? He also contradicts his own previous statements and claims he had nothing to do with the numerous animal torture-killing scenes and blames them all on the producer. He says the producer shot and added all of these scenes to the film afterwards to satisfy East Asian markets. But look at the alligator scene -- Deodato says the skinning part of it was shot later in Singapore with the skinners playing the cannibals - but then we cut to a long shot obviously directed by Deodato of the skinned alligator right back where the scene started. Hmmm. It's also funny to hear him say later that the producer died years ago - thus, the guy has no way to defend these statements and accusations himself. All quite amusing - gotta love Deodato!
Other extras on the DVD include short on-camera interviews with stars Massimo Fosche and Ivan Rassimov (looking old) plus a still/promo art gallery, a weird US trailer (as "Last Cannibal World") which doesn't look like a US trailer at all ... I remember the film getting a US release in my town as "The Last Survivor" - wish that trailer could have been
included. There are a few bonus trailers for upcoming Shriek Show releases such as "Beyond the Darkness" (Buried Alive), "Nights of Terror" (Burial Ground), "Zombie Holocaust" and "Eaten Alive". Plus, to top it all off, inside the keepcase are 10 miniature lobby cards!
So, if you're a cannibal junkie, this is one to devour. It's no "Cannibal Holocaust" and suffers from a somewhat simplistic script, but
there's enough grue and nudity to satisfy gorehounds and enough animal cruelty to enrage everyone else. It ain't pretty, folks, but it is one of a kind. They don't make 'em like this anymore and even though Deodato says he wants to now make "Cannibal Holocaust 2001" (too late ruggero!) - - don't hold your breath. This is a long-dead genre destined to stay that way. Bon appetit!

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Item Name: Jungle Holocaust; Studio:American International Pictures (AIP)

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Cannibal Ferox (A.K.A. Make Them Die Slowly) (1983) Review

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(More customer reviews)The DVD itself is a very satisfying package - we get commentaries, a beautiful transfer. Whether the film itself really has any merit depends on personal taste really. For my money, this is not a patch on Deodato's excellent Cannibal Holocaust, which is just as gory and a hell of a lot more realistic, with believable actors and an intelligent script. In comparison, Ferox seems like just an exploitative rip-off. But taken in its own terms, Cannibal Ferox does deliver the goods (I'm talking gore-wise) with hard-to-watch sexual violence accompanying genuine animal deaths. The music is cheesy, and again not up to the standards of Holocaust, but it grows on you.
Overall, this Holocaust rip-off is obviously a must-buy for italian cannibal/gore fans (legions ahead of rubbish like Eaten Alive etc). People new to the genre may do best to check out Cannibal Holocaust (availible on import from europe) first, as it is cinematically far better although harder to watch. But if you're in the mood for a little mindless gore, and don't mind certain scenes looking a tad unrealistic not to mention the laughable dialogue, you could do far worse.

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Here it is! The original uncensored, unrated director's cut of one of the most notorious and violent films of all time. Banned in 31 countries, "Cannibal Ferox" assaults your senses as a group of Americans lost in the jungles of Amazonia experience brutal retribution at the hands of savage cannibals. This is the legendary Grindhouse Releasing deluxe edition of Umberto Lenzi's infamous classic of graphic horror. Warning - due to its shocking and violent nature, no one under 17 should view this film. Audio Commentary by director Umberto Lenzi and star John Morghen - Trailer - Production Stills - Filmography - On-camera interview with director Umberto Lenzi; Other surprises1.85:1 - Color - Italian - Stereo - English Dub: Stereo

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Papaya: Love Goddess of the Cannibals (1978) Review

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(More customer reviews)ok, Papaya, Love Goddess of the Cannibals (1978)
Directed by Joe D'Amato (Anthropophagus and Emanuelle in America).
Ever since I herd that this Joe D'Amato classic was coming out into DVD, I was so excited and couldn't wait!! Released a last week on DVD by Severin (Emanuelle and the White Slave Trade). Now Fully Uncut and Uncensored
Me, like most people owned the VSOM version or the X-Rated Cult DVD - That I thought were uncut?
But, when I received my copy of the Joe D'Amato classic.... I was not very happy!!! The DVD cover design/packaging was great - But, c'mon.... the DVD had Not one single special feature besides a Damn trailer that I could go online if I wanted to watch it!!
Could Severin not get Stelvio Cipriani to do an interview? They at least have put the Damn soundtrack from the film as a Bonus Disc, especially since the movie cost almost $30.
Also, the picture quality of the movie doesn't even look like is remastered! I checked out www.severin-films.com and for some odd reason Jess Franco's Devil Hunter and Bloody Moon, that cost only $17.99 (WTF!!) are remastered and are in High Definition and also include MORE then a Damn trailer as a special feature...they both include rare Jess Franco interviews!! I don't understand???
Well, I've wasted enough of my time talking about this Amazing Joe D'Amato classic. It is a Must have for any Italian,Horror,Joe D'Amato fan! I'd wait til the price goes down.
~ Joe D'Amato Jr.

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Now Uncut & Uncensored For The First Time Ever In America!Her name was Sirpa Lane, the succulent Finnish beauty who became an international sex symbol in Roger Vadim's CHARLOTTE, then shocked the world with her inhuman degradation in Walerian Borowczyk's THE BEAST. But perhaps her ultimate cinematic destiny was to star in this tropical sleaze-fest from the notorious Joe D'Amato - director of EMANUELLE AND THE WHITE SLAVE TRADE and ANTHROPOPHAGUS - as a woman who hungrily surrenders to perverse trysts, native vengeance, graphic carnal carnage and much more. Severin Films is shamelessly proud to present PAPAYA fully restored - including the complete Disco Cannibal Blood Orgy sequence - from an Italian vault print seized from the private collection of a jailed magistrate!EXTRAS:Theatrical Trailer

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Black Magic Rites (1973) Review

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(More customer reviews)(AKA 'The Reincarnation Of Isabel' 1973)- Before we go any further, if you're going to watch this flick, please do so in Italian with subtitles, as the English dubbed version is unwatchable. Not that anything will elevate this perverse gem of a sexually-overheated occult oddity to the status of a 'good' film, but those of us who revel in such insanity will be able to enjoy properly, as director Renato Polselli ('Delerium') intended.
This one starts with a woman being burned alive at the stake for being a witch to the bass line and percussion of Santana's 'Soul Sacrifice' while some psychedelic credits roll over Mario Bava-esque colors shining on the faces of the attendant villagers, so we know what kind of a schlocky treat we're in store for from the get-go.
Five centuries later, we're witness to a black magic ceremony involving a naked woman chained to an altar while some dudes in red leotards and black capes invoke Satan to reincarnate the soul of Isabel (the burnt witch) who gets a chance to be reborn every night of the 25th moon. You see, Count Dracula was the lover of Isabel the witch, who petitioned the powers of Darkness to become the first vampire, and presides over the reincarnation rituals.
That's the extent of the ridiculous plot; the rest of the flick is all about naked women. Euro babes, to be exact, and we see them being tied up, burnt alive, fondled, scantily clad, buried alive, tortured, in cages, beaten with tree limbs, losing their virginity, getting felt up by vampires, sacrificed, groped by their doctors, pursued by priests and superstitious villagers, in lesbian trysts and all the hysteria and melodrama we've come to expect from these Italian psych-horror sleaze fests. REJOICE or RUN AWAY! (2 stars for the flick, 4 stars for the rest...).


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The House on the Edge of the Park (1985) Review

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(More customer reviews)"The House at the Edge of the Park" comes to us from the twisted mind of Ruggero Deodato. If you're not familiar with his work (and if you're not, what are you doing reading this review?), he's the man responsible for some of the most horrific exploitation films in the history of horror cinema. Deodato lensed the downright nauseating "Cannibal Holocaust," a movie so repulsive in its depictions of human and animal death that only the most jaded viewers need sit down with it for a watch. "Holocaust" tried to cash in on the whole Italian "cannibals run amok" genre of the 1970s and early 1980s, and ended up defining it. Another jewel in Deodato's crown of stomach churning madness is 1985's "The House on the Edge of the Park." Fortunately, no cannibals go on a rampage in this picture, at least not of the type that live in the jungle in a remote corner of the globe. Instead, Deodato gives us a nihilistic revenge film that would make even Charles Bronson or Clint Eastwood blanche in horror. Yep, forget about the Death Wish films and Dirty Harry; what we've got here goes far beyond the borders established by those "tepid" thrillers.
Deodato's film establishes its credentials right from the start, as we see Alex (David Hess) run a young woman off the road and then proceed to have his way with her. For good measure, he then bumps her off. Obviously, "The House on the Edge of the Park" is not going to be a nice film. Flash forward some time to a couple of rich types, Lisa (Annie Belle) and Tom (Christian Borromeo), driving through New York City on their way to a party. Car trouble leads Tom to a local garage where--surprise--Alex works with his simpleminded pal Ricky (John Morghen). The two men use the garage as a front for a stolen car racket, as well as providing a protective base of operations for Alex's other extracurricular activities. When Tom and Lisa roll in looking for assistance, our two boys are just about to head out for a night of partying. Improbably, Tom invites the two men to accompany him and Lisa to the aforementioned gathering. Off the four go to the suburbs, to a house full of wealthy and sleek people. We meet Gloria (Lorraine De Selle), the host of the evening's activities, and several of her snobby friends. These are unpleasant people, the sort of people who make themselves feel better by lording their looks and wealth over everyone else. Sure enough, they soon set to work on Alex and Ricky.
Making Ricky dance for kicks isn't too bad, but when a card game with high stakes cleans out his intellectually challenged pal, Alex has had enough. Out comes a folding razor, and the horror begins. Hess's character delivers beatings to anyone who challenges him, and his lascivious eye for the ladies virtually ensures certain other entertainments will soon follow. Oddly enough, Lisa seems to encourage this negative attention. She takes great pleasure in teasing Alex, in some cases in no uncertain terms, and even enjoys the humiliation Tom suffers as he must sit idly by and watch this ruffian paw his woman. In the few cases where one of the guys tries to make a stand, Alex viciously beats them down. Whether it's knocking someone's head against a pool table or having fun in the swimming pool, Hess's character manages to keep everything on a somewhat even keel. Until a visitor shows up, that is, a very cute visitor who draws out the worst in Alex's disposition. From this point forward, the situation rapidly falls apart. Deodato, who has managed to keep his cards firmly held to his vest up to this point, finally reveals the movie's purpose in a conclusion that, regardless of your opinion of the shenanigans seen in the preceding hour and half, will stay with you long after the credits roll.
"The House on the Edge of the Park" works wonders as an exploitation film. In fact, I'd go so far as to call it an archetype of the exploitation field. It's not the gore that does the trick, surprisingly. Although a bit of the red stuff flows from time to time, don't expect the sort of heavy carnage Deodato trotted out for us in "Cannibal Holocaust." No, what we see here is a more insidious form of exploitation, one of social class and expected perceptions. The conclusion to the film works so well because most of us--I would say all of us--go into the film "knowing" who is good and who is bad. When Deodato throws a wrench into the whole film, he's exploiting our preconceived notions about how humanity structures itself and works in a civilized society. It's a good job all around, but that's not the only thing going for the film. David Hess, the four hundred pound gorilla of cinematic heavies, hits warp drive here. He's sleazy, nasty, and violent as all get out. In other words, he's exactly what we've come to expect of him after watching him tear up the scenery in Craven's "The Last House on the Left."
"The House on the Edge of the Park" is a monument to Deodato's ability to film truly cringe inducing stories. Shriek Show, a label of Media Blasters put in charge of releasing the disc, does an excellent job with the extras. Expect the usual mess of trailers--"Eaten Alive," "Zombie 3," Zombie 4," and "Seven Blood-Stained Orchids"--as well a trailer for Deodato's film, liner notes, and a still gallery. Three interviews, with Hess, Morghen, and Deodato, are fascinating--especially the one with Hess, which runs on for something like forty minutes. So if you like exploitation, you could do far worse than "The House on the Edge of the Park." You can't do much better, though.


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