Summer Film Fest 2017 Previews
Tomorrow is the official state of the 2017 Summer Film Festival in my living room but unlike most quality film festivals I have no plans. I have set play list but I am going to try and knock films off of my watch list. I am thinking about offering worthless awards I don’t know what they will be yet, or how they will be judged. Or now, again I have no plans. Another feature which I may bring into this year’s film fest is some recipes. The SFF happens when Ms. Ruminations is out of town so I am on my own for sustenance. There will be ice cream. But also nutrition. So I may also include some of the food I will be making for myself so I don’t die.
Well, that is the introduction, how about some movies. While these three films played before the fest started they were ordered for the fest so they count.
Tenebre
Screenplay: Dario Argento
Minutes: 110
Year: 1982
Score: 6.87
Release: Synapse Limited Edition
NOTE: Buy this. I’ll get into it more in a minute but seriously, just by it. If you want the Limited Steelbook pick up your phone and call Synapse films now, they only have a handful left. Their customer service is great.
From Synapse.com:
American mystery author Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) comes to Italy to promote his newest novel, TENEBRAE. Unfortunately, a razor-wielding serial killer is on the loose, taunting Neal and murdering those around him in gruesome fashion just like the character in his novel. As the mystery surrounding the killings spirals out of control, Neal investigates the crimes on his own, leading to a mind-bending, genre-twisting conclusion that will leave you breathless! Featuring an amazing synth-music score from Claudio Simonetti, Fabio Pignatelli and Massimo Morante (formerly of Italian progressive-rock band, Goblin), this all-new 1080p high-definition TENEBRAE release was created from the original uncut camera negative. Also stars John Saxon (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET), Daria Nicolodi (Dario Argento’s PHENOMENA) and John Steiner (CALIGULA).
I have only watched a few giallo films and I have loved each of them. I am not sure if is the simplicity or the production but they have all been a wonderful option when watching a horror flick. Tenebre is a great example of the genre and I highly recommend it. Synapse has a cheaper non-limited edition available but it comes in one of those ugly blue cases. Another benefit of the Limited Edition is the Goblin CD soundtrack; it is worth it.
Director: 9 – Cinematography: 10 – Edit: 6 – Parity: 1 – Main performance: 7 – Else performance: 3 – Score: 10 – Sound: 7 – Story: 4 – Script: 5 – Effects: 8 – Design: 7 – Costumes: 6 – Keeps interest: 10 – Lasting: 10
I Drink Your Blood
Screenplay: David E. Durston
Minutes: 90
Year: 1970
Score: 6.00
Release: Grindhouse Releasing
I Drink Your Blood was originally a double bill with I Eat Your Skin so I enjoyed them as such. If you read or are interested in Herschel Gordon Lewis’s films you will love this old, camp, bad, flick. I loved it.
From GrindHouseReleasing.com:
After consuming rabies-infected meat pies, an LSD-crazed hippie cult goes on a vicious murdering rampage! Heavily censored since its original release, the infamous landmark of cinematic brutality is being presented for the VERY FIRST TIME in America in all its blood-spattered glory.
Grindhouse Releasing’s acclaimed special edition DVD is the only authorized release of the uncut I DRINK YOUR BLOOD, featuring long-lost scenes restored with the participation of director David E. Durston. Coming soon to Blu-ray!
This movie looks like it has a budget of about $200 (sarcasm) so it is better to come in with low expectations. It really is remarkable though. This is pure no-budget horror with some great, terrible, effects. The GrindHouse Releasing edition of the film comes with a bonus disc with I Eat Your Skin and The Blue Sextet, which I haven’t watched yet. This is definitely not for everybody but is a must have for horror historians.
Director: 6 – Cinematography: 8 – Edit: 5 – Parity: 1 – Main performance: 4 – Else performance: 2 – Score: 9 – Sound: 7 – Story: 6 – Script: 4 – Effects: 8 – Design: 6 – Costumes: 4 – Keeps interest: 10 – Lasting: 10
I Eat Your Skin
Screenplay: Del Tenney
Minutes: 84
Year: 1971
Score: 5.07
Release: GrindHouseReleasing
Production-wise this movie stands heads above I Drink Your Blood. It is a fine movie with some questionable effects. It reminds me of other low budget sci-fi/horror films of its time. Specifically, Night of the Living Dead and Carnival of Souls. It is fun but forgettable.
Director: 5 – Cinematography: 7 – Edit: 5 – Parity: 2 – Main performance: 5 – Else performance: 2 – Score: 8 – Sound: 4 – Story: 4 – Script: 5 – Effects: 6 – Design: 6 – Costumes: 5 – Keeps interest: 7 – Lasting: 5