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DEJA RE-VU
"TRICK OR TREAT" The plot involves a heavy metal superstar, Sammi Curr, who dies in a fire. A bullied teen, Eddie Weinbauer, who idolized Curr, receives a rare demo of the artist's unreleased album. Playing the record backwards brings the demonic Curr back from the dead. The supernatural singer has an unquenchable thirst for revenge. The movie delivers the requisite amount of violence, enough suspense and shocks, fairly effective performances, as well as a bit of heart. The cast includes Marc Price (the nerdy "Skippy" on "Family Ties") as Eddie and Tony Fields as Curr. The latter displays the moves and presence of a rock star, as well as the needed sense of menace. Fields was a "Solid Gold" dancer who can be seen in Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "Beat It" music videos. KISS legend Gene Simmons pops up as a radio DJ. And none other than metal icon Ozzy Osbourne briefly appears as an inept eccentric railing against the evils of rock. Charles Martin Smith ably directed "Trick or Treat." You probably remember him from his many acting roles, which include "American Graffiti," "The Buddy Holly Story" and "The Untouchables." He also boasts quite a few directing credits, including the first episode of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer." Synapse's bountiful bonus features include three audio commentary tracks, one with Charles Martin Smith. You'll also want to explore the interviews, trailers, TV and radio spots, Fastway video, making-of documentary and a tribute to Fields, who himself died young. "Trick or Treat" proves to be a scarily fun little horror bonbon.
"VENOM" Think of a goosed-up, high-concept version of "The Desperate Hours."But iIt's so much more than a family trapped in their home, imperiled by sinister criminals. In this narrative, a terrorist's (Klaus Kinski) kidnapping plot goes horribly wrong. The target is a 10-year-old boy, grandson of a hotel magnate (Sterling Hayden). The baddie tricks mom out of the luxury London townhouse. But cops gather outside. The terrorist, aided by his girlfriend (Susan George) and the family's seduced and semi-deranged chauffeur (Oliver Reed), holds the boy and wealthy gramps hostage. But there's a deliciously gimmicky twist to ramp up the tension and thrills -- a huge, deadly black mamba snake gets into the townhouse's ventilation system. It could dart out from anywhere, at any time, and wreak fatal havoc! Director Piers Haggard ("The Blood on Stan's Claw") keeps thing percolating. The exceptional cast makes the action even more fun to watch. In addition to the always riveting Kinski ("Nosferatu the Vampyre") and Reed, ("Women in Love," "The Devils") you've got the fetching Susan George ("Straw Dogs"), veteran actor Hayden ("The Killing," "Dr. Strangelove"), Sarah Miles ("Blow-Up," "Ryan's Daughter"), Nicol Williamson ("Excalibur") and Cornelia Sharpe ("Serpico"). Blue Underground's extras are not to be missed. You can get deep inside the making of the film. The numerous interviews detail what happened behind the scenes. The ones with the editor/second unit director and the makeup artist touch upon collaborating (albeit for only a short time) with original director Tobe Hooper, who was replaced, as well as the challenges of working with volatile and unpredictable Kinski and Reed. This is a film package with plenty of bite!
SMITHEREENS Vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Pat DiNizio, who left us tragically soon, in 2017, at age 62, was a master of the melodic and rhythmic hook. So The Smithereens material was incredibly catchy. That's clearly the case on 2011's appropriately named "2011," the cover art inspired by the original "Oceans 11" movie. Smartly produced by Don Dixon (R.E.M., Marshall Crenshaw), the album continues to resonate with the passing of time. Sunset Blvd. Records has released "2011" on vinyl for the first time ever and is making it available on CD for the first time in 10 years. On this, their 11th studio album, the fierce foursome delivers pure power pop magic. The songs have a driving forcefulness, but a strong melodic sense, as well. And DiNizio had a knack for penning dark-tinged, thought-provoking lyrics. His earnest, intense vocals, joined with rollicking riffs and thundering rhythm section, make each song irresistible. From the colossally crunchy, Beatle-ish guitar chords on the opener, "Sorry," to the urgent blast of "What Went Wrong," which has a Green Day-like energy, the album righteously rocks. Between those two powerhouse bookends, you'll find 11 other terrific tracks, such as "Keep Running," "One Look at You," "Nobody Lives Forever" and "Turn It Around." The tempo slows for the ballad "Goodnight, Goodbye," but the temperature remains red hot. After veering into somewhat different musical directions and explorations of covers, the band returned to peak 80s form with this album. On limited-edition clear vinyl or CD, the music will blow you to Smithereens.
LANCE COWAN - "AGAINST THE GRAIN" His winning voice delivers elegantly crafted songs thst Cowan wrote or co-wrote. The instrumentation provides the perfect accompaniments to his marvelous melodies and honest, involving, often moving lyrics. "More or Less," a tender ballad, proves to be one of the most memorable and touching numbers. "Ragged Edge of Nothing" does indeed have a bit of an edge, which works well, setting a different tone. Cowan's vocal has a hint of early Neil Young on that one. The meaningful "Old King Coal" has a country-rock flair reminiscent of The Eagles or The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The title track, a more traditional country number, is a gentle top-tapper Other top tracks include "One More Chance," "I Can't Stand The Winter" and the closer, the heartrending, yet uplifting "Love Anyway." Cowan, a revered music publicist, knows how to spin a convincing yarn. Without pretension, the singer-songwriter offers a new album filled with musical delights you'll want to experience again and again.
DARK CITY DAMES: THE WOMEN WHO DEFINED FILM NOIR (REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION) Email Paul Freeman at paul@popcultureclassics.com |
