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[tab title="Movie Review"]
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Long on style but short on plot, the two films that make up Scream Factory’s latest double feature delight only with an impressionistic use of heavy gore. These two seemingly unrelated films were released overseas as part of the La Casa series and, for strategic marketing purposes, were titled in such a way to fool movie goers into thinking they were Evil Dead 2 sequels. I don’t know how exploitation producer Joe D'Amatogot got away with it but he continued the La Casa series for three more films which makes this release, especially for Evil Deadheads, a curious discovery at the very least.
Directed by Umberto Lenzi, Ghosthouse is the film with the most promise in this set … even if it is unintentionally hilarious most of the time. I can’t tell you how many miles of laughter I’ve traveled upon with what this movie does with chili. Starring Lara Wendel and Greg Scott, Ghosthouse is about a little girl’s ghost and the demonic clown doll that is possessing her. The plot, involving a HAM radio and a distress call from inside an abandoned house, makes absolutely no sense and treats its characters as merely targets to kill. Hey, at least it’s an honest horror film.
The second film, Witchery, is easily the worst of the two films (although both obviously do stink). This one stars David Hasselhoff, Catherine Hickland, Hildegard Knef, Linda Blair, and Annie Ross and is notable for being pretty graphic as a woman gets her lips permanently sewn shut. Her crime? Who knows? She’s part of these islanders who are unable to return to Massachusetts’ mainland due to a severe storm that leaves them under the wrathful attack of a vengeful witch. Fully of blinding lights and many humorous attempts from The Hoff to have sex with his virgin girlfriend, Witchery is Italian horror filmmaking at its most absurd.
Neither of these films are necessary viewing but, as a fan of the Evil Dead series, I had to check them out. It’s not a total waste of 180 minutes but it may feel like it if you aren’t in the mood for the weird happenings of Italian spookhouse theatrics. The practical effects and kill shots are graphic and, in my opinion, are the only true saving graces of the movies. Of course, the blood/corn syrup/paint is slapped on in sloppy fashion but some of the set-ups, involving fan blades being flung like ninja stars, eating a slow-roasted baby, and the shocking rape of Hoff’s virgin girlfriend courtesy of a creepy-looking demon, are effective.
While stupid, both of these flicks on one blu-ray must be worth it for someone out there, right?
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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]
Blu-ray Details:
Available on Blu-ray - June 30, 2015
Screen Formats: Varies
Subtitles: English
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc; Single disc (1 BD)
Region Encoding: A
The 1080p transfer offered from Scream Factory is an upgrade from previous versions. Both films make their debut on this format with the release. Colors are well-saturated. Black levels are strong. The contrast is high. The release is offered in a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track.
Supplements:
Commentary:
- No
Special Features:
None
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