PHANTOM HALO (DVD Review) - Arc Entertainment

USA/2014
Directed By: Antonia Bogdanovich
Written By: Antonia Bogdanovich, Anne Heffron
Starring: Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Luke Kleintank, Rebecca Romijn
Color/87 Minutes/R
Region 1
Release Date: August 4, 2015

The Film
Samuel and Beckett are brothers who work the streets with their scam of Samuel performing Shakespeare while Beckett pickpockets the onlookers for their deadbeat father who is in debt to just about everyone. Samuel spends his free time escaping reality in his favorite comic book Phantom Halo while Beckett has hooked up with an old friend in a counterfeit money operation. The entire family quickly finds out that they're in over their head as every creditor they know comes for them and they're packing heat.

PHANTOM HALO could be just another direct to video thriller destined to be lost among the oceans of similar movies with nondescript artwork, a cast of unknowns and a plot that is far from new. I hope that isn't this film's destiny though. The script is solid and develops our main characters quite a bit, bringing them from petty street criminals to well rounded, interesting characters. It is this character development that really makes our brothers quite a likable duo. I think that is the biggest factor in what sets PHANTOM HALO apart from the pack - the characters are believable and the characters we're supposed to care about are extremely likable.

It wouldn't be without great acting that these characters would be both believable and likable. Thomas Brodie-Sangster is fantastic as Samuel, his Shakespeare scenes are brilliant while his longing to have a more normal life shines through. He learned the best of what his dad had to offer, which wasn't much and was able to overcome the rest even if it wasn't in the prettiest way. The supporting cast features a few bigger names than our leads and they really help give the picture a solid foundation. Tobin Bell of Saw and Rebecca Romijn bring the fear of organized crime and the emotional side of things to the movie respectively while Gbenga Akinnagbe adds a bit of comedic relief to being a badass.

There's quite a few scenes of violence here, it's something the film definitely doesn't shy away from and while it adds that form of entertainment it also helps us sympathize with the brothers. There's only one scene in the film that doesn't fit the tone of the rest of the film and it has to do with Samuel's comic book love. Fortunately it comes and goes and you don't think of it again.

Is PHANTOM HALO perfect? No, the film progresses too quickly. One moment the brothers are bringing in a few hundred dollars picking pockets and in the blink of an eye they're buying Bentleys and hookers with counterfeit bills building a reputation. A slower build would have made this movie feel more substantial and seeing more of the trouble Samuel could get into while Beckett is getting into big money trouble would have definitely been welcomed.

I can't knock the movie too much for what it didn't do because PHANTOM HALO and its director Antonia Bogdanovich deserve a lot of credit for what they did do.

The Audio & Video
Arc Entertainment delivers PHANTOM HALO on DVD with an anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1 transfer keeping the film's original aspect ratio in tact. All things considered this is a standard and acceptable A/V job. The picture is clean, with average sharpness and a good color palette. The English audio is handled through a clear 5.1 Dolby Digital mix that is damage free.

The Extras
A trailer is included but nothing else

The Bottom Line
PHANTOM HALO rises above the droves of indie thrillers that flood store shelves on a weekly basis with its solid writing, great acting and likable characters. A very entertaining 89 minutes.

PHANTOM HALO is available HERE

SOME CALL IT LOVING (Blu-ray Review) - Etiquette Pictures

USA/1973
Directed By: James B. Harris
Written By: James B. Harris, John Collier
Starring: Zalman King, Carol White, Tisa Farrow
Color/103 Minutes/Not Rated
Region FREE
Release Date: July 14, 2015

The Film
A beautiful young woman is kept in a perpetual sleeping state so a seedy carny can profit off the $1 kisses he sells in a "Sleeping Beauty" sideshow. A weird musician buys the girl from the carny for $20,000 and brings her to his castle where he awakens her and introduces her to his existence of lovers, music, and things. As their relationship grows it becomes painfully clear to both the girl and her former Prince Charming that she longs for a life far more fulfilling and free than anything he will offer.

I want to call SOME CALL IT LOVING a minor masterpiece. I think it just might be, but I just can't quite pin it down. It is a bizarre film, an odd viewing experience that is in a dreamlike state from start to finish. Though they share many similar qualities and a few major plot points I wouldn't call this film a fairy tale by any means. There's no happily ever after. Instead there's a somber and sad mix of disappointment, longing and letting go.

The performances are restrained, especially from Zalman King as Robert, the musician. He is wooden for much of the picture, offering little in the way of expressive emotion. I found his performance to suit his character and the picture itself quite well however. Holding himself back as this mysterious, introverted, almost shy man more than satisfied with the secluded life he leads is almost entrancing to watch. King has a presence in this film without doing much of anything.

The atmosphere lends itself to a dreamy, story book tale, though one could argue it is more of a nightmare to wake up after years of slumber only to an existence that you would rather return to your world of dreams than to actually live in. This sleepy atmosphere pulls the entire picture together, without it this film would be lost and quite frankly would have been a bore. Instead I loved what I saw, the atmosphere making the way the film plays out to be quite interesting and I found myself fully invested in the characters and their small part of the world that they occupied.

The film has layers and levels that need to be seen to appreciate in ways a review simply can't sum up. Richard Pryor's supporting character Jeff adds another dimension to the film, that gives Robert his only reprieve from his otherwise bizarre existence and gives us a taste of the real world version of Robert.

The Audio & Video

The first release from the Vinegar Syndrome label imprint Etiquette Pictures is a winner and I'd expect no less. The Blu-ray features a new 2K scan of the 35mm negative which looks quite good in its 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The film has an intentionally soft look to add to that dreamy and airy atmosphere which keeps colors and overall sharpness a bit subdued but don't be fooled, it is a very nice looking disc. Skin tones are natural and there is a nice sharpness to the film despite the softer than usual photography. And the overall film like quality and grain structure this transfer has lends itself to aid in the film's overall look and feel.

The English audio is handled with a Mono HD track that sounds quite good. There's no need for a new remix track to add multiple channels when the audio is this crisp. There's no damage or distortions evident and the track is free of background noise.

The Extras
-Audio commentary with Director James B. Harris and Sam Prime
-"Some Call It History" - featurette with James B. Harris
-"A Dream So Real" - featurette with cinematographer Mario Tosi
-Outtakes with commentary by James B. Harris and Sam Prime
-Booklet written by Kevin John Bozelka
-DVD copy of the film

The Bottom Line
Is this film a minor masterpiece? I think it may be. I can see how the film would divide audiences as it is a slow moving script with a monotone delivery but I think this film is truly fantastic.

SOME CALL IT LOVING is available HERE

MY SINFUL LIFE/ LAS VEGAS GIRLS Peekarama Double Feature (DVD Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

USA/1983
Directed By: Carlos Tobalina
Starring: Danielle, Karen Hall, Tom Byron
Color/164 Minutes/X
Region FREE
Release Date: July 21, 2015

The Films
Taboo reigns supreme in the first title on this double bill of smut from famed adult filmmaker Carlos Tobalina. MY SINFUL LIFE follows Danielle as she recounts the stories of her adoptive parents constantly having sex with her and then her leaving home to live with an aunt to go to college and do something for herself. She ends up working in a high end brothel where the kink factor is upped ten fold.

There's nothing to complain about here as the 83 minute runtime is filled with skin, sex and $$$ shots. The little twist at the end makes the entire thing feel even dirtier. Having sex with your adoptive parents is one thing but MY SINFUL LIFE goes beyond the beyond! It's amazing how these stag films take the raunchiest material and manage to make it hot and interesting without a second thought of how morally wrong it may be! Oh and I can't forget to mention how fantastic the opening and closing songs are in this, pure gold!

The great theme songs continue in LAS VEGAS GIRLS where a rich Texas oil tycoon hires a pair of private investigators to find his daughter who has runaway to turn tricks in Sin City. While there the detectives talk to every prostitute they can find and usually end up in some sort of sexual encounter, an orgy more often than not, or at least watching what is going on. Do they find the girl? Or do they find each other? Do we really care about anything other than the damn near endless group scenes filled with gorgeous people? No not really, but it's an interesting little flick with fun inserts of early 80s Vegas in all of its colorful neon glory and then there's the countless other... ahem... inserts.

LAS VEGAS GIRLS doesn't have the raunch factor that MY SINFUL LIFE has but it doesn't need it. If you want your sex free of any awkward dinner time conversations LAS VEGAS GIRLS will be the title for you.

The Audio & Video
A really nice DVD presentation from Vinegar Syndrome as they continue to prove themselves to be exploitation royalty. The 16x9 widescreen transfers maintain both films' original aspect ratios and have really good PQ for 30+ year old pornos. Colors are vibrant and there's a nice sharpness to the picture while there's only minimal wear to the source material with a bit of speckling as well but I am fully satisfied with how these movies look. The audio is in great shape with both films using English mono tracks that sound full and clear. There's no distracting background noise or any damage such as crackling or popping to speak of.

The Extras
A trailer for each film is included as the lone extras

The Bottom Line
This is yet another winning double feature from VinSyn and has a little bit of something for everyone.

MY SINFUL LIFE/LAS VEGAS GIRLS PEEKARAMA COLLECTION is available HERE

AVON Triple Feature: SAVAGE SADISTS/DEN OF DOMINANCE/DAUGHTERS OF DISCIPLINE (DVD Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

USA/1980, 1983
Directed By: Phil Prince
Starring: Nicole Bernard, David Christopher, Martin Patton
Color/117 Minutes/X
Region FREE
Release Date: July 21, 2015

The Films
This triple feature of shorts from Avon Productions features some seriously rough and raunchy material from director Phil Prince. The first short, SAVAGE SADISTS features a porn distributor, his wife and a couple of employees being raped to pay off a debt he owes in his home and his office. Then in DEN OF DOMINANCE a man discovers the bar he has visited in Times Square is actually a front for a seedy S&M club which he willingly participates in. And finally a couple of young women find porno mags in their parents bedroom and begin to act out their fantasies on each other until they're interrupted by their parents who teach them a lesson they'll never forget in DAUGHTERS OF DISCIPLINE!

SAVAGE SADISTS lives up to its name as not only are the rapists vile but the savage nature even extends to two of the victims in the cheating husband and his mistress that works for him. A simple production that is just the right size to accomplish what it set out to do. I particularly loved the porn distributor asking his clients if they wanted their films on Beta or VHS.

DEN OF DOMINANCE would be the last picture shown on a triple bill, only for the last remaining heads awake at the midnight showing. That isn't to say it's a bad picture, simply the least interesting of the bunch but not short on the sex as once it gets going it doesn't stop until the film is over. If you're into leather and chains and like it just a little rough you'll be at home here.

They saved the best for last as DAUGHTERS OF DISCIPLINE is easily the kinkiest, dirtiest and least apologetic film of the bunch. From lesbian scenes, to bondage and incestuous group action there's no limits and nothing is out of bounds. It's so wrong but you can't look away. It's like a naked porno car crash... or something. There's even a surprise appearance from Natassia Kinski and a bizarre ending that feels like something out of a drug induced nightmare.

The Audio & Video
Vinegar Syndrome delivers this trio on DVD with full frame transfers as they were originally filmed. The picture quality is good throughout and it is obvious the source material had been kept in nice condition. Colors and clarity are quite good and I'm very satisfied with this release. The audio is a bit muddy at moments due to the original production of these films but the mono track sounds decent on each film.

The Extras
Bare boners.

The Bottom Line
These three shorts from Avon Productions is a wildly entertaining romp through sexy roughy territory and will undoubtedly please fans of vintage adult cinema.

The AVON TRIPLE FEATURE is available HERE

APPETITES (DVD Review) - Image/RLJ

USA/2015
Directed By: Cameron Casey
Written By: Darren Bevill
Starring: Bret Roberts, Lauren Parkinson, Travis Eberhard
Color/106 Minutes/Not Rated
Region 1
Release Date: August 4, 2015

The Film
"Do you know what tattoos lead to? More tattoos!"

APPETITES is a fitting title when everything is said and done but getting to the point where all is said and done is going to be a bit of a chore. The opening ten minutes start out as an uber violent, sex driven cannibalistic horror film that has obvious influence from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and House Of 1000 Corpses. Almost immediately the cannibal angle is dropped for nearly an hour while we follow a detective on the trail of "John Doe" who is our super cool guy who loves to pay women for sex and then murders them because of their tattoos. Yeah, this guy can't get passed women having tattoos, when he looks like a Kid Rock wannabe. This guy wishes he was an American badass. His super smooth (please note the thick sarcasm) lines include ordering a "whiskey and Coke, hold the Coke" and dropping "That's what she said." to girls he's hitting on. Yeah, this guy is the epitome of cool.

We follow the detectives half assed attempts at tracking down Doe and stopping his murderous rampage of all inked women while Doe sets his sights on the flawless Daisy who is one of our early cannibals along with her large and mentally unstable brother Bubba. John Doe does his best to swoon Daisy, who only manages to find her southern accent when it's convenient and certainly doesn't come across as any sort of cannibal killer, even bringing Doe to her property that is lined with booby traps for any trespassers. Eventually she gives in to Doe's advances and they begin to fool around until he sees a hidden tattoo on her hip and Doe begins to lose his cool over.

The opening scenes had me thinking that this movie was going to be nothing more than ripoff of similar classic films. I was surprised, unfortunately not pleasantly to find this to be something quite different. The cannibal angle feels tacked on to a lackluster serial killer story. Those first ten minutes could have summed up what the audience was in for (sex, cannibalism and murder) but instead it sums up what the audience hoped this movie was about. Yes, I wish this movie was a cheap knock off of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or even Rob Zombie's films. APPETITES runs too long with an antagonist that is pathetically lame and no real protagonist. Thankfully there are some incredibly attractive ladies baring it all to save this movie from being a total loss.

The Audio & Video
Image/RLJ Entertainment give APPETITES a rather standard but fitting standard definition DVD release. Colors are good and clarity is good. There's a bit of crush during darker scenes but it isn't overly distracting by any means. The English audio is handled with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track that sounds good with stable and clear sound levels.

The Extras
None at all.

The Bottom Line
APPETITES is a film worth watching for a few moments of violence and a few very attractive ladies but fully passable otherwise.

LOST SOUL: The Doomed Journey Of Richard Stanley's The Island Of Dr. Moreau (Blu-ray Review) - Severin Films

USA/2014
Directed By: David Gregory
Starring: Richard Stanley, Fairuza Balk, Hugh Dickson
Color/100 Minutes/Not Rated
Region A
Release Date:

The Film
In 1995 Richard Stanley was an and up and coming horror director with two successful films (Hardware, Dust Devil) under his belt when he got the opportunity to helm his dream project - an adaptation of The Island Of Doctor Moreau. The film was to be an epic, and production was a much larger scale than any production he had worked on previously including starring roles from Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer. Unfortunately just days into the production Stanley's plan began to unravel and quickly became one of the most infamous film production disasters in history.

Featuring interviews with Richard Stanley, co-star Fairuza Balk, and numerous production members and executives LOST SOUL digs deep into the story behind this doomed production which turned into something quite different than Stanley's original vision. We learn of everything from Richard Stanley being removed from the project to his disappearance and just why Marlon Brando wears an ice bucket hat in the film that eventually got made.

LOST SOUL leaves no stone left unturned and immediately pushes you deep into the circus world that was the production of The Island Of Dr. Moreau. With each passing anecdote from the set, or the hotel, or the jungles of Australia that surrounded the cast and crew you bear witness to a drug fueled frenzy of huge egos, strange personalities and ample paychecks while wasting away under the sun. This major motion picture turned into a carnival of insanity and debauchery filled with human/animal hybrids, midgets and Brando.

This documentary chronicles the single most interesting film production story of all time. While it would have been interesting to see Richard Stanley's vision come to life we instead get what could be considered an opus of film production documentaries. And a damn entertaining one at that.

The Audio & Video
Severin Films delivers a gorgeous looking Blu-ray chock full of beautiful sit down interviews in pristine high definition and heaps of behind the scenes footage from the production that doesn't look as sharp and pretty but has clearly been upgraded to HD. The English audio is handled with a 2.0 Dolby Digital track that sounds crisp and clear. There's no damage to the audio track or any sort of background noise. A stellar A/V job overall.

The Extras
-Outtakes - extended interviews including a largely extended segment with Richard Stanley
-Graham Humphreys Concept Art Gallery w/ commentary by Richard Stanley
-Archive interview with John Frankenheimer
-"Barbara Steele Recalls Moreau" audio interview
-The Beast Of Morbido featurette
-The Hunt For The Compound featurette
-Boar Man Diary featurette
-Trailer

NOTE: A 3 Disc Blu-ray set is available which includes an expanded selection of special features such as a recently discovered German adaptation of Moreau from 1921, and a reading of the story by Richard Stanley and more.

The Bottom Line
One day yet we may get to see a version of Richard Stanley's vision come to life but until then (and who am I kidding, even after then) LOST SOUL is a critical piece of film documenting the strangest, wildest and perhaps biggest failure of a film production of all time.

LOST SOUL is available HERE

i-LIVED (2015)

USA/2015
Directed By: Franck Khalfoun
Written By: Franck Khalfoun, Brian Breiter
Starring: Jeremiah Watkins, Sarah Power, Nic D'Avirro
VOD/iTunes Release Date: July 7th, 2015

Josh is a recent graduate of Stanford University struggling to make it on his own reviewing new apps on his Youtube channel to make ends meet. Josh comes across a new self help app called i-Lived which provides you missions to help meet any personal goal you type into the app. Upon an initial review Josh isn't able to gain the six pack abs he had hoped for and gives the app a mediocre review but later finds that the app will bring him all of his hopes and dreams and even cure his terminally ill mother if he's willing to go the distance with the missions the app assigns him which get more and more dangerous with each passing day and engulf more of Josh's sanity as he goes along with them.

This is the third film I've seen from director Franck Khalfoun, the first being the middling stalk and slash film P2 and the second being the exception Maniac remake starring Elijah Wood. It was the style and finesse in the remake of Bill Lustig's classic exploitation horror film that I had hoped to see in i-LIVED. Though the film had a noticeably smaller budget, leaving less room for multiple location shoots and a better overall production value, there was still enough resources available to take the film's plot and have it succeed.

Unfortunately the slick direction we've previously seen from Khalfoun is lost here and this movie feels every bit of the inconsequential direct-to-video horror film that it is sadly destined to be (despite a very limited theatrical presentation). Khalfoun has no flair here with rigid camerawork and very elementary and basic shots. Our cast doesn't help matters as they stumble through the script either over or underacting or hamming it up to the nth degree. Jeremiah Watkins isn't all bad as our lead Josh but his performance is uneven. There's one scene that I felt he brought real emotion to which involves his elderly landlord and a lamp.

There's a very clear message on display in i-LIVED dealing with the endless obsession of new apps and features for the cell phones that seem to be glued to our hands these days and letting them take over too much of your mind. I can support that message and I think i-LIVED had potential to turn it into a good horror film and at times it did. i-LIVED has some well done moments sprinkled throughout but I look at it like grabbing a handful of trail mix and only getting one or two pieces of what you like and the rest is all peanuts. Yeah, it's nice you got something you liked at all but now you have a handful of dry peanuts to deal with.

And that dear reader ends up being what i-LIVED is worth, sadly- peanuts.