Botched. Here is a zany, bloody, weird, head-scratching affair that will either entertain you to no end or have you reaching for the stop button faster than you can blink an eye. It centers on a thief, played by Stephen Dorff, who must go to Russia to steal an ancient cross. The plan goes wrong and Dorff and a few others wind up on the closed 13th floor. It is here where something else is discovered. I hesitate to call Botched a good movie, but it certainly is fun! There is a good dose of blood, some oddball comedy, genuine thrills, and an atmosphere of comedic dread. You will surely be left wondering just what it was that you saw once the credits roll. It is truly bizarre, and has nothing to say about society. Sometimes it is fun to watch a movie that does not have any lofty goals aside from delivering entertainment to the filmmakers chosen audience.
From Beyond - Unrated. Here is a movie that embodies what made the 1980s so great for horror films. This is a film that takes a ridiculous situation, amps up the gore factor, and provides such a high energy level that you cannot help but be drawn in. With From Beyond you have a cast that does a great job of putting all of themselves into the performance, selling the insanity under the direction of Stuart Gordon, a man who truly has a knack for this sort of film. On top of that, the effects are suitably gruesome, gooey, and bloody. This was in the midst of the grand era of practical effects prior to the rise of CG. There is nothing quite like seeing a deformed body sprout an insect head, or see a stalk protrude from a man's forehead as sucks out an eyeball on the way to eating some brain matter and knowing that it is actually happening and not an element added in later. Sure, some of it may seem a bit hokey, but tell me that you don't believe it within the context of the film. This movie is an absolute blast. It has all of the classic elements that make an '80s era gore film work. It has an intriguing tale of depravity, characters to root for, others to despise, and everything in between. This is a must see film for any self-respecting horror fan.
Heroes of the East. This is a great film. This is one of the finest examples of the Shaw style that I have come across (granted, there are a ton more films to watch). It features the great Gordon Liu and a plethora of styles. If you want to get into kung fu cinema, this is a must see, and if you're already a kung fu fan, this is a must own. It is in the combination of character and martial arts that Heroes of the East soars. Gordon Liu and Yuko Mizuno both play extremely likable characters and definitely have chemistry. It is their relationship that builds a strong base on top of which the action is placed. As for that action, there is a great variety of styles on display, both hand-to-hand and involving weapons (including one of my favorites, the three-section staff). Before this DVD release, I had never heard of this film; now it stands as one of my favorite of the kung fu genre. This is one that absolutely cannot be missed.
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