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Necrophagia: Nightmare Scenarios (2004)
Necrophagia's Second Home Video
For those not familiar with Necrophagia, they are one of the few true horror-metal bands. Not death metal in the vein of Cannibal Corpse, or the boring, over-rated, death grind of Mortician; Necrophagia unearth their own brand of vile rotten metal. Its not for everyone, as people seem divided over whether or not Necrophagia's music is any good. Here's a brief history of 'phage: Started in the early-to-mid 80s by founding member Killjoy, the band played slow Slayer-style thrash with a inspiration clearly from horror films. At that time, horrific lyrics weren't commonplace. Not until the late 90s, when (pantera's) Phil Anselmo dusted off his Necronomicon and resurrected Necrophagia with, from what I understand, and album he pretty-much wrote himself (at least musically). That album, Holocausto de la Morte, sets the mood for their first home video, Through the Eyes of the Dead. Once again members change entirely, Killjoy creeping off to Europe, and re-assembling Necrophagia. They honed the music further, while Frediablo (guitar) takes Phil's sloppy-yet-effective riffing and concocts a chunkier, tighter, rhythm. Add in the new Goblin/Carpenter-influenced synth atmosphere, and you got an entirely new Necrophagia. These music videos, IMO, are a step down from their previous effort, but nonetheless showcase what the band loves, horror. If the videos of "Through..." were Deodato with a Fulci soundtrack, then "Nightmare..." is Franco with a Carpenter soundtrack. The music may be technically better, but most of the videos are a step back, absolutely through the lack of Jim Van Bebber. Bebber knows atmosphere, and I'm sorry, but Coffin Joe (who directs a video) is to cheesy, and most importantly, NOT SCARY! The video made by Toe Tag Pictures, on the other hand, is awesome, with great zombies, atmosphere, and good FX. My main gripe with this DVD is the production choices of some of the videos. Example: "Flowers..." video, while entertaining, has the worst film grain filter I have ever seen, and is not convincing. Now what made me appreciate this video, however, was the "Uncreating the Musick" feature. These guys are truly dedicated musicians and put in lots of time and effort. The drummer is phenomenal, as is Mirai's synth programming. Overall, all gripes aside, this home video entertaining for metal/horror fans alike and is worth the 20 bucks. I also recommend: Mordum, Through the Eyes of the Dead, Ichi the Killer, and Colostomy Grab Bag.
Through Eyes of the Dead (1999)
Gory Videos, Gory Music
Directed by Jim Van Bebber, Necrophagia's music video collection lives up to the disturbing nature of both artists' visions. The style of the videos is more like 70s and 80s shock exploitation, than of MTV flash. One of videos is comprised of footage from Jim Van Bebber's Roadkill. The music is not death/black/hardcore/thrash, but a grating, discordant screech of feedback and snarls over a pummeling, sloppy rhythm. Saying they are better or worse than Cannibal Corpse or Mortician (that one made me laugh out loud) is moot. Its like going to see one the above mentioned bands, and have taken wrong turn and ended up a Texas Chainsaw family barbecue! Outside the box. BTW, nowadays they don't do the same thing at all, contributed to member changes. They still project horrific imagery through their music, but more like a John Carpenter nightmare, than their previous Fulci-nightmare. This video is the best collection of their work to date. Jim Van Bebber is an amazing horror director, hopefully he will never break out. For his own good, that is. Buy this disc; break into your mom's stash; get your older brother to buy you beer, and get sick on this film.
Also recommended:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213251/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118840/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449622/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449623/
Viewer Discretion Advised (1998)
Forgotten Troma Comedy
This low-budget mix of parody and satire is highly underrated. It is along the lines of Kentucky Fried Movie or the Groove Tube; skit-based comedy centered around watching late-night television. Admittedly its frequent dry humor may bore some, but fans of the previously stated films will enjoy it. Released on VHS by Troma in 1998, this film was actually produced in 1991 (as stated on the copyright in the credits). Troma fans may be surprised that this movie is actually funny, gory, and yet accessible. Tommy Blaze truly is a great skit-performer, and I wish he had continued to work within that. Sadly, I have never seen "The Newz" which was a short-lived comedy variety show during the mid-nineties; but I imagine it was funny, like so many hastily cancelled skit shows in that time period. (The Ben Stiller Show, and Alex Winter's The Idiot Box, come to mind) Seek this movie out, there are used copies going around for less than $10.
Hide and Seek (2005)
Big-Budget Snoozefest
Robert De Niro must of needed some quick loot. This thriller has its frights, and is paced well, which I can appreciate. I have to say I enjoyed this movie, up until the twist that is, which is without any evidence (save some dirt or bug guts on 'his' hand). The acting was good, though Hollywood-average, nothing memorable or ground-breaking, performance-wise.
Alter-ego twists only work, IMO, when there is subtle yet substantial evidence towards the truth. This film lacked that entirely. If this was a b-grade movie, then the plot holes would be more forgivable. Nice sets, textbook-cinematography, and big name actors won't save this from being a wasted watch, and a waste of millions of dollars. Reminds me of the overrated M. Night Shyamalan thrillers. "That's the twist?! But I knew that already..." - Me, watching this film.