Daddy’s home, kids! Been a hot minute, I know. But, I’m here to fill your mind with things to buy. Let’s do it, brother!
**BLOOD SPRAYER PICK OF THE MONTH**
Madman (Vinegar Syndrome)-The good brothers at Vinegar Syndrome are our not-so-strange bedfellows. But before we all fell in full-fledged love with each other, the attraction started BECAUSE these guys put out amazing shit! That aspect of this company has not changed. As a matter of fact, with the release of this VHS classic, they’ve exceeded the expectations previously set.
Madman, if nothing else, had artwork the average horror fan is guaranteed to remember. In fact, I’d say that it’s arguably some of the most recognizable of the era. But beyond that, Madman is a strange, silly, entertaining horror film that stuck the course and ended up becoming a cult icon of the slasher era.
This version of Madman isn’t just better looking, it’s downright superior. The film was given a 4K transfer from the camera negative(!). What’s that mean? It means you get a cleaner, brighter, more crisp version of Madman. I’d even feel comfortable saying this is the best this movie has ever looked. In addition to the movie looking gorgeous, this is a blu packed to the gills with extras. First off, a 90 minute documentary by our buddy Vic Bonacore about the 30 year legacy of Madman. For the first time ever, actor Jimmy Steele (Richie) sits down with the Madman himself, Paul Ehlers, and co-creator Gary Sales in a candid recollection of the flick & its impact on their lives. AND these are just a couple of the fantastic extras you get with this release!
This isn’t one to wait on. Go to the Vinegar Syndrome website, buy Madman on blu-ray and revisit one of the truly classic gems of the slasher era.
Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf (Synapse)-There are plenty of movies that want to believe they’re cashing in on the grindhouse aesthetic. They aren’t. They’re usually an ironic slant on something they can’t possible reinvent. That’s not to place blame, it’s just a fact. You think you’re making a “grindhouse” movie, you’re probably making a caricature of something that was a victim of surroundings. However, when it pertains to Samurai Avenger, that rule does NOT apply. This movie is fucking bonkers. Flat out. It’s batshit crazy. It’s an amalgamation of sushi-western, action, samurai (obviously), gore, exploitation, zombies, witches, anatomical chaos and just general Japanese film weirdness we’ve all grown to love. There’s a love story element and an aspect of redemption, but it’s so fucking nutty that those elements are just sort of a through line. You’d be hard-pressed to not smile at the stuff going on in the 95 minutes of movie presented here. The movie’s star/director/co-writer/producer Kurando Mitsutake has a VERY unusual approach to making movies & that’s evident in Samurai Avenger. Truly original is an understatement. You’ve LITERALLY never seen anything like this. Synapse once again plucks a weird flower from a field of weeds and gives it to the world to enjoy.
Lost River (Bold Films/Warner Video)-Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut caught a lot of heat at the Cannes Film Festival when it debuted. That heat was inaccurate. Plus, fuck Cannes. It’s a pretentious fashion show, like Sundance, Tribeca, and literally every other industry circle jerk. So, when I read the reports coming out on Lost River, I knew I had to see it. Luckily, my instincts were correct.
Gosling is a beloved heartthrob who ALSO has a keen eye for filmmaking, as is evident in Lost River. First off, you have an incredible cast: Christina Hendricks, Matt Smith, Eva Mendes, Saoirse Ronan to name a few. The material is largely surrealism and these actors convey the emotion so perfectly that it cuts right through the otherworldly element that lives throughout. Second, the flick was filmed in Detroit. That doesn’t necessarily play to you if you don’t live in this part of the country. As someone who frequently visits Detroit, I can tell you that the Motor City as a backdrop to this fantastical story not only suited it beautifully (urban decay and all), it became its own character. It becomes a companion that moves & breathes with each emotional wave that occurs. Gosling takes these elements and ties them together in a package that basically screams “cult film for all eternity”. It shows the obvious influence of David Lynch, Terry Gilliam, & Gosling’s oft-collaborative partner Nicholas Refn, but it’s also its own beast. It shows the signs of someone who WILL make the successful crossover from acclaimed actor to director. Don’t listen to the horse shit response of elitists. Check this movie out. It’s a beautiful, enjoyable flick that will have a long lifespan with fans of weirdo cult cinema.
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