DVD Pick of the Week - Re-Animator: Anchor Bay Collection
Re-Animator: Anchor Bay Collection
Do you really need to purchase yet another version of Re-Animator? – sure, it’s one of the seminal horror films of the 1980’s and probably the most faithful adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s work yet committed to film, but seriously, – what is this, the twelfth re-issue? As much as it’s our preference to discourage the constant cash-sucking flow of endless re-issues, Anchor Bay’s new Re-Animator is actually worth getting. Unless…of course…you can’t stomach the gore.
If on the other hand, you can appreciate a few dismembered bodies, then you probably already know and love Re-Animator based on Lovecraft’s serialized stories of Herbert West. Mr. West (played by the ice-cool and batshit crazy Jeffrey Combs), arrives at northeastern Miskatonic University and quickly turns it into a raging undead-fest once he begins experimenting with his controversial re-animation agent.
What keeps Re-Animator on its toes and not constantly writhing about in the bloody muck (though there’s plenty of that, too) is a strong streak of black comedy and a purposeful decision not to take itself too seriously; Still, there are undertones both sincere and, at time, literary (director Stuart Gordon preserves the text’s homages to Frankenstein in spirit). All of which gives the film an irresistible spark, even when you’re about to hurl. (I’ll admit, I never did; sure, the infamous…er…decapitated “head” scene is pretty disgusting, but I was fine. Gordon and Combs got my ass back in From Beyond, though. That there is some vile, stomach-churning shit, boys. When do we get that DVD?!) The excellent new Anchor Bay release includes an all-new 70 minute documentary, two commentaries (Gordon on one, Combs and the rest of the cast on the other), interviews and additional featurettes, DVD-ROM features including Lovecraft’s original serial, and loads more. Bitchin’.
Other recommended titles for March 20th: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations; Bridge on the River Kwai: Collector’s Edition; The Caine Mutiny: Collector’s Edition; The Guns of Navarone: Collector’s Edition; Lawrence of Arabia: CE; Letters From Iwo Jima; Maude: Season 1; Mythbusters: Movie Myths; Naked City (Criterion); NewsRadio: Season 5; Rocky Balboa; WC Fields Comedy Collection, Wol. 2; Wild Wild West: Season 2
—Nicole Campos
