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The Saragossa Manuscript Wojciech J. Has A movie that deserves its cult classic status. Based on the novel The Manuscript Found in Saragossa, by Jan Potocki, this mind-bending and witty tale chronicles the adventures of a Walloon guard under the King of Spain. Something of a Don Juan, this colorful 19th-century character must pass numerous tests to prove his courage, honesty and honor in order to become a member of the powerful Mauretanian family. Polish screen idol Zbigniew Cybulski stars. "Those who like a challenge and can handle a dizzyingly dense structure that's more puzzle than plot will be well rewarded" (Gary Morris, Bright Lights Film Journal). Restored to its full-length running time. Polish with English subtitles. Poland, 1965, 180 mins. DVD | $44.95
Kwaidan Masaki Kobayashi Four terrifying tales of the supernatural filmed with exquisitely creative visual sensitivity. This is no Japanese monster movie; rather, it creeps up on you by appealing to human emotions and fears - ghost stories as only the Japanese can tell them. An Academy Award nominee, this distinctive work is filled with graceful camera movement, unusual colors, haunting sound effects and music - "A horror picture with an extraordinarily delicate and sensuous quality" (Bosley Crowther, The New York Times). Japanese with English subtitles. Japan, 1964, 164 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 DVD | $44.95
Altered States Ken Russell William Hurt in a dazzling debut as a research scientist on an incredible journey into the inner space of the mind. Loosely based on the Paddy Chayefsky novel, this sci-fi spectacle tells the incredible story of a research scientist who experiments with altered states of human consciousness. A psycho-physiologist doing experiments with human consciousness eventually decides to test his findings on himself. He becomes obsessed with performing these auto-sensory deprivation experiments until he actually changes form physically, ending up as a gorilla at a local zoo. He returns to his normal state, at which point he also involves his wife in the experimentation. A deliriously entertaining horror romp that skirts the line between whimsy and fright, with scintillating dialogue that manages both visionary lucidity and delightful absurdity at the same moment. With Blair Brown and spectacular special effects, plus some particularly surreal fantasy bits ala Russell. Great Britain, 1980, 103 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
An American Werewolf in London John Landis A terrific horror film with great doses of comedy that do not undermine the scares. On a trip through the English country, two American students are attacked by a werewolf. One survives and, of course, finds that the curse of the full moon has been passed on to him, while his decaying, dead pal remains in a strange state of limbo. Rick Baker's Oscar-winning transformation make-up devices remain far more impressive (and frightening) than later computer "morphing" effects. The DVD is letterboxed and includes interviews with Rick Baker and John Landis, audio commentary by actors David Naughton and Griffin Dunne, storyboard comparison, behind-the-scenes documentary, photo gallery, trailer, and more. USA 1981 97 mins. DVD | $37.95
Beauty and the Beast Jean Cocteau Jean Cocteau's superb adaptation of Marie Leprince de Beaumont's dark fairy tale is a ferociously inventive and stylized depiction of erotic obsession, about a young woman's discovery of a ravaged soul beneath a monstrous beast. With Jean Marais, Josette Day and Marcel Andre. Cinematography by Henri Alekan. "A sensuously fascinating film, the visual progression of the fable into a dream-world casts its unpredictable spell" (Bosley Crowther, New York Times). French with English subtitles. The DVD is a Criterion Collection edition; includes an original opera written for the film by Philip Glass, commentaries by film historian Arthur Knight and cultural historian Christopher Frayling, an interview with Henri Alekan, original trailer narrated by Cocteau, photos and much more. France, 1946, 93 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $54.95
Black Narcissus Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger Considered one of the most beautiful films ever produced, Black Narcissus is set amidst the awesome grandeur of the Himalayas. Starring Deborah Kerr, this is a haunting emotional film about isolation, spiritual failure and sexual frustration in a convent. "...one of Britain's great cinematic masterpieces, a marvelous evocation of hysteria and repression" (Geoff Andrew, Time Out Film Guide). The DVD includes audio commentary by Michael Powell and Martin Scorsese, documentary shorts on cinematographer Jack Cardiff and the making of the film, rare production stills, subtitles for the hearing impaired. Great Britain, 1947, 100 mins. DVD | $54.95
Blue Velvet David Lynch David Lynch's demystification of American normalcy. Pitched between camp and post-modernism, this hotly debated film stars Lynch alter ego Kyle MacLachlan as a college student who discovers a severed ear, leading to a strange and perverse odyssey. He alternates between the innocent (Laura Dern) and the darkly mysterious (Isabella Rossellini). Dennis Hopper is unforgettable as the creepy and dangerous, oxygen-sniffing outlaw Frank Booth. "Horrifying in ways that genre horror movies never are...a fresh apple pie with a couple of worms poking through the crust" (Terrece Rafferty, The Nation). The DVD is letterboxed with a new digital, anamorphic transfer supervised by David Lynch. Includes a behind-the-scenes documentary, deleted scenes featurette, Siskel & Ebert review, photo gallery, promotional materials and more. USA 1986 120 mins. DVD | $37.95
Brotherhood of the Wolf Christophe Gans This international box office hit from France is a real genre-buster, mixing up elements of period piece costume drama, horror films, melodrama, swashbuckling adventure, and martial arts action. A scientist-adventurer and his mysterious Iroquois sidekick investigate attacks by an unknown beast that have been terrifying the countryside. They find the truth about the creature, and the corrupt man behind its violence. Fast-paced, violent, sexy, and suspenseful, Brotherhood of the Wolf is a thrill ride wolf in art-house sheep's clothing. With Samuel Le Bihan (Capitaine Conan) Monica Belluci (Malena), Emilie Dequenne (Rosetta), Vincent Cassel (Hate), and former martial arts champion Mark Dacascos as the mysterious Mani. French with English subtitles. France, 2001, 144 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Robert Wiene The great Expressionist silent classic with Werner Krauss as Caligari, the fairground showman who hypnotizes his servant (Conrad Veidt) into committing murder at night. Famous for its distorted painted sets, its grotesque camera angles and its atmospheric horror, this cinematic landmark was mastered from a 35mm archive print with an orchestral score and has been projection speed-corrected. The restoration was overseen by renowned film preservationist David Shepard. Also included is a surviving excerpt from director Wiene's Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire (1919, 20 mins.). English intertitles. Germany 1919 72 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 Image DVD edition - Includes audio commentary by film scholar Mike Budd and production stills. $44.95 Kino DVD edition - Includes a longer (43 mins.) condensation of Genuine, behind-the-scenes footage of Wiene on the set of I.N.R.I., two musical score options, and a gallery of photos, posters and production sketches. $37.95
Carnival of Souls (1962) Herk Harvey The best horror movie ever made in Lawrence, Kansas. Candace Hilligoss plays the only survivor of a traffic accident where a carload of young women goes off a bridge. Shaken by the experience, she leaves town to play the pipe organ in Lawrence where she is haunted by very disturbing spectres. Truly eerie despite its low budget. "The subsequent work of George Romero and David Lynch comes instantly to mind" (Time Out Film Guide). DVD includes both the color and black & white versions of the film, audio commentary from Mystery Science Theatre 3000 critic Mike Nelson, and trailers. USA 1962 80 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
Cat People (1982) Paul Schrader Paul Schrader's remake of the Jacques Tourneur/Val Lewton 1942 classic puts a kinky spin on the original story. An innocent young woman (Nastassja Kinski) carries on a terrifying curse of animal transformation driven by her sexual desires, while her equally cursed brother (Malcolm McDowell) seeks a twisted resolution through incest. With John Heard, Annette O'Toole, Ruby Dee, Ed Begley, Jr., and John Larroquette. The DVD is letterboxed and includes director's commentary, "An Intimate Portrait" by Paul Schrader, behind-the-scenes segments, matte paintings, Robert Wise discussing Val Lewton, production notes, photos, trailer, and more. USA 1982 118 mins. DVD | $37.95
The Cat People / Curse of the Cat People Jacques Tourneur/Gunther Von Fritsch/Robert Wise A double-feature of spine-tingling psychological horror from RKO producer Val Lewton. The Cat People (Jacques Tourneur, 1942, 73 mins.) is arguably the best of the producer's horror classics. Director Jacques Tourneur cut his teeth on this low-budget film about an emotionally frigid young sketch artist, Irene (Simone Simon), who believes that her ties to an ancient Serbian tribe have cursed her with an animalistic urge to kill. Curse of the Cat People (Gunther Von Fritsch and Robert Wise, 1944, 70 mins.), the film's sequel, is told from the perspective of the six-year-old daughter of the deceased Irene who relies on her mother's ghost when a jealous young girl attempts to do her harm. DVD is closed-captioned, and includes audio commentary by film historian Greg Mank with audio interview excerpts by Simone Simon, trailers, and English, French, and Spanish subtitle options. USA 1942, 1944 143 mins. DVD | $37.95
The City of Lost Children Jean-Pierre Jeunet/Marc Caro This cross between a children's fairy tale and a hellish sci-fi nightmare questions the very nature of dreams, fantasy and the hope of a collective social fabric. Though heavy with ambition, the fantastic sets and backdrops, together with superb effects, animate a truly engrossing cast of characters, ranging from a villainous pair of Siamese twins to hitmen fleas. Amidst the tumult, children struggle in a world dominated by crime and perverse ambitions. Jean-Paul Gaultier did the costumes. French with English subtitles. France, 1995, 112 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $44.95
Cronos Guillermo del Toro An ingenious alchemist creates a device that grants him eternal life. 400 years later an elderly antique dealer discovers the properties of this unique invention. Though he grows younger every time he uses this device, there is a terrible price to pay. Life after death becomes a bloody promise without end. Winner of the Grand Prize during Critics' Week at Cannes. The DVD is letterboxed and closed-captioned, and includes a commentary, a short film and a perspective on Chronos by Guillermo Del Toro, a behind-the-scenes featurette, photo and art galleries; and a Spanish language track and subtitles. In Spanish with English subtitles. Mexico, 1992, 90 mins. DVD | $37.95
Cure Kiyoshi Kurosawa A series of bizarre murders overtake Tokyo - with average, ordinary people committing brutal acts of violence with no motive and seemingly no control over their actions. The only unifying factor is the brief contact with a stranger each murderer has prior to the killings. When a police detective decides to take on the case, he plunges himself deep into the homicidal mind, where his own sanity is put to the test. Very creepy. "A movie about the power of suggestion that casts a troubling spell on the viewer as well" (J. Hoberman, The Village Voice). In Japanese with English subtitles. The DVD is letterboxed, and includes an interview with Kiyoshi Kurosawa, a filmography, the original theatrical trailer and more. Japan, 1997, 115 mins. DVD | $44.95
Dead of Night/Queen of Spades C. Crichton/A. Cavalcanti/B. Dearden/R. Hamer Michael Redgrave stars in this spine-tingling movie featuring dreams, premonitions, hallucinations and some well-timed comic breathers. Redgrave is feverishly convincing in the role of the ventriloquist who achieves the ultimate in schizophrenia. "The five set pieces in this classic British horror anthology still echo throughout today's pop culture...The other ghost stories - especially those involving a mirror that reflects the past, and the man whose nightmares are coming true - are almost as chilling; but it's the puppet show that still spooks, no matter how many times it's been ripped off" (Noel Murray, Nashville Scene). The DVD is a two disc set, and includes the film Queen of Spades (Thorold Dickinson, 1949, 95 mins., UK/USA), a macabre Russian ghost story based on the writings of poet Alexander Pushkin; poster and stills galleries; and behind-the-scenes stills galleries. Great Britain, 1945, 104 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 DVD | $44.95
The Devil’s Backbone Guillermo del Toro An orphanage is haunted by the spirit of a boy killed during the bombings of the Spanish Civil War. As the ghost makes contact with a new arrival, the dark truth behind the boy's demise becomes clear. The director of Cronos and Mimic brings both historical flavor and mythic resonance to this frightening story. "As subtly disturbing as The Haunting (1963) or The Innocents (1961), Guillermo del Toro's brooding ghost story is rich with psychological and political implications that never obscure its fundamental creepiness" (Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide/Cinebooks). The DVD is a 2-disc Special Edition, letterboxed and includes director and cinematographer commentary, 8 featurettes, deleted scenes with optional commentary, storyboard comparisons, text and photo galleries, excerpts from Guillermo Del Toro's notebook, and more. Spanish with English subtitles. Mexico/Spain, 2001, 110 mins. DVD | $37.95
Diabolique Henri-Georges Clouzot The sadistic headmaster of a boys school is murdered by his tremulous wife and vengeful mistress in this classic French thriller. They dump the body, but suddenly the deceased appears in a recent school photograph. The suspense builds to an explosive climax. With Simone Signoret, Vera Clouzot, Paul Meurisse and Charles Vanel. French with English subtitles. France, 1955, 116 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 DVD | $44.95
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie Luis Bunuel Six characters are forever trying to sit down for a meal, but bizarre events - dreams, fantasies, guests, terrorists - interfere. Bunuel's brilliant satire lampoons the church, diplomats, wealthy socialites and radical terrorists and is a pure joy to watch. With Fernando Rey, Delphine Seyrig, Stephane Audran, Bulle Ogier, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Michel Piccoli. Academy Award winner, Best Foreign Film. Winner, Best Film, National Society of Film Critics. The DVD is a letterboxed, 2-disc Criterion special edition, and includes The Survivor on the Street of Providence (Arturo Ripstein/Rafael Castanedo, Mexico, 1970), a documentary short on Bunuel; A Proposito de Bunuel (Jose Luis Lopez Linares/Javier Rioyo, Mexico, 2000), a feature-length documentary portrait; theatrical trailer; Bunuel's perfect martini recipe and more. French with English subtitles. France, 1972, 100 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 DVD | $59.95
Don't Look Now Nicolas Roeg Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland star in this beautiful, spellbinding mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat. When their child drowns in a sudden rainstorm, Sutherland decides to go to Venice for an architectural job and Christie follows. While in Italy, Christie becomes convinced that a mysterious figure in a red raincoat is their beloved child returned from the dead. The film creates an atmosphere of terror, fear and ultimate tragedy, with a knockout ending. The DVD is letterboxed, 16x9 widescreen, closed-captioned, and includes theatrical trailer and optional French audio. Based on a story by Daphne du Maurier. Great Britain/Italy, 1973, 110 mins. DVD | $37.95
Eraserhead David Lynch A cult film comparable to Rocky Horror Picture Show; John Nance stars as Henry, the obscure man with the vertical head of hair, living with his spaced-out girlfriend and their fetus-like child. But by the end of the film, Henry is decapitated and processed into erasers in this bizarre horror film which closely approaches a nightmare. USA 1977 108 mins. DVD | $59.95
Eraserhead / Short Films of David Lynch Collectors Boxed Set David Lynch This 2-pack includes David Lynch's cult hit Eraserhead (1977, 108 mins.) and The Short Films of David Lynch (1967-1995, 97 mins.). See individual titles for description. 2-DVD set, includes filmographies, production notes, trailers, making-of featurette, and more. USA 1967-1995 202 mins. DVD | $89.95
The Eye Danny Pang/Oxide Pang The Pang Brothers bring their striking visual style to the recent resurgence in Asian horror with a particularly scary tale about a young woman who begins to see strange, shadowy harbingers of death after receiving a corneal transplant. As she begins to learn about the eye donor's life, knowledge of her own fate begins to surface. The brothers' stunning cinematography is at its most effective here, combining with expert editing to produce an overwhelming sense of dread and some jarring, lasting scares. "An artful, unsettling ghost story" (A.O. Scott, The New York Times). The DVD includes behind-the-scenes footage; the theatrical trailer; the TV spot; Spanish subtitles; weblinks; and more. In Cantonese and Thai with English subtitles. Hong Kong, 2003, 98 mins. DVD | $44.95
Fearless Vampire Killers Roman Polanski Or Pardon Me, Your Teeth Are in My Neck. Roman Polanski directs (and appears in) this cult oddity, a vampire-film spoof that manages both horror and humor. The story involves a professor and his bumbling assistant, who set out to track down a coven of Transylvanian vampires. Tremendous fun, with a mixture of titillation, tease, kitsch, and terror, filled with gorgeous set design and beautiful cinematography, that thankfully can now be seen in its original widescreen format. One amusing bit involves a recent Jewish bite victim facing a cross: "Boy, do you have the wrong vampire!". Cast includes Jack MacGowran, Sharon Tate, Alfie Bass and Terry Downes. The DVD is widescreen and letterboxed, and includes French and Spanish subtitles and a French language track. USA, 1967, 124 mins. DVD | $37.95
Fellini Satyricon Federico Fellini Federico Fellini freely adapts the work of Petronius Arbiter in this sexual odyssey through ancient Rome. With an emphasis on spectacle and the grotesque, we follow two young Romans in their pursuit of pleasure and personal survival. With Martin Potter, Hiram Keller, Capucine and Luigi Montefiori as the Minotaur. "Fellini's characteristic delirium is in fact anchored in a precise, psychological schema...it's among his most considerable achievements" (Tony Rayns, Time Out Film Guide). Italian with English subtitles. Italy, 1969, 129 mins. DVD | $37.95
The Fourth Man Paul Verhoeven Paul Verhoeven's international hit is a roller-coaster ride through forbidden sensual pleasure in the context of a kinky thriller. The three men in Christine's past all have one thing in common; they're dead. And when Gerard, seduced by Christine, moves into her life, a grisly series of dreams and visions hints he could be next: the fourth man. "A highbrow debauch of depravity, destruction, sex and blasphemy" (Quentin Crisp). Starring Jeroen Krabbe (The Fugitive, King of the Hill) and Renee Soutendijk. Videocassette and DVD in Dutch with English subtitles; Netherlands, 1983, 102 mins. DVD | $44.95
Frailty Bill Paxton Could an axe murderer actually be doing the work of God? That's the disturbing question posed in this unusual horror film that marked the directorial debut of actor Bill Paxton (Near Dark, A Simple Plan). Paxton plays a Texas father who tells his sons that he has had a divine revelation and they have been chosen by God to slay demons masquerading as human beings. The trauma of witnessing and participating in their father's killings is remembered years later when one of the sons (Matthew McConaughey) walks into an FBI office. But there's more to this visitor than meets the eye. "...an extraordinary work...It is uncompromised. It follows its logic right down into hell" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). The DVD is letterboxed, 16x9 widescreen, closed-captioned. Includes production commentary, storyboards, production artwork, "making of" segment, and more. USA, 2002, 99 mins. DVD | $44.95
German Horror Classics (DVD Box Set) Includes beautifully restored versions of Nosferatu (F.W. Murnau, 1922, 93 mins.), The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Robert Wiene, 1919, 75 mins.), The Golem (Paul Wegener/Carl Boese, 1920, 86 mins.), and Waxworks (Paul Leni, 1924, 83 mins.). These stylistically innovative and extremely influential features are cinematic touchstones that any lover of film--horror or otherwise--simply must own. Each disc is also loaded with bonus features, including shorts and excerpts from other films by the directors, photo and artwork galleries, musical score options, and much more. Four-disc set. DVD | $89.95
The Haunting Robert Wise Robert Wise's nerve-jangling adaptation of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. An anthropologist, a disbeliever and two mediums confront the supernatural terror in a Boston mansion. The film is made even creepier through Wise's exquisite lighting and camera work, which makes the unseen even more frightening than what is seen. The DVD is letterboxed and includes an audio commentary; stills galleries; an essay; the theatrical trailer; a French language track; and French and Spanish subtitles. With Richard Johnson, Claire Bloom, Julie Harris and Lois Maxwell. USA, 1963, 112 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (A La Folie...Pas Du Tout) Laetitia Colombani Both sides of an ill-fated love affair are put on display in this romantic thriller, and ambitious debut film, from Laetitia Colombani. Audrey Tautou (Amelie) plays a lovesick art student involved with a married doctor (Samuel Le Bihan). As her affections for the doctor grow more intense and less discreet, his life begins to fall apart. "Wickedly clever" (Rita Kempley, Washington Post). In French with English subtitles. France, 2002, 96 mins. DVD | $44.95
Hellboy Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro (Cronos, Blade II) transports the evil-fighting spawn of Satan from the comic book pages to the big screen in this high-energy spectacle. Del Toro mainstay Ron Perlman is perfect as the massive demon who was rescued from the dark side as a child and trained to fight for good. Comic book action is in full throttle as Hellboy and his cohorts in the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense fight a madman determined to bring Hellboy back to his evil ways. Also stars Selma Blair, John Hurt, Rupert Evans, and Jeffrey Tambor. This two-DVD set includes a commentary by director Guillermo del Toro and co-executive producer Mike Mignola; a commentary by Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Rupert Evans, and Jeffrey Tambor; eight branching DVD comics by Mike Mignola; 27 documentaries; a behind-the-scenes branching feature; four short cartoon films; feature-length storyboard track; computer-generated animated scene breakdowns; side-by-side comparison of scenes with the animated storyboards; 3 deleted scenes with optional commentary; DVD-ROM features; and more. Closed-captioned. In English. USA, 2004, 125 mins. DVD | $44.95
Hour of the Wolf Ingmar Bergman Max von Sydow portrays an artist living with his wife (Liv Ullmann) on a remote island, haunted by darkness, demons and his imagination, in this effective study of the creative process. Bergman brilliantly uses the eerie landscape to show von Sydow's descent into madness as he is haunted by images of the death of a child. The DVD is a Special Edition, and includes French and Spanish subtitles; a bonus featurette; interviews with Liv Ullman and Erland Josephson; a commentary track by Bergman biographer Marc Gervais; and a photo gallery. In Swedish with English subtitles. Sweden, 1968, 88 mins. DVD | $44.95
The House with Laughing Windows Pupi Avati A stunner of Italian horror from director Pupi Avati (The Story of Boys and Girls, Zeder). A young artist restoring an ancient fresco finds himself mysteriously drawn into the original painter's chilling world of madness and horror. This film seethes with dark, creepy atmosphere and its multiple plot twists make for a haunting experience. "The hairs will stand up on the back of your neck" (Horror View). The DVD is letterboxed, and includes optional English subtitles, theatrical trailer, lobby-card gallery and behind-the-scenes footage. Italy, 1976, 110 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Innocents Jack Clayton Deborah Kerr stars as a governess who comes to suspect something is terribly wrong with her seemingly innocent charges. Based on Henry James' The Turn of the Screw, this cinematic adaptation manages to enliven the original story with sinister film effects. It's a successful suspense-filled thriller. The DVD has subtitles and Dolby Digital audio tracks in both English and Spanish, and includes both the original widescreen anamorphic version and a full-screen version. Great Britain, 1961, 99 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
Intacto Juan Carlos Fresnadillo A group of gamblers with the power to steal the luck from others recruit a young thief named Tomas, the survivor of a disastrous plane crash. Convinced that he shares their gift, the gang brings Tomas into their bizarre world and subjects him to a series of unimaginable tests to see if he has the skills to overthrow a powerful rival, played by Max von Sydow. "Mesmerizing" (Boston Globe). The DVD is closed-captioned, and includes a director's commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, Spanish and English language tracks and 2 shorts by director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. In Spanish with English subtitles. Spain, 2001, 109 mins. DVD | $44.95
Mulholland Drive David Lynch Fairy tale turns to nightmare in David Lynch's darkly entertaining story of a fresh-faced Hollywood newcomer (Naomi Watts) who becomes involved with a beautiful woman (Laura Harring) who escaped from an attempted killing and appears to have lost her memory. But nothing is as it seems in this maze of dreams and reality, in which characters may be reliving past experiences or imagining new ones, and the past and the present unfold continually upon each other. At turns frightening, funny, sexy and just plain weird, Mulholland Drive is an enigmatic extension of Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks and Lost Highway. Originally conceived as a TV pilot, this was transformed into a feature when the network rejected it. With Justin Theroux, Robert Forster, Ann Miller, Chad Everett, Dan Hedaya and Billy Ray Cyrus. USA 2001 145 mins. DVD | $37.95
Near Dark Kathryn Bigelow Kathryn Bigelow's vampire western is set in the farm country of middle America, where a young man gets more than he bargained for when he meets a dreamy blonde girl with a thirst for blood. The real danger, however, comes from the roving pack of bad-ass bloodsuckers she travels with. Bigelow expertly juggles suspense, violent action scenes, horror iconography, and some unexpectedly serene images to create something truly fresh and memorable. With Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Tim Thomerson, and young Joshua John Miller in a great performance as a vampire with adult desires, stuck in the body of a child. The DVD is a letterboxed, 16x9 widescreen two-disc set and includes director's audio commentary, test footage, original storyboards, deleted scene, theatrical trailers, 16-page booklet, poster and still gallery, special DVD-ROM features, and Living in Darkness, a 47-minute documentary. USA, 1987, 95 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Night of the Hunter Charles Laughton A true classic. Robert Mitchum gives one of his best performances as Harry Powell, a psychotic self-styled preacher who is after the stolen money of a hanged man. Set in a small West Virginia community during the Depression, this was Charles Laughton's only screen credit as a director. With magnificently expressive sets and one of the most extreme and effective examples of film noir lighting, he made the most of the opportunity. Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish and Peter Graves also star. James Agee adapted David Grubb's novel for the screen. USA, 1955, 93 mins. DVD | $37.95
Nosferatu Friedrich W. Murnau The definitive vampire movie, and one of the most famous silent films of all time. One of Murnau's best known films, Nosferatu's eerie telling of the Dracula story was filmed on location in the mountains, towns, and castles of Bavaria. This German Expressionist "symphony of horror" is brilliantly infused with the subtle tones of nature: both pure and fresh, as well as twisted and sinister. Restored and color tinted, this version was remastered from a 35mm negative and includes inter-titles freshly translated from the original German script. Speed corrected. The DVD comes in two editions: 1) the Image DVD edition includes a new music score by The Silent Orchestra in 5.1 Dolby Digital audio with commentary by German silent film connoisseur Lokke Heiss; 2) the Kino DVD edition includes lengthy excerpts from six other Murnau films, a choice of two musical scores, scene comparison (novel, screenplay and film), and a photo gallery. Germany, 1922, 93 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 DVD - Image DVD edition $44.95 DVD - Kino DVD edition $37.95
Nosferatu the Vampyre Werner Herzog Werner Herzog's retelling of the Dracula legend is truly an homage to F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent classic. Both reverent and funny, the film captures much of the look (including Klaus Kinski's make-up) and atmosphere of the original, while subtly crafting a mood all its own. Some of the scenes are shot-for-shot reproductions of Murnau's images, while others are pure Herzog. Isabelle Adjani plays the beauty that Kinski's vampire pursues, with Bruno Ganz as her unlucky husband. The German-language version runs eleven minutes longer than the English-language edition. The videotape is the English version; the DVD is a two-disc set including both the German and English versions, and is letterboxed, 16x9 widescreen, with audio commentary by Herzog and Norman Hill, behind-the-scenes segment, theatrical trailers, and collector's booklet. West Germany, 1979, 107 mins./96 mins. Videocassette (English version) $37.95 DVD (German and English versions) $44.95
Onibaba Kaneto Shindo A stylish Japanese ghost tale, set in medieval Japan. A peasant woman and her daughter manage an existence by impersonating demons - sexually luring soldiers away from their comrades and murdering them. A warrior manages to save his life by seducing the daughter, but the mother's sorcery conjures up a hideous revenge. Mixing graphic violence with sex, Onibaba is an exotic, terrifying, supernatural fantasy. The DVD is a Criterion Collection Edition, and is letterboxed and includes an interview with Kaneto Shindo; super-8 behind-the-scenes footage taken by actor Kei Sato; the original trailer; stills gallery with production sketches and promotional art; an English translation of the Buddhist short fable that inspired the film; a filmmaker's statement; and more. Japanese with English subtitles. Japan, 1964, 103 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 DVD | $44.95
The Others Alejandro Amenabar Using old-fashioned techniques to maximum effect, Alejandro Amenabar (Open Your Eyes, Thesis) made one of the best haunted house films in decades with his English language debut. Nicole Kidman stars as a reclusive single mother whose children suffer from a mysterious malady that necessitates them being shrouded from direct sunlight. The arrival of a new group of housekeepers and some mysterious occurrences within the house suggest a supernatural presence. A top-notch ghost story, with great atmosphere and some genuine shocks. The DVD is a letterboxed, closed-captioned two-disc set and includes 30-minute documentary, multiple behind-the-scenes segments, theatrical trailer, photo gallery, optional French audio, and optional Spanish subtitles. With Fionnula Flanagan and Christopher Eccleston. USA/Spain, 2001, 104 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $44.95
Phantom of the Opera: The Ultimate Edition Rupert Julian Two versions of the silent horror classic with Lon Chaney's iconic performance as the Phantom are featured in this impressive collection. Includes the longer, rarely-seen, 1925 original (110 mins.) with a score by John Mirsalis, and the 1929 restoration (98 mins.), mastered from the 35mm original with the spectacular 2-strip Technicolor masked ball sequence intact, featuring a full orchestral score by Carl Davis and an alternate track with the original Vitaphone soundtrack. Essential viewing. 2-DVD set includes audio commentary by film historian Scott MacQueen; a video interview with Carla Laemmle; theatrical trailers; stills galleries; Faust opera extract from the 1929 Tiffany Sound feature Midstream; 9 dialogue sequences from the 1929 version; and an audio interview with cinematographer Charles Van Enger. USA 1925/1929 208 mins. DVD | $44.95
Repulsion Roman Polanski Polanski's first English-language film, a chilling study of madness, stars Catherine Deneuve as a jealously sadistic schizophrenic, terrified of sex. Full of memorable sequences, such as Deneuve's delusions of rape as she sees plaster turn into a clawing hand and walls cracking or overhears the moans of her sister making love. With Yvonne Furneaux and John Fraser. French with English subtitles. Great Britain, 1965, 105 mins. DVD | $37.95
Ring (Ringu) Hideo Nakata Although it was little known in the U.S. until word broke of a big budget American remake, Ring is one of the most popular and influential horror films of recent years, spawning several sequels, a TV series, a Korean remake, and a whole new wave of Asian horror. The story concerns the investigation of a young girl's death, which leads to a videotape with a deadly curse. "...it manages to coax powerful sensations of dread out of pure atmosphere" (Alvin Lu, Film Comment). Japan, 1998, 95 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Ring Gore Verbinski Gore Verbinski's remake of the shocking 1996 Japanese ghost story Ringu remains faithful to the original in its delivery of real scares. Naomi Watts (Mulholland Dr.) plays a newspaper reporter investigating a series of bizarre deaths, each occurring when the victim watches a specific videotape. When she decides to watch the tape herself, the terror begins. Although lacking in some of the subtleties of the original, the film still "creeps you out in high style" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone). USA, 2002, 109 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
Rosemary's Baby Roman Polanski Roman Polanski's film of Ira Levin's thriller is a true horror masterpiece. Polanski's innovative direction avoids many of the genre's cliches, with many of the film's most frightening scenes taking place in brightly lit interiors and a slowly building nightmare quality replacing easy shocks. There is also a rich streak of humor in the film, particularly from Best Supporting Actress Oscar-winner Ruth Gordon as the eccentric agent of Satan who leads young bride Mia Farrow to unexpected motherhood. The great cast includes John Cassavetes, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy and Elisha Cook, Jr. The DVD is letterboxed, closed-captioned, and includes "making of" segment; retrospective interviews with Roman Polanski, production designer Richard Sylbert, and former Paramount executive Robert Evans. USA, 1968, 136 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
Shallow Grave Danny Boyle Evil yuppie roommates get the chance to have it all because of a peculiar incident. Three flatmates seek a fourth, and when the new fellow dies they decide to keep his death a secret for their own greedy ends. Naturally their innate distrust of each other begins to surface, resulting in bizarre and at times sick actions. Dark, stylish, and wickedly funny. Great Britain, 1994, 91 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Shining Stanley Kubrick A real thriller based on a Stephen King novel, with Jack Nicholson going slowly mad and terrorizing his wife Shelley Duvall and their little boy, who has strange powers of ESP. With Scatman Crothers. Great Britain/USA, 1980, 146 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
The Sixth Sense M. Night Shyamalan This unusually thoughtful and sensitive horror film became a word-of-mouth box office sensation. Bruce Willis stars as a child psychologist, brooding over his failure with a patient from years ago, who hopes to change his life for the better by helping a young boy tormented by visions. At first, he believes the boy's troubles to be the result of a trauma, but slowly he comes to believe the boy's claims - that he sees and interacts with ghosts. Haley Joel Osment delivers a fine performance as the boy. Toni Collette and Olivia Williams co-star. USA, 1999, 107 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
Spirits of the Dead Roger Vadim/Louis Malle/Federico Fellini Jane and Peter Fonda, Alain Delon, Brigitte Bardot and Terence Stamp are among the stars cast in this adaptation of three Edgar Allan Poe tales. The three episodes are Metzerngerstein, directed by Roger Vadim; William Wilson, directed by Louis Malle; and Fellini's brilliant Toby Dammit. In the first, the Fonda siblings are involved in a macabre tale built around incestuous desire. The middle work concerns a sadistic fiend (Delon) who, among other things, whips the then-wildly famous Bardot. Finally, Stamp plays a movie star who loses his head and makes a bet with the devil, whom Fellini portrays, in a brilliant master stroke, as a beautiful little girl in a white dress. French with English subtitles. France/Italy, 1968, 117 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
The Tenant Roman Polanski Like Repulsion, this is a journey through the distorted realm of the human mind. Writer-director Roman Polanski himself plays Trelkovsky, a nebbish file clerk who moves into an apartment where the previous tenant committed suicide. He becomes deeply paranoid, certain that the other tenants are trying to drive him to the same fate. "The end result is somewhere between Franz Kafka and William Castle..." (Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader). With Isabelle Adjani, Shelley Winters, Lila Kedrova, and Melvyn Douglas. In English. France/USA, 1976, 126 mins. DVD | $37.95
Throne of Blood Akira Kurosawa Kurosawa's brilliant interpretation of Shakespeare's Macbeth shifts the action to 16th century feudal Japan, where a samurai is motivated by his ambitious wife and a spirit to kill his friend. The movie balances stylized action and movement of the Noh theater with the intensity of the American western. Kurosawa and cinematographer Asaichi Nakai create a foreboding atmosphere in the castles and landscape. With Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada and Minoru Chiaki. In Japanese with English subtitles. DVD is a Criterion Collection edition and includes audio commentary by Japanese-film expert Michael Jack, the original theatrical trailer, optional English subtitles, two alternative subtitle translations & notes on subtitling, an essay by Stephen Prince, and more. Japan, 1957, 110 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 DVD | $54.95
Ugetsu Kenji Mizoguchi Kenji Mizoguchi's poetic film is set in feudal, war-ravaged, 16th-century Japan and focuses on the opposite fortunes of two peasants who abandon their families to accumulate wealth and prestige and find emptiness and despair. The film is remarkable for its expressive photography, diagonal compositions and uninterrupted takes. With Machiko Kyo and Masayuki Mori. "Scenes of everyday life alternate with those of a dreamlike, erotic intensity. At the end it is difficult to remember where reality stops and hallucination begins" (Newsweek). Japanese with English subtitles. Newly remastered, translated and subtitled print. Presented in original aspect ratio. Japan, 1953, 96 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
The Vanishing George Sluizer A young husband descends into the obsessive corners of his mind when his wife inexplicably vanishes while on holiday in France. This cold-blooded psychological thriller was winner of the Grand Prize of Dutch Cinema for Best Film. It succeeds the old-fashioned way, by hooking the viewer on the characters and murky undercurrents of the story - seducing us into the midst of a clean, logical nightmare. In the finest tradition of Hitchcock, The Vanishing will haunt you long after it is over. "It's unforgettable even if you try to forget it" (San Francisco Chronicle). In Dutch and French with English subtitles; Netherlands, 1988, 107 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $44.95
With a Friend Like Harry Dominik Moll This terrifically clever and subtle thriller shows the influence of Hitchcock and Chabrol but achieves its own darkly entertaining tone. A long-forgotten high school acquaintance quickly worms his way into the lives of an old classmate and his wife, admiring the former's amateurish teenaged writings a little too much. His presence at first seems entirely beneficial, but dark deeds will soon be revealed. "deftly ironic... This is a strange and funny film, smart, complex and difficult to shake" (Dave Kehr, New York Times). A.k.a. Harry, He's Here to Help. In French with English subtitles. France, 2000, 116 mins. DVD | $37.95
