Michael Winner's The Sentinel is a wonderfully goofy, deliciously nasty little horror film from the seventies. Shout Factory has recently released a fantastic Blu-ray of the film, and it should definitely find a place in the collection of every serious horror buff! 

When a celebrity model moves into a Brooklyn apartment building, she finds that it is inhabited by a bevy of quirky neighbors - who may or may not be ghosts. After a series of increasingly disturbing events, it also comes to her attention that this particular apartment contains a secret doorway to Hell. Upon further investigation, it turns out that these sinister forces are preparing her to be the new guardian, or sentinel, of this doorway. 

This certifiably insane (and kinky) film has a stellar cast, including Chris Sarandon (in what is actually a pretty bland role), Burgess Meredith, Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, Cristina Raines, Martin Balsam, Beverly D'Angelo and Ava Garder, among others. 

Don't miss this film. Amongst all of the thrills and chills, there is also a scene that involves a cat's birthday party. This scene alone is worth the price of the Blu-ray. And what a fabulous Blu-ray it is! Packed with special features, it is another triumph for the good folks at Shout Factory, and comes highly recommended! 

Kino Lorber’s Bluray release of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a cause for celebration amongst film fans. 

Considered one of the first true horror films, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari tells the tale of a crazed “doctor” who acquires a permit at a small town carnival, where he unleashes his latest spectacle - a man inside of a wooden box, a “somnambulist” named Caesar. 

Caesar remains in a state of prolonged sleep and only wakes at the command of Caligari. Soon, many mysterious murders occur in the town, and before long, people begin to suspect that Caligari and Caesar may be the guilty parties. 

In a sleepwalking state and under Caligari’s spell, Caesar roams the town at night, taking victim after victim. A man named Francis takes it upon himself to stop the two monsters, no matter what the cost. 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a silent German classic, which makes iconic use of German Expressionism as far as production design is concerned. Before the film was released in 1920, no one had ever witnessed anything quite like it. It has gone on to inspire some of the major artists of our generation, such as Tim Burton. 

Director Robert Wiene was a true visionary, and this film has gone on to become a favorite amongst cineastes and horror fanatics. To this day, it still remains a terrifying experience - and the “twist ending” has lost none of its power. 

Kino has released the film on a stellar Blu-ray edition that should be included in the library of every serious collector. Special features include a documentary, two separate film scores, and two restoration featurettes - and much more! 

Jörg Buttgereit’s Der Todesking is a film that I approached with much trepidation. So disturbing was the films reputation, that I only agreed to sit through it if I could do so with one of my close friends. When Cult Epics sent me their new Blu-ray release of the film, it sat enclosed in the shrink wrap for quite some time. Finally, a few nights ago, my friend and I sat down to experience this forbidden film in all of its glory. 



And we were surprised.

If not pleasantly, we were surprised nonetheless to find out that Der Todesking is a work of art, fashioned with care by a man who has something profound to communicate on the unavoidable subject of death and mortality. 



Buttgereit’s reputation and past filmography would lead you to believe that Der Todesking is nothing more than a shameless exercise in morbid exploitation. With the two controversial Nekromantik films under his belt, no one could have foreseen that Der Todesking would be as provocative and intellectually satisfying as it is. 



What we have in Der Todesking is an anthology film of sorts. The film unfolds in seven segments - “Monday” through “Sunday” - in which we peek into the pathetic and desperate lives of several individuals as they are faced with death, by way of senseless murder and suicide. Each segment unfolds in a matter-of-fact, emotionally detached fashion. We know nothing of these characters beforehand. We are witnesses to their collective demise and nothing more.



In between - and sometimes interrupting - each segment, we see a body gradually decomposing. Buttgereit never lets us forget the death that is at the heart of the film. We aren’t allowed any comic relief - no escape from the desperation. 

The two segments which bookend the film are definitely the most potent, but nothing here should be dismissed. Der Todesking holds a power which few films can claim, and once you are in its grasp, you’ll stay there until the credits roll - maybe even long after. 



This is not a film for the faint of heart, by any means. You should definitely approach this piece with caution - however, if you are willing to take the plunge, you will find that it is rewarding in many respects. 



The Blu-ray that Cult Epics has released is a pristine collectors edition, complete with a glossy slipcover, several special features, and a special postcard. Film buffs and lovers of underground cinema should definitely check it out.