DAHMER (2002) Blu-ray Review

SCARE-A-THON Totals to Date:

Total Movies Watched: 5
Total First Time Views: 4
Amount raised for BOXVILLE: $315.25

Dahmer (2002) d. David Jacobson (USA) (102 min) (1st viewing)

The story of mild-mannered Wisconsin serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer sent shock waves through the Midwest and the country when he was finally arrested in the summer of 1991, ending a reign of terror that spanned nearly two decades and claimed the lives of 17 men and boys. Dubbed “the Milwaukee Cannibal” and “the Milwaukee Monster” by the press, Dahmer became an instant household name, evoking a potent combination of revulsion and fascination from the American public. While the case specifics are exceedingly bizarre and perverse (cannibalism, necrophilia), writer/directory Jacobson’s filmic account elects to focus less on the gruesome details and more upon the individual that perpetrated them. It is this attention to Dahmer’s flawed humanity that elevates what could have been a ghoulish celebration of real-life atrocities into a genuine character study that offers no easy nor pat answers.

WILLARD (1971) Blu-ray Review

Willard (1971) d. Mann, Daniel (USA)

Bruce Davison stars as the title character, a shy and awkward young man slaving away in the factory office under the thumb of his bullying ogre of a boss (Ernest Borgnine, superb) who stole the business away from Willard’s father. To make matters worse, he has no real friends except those of his batty bedridden mother (Elsa Lanchester) and spends his spare time waiting on her and/or making repairs on their crumbling abode. But Willard’s life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers a nest of rats living in the backyard, especially once he discovers that they can be tamed and trained to perform certain simple tasks... like infiltrating his boss’ dinner party or assisting in petty thievery.

THE LORDS OF SALEM (2012) movie review

Lords of Salem, The (2012) (1st viewing) d. Zombie, Rob (USA)

Heidi Hawthorne (Sheri Moon Zombie), one third of a local late night heavy rock radio DJ triptych, receives an unsolicited wooden box containing a mysterious vinyl record. Believing it to be some independent artists’ novel attempt at promotion, Heidi and her cohorts (played by Ken Foree and Jeff Daniel Phillips) give “The Lords” disc an on-air spin, unwittingly releasing dark forces that slowly, inexorably descend upon our fair protagonist. Roused by the 33 1/3 chant, the spirits of a coven of executed Salem witches – aided by a trio of weird sisters (Patricia Quinn, Dee Wallace, Judy Geeson) – vie for Heidi’s soul, while an aging historian (Bruce Davison) attempts to halt the onslaught.