Showing posts with label Mark of the Devil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark of the Devil. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Fool's Views (3/1 – 3/31)





Back again!

March was a light month in terms of knocking out the flicks, but it did have the highlight of showcasing what will likely be my favorite horror offering of the year.

It Follows demonstrated a level of foreboding, atmospheric dread that I haven’t experienced in quite some time, with a brilliantly simple, uncluttered horror premise. I never thought it would resonate for the mainstream, however, and was legitimately surprised when it earned a wide release. Sure, the hype machine managed to ruin it for many hardcore fright fans, but it delivered the goods in my book, and I’m happy to keep recommending it. (Especially since the rest of the month’s genre selections were less than select.)

And with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, we managed to knock out yet another Redford flick, the very one that sparked my interest in revisiting his onscreen output since it was supposedly an anomaly for Hollywood's golden boy to be playing a villain. Of course, anyone who was paying even the slightest bit of attention should have realized that even Sir Bob's "heroes" are a flawed and cranky bunch, and he's played an out-and-out S.O.B. on more than one occasion.

As before, feel free to leave your two cents worth about any of the titles below – we’ll make sure you get some change back.

Enjoy!

Sharp-tongued retorts will be dealt with accordingly.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

MARK OF THE DEVIL (1970) Blu-ray Review



Mark of the Devil (1970) d. Michael Armstrong (West Germany)

In a small rural township, fear and hatred spread as accusations of witchcraft and devilry fly like so many sparks from a raging bonfire. Of course, any place where Justice wears a face such as that of the wicked Albino (Reggie Nalder), any citizen one might fear for his/her soul. However, upon the arrival of Lord Cumberland’s attachés, in the persons of Count Christian von Meruh (Udo Kier) and Jeff Wilkens (Herbert Fux), it seems that sanity may reign once again when they rescue the beautiful Vanessa (Olivera Vuco) from Albino’s cruel and unlawful clutches. Christian and Vanessa share a brief romance, only to have their love crushed under the unwavering foot of Cumberland (Herbert Lom). Seems our all-powerful witchfinder has a problem with the ladies, or rather with his limp willy’s lack of response to them, and is prepared to stretch, bleed, and burn every last buxon lass in recompense. Will Christian be able to stand up to him without being called a servant of Satan himself?