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Showing posts from February, 2021

The Invisible Man Appears

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A kitschy but oh-so catchy double-feature of early Japanese sci-fi, Arrow Video's debut of  The Invisible Man Appears  (1949) and  The Invisible Man vs The Human Fly  (1957) is an unexpected treat for fans of the obscure, featuring a noirish black-and-white visual palette and special effects work by the future father of Godzilla, Eiji Tsuburaya, to create the film's transparent visual gags and gimmicks.  Although both films feature more heists than horror, they're a piece of H.G. Wells inspired history that have never been seen outside of Japan.   When Professor Nakazato's invisibility potion goes missing - along with the Professor himself - the police have no choice but to name him the lead suspect in a mysterious case of assaults and robberies revolving around a priceless diamond necklace.  Appearing in his signature bandages and trench coat, the Invisible Man makes fools of the police and uses his stolen super-science to wreak havoc in Kobe!   Opening and closing wit

The Bloodhound

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The godfather of modern indie horror isn't one of the big names in the '70s or '80s pantheon, it's David Lynch, whose narrative absurdities and twisted worldview is on full display in films like  Heredity, The Lodge  and  Gretel & Hansel .  For better or worse, Lynch's detached, distorted style has seeped into the cinematic landscape with a vengeance.  Look no further than  The Bloodhound  (2020), director Patrick Picard's half-speed riff on  House of Usher , for a prime example of indie experimental excess.   Francis pays an unexpected visit to JP and Vivian, twin siblings who live a life of self-imposed imprisonment in their stylish modern home.  Beset with existential ennui and inexplicable physical symptoms, his hosts proceed to drag him into their psychological whirlpool of angst and depression.  Oh, and a creature that may or may not actually exist hides in a wardrobe and army crawls down the hall from time to time to raid the fridge.   There's lik