Documentary
Rod Lott
Significantly updated from his 1985 documentary, The Definitive Document of the Dead promises to be the last word director Roy Frumkes has to say on his subject of zombie godfather George A. Romero. If not, perhaps it should be.

Horror
Rod Lott
Aside from re-creating two or three minor scenes, Silent Night in no way could be called a true remake of 1984's extremely controversial Silent Night, Deadly Night. Flicks about a killer Santa Claus have existed before and since; if not for the value of a brand-name, this could be just another.

Horror
Rod Lott
“Paired” — ahem — thematically across six discs are 12 feature films hosted by Elvira, the Mistress of the Dark, on her Mega Movie Marathon. Far from the horror hostess’ only DVD in circulation, this collection offers tremendous value by compiling several previously released double features into one set.

Horror
Rod Lott
When I first heard of Mimesis, I thought it was a great idea: horror fans unwittingly participating in a live role-playing game that plops them into the classic film Night of the Living Dead. Now that I've seen it, however, I realize I was wrong. It's a terrible idea, and one executed poorly by Dark Fields director Douglas Schulze.

Thriller
Rod Lott
And just like that, director Frédéric Jardin leaps onto my ongoing radar for his work on Sleepless Night, a powerhouse French-language thriller. The crime film begins with action and rarely lets up during its 98-minute sprint.

Horror
Rod Lott
Eduardo Rodriguez has put three pictures in the can (including the upcoming Fright Night 2) since completing his directorial debut, Curandero: Dawn of the Demon, in 2005. Why, then, has it taken roughly eight years for Curandero to hit DVD? You got me; it’s not as if a lack of quality has stopped any flick before.

Nonfiction
Rod Lott
Curtis Harrington’s autobiography is how I imagine the man to have been: soft-spoken, honest and intelligent. Those wondering, “Who’s Curtis Harrington?” should know that is part of the book’s point. Here was a talented filmmaker who never quite got his due, for reasons that had nothing to do with creativity and everything to do with commerce. Here was an artist who worked in a system that had no interest in art.