El Ataud del Vampiro (1957)

A grave robber accidentally resurrects Karol Lavud while delivering his body to a hospital Dr. Enrique resides in. Now Enrique must protect Marta from the evil vampire.

This is the sequel to El Vampiro that was released six months after it’s debut. A lot of the same actors come back and really click again. Abel Salizar shows more of himself including his comedic edge in this , which is awesome. A lot of the scenes are beautifully framed and Victor Huerta, the cinematographer, also plays a lot with light and shadows which creates a lot of memorable scenes. This is a very strong sequel and stands on it’s own at the same time.

If there is any downsides to this film…well..besides the cheap special effects (c’mon. give them a little slack)….I think it was a little too fast. While I don’t mind hitting the ground running, they were throwing everything out in one go. I don’t mine a little bit of pacing to set up things and get in the mood. This movie almost loses it. Another thing is that there were holes in the story. Nothing too prominent, but it’s just there. Certain character disappear and appear and you wonder what the hell happen to them. Otherwise, it’s cool.

this is the second disc out of the Vampire Chronicles from Casa Negra. This is like the first disc. The video and audio quality is excellent. You get the original film and K. Murray cut along with the old radio ad put out in the US.

Of course, like El Vampiro, this is a must have. Even though this movie is packaged in a two disc package, if this was a stand alone and if you were collecting Mexican horror, I’d say get this one around near the end of the journey. This is a big title, but I think that seeing both movies back to back kinda flattens the series. So pace yourself with this one

3 stars.

El Vampiro (1957)

A woman travels to her hometown to find her hacienda dilapidated, one of her aunts dead and her other aunt strangely begging her to sell the hacienda. It is later found out that all these happened under the cunning mind of a vampire who wishes to resurrect the remains of his brother and use the hacienda as a new headquarters.

Mexico’s first classic horror movie.This is what started Fantastic film in Mexico. The gothics and atmosphere are great. The cinematography is very moody and framed wonderfully. The acting was very well done. Especially from German Robles, who makes his debut in this film. Fast trivia fact. Robles character, Karol de Lavud, was the first vampire not only to be filmed getting out of his coffin, but also the first vampire to bar his fangs as well.

What really made this film great was that they took the idea of vampires and the Universal ideal and made it their own. Where Universal’s Dracula took place in an alternate reality and Hammer’s Horror of Dracula took place during Victorian England, El Vampiro took place in the present day rural Mexico. This helped the build up of tension and horror better. Which makes it so good.

If there needs to be any complaints about the film, it’s that Abel Salizar was as utilized as the Van Helsing type character. Sure, he was built up that way, and it was cool someone else killed Lavud, but Abel’s character was too much Harker to be Van Helsing.

Again, Casa Negra gives you packages. This is the first disc in the two disc collection. There are some defects in the film and shows on the DVD, but I’m Cool with that. The audio is alright. You get a ton of extras. You got both original print and the K. Gordon dub. A commentary track by author Robert Cotter, who is the big aficionado of Mexican Fantastic. A photo essay, “Fear a la Mexicana.” by historian David Witt, Abel Salizar’s obituary from the Boston Globe, bios and An American Radio ad.

All horror fans must have this in their collection. This is a classic in the way that it started a great trend in movies. It is a must. General fans will dig it too as a conversation piece.

Five stars.

La Maldicion de La Llorona (1961)

A woman and her husband returns to the home of the aunt who raised her on the eve of her 25th birthday, only to find out that she is the basis of curse that sees her become  forced into the resurrecting of La Llorona.

A lot of people who I’ve talked to about this movie has stated that it has a very Black Sunday like vibe to it. I tend to agree. Black Sunday was released a year before this picture and I wouldn’t be surprised if Rafael Baledon, the director was inspired by Bava to make this film. What makes it interesting is that you can not say it’s a copy. While it does have the basic structure, Baledon amps up the Gothics and adds a bit of supernatural psychedelics to make it his own. His play with shadow and light, as well as working in just one large set makes the movie truly unique. The music also works well with  the movie. I wish the score was availible to purchase. The actors work well off one another, especially between Rosa Arenas, Rita Macedo and Abel Salazar, who by this time have worked on projects together before.

I think the only thing I had trouble with was the pacing. There were several moments that felt like they dragged on and on. Now granted, my first and second viewing of the movie was hindered because I was quite tired the time I was watching the movie. The third and fourth viewings however had myself nodding a bit.Things were a bit too silent and a bit too slow. I’d have preferred a bit more dialogue to kill the monotony.

I love Casa Negra. They’re like that cool new friend you just made who finds out some of your hobbies and leads you to a whole basement of glorious joy because he or she knows you’ll probably put it to the best use. They give you a very well made package. Not a DVD, a package. You get a bilingual disc with the original print and the K.Murray Prods. dub (I dig the original because it flows smoother.) The video is brilliant and the audio, despite some wear is quite good. Extras include stills and poster gallery, an essay on Baledon by David Wilt, bios, a commentary track done quite well by Casa Negra veep and historian Michel Luizza and an insert containing another essay by Entertainment Weekly’s Peter Landau as well as original art done by Rue Morgue Magazine’s Gary Pullin. See! A package!

I urge the horror and general film fan alike to pick this up and give it a once over. You will not regret watching this movie.

Four Stars.

Coming Attractions…

Alucarda, La Hija de Las Tinieblas (1978)

Two orphan girls journey into an abandoned crypt and suddenly become possessed by an evil spirit. They then dwelve into devil worship and terrorize the convent they call home.

Now first of all, a lot of people like to call Alucarda a derivative and member of the Exorcist line of horror movies. It’s not. What the director, Montezuma, was trying to do was reinvent Dracula and the vampire myth. Instead of the immortal euro trash male with fangs and a real thirst of blood, we got a “heliophobic demon.” possessing two young girls. Even before the party gets started, we are introduced to Alucarda who comes off as somewhat of an emotional vampire who feeds off those around her. It’s a really interesting picture. It was very atmospheric. Great use of locations as well.

What really makes the film work is the actors. Tina Romero really creeps up the place as Alucarda. Before and after being possessed. Someone who feeds of emotions, You can somewhat say she’s a bit bipolar. She plays the character full to the hilt. You also got the great Claudio Brook doing double duty as the good doctor and what could be the villain. I’m not sure. Brook reminds me of some of the Hammer guys like Lee and Cushing. His acting is very natural. You think he’s just part of the film. A true master.

The Mondo Macabro disc is Divine. It comes with a small documentary about Montezuma, a biography, a filmography, a Montezuma interview, an interview with Guillermo del Toro about how Montezuma influenced him, stills and a kick ass trailer. This disc is a fracking treasure trove. The only complaint is that there is a slight hum in the audio. It’s not annoying. just there. But an awesome DVD none the less.

three and a half stars.