Horror Movie Reviews
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Title: Carnival of Souls (2005) |
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Review of Carnival of Souls
- This classic horror tale is now restored and in color for the first time, complete with an irreverent bonus commentary from Mike Nelson of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" fame.
Product Description
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Comments for Carnival of Souls
- Posted on 2008-07-15
movie
Nostalgic. I used to watch this movie as a child in 60's and 70's. Very atmospheric and I love the organ music. Thank for the prompt service.
Score: 5
- Posted on 2007-12-02
Nelson does it again
Mike Nelson does it again. He makes a really bad movie into a funny movie! The colorization looks great. Half the time you are not sure what is going on. The director plays a character in the movie. Mike Nelson makes it easier to watch. If you need a good laugh I would recommend watching this movie, even though it was suppose to be scary....it's not.
Score: 5 - Posted on 2007-11-29
The "Carnival" just got colourful...
CARNIVAL OF SOULS is one of the benchmark cult classics and needs no further recommendation from me. I'm focusing this review on the actual DVD release from Legend Films.
The computer-colour process (used to make B&W films more appealing for modern audiences) has come a long way in the last ten years or so. Remember when it used to look like a toddler had run riot with crayons, with pastel shades, waxy fleshtones and strange grainy effects on faces? All that is now thankfully a thing of the past.
The colouring of CARNIVAL OF SOULS is just about as natural and understated as it possibly can be. The colours are bright and realistic, and stay strong during tracking shots. The overall print quality used by Legend Films for this release is crisp and defect-free (and I've seen some shocking Public Domain prints of this movie). Also included is the original B&W version--thankfully. Generally I don't approve of colouring old movies (the original directors and costume designers had a vision!), but some movies benefit more than others.
The bonus audio commentary by "Mystery Science Theater"'s Mike Nelson is a real highpoint. CARNIVAL OF SOULS fans should support this quality release.
Score: 3
- Posted on 2007-09-16
"Carnival of Souls (1962) ... Herk Harvey ... Legend Films (2005)"
Legend Films presents "CARNIVAL OF SOULS" (Released: 2 November 1962) (78 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- Carnival of Souls is a horror film released in 1962 --- Produced and directed by Herk Harvey for an estimated $33,000, the movie never gained widespread public attention when it was originally released as it was intended as a B film and today, remains obscure --- Set to an organ score by Gene Moore, Carnival of Souls relies more on atmosphere than on special effects to create its mood of horror --- The film has a cult following and occasionally has screenings at local film and Halloween festivals.
Herk Harvey was a Lawrence, Kansas-based director and producer of industrial and educational films for the Centron Corporation --- While vacationing in Salt Lake City, he developed the idea for the movie after driving past the abandoned Saltair Pavilion --- John Clifford (Screenwriter), Maurice Prather (Cinematographer), Gene Moore (Composer (Music Score), Bill de Jarnette (Editor), Dan Palmquist (Editor) --- Hiring an unknown actress, Lee Strasberg-trained Candace Hilligoss, and otherwise employing mostly local talent, he shot Carnival of Souls in three weeks, on location in Lawrence and Salt Lake City. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The story line and plot, riding in a car with two friends Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss) are forced off a bridge into a river --- Mary emerges from the river, as it appears to the audience that all have been drowned --- with a new job as the church organist Mary goes on with her life as she knows it --- a mysterious phantom figure that seems to reside in an old run-down pavilion keeps showing up and Mary must now confront her personal demons of her spiritual insouciance.--- just too much good to be said about this small masterpiece of independent film making --- once you experience the dreamlike qualities of this eerie masterpiece you'll never have another quiet nights sleep again.
the cast includes:
Candace Hilligoss ... Mary Henry
Frances Feist ... Mrs. Thomas, Landlady
Sidney Berger ... John Linden
Art Ellison ... Minister
Stan Levitt ... Dr. Samuels
Tom McGinnis ... Organ Factory Boss
Forbes Caldwell ... Organ Factory Worker
Dan Palmquist ... Gas Station Attendant
Bill de Jarnette ... Mechanic (as Bill De Jarnette)
Steve Boozer ... Chip, Man at Juke Box
Pamela Ballard ... Dress Sales Lady
Larry Sneegas ... Drag Racer
Cari Conboy ... Lake Zombie
Karen Pyles ... Dress Store Customer
T.C. Adams ... Dancing Zombie
Sharon Scoville ... Mary's Girlfriend
Mary Ann Harris ... Mary's Girlfriend
Peter Schnitzler ... A Walking Corpse
Bill Sollner ... Lake Zombie
Reza Badiyi ... Bus Ticket Customer
Ed Down ... Man At Bridge
Herk Harvey ... 'The Man'
Wayne Shmille ... Sheriff At Bridge
SPECIAL FEATURES -
1. Includes All-New Color Version and Original Black and White Version
2. Audio Commentary by Mike Nelson of TV?s ?Mystery Science Theater 3000?
3. Digitally Restored and Remastered Video
4. Digitally Remixed 5.1 Surround Sound
5. Original Theatrical Trailer in COLOR
6. Classic Horror Trailers
Legend Films can restore, colorize and release many of the classic earliest black and white films --- a patented coloring and remastering process makes each film picture perfect plus more vivd than ever --- no one can resist collecting every title that Legend Films releases --- The Legend Films edition of the film contains both colorized and black and white versions of the aforementioned director's cut and a humorous audio commentary track by Michael J. Nelson, a former writer and host of Mystery Science Theater 3000 --- The comedian mocks the low budget film's flaws in the style of an episode of the series.
Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO & CTO) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector.
Total Time: 78 mins on DVD ~ Legend Films. ~ (3/29/2005)
Score: 5 - Posted on 2006-12-17
AVOID THIS RELEASE!
The Criterion 2-disc edition is far superior in image and sound quality to this release and, most importantly, is the only one endorsed by the surviving creators. You can receive thoughtful and in-depth information on the film with that release, something Mike Nelson's comedic commentary could never provide. Plus you get the two original versions of the film, neither of which are colorized.
Score: 1
