Castle Freak (1995)
Studio: Full Moon Pictures
Theatrical Release: November 14, 1995 (direct to video)
Blu Ray Release: August 20, 2013
Director: Stuart Gordon
R
Review by James Klein
Based on the short story The Outsider by H.P. Lovecraft, Castle Freak is really from the mind of Lovecraft scholar Stuart Gordon whose most known for his now cult classic Re-Animator and the underrated From Beyond. While the short story was just a few pages long, Gordon came up with the story (along with screenwriter Dennis Paoli, whose worked on numerous Gordon films) about a family who not only inherits a castle but the creature that lives inside it.
Gordon regulars Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Hampton star as John and Susan Reilly, an estranged couple who have traveled to Rome with their blind daughter Rebecca to see the castle that John has inherited. While the family stays in this spooky castle, they can't seem to keep from killing one another as we find out that John is a former alcoholic that caused his daughter to go blind and son killed when he was driving drunk one night. John is begging for his wife's forgiveness which she cannot give but still tries to be supportive of him while he closes on the castle. It is refreshing to see a horror film take on some real life horrors instead of the old "happy family stuck in a haunted house" cliche.
While inside the castle, the family start to hear strange noises at night with objects being knocked down and Rebecca claiming that something is visiting her bedroom at night. As John begins to unravel and Susan ready to leave, they soon find out that one of the last relatives in that castle is still alive and hides within its walls. The creature may not mean harm but can't help its lust for blood. In one graphic gore scene, a prostitute that John brings home is horribly attacked sexually as the creature rips off her breast and performs his own version of cunnilingus. Gordon, known for over-the-top gore in his other films, doesn't shy away from the grue here which may cause timid viewers to turn off the movie.
While Castle Freak is a fun movie to watch with its intentional black humor, over the top violence and spooky atmosphere, the film does drag at times and one wishes this was cut down by at least 10-15 minutes. Combs and Hampton do their best to keep one interested in the characters but both have always had a tendency to chew the scenery at times, being melodramatic when not needed. While not as scary as From Beyond or as action packed as Re-Animator, Castle Freak is still a decent scare film and one Gordon and Lovecraft fans may want to have for their collection.
Full Moon's blu ray may be a step up from its release of Subspecies and Puppet Master but they still need some help in the picture department. The movie isn't even 20 years old but the film contains scratches and burn marks that could easily be cleaned up. The film has always been grainy as that was the film stock Gordon used but can they at least try a little in making it a bit more clear. The picture isn't sharp and is too soft at times. It is a step up from the old VHS tape I saw back in the 90's. The 5.1 surround is also a bit weak as it was hard to hear some of the dialog over the loud thunder storms and over the top soundtrack. I did however enjoy the special features on this blu ray with an old "making of" with the cast and crew behind the scenes shooting the film. There is also a new interview with Gordon as well as my favorite special feature; William Shatner interviewing Gordon, Combs and Crampton while dressed in a tuxedo! What I liked about this was that the interview provided the most captivating stories about the making of the film (not to mention that anything with Shatner is almost always gold).
If you haven't seen Castle Freak and are in the mood for something a little over the top and gross, you can't go wrong here. It may be a bit slow but does provide enough atmosphere and chills to keep the film from falling apart.
[Rating: 3]
Theatrical Release: November 14, 1995 (direct to video)
Blu Ray Release: August 20, 2013
Director: Stuart Gordon
R
Review by James Klein
Based on the short story The Outsider by H.P. Lovecraft, Castle Freak is really from the mind of Lovecraft scholar Stuart Gordon whose most known for his now cult classic Re-Animator and the underrated From Beyond. While the short story was just a few pages long, Gordon came up with the story (along with screenwriter Dennis Paoli, whose worked on numerous Gordon films) about a family who not only inherits a castle but the creature that lives inside it.
Gordon regulars Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Hampton star as John and Susan Reilly, an estranged couple who have traveled to Rome with their blind daughter Rebecca to see the castle that John has inherited. While the family stays in this spooky castle, they can't seem to keep from killing one another as we find out that John is a former alcoholic that caused his daughter to go blind and son killed when he was driving drunk one night. John is begging for his wife's forgiveness which she cannot give but still tries to be supportive of him while he closes on the castle. It is refreshing to see a horror film take on some real life horrors instead of the old "happy family stuck in a haunted house" cliche.
While inside the castle, the family start to hear strange noises at night with objects being knocked down and Rebecca claiming that something is visiting her bedroom at night. As John begins to unravel and Susan ready to leave, they soon find out that one of the last relatives in that castle is still alive and hides within its walls. The creature may not mean harm but can't help its lust for blood. In one graphic gore scene, a prostitute that John brings home is horribly attacked sexually as the creature rips off her breast and performs his own version of cunnilingus. Gordon, known for over-the-top gore in his other films, doesn't shy away from the grue here which may cause timid viewers to turn off the movie.
While Castle Freak is a fun movie to watch with its intentional black humor, over the top violence and spooky atmosphere, the film does drag at times and one wishes this was cut down by at least 10-15 minutes. Combs and Hampton do their best to keep one interested in the characters but both have always had a tendency to chew the scenery at times, being melodramatic when not needed. While not as scary as From Beyond or as action packed as Re-Animator, Castle Freak is still a decent scare film and one Gordon and Lovecraft fans may want to have for their collection.
Full Moon's blu ray may be a step up from its release of Subspecies and Puppet Master but they still need some help in the picture department. The movie isn't even 20 years old but the film contains scratches and burn marks that could easily be cleaned up. The film has always been grainy as that was the film stock Gordon used but can they at least try a little in making it a bit more clear. The picture isn't sharp and is too soft at times. It is a step up from the old VHS tape I saw back in the 90's. The 5.1 surround is also a bit weak as it was hard to hear some of the dialog over the loud thunder storms and over the top soundtrack. I did however enjoy the special features on this blu ray with an old "making of" with the cast and crew behind the scenes shooting the film. There is also a new interview with Gordon as well as my favorite special feature; William Shatner interviewing Gordon, Combs and Crampton while dressed in a tuxedo! What I liked about this was that the interview provided the most captivating stories about the making of the film (not to mention that anything with Shatner is almost always gold).
If you haven't seen Castle Freak and are in the mood for something a little over the top and gross, you can't go wrong here. It may be a bit slow but does provide enough atmosphere and chills to keep the film from falling apart.
[Rating: 3]
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