in my opinion anyway…
So far, I’ve discussed my first three picks for the best genre DVD labels in the US. To save you a few clicks, here’s how the list is shaping up so far. My #10 spot came down to a tie between heavy weight label Anchor Bay and the infinitely smaller (and sadly defunct) label Barrel Entertainment. My #9 choice was Code Red, a label which has excelled at releasing great prints of some truly niche titles but suffers from a few quality control problems. #8 belonged to Mya Communications, a small label that releases some really bizarre Italian genre titles but unfortunately does nothing to better the print quality of their releases. So now that we’re up to date, we can move on to the next batch.
#7

Although their focus has shifted to new films, the catalog of older titles offered by Dark Sky is impressive, though not very extensive. But quality always trumps quantity and the titles offered by Dark Sky are great. BONNIE’S KIDS, THE KILLING KIND, AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS, EATEN ALIVE, ASLYUM, THE BEAST MUST DIE, THE DEVIL’S RAIN, HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER and THE FLESH EATERS are all essential titles for fans of horror cinema. Dark Sky’s attention to detail is impressive and the transfers they use for their releases are near the top of the scale. Their lack of releases for older cult films is regrettable given their track record.
TOP 5 DARK SKY TITLES

#1 SPIDER BABY – Dark Sky did a major service to cult film fans everywhere when they released Jack Hill’s amazing SPIDER BABY in 2007. Easily the best release in Dark Sky’s line-up, this film is in equal measures camp and terror and has stood the test of time as one of the best cult film oddities of all time.

#2 WHO CAN KILL A CHILD? – A brilliant horror film with political undertones, WHO CAN KILL A CHILD? is the killer child film taken to horrifying new extremes. The incredible atmosphere is captured wonderfully in this beautiful release and the extras, consisting of two interesting interviews, adds a healthy dollop of context to the film. An essential purchase.

#3 TRAGIC CEREMONY – TRAGIC CEREMONY is not Riccardo Freda’s best film but it is one of his most visually impressive. For years the only way to experience this film was in shoddy bootleg editions that robbed the film of all its visual splendor. Dark Sky corrects the problem with a stunning 1.85:1 transfer. It’s not a very good film from start to finish but it is definitely an interesting viewing experience.

#4 RICCO THE MEAN MACHINE – A Spanish/Italian action revenge flick best known for a very graphic castration (and a very hot Barbara Bouchet strip tease), RICCO is high camp, light on story but high on style. This is drive-in trash done well, fun without being demanding, violent without being exploitative. The Dark Sky release is the best this film has ever looked.

#5 THE CENTERFOLD GIRLS – One of the most divisive slasher films ever made, THE CENTERFOLD GIRLS has a very rough reputation as the ultimate in misogynist trash. What is often overlooked is how good the film looks and how well directed it is by John Peyser. This is easily the best transfer of the film I’ve ever seen. The extras on offer here are slim but having this notorious film in a nice 1.66:1 transfer more than makes up for it.
#6

Shriek Show has been around for quite some time and their line-up is rife with some of the worst and some of the best the exploitation film has to offer. The quality isn’t always the best but the extras are usually intriguing. Shriek Show is also known for releasing triple packs of exploitation films for cheap, bringing cannibal films, Nazisploitation and Italian trash cinema into households for the cost of a single DVD. For lovers of lower level exploitation, Shriek Show is a godsend.
TOP 5 SHRIEK SHOW TITLES

#1 SHRIEK SHOW TRIPLE FEATURE PACKS – The quality of the DVDs is a mixed bag but the price is right. Psycho Killers Triple Feature (DELIRIUM: PHOTO OF GIORA, HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK, BEYOND THE DARKNESS), Jungle Horrors Triple Feature (JUNGLE HOLOCAUST, EATEN ALIVE, MASSACRE IN DINOSAUR VALLEY), Evil Animals Triple Feature (GRIZZLY, DAY OF THE ANIMALS, DEVIL DOG: THE HOUND OF HELL), SS Hell Triple Feature (SS EXPERIMENT LOVE CAMP, SS GIRLS, SS CAMP WOMAN’S HELL)… those are the some of the easiest buying decisions for any genre fan to make. And for about $20 a pop, they’re virtually risk free.

#2 WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? – Massimo Dallamano’s brilliant giallo classic has been poorly served on home video. Shriek Show’s beautiful presentation corrects that, featuring a beautiful 1.85:1 transfer with beautiful colors and sharp details. There are no extras outside of a gallery but that doesn’t matter. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? is worth every penny. A beautiful release of an amazing film.

#3 ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK – Sergio Martino’s mixture of Satanic cult horror and giallo is uneven and shaky but Shriek Show’s release is rock solid. Boasting a gorgeous transfer and excellent interviews, this is an easy choice for giallo fans (or Edwige Fenech fans).

#4 MAN FROM DEEP RIVER – The granddaddy of the Italian cannibal film, Umberto Lenzi’s MAN FROM DEEP RIVER doesn’t contain nearly as much carnage as the films that followed it but it nevertheless a must-own for fans of genre cinema. Shriek Show’s presentation is good but the extras are a bit underwhelming. Still, as a piece of Italian genre history, it should be in every serious collector’s collection.

#5 SPASMO – A bizarre giallo from Umberto Lenzi, SPASMO remains insanely popular even though it is way too high on the melodrama to make any kind of visceral impact. The giallo may be an acquired taste but SPASMO takes that to a whole new level, creating a film that will baffle much more than half of those who view it. Shriek Show’s transfer is beautiful though and the film should be seen by anyone interested in the giallo.
#5

Another short lived but excellent label, Subversive was home to only a handful of essential titles. But what a handful of titles they were. A remarkable release of Richard Stanley’s DUST DEVIL, the immortal THE CANDY SNATCHERS, THE FREAKMAKER, BLOOD BATH, METAL SKIN and LIVING HELL… Subversive’s short catalog of titles is full of ultimate cult oddities. Excellent transfers coupled with great extras made each Subversive an instant buy regardless of whether or not the film itself interested you.
TOP 5 SUBVERSIVE TITLES

#1 THE CANDY SNATCHERS – The calling card release for Subversive, THE CANDY SNATCHERS brought one of the best exploitation films of the 1970s into the very deserving limelight. Regulated to the realm of VHS bootlegs for years and years, THE CANDY SNATCHERS arrived looking beautiful and filled with great extras. This is easily one of the best exploitation oddities of the 1970s and every serious collector needs this disc in their collection.

#2 SAVAGE SINEMA FROM DOWN UNDER – A four disc beauty, Subversive’s collection of Mark Savage films is the best boxed set ever devoted to a filmmaker that no one had ever heard of before. Quality is as good as one could hope for given the fact that two of the features and most of the included short films were shot on the cheap. The real revelation here is DEFENCELESS, a silent rape / revenge flick with supernatural undertones set to a glorious, sweeping score. An excellent boxed set.

#3 THE WITCH WHO CAME FROM THE SEA – Not nearly as squirm inducing as you may have heard, Matt Cimber’s film finds its way under your skin and stays there for a long time. Benefitting immensely from Millie Perkins’ excellent central performance, THE WITCH WHO CAME FROM THE SEA is a complicated drama that grows more disturbing as the film goes on. Subversive released the film in a great 2.35:1 transfer. The audio commentary by Matt Climber, Millie Perkins and director of photography Dean Cundey is excellent (if poorly recorded).

#4 DUST DEVIL: THE FINAL CUT – A great release. Subversive includes two cuts of this stunning film (a workprint and a beautifully restored director’s cut print), three documentaries (THE SECRET GLORY, VOICE OF THE MOON and THE WHITE DARKNESS), three booklets (a production diary, a comic book and a booklet of essays) and a CD featuring Simon Boswell’s evocative score. There are even more extras sprinkled throughout the discs, including excellent commentary tracks by director Richard Stanley. This is the most comprehensive edition ever of this much maligned film. Essential stuff.

#5 BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL – What a bizarre, entertaining mash-up of a film this is. Like a splatter movie version of SHAOLIN SOCCER (except with baseball, of course), BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL is tremendous fun. Two great making-of documentaries and the best audio commentary this side of EVIL DEAD 2 makes the Subversive edition a winner.
Next up, number 2, 3 and 4…























