SHOCK selects some killer gifts to give to your favorite goon this Holiday season!
With the season starting its stranglehold, no doubt many SHOCK readers are psychically steeling themselves to face the real-life horrors of crowded, crushing and wallet-whacking retail outlets in search of that special gift for that awesome someone in your life.
And when that special someone is a horror fan, finding the perfect present is an even more daunting task. That’s why SHOCK has whipped together this little list of evil items that we feel would make you the hero of the holidays. The King of Christmas. The Queen of Kwanzaa. The Houngan of Hanukkah.
You get it.
GOODNIGHT, MOMMY (Anchor Bay)
This quietly nerve-decimating, dream-like German slow-burner is beyond a shred of doubt the scariest film of 2015. What better way to stuff a stocking than with a plastic disc jam-packed with a story about surgery, psychosis and creepy kids? Available on Blu-ray and DVD on December 1st now from Anchor Bay/Starz.
Edgar Allan Poe’s BLACK CATS Box Set (Arrow Video)
Full disclosure: this writer contributed to this handsome sets production. Which is why its even easier for me to recommend Arrows boxed Blu-ray set that includes two undervalued Italian horror films, sculpted by the masters and linked by their narrative connection to Poe. Here, we have Sergio Martinos erotic and sleazy masterpiece YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED DOOR AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY and Lucio Fulcis rather elegant and restrained UK-shot chiller THE BLACK CAT. Both discs come choked with amazing extras and again, the packaging in sumptuous. A real treat for Eurohorror fans and a great gift.
HELLRAISER: THE SCARLET BOX (Arrow Video)
We just rolled out an exhaustive review of this beastly boxed set from horror heroes Arrow Video and, though a tad pricey, its worth every bloody nickel. Collecting the first three films from the mythical franchise kick-started by Clive Barker, THE SCARLET BOX also contains a wealth of extras and bonus discs with a new documentary as well as an edited version of the elephantine HELLRAISER culture examination LEVIATHAN. Praise for the packaging too. If theres a cenobite fan in your fam, you NEED to pick this up.
(And, incidentally, if you dug the photo of Pinhead rocking the Santa hat in this article’s front page, check out the work of brilliant UK artist and HELLRAISER comics hero Nick Percival)
NICOLAS WINDING REFN: THE ACT OF SEEING (FAB Press)
Visionary Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn is renowned for his slick, strange stylized fetish flicks like PUSHER, VALHALA RISING and ONLY GOD FORGIVES. But what may surprise some is that Refns aesthetic is informed by vintage international exploitation cinema. In this massive coffee table book from FAB Press, Refn and his collaborator, noted UK film journo and author Alan Jones, compile hundreds of vintage sexploitation posters from Refns own personal collection, along with short, informative capsule reviews. A fascinating peek into the mind of one of the most exciting filmmakers working today and a stunning visual tour of the underbelly of cinema. Get it HERE.
THE ART OF HORROR (Applause Theatre & Cinema Books)
The mother of all creepy coffee table books, Stephen Jones THE ART OF HORROR is a jaw-dropping collection of art charting the illustrated history of the genre in art, film, literature and international popular culture. The wildest collection of odds, ends, essentials and esoterica Ive ever seen collected in one place. From Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. Get your copy of this incredible tome HERE.
ZomCom ALIEN Eggs/ Baby Rots-a-Lot (ZomCom)
You dont have to board the Nostromo to get your mitts on these wicked little ALIEN egg statues. From Toronto-based gruesome gift company ZomCom, these snazzy hand-made Giger-esque repros come in three designs, including a pulsing night-light. ZomCom also makes other freaky gifts for the lunatic in your life, including their famous “Baby Rots-a-Lot” dolls, the likes of which have appeared on AMCs COMIC BOOK MEN. Peruse ZomComs weird wares (including a line of high-end nail polish from their sister company) by hitting www.ZomCom.ca
Tarman Action Figure (Amok Time)
From New York based toy wizards Amok Time comes this already legendary deluxe action figure of everyones favorite brain eating ghoul, the Tarman from Dan OBannons 1985 masterpiece RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. Movable, jaw, amazing detail and neat features like a pre-melted Tarman still stuck in his Trioxin canister. Totally badass. The company has been out of stock for some time but you can find some of these outrageous figures on Amazon, right in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. The price is high but soooo worth it! Act fast!
HANNIBAL: The Complete Third Season (Lionsgate)
The third and, sadly, final season of Bryan Fullers brilliant, evocative and ultimately groundbreaking network TV show is out on Blu-ray/DVD on December 8th and is a must own for serious fans and collectors. Outside of the packaging, this swan song season is probably the best of the three: perverse, elegant and unforgettable. Get this extras-packed set for the flesh-eater in your family HERE.
Two by Jess Franco: EUGENIE AND JUSTINE (Blue Underground)
Blue Undergrounds lush releases of two of Jess Franco/Harry Alan Towers/Maria Rohms greatest collaborations: EUGENIE and JUSTINE, amazing, beautifully produced masterworks of Euro-erotic Marquis de Sade-centric sexploitation made by two men who fully completely understood the sub-genre. These releases come stacked with extras and feature a third disc with the full, uncut licensed from Italys BEAT Records, evocative Bruno Nicolai scores. A fantastic introduction for new Franco fans and a must-have for hardcore fans and collectors.
Sam Christmas Ornament (MOB)
From MOB (Middle of Beyond) comes this blown-glass beauty, a faithful reproduction of the now-iconic Sam character from the contemporary seasonal classic TRICK R TREAT. Any serious horror fan would love to have this sucker hanging from their branch and at $19.99 (and super fast domestic shipping!) its a steal! Get it HERE.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE Hoodie (TeeKiwi)
Enter a dimension of sight, sound, mind and comfort with this classy hoodie from T-Shirt joint TeeKiwi. ZONE wear should always rest on the strength of Rod Serling’s pen and the monochrome elegance that defined his iconic CBS TV series. This hoodie (also available as a T-shirt and long-sleeve). But you have to act fast as this baby is almost sold out!
THE LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES Vinyl Soundtrack (Dust Bug Records)
UK label Dust Bug Records has licensed (like they did with the vintage Hammer DRACULA album featuring Christophe Lee last year) the original soundtrack recording for this ballistic, late-period Hammer film and faithfully, beautifully, have re-released the album on vinyl, a limited edition affair with only 500 numbered copies pressed. Features Peter Cushing narration and blistering James Bernard music.
Its a lovely thing
Happy Horrordays and have fun SHOCKing, er, shopping!
