Dead Next Door
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: B+ Film: C
While I may not be the biggest fan of the Horror-genre,
every now and again there comes a film that strikes me. When it comes to the low-budget schlock
Horror films there are very few that impress me and Dead Next Door is of
no exception. The reason is fairly
simple: even low budget movies cost lots of money and it seems like just a
waste of time when it is spent on a plot-less bloodbath. Not only that, but most of these ‘campy’
films just copy off each other or films that inspired them, so it’s one poor
tired idea after another. The result is
a film that fails to work on just about every imaginable level. This is a complete tragedy when there are
talented individuals in the world who can’t get their films made.
Given that I am not a fan in particular to such films,
from my understanding Dead Next Door still has a fair following behind
it and fans of this genre will find it entertaining. One thing is absolutely sure and that is this DVD edition of the
film is incredibly packed for being a low budget film!
Technically it would take a lot in order to make this film
look that incredible since it was shot on Super 8 to begin with. Despite being on 8mm there is still good
color and detail that even some digital formats can’t touch to this day. The full frame 1.33 X 1 transfer looks as
good as it’s probably going to get given it’s original source, the fact that
it’s from 1988, and it’s hard to tell how it’s been treated over the years. Incredibly enough the sound has been
reworked in both Dolby 2.0 and Dolby 5.1, which is a sure upgrade for this
film. The 2.0 is thin, but the 5.1 is a
bit less compressed and sounds more interesting and a tad thicker. Neither are that incredibly sonic in design
or execution, but are a nice bump up for the film.
Extras are the real seller in this case as we have
commentary with the writer/director J.R. Bookwalter as well as a featurette on
the film, auditions from the main cast, behind the scenes footage and stills,
deleted scenes, and a music video, which is more like heavy metal music with
some footage from the film slapped over top of it. The fact that a film of this lower caliber can muster up all
these extras and display them proudly for this DVD release. Those who are indeed fans will be
exhilarated to be rewarded this plentifully.
- Nate Goss
