Review: Effects
Blu-ray: Effects (1979)
This is a treat for all fans of George Romero and his “Dead trilogy” of movies, as it stars Tom Savini, Joe “Captain Rhodes” Pilato and John “Screwdriver Zombie” Harrison (make sure to listen to my interview show with John) in a very low budget movie about a group of drugged up filmmakers in Pittsburgh making a slasher movie.
As fatal accidents begin to happen during filming, the cast and crew begin to wonder who might be next to die…and that’s all you need to know.
Effects is grimy, sleazy, and has the look of a cobbled together student film, but the cast and locations make it a must watch for all Romero aficionados, especially as it was hardly seen until its home video debut in 2005 and is now presented here in a 4K scan from the only 35mm theatrical print in existence.
The acting is passable, the effects are okay (using the bright red “Dawn of the Dead” blood) and director/writer Dusty Nelson does a decent job putting everything across on screen.
While not necessarily a “must watch” for fans of mainstream cinema, those of you seeking out more eclectic viewing now have the perfect way to watch this little seen horror gem.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- 4K scan from the only 35mm theatrical print in existence!
- Archival commentary track with John Harrison, Dusty Nelson, and Pasquale Buba
- UBU short film
- BEASTIE short film
- AFTER EFFECTS documentary with optional commentary track
- Liner notes by Joseph A. Ziemba of AGFA and Bleeding Skull!
Part of 101 Films American Genre Film Archive collection and released 10th January 2022.
Review by Dave from a disc kindly supplied by 101 Films.
