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Two Evil Eyes
Stars:
Harvey Keitel, Adrienne Barbeau, Ramy Zada, Sally Kirkland, Martin Balsam, E.G.
Marshall, John Amos, Kim Hunter, Madeleine Potter, Tom Atkins, and Tom Savini
Writers:
George Romero, Dario Argent, and Franco Ferrini
Inspired
By the Works Of Edgar Allan Poe
Directors:
George Romero and Dario Argento
Feature
length: 120 minutes
Extras:
Theatrical Trailer, Poster And Still Gallery, Filmmaker Bios, “Two Masters’
Eyes” Documentary Featuring Interviews With Dario Argento, George Romero, Tom
Savini, Claudio Argento, And Asia Argento
Languages:
English DTS Digital 6.1 ES Theatrical Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
Surround Sound, And Dolby Surround Sound
Subtitles:
N/A
Packaging:
Single Size Two-Disc Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 28
Sound:
DTS Digital 6.1 ES Theatrical Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround
Sound, And Dolby Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1990/DVD Release: 2003
Home
Video Distributor: Blue Underground
MPAA
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
(Edgar
Allan Poe) "dreamed dreams no mortal dared before..." Dario Argento
Along
with George A. Romero’s “The Crazies” Blue Underground has also released a
limited two-disc edition of George A. Romero’s and Dario Argento’s homage to
Edgar Allan Poe, “Two Evil Eyes.” An anthology of two films, each with their
own opening credits, “Two Evil Eyes” was shot in and around Pittsburgh and
stars an ensemble cast of actors that are either genre film veterans themselves
or appeared in the film to work with these iconic filmmakers. The cast includes
Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs), Kim Hunter (Planet Of The Apes), Martin Balsam
(Psycho), John Amos (Roots), Adrienne Barbeau (Escape From New York), E.G.
Marshall (Creepshow) Tom Atkins (Maniac Cop), Tom Savini (From Dusk Till Dawn),
and even Sally Kirkland. Savini has a cameo in one of the two stories and also
provided the make-up effects for both stories.
In
Romero’s “The Facts In The Case Of Mr. Valdemar” (55:10) a conniving wife
and her lover use a hypnotic trance to embezzle a fortune from her dying
husband, only to receive a chilling surprise from beyond the grave. The film
will remind viewers a bit of the “Father’s Day” installment from
“Creepshow” with a touch of H.P. Lovecraft thrown in for spooky measure.
Dario Argento creates a world filled with elements from various Poe tales that
appear to be going on simultaneously in the action of “The Black Cat”
(1:04). Harvey Keitel stars as “Usher,” a deranged crime scene photographer
who is driven to brutal acts of madness and murder when his girlfriend brings
home a black cat. This installment directed by Argento is a gem filled with so
many layers and references as well as moments a dark humor and horror that it is
the better of the two films that make up “Two Evil Eyes.”
Restored
from an original vault negative, “Two Evil Eyes” looks excellent with a 16
by 9 widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio presentation and brand new English DTS
Digital 6.1 ES Theatrical Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround Sound,
and Dolby Surround Soundtrack options. Unfortunately one cannot switch between
the soundtracks while the film is in progress, but it appears that “Two Evil
Eyes” has gotten a slight touchup for the Romero piece, in which he comments
in the documentary on the second DVD that he was unhappy with the film’s
closing soundtrack and wanted to touchup the compositing of “The Others” at
the film’s final moments without resorting to CGI and so though it is never
said that these changes were indeed made for this DVD release, it might be so.
The DTS Soundtrack is certainly an improvement over the original Dolby Stereo
mix.
The
theatrical trailer, which also appears to have been restored, (1:12) is
presented in a (1.85:1) aspect ratio and there are extensive biographical notes
with credits for both George A. Romero and Dario Argento as well as a gallery of
lobby cards, production photos, behind-the scenes shots, a review by the Animal
Humane Society, the press book, and one-sheets from around the world on disc
one.
Disc
two features the documentary “Two Master’s Eyes” (29:32), which features
brand new videotaped interviews with George Romero, Dario Argento, Special;
Make-up Effects Supervisor Tom Savini and Executive Producer Claudio Argento as
well as behind-the-scenes videotaped footage featuring an interview with a then
14 year old Asia Argento, who might be better known to some as Vin Diesel’s
love interest in this past summer’s action hit “xXx.” Argento’s portions
are subtitled in English, but he communicates an enormous passion for Poe’s
work regardless of the language just through his mannerisms and energy alone and
he goes into detail about the genesis of the project, which at one time was
going to be an anthology of four films by four different directors with possible
candidates under consideration early on to include Stephen King and John
Carpenter. Romero is equally enthusiastic and conveys his feelings on the
film’s subsequent release and the cult interest that has emerged more than ten
years later. Argento praises working with Harvey Keitel and both Romero and
Argento communicate their mutual respect for each other. Tom Savini also
participates in a new featurette “Savini’s EFX” (12:06) where he discusses
the challenges in bringing the horrific images to life for “Two Evil Eyes”
with some interesting anecdotes. Both
of these pieces were executive produced by William Lustig and Mo Claridge.
There
is also a surprisingly well-preserved analogue videotaped tour of Savini’s
home (15:43) where he shows off various creations and a film library of over
2000 videos. I wonder how many DVD titles he’s added since this was shot? This
was produced while Savini was working on “Two Evil Eyes” and in development
for the 1990 remake he directed of “Night Of The Living Dead.” A
never-before-seen interview with Adrienne Barbeau on working with George Romero
(4:35) that did not appear in “The Document Of The Dead” is provided
courtesy of Documentary Filmmaker Roy Frumkes.
The
menus are well rendered and easy to navigate. This DVD is also region free so
anyone can play this DVD on any DVD player capable of NTSC playback. This is
another must own DVD that will only be available for a limited time so don’t
wait too long to buy it. “Two Evil Eyes: Limited Edition” is available on
DVD-Video now from Blue Underground.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
Buy This DVD Now By Clicking On The Text Link Below!
Two Evil Eyes