History of a life of great director Alfreda Hitchcock in magazine «That remembered».

The company «Film Prestige» has pleased all fans of old qualitative cinema and classical films of horrors, having let out on licence DVD a tape of great Italian director Mario Bava of 1963 «Three persons of fear» («I Tre Volti della Paura» - the Italian name; «Black Sabbath» and «Three Faces of Fear» - English names). Many consider this work as the best film Бава, however on its account it is enough and other talented films – «the Damnation of dead persons» (on the prime minister of this masterpiece Lukino Visconti standing applauded it), «Six women for the murderer», «the Girl who knew» too much, «the Mask of the Satan» etc. Being the founder of a genre «джиалло» (see the review on «to you to like Hitchcock?»), Марио Бава was the teacher of such recognised masters, as Дарио Ардженто and Лучио Фульчи. Martin Scorsese, Federiko Fellini (!), David Lynch openly recognised its influence on the creativity.

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The Italian low budget picture «House of Clocks» («the House with hours») the ingenious madman and one of the best world directors of films of horrors Лучио Фульчи, known to film fans on bloody masterpieces «the Seventh gate of the Hell», «Devourers of a flesh», «the House on the brink of a cemetery» etc., is let out on DVD the first zone by the American company Media Blasters in нецензурированной versions.

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So it has turned out, that the first film of a new heading, unfortunately, there was «The Fog» ("Fog") of 2005 (нецензурированная the version). DVD it is let out in the first zone by the company «Sony Pictures Entertainment». The film is removed by the English director Rupertom Uejnrajtom known on statement of a quite good mystical picture «Стигматы», with participation of young actors from the USA. First of all, it is necessary to notice, that "Fog" is a remake of the film of horrors of 1980 of the well-known John Carpenter with the same name ("Halloween", «Runaway from New York», "Something"). Recently in the USA the boom of remakes - of "horror films" is observed: «hills have eyes», «Омен», «the Texas slaughter бензопилой","Horror Амитивилля» and so on. There are among them very sound "processings", however some are not only pale similarity of originals, but also deserve that them somewhat quicker «have put on a shelf» and have forgotten as a dreadful dream. « The fog »2005 just belongs to the second category. It is surprising, as such, basically, not untalented director as Уэйнрайт, could remove the perfect bosh which completely has discredited on all parametres the original shining, in my opinion, of Carpenter (it taking into account that, as its many critics consider as weak enough film).

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Dear friends!

Creation of a new heading is dictated, first of all, by desire to expand volume of the reviewed films which have been let out on DVD, to spend comparison between the Russian and international releases. Despite the heading name – «the First zone», we will analyze not only the films which have been let out in the USA, but also disks from other countries (it is natural if those are seen). The matter is that первозонные DVD simply it is easier to buy in Moscow – they can be ordered in «the Purple legion» and "Ozone" (though the given service in the last while is temporarily inaccessible) or to get in a network of shops «Titanic of Video-rekords». Besides it is frequent films on DVD the first zone are presented in нецензурированной or director's versions that causes to them additional interest (unfortunately, for Russia similar releases are atypical).

So, welcome in our new heading!

The Batman, the Person-bat, the fighter for justice, an underworld thunder-storm, the defender of peace inhabitants was my most favourite hero of the childhood. Unlike the Superman, the Batman bribed, first of all, that it was the ordinary person as we which could be wounded to which could be hurt. It did not have superpossibilities, it had no steel muscles (though was strong enough and), was not able to fly, at it laser sight was not dexterous. It was self-made man, the person who has made, learnt mortally dangerous receptions, tempered to perfection the body, learnt all knowledge of chemistry and physics (for the invention and use various «бэтменских» adaptations). Thus it had the most stylish and beautiful suit from all superheroes, simultaneously directing horror on gangsters and causing at us admiration of the any predatory elegance.

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At once it is necessary to notice, that given article reflects personal opinion of the author and the objective information should not be perceived as completely.

The estimation of production let out by the Russian companies-distributors is based on own experience of the author – almost all films on the DVD-carriers, specified more low, by it have been seen personally. It would be desirable to apologise in advance in case of detection of any discrepancies in names of the companies and films. It not official article, and reflexions of the simple inhabitant concerning quality of DVD-production. To avoid charges in bias, the companies are listed in alphabetic order. The list included only those distributors with which production the author is acquainted.

Video service. Once the company most favourite by me has started to lose now the authority – one of last releases DVD «Six demons Emili Rose», «the death Tunnel», "Cave" and others not only are completely deprived any additional materials, but also have no original sound track. Does not give in to a reasonable explanation as the company from under which wing there were excellent releases of "Chronicle Нарнии», «nation Treasures», "King Arthur", «the Spiderman 2», «Pirates of Caribbean sea», «Терминатора 3», «13 ghosts» could become on a way of release of such cheap production. Naturally, special art value the "cut off" releases (in particular, «the death Tunnel») do not represent, however it should not become the reason of a similar disgrace. On the other hand, the image on all DVD from Video service continues to remain rather good. Besides, to the company having the exclusive right on distribution диснеевских of cartoon films (by the way, practically all cartoon films of studio of Disney, let out by Video service, have ideal quality and a large quantity of additions) to forgive all is possible almost. Even release slipshod DVD.

Gemini-film. One of unconditional leaders among Russian companies-distributors DVD. Excellent releases – the main distinctive line of this company. It is enough to result examples of films «Fantastic four», «Star wars: the episode III», "Titanic", «I, the Robot», "Anger" to understand, is how much good the Gemini-film (from novelties it has underfulfilled only "Kingdom of heaven"). Deserves approval and the initiative of release of old blockbusters – «In a siege» (the first and the second), «the Strong nutlet» (the first and the second), «That hides lie», «do not speak words», "Simulator" and others. Nevertheless, despite presence of an English sound track, these films have not enough additional materials. To such powerful company as the Gemini-film followed think of better filling of releases of films-hits of former years.

The UNION-VIDEO. Strong «середняк». Lets out production with quite good quality of the image, an original sound track and a minimum quantity of additions (if at all they are available). As examples "Shaitan", «the Weapon baron», «Крип», «Cuba of the Zero», «the Lost angel» and many other things can serve.

CP Digital. Told about the UNION-VIDEO it is quite applicable and to CP Digital: good "picture", an original sound and a minimum of additional materials. The main difference between these two companies consists that CP Digital sometimes lets out magnificent collection editions – «the Call. The trilogy», «Терминатор 2: the Doomsday», "Pilot" (at once I will make a reservation, that last did not look, but the quantity of the additions specified on a box, very much impresses).

DVD Magic. The company name speaks for itself. But not in positive sense. The magic consists that, letting out the films representing to the classic of a world cinema, disgusting (other word simply not to pick up) quality (even piracy "screen" copies better), this company continues to remain "afloat" and appears in all lists and catalogues as the distributor licence DVD. In spite of the fact that already it is a lot of years ago "Video service" declared itself the official and exclusive distributor диснеевской production (and continues to remain it), DVD the Magic with an enviable stubbornness lets out so-called licence copies of cartoon films of studio of Disney. It is the real Magic! Remember, how at group Queen – It’s a kind of Magic. Unfortunately, magic is also that DVD from this company are on sale till now in firm shops along with qualitative production of other manufacturers. Really "pirates" should still to much learn at DVD Magics! To be convinced of reliability of my words, it is enough to look any classics published by these умельцами, for example, «Once in the Wild West» or «For a handful of dollars» (not to confuse at all to brilliant release of the same film company Twister Digital Video!).

Film Prestige. It is one of the most elegant Russian companies-distributors DVD of production. It specialises on release of gift editions of masterpieces of world cinema on various themes: «Federiko Fellini's Collection», «Collection Одри Хепберн», «Michael Kejna's Collection», «the Collection the Eurohorror» etc. DVD this company distinguishes high quality of the image (even very old pictures are excellently looked), an original sound track and magnificent registration of boxes. It is necessary to carry small quantity of bonuses to lacks on disks.

MC Entertainment. Already that company MC Entertainment has begun mass release licence «аниме» (the Japanese cartoon films) in Russia, it is necessary to allocate it especially among other domestic distributors. Except «аниме» the company lets out on DVD various film production from the West and East countries – «the Cradle of nightmares», «you like Hitchcock?», "Tamara", «the Crying murderer», "Damnation" (the television version), "Shiver" and others. Production MC Entertainment is distinguished by the qualitative image and obligatory presence of an original sound track. The astable situation has developed with bonuses – on separate releases there are many additional materials, and on others they practically are absent.

Pyramid Home Video. One more representative of group «steady середняков» among distributors DVD, letting out production, as a rule, with the good image and an original sound. A weak place is practical absence of additions. As typical examples "Rottweiler", "Hostage" and others can serve «Damned wood», "Wolf-single", «Alone with death».

Twister Digital Video. Weak enough on usual DVD to releases the company. Nevertheless, many Russian companies-distributors should follow an example the remarkable collection editions Twister Digital Video abounding with excellent additional materials and differing excellent sound and the image – «Way Карлито», «For a handful of dollars», «the Present love». It is thought, that the company only will win, if refuses the "grey" regular releases and will pass to release of collection masterpieces. Definitely, at it it turns out better. If it is not favourable from the economic point of view it is necessary to raise level of let out ordinary production.

Universal Pictures Rus. On quality of let out production this company can make a serious competition the Gemini-film, and by quantity … In my opinion, Universal Pictures Rus at present is the largest company-distributor on volume of releases DVD in the Russian market. « Сириана "," the Kiss навылет "," Last Samurai », all series about Harry Potter,« King Kong "," Mission Серенити "," Konstantin "," Island », all films about the Batman, including last,« Чарли and chocolate factory "," Лемони Сникетт: 33 misfortunes »and many other films. Besides, the company lets out magnificent collection editions –"Gladiator", the trilogy« Back in the future », the trilogy« Park of the Jursky period "," the Jaw ». Practically for all releases excellent image and a sound, a considerable quantity of bonuses are characteristic. Nevertheless, there is a number of claims to Universal Pictures Rus. The tendency to release of good films in"cheap"execution without any bonuses (« Munich "," Doom »- the first release,« To be in time till midnight "," the House of wax figures "," the Key from all doors »and so on) disturbs. Some of them have even no original sound track. This practice has something in common with activity the Gemini-film on release of blockbusters of last years. Such serious company as Universal Pictures Rus the ugly release "Innocent until proven guilty" was absolutely unworthy. Not only that in it there are no bonuses and an English sound track, in one of episodes image and sound synchronisation is broken. The impression that you look a bad piracy copy is made. Cause disappointment and some qualitative editions – «the Batman. The beginning» and "Konstantin" what for have lost an original sound. As a whole, certainly, Universal Pictures Rus undoubtedly is the leader in Russian market DVD of production. Nevertheless, it would be desirable, that the company approached to quality of all without an exception of the releases more responsibly.

VOX Video. Small on volume of release DVD of production the company has got to our list thanks to releases of very good films – "Descent" and «Gloomy time». Prominent features: the quite good image, absence of bonuses and an English sound track (the last concerns only «Gloomy time»), original cardboard packing DVD.

West Video. It is possible to put undoubtedly, this company in one number about the Gemini-film and Universal Pictures Rus. The magnificent image and a sound, a great lot of additional materials – all it concerns production West Video. «Dark forces», «Horror Амитивилля», «the City of sins», «Brothers the Grimm», «the Attack on 13th site», «to Kill Bill» (both parts) – vivid examples of remarkable releases of the company. In difference of the above-stated two giants of video business West Video practically does not do misfires with release of the DVD. Nevertheless, probably, it affects quantity of let out films – them is insignificant a little in comparison with production of other companies.

Much to our regret, given article has not captured DVD production of other worthy Russian companies, as for example, Ekaterinburg Арт (ЕА). It is caused by that the author well familiar with their video releases, did not look recently films on DVD-carriers let out by them.

The film "Offer" («The Proposition»), recently let out in Russia on licence DVD company DVD Land, is removed by little-known Australian director John Hilkoatom under the scenario of the well-known singer and composer Nika Cave, simultaneously melancholic and explosive bard of independent rock avant-guard of Australia. Cave's influence as musician on a film undoubtedly – in each scene is felt poetry of an event, whether it be during severe firing or a minute of an admiring delightful, but very original nature of the Fifth continent. Special atmosphere is created also by the interesting music specially written by him for a film. It would be desirable to note excellent game of actors of Guy Pirsa («Secrets of Los Angeles», "Time machine", «Пи»), Reja Winston ("King Arthur", «Cold mountain», «Game Рипли»), Emili Watson («Эквилибриум», «the Red dragon»), Дэнни Houston ("Pilot", "Birth") and others.

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Not so long ago on sale has appeared let out by the company «Lizard Cinema Trade» licence DVD "Antibodies" («Antikorper») talented young German director Christian Alvara (it is officially proclaimed by "the New Person of German of Cinema of 2005» at festival of the American institute of cinema in Los Angeles). Undoubtedly "Antibodies" can be ranked as the best samples of classical psychological thrillers about maniacs, as, in particular «Silence of lambs» Джонатана Демме and "Seven" Davids Finchera. If the last are professionally made severe enough and naturalistic (some critics even classify them as films of horrors) blockbusters with a little far-fetched plots picture Альвара is characterised, first of all, realness of an event. At all I do not wish to belittle the mentioned films – they are magnificent and to surpass them it is practically impossible. However "Antibodies" - the serious noncommercial tape bringing up uneasy moral questions and mentioning even religious subjects.

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Company West Video has pleased again with qualitative release on DVD (a film from a set, the alternative ending etc.) a quite good film of horrors «Dark forces» («The Dark»). The Canadian director John Fosett (its previous low budget tape of 2000 "Werewolf" made the big success and has generated some sequals) has removed it after a long break in the big cinema. The picture is created on motives of the novel of "Sheep" of English writer Sajmona Maginna.

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