Check out the review of Eaten Alive - a recent Arrow Video Blu-ray release, below:
A film that bounces back between annoying and disturbing, Eaten Alive is a odd film that can only be understood after you have seen the film. In other words, the film is hard to describe and the only way to know what the film is about is to see it. For example, it could be said that the film follows an unstable motel owner who owns a croc and feeds it people he deems "bad." However the film is far more than that. The description is more of the backbone of the plot but is not the driving force of the plot. This is because the film is a kind of disjointed mess that as a whole is not that good of a film, but some specific elements of the film are worth seeing. Perhaps the best way to explain the plot of the film is that there is not much of a plot but more of a "here is what happens in this place" type of story. Though it does have plot lines they all don't really amount to much. As such the film has a very disjointed feel.
This disjointed feel to the film can likely be attributed to the fact that not all of the story decisions were made by Tobe Hooper. As well not everything in the film was actually shot by him. This converges into a weird type of film that is half focused on unhinged characters and the other half focused on sleazy exploitation. After learning that some scenes in the film were not directed by Hooper it becomes a little more apparent which scenes were his and which were others. This weird mix of direction from different perspectives lead to a disjointed feel in the film but it also lead to some interesting aspects of the film.
Some of the standout aspects of the film is the sleazy feel that surrounds the film and the unhinged personalities that a lot of the characters have. Combined together they create a grim look at a group of people in a kind of unreal world. Add to the that the often mean spirited death scenes and you get a film that is full of uneasiness. Eaten Alive is far more unnerving that Hooper's prior film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre but Eaten Alive is definitely a few steps back quality wise.
Overall Eaten Alive is a very weird film, very off kilter. It can be seen as a polarizing type of film because it seems to teeter between annoying and fascinating. It has mostly unhinged characters that are not very likable. It is a type of film that as a whole is not too great but some of its individual parts are interesting and worth seeing. In the end the film is a grim look at this group of characters in an otherworldly environment. This film is more likely to be enjoyed as an oddity rather than a good film.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Mardi Rustam, Roberta Collins, William Finley, Kyle Richards, and Craig Reardon: This track was ported over from the previous Dark Sky DVD release. Overall an interesting commentary that is more of an interview than a commentary. Some participants give interesting insights into the making of the film, others give funny stories.
Introduction by Tobe Hooper (20 seconds): A quick introduction that essentially says enjoy watching the movie.
Interview with Tobe Hooper (14 mins): In this new interview with Tobe Hooper he discusses the making of the film. How the fairy tales of Grimm served as inspiration for his films and in particular how Eaten Alive seems to take place in an unreal world. He also discusses the mechanical aspects of making this film. Tobe talks about the tension he had with producers during the filming and how he left the set multiple times. Tobe also comments on his career as a whole. Overall an interesting interview filled with great information.
Interview with Janus Blythe (11 mins): In this new interview with Janus Blythe she goes over her career, how she gotten involved with this film, her excitement with working with Tobe Hooper, and ultimately her disappointment when Tobe Hooper didn't shoot any of her scenes.
Interview with Craig Reardon (11 mins): This is probably the most interesting interview of the interviews on the disc because of his obvious love of film. The interview takes a more philosophical approach as he explains the time period in which this film was created. He also discusses his part in the film and the other actors he worked with in the film.
Archive Interview with Tobe Hooper (19 mins): In this archival interview Tobe Hooper talks about how he became involved in the film, the shooting process of the film, and his relationship with the actors.
Archive Interview with Robert Englund (15 mins): In This archival interview Robert Englund talks about how he got involved with this film, as well as his whole career in general.
Archive Interview with Marilyn Burns (5 mins): In this quick archival interview Marilyn Burns talks about the cast members involved in the film and the pleasure she had working with some great veteran actors.
The Butcher of Elmendorf (23 mins): An interesting little segment that explains the crimes of Joe Ball, the man who inspired Eaten Alive.
Trailers
TV & Radio Spots
Alternate Credits
Still Galleries
No comments:
Post a Comment