Phantasm

Don Coscarelli's "Phantasm" concerns the misadventures of a young lad (played by Michael Baldwin) who stumbles upon strange goings-on at the local cemetary and foolishly takes it upon himself to investigate. What he finds is a creepy classic collection of scary happenings involving the recently deceased, flying steel balls of death and the coolest baddy in years 'The Tall Man'.

Made twenty years ago "Phantasm" is still as fresh as the day it was filmed, intelligently written and creepy as hell to boot. The bulk of the main cast perform outstandingly with notable plaudits going to mainstays Reggie Bannister and Angus Scrimm whose Tall Man portrayal is one of the best since Lugosi and Karloff were on the scene.

The problem with "Phantasm" though is that once you've seen this first part, the urge and need to see the essential sequels is there too (A problem that hopefully will be rectified with further DVD releases).

The disc itself is a beauty, one of the best seen here this year. The widescreen dolby transfer of the film is gorgeous. The whole atmosphere of the film is captured perfectly, it reeks of the Italian classics both visually and aurally.

Extra wise there's plenty to shake your stick at (check the list below). As well as the standard (but great) trailers and audio commentary, there is some excellent behind the scenes and interview footage which will thrill any fan of the "Phantasm" series.

We surely couldn't do justice to this release here but can heartily recommend this both to newcomers and old to the "Phantasm" series.

Just great - Buy It !!