*Home Grown Horrors - Volume 2 (DVD BOX SET)*

Home Grown Horrors - Volume 2 (DVD BOX SET)

The slasher was a powerful sub-genre during the 80's and this new release dvd box set by Vinegar Syndrome collects three films that were made during that booming era for masked killers and slashes of knifes. As per usual, the DVD Box Set looks and feels amazing and the restorations of the three films are absolutely perfect.

HANGING HEART released in 1989 is a surreal thriller with slasher undertones. It follows an up and coming actor who becomes a prime suspect in a series of murders. The atmosphere is almost dreamlike and there are a lot of oniric elements that give the film a unique mood. It was directed by Jimmy Lee a korean immigrant and American Film Institute graduate. Even though the movie is effective and engaging there are some problematic elements in the script that can be considered dated in today's lenses. The soundtrack is very mysterious and one of the standouts of the film.

DEAD GIRLS was my favourite from this BOX SET and I had already watched it before acquiring this Box set. It follows an all-girl punk rock band who recorded songs glorifying death and suicide. However, the band's music leads to some pretty catastrophic results. Shot on video by director Dennis Devine the films also blends elements from giallo, since the director claims in one of the extras to be a fan of Dario Argento films.

MOONSTALKER is a very low-budget charmer of a slasher whose mountain setting makes up for a pretty comfy experience. There are some elements on the film that deviate from the formulaic slasher and the cast is flawless and have a lot of chemistry and dynamic together. The director Michael 0'Rourke managed to create a very charming passion project and by seeing the extras featured in this dvd, we can understand it was a pleasure have worked in this movie.

A fabulous follow-up to the enchanting volume 1 of the same series.

Aesop Rock - Labor days

Beautiful and abstract poetry from MC Aesop Rock in an assorted collection of complex and melodic beats. Stories are told and magnified by the spotless MC'S style of delivery, especially in themes like "No Regrets", a story about Lucy, an artist that embodies the spirit of individuality of doing what you really want and love and the anthem 9-5 er's about work and aspirations. It shapes and expands the border of hip-hop, an essential work of astract and conscious hip-hop.

Tiago Guillul - V

Indie pop by Tiago Guillul. Recorded in a studio and with guests like Rui Reininho, Tiago Guillul moves from his lo-fi days to a well produced and clean cut album. "A Febre em 1993" is a really adorable and catchy song that is one of the highlights of this album, using dancing and funky samples with some playful arrangements. "Nabucodonosor" named after one of the kings in the bible, is a really jangley song with collaborations from Rui Reininho in the vocals. Released by Florcaveira, this album has some religious inspired lyrics and most songs were built upon evangelical songs from all over the world, but that isn't exactly a surprise since it's Tiago Guillul. Overall, a candy bomb of an album of enjoyable and clever indie pop.

Roberta Kelly - Trouble maker

Very groovy and danceable hit Trouble-Maker by singer Roberta Kelly. The track was written and produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Belotte. It reached and gained enormous popularity when it was released in 1976. The second song is The Family, a more mellow disco sound with some catchy and funky bass lines and harmonious backup instrumentals. Roberta Kelly also did backup vocals for Thelma Houston and Donna Summer.

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