Listen up slasher fans. CURTAINS, the much underrated cult classic of six wannabe actresses being stalked by a masked killer during a wintry stay at an isolated mansion will finally have a proper digital release. Indeed, Synapse Films has obtained the rights to this gem and is on the planning stage of putting it all together—as part of a Blu-ray/DVD combo, we are told. I, like many of you, purchased the rough-looking VHS transfer to DVD from Echo Bridge a few years back. Though a big disappointment overall, it did satisfy one’s needs of owning this title. But now that Synapse has taken over… well, it just makes me want to stomp on my disc and say so long, sucker.
From Synapse:
Today is the kind of day I both loath and love about this business. We have, in our hands, the only existing vault materials for a horror film that many love and have wanted for years to be done right on home video. I'm assigned to the task. The excitement is overwhelming just to SEE the film and find out what is in the cans. The "loath" part is usually the bad news where we find out it was improperly stored, torn, shredded, faded or whatever... But, we'll find out. Synapse will MAKE THIS WORK! 2K scan work commence!
So so cool. Let’s hope a ton of extra features follow as well.
I first got a hold of CURTAINS in the late ‘80s when VHSs ruled the world. I remembered thinking, while popping the tape into my player, how ecstatic it would be to dig this film. I had been the victim of so much horror turkeys in my days that I was afraid of discovering yet another one. Not so, as it turns out. CURTAINS is fun, scary and most importantly, low-budget. And you all know how I feel about that last part. There’s nothing like a well-made inexpensive slick-looking horror film to satisfy my every needs.
If you have yet to see this flick, three things you must remember before viewing it: One, it’s an ‘80s horror film, meaning you probably know the plot by heart. But that scarcely matters. Once you see the ice-skating scene or the doll in the rain sequence you’ll be in a forgiving mood. Second, being an ‘80s flick means no CGIs (thank God!). Everything’s done the old fashion way (though CURTAINS’ FX are limited, choosing atmosphere over gore), using corn syrup for blood or makeup applications for on-screen demises. So rejoice. And third, forget all about the reputed problems surrounding the film (actresses being fired, scripts being re-written, scenes being re-shot…). What’s important is the end result. And believe me, CURTAINS delivers.
OK, now that everything’s said and done on my part, there’s only one thing left to do: cross our fingers in the hopes that everything goes on as planned with this release. Because we all know how easily one can be fooled by a distributor’s announcement. Isn’t so, Code Red?
Until next post—Martin
