If you like short films these DVDs are really worth checking out. Each selection tends to have films that range anywhere from bad to outstanding productions. The Historical Society focuses on films and literature by or similar to Lovecraft's work. So the film offerings tend to be of the fantasy, horror, or science fiction genres. Many films also display a good deal of humor. In my reviews I'll tend to focus on the best or most memorable pieces. As usual this collection has many great moments.
One film in particular really stands out here. Nyarlathotep is hard to spell or pronounce correctly but it is a masterpiece every film lover should know of. It is based on an early 1920's Lovecraft story I had never read before watching this film. The original story is followed closely and is just as relevant now 100 years later. This film by Christian Matzke says much about the political and societal upheavals of today by comparing it to the similar backdrop of 100 years ago. This must see 13 minute long film seems to last much longer, and is chock-full of amazing images. The narration begins "I am the last. I will tell the audient void." Hold on to your hat. There is much to be heard. As Nyarlathotep puts on a travelling show he is said to be "horrible beyond anything you can imagine, but wonderful." The show the narrator attends ends in chaos. If you've ever wondered what really happens when the visually impaired lose their glasses, start watching carefully about 9 minutes into this film.
"From Beyond" starts out with the familiar mid to late summer, night-time chorus of at least a million katydids drowning out any chance of a peaceful night. The one show character sits down to watch a video left by a crazy friend. This friend has discovered a way to allow us to see things and be seen by things we are normally not aware of. After a terrifying night the show reveals the next morning that things still may not be as was assumed. Should have listened to the katydids.
Since watching the Arkham episode of "Antiques Roadshow" I still check ebay frequently for the book that is described but not shown. No luck, so far.
While watching "Eel Girl" something started me to reminisce about the late great film maker Stanley Kubrick. On the second viewing I realized it was the music that started at about 3 minutes and 40 seconds. Anyone remember "A Clockwork Orange"?
"The Shunned House" offers a solution to the problem what should ghost hunters do with an EMF detector emitting horrible screeching noise.
Some of the society's short film collections no longer found on this website are still available on Amazon. For that reason you may find that some of my reviews not posted here are posted on Amazon. My amazon reviews are posted by "Deep in the Woods"
So far as I know, I now have all of the short film collections except three. The oldest three are hardest to find 2014, 2015, and the classics volume one. I now have all of the others.
