LUCKER THE NECROPHAGUS coming in May from Synapse

[delicreep]

And now I wonder... Could the picture look worse than TOUCH OF DEATH?

Probably. The film itself is probably more interesting, though.

[The Chaostar]

If bootlegs out there look the same... why bother?

[ReelFear]

I read about this title for many years, and finally got to see it thanks to Synapse's new DVD. The picture quality is not great, but i found it to be totally watchable. Even from a VHS source, the quality is better than average. The movie is pretty sick and there are a few scenes that will stick in your head. Definitely up there with Nekromantik and Maniac in terms of uncompromising horror. Thanks Synapse for doing the best job possible with the materials available, and letting the world get a chance to see this rare slice of low budget Euro-horror!

[delicreep]

I just watched Lucker last night...

Chaostar asks what the point is in buying the DVD if it looks the same as the bootlegs:

Well, for one thing, the remastered version actually looks better than the VHS, and there are no burned-in subtitles. The sound quality gets a tweak, too. DVDTalk overstates the lack of quality. To me, the changes in film stock don't stand out any more than those in the Anchor Bay release of the uncut Profondo Rosso. Lucker was an incredibly low budget film shot by a first-time director, and the new version: there will be rough edges no matter what.
What stands out more than the picture quality is the odd editing here and there where it's obvious they had to mix similar alternate shots to create a whole sequence.

By buying the DVD, you'll be making sure that the director gets some compensation for his work (which was literally stolen from him because of the lousy distributor and subsequent destruction of the original film elements). With a legit release in the US, bootlegs of Lucker are questionable purchases, as the whole reason for buying them (availablity) goes out the window.

The DVD release has a great documentary that details the complicated history of Lucker.

Me? I'm happy I bought it. I get a notorious slice of history, plus two versions of the film and a documentary...for 16 bucks.

Just watched the vhs version and plan on watching the director's cut in a little bit. I think this is a fairly decent slasher pick but I can't help but think about Nekromantik the whole time I was watching it. I like the cheap score and there is some cool cinematography as well as some overall effective scenes.

[dwatts]

Yeah, pretty shocked by Chaoster's comments, actually. There was a recent interview with someone from Sony where he talks about the releases, and he's asked what the fans can do to make sure the titles we want keep coming, his answer was simple: "Keep buying this stuff! I know it sounds crass, but that is truly the best way to keep the flow of classic titles coming—by letting them know there is a real demand for them." Never a truer word, what with some big labels going bust recently. I don't really understand how you can love cinema, but not care about the financial well-being of the business, especially when it comes to tiny enterprises like those doing things like Lurker.

And thank God for forums, because reports from one source should never be trusted.

[SaviniFan]

Just purchased this from Xploited. Hopefully arrive early this coming week.

Originally Posted by The Chaostar

If bootlegs out there look the same... why bother?

fail.

[The Chaostar]

When SYNAPSE declared that they would not release TOUCH OF DEATH 'cause they couldn't track down decent film materials, I felt I could trust their products.

Now I am sceptical to say the least. And I own almost every release of them.

"Keep buying this stuff!" - what would some guy from a multinational company say?

I only buy the good stuff, sorry. I never had Image's VAMPYR - and I love the film. I will own the Criterion pretty soon though.

Of course, there will never be a CRITERION for LUCKER.

I'll be waiting for a review here to think thngs over...

Oh, what does "fail" - by itself - means? My knowledge of english is quite academic to understand these witty remarks.

[dwatts]

I will own the Criterion pretty soon though

I'm buying the R2 Masters of Cinema myself.

Tartan just went under. Another "multinational" huh.

[Katatonia]

I rented this the other night, and I'm not really sure what to think of it. I liked the grim atmosphere of the film...but it was so damned boring for the most part, even though the running time is relatively short.

[The Chaostar]

Originally Posted by delicreep

DVDTalk overstates the lack of quality. To me, the changes in film stock don't stand out any more than those in the Anchor Bay release of the uncut Profondo Rosso.

I don't get that remark. There are no changes in film stock in Profondo Rosso. It is mastered from one original negative. The changes are in the soundtrack - you get the italian one in the parts where an english one does not exist.

And we are talking about changes in film stock, not VHS stock which is quite weird when we are talkin' about DVD. When SYNAPSE said what's been said about TOUCH OF DEATH they meant "we don't do these things - other companies do, but not us". It seems that they do after all, and as a customer who has almost all their titles, I felt dissapointed.

Also - I don't own a tv. I only see dvd's in my home theater. The thought of a blown up VHS tape scares me.

[Mutilated Prey]

Fun movie with cool gore and great sound effects - love them. But the video quality, what the hell - such a shame, oh well.