James Hong’s cult 1989 horror film “The Vineyard”, which
comes to UK
Set on a secluded island, Hong (who directs and stars) plays
noted winemaker Dr Elson Po, who’s Vineyard’s cover his spacious estate. His
wines are extremely popular, and sell for ridiculous amounts on the mainland.
But the reason for their popularity has something to do with their special
ingredients, which no one seems to know about.
Seems Dr Po has been turning people into zombies, in order
to produce a special elixir that maintains his relatively youthful looks, and
has been burying them in his vineyards as they provide vital soil nutrients for
the grapes he uses for his special wines (good job the food standards agency
don’t pay him a visit then).
When a group of film makers visit his island looking for
filming locations for a movie they are preparing to shoot, little do they
realise Dr Po and his assistants have other plans for them. But when the
zombies in the vineyard burst out of the ground and go on the rampage, the
group find themselves caught between Po ’s kung-fu
fighting assistants on one side and the hoardes of the undead on the other.
Originally released back in 1989, this is a really weird
film, which takes the old “mad doctor on a secluded island” setting and mixes
in elements of modern day horror with oriental sword and sorcery.
Directed by star James Hong (of “Big Trouble in Little China”
and “Tango and Cash” fame), whilst competently shot, it did have a slight “made
for TV” feel about it and indeed was almost like watching an extended episode
of “Tales from the Crypt”, but that in no way detracts from the overall campy fun
of the film (even though the ghastly 80s fashions worn by the teenagers do look
a little dated now).
The film is available now on UK DVD
on Arrow Films ‘Arrowdrome’ label and contains the theatrical trailer as an
extra. The case comes with a special collectors booklet and the sleeve features
reversible artwork.
Buy the DVD at
Amazon.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment