

by Paul Bistoff Staff Writer
A small percentage of people experience photosensitive epileptic seizures when exposed to patterns of flashing light. If you’re one of them, stay far away from “Experiments in Terror.” It’s Other Cinema’s attempt to melt your brain.
The DVD is a compilation of short films, each of which is most easily described as experimental. A case of style over substance, many of these shorts lack a coherent narrative. Eerie lighting, fast and slow motion, kaleidoscope effects, disjointed and repeated images and multiple exposures are the norm.
First up is Peter Tscherkassky’s “Outer Space,” a 1999 short created using stock footage from the 1981 horror film “The Entity.” It begins as a woman (Barbara Hersey) enters a creepy home, and it’s immediately clear that all is not right. It seems that the house itself is attacking her. As the attack intensifies the image becomes increasingly violent, splitting, warping, and eventually the film runs off of the reel.
Of course interpretation of these events is an individual process. The violent transitions and chaotic ever-changing sound track leave much to be explained. It’s a 10-minute attack on the senses that’s worth watching for the spectacle alone.
“Ursula,” directed in 1961 by Lloyd M. Williams, is the story of a girl destroyed by child abuse.
As punishment for tearing her gown, Ursula’s mother slices off a wing of her pet bird. It’s a lesson that things broken aren’t easily mended. Haunted by visions of her dead pet, Ursula seeks to teach her mother a lesson of her own.
“Ursula” has one of the more traditional narratives in this collection, though at 13 minutes the story is strictly confined. Presented through distorted visuals it’s a moody, if ultimately unsatisfying, study of abuse and revenge.
“Journey to the Unknown” is exactly what it claims to be, immediately filling the screen with ever-changing colors. A ghostly voice, promising a surprise “that you can feast your eyes upon,” lures a passing pedestrian into the Paramount Theatre. Once inside the show begins, and a series of kaleidoscope effects, infused with layers of symbolic images, fills the screen.
An oppressing score injects some needed emotion into the otherwise abstract proceedings. It’s certainly pretty but, after a brief five minute running time, it’s also easily forgotten.
Director J.X. Williams’ describes “The Virgin Sacrifice” as a “cursed production.” After filming, all prints were lost and the negative perished in a lab fire. All that remains is the introduction; a nine minute sample of a vision that will regretfully never be recovered.
A mute named Cindy meets with two girls to inquire about moving into their apartment. Cindy writes a note asking where the roommates work. “Well…uh you may find this kind of strange Cindy, but I work for the devil,” one of them replies. Cindy seems alarmed, but the girls assure her “worshipping the devil, it’s the in thing to do.” To put Cindy’s mind at ease, the girls invite her to their next meeting.
The ceremony is a combination of violence and nudity, twisted together through brilliantly layered images, and accentuated with a hypnotic score.
“The Virgin Sacrifice” is an engaging sensory overload.
David Sherman’s “Tuning the Sleeping Machine” consists of blinding lights and seemingly random images. There’s meaning here, but finding it is hard work. The 13 minute film feels flat, and it does nothing to distinguish itself from the abstract sequences of the others. It’s weird, but in this collection weird is not a defining term.
“Dawn of an Evil Millennium” is a 21-minute trailer for a fake eighteen-hour epic film. Set in “a time in which the powers of technology and the rebirth of sorcery clash,” it’s a conglomeration of demons, gore, spaced-out visuals, kung-fu, and over cranked car chases.
An evil sorceress summons a demon from its home in the Alpha Centauri system. Equipped with a “self-modified 1970 Oldsmobile; souped up with a 950 quad-turbo multi-phase engine,” which packs a “sub super-charge of 2190 horse power,” the demon’s mission is to destroy the people of Earth.
A good demon stands in its way, but it proves no match for its evil twin. Enter Frank Bift, super-cop. “In a future world where evil hunch-backed sorcerers roam the forests,” it’s up to Frank and his insane partner to save us all.
Shot in 1988, on Super-8, director Damon Packard delivers a wild ride. In its brief running time this short runs the gamut of emotions, managing to be funny, scary and downright disgusting. “Dawn of an Evil Millennium” is absolutely brilliant and easily the highlight of this collection. It’s hyperactive, completely insane and undeniably entertaining.
“Experiments in Terror” also has a few notable extras.
First is a trailer for “Date with Death,” which introduces a new technique called “psychorama.” That’s a code word for subliminal messages. As a demonstration, messages like “kill” and “blood” are revealed in clips of the film.
Next is a collection of trailers that includes footage of the proverbial showman William Castle interviewing audience members after screening his film “Homicidal.” Other trailers are “The Nanny,” “Attack of the 50 ft. Woman,” “Doctor Jekyll and Sister Hyde,” “Cannibal Girls,” and “Blacula.” Also included are trailers for future “Other Cinema” releases.
Lastly there’s “The Haunted Mouth,” a genius educational film courtesy of the National Dental Association. Cesar Romero supplies the voice of the invisible B. Plaque, a villain who’s out to destroy your teeth. It’s an educational film with a horror setting and it’s an all-around enjoyable experience. I flossed after watching, so it must work.
“Experiments in Terror” is a fine collection of some very strange films. While the total running time, 106 minutes, is pretty short there’s enough here to warrant a recommendation. Truthfully, “Dawn of an Evil Millennium” is worth the price of admission alone.
Visit Other Cinema online

|