Monkey Shines

Another George Romero horror film previously sunk to oblivion has been resurrected to appease its fan base. "Monkey Shines" from 1988, based on Michael Stewart's book, may make you think twice about purchasing that cute monkey you always wanted. On Blu-ray, "Monkey Shines" will make one forget about the 2001 pan-and-scan transfer DVD release which only includes the film's trailer as a bonus.

Allan Mann (Jason Beghe) was once an active young man and one morning his life changes for the worse. After a tragic car accident leaves Allan paralyzed, he turns into a jaded person. Yet his unorthodox doctor (John Pankow) gives Allan hope in the form of a trained monkey that aids him in ways only thought possible. What Allan doesn't know is Ella the monkey gets into his psyche and turns Allen into a murderous revenge seeker.

This all sounds a bit inane but "Monkey Shines" works with some nice atmosphere and few intense sequences sure to please horror fans, even though the film bombed at the time of its original release.

It just wouldn't be a Scream Factory Blu-ray release if there weren't a plethora of bonus features to sink your teeth into to. "An Experiment in Fear: The Making of Monkey Shines" not only interviews writer/director George Romero, but also drums up the film's 2 main stars, Jason Beghe and Kate McNeil. Of the eight other features, which includes deleted scenes, an alternate ending, and a TV spot, most intriguing are the vintage on-set interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Chalk this Blu-ray up as one of Scream Factory's most extensive and affordable releases.

"Monkey Shines"
Blu-ray
www.shoutfactory.com