Gorgon Video Magazine

My review was written in August 1989 after viewing the show on MPI video cassette.

"Gorgon Video Magazine" is an effective home video entry applying the magazine format to assay gory horror films.

Premiere edition, hosted by "The Hills Have Eyes" thesp Michael Berryman, is heavy on the blood and guts, but proves useful as a sampler of upcoming horror product. A look-back segment at '50s pics turns out to be a blatant ad for video distributor Sinister Cinema, but along with a trailers portion whets viewer appetite.

Similarly, interviews with director Wes Craven and actress Linnea Quigley shed little light on their careers but rather provide plenty of film clips. Even the critic's corner, in which Gore Gazette editor Rick Sullivan gives raves to such pictures as Kiwi import "Bad Taste" and case history thriller "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer", emphasizes clips rather than verbiage.

Recurring theme, voiced by Craven, Troma's Lloyd Kaufman and special effects experts from KNB EFX Group, is the ongoing battle between horror filmmakers and the Motion Picture Association of America's Classification & Rating Administration. All agree the dreaded X rating is a problem (as far as theatrical releases go) since their job as filmmakers is to stretch the bounds of horror. Since "Gorgon" is the brainchild of "Mondo New York" producer Stuart Shapiro, the obviously uncensored program is firmly on the side of free and unfettered expression.

Future editions might benefit from a harder-nosed look at the genre, but visual emphasis is on target.