Customer Reviews

Weird Tale Collection Vol. 1: The Yellow Sign

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I received the 'The Yellow Sign' last saturday and have watched it a couple of times--SUPERB! The story was changed slightly--but, I feel for the better. Scott emerges as a menacing and creepy character as too does the watchman. I enjoyed the film very much especially the outré and utterly weird music background. Not the least of the films attractions was the fantastic and surrealistic artwork evident in the entire film. The young actress playing Tess had a fresh and teen aged beauty which was very affecting. Very well done! As always these Lurker Films discs are packed with great content and the 8 page booklet was very informative (includes a few words from Lovecraft on Chambers too). Recommended.

I fear that this might be a poor seller for Lurker Films because it features adaptations by the relatively unknown Robert Chambers instead of the deservedly famous Lovecraft. This would be a shame, because the Yellow Sign is the best film I've seen on the three Lurker Disks that I've ordered. Very atmospheric and moody and well acted. One of the shorts Tupilak is also quite good. The short King in Yellow is not as good. Comes with commentary and extras. Recommended for fans of Lovecraftian horror.

Don't buy this DVD. From the lurkerfilms.com website:

"Note: The films The Yellow Sign and The King in Yellow are not presented in their true aspect ratio. Although the films are watchable this was not our intent and we wish to present the films in the intended aspect ratio as created by the filmmakers. Also the Portuguese subtitle track is actually a duplication of the Spanish subtitles. We intend to correct this in the next pressing. Existing customers will be able to request an updated disc. Look here for further news."

This warning is not on the Amazon listing for this DVD, so the unsuspecting customer who buys this DVD through Amazon (such as me) will not find out about the aspect ratio problem until after they've bought and watched the DVD. So now you know! Lurker Films should have told Amazon about this problem, and pulled their listing until it was corrected.

I don't consider the films to be watchable in the incorrect aspect ratio. All of the characters looked squashed and fat. You'd expect better quality control for a DVD that costs (at the time) $18.95. I purchased "The Yellow Sign" DVD back on August 1, 2007, and I've been in contact with Lurker Films several times now, and I have not been able to get a replacement DVD in the correct aspect ratio. Now I've asked them for a refund.

Additionally, the films on "The Yellow Sign" DVD are marginal, low-budget, and instantly forgettable. There are good low-budget films out there, but these ain't it.

I'm not knocking all Lurker Films product. I have another of their DVDs, "Out of Mind," which is good. I'm just saying that "The Yellow Sign" really is a poor product that should be avoided.

of the classic weird tale "The King In Yellow" which, as legend has it, directly inspired HP Lovecraft's oeuvre. I enjoyed many aspects of this adaption, and adaption it is; it takes some license with Robert W. Chambers' original, but it does have enough menace and oddity to make the experience worthwhile. Aaron Vanek's vision of the tale is Lynchian to say the least with peculiar guests populating a deserted hotel and a lot of dark imagery and long shots. Shawna Waldron as Tess is very good, though I feel slightly under-used, and Dale Snowberger as Aubrey is fascinating.
Of the additional films on the DVD the standout is Tupilak, a French shortfilm by David Leroy which is superbly shot, acted and scripted. My only complaint is it's too short!