Bloodlust – The Erotic
Cinema of Tony Marsiglia (Lust
for Dracula (2004)/Witches of
Sappho Salon (2005)/Dr. Jekyll and Mistress Hyde (2004) Sinful
(2006)/Seduction Cinema DVD Set)
Picture:
C- Sound: D Extras: B-
Films: C-
Here is another set from Seduction Cinema, this one being a collection of films
from “auteur” Tony Marsiglia. While the bar is set slightly higher on
these films - they are for the most part better written and acted than other
films produced by Seduction Cinema - it is still much the same dreck as that
found on the Lesbian Vampire Lovers Collection, reviewed elsewhere on
this site.
The first three films in the set, Lust for Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and
Mistress Hyde, and Witches of Sappho Salon are capable softcore
erotic horror films. There is more attention to dialogue and character
development than other films of this ilk, but they can be just as brainless at
times. The acting abilities of Misty Mundae are particularly
shudder-inducing in Lust for Dracula, where she plays a rather childlike role
and is an annoyance to fellow characters and the audience alike.
The fourth film presented in this set is 2006’s Sinful. This film
passes over the eroticism of the earlier features and instead goes down a
darker path. The story involves a young woman who desperately wants a
child of her own. Discovering that she cannot conceive, she decides to
kill her neighbor and take her unborn child. This comes straight from the
headlines, as murders such as this have occurred several times in recent
years. Sometimes this film is able to make itself work, while at other
points it struggles to even remain buoyant.
The picture is presented full frame 1.33:1 on both Witches of Sappho Salon
and Dr. Jekyll and Mistress Hyde. Lust for Dracula and Sinful
are instead shown in 1.78:1 widescreen. The image quality on this set is
just a little better than consumer grade. There is more done with
lighting than there was to the films from the aforementioned Lesbian Vampire
Lovers Collection, and it lends to the idea that there was at least a hint
of professionalism reached for here.
The sound is in 2.0 stereo for all of the features and rates worse than the
video. Again, their product exhibits signs of poor location recording,
and the music is often repetitive and ill-fitting.
There are some behind the scenes extras, as well as commentary tracks for two
of the films. I rated the bonus content fairly high in consideration of
the full-color booklet which is included, detailing the productions as well as
continuing on with information on Tony Marsiglia's career after parting ways
with the troupe.
Overall, the sex scenes here are tantalizing enough to warrant a viewing of
this set. They are at least on the level of films seen late at night on
HBO or Cinemax, and offer about the same level of entertainment. The only
film among these that does not really fit within this dynamic is Sinful.
The earlier films might have been better
serviced by this title being left off this set in favor of it being released as
a trio.
- David Milchick
