Sat Dec 20, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger

'Fantastic Flesh' Looks Beneath the Surface

Documentary Coming to DVD in January

From classic creatures to modern gore, special effects makeup has always been at the dark heart of movie magic. Now, film fans will go skin deep – and beyond – with Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Makeup EFX, coming from Anchor Bay Entertainment on January 27, 2009. In this Starz Original documentary, viewers will meet the masters of the craft and discover its incredible history.

Directed by filmmaker and visual effects artist Kevin VanHook (Death Row), Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Makeup EFX was lauded as “an enjoyable look at the industry as well as a great nostalgia piece” by IconsofFright.com, while Bloody-disgusting.com said the documentary “offers a unique glimpse behind the lens to a magical place where hardcore film fans who grew up on too many monster movies would love to play.”

From the silent era to today’s blockbuster, this fast-paced documentary examines the techniques, reveals the secrets, and emphasizes the impact that special effects makeup has had on filmmaking for more than a century. Before CGI effects became the norm, special effects makeup was often accomplished through invention, ingenuity and, in some cases, sheer luck!

This in-depth documentary features exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in Hollywood filmmaking, including Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street), John Carpenter (the original Halloween, The Fog), Eli Roth (Cabin Fever), George A. Romero (the original Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead), John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption), Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn), Mick Garris (Masters of Horror), Tom Savini (Creepshow), Dick Smith (The Exorcist) and Academy Award winner Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2), as well as clips from such classic horror and fantasy films as Frankenstein, The Exorcist, Planet of the Apes, The Chronicles of Narnia, An American Werewolf in London, The Thing, Grindhouse, Sin City, Transformers, Day of the Dead, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2, Total Recall, Cabin Fever, The Howling and many more.

 “[Starz is] becoming – if they’re not already – the best in the genre business with comprehensive documentaries on the slasher and vampire genres, the history of black cinema and many more, but this one will hold a special place in the hearts of every fan-boy out there,” said RogueCinema.com.

The 58-minute documentary will retail for $19.97.

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