When I first read about this movie, a live-action adaptation of Mexican comic-book superhero series El Muerto, I was pretty excited. While not actually too familiar with the character, I'm always excited, as a Hispanic, to see my people represented in roles that aren't the maid or drug dealer, especially in the oft-overlooked world of comics and sci-fi. Too bad The Dead One, starring Wilmer Valderrama, while not bad, is flat and boring, looking too much like a cheap Sci-Fi Channel film. It's loaded with weak special effects and an even weaker script. We could say that on the plus side, the DVD has loads of special features but all of those, true to the film, are quite boring as well. The Dead One is muerto on arrival. Louis Fowler
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Rammstein: Volkerball (Special Ed.) (NR)
Universal Music Group
You'd think that with the welcome demise of n-metal, grinding German band Rammstein, known for its hit "Du Hast," would have faded into well-deserved obscurity. Its music isn't very good, and its appearance here is unintentionally hilarious. Dressed in long trenchcoats and even longer scowls, they project a faux hatred over the crowd, to resemble an Aryan version of Korn. Apparently, they're still popular with disaffected Euro- youth, and this two-DVD set 1 DVDs too many has them taking the stage in Nimes, England and Tokyo. It's all very repetitive, and the novelty wears off incredibly fast. But, if you're a fan, you're in luck, because this set also comes with a live album, so you can take the mediocrity with you wherever you go. Louis Fowler
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Exorcism (Special Edition) (NR)
Deimos Entertainment
In the '70s, The Exorcist impacted the horror film world in a way not seen since Psycho, especially in Europe. Showing no shame whatsoever, there were multiple, very obvious rip-offs, copying whole scenes and effects for a clueless public wanting more demon-possession entertainment. In this one, Paul Naschy took time off from his long-running Waldemar Daninsky werewolf character to play a heroic role as a tobacco-loving priest who tries to send an angry soul back to hell. It's familiar, but throw in some Satanic cult wackiness and you have a fun little exploitationer that's at least consistently entertaining. Most interesting, though, are the special features: alternate sequences, sill galleries and a new interview with Naschy. Louis Fowler
