Specters / Maya Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Specters / Maya Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 21, 2024

The career of director Marcello Avallone is celebrated in a new double feature release from Vinegar Syndrome, who pair 1987’s “Specters” with 1989’s “Maya,” highlighting the helmer’s brief exploration of horror cinema.

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Specters / Maya Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for reviews.

Specters / Maya Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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Specters / Maya Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Specters

• Commentary features film historians Troy Howarth and Eugenio Ercolani.

• "Paranormal Roman Activity" (26:57, HD) is an interview with producer/co-writer Maurizio Tedesco, who followed family members into the film business, getting early work in the editing room on several features from Pier Paolo Pasolini. Tedesco developed in the industry, working on various projects, learning to be more confident with his presence and ideas. Collaborations with director Marcello Avalone soon began, with the men bonding over a love of movies. For "Specters," the interviewee used his interest in Roman history to inspire a treatment, and he celebrates casting, including Donald Pleasence's ability to remain professional while enjoying local alcohol. Tedesco points out a few creative highlights from "Specters," but admits "Maya" is the better picture.

• "Simply Emma" (12:51) is an audio interview with actress Erna Schurer, who followed her interest in the entertainment business with help from her uncle, a director. Attending acting school, Schurer developed her skills before beginning her career in 1960's "Lipstick," while modeling jobs helped to shape her fame. The interviewee launches into career highlights, identifying creative collaborations and learning experiences, including time with Federico Fellini. Schurer closes with a brief overview of her work with director Marcello Avallone, also romantically involved with the man at one point.

• "Little Specters, Little Demons" (26:32, HD) is an interview with special effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, who gained a love of film from time with his father, experiencing hits from Ray Harryhausen and Stanley Kubrick at a young age. Stivaletti's mind was blown after seeing "Star Wars," moving from med school to moviemaking, achieving major employment on Dario Argento's "Phenomena." Finding pushback in Italy when striving to do more in the realm of special effects, the interviewee tried to make his own way in the business, taking jobs to sharpen his skills and figure out tricks. Career highlights and learning experiences are shared, but there's no mention of "Specters."

• "Little Roman Ghosts" (27:48, HD) is an interview with director/co-writer Marcello Avallone, who attempted to make his way into the movie business during the 1960s, when economic troubles were brewing. Learning to schmooze, Avallone found a future in television, seeking training through documentaries. Film opportunities eventually arrived, including "Specters," and the interviewee explores some of a creative highlights on the feature, especially time with actor Donald Pleasence.

• "A Horrific Anomaly" (30:35, HD) is an appreciation piece from film historian Eugenio Ercolani.

• Alternate Italian Titles and Credits (3:47, HD) are offered.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Maya

• Commentary features film historians Eugenio Ercolani, Nathaniel Thompson, and Troy Howarth.

• "Scream Queen Memories" (27:15, HD) is an interview with actress Mirella D'Angelo, who began her modeling career as a young woman, quickly understanding her position as an object, soon looking for a more rewarding life in acting. Getting her start in 1974's "Terminal," D'Angelo found a creative outlet worth pursuing, attending acting classes in New York City to develop her skills. The interviewee explores the highlights of her career, including a small role in 1979's "Caligula," recalling the chaotic production and its 2023 resurrection in a new edit. D'Angelo also recalls her time with directors Federico Fellini and Dario Argento, inadvertently becoming the face of "Tenebrae." She closes with some thoughts on "Maya."

• "The Mexican Connection" (20:10, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Marcello Avallone, who started "Maya" a few years after the success of "Specters," somewhat reluctant to return to B-moviemaking. Heading to Venezuela to make the feature, the production required the construction of a temple set and worked through some challenges with local crime, establishing a tense mood for the shoot. The interviewee celebrates the cast and their approachable personalities, also sharing an anecdote about John Savage (star of 1997's "Last Cut") as an example of a difficult actor making trouble for the crew. Technical challenges are analyzed, with intensive special effects required for certain scenes.

• "Mystical Mayan Melodies" (21:04, HD) is an interview with compose Gabriele Ducros, who followed his father into the world of music, spending the 1970s on schooling and album releases, getting started on a career. Ducros paid his dues, even providing music for adult cinema, also delivering work for commercials to pay the bills, sharing an anecdote about the strangeness of the industry. Collaborating with director Marcello Avallone on nature documentaries, the interviewee discusses their relationship on "Maya," which was sometimes combative, but added to the electronic soundscape of the 1980s. Some talk of "Panama Sugar" and "Red American" are offered, with Ducros identifying different creative challenges for tonally opposite movies.

• "Second Time Around" (20:41, HD) is an interview with producer/co-writer Maurizio Tedesco, who was interested in Latin American history, eager to explore the topic in a horror movie. The interviewee examines the Venezuelan shoot, marveling over the Mayan temple set built for the picture. He celebrates casting as well, and highlights a few technical achievements in the feature. Tedesco provides some appreciation for director Marcello Avallone, noting the decline of their careers due to changes in the Italian film industry. Additional professional highlights are also discussed.

• Alternate Italian Titles and Credits (4:50, HD) are offered.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Specters / Maya Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Perhaps "Specters" and "Maya" aren't the most thrilling offerings of suspense, but A/V elements are satisfactory, and supplements are packed on the set, giving fans some insight into the working ways of Avallone