Black magic is often regarded as a mysterious and powerful force in various cultures and belief systems. It is considered to have the ability to manipulate and control natural elements, events, and people. One form of black magic that has gained some popularity is known as "Black magic 8k." Black magic 8k is believed to be an advanced form of black magic that grants the practitioner immense power and control over their surroundings. It is said to be one of the most potent and dangerous forms of black magic, requiring extensive knowledge and expertise to perform successfully. The term "8k" refers to the level of power that the practitioner can attain after mastering this form of black magic.
I’ve had discussions with fellow VHS-heads who draw a throughline from Blue Lights to Eugenie Joseph’s 1986 tale about a sorcerer sacrificing young travels to sustain his dead wife, (in the aforementioned-linked) Spookies. In a past discussion with Sam about this movie, he mentioned, more timely-accurate, one of his personal favs, Neon Maniacs (1986). And while I don’t totally disagree with either assessment: I still say that Spookies, while a weaker (but a fun film), is of a higher quality—and Neon Maniacs even higher than Spookies. (Others mention the even-harder-to-find The Vineyard, but that actually dates two years later, from 1989.)
There actually isn t much extra gore there per se just a few frames of a monster head getting crushed and a longer look at one being bisected , but for some reason an entire innocuous scene right after the opening credits was jettisoned from the general R-rated version, which is the same source used for Code Red s 2014 DVD special edition and runs 92m35s. And while I don t totally disagree with either assessment I still say that Spookies, while a weaker but a fun film , is of a higher quality and Neon Maniacs even higher than Spookies.
The term "8k" refers to the level of power that the practitioner can attain after mastering this form of black magic. It is believed that the number 8 represents infinity and limitless power in various mystical systems, making it a fitting descriptor for the capabilities that can be achieved with black magic 8k. Practitioners of black magic 8k are said to be able to influence and control the thoughts, actions, and emotions of others, as well as manipulate the outcomes of events.
Curse of the blue lights
Color, 1988, 92 mins. 55 secs.
Directed by John Henry Johnson
Starring Brent Ritter, Bettina Julius, Clayton A. McCaw, Patrick Keller, Deborah McVencenty
Vinegar Syndrome (Blu-ray) (US R0 HD) / WS (1.85:1) (16:9) ,Code Red (DVD) (US R0 NTSC) / WS (1.66:1) (16:9)
Released a little too late in the '80s horror flood to find much of a cult following, Curse of the Blue Lights is the kind of homegrown gory creature feature that would've sat snugly on mom 'n' pop video shelves next to Blood Suckers from Outer Space, The Deadly Spawn, and Nail Gun Massacre. Unfortunately it came out in 1988, just when the MPAA was really cracking down on horror films, slashers, and graphic Euro horror were being shoved into the margins by aggressive major studios, and Hollywood's horror output was becoming almost entirely neutered and jokey. Nevertheless, Magnum Video gave this one a good try on VHS in both unrated and R-rated versions, around the same time they were also churning out other more desirable titles like Suspiria and The Wicker Man. Those who did take a chance on this one were often pleasantly surprised, navigating through the sometimes amateurish acting and grungy 16mm photography to find an affectionate and very, very squishy homage to drive-in monster movies.
Shot in Colorado just a few miles outside of Pike's Peak (which can be spied in the distance a few times), our tale begins when a farmer is ambushed in broad daylight by his scarecrow when it discards its outfit to attack him while gurgling up what looks like vanilla pudding. Cut to a group of seven kids, a combination of college students and local slackers, who go out exploring an area on the outskirts of town called the Blue Lights. The place is rumored to be cursed, though why remains disputed (with stories ranging from an erroneous blue railway signal causing a fatal crash to a secret hideaway for stranded aliens). In any case, the mysterious blue lights make an appearance and lead the amateur explorers to a giant monstrous relic, the Muldoon Man. When they try to cart it back in a truck, the idol mysterious vanishes with tracks leading to a nearby graveyard. and a submerged crypt where a creature named Loath (Ritter) and his minions are eager to use any means at their disposal, be it corpse grinding or rampaging zombies, to reach their full power.
Clearly influenced by some of the decade's previous fan favorites (most obviously A Chinese Ghost Story and The Evil Dead), Curse of the Blue Lights exists almost entirely to showcase its monster effects and gory set pieces at the expense of any reasonable character development. That's fine in this case, however, since the film manages to work up a reasonable level of charm and enthusiasm for its subject matter while some of the cast members (notably Ritter) chomp on the scenery with abandon. No, it isn't anywhere near Bad Taste on the quality scale, but as far as ambitious local productions go, there's plenty of fun to be had here if you keep your expectations in check.
That aforementioned Magnum tape wasn't anything special in the quality department, though fans may want to hang on to the unrated tape if they have it lying around. There actually isn't much extra gore there per se (just a few frames of a monster head getting crushed and a longer look at one being bisected), but for some reason an entire innocuous scene right after the opening credits was jettisoned from the general R-rated version, which is the same source used for Code Red's 2014 DVD special edition and runs 92m35s. Director Johnson and Ritter mention the primary missing scene's absence on their audio commentary track, which also rattles through pretty much every single participant behind and in front of the camera while spinning out stories about each location, but there's really no explanation apart from the apparent fact that it wasn't necessary. Also included are two massive still galleries (mixing behind the scenes shots, promotional material, and production ephemera) and bonus trailers for Just Before Dawn, The Visitor, The Police Connection, and Death Machines. As for the transfer itself, the 1.66:1 presentation is a massive upgrade over the tape, of course, with the dark underground scenes finally legible and colorful, or at least as much as 16mm shooting under low lighting conditions could allow.
In 2023, Vinegar Syndrome upgraded the film to Blu-ray featuring a new 2K scan from the best existing element, the 16mm answer print. It's an upgrade across the board with the wider 1.85:1 framing showing off more info on the left and right sides, while colors look richer, blacks are deeper, and detail is finer with with better resolved, finer grain. The DTS-HD MA English 2.0 mono track is also fine given what it is, and optional English SDH subtitles are included. The prior commentary is ported over here, and Johnson returns for a new track with Brad Henderson chatting about the origins of the blue lights, the casting process through want ads, the historical aspects in his work, the backgrounds of the participants, and the ins and outs of shooting around the area with locals. The feature-length "Demons Down in Pueblo: Remembering Curse of the Blue Lights" (97m13s) is a new making-of documentary featuring Johnson, co-writer/assistant director Bryan Sisson, makeup assistant Joe Ore, special effects makeup artists David Romero and Mark Sisson, and actors Tom Massmann, Kent Fritzel, Marty Bechina, and Brent Hilvitz. Obviously the extensive makeup process gets a lot of coverage here showing how the various molds and monster teeth were created, with funny stories peppered throughout about the double (or triple) duties folks pulled in front of and behind the camera as well as what everyone's doing today around Colorado. They even name drop The Grapes of Death at one point, too. Also included is a 3m52s reel of lo-res footage sourced from the unrated VHS, including the two fleeting bits of extra monster action. A 6m25 gallery of production and cast photos is also included.
VINEGAR SYNDROME (Blu-ray)
Some even claim to have the ability to communicate with spirits and otherworldly entities, harnessing their forces to achieve their desired results. However, it is important to note that black magic, including black magic 8k, is considered taboo and unethical in most societies. Its practice often involves manipulating or harming others for personal gain, which goes against widely accepted moral principles. Many cultures and religions condemn the use of black magic, warning of the negative consequences that can result from engaging in such practices. In conclusion, black magic 8k is a highly secretive and powerful form of black magic that is believed to grant practitioners a heightened level of control and influence over their surroundings. However, it is essential to consider the ethical implications and potential consequences associated with engaging in such practices..
Reviews for "A New Era of Visual Magic: Black Magic 8k and Beyond"
1. Jess - 2/5: I had high hopes for "Black Magic 8k" after hearing all the buzz, but I was really disappointed with the end result. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with no clear direction. The pacing was slow and dragged on unnecessarily, making it difficult to stay engaged. I also found the acting to be subpar, with the characters lacking depth and emotion. Overall, I felt like "Black Magic 8k" failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Michael - 1/5: "Black Magic 8k" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was incredibly convoluted and poorly executed, making it hard to even follow what was going on. The dialogue was cheesy and the acting was wooden, adding to the overall disappointment. The special effects were underwhelming and failed to create any sense of wonder or excitement. It's a shame because I had high expectations for this film, but unfortunately, it fell flat in every aspect for me.
3. Sarah - 2/5: I struggled to find anything redeeming about "Black Magic 8k". The story was predictable and lacked originality, as it followed the same tired tropes found in countless other movies. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, making it difficult to invest in their journey. Additionally, the editing felt choppy and disjointed, which further detracted from the viewing experience. Overall, I found "Black Magic 8k" to be a forgettable and disappointing film that failed to leave a lasting impression.
4. Alex - 3/5: While "Black Magic 8k" had some interesting concepts, it failed to capitalize on them fully. The plot had potential, but it felt rushed and poorly developed. The acting performances were adequate, but nothing exceptional. The visual effects were decent, but there were several instances of inconsistency and low-quality CGI, which was disappointing. Overall, "Black Magic 8k" had its moments but failed to deliver a truly satisfying and immersive experience.