Read what the critics are saying: THE EDISON DEATH MACHINE (2006) D: George Bonilla. Stacey T. Gillespie, Ashley Arkels, Billy W. Blackwell, Michael Van Zant, Cherokee Hall, Frank Santoroski. 105 mins. (ZP International) 1/07 Henry Shackleford (Gillespie), Director of Antiquities for the Williams Museum, becomes disgruntled after receiving a title pro­motion that doesn't include a raise. After getting liquored up in a bar next to the museum, he inadvertently finds himself in­volved with master thief Renee DuBois (Blackwell) and his gang's attempt to steal a valuable painting. When Henry mouths off about a recent acquisition — the mysterious titular contraption invented by Thomas Edison to communicate with the dead — Renee and his men seize the box and take Henry to a local crypt for a demonstration. After resurrecting deceased rock star Buddy Gilbert (Mark Dryden), Renee devises a scheme in which they use the machine to re-animate corpses buried with priceless artifacts. Rather than kill Henry, the gang takes him with them on a trip to Japan to procure a priceless samurai sword from a long-dead warrior. No plan being perfect, the gang runs into a snag but returns to the States with the sword. After they sell the sword for a tidy sum, wiseguy gangster Dominic Contessi (Santoroski) comes calling to collect on an old debt. To say more might give away some of the surprises this unique film has to offer. Bonilla and company deliver a clever, original premise populated by a very likable cast and some great monsters. Gillespie does a fine job as the film's "Joe Everyman" who gets a blast of excitement in his humdrum life after hooking up with the gang. Blackwell is terrific as the ring­leader, while Arkels shines as the gang's femme fatale. The standout here, though, is Santoroski as the loudmouthed goodfella. Special features include a director commentary, trailers and a blooper reel. With its mix of monsters and mayhem, laughs and scares, The Edison Death Machine is a low-budget winner worth a watch. ROB FREESE VIDEOSCOPE #63 Summer 2007