Equinox: The Criterion Collection [$39.95]

For many fright fans, Famous Monsters of Filmland and its maverick overseer, Forrest J. Ackerman literally created the post-modern fright flick movement. A few of his so-called “students”—Dennis Muren, Mark McGee, David Allen and Jim Danforth—were so inspired by the publication that they made something called The Equinox… a Journey in the Supernatural. Like most homemade movies, it showed locally in a few out of the way places, and that was it. Yet, there was soon another version of Equinox on the market—a 1970 b-picture revamp of the footage these determined fans shot. Criterion, in clear acknowledgment of the DIY domain of modern digital moviemaking, releases a comprehensive DVD package that presents both versions. It’s a perfect illustration of how the business’s desire for a dollar can crush even the most earnest cinephiles’ creative dreams.  [Amazon]