S10's Page of Popular Dysfunction

What I Saw Last Week...

2009-12-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

Oh the horror…

Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat (2002) (F) 6 of 10
Disturbing Behavior (1998) ® 8 of 10
Friday the 13th (2009) ® 7 of 10
My Name is Bruce (2007) ® 7 of 10
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) ® 7 of 10

The Rest in Peace…

Big Trouble in Little China (1986) ® 8 of 10
Closer (2004) ® 7 of 10
District 9 (2009) ® 9 of 10
Metallica: Live Shit – Binge & Purge – Seattle (1993) ® 8 of 10
The Searchers (1956) ® 9 of 10
Star Wars 4: A New Hope (1977) ® 10 of 10
Star Wars 5: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) ® 10 of 10
Star Wars 6: Return of the Jedi (1983) ® 10 of 10
The Three Faces of Eve (1957) (F) 8 of 10

TV Seasons…

None

12/22/2009 New on Home Video Today.

2009-12-25T17:16:00.001-08:00

12/22/2009

DVD Releases:

(500) Days of Summer 2009
All About Steve 2009
American Pie presents: The Book of Love 2009
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt 2009
District 9 2009
District 9 2009 2-Disc Edition
Extract 2009
Family Guy presents: Something, Something, Something Dark Side 2009
Ghost Machine 2009
Hair Extensions 2007
Ichi 2008
It Might Get Loud 2009
Kyle XY – Season 3 2009
Paranormal Entity 2009
Secret Life of the American Teenager – Season 3 2009
Shattered Lives
Taxi – The Final Season 1982

BluRay Releases:

(500) Days of Summer 2009
All About Steve 2009
American Pie presents: The Book of Love 2009
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt 2009
District 9 2009
Extract 2009
Family Guy presents: Something, Something, Something Dark Side 2009
Ichi 2008
It Might Get Loud 2009

What I Saw Last Week...

2009-12-18T23:45:00.000-08:00

Oh the horror…

Bachelor Party in the Bungalow of the Damned (2006) (F) 3 of 10
Darkness Falls (2003) ® 6 of 10
Dead Air (2009) (F) 7 of 10
The Gate (1987) ® 7 of 10
Ghost Machine (2009) (F) 5 of 10
Gutterballs (2008) (F) Unrated 7 of 10
Paranormal Entity (2009) (F) 4 of 10

The Rest in Peace…

12 Monkeys (1995) ® 9 of 10
Annihilation Earth (2009) (F) 3.5/5
Family Guy: Something Something Something Dark Side (2009) (F) 8 of 10
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) ® 8 of 10
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983) ® 8 of 10
Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction (2009) (F) 6 of 10
The Sister-in-Law (1974) (F) 6 of 10
The Stepmother (1972) (F) 6 of 10
Wing Commander (1999) ® 6 of 10

TV Seasons…

Californication – Season 3 (2009) (F) 9 of 10
Dexter – Season 4 (2009) (F) 9 of 10
Ghost Hunters Academy – Season 1 (2009) (F) 3 of 10
Xavier: Renegade Angel – Season 1 (2007) (F) 5 of 10

12/15/2009 New on Home Video Today.

2009-12-18T23:39:00.001-08:00

12/15/2009

DVD Releases:

Art of Love (1983)
Bleach – Volume 23
Dead Men Don’t Make Shadows / Django meets Sartana (Double Feature)
G-Force (2008)
G-Force (2008) Deluxe Edition
The Girl from Morocco (2008)
The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard (2009)
Guyver: The Complete Series
The Hangover (2008)
The Hangover (2008) Unrated
Inglorious Bastards (2009)
Inglorious Bastards (2009) Special Edition
La Boheme
Murder by Decree
The Other Man (2008)
Psycho Ward (2009)
Robot Chicken – Season 4 (2008)
The Sherlock Holmes Collection (2009)
Taking Woodstock (2008)
The Tudors – Season 4 (2009)

BluRay Releases:

Basilisk: The Complete Series
G-Force (2008)
The Hangover (2008) Unrated
Inglorious Bastards (2009) Special Edition
La Boheme
The Mel Brooks Collection (2009)
The Other Man (2008)
Samurai Champoo: The Complete Series
Star Trek: The Original Series – Season 3 (1969)
Taking Woodstock (2008)

What I Saw Last Week...

2009-12-11T16:50:00.001-08:00

Alice (2009) 3/5
A rather underwhelming Syfy mini-series. Pass this one up for the Tim Burton one next year.

Black Christmas (2006) Unrated 3/5
A little better the second time around.

Blood Moon Rising (2009) 2.5/5
A silly, low-budget cheese festival.

Drainiac! (2000) 3/5
Boy that house really needs the Roto-rooter man.

Ghostfuck [Colpo dell’anno] (1995) 2.5/5
More D’Amato sleeze.

Halloween II (2009) Unrated Director’s Cut 3.5/5
I like the Director’s Cut a little bit more than the theatrical.

Hanger (2009) Unrated 3.5/5
Wow, this one’s something else.

Iron Man: Armored Adventures vol. 1 (2008) 3/5
A passable cartoon.

Mr. Jingles (2006) 2/5
A disappointing sequel to S.I.C.K.

Prom Night (1980) 2/5
Yawn. I actually like the remake more, which isn’t saying much.

Star Wars 1: The Phantom Menace (1999) 3.5/5
Star Wars 2: Attack of the Clones (2002) 4/5
My Far, Far Away marathon begins…

Terminator Salvation (2009) Director’s Cut 3/5
My least favorite of the series so far.

The Ugly Truth (2009) 4/5
No expectations have their awards sometimes. Surprisingly funny despite the usual template.

12/08/2009 New on Home Video This Week.

2009-12-10T12:21:00.001-08:00

12/08/2009

DVD Releases:

Coraline - Limited Edition Giftset (2009)
The Dead (1987)
The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2009)
I Downloaded a Ghost (2001)
Friday: The Complete Animated Series (2007)
The Fugitive – Season 3 v2 (1966)
Get Smart – Season 5 (1969)
Ghosted
Gozu (2003) Collector’s Edition
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Ultimate Edition
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) Special Edition
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) Ultimate Edition
Julie & Julia (2009)
Lost – Season 5 (2009) The Journey Back – Expanded Edition
Lost – Season 5 (2009) The Journey Back – Expanded Edition (Dharma Imitative Orientation Kit)
Moonlight Serenade (2009)
Perry Mason – Season 4 v2
Plaguers (2008)
Public Enemies (2009)
Public Enemies (2009) Special Edition
Rescue Me – Season 4 v2 (2009)
Run! Bitch, Run! (2009)
Shank (Unrated Director’s Cut)
SpongeBob SquarePants – Season 6 v1 (2008)

BluRay Releases:

AC/DC – No Bull (1996)
The Alphabet Killer (2008)
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Coraline - Limited Edition Giftset (2009)
Cyclops (2008)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Ultimate Edition
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) Ultimate Edition
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2007)
Julie & Julia (2009)
Lost – Season 5 (2009) The Journey Back – Expanded Edition
Lower Learning (2008)
Public Enemies (2009) Special Edition
Red Mist (2008)
Rush – R30
Sands of Oblivion (2007)
Walled In (2008)
While She Was Out (2008)
World’s Greatest Dad (2008)

What I Saw Last Week...

2009-12-04T10:18:00.001-08:00

1. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
Repeat View HD * * *
Big G versus Mecha G with Mothra as a referee. Tokyo’s the ring and destruction is the name of the game.

2. The Echo (2008)
First View HD * * ½
Well it’s all been done before, with much better results. The sound design is pretty decent and helps establish what little atmosphere there is.

3. Funny People (2009) Unrated
First View SD * * *
More drama than funny. It’s a tad long and not funny enough.

4. Chuck – Season 1 (2007)
Repeat View USD * * * ½
A fun geeky series.

5. Angels & Demons (2009) Extended Version
First View HD * * * *
“Angels” is a fine sequel (even though it was published before “Da Vinci”). Although I preferred the hunt for the Grail in “Code” as a storyline “Angels” is clearly a better film. “Da Vinci” occasionally suffered from pacing issues and lapses (which were made better by its extended version) “Angels” hits the ground running and is engaging until the end.

6. The Final Destination (2009)
First View SD * * * ½
The franchise is brought to its fiery end (yeah right) in “The Final Destination”. NASCAR racing is the big beginning with a lovely fiery, CGI bang. Don’t expect any new ground to be broken. Just sit back and enjoy the mayhem.

7. Black Dynamite (2009)
First View SD * * * *
Great Blaxploitation spoof. Can you dig it?

8. The General (1927)
First View HD * * * *
I believe this is my first Buster Keaton movie. I liked it. It was entertaining.

9. Beyond Sherwood Forest (2009)
First View HD *
Silly Syfy drivel that tosses dragons and other fantasy elements into the Robin Hood legend. It’s dry and lifeless. But Maid Marion is made for marrying…ba-doom, tiss!

10. The Big Boss (1971)
Repeat View USD * * * *
I was in the mood for a little hi-ya so why not go with the master?

11. Heat (1995)
Repeat View HD * * * * *
Michael Mann’s crime epic is far from perfect (there are several glaring oversights) but with a grade A cast and a wonderful script it’s easy to overlook a few minor flaws.

12. Rest Stop: Don’t Look Back (2008) Unrated
Repeat View HD * * *
I enjoy this Raw Feed series.

13. The Mummy (1999)
Repeat View HD * * * ½
It’s a decent enough Indiana Jones-style adventure film. It’s nowhere near the original.

14. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) Extended Edition
Repeat View HD * * * * *
A rousing conclusion to one of the best book adaptations…ever.

15. Logan’s Run (1976)
Repeat View HD * * * ½
“Logan’s Run” is an interesting concept but the production design is a bit sparse (actually more like sterile) for my taste but the funky and quirky Jerry Goldsmith score is fun.

16. Deep Impact (1998)
Repeat View HD * * * *
Summer of the astral impact disaster flicks. I prefer this one slightly over “Armageddon”.

17. S.I.C.K. (2003)
First View SD * * * ½
After hearing how horrible this one was I avoided it. But I gave it a go and thought it was pretty damned decent.

Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
First View SD * * * *
A wicked revenge flick.

12/01/2009 New on Home Video Today.

2009-12-02T22:30:00.000-08:00

12/01/2009

DVD Releases:

Ben 10: Alien Swarm (2009)
Better Off Ted – Season 1 (2009)
The Dead (1987)
Deader Country
Deadline (2009)
Death Warrior
Endgame
Mental – Season 1 (2009)
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Collection vol. 16
Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian (2009)
Paper Heart (2009)
Saturday Night Live – Season 5 (1979)
Silent Night, Deadly Night Triple Feature (2009)
Suns of the Father
Six Sex Scenes and a Murder
Storm of the Dead
Terminator: Salvation (2009)

BluRay Releases:

Ben 10: Alien Swarm (2009)
Deadline (2009)
Death Warrior
Gimme Shelter (1970) Criterion Collection
The Green Mile (1999)
Gremlins (1984)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Guns (1998)
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
The Mask of Zorro / The Legend of Zorro
Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian (2009)
Paper Heart (2009)
Secondhand Lions (2003)
Snatch (2001)
Terminator: Salvation (2009)
The Wizard of Oz (1939) Emerald Edition

What I Saw Last Week...

2009-11-27T00:49:00.000-08:00

Street Fighter: Round One Fight (2009)
First View
* ½
I sort of just randomly watched this one. I don’t care for the style of anime that is of pictures being moved around with voiceovers. It would have been much more enjoyable as standard anime.

The Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy (1958)
First View
* ½
A silly dubbed Mexican flick that seems like a picture cobbled together by hacking and splicing several films. Fun for the younger set I guess but a badly written bore for the rest of us.

Dante’s Peek (1997)
Repeat View
* * * ½
The better of the two volcano films that year. “Volcano” just was too farfetched.

Predator 2 (1990)
Repeat View
* * * ½
“P2” is a sold sequel but not quite as good as the original. Bringing the Predator to the big city was a wise choice.

Fight Club (1999)
Repeat View
* * * * *
I am Tyler’s busted nut…

Leon: The Professional (1994) Extended Version
Repeat View
* * * * *
Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and Natalie Portman really hit this one out of the park as does Luc Besson. (t’s a pity the sequel never materialized.

The Unborn (2009) Unrated
Repeat View
* * *
The Unborn is a hodge-podge of Jewish mysticism, The Exorcist and a smidge of The Grudge. It’s decent but it treads some tired old ground as it unwinds.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Repeat View
* * * *
Indiana finally makes the jump to the 21st century. Overwrought, under-realized CGI and all. For me it rates above Crusade but below Raiders and Doom.

S.F.W. (1994)
Repeat View
* * * *
S.F.W. is an excellent drama-dy on the fickleness of pop culture and the lunacy of the “15 Minutes of Fame” culture. It’s not changed. It’s only gotten worse.

Suspiria (1977)
Repeat View
* * * * *
What else can be said?

Saw VI (2009)
First View
* * *
I enjoyed the first two. But starting with part three it did a nose-dive in to non-existent plot with character twists seemingly pulled out of thin air (or asses more likely) and gore galore. Then it did a crapper around five. Now Lionsgate is trying to revive their cash-cow with so-so effect. It kinda hit with a thud at the box office. The ride may be over. Saw VI is improvement over the last two or three installments but I think it’s time to take this franchise out behind the barn.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Extended Edition
Repeat View
* * * * *
I thought I’d have a holiday viewing of the extended trilogy.

Crank (2006)
Repeat View
* * * *
“Crank” is an insanely entertaining concept which which Statham and the creators milk to the 9’s.

Triangle (2009)
First View
* * * ½
A group of friends go sailing. During their voyage a storm nearly kills them. Afterwards they come across an old ocean liner that they investigate. The second and third acts start twisting away and although it gets a bit muddled Triangle is a pretty decent thriller.

The Blackout (2009)
First View
* * *
An apartment building comes under siege of some nasty beasts that creep out of the Earth after tremors leave them a pathway from the depths. A likable horror that draws off “The Descent” and maybe “Demons 2”.

Crank 2: High Voltage (2009)
Repeat View
* * * *
“High Voltage” is an even more psychotic and stylized sequel to the incredibly fun original.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Extended Edition
Repeat View
* * * * *
I continue my journey through Middle Earth.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
First View
* *
First of all I gave the first one a three of five so I did like that one for what it was. Bur “New Moon” is two plus hours of pure mopping around. Dreadfully slow, this unapologetic redux of “Romeo & Juliet” drags on and on until one can almost not stand it any longer. I know I’m not the target audience (cougars & ‘tweens) but holy hell will something interesting happen already. The photography is the only real high point. The question shouldn’t be are you Team Edward or Team Jacob but when the hell will the credits roll?

11/24/2009 New on Home Video Today.

2009-11-26T23:11:00.000-08:00

11/24/2009

DVD Releases:

Air America (1990)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents – Season 4 (1968)
Angels & Demons (2009)
Angels & Demons (2009) Extended Edition
Angels & Demons Decoded (2009)
Art of the Devil III (2007)
Beverly Hills 90210 – Season 8 (1997)
Blood Moon Rising (2009)
A Christmas Carol (1951) Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Devil Girl (2008)
Devil Man (2004) Special Edition
Far Cry (2008)
Four Christmases (2009)
Funny People (2009) Unrated & Theatrical
Funny People (2009) Unrated Collector’s Edition
Gomorrah (2008) Criterion Collection
Hogan’s Heroes: The Complete Series (1965) Kommandant’s Kollection
Imagine That (2009)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent – The Fourth Year (2004)
The Maiden Heist (2009)
Megafault (2009)
Melrose Place – Season 5 (1997)
Rareflix vol. 5 (Triple Feature)
The Rebirth (2009)
Rush: R30
Santa Buddies (2009)
Shorts (2009)
Slaughtered Vomit Dolls (2008)
Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs (1937)
Superman: The Complete Animated Series
The Witches Hammer (2006)

BluRay Releases:

Air America (1990)
Angel Heart (1987)
Angels & Demons (2009)
Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Cujo (1983) 25th Anniversary Edition
Four Christmases (2009)
Frailty (2001)
Funny People (2009) Unrated Collector’s Edition
Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (1995)
Gomorrah (2008) Criterion Collection
Ink (2009)
Megafault (2009)
The Monster Squad (1987) 20th Anniversary Edition
My Bloody Valentine (1981) Special Edition
My Brilliant Career (1979)
New Police Story (2004)
Santa Buddies (2009)
Sex and Death 101 / Heathers (20th High School Reunion Edition)
Shorts (2009)
The Sopranos – Season 1 (1999)
Streets of Blood / Lies and Illusions
Traitor / Righteous Kill
The Way of the Gun (2000)

What I Saw Last Week...

2009-11-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

1. Batman (1989)
* * * * 1/2
A classic combo of talent behind the camera and in front.

2. The Children (1980)
* * * 1/2
A favorite from the good old Elvira years.

3. Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars (2009)
* * * 1/2
One more special until the new Doctor. The switch to hi-def is certainly helping the look of the series.

4. Dolphins (2000)
* * * 1/2
An enjoyable IMAX documentary.

5. Godzilla (1998)
* * * *
It looks and sounds fantastic on BluRay. Go green machine.

6. Living in Darkness (2002)
* * * 1/2
Agood. solid and informative documentary of the vamp classic "Near Dark". What no Jenny Wright?

7. Near Dark (1987)
* * * *
It's not the grandest upgrape to Blu but it's still a damn fine film and much better than any "Twilight" entry.

8. Passengers (2008)
* * * *
Anne Hathaway stars in the drama / mystery that has an interesting but predictable twist. If it was a bit more surreal it could have easily bumped it up another star.

9. Rest Stop: Dead Ahead (2006)
* * *
A simple but enjoyable slasher.

10. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
* * *
A fun time waster.

11. Star Trek (2009)
* * * *
A fine sequel / prequel / reboot that is faithful to the spirit of the franchise. Chekov is the weakest character but Bones and Scotty are spot on. Eric Bana was a very lame baddie though.

12. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
* 1/2
Does MST3K do this huge of a steaming pile?

13. Trick ‘r Treat (2008)
* * * *
One of the best anthology flicks in years. I love how all the tales tie in together with plenty of cool twists and performances.

14. Under Siege (1992)
* * * *
A classic for Seagal. Erika Eleniak naked in a birthday cake. Yum!

15. White Heat (1949)
* * * *
Cagney's awesome in this one.

16. Wings of Desire (1987)
* * * *
Hollywood remade this one as "City of Angels". "Wings" looks fantastic as is the acting.

11/17/2009 New on Home Video Today.

2009-11-18T09:36:00.001-08:00

11/17/2009

DVD Releases:

7th Heaven – Season 9 (2004)
American Venus (2007)
Andy Barker, P.I. (2007) The Complete Series
Art of Love (1983)
The Band (2009)
Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation v2 (2009)
Best of Star Trek: The Next Original Series v2 (2009)
Blue Seduction (2009)
Bruno (2009)
The Canyon (2009)
Carbon Copy (2008)
Cheerleaders Wild Weekend (1979)
Downhill Racer (1969) The Criterion Collection
Expired (2007)
Farscape: The Complete Series
Franklyn (2008)
Gone with the Wind: The Making of a Legend
Gone with the Wind (1939) Two-Disc 70th Anniversary Edition
Gone with the Wind (1939) Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Hanger (2009)
How to Be (2007)
Humpday (2009)
I Can See You (2008)
Is Anybody There? (2008)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas (2009)
The limits of Control (2009)
Mad Dog Morgan (1976) 2-Disc Limited Edition
Moonshot (2009)
My Sister’s Keeper (2009)
The Open Road (2009)
Rituals
Rome (2005) The Complete Series
Silent Scream (1980)
Six Sex Scenes and a Murder (2009)
Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek (2009) 2-Disc Special Edition
Taintlight
Thirst (2009)
Train (2009)
Wild Child (2008)

BluRay Releases:

Bruno (2009)
Chasing Amy (1997)
Clerks (1994) 15th Anniversary
Fight Club (1999)
Franklyn (2008)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
Gone with the Wind (1939) Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Is Anybody There? (2008)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas (2009)
Kevin Smith 3 Movie Collection (2009)
Leon: The professional (1994)
Moonshot (2009)
My Brilliant Career (1979)
My Sister’s Keeper (2009)
The Open Road (2009)
Rome (2005) The Complete Series
Scrubs – Season 8 (2009)
Sex, Lies & Videotape (1989)
Star Trek (2009) 3-Disc Special Edition

What's in a name?

2009-11-15T21:49:00.000-08:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are

people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

What I Saw Last Week...

2009-11-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

1. 9 (2009)
IMDB
* * * *
"9" is a well made animated film. It reminded me a bit of the cartoons of my youth like "Watership Down" and "The Secret of Nimh".

2. Amadeus Mozart (1995)
IMDB
* *
Another D'Amato hardcore flick. Pretty standard rip-off of Amadeus of sorts.

3. Black Devil Doll (2009)
IMDB
* * * *
Wow! Is this one an obnoxious treat or what. It's crude and crass but it's so damn fun.

4. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
IMDB
* * * *
Arnie was born to play this fantasy classic. A fine adaptation.

5. Dark Mirror (2007)
IMDB
* * *
Another mirror-related thriller this time dealing with a photographer who comes under the influence of a sinister mirror in a house that's not too kind to the artistic type.

6. Edges of Darkness (2009)
IMDB
* * *
The zombie apocalypse is upon us and this flick chronicles the story of several survivors. There's some interesting ideas floating around but it doesn't really jell too well in the end.

7. Gamer (2009)
IMDB
* * * 1/2
In the not-too-distant future convicts are used as pawns in a game show that offers them their freedom if they survive. "Gamer" is a bit of an update of "The Running Man" except that the cons are controlled via nano-technology by players. Interesting production design lends the film an interesting visual look.

8. I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
IMDB
* * *
A pretty standard, but still enjoyable teen comedy.

9. Macabre (1958)
IMDB
* * *
A relatively rare William Castle horror about a kidnapped girl buried alive and the small town rushing to rescue her and solve the mystery in five hours. Not as fun as some of his best (like "The Tingler") but still good.

10. Microwave Massacre (1983)
IMDB
* * *
The most interesting aspect of this entertaining but badly made no-budgeter is seeing the voice of those the "Frosty" TV specials (Jackie Vernon) cavorting with hookers. disposing of bodies and doing adult barbs.

11. MST3K: Werewolf (1999)
IMDB
* * *
Servo, Crow and Mike Nelson really have their work cut out for them with this piece O' crap. This one's a Staley Steamer if there was ever one.

12. Necrophilia: Fucking the Dead (2000)
IMDB
* *
Not as disgusting as the title would suggest. Definitely not on the same level as say "Nekromantik" but still it's hardcore and contains sex in cemeteries and with actors playing dead.

13. Pandorum (2009)
IMDB
* * * *
An excellent science fiction flick that was criminally overlooked at the theaters. I was expecting something along the lines of "Event Horizon" but got something much better.

14. Santa Buddies (2009)
IMDB
* *
Ho-hum family time waster.

15. Surrogates (2009)
IMDB
* * *
Bruce Willis stars in this sci-fi comic book adaptation that explorers the near future where the human race uses robot surrogates to live their lives. Free of disease or danger their lives are turned upside down when operators are killed along with their surrogates. Willis is a detective trying to solve the mystery.

16. Waterworld (1995) Extended Version
IMDB
* * * *
I was interested in what the extra 40 mins would add to the film. Particularly I was interested to see if any of the slaver storyline was used but it would seem that alas it was quite literally just the TV version. Unlike releases like "Halloween" that inserted the TV footage into a theatrical print it seems Universal took the lazy way out and presented it as is. No cussing. No bare stunt butt. Don't get me wrong, it offered some good stuff particularly towards the end but if a network must change the word "turd" to "toilet" somethings gotta be off. But yet ABC didn't have any probs with showing us Dennis Franz's ass!

11/10/2009 New on Home Video Today.

2009-11-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

DVD Releases:

Alive (2002)
American Virgin (2009)
Bald (2008)
Ballast (2008)
Batman: The Brave and the Bold v2 (2009)
Bleed (2002)
The Break-Up Artist (2009)
Challenge of Change
Dawson’s Creek: The Complete Series
Delta Delta Die! (2003)
Disciples of Shaolin (1975)
Django Shoots First (1996)
Dragon Ball – Season 2 (1982)
The Echo (2008)
Evil Face (1974)
Family Scandal (1980)
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (Complete Collector’s Set)
Graveyard Disturbance (1987)
Ink (2009)
JAG – Season 9 (2003)
Jigsaw (2002)
Justice League: The Complete Series
Mamma Mia! (2008) Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! More Gift Set
Nash Bridges 0 Season 3 (1998)
Natalee Holloway
Pray for Hell (2009)
The Sarah Jane Adventures – Season 2 (2009)
Sexploitation Double Feature: Female Animal / Teenage Mother
Spread (2009)
Summer’s Moon
Tinto Brass Collection v3
The Ugly Truth (2009)
The Untouchables – Season 3 v2 (1961)
Up (2009)
Up (2009) Deluxe Edition
Veronica 2030 (1998)
Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut (2009)
Xavier: Renegade Angel – Seasons 1 + 2
Zebraman (2005) Special Edition

BluRay Releases:

Ballast (2008)
Challenge of Change
The Echo (2008)
The General (1926)
Godzilla (1998)
Heat (1995)
Logan’s Run (1976)
Mamma Mia! (2008) Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! More Gift Set
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Near Dark (1987)
The Negotiator, The (1998)
Red Heat (1988)
Spread (2009)
The Ugly Truth (2009)
Up (2009)
Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut (2009)

The Fourth Kind (2009)

2009-11-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

The Fourth Kind (2009)

Genre: Science Fiction / Thriller / Horror

Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi

Stars: Milla Jovovich, Will Patton, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Corey Johnson, Elias Koteas

IMDB

Rating 3.5 of 5

Synopsis

Thoughts:
An intriguing trailer and the lovely Miss Jovovich were more than enough to get me to plop down in the theater for 100 minutes. What I got was not quite what I expected. It's told in a sort of ADD-vision. A mish-mash of "real" footage and movie adaptation you often get split screen action all the way up to four views at once. The acting is very good and quite convincing. The story is compeling and there's even an occasional scare or disturbing moment. Fans of "Paranormal Activity" may very well eat it up but some may not like the style in which it was presented. Me, I wanted more scares and alien action. But you know how that goes.

The Third Man (1949)

2009-11-04T01:31:00.000-08:00

Title:
The Third Man (1949)

Genre:
Film-Noir / Mystery / Thriller

Director:
Carol Reed

Stars:
Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, Trevor Howard, Bernard Lee, Paul Hörbiger

Rating:
4.5 of 5

Synopsis:
Harry Lime invites his friend Holly Martins, a down-on-his-luck writer to join him in post-war Vianna. Upon his arrival Martins learns that his friend died in a car accident. But as Martins looks deeper and deeper into the incident he finds that his friend was involved in some shady dealings and as the police watch his every move.

Thoughts:
Carol Reed's The Third Man is considered to be one of the (or THE) finest Noir thrillers to grace the silver screen. The fine cast sucks you into the intrigue and the look of the film is replicated beautifully in all it's black and white glory in a recently released (now OOP) Criterion Collection BluRay.

Final Thought:
See IT!

11/03/2009 New on Home Video Today.

2009-11-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

DVD Releases:

Aliens in the Attic (2009)
All about My Mother (1999) Remastered
The Answer Man (2009)
Bad Education (2004) NC-17 Version
Beast Within (2009)
Before the Fall (2008)
Bleach: Box St 4 part 1 (2009)
Christmas Story (2007)
The Claudette Colbert (2009)
Command Performance
Criminal Justice
Crutch: Director’s Cut
Da Ali G Show: The Complete Seereez
Dark Mirror (2007)
The Dead (1987)
Death of Evil
Doctor Who: The Black Guardian (1983)
Doctor Who: The War Games
Earth 2100 (2009)
Edge of Darkness: The Complete Series (1985)
Film Noir Classics 1 (2009)
Flower of My Secret (1995)
Food, Inc. (2008)
Forrest Gump (994) Chocolate Box Gift Set
Fraggle Rock: The Complete Final Season
Fraggle Rock: The Complete Series
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero – Season 1.2 (1985)
G.I. Joe: Resolute (2009)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) 2 Disc Digital Copy Edition
Ghosts (2005)
Hardwired (2009)
I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) Giftset
Law of Desire
Lemon Tree (2008)
Less Than Zero (1987)
March of the Penguins (2005) Limited Edition Giftset
Matador (1986)
The Men (1950)
Mission: Impossible – The Complete Series
Mission: Impossible – The Final Season
Mutants (2009)
The Narrows (2008)
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
Night Watcher (2009)
North by Northwest (1959) 50th Anniversary Edition
Not Forgotten (2009)
Oscar and Lucinda (1997)
Ravage the Screen Queen
The Rockford Files: Movie Collection v1
Sand Serpents (2009)
Say Anything (1989) 20th Anniversary Edition
The Shield: The Complete Series (2002)
Six Sex Scenes and a Murder (2008)
Spin City – Season 3 (1998)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 1 (2008)
The Storm (2009)
Stragglers
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
Talk to Her (2002)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Season 7
Terminator Salvation – The Machina Series (2009)
Transformers: The Complete Series (1984) 25th Anniversary Matrix of Leadership Collection
Two Girls and a Guy (1998)
Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut (2009)
White Christmas (1954) 2 Disc Anniversary Edition
The Wings of Desire (1987) Criterion Collection
Wolverine and the X-Men: Beginning of the End
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Remastered
Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952)

BluRay Releases:

Aliens in the Attic (2009)
The Answer Man (2009)
Command Performance
Direct Action
Earth 2100 (2009)
Food, Inc. (2009)
Forrest Gump (1994) Sapphire Series
Forrest Gump (1994) Sapphire Series – Chocolate Box Giftset
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) 2 Disc Digital Copy Edition
Howards End (1995) Criterion Collection
I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Love Actually (2003)
The Narrows (2008)
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
North by Northwest (1959) 50th Anniversary Edition
Not Forgotten (2009)
Rocky: The Undisputed Collection (2009)
Say Anything (1989) 20th Anniversary Edition
Screwballs (1983)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Season 1 (2008)
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
Transformers: Two-Movie Mega Collection
Two Girls and a Guy (1998)
Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut (2009)
The Wings of Desire (1987) Criterion Collection
Witchblade: The Complete Series (2001)

Night of the Creeps (1986) Director's Cut

2009-11-02T20:45:00.000-08:00

Title:
Night of the Creeps (1986) Director's Cut

Genre:
Horror / Comedy

Director:
Fred Dekker

Stars:
Jason Lively, Steve Marshall. Jill Whitlow, Tom Atkins, Wally Taylor, Bruce Solomon

Synopsis:
Chris and J.C. are best friends starting out at college. Chris becomes smitten with Cynthia. His master plan to win the girl is to join a frat house but a hazing stunt goes wrong when the cryogenically frozen body they are to steal contains an alien parasite that gestates in the brain and breeds rapidly. Sorority row is being invaded and the guys and a gruff detective are all that stands between the aliens and absolute invasion.

Thoughts:
Finally this fan favorite finally gets a home video release that is much deserved. Night of the Creeps is a fun homage to the old school sci-fi's of yore and is easily a highlight of the 1980's. it's funny and well-made. A must fir any collector.

Final Thought:
Get IT!

Ghost in the Shell (1995) Version 2.0

2009-11-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

Title:
Ghost in the Shell (1995) (aka Kôkaku kidôtai)

Genre:
Anime / Science Fiction / Action

Director:
Mamoru Oshii

Stars:
Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ôtsuka, Tamio Ôki, Jemasa Kayumi, Kôichi Yamadera, Tesshô Genda

Rating:
4 of 5

Synopsis:
Major Motoko Kusanagi is a member of a high-tech cyber-crime division in New Port City. The section specializes in hunting down cyber-hackers who ply their trade on the networks. The Major comes up against a super-hacker named the Puppet Master but there's much more to this criminal than meets the eye.

Thoughts:
Director Oshii (Avalon, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence) adapts the much loved Manga into a fantastic cyber-puck anime classic. The ground-breaking film gets a 21st century makeover in this version 2.0 that offers retooled sound, new special effects and re-recorded vocal performances. The new Blu Ray has fantastic sound and picture and also includes the original theatrical version as a bonus.

Final Thought:
See IT!

The House of the Devil (2009)

2009-11-02T10:10:00.000-08:00

Title:
House of the Devil (2009)

Genre:
Horror / Thriller

Director:
Ti West

Stars:
Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Greta Gerwig, AJ Bowen, Dee Wallace

Rating:
3.5 of 5

Synopsis:
Samantha (Donahue) is struggling to make ends meet while attending college and afford her new apartment. It desperation she takes a babysitting job for a couple out in the country. The job isn't what she expected and the house holds secrets that may tie into the unprecedented eclipse happening at midnight.

Thoughts:
Director West (The Roost, Cabin Fever 2) certainly makes House of the Devil have a 70's feel even thought it's firmly planted in the 80's time-wise and with stars like Noonan, Woronov and Wallace you can't help but think it's a bit of a love letter to the grind if the 70's. I kept getting the vibe of Bava's Lisa and the Devil while watching it. Great fun for those who don't mind a retro homage.

Final Thought:
See It!

The 2009 October Challenge...

2009-11-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

Well it's done. I made all the goals I set for myself and had a fine time.

My target this year is to watch 31 new films and 31 repeats.

Challenge Finished: Tuesday October 06, 2009 2:01pm

Personal Challenge Finished: Saturday October 18, 2009 1:46am

S10’s Octoberween 2009 Challenge:

New Views: 44

Repeat Views: 65

Total Seen: 109

Shortest Movie: 44m

Longest Movie: 134m

Busiest Day: 1051m (10/31)

Average Length: 91.7m

Total Length: 10003m

Blog note...

2009-10-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

Due to the sheer amount of horrors I'm watching for the October
challenge I will be slowing up on the reviews. It's just too damned
hard to keep up with. Hopefully regular reviews will return in
November.

Cheers!

The Boston Globe's Top 20 zombie movies of all time...

2009-10-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

Another fine list...
original list

1. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
2. Dead Alive (1992) (aka Braindead)
3. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
4. The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
5. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
6. Deadgirl (2008)
7. Zombie (1979)
8. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
9. Day of the Dead (1985)
10. Fido (2006)
11. Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1976)
12. I Walked with a Zombie (1943)
13. 28 Days Later (2002)
14. Zeder (1982)
15. Versus (2002)
16. Land of the Dead (2005)
17. White Zombie (1932)
18. Grindhouse presents Planet Terror (2007)
19. Dead Snow (2009)
20. Dance of the Dead (2008)

The Boston Globe's Top 50 scariest movies of all time...

2009-10-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

A fascinating list to be sure...
original list

1. The Thing (1982)
2. Ju-On (2000)
3. [*Rec] (2007)
4. The Ring (2002)
5. Alien (1979)
6. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
7. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
8. Evil Dead II (1987)
9. Halloween (1978)
10. Audition (1999)
11. The Shining (1980)
12. Cloverfield (2008)
13. Quartemass and the Pit (1968)
14. The Exorcist (1973)
15. Jaws (1975)
16. Jacob's Ladder (1990)
17. Jesus Camp (2006)
18. 28 Days Later (2002)
19. The Changeling (1980)
20. Hellraiser (1987)
21. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
22. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
23. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
24. Saw (2004)
25. War of the Worlds (1953)
26. Se7en (1995)
27. Videodrome (1983)
28. The Mist (2007)
29. The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
30. Altered States (1980)
31. In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
32. Session 9 (2001)
33. The Beyond (1981) (aka Gates of Hell)
34. Salem's Lot (1979)
35. The Fly (1986)
36. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
37. Open Water (2003)
38. Pet Sematary (1989)
39. The Amityville Horror (1979)
40. Eraserhead (1977)
41. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
42. Event Horizon (1997)
43. The Brood (1979)
44. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
45. The Blob (1988)
46. The Wicker Man (1973)
47. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
48. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
49. The Innocents (1961)
50. Arachnophobia (1990)

October Challenge...#36: The Haunting of Winchester House (2009)

2009-10-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

The Haunting of Winchester House (2009)

Stars...Tomas Boykin, Lira Kellerman, Patty Roberts
Director...Mark Atkins
Format...DVD
Rating...* * *

Straight from The Asylum comes this new spooker. A family hires on to be the caretakers of the infamous Winchester Mansion for a several month stint. But the tranquility is short lived when the the vengeful spirits turn their wrath on them. The Asylum can be extremely spotty with the projects they release but Winchester House is actually above average (at least for them) and even halfway decent. It manages to create a solid atmosphere even though it relies hevily on the cheap type of scares. The only real gripe I had was it was a little slow at times and the end twist was very apparent within the first ten minutes.

October Challenge...#35: Day of the Dead (1985)

2009-10-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

Day of the Dead (1985)

Stars...Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, Joseph Pilato, Jarlath Conroy
Director...George A. Romero
Format...BluRay
Rating...* * * *

Now that the night and dawn have finished here comes the Day of the Dead. The dead have eradicated the living worldwide. A group of scientists and military personnel are deep within a bunker carfully guarding the knowledge of the past and attempting to develop a plan for the future. But the desperation mounts and tensions rise between the people and as always the dead lay heavy on their mind. Day of the Dead is my least favorite of the original trilogy but at a four star rating that isn't a big deal. "Day" delivers the goods in a way more visceral way than than "Night" did and softened the day-glo campiness of "Dawn". Where "Night" worked on the terror of the situation and "Dawn" gave it a slightly hopeful fun to it, "Day" almost completely relies on the nihilism of it all. No future, a decaying past just rotting in a hole waiting to die. Truly the living dead. The gore of the piece is the star of the show. Whether it's the detalied zombie appliances or the nasty attacks the gore is definately the high point of the production. The acting and direction are top-notch too on par withe the first entries.

October Challenge...#34: Dawn of the Dead (1978)

2009-10-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Stars...David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Director...George A. Romero
Format...BluRay
Rating...* * * * *

Now that the first night has passed a new dawn is upon us in this superb sequel to the classic Night of the Living Dead. The world is in chaos as the countries attempt to make sense of the walking dead. A group of four take to the skies after making off with a news-chopper. They eventually settle at a new beacon of society...the shopping mall. They become complacent over time but the walking dead and looters snap them back into cold, dead reality. Dawn of the Dead was a fantastic way to continue the dead series. The not-too-subtle jab at consumerism and its effect on society is clever as is the campy slapstick that the film takes in regards to the zombies at times. The Tom Savini gore is top-notch and the Goblin score is fantastic. Dawn is my personal favorite of the series and an absolute treat for horror movie fans.

October Challenge...#33: Night of the Living Dead (1968)

2009-10-09T00:36:00.000-07:00

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Stars...Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman
Director...George A. Romero
Format...DVD
Rating...* * * * *

One evening a group of survivors hold up in a small rural farmhouse as the dead arise to prey upon the living with their insatiable hunger. But as the terror grows petty squabbles threaten to destroy them from within as the dead scratch at the door. This low budget masterpiece headed by talented horror master George A. Romero captured social tensions of the time (intentional or not) and managed to redefine the zombie genre and create easily one of the best films of the 20th century.

October Challenge...#32: Tales from the Crypt (1972)

2009-10-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

Tales from the Crypt (1972)

Stars...Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, Roy Dotrice, Richard Greene
Director...Freddie Francis
Format...DVD
Rating...* * * 1/2

This Amicus production of the legendary EC Comic concerns five people trapped in a crypt with the cryptkeeper who shows them their evil futures and gives them an option to prevent it, if they choose. This fine anthology from one of the classic studios of a bygone era features five nice little stories some more twisted than others but all equally compelling. I think the Peter Cushing one is probably my favorite.

October Challenge...#31: Village of the Damned (1995)

2009-10-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

Village of the Damned (1995)

Stars...Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley, Linda Kozlowski
Director...John Carpenter
Format...HDTV
Rating...* * * 1/2

This time around director John Carpenter takes on a remake of the classic 1960's British horror Village of the Damned. A peaceful coastal town is having a fund drive for their school. During the festivities an invisible force causes to everyone in town to lose consciousness. During the blackout all the women of the town became pregnant and nine months later the true terro begins when all the children begin to develop exponentially and form a group that may destroy the world.

Not quite as creepy as the original but compelling nonetheless. Village of the Damned still manages to create a sort of red menace feeling to it like the 1960 version. The cast is a good one with many familiar faces like Chris Reeve (his last film before his tragic horse riding accident) and the lovely Meredith Salenger. Not a classic Carpenter production but still very enjoyable.v

October Challenge...#30: Funeral Home (1980)

2009-10-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

Funeral Home (1980)

Stars...Kay Hawtrey, Lesleh Donaldson, Barry Morse, Dean Garbett
Director...William Fruet
Format...DVD
Rating...* * *

Funeral Home features the title dwelling that was converted into a summertime bed and breakfast type house. As you can guess a nutzoid killer starts cutting a swath through the customers and staff. I was very fond of this one as a kid and it still is a good nostalgic romp. But it may not appeal beyond all those who have a hankering for 80's fun.

October Challenge...#29: The Devil Bat (1940)

2009-10-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

The Devil Bat (1940)

Starring...Bela Lugosi, Suzanne Kaaren, Dave O'Brien, Guy Usher
Director...Jean Yarbrough
Format...DVD
Rating...* * *

Plot...Lugosi stars as a mad scientist who develops an aftershave that causes anyone who wears it to be attacked by a giant bat.

Thoughts...This kind of thing doesn't happen to Aqua Velva men! But seriously The Devil Bat has a unique premise which certainly adds a fun quirkiness to the production. Lugosi guves another fine performance which makes it a must for fans.

October Challenge...#28: Slime City (1988)

2009-10-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

Slime City (1988)

Starring...Robert C. Sabin, Mary Huner, T.J. Merrick. Dennis Embry
Director...Greg Lamberson
Format...DVD
Rating...* * 1/2

Plot...Art student Alex moves into a rundown New York City apartment building. Every tenement has it fair share of crazies but this one has a stranger history than most. A cult of some chemist killed themselves in the basement and now Alex is caught up in the nasty, slimy business.

Thoughts...The first thing I noticed about Slime City was that it didn't seem like an 80's flick. It felt more like early 70's to me. Not a bad thing just odd. Anywho this low budget indie does feel akin to something Frank Henenlotter (Brain Damage, Basket Case series) might do. It's an odd one in all its "Tibetan Yogurt" and general sliminess. Go for it. Just mind the wine and stay out of the basement.

October Challenge...#27: The Crypt (2009)

2009-10-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

The Crypt (2009)

Starring...Sarah Oh, Cristen Irene, Mike Ranallo, Joanna Ke
Director...Craig McMahon
Format...DVD
Rating...* * 1/2

Plot...A group of criminals come together to raid the catacombs under their town hoping to loot the dead. The dead however won't give up their jewels without a fight.

Thoughts...The Crypt is pretty no-budget fare. But as most anyone knows I'm fond of schlock, indies and this sort of thing. I tend to root for the underdog because no matter how bad a film is they all need a fan. This one is nearly as bad as many of the IMDB reviews might suggest and it even manages to create a pretty decent at atmosphere. No film is perfect and yeah this one has more than its fair share but I had fun and that's all that counts.

October Challenge...#26: Zombieland (2009)

2009-10-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

Zombieland (2009)

Starring...Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson. Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin
Director...Ruben Fleischer
Format...Theater
Rating...* * * 1/2

Plot...Columbus and Tallahassee are busy trying to survive the zombie holocaust as best they can when two scheming sisters come into their lives and mess it up.

Thoughts...The best zom-com since Shaun of the Dead. Zombieland takes a page out of theat zombie survival guide sees how many wild situations and funny kills it can fit in under 90 minutes. Eisenberg and Harrelson are hilarious as the leads but the best part is the Bill Nurray comeo, crazy. It's time to nut up or shut up.

October Challenge...#25: Pathology (2008)

2009-10-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

Pathology (2008)

Starring...Milo Ventimiglia. Michael Weston. Alyssa Milano, Lauren Lee Smith
Director...Marc Schölermann
Format...DVD
Rating...* *

Plot...Ted is a Harvard grad. But when he interns at the most prestigious pathology department in the country he becomes involved in the elite extra-curricular assignments...to create the perfect crime.

Thoughts...Pathology just didn't grab me. I'm not sure what ir was. The look of the film was fine. The plot was decent enough. Heck, it even had Alyssa Milano in it. But alas it just felt tired and old.

October Challenge...#24: Prince of Darlness (1987)

2009-10-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

Prince of Darkness (1987)

Starring...Donald Pleasence, Jameson Parker, Victor Wong, Lisa Blount
Director...John Carpenter
Format...HDTV
Rating...* * * 1/2

Plot...An abandoned Los Angeles church holds an ancient secret. When the guardian priest dies a team of scientists investigate a large container of viscous liquid with biblical ties that may just destroy the universe.

Thoughts..Carpenter crafts ter another tense horror flick this time exploring science and theology. The pacing is slow and deliberate but the tension mounts nicely with the subtle music score. There are plenty of familiar faces in the capable cast several who have worked with the director before. Fans of Carpenter should be pleased and those who like subtler horrors may enjoy it too.

October Challenge...#23: Seventh Moon (2008)

2009-10-05T04:10:00.000-07:00

Seventh Moon (2008)

Starring...Amy Smart, Tim Chiou, Dennis Chan
Director...Eduardo Sánchez
Format...DVD
Rating...* *

Plot...Newlyweds Melissa and Yul are visiting his family in their native China. They become intertwined in the horror of Chinese folklore when the legend of the Seventh Moon brings forth the very bowls of hell.

Thoughts...Director Eduardo Sanchez brings to this Ghost House Underground release much of the same shaky camerawork and shot framing that made his 1999 co-direction hit The Blair Witch Project much talked about. It made Blair Witch one of the best horrors of the past decade but it really didn't do anything for this film. There is an inherent creepiness to the remote locations that the action takes place in but it's not used to the advantage it could have been. The sparse cast comes off as a bit annoying (the two leads just don't seem to have any spark between the two) and the lack of character development stunts the emotional involvement of the viewer. Seventh Moon has an interesting set-up and some creepy moments but it just didn't make the most of it.

October Challenge...#22: Giallo (2009)

2009-10-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

Giallo (2009)

Starring...Adrien Brody, Emmanuelle Seigner, Elsa Pataky, Robert Miano
Director...Dario Argento
Format...DVD
Rating...* * *

Plot...Inspector Avolfi is on the trail of a serial killer known only as Yellow. He takes beautiful women and mutilates them to make them ugly. Now time is running out as the Inspector and a woman race to save her sister from the killer's blade.

Thoughts...What was touted as the much returned maestro to a genre that he defined may have been doomed from the start. Essentially Argento was a gun-for-hire. He was brought in to directed someones else's project so you really couldn't lay the blame squarely on him. Not that I am. I liked Giallo for what it was not what it could have been if the stars had aligned as many of the naysayers have. As a hardcore Argento fan I'm perfectly happy that he's just releasing something. Recapturing the glory years are tough and nearly impossible but you can't falt a man from trying.

October Challenge...#21: The Thaw (2009)

2009-10-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

The Thaw (2009)

Starring...Martha MacIsaac, Val Kilmer, Aaron Ashmore, Kyle Schmid
Director...Mark A. Lewis
Format...DVD
Rating...* * *

Plot...Al Gore's worst nictmare comes true in this Eco-horror production where a arctic scientific exploration uncovers a nasty parasite that has been unleashed from the melting polar icecap.

Thoughts...Val Kilmer was in this!?! I gotta admit I spaced out the credits and didn't recognize him one bit. Oops, my bad. The film is a bit slow to get going. But after the parasite starts it's killing spree things pick up and it becomes quite compelling. If you don't like bugs this bay boy will really get under your skin.

October Challenge...#20: Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

2009-10-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein (1948)

Starring...Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi
Director...Charles Barton
Firmat...HDTV
Rating...* * * *

Plot...Chick and Wilbur are freight deliverers entrusted with delivering a couple of parcels direct from Europe to a house of horrors. The hapless numb-skulls quickly are in over their heads when Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula and the Wolf Man chase them around town.

Thoughts...This is my favorite of the comedy duo's films. The combo of their shtick and the tent poles of the Universal Monster stable is a fantastic match. A must for all Universal Monster fans.

October Challenge...#19: Laid to Rest (2009)

2009-10-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

Laid to Rest (2009)

Starring...Bobbi Sue Luther, Kevin Gage, Lena Headey, Sean Whalen
Director...Robert Hall
Format...HDTV
Rating...* * * 1/2

Plot...A girl wakes up in a coffin at a mortuary. The wound on the back of her head leaves her with very little memory of who she is and what happened before she came to. The chase is on when amateur filmmaker and professional slasher Chrome Skull hacks his way through everyone she runs into as she looks for the truth.

Thoughts...I had a lot of fun with Laid to Rest. The filmmakers obviously enjoy a good slasher and piled on all the genre elements this 90 minute feature could hold. Fans of the canceled Fox series Terminator: The Satah Connor Chronicles will notice names and faces from the series peppered out.

October Challenge...#18: Satan's Schoolgirls (2004)

2009-10-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Satan's Schoolgirls (2004)

Starring...Kerri Taylor, Jennifer Litsch, Suzi Lorraine, J. Scott Green
Director...Ted W. Crestview
Format...DVD
Rating...*

Plot...Summer session at an all-girls Catholic school becomes hell on Earth when the four lusty students create all sorts of problems.

Thoughts...I usually enjoy this sort of thing but this production is just too slow (even at a little over an hour long) and it just doesn't entertain. Ah well you can't win them all.

October Challenge...#17: The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2009)

2009-10-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2009)

Starring...Tom Papa, Sheri Moon Zombie, Rosario Dawson, Paul Giamatti
Director...Rob Zombie
Format...DVD
Rating...* * * 1/2

Plot...Based on his own comic book director Rob Zombie takes us down the rabbit hole in this animated assault on the senses about a Mexican luchador battling the evil Dr. Satan in the trippy world of Monsterland.

Thoughts...Whoa! That pretty much sums it up. Director Zombie goes absolutely bonkers with this highly entertaining animated sleaze-fest. Every frame is an homage to his favorite films and manages to reference damn near everything. From Frankenstein to Fritz the Cat it's all here and all his favorite actors are lending their voices to the melee. I dare someone to do a frame-by-frame list of all the references and homages. It's absolutely mind-blowing. Hardcore Zombie fans (count me in) will be creaming their jeans for the whole damn time.

October Challenge...#16: The Fog (1980)

2009-10-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Fog (1980)

Starring...Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Atkins, Janet Leigh
Director...John Carpenter
Format...DVD
Rating...* * * * *

Plot...It's the centennial celebration for fishing community Antonio Bay. One-hundred years ago tonight the towns founding fathers betrayed and murdered a leper colony but now they've returned cloaked in a fog seeking vengeance.

Thoughts...Horror master John Carpenter injects the bulk of The Fog with a truly chilling atmosphere of terror and desperation. The creep factor is modified by a long list of talented genre veteran actors, many of which were frequent collaborators of the director. DP Dean Cundey frames the action wonderfully giving many of the attacks a nicely claustrophobic feel. The frosting of this delicious cake is yet another simple but massively effective Carpenter score.

October Challenge...#15: Children of the Corn (2009)

2009-10-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

Children of the Corn (2009)

Starring...David Anders, Kandyse McClure , Preston Bailey, Daniel Newman
Director...Donald P. Borchers
Format...HDTV
Rating...* *

Plot...Constantly quarreling couple Burt and Vicki run afoul of a vicious cult of adult killing children who worship He Who Walks Behind The Rows deep in the heart of corn country. Based on a Stephen King short story.

Thoughts...SciFi Channel (excuse me Syfy, doh!) takes a strole down the remake road with this update of the 1984 Linda Hamilton vehicle. This 2009 version is actually more faithful to the original short story but it still manages to lift much from the 1984 film, particularly the look and camerawork. It's been ages since I read the story but I can't remember the Vicki character being such an annoying bitch. So annoying in fact it really gets the film off on the wrong foot and really screwed up my enjoyment of the film. That gripe aside fans of the original will be in very familiar territory which may of may not be a good thing.

October Challenge...#14: Spiker (2007)

2009-10-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

Spiker (2007)

Starring...Carson Grant, Michael Fedele, Josh Folan, David 'Shark' Fralick, Elizabeth Giordano
Director...Frank Zagarino
Format...Cable
Rating...* *

Thoughts...Spiker is an indie horror that features the spirit of a slasher trying to finish the job he started by killing the mother of a woman spending time with her friends in the family home. Unfortunately the spirit just gets more enraged because the mother is dead but the body count piles up anyway. The film plays off pretty straight-forward. The only real minus is the acting is a bit hit or miss. Other than that the makers turn out a respectable production.

October Challenge...#13: Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993)

2009-10-03T18:50:00.000-07:00

Return of the Living Dead 3 Director's Cut (1993)

Starring: J. Trevor Edmond, Melinda Clarke, Kent McCord, Sarah Douglas
Director: Brian Yuzna
Format: On Demand
Rating: * * *

Those damn scientists will never learn. They continue to develop their ability to raise the dead by attempting to create a mechanized army of the dead. But the lead Colonel's son and his girlfriend get a little too nosy and she winds up exposed to the toxin and well on her way to chomping brains. After a silly and rather disappointing second chapter the makers get back on track with what is easily the best sequel of the series. Some nice gory effects in the uncut version will really appeal to the grue-hounds and fans of the classic original should be pleased too.

October Challenge...#12: Trick 'R Treat (2008)

2009-10-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

Trick 'r Treat (2008)

Starring: Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker, Leslie Bibb
Director: Michael Dougherty
Format: DVD
Rating: * * * 1/2

After success on the festival circuit and then being shelved seemingly for ages, Trick R' Treat finally gets a legitimate release. Was it worth the wait? I thought so. Treat is a really fun 90 minute love letter to the Halloween season. Basically a clever anthology tale where all the segments intersect in fun a twisty ways. The tales give you all sorts of horror movie goodness with werewolves, slashers and vengeful spirits. Nice twists and turns that come together very well and are nicely photographed and directed. All treat and a little trick on the side.

October Challenge...#11: The Company of Wolves (1984)

2009-10-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

The Company of Wolves (1984)

Starring: Sarah Patterson, Angela Lansbury, David Warner, Tusse Silberg
Director:Neil Jordan
Format: HDTV
Rating: * * * *

Neil Jordan peppers this folk tale variation in equal parts genuine innocence and raw, minimalistic sexuality. On the surface it's a version of the Little Red Riding Hood fable with a much more horrific werewolf component. Brilliantly made, The Company of Wolves has a dreamlike quality that's hard to beat.

October Challenge...#10: Dark Reel (2008)

2009-10-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

Dark Reel (2008)

Starring: Lance Henriksen, Edward Furlong, Daniel Wisler, Tiffany Shepis
Director: Josh Eisenstadt
Format: Blu Ray
Rating: * *

A slasher stalks a micro-budgeted pirate production in this miniscule-budgeted flick. Wait is this art imitating life or life imitating death or something zen? Well you can't expect Gone with the Wind (or a coherent ending) but you do get alot of familiar genre faces like Henriksen and Shepis and even Candyman himself Tony Todd. It's a bit meh for the casual viewer and doesn't rate too much higher for the purveyor of cheese cinema.

October Challenge...#9

2009-10-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Thing (1982)

Starring: Kurt Russell, Keith David, Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter
Director: John Carpenter
Format: Blu Ray
Rating: * * * * *

Even though it hit with a dull thud in the summer of '82 (thanks in part to a much cuter alien), John Carpenter's The Thing became a fast fan favorite and one of the best remakes ever. The bleak, lonely arctic compound becomes a place of paranoia and menace through Carpenter's direction, Dean Cundey's cinematography, amazing makeup FX and a helping, heaping of cinema music maestro Ennio Morricone.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

2009-10-02T10:53:00.000-07:00

Well as a regular to the IMDB Horror Board for what seems like a lifetime now the time has come for the annual glut of horror movie watching called the October Challenge. 31 horror films in 31 days: 16 new and 16 repeat. An easy enough feat but I never just stop there (my all-time personal record was 322 in 2007). The glut has already began so buckle up, it's gonna be horrific.

The Alpha...

2009-10-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well I've gone and done it. I've entered the blog-o-sphere or whatever fabricted term that the industry uses for it. As the name of the page suggests, Dysfunction is my unofficial middle name so you've been warned. Thank you for stopping by and yeah I have no flipping idea what I'm doing so be gentle. Under Construction is the story of my life and this blog. Cheers!