Blu-ray Review: Curtains

It's been over 30 years since Curtains was first released and relatively forgotten. As the years went on, the film grew a cult like status and its fans have been clamoring for a proper home video release (a DVD released in 2010, was not acceptable due to its poor transfer). Well, thanks to the folks at Synapse Films, that day has finally come as Curtains has finally gotten the loving respect it deserves.

The film is about a director casting a coveted role of Audra so he invites several actresses to his remote mansion to work towards finding his perfect cast. Of course his first choice is a method actress so she locks herself away in a mental institution to learn what it means to be crazy. She breaks out once she hears of Stryker's (the directors) plans to choose another Audra.

Of course murder and strangeness occurs as the women do whatever they can to earn the part in this film.

The interesting thing about Curtains is the lack of a main character. There is no Laurie Strode, no Nancy Thompson. This is interesting because that means that no one is NOT the killer. There is no one safe to identify with because anyone could be hiding underneath that creepy old hag mask. You never really know who the killer is until the ultimate revelation.

The film is acted well and is among the better examples of 80s slasher films. This one is a bit calmer than most. It's not kill after kill and it gives the viewer room to breathe and to suspect who might be behind the killings.

The real star here now is the absolutely wonderful transfer Synapse has delivered. They did a masterful job, the likes of which only someone with a love of the film could be capable of. Fans should be ecstatic over the picture and sound. They've got some good features to dig through as well, including a trailer, commentary, and more. Synapse has really gone above and beyond with this title and it should serve as an example to other horror labels. Treat your films right and your fans will love you all the  more for it. I can't wait to see what Synapse does with Prom Night.

Fans of early slashers will eat up Curtains, and the beautiful transfer makes it a definite must watch for fans of the genre.

Well done, Synapse Films. You've raised the bar on what a label can do for a much loved film and a genre sorely in need of more respect in the home video market.

Curtains is available now.

Curtains

8/10 Hag Faces!

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Blu-ray Review: @Criterion Collection's Scanners

One of the most eagerly anticipated blu-ray releases has arrived as David Cronenberg's sci-fi/horror classic Scanners has finally hit in glorious high def thanks to the folks at Criterion Collection. 

Scanners is one of those holy grail titles that fans have been chomping at the bit to see on blu-ray since the format launched. Until now, all that was available was sub par imports from overseas. Demand hit a fever pitch last year when Scream Factory released their double feature set of Scanners 2 and Scanners 3 and a lot of fans were expecting Scream Factory to drop the bombshell that they were going to release it. Instead, months later, thanks to one of Criterion's teaser images, word broke that the much loved label was releasing Scanners. 

And here we are, at long last, with a high def release that this classic film deserves.

Click the RAWR for the full review.

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Blu-Ray Review: In The Blood

It's another year, and another Taken rip off only this time its a newly married husband who goes missing after he falls from a zipline and his new wife who has to discover the truth about his disappearance.

Gina Carano plays the wife who for some reason has a father that turns her into an ultimate fighter so that she has the skills to crack skulls now that her husband was taken.

Look, Carano does have a very particular set of skills (see what I did there?). She is electric when she is fighting but those skills, at least under the direction here, do not include acting. In this movie, she is wooden, flat, and just generally not great. At least when she isn't beating the ever loving hell out of someone. Then she's fantastic.

As a whole the movie is interesting. It does have a sort of unique twist but it's a twist that would render the entire movie pointless simply by having a conversation. This is something that one of the characters actually says by the way.

Oh and Danny Trejo fans be warned. You get about 5 minutes of him, if that.

The blu-ray looks great but the movie didn't really give me reason to care at all for any special features. There are so many better films out there to watch, In The Blood just isn't worth the time or the money.

With a better director and a better script, I think Gina Carano can deliver a good performance. Unfortunately, this is not that movie, and it doesn't work out that well for her or for the viewer.

In The Blood is available now.

In The Blood

4 out of 10 Taken Rip-offs

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Blu-ray Review: Grand Piano

If you think watching someone play piano for 90+ minutes might be boring, I'll advise you to give Grand Piano a look.

Elijah Wood stars as Tom Selznick, a young piano prodigy returning to the stage years after a disastrous performance forced him out of the spotlight. If his much anticipated return isn't stressful enough, he discovers a note from a sniper (John Cusack) scrawled across the score threatening his life if he plays a single note incorrectly.

What follows is a tense and fun film that just skirts the edge of ridiculousness and never takes itself too seriously.

The strengths of the film lie with its lead Elijah Wood who is on screen nearly every minute of the film.  His performance is excellent, one of his best, and is believable from every minute. He's charming and as the film progresses you feel his nerves and his fears.

The bulk of John Cusack's role is menacing voice over but it's John Cusack so you either love him or you hate him. I happen to love him so...

The script from Damien Chazelle is clever and makes what seems like a ridiculous plot work pretty great. This is also in part thanks to the direction of Eugino Mira. It's a really well shot and well directed film and it moves at a breakneck pace with no lull whatsoever.

That said, it's not flawless. I really only had one scene that I did not like and it is when Tom's wife sings from the audience. I get why they did it I just think there should have been a more believable, less sort of ridiculous way to go around it.

The blu-ray looks pristine with some gorgeous colors and top notch sound and there are some pretty interesting special features that give you a nice glimpse into the production and the effects.

Overall, Grand Piano is an exciting and fun ride that makes for a nice entertaining watch. Enhanced by a great starring performance from Elijah Wood and a smart script, Grand Piano is worthy of a spot on your shelf.

Grand Piano is available on DVD and Blu-ray now.

Grand Piano

8/10 Piano Keys!

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Blu-ray Review: Dan Curtis' Dracula

Now, I fancy myself a horror aficionado and I like to think I have a lot of knowledge about the genre but I do not by any means consider myself an encyclopedia. I have a lot to learn and experience in the genre, especially with the older classics, which thankfully I am able to see when they get blu-ray upgrades.

That said, I am a little surprised that I had absolutely zero knowledge of the existence of a Dracula movie directed by the creator of Dark Shadows, starring Jack Palance and written by the legendary Richard Matheson. Surely this kind of pedigree would make this a more well known film. Sure enough, it does exist and MPI has just released it on Blu-ray.

Click the RAWR for my thoughts on this 1974 classic!

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Blu-ray Review - Odd Thomas

Odd Thomas now available on DVD and Blu-ray!

One of Dean Koontz' most interesting creations has finally been committed to film with Odd Thomas but is it a worthy adaptation of the much loved series of books?   Thanks to a pitch perfect cast, yes it is.

Click the RAWR for the full review.

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Blu-Ray Review: Blind Date

Turn your Blu-ray player into a time machine and head back to 1987 for Kim Basinger and Bruce Willis' night of hi-jinks in the romantic comedy Blind Date now available for your high definition viewing pleasure.

Is it worth your time?

Click the Rawr to find out.

RAWR(for more)

Blu-Ray Review: Twixt

Francis Ford Coppola returns to the genre he's dabbled in briefly in the past with Twixt. 

From the box:

Val Kilmer and Elle Fanning star in this terrifying horror film written and directed by Academy Award winner Francis Ford Coppola.  Kilmer plays Hall Baltimore, a writer on a book tour who uncovers a disturbing murder that could be source material for his next novel.  But as Hall investigates the killing he finds himself confronted by chilling nightmares, including the ghost of a young girl (Fanning).  As he uncovers more horrifying revelations, Hall will discover that the story has more to do with his own life than he could ever have imagined.

First things first, the movie isn't terrifying in the least.  So if you are coming for some chills, look elsewhere.   To be honest, the movie isn't good in the least either.  It's kind of a mess and it pains me to have to say so.

When I first herd about it I was really interested.  The title is great the imagery that's leaked out over the years (yes years) has been curious and even the ghostly cover art is fascinating.  Unfortunately, the film doesn't live up to that curiosity. 

Coppola has said that Twixt was inspired by a dream that he had that due to being awakened, he never got to finish.  I can absolutely believe that because this movie goes to pieces the further along it goes.  It really doesn't make much sense at all.

The motivations of the characters make no sense.  The answers to the "mysteries" are pretty much laid bare for all as soon as they are brought up.  It makes the entire movie feel kind of pointless and aimless.

Certain revelations are so forced it's like they were decided upon the day before they shot them.  Some characters exist purely because someone thought they might be interesting which means that some kind, any kind, of connection had to be made between them and the events of the plot.  Of course this never works for any of the characters.

I wish I could give more examples of the good parts of the film but there are so few of them that I am struggling to do so.  There are some nice shots but they eventually get ruined by this weird blue screen look.  I like the idea of the different clocks having different times but that is another just brushed aside casually explained away plot device. 

Overall, it just is a bad movie.  It's no wonder if never saw a wide (barely even a limited) release and took forever even to arrive on home video.   For what it's worth, the blu-ray does look good but there is only one feature to speak of and to be honest I didn't have the energy to waste my time on it because the movie does nothing to make me want to learn anything else about it.

I feel like Coppola started with some interesting ideas but the entire thing just collapsed.  Maybe in the hands of a more seasoned horror writer we could have had something special.  I don't know.  I do know that he is better than what is on display here.

Unfortunately, Twixt does not live up to its interesting title and in the end feels disastrous.  It just feels amateurish front to back (every phone call needs to be a split screen?  really?)  All involved deserve far better. 

Twixt

2 out of 10 Kilmers

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Blu-ray Review: Evil Dead (2013)

 

I have been waiting for this movie.  In fact, it was my single most anticipated movie of 2013.  So the fact that for some reason I missed it in the theaters made me want to see it all the more.  

Finally, Evil Dead is available on Blu-ray and I was able to feast my eyes on what turned out to be a pretty big disappointment.

It's not a bad movie but it's not the greatness I was expecting.  It feels hollow, soulless and by the time the credits rolled all I could muster was a shrug.

It's hard to pinpoint where exactly the movie went wrong.  Maybe it's the apparent concentration on how to do the grossest things possible to the people in the film?  Granted, the effects on display here are near amazing and even more so considering most of it is practical effects.  The problem with that becomes that the movie seems to be more about getting to the next gross out scene than about making is give any kind of cares about the cast.

I know some people are complaining about the serious tone this film takes which is in contrast to the original's humorous take.  I don't mind that at all.  For me, I just feel like not enough time was paid to get us to like the characters and because of that, I didn't really care about any of them save for Mia (Jane Levy) who is the only one who gets a real back story, in fact any story at all.

Still, the effects are extraordinary and the gore was cringe worthy.  I just wish I cared a bit more about who I was watching.

There is also a slight problem with the ending being rather anticlimactic.  We get deadites screaming about "He Is Coming" and all we get is that girl from the beginning?  Just another deadite?  No pay off at all.  Maybe there we referring to the weirdly placed pointless bit after the credits?

Here it seems like the filmmakers just wanted to get to the iconic parts of the original franchise just so people can say, "Oh damn I remember that!"  The subject matter here could have made for a truly terrifying film.  Instead, the filmmakers turned the gore factor up to 11 and forgot to do anything remotely worth of scares or fear from the audience.

As for the blu-ray, it looks spectacular.  The picture is gorgeous which is to be expected.  The sound was crisp and probably the only reason I jumped at all while watching this.  I had it a little too loud.  As for the special features (commentary and featurettes) nothing really worth writing home about.   I would be shocked if there isn't another release of this film in the next few months, this time with the unrated director's cut.

This is hardly the "Scariest movie you'll ever experience" as promised by the posters and the excellent trailers.  Instead. it's a pretty standard horror film that will launch a seqeuel that hopefully, like the original series, surpasses its predecessor.

We can only hope so anyway.

Evil Dead is available now.

Evil Dead (2013)

6 out of 10 Necronomicons!

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Blu-ray Review: Twilight Time Titles!

You may not be familiar with them but you should be! I'm talking about the Limited Release label Twilight Time who are putting out a wildly eclectic and fascinating line of limited edition (just 3000 copies per title) blu-rays. Their recent releases, Steel Magnolias, The Sound and The Fury, Bye Bye Birdie, and High Time are prime examples of just how different each title is from the next. 

I'm reviewing these titles as a whole rather than individually because they all have the same problem, really the only problem but I'll get to that in a minute.  What they also have in common is gorgeous transfers and crisp clear sound.  Everything you expect from a blu-ray you get with these titles.

Except for special features.  I don't know if it's a rights thing or a matter of nothing available but the each of these titles is almost void of special features.  You get trailers and isolated audio on Bye Bye Birdie and High Time; Isolated Score and Audio Commentary with Herbert Ross on Steel Magnolias, and only an isolated score on The Sound and The Fury.  So basically for the kinda hefty $29.95 price tags you're getting the film (all of which are excellent films) and some cursory features plus the knowledge that only 2999 other people will ever own this blu-ray, which for some people (me i admit) is pretty cool.

Still,  in the cases of these releases, the price tag will give some people pause, but if you ask me, they are worth the investment.  All four titles here are excellent films and would make great additions to anyone's collection.  If you are a supplemental material snob, maybe not so much, but based on the films alone plus the limited number of copies available make these definite purchases for me.

Twilight Time is bringing films to blu-ray that may not have seen an HD format otherwise and this has be excited to see what they come out with next.  I'm already chomping at the bit for October's releases:  Night of the Living Dead (1990) and Enemy Mine which we hope to have reviews for next month.

So serious blu-ray collectors click your way over to Screen Archives, the official and exclusive home for Twilight Time releases, and pick up your copies of these, and the other excellent titles they have available. 

Steel Magnolias, The Sound and The Fury, Bye Bye Birdie, and High Time are all available now at ScreenArchives.com.

Remember these, and all Twilight Time, titles are limited to 3000 copies so once they are gone they are gone and you can ONLY get them from ScreenArchives.com!

RAWR(for more)

American Horror Story Season 1 Blu-Ray Review

One of the most talked about new television shows last year, FX's American Horror Story, is now on Blu-Ray and DVD. Nominated for 17 Emmys, the show created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk (the guys behind "Glee" and "Nip/Tuck") successfully brought the modern horror genre to the small screen.

The Harmon family, Dylan McDermott (The Campaign), Connie Britton ("Friday Night Lights"), and Tarissa Farmiga (Higher Ground), move across the country to start anew. The problem is that they have moved into the infamous "Murder House" complete with a strange, southern belle neighbor played by Jessica Lange (Blue Sky) in a Golden Globe winning performance. A slew of supporting characters including Kate Mara ("24"), Zachary Quinto ("Heroes", Star Trek), Frances Conroy ("Six Feet Under"), Mena Suvari (American Beauty), and Denis O'Hare ("True Blood") round out the stellar cast.

The Blu-Ray contains all 12 episodes from Season 1 on 3 discs. The Special Features include: Audio Commentary on Pilot by Ryan Murphy, Behind the Fright: The Making of American Horror Story, The Murder House presented by Eternal Darkness Tours of Hollywood, Overture to Horror: Creating the Title Sequence, and Out of the Shadows: Meet the House Ghosts.

Each one of the special features is great! I would have liked to see some commentary on a few of the other episodes. Also, I think the cover worked as a poster to create buzz, but the cover of the Season 1 Blu-Ray should be something different, but other than that it's great. If you haven't seen the show, I highly recommend it to any horror fan!

American Horror Story Season 1 Blu-Ray gets a ghastly 9 out of 10 Haunted Houses!

Be sure to watch the Season 2 premiere of American Horror Story: Asylum on October 17th only on FX!

RAWR(for more)

The Cabin in the Woods Blu-Ray Review

The Cabin in the Woods is one of the best films I've seen this year. Co-written by Joss Whedon (The Avengers, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and Drew Goddard (Cloverfield), it is a unique, unpredictable journey that breaks down genre barriers.

A stereotypical group of college friends head out to a mysterious cabin for the weekend, when mysterious events begin to happen. Behind the bloodshed is a group of technicians operating from the safety of a control room. And that's just the beginning...

The cast is great! It stars Kristen Connolly ("As the World Turns"), Chris Hemsworth (Thor, The Avengers), Anna Hutchison ("Go Girls"), Fran Kranz ("Dollhouse"), Jesse Williams ("Grey's Anatomy"), Richard Jenkins (Step Brothers), and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing").

My major complaint with this Blu-Ray is the outer packaging. The front of the outer slipcase has a hologram that shows the theatrical poster, but when it is turned it reveals something else, which somewhat ruins the actual events of the movie. I'm really not sure why they would do that. If you're planning on buying it, avoid looking at the cover until after you watch it.

The Blu-Ray has a bunch of great special features:

-Audio commentary with Writer/Director Drew Goddard and Writer/Producer Joss Whedon

-"We Are Not Who We Are: Making The Cabin in the Woods" Featurette

-"The Secret Secret Stash" Featurette

-Wonder-Con Q&A with Joss and Drew

-"An Army of Nightmares: Make-Up and Animatronic Effects" Featurette

-"Primal Terror: Visual Effects" Featurette

-"It's Not What You Think: The Cabin in the Woods" Bonus View Mode (Blu-Ray Exclusive)

-Obligatory Digital Copy of the film

If you're sick of the standard horror movie fare, definitely check out this amazing, genre-bending film!

The Cabin in the Woods Blu-Ray deserves a 9 out of 10 Cabins!!

RAWR(for more)

Blu-ray Review: The Three Musketeers

God what a horrible cover. 

The Three Musketeers
Written by:Alex Litvak and Andrew Davies
Directed by:  Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring:  Logan Lerman, Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans, Ray Stevenson, Mads Mikkelsen, Orlando Bloom, Milla Jovovich and Christoph Waltz

Paul W.S. Anderson takes a break from Resident Evil with The Three Musketeers, which recently arrived on Blu-ray (or 3D blu-ray if you like throwing your money away).  It's pretty much what you'd expect. Lousy script, lazy directing, and a cast that tries its best to make it all worthwhile.

I'm thinking at this point Anderson is just making movies to show off his wife (Milla Jovovich).  At this point, I think he has what one good movie (Event Horizon) under his belt?  The Three Musketeers is no exception.  It's an ultimately pointless affair with only brief flashes of what could have become good ideas.

Most of the cast is wasted, especially Christoph Waltz who is pretty much regulated to shuffling around like a lost old man looking for a reason, any reason, to be around.  I'm starting to think that he will do absolutely anything, even if it diminishes the brilliance he displayed in Inglorious Basterds.

Despite the lackluster script, most of the cast comes off pretty well.  Logan Lerman, despite not having an accent to speak of, gives us a charming and cocky D'Artagnan, albeit it one that looks like he's skipping afternoon classes.  The rest of the Musketeers are played by Ray Stephenson, Luke Evans, and Matthew Macfadyen.  They all do the best they can considering.

One positive I can give this one is the really cool idea of the airships.  Unfortunately, they don't do much with them really.

The Three Musketeers feels like Anderson's desperate grasp at another franchise.   It feels like he wants to launch another Pirates of the Caribbean, and I feel like had this movie been in better hands, it would be possible.  Unfortunately, it feels just so underwhelming that no amount of charm or chemistry the cast might have can elevate to anything but that.

Here's a glaring problem, neither of the main villains get at all what is coming to them.  Instead, the henchmen are dispatched leaving the masterminds to fight another day, perhaps in the sequel that will never happen.   There is really no repercussions for any of the villains.  In one case, he just shrugs and walks away.

I will say that the very last shot of the movie is probably the best part of the entire thing.  Unfortunately, or fortunately depending, we'll never see what comes of it.

The blu-ray looks great and features what few inspired and exciting shots there are really well.  The special features are just as underwhelming as the movie, which is to be expected I guess.  We have deleted scenes and a couple featurettes.

I really wish someone would come out with a real fun high adventure Three Musketeers movie.  Something exciting and not gimmicky and poorly written. 

Until then, I'll stick with The Man In The Iron Mask which is a better Three Musketeers movie than this ever had any hope of being.

The Three Musketeers is available now.

The Three Musketeers Pop Culture Beast Rating5/10

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Blu-ray Review: The Double

The Double
Written by: Michael Brandt and Derek Haas
Directed by: Michael Brandt
Starring:  Richard Gere, Topher Grace, Stephen Moyer, Odette Yustman, Stana Katic, Chris Marquette, Tamer Hassan, and Martin Sheen

From the box:

When a United States Senator is brutally murdered, the evidence points to a Sopviet assassin, code-named Cassius, long-thought to be dead.  Two men who know Cassius best are thrown together to catch him.  Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere, Primal Fear) is a retired CIA operative who's spent his career tracking Cassius around the globe.  Ben Geary (Topher Grace, Spider-Man 3) is a hotshot young FBI Agent and family man who has studied the killer's every move.  Ben thinks he knows Cassius , but Paul knows he is dead wrong.  Now, time is running out to stop this merciless killing machine.  Martin Sheen (The Departed), Stephen Moyer (True Blood), Odette Yustman (Cloverfield) and Stana Katic (Castle) costar in this tense thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last shot.

The Double is a pretty interesting spy thriller, unique in that it spreads some major revelations out over the length of the film, one of which happens rather quickly. Almost too quickly.

Richard Gere plays a retired CIA agent who was obsessed with catching a killer dubbed Cassius.  Topher Grace is an up and coming agent who is now obsessed with finding the same killer, who just happens to be long thought dead.

A high profile murder brings the two together on a hunt to track down Cassius and when the truth is revealed, one of which happens rather quickly, you may find yourself shocked.  It's a well made thriller with some great performances and some good twists.

Fans of Stephen Moyer might be a little disappointed as his role is hardly more than a cameo, same for Martin Sheen.  This movie is all Richard Gere and Topher Grace.  More so Gere, who delivers a really good performance here.  He's pretty intense and it's a good reminder of his talents.  I wonder why he doesn't work quite as much as he used to.  Might be time to give him his own show.

As for the disc, the special features are a little underwhelming.  We have a featurette, trailer, and commentary from the writer and director.  Nothing really worth writing home about.  The movie itself does look nice on the format.  Really clear and crisp.  Nice mix on the sound.  No complaints there.

Overall, The Double is a tight little thriller that delivers on some nice twists with some really good performances.  Fans of spy movies and thrillers will be right at home with this one. 

The Double is available now!

The Double

Pop Culture Beast rating

7/10

RAWR(for more)

Blu-ray Review: Midnight Madness Series!

Just in time for Halloween, Image Entertainment has opened the floodgates on some great horror films under the Midnight Madness label.  This includes quite a few DVD releases and some blu-ray releases as well.   Three of which we'll highlight here.

Hellbound:  Hellraiser 2, Vamp and The Hills Have Eyes.

The first thing I noticed about these DVDs is that they open with old school original trailers for other movies in the Midnight Madness Series.  This made me extremely happy.  I'm a sucker for trailers and seeing these older ones brought me back to my youth of renting all sorts of scary movies from the local video store.  Still I haven't seen half of the movies in the Midnight Madness Line so it's a safe bet that I'll be buying all of them, DVD and blu-ray.

The blu-ray portion of the series is kicked off with some pretty high profile titles including  Hellraiser, Children of the Corn, Dead Heat and the titles we're covering below.

First up is the sequel to one of the scariest movies of all time, Hellraiser.  This time we learn more about the infamous puzzle box and go right to hell itself in Hellbound: Hellraiser 2.

Hellraiser 2 debuts on blu-ray with an unrated version and unfortunately not much else.   I love the movie and really wish we could have gotten some special features with it.  I might have to dig down through my old Anchor Bay dvds for any supplements.

As far as picture goes, it's not perfect as it should be.  There is grain, some muddy spots but to be honest, I kinda like my classics not looking perfect.  It adds character, makes you remember that these are the good old boys of horror and not the new school of (mostly) lame movies.

Fortunately, the movie overcomes the faulty picture.  I enjoyed revisiting the movie as I hadn't seen it in a few years.  It really is one of my favorite horror sequels and I'm glad to finally have it on blu-ray.

I'll give the movie 10/10 but the lack of any special features, despite the awesome trailers that precede the film, means the blu-ray gets a 6/10.

Still great for a scare though!

 Speaking of old school Wes Craven's first film also makes its debut on Blu-ray.  I had actually never seen this one before but I did enjoy it.  It's pretty dated and the picture on the blu-ray is extremely grainy.  We're talking about a movie that's over 35 years old and probably spent a lot of the time in a can somewhere.  I don't know that anyone really thought to keep a movie about cannibalistic desert people in pristine condition.  Still, considering, it looks rather well.

The Hills Have Eyes disc is the only one of the three we're talking about that has any special features and it has a lot.  Audio commentary, 2 featurettes, alternate ending, trailers, tv spots, behind-the-scenes photos and much more.  It makes you wonder why they loaded up this release but not the others.  It was interested to see the much talked about alternate ending which is a little touchy feely for the movie to be honest.

The recent remake sticks pretty close to this one, actually it expands upon it, so if you saw that you'll know what to expect here.  It's still a rather intense and fun little film.  To think Wes Craven followed up with the awful Last House on the Left is a little mind boggling.

I personally love horror movies about creepy people living in the wild who attack unsuspecting people and The Hills Have Eyes fits that perfectly.

The Hills Have Eyes gets a solid 8/10!

Lastly is a little gem I have never heard of before.  A stripper vampire movie with Grace Jones (who doesn't have a single line if I'm not mistaken).  How I'd never heard of this is beyond me but I know I liked it.  Vamp!

It's not particularly scary.  It's more of a camp type horror so you'll have more fun watching it than the desire to check over your shoulder.  The picture is pretty gorgeous.  Really a nice transfer.  The best of the bunch so far.  Unfortunately, no special features for this one either which is a shame.  I'd have enjoyed some kind of supplements for the film.

If you're looking for something that is going to scare you, Vamp isn't what you want.  Still, there is fun to be had in this flick that really screams 80s.  It would make for a fun time yelling out jokes while you watch it.  You do get a bit of everything with this.  Nudity, gore, 80s comedy, 80s hair, Grace Jones turning into an insane looking vamp.

Definitely worth the watch.

Vamp pulls an 8/10 from me.  I only wish there were some features to go along with it.

Hellbound:  Hellraiser 2, Vamp, and The Hills Have Eyes are available now.

RAWR(for more)

Blu-ray Review: Mars Needs Moms and The Fox and the Hound Double Feature

Mars Needs Moms...and kids need better movies.  The latest, and biggest failure in terms of 3D animated films, is Disney's Mars Needs Moms.  If the title doesn't tell you what it's about, I'll give you the details.  Martians steal moms.  There you go.

This is another one of those really creepy motion capture movies that for some reason no one realizes are actually terrifying and that the only thing keeping away years of nightmares and therapy are the pretty colors.

MoCap like this just doesn't work for me.  If you want an animated film then ANIMATE it.  If you want actors that let them do their jobs.  The character designs in these movies are just plain weird looking.  The character of Milo looks like a shrunken Seth Green, which is who played him so I guess it's successful on that count, but he looks wrong.  His eyes are overly big to the point of looking almost more alien than human.  It's creepy.  The mouths don't seem to match the words either if I am being really picky. 

Aside from the mannequin like animation, Mars Needs Moms lives up to a mediocre script with lousy jokes, awful dialogue and contradictions galore.  How a guy who grows up on Mars knows what "Who Let The Dogs Out" means is beyond me.

I will give some credit where it is due.  The voice acting is pretty excellent especially from newcomer Seth Duskey and Dan Folger.  Also Joan Cusack who I love.  In everything.  The visuals of the film are pretty staggering and on blu-ray the film does look gorgeous   Really beautiful color and depth.  There is also a particular scene at the end of the film that was quite powerful.  One I wasn't expecting that really was a shining moment in an otherwise uninspired film.  If you see the movie, you'll know what I am talking about.  It's really quite an emotional moment.

As far as the blu-ray goes, it's pretty sparse.  There are a few features but nothing really to write home about. some extended and deleted scenes and a few featurettes.  Not a lot, but considering how poorly this did at the box office I'm surprised it even has that.  It seems to have effectively destroyed any chance of this kind of Motion Capture film being made, at least for a while.

Look, the bottom line is that this movie is for the kids and the kids will probably love it.  I just wish it was a little more clever.  Kids movies now a days just don't seem to have any impact.  I can't see anyone ten years from now seeing this movie on the shelf and remembering having watched it as a kid and that might be the saddest thing about the film.

Mars Needs Moms is available on DVD and Blu-ray now.

Mars Needs Moms

Pop Culture Beast Rating

5/10

The bad and now the good.  The Fox and The Hound is released finally on blu-ray in a 3-disc set that includes The Fox and the Hound 2, for those of you interested in that one,  and why would you be?

If you can possibly get through The Fox and the Hound without crying then clearly you have no soul.  The unlikely friendship between a fox and a bloodhound makes for an entertaining film that effectively tugs the heart strings and Disney has given it a decent transfer for its 30th anniversary.

Unfortunately, that's about all they've done.  The set is pretty much devoid of features and they packaged the DVDs (2 of the 3 discs are the movies on DVDs) as if they didn't care if they were trashed or kept.

This release definitely feels like a cash grab.  A barely passing transfer, one with color issues (too dark, etc) and a lousy sequel, despite it's fascinating cast.  Disney often does painstaking restorations of their films to make sure they are of top quality.  With this one, it's like they ran a comb through it and pushed it out the door.

Completists will want this on their shelf with the rest of the Disney classics.  It's worth it if you want to see a slightly better picture than the previous DVDs but overall it's a pretty big let down of a blu-ray.

The Fox and the Hound

Pop Culture Beast Rating

8/10 Movie 

2/10 Blu-ray

RAWR(for more)

Blu-ray Review: I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four
Written by:  Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Marti Noxon based on the book by Pittacus Lore
Directed by: DJ Caruso
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Tomothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron, Callan McAuliffe and Kevin Durand
Special Features: Deleted Scenes, Bloopers and "Becoming Number Six" - Follow actress Teresa Palmer as she masters her stunts, surprising everyone including herself.

From the box:

Three are dead.  Who is Number Four?  Fro,m director D.J. Caruso (Disturbia), producer Michael Bay (Transformers) and the writers of TV's Smallville comes this gripping action-packed thriller.  John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is an extraordinary teen masking his true identity to elude a deadly enemy sent to destroy him.  Living with his guardian (Timothy Olyphant) in the small town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life0changing events - his first love (Dianna Agron, TV's Glee), powerful new abilities and a secret connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.  Complete with deleted scenes an more, I Am Number For is an explosive, suspense-filled ride that will take you to the edge of your seat and beyond.

Word was that I Am Number Four was Twilight with aliens and to be honest I did get that vibe a bit when I saw the trailers.  Well it turns out not to be at all like Twlight.  Sure there is a bit of a love story but there is none of the overwrought emoting and gag worthy doe eyed stares that make one want to run for the nearest cliff.

I Am Number Four is, unlike the abysmal Twilight films, actually good.  It's downright fun.  The action is exciting, the acting is pretty good for the most part, only Dianna Agron seems a little wooden but I still like her.

Despite myself, I was taken in by the lore and the story.  It was far better than I had expected it to be based on the trailers.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Sure it isn't perfect but you can't help getting caught up in the characters.

The film looks great on blu-ray with the effects and explosions looking glorious.  The sound is very well done as well.  I had to keep lowering the volume so I didn't bother the neighbors.

Unfortunately, the disc is light on special features with a few deleted scenes, a blooper reel and a featurette featuring Teresa Palmer, who was pretty damn cool as Number Six.  She was a scene stealer for sure.

I don't know how the odds are for a sequel to I Am Number Four.  The book sequel, The Power of Six, comes out later this august, so I can only hope we see that on the big screen.

I really think this has the chance to be a pretty great franchise if the studio gets behind it and gives it a chance.  In a year of major disappointments like The Last Airbender, movies like I Am Number Four gives a little hope that it's not all bad.

I Am Number Four is available now.

I Am Number Four

Pop Culture Beast Rating

8/10

RAWR(for more)

Blu-ray Review: Tron and Tron Legacy!

Tron is finally available on Blu-ray.  Oh and it comes with Tron Legacy.

The 2-movie collection of Tron and Tron Legacy features 5-discs.  Blu-ray, 3-D Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy of the lackluster Tron Legacy, and a Blu-ray of the original Tron.

It's a jam packed set.  Well it is if you have any interest in the 3-D Blu-ray (which I don't) or the Digital Copy (which I don't) or the DVD (Which I don't.)  But some do and if that's you then this is probably your best value.

As far as the films go, Tron to me still holds up.  It's a fun movie despite the age of the effects.  Tron Legacy on the other hand just isn't that great.  Visually and aurally stunning is the best I can say for it.  The plot is weak and is almost offensively reminiscent of Star Wars.  You can be certain that a third Tron will be made and I can only hope that now that getting everyone up to speed on the events of the Grid is done they can make Tron 3 a better film.

Both films do look incredible.  Tron Legacy especially.  The original looks extremely well despite its age.  The sound of course is stellar as well.

Disney has done a great job with special features again, aside from the plethora of discs in the set, you get a lot of interesting featurettes (including the Flynn Lives short that's all over the web now.), a music video, a peak at the upcoming animated series and much much more.

Buying the films individually will cost you $22.99 each.  For about $50 you can get this 5-disc set.  It's the better value.  Especially if you plan to go 3-D in the future, although I can't imagine why anyone would.

Tron and Tron Legacy 2-Movie Collection is in stores now!

RAWR(for more)