Author: Chas.

Mood Ring

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Frustrated. Pissed Off. Tired. Cranky. Irritated.

Not even noon, yet.

I need a drink. Actually, I needed a drink about two hours ago.

Good friends coming into town this weekend. That’s something to look forward to.

Mood Ring

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Some details and photos will be forthcoming of one city dweller’s trip to the mountains. Needless to say I am back at work and buried up to my ass in it. Not as fun as it sounds. Trust me.

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Four. Day. Weekend.

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What three words are the best when put together? Four day weekend!!! Especially when a certain fella from NYC arrives in less than 12 hours (flights not being delayed, of course). Yes, yes. You all will get “most” of the details (and some photos) next week … hey, I can’t kiss and tell everything. Suffice it to say that it still blows me away that one week after meeting said fella that he booked airfare to come see me. Plus, he’s ditching Pride in NYC to come see me. Golly. My head has been spinning all week but at least now there will be a good reason. Yeah!

Y’all be good this weekend … ’cause I sure ain’t gonna be.

Four. Day. Weekend.

The Master of Suspense

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Finally Universal will be releasing an affordable collection of their catalog of Hitchcock films. Previously these titles were collected in “The Best of Hitchcock: Volume I” and “The Best of Hitchcock: Volume II” which retailed (togther) for about $300.00 … or you could hunt ’em out seperately for anywhere from $14.99 to $29.99 each depending upon which movie you were after.

Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection
Hot off the presses… Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection for release on October 4th. The fifteen (!) disc set will include the current special editions of “Saboteur,” “Shadow of a Doubt,” “Rope,” “Rear Window,” “The Trouble With Harry,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” “Vertigo,” “Psycho,” “The Birds,” “Marnie,” “Torn Curtain,” “Topaz,” “Frenzy” and “Family Plot,” along with an exclusive bonus disc with special features TBA. The set is rounded out with a collectible Hitchcock book. Retail is $119.98. [via davisdvd.com]

The Master of Suspense

In The Near Future

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Yeah. I haven’t gone on too much about it here … but I have a guest coming in for the weekend!!! How exciting. Someone actually wants to journey from NYC to experince the thrill of backwoods America … though I suspect the real reason is because it’s me here in backwoods America. In a little over 24 hours he arrives. Needless to say I am saying “screw you” to work for Fridy and Monday so that we can have a fun time and “proper” visit. The romantic in me has planned us a picnic … yes, a picnic! Plus there will be various lunches/dinners with some of my friends. Should be fun.

Did I mention that in a little over 24 hours he arrives?!?!?

Must. Remain. Calm.~

In The Near Future

Back to the Dead Horse

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After having seen the un-cut version of “High Tension” last night (thanks to a Korean Special Edition dvd) all I can say is … Lions Gates, ya really dropped the ball on the one. I know, I know. Some of you out there are still asking “what’s the big deal over one minute of missing footage.” The big deal is that the movie does loose impact with the trims that were made. The whole point of “High Tension” is to make you squirm, turn your head and close your eyes at various points. Subtlety is not on the menu here.

So, if you don’t mind spoilers (I know that I mind them), here my observations on what was cut.

“High Tension” U.S. Version … What’s Missing
(Contains Spoliers):

Father’s Death:
The overhead shot of him being decapitated has been shortened so there is less blood and such. Also another overhead shot of the body spouting blood has been cut.

Mother’s Death:
The throat slitting has been trimmed down so there is not quite so much blood gushing. I honestly don’t remember there being a reference to the killer having sawed her hand off. There are a couple of shots where you see the bloody stump come up into the frame. Also, there’s a shot of the severed hand laying next to the portable phone. I am fairly certain these are gone.

Gas Station Attendant’s Death:
The “axe to the chest” has quite a few more shots making the death scene last a little longer.

Killer’s “Death”:
Lots of shots are missing here. I really didn’t think Marie was ever gonna stop smacking him with her barbwire wrapped club. In the U.S. version she hits him maybe three times and that’s it.

Innocent Bystander’s Death:
There is a lot missing from this fun little scene. The U.S. version really just shows the concrete saw going into the front window of the car and the blood splattering on Alex. Un-cut you get some really grusome shots of the saw cutting in the driver’s abdomen and shoulder. Yow!

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