What constantly amazes me is the super crappy art that studios come up with for video releases of their films. Take for instance the upcoming dvd release of the 1981 slasher flick “Happy Birthday To Me.” The original poster art was this cool image of one of the characters getting kabob-ed. It also had the fun tag line: “Six of the most bizarre murders you will ever see.” Now we get treated to an awful cover complete with a knife sticking out of a birthday cake. The tag line now reads “You’re invited to the bloodiest party of the year.” Grrrr. How lame!
Horror
Wishlist Gifts!
I had such a nice surprise waiting for me on Saturday … an amazon.com box was sitting on the porch. Inside that box was the double feature dvd of “Village of the Damned/Children of the Damned” sent by Danny. Danny, you are such a sweet fella buying me something off my DVD Wishlist!!! You other folks can be sweet to me too.
Cool Shiznit
Wanna see some images from the Director’s Cut of the “Dawn of the Dead” remake? It’s out on dvd later this year. Check out the cool shiznit here.
Updating …
One of the fun things about dealing with a big cast is that there are a lot more people than can just drop out for various reasons. So far, after one week of rehearsal, we have lost two. Fun!
I must have had more of a life this past weekend ’cause I only saw three films instead of eight (like the previous weekend). Oh wait, I had yard work to do. That’s what it was.
1. “Wrong Turn” 2003
I dug this movie. A straight up slash and burn horror film … cheap thrills and gore filled kills (plus Desmond Harrington … yum). Fun stuff! It made me spill my coffee.
2. “Secret Window” 2004
Cool little movie made all the better by Johnny Depp’s acting and a good screenplay/directing job by David Koepp.
3. “Collateral” 2004
I like Michael Mann movies. Another solid piece of entertainment from the guy that brought us “Miami Vice,” “The Insider” and “The Last of the Mohicans.” Oh, yeah. That Tom Cruise fella is in it as well. And, Mark Ruffalo as well. Oh, yeah!
Weekend Movies Update
Can you tell I have no life? I watched eight (yes, you heard that right) movies this weekend.
1. “The Black Scorpion” 1957
Another big bug classic from the 50’s that’s not quite as good as “Them!” Did they make any bad big bug movies? I don’t think so.
2. “The Town that Dreaded Sundown” 1976
Interesting docu-drama about killings in Texarkana in 1946. Some fun moments with a pretty creepy killer. I now know some new uses for a trombone. Eeep!
3. “The Sentinel” 1977
Pretty fun film. It always sucks when you rent an apartment in a building that’s the gateway to hell. There some nice creepy stuff in this one.
4. “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” 1978
Another remake that actually works pretty well. They could release this film in the current climate in this country and the themes would still work very well.
5. “Mad Max” 1979
I hadn’t seen this movie for a while. A good road revenge tale with a young (and super hot) Mel Gibson. I really need to check out the new dvd release that doesn’t contain the really bad American over-dubbing that is present on all previous video releases.
6. “Unbreakable” 2000
Very interesting take on the origins of a super hero. I dug it.
7. “Signs” 2003
I wanted to revisit this one since I had only seen it at the movies two years ago. Hold up pretty well (in my opinion). Some great creepy thrills even if the moral message at the end is a little heavy-handed.
8. “The Village” 2004
Sure to be one of those films that generates intense debate. I really dug it. Great acting, production design and pacing.
Woodsmovie
If you (like myself) are a big fan of “The Blair Witch Project,” Haxan Films has a new site up detailing the production of the movie … from the beginning stages to final release. Check it out at woodsmovie.com.
Back in the Day
Whoo. I feels the need for some gore and horror and such … 70’s style. They did everything better back in the 70’s. Didn’t they?
Brain Chemical Magic
It shouldn’t be any real surprise that I have finally gone crazy. After five days, the drugs seem to be working their brain chemical magic. I am starting to feel somewhat human again. I gotta get my shit together quick. “Sweeney Todd” auditions in a mere week and a half. Yow!
I think “The Village” is gonna kick some ass.
Ultimate Edition!
Mmmm, Monsters!
On October 5, Universal Home Video will release three more sets in its “Monster Legacy Collections.” There will be a “CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON” set that will also include its sequels “REVENGE OF THE CREATURE” and “THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US.” “THE MUMMY” set will include the 1931 Boris Karloff classic, as well as “THE MUMMY’S HAND,” “THE MUMMY’S TOMB,” “THE MUMMY’S GHOST” and “THE MUMMY’S CURSE.” “THE INVISIBLE MAN” will include the original film starring Claude Rains, as well as “THE INVISIBLE MAN RETURNS” (with Vincent Price), “THE INVISIBLE MAN’S REVENGE,” “THE INVISIBLE AGENT” and “THE INVISIBLE WOMAN.” Each set will contain extras. More details to follow!
[via DVD Drive-In]
Squee!
I heart zombies. And for all you members of the zombie army out there, Anchor Bay has finally put up a mini-site containing more info about the super-huge “Dawn of the Dead” DVD set that will hit stores September 7. Unfortunately, no word yet on how much green it is gonna set us back.
Dawn Details
Finally! The details on the four disc dvd release of Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” are out. There’s gonna be so much zombie goodness …
DISC ONE: U.S. THEATRICAL VERSION
(same contents as March’s single-disc release)
• Widescreen presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16×9 TVs
• Audio commentary by writer/director George A. Romero, makeup FX creator Tom Savini and assistant director Chris Romero, moderated by Perry Martin
• Theatrical trailers
• TV spots
• Radio spots
• Poster & advertising gallery
• George A. Romero biography
• Comic book preview
• 5.1 DTS Surround sound
• 5.1 Dolby Surround sound
• 2.0 Dolby Surround
• Original mono track
DISC TWO: EXTENDED VERSION
• Widescreen presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16×9 TVs
• Audio commentary by producer Richard P. Rubinstein, moderated by Perry Martin
• Monroeville Mall commercial
• Behind-the-scenes photo gallery
• Memorabilia gallery
• Production stills
• Original mono track
DISC THREE: EUROPEAN VERSION
• Widescreen presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16×9 TVs
• Audio commentary by actors David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger and Gaylen Ross
• International theatrical trailers
• UK TV spots
• International lobby card gallery
• International poster & advertising gallery
• International pressbook gallery
• U.S. & international home video & soundtrack artwork
• Dario Argento biography
• 5.1 Dolby Surround sound
• 2.0 Dolby Surround
• Original mono track
DISC FOUR: DOCUMENTARIES
• DOCUMENT OF THE DEAD, The original documentary filmed during the making of DAWN by Filmmaker Roy Frumkes
• THE DEAD WILL WALK, an all-new 75-minute documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew members Claudio Argento, Dario Argento, Pat Buba, Tony Buba, Zilla Clinton, David Crawford, David Early, David Emge, Ken Foree, Michael Gornick, John Harrison, Clayton Hill, Sharon Ceccatti-Hill, Jim Krut, Leonard Lies, Scott H. Reiniger, Chris Romero, George A. Romero, Gaylen Ross, Tom Savini and Claudio Simonetti
• On-set home movies with audio commentary by zombie extra Robert Langer
• Monroeville Mall tour with Romero
Rental Roundup
1) “Sleepaway Camp” 1983
Probably the funnest slasher flick … ever! Silly (but twisty) story, laughably great acting, nice kills and and off the hook, totally fucked up ending! And that’s a good thing.
2) “Lifeforce” 1985
Interesting (though not very scary) Tobe Hooper film written by Dan O’Bannon (of “Alien” fame). There a lot of stuff going on. Kinda like a sci-fi-zombie-vampire hybrid. Gets bonus points for Mathilda May being topless for most of the film.
3) “Naked Lunch” 1991
It’s David Cronenberg. I heart David Cronenberg. ‘Nuff said!
4) “Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2” 2000
Hmmmm. Totally pointless sequel to one of the best horror films of recent memory. It kept me interested until the end, but then it was like “so, what’s the point of this whole thing?” Not good but it could have been worse. Could have been “Cabin Fever” bad.
5) “Carrie” 2002
Pretty pointless television remake. It was fun to see some of the stuff from the book that didn’t make the DePalma version … but past that … not worth watching. Patricia Claskson’s bland portrayal of Margaret White really helps kill this one. That and the off the hook, totally fucked up ending. Which in the case is not a good thing.