Topic: Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon: 2010

[Jimmy]

So I have to beat 4 today

It was sure a weird one : goes to sleep at 6h30, get up at 9h30, back to sleep at 15h30 and finally just get up to start again...

[addicted2dvd]

October 2nd Theme

TV Movies

Today I decided to watch some TV Movies. I know some out there don't like TV Movies all that much... but I have always enjoyed them. They may not have the budget of a theatrical movie. But I always thought they did good with what they had. And there is the added bonus that a lot of these TV movies have familiar faces in them from TV Series I liked watching.

I am not including my miniseries in this one... as I will be saving that for another time.

NOTE: Some of these movies are rated by the MPAA. But don't let that fool you... I am almost positive these are indeed all TV Movies. It is just sometimes these movies are put in for a rating when released on home video.

TV Movies: (Titles in BOLD I never seen before.)
   1.  Bay Cove (aka Bay Coven)
   2. Bone Eater
   3. Desperation
   4. The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer
   5. Firestarter 2: Rekindled
   6. Full Eclipse
   7. Good Against Evil
   8. Invitation to Hell
   9. Moon of the Wolf
  10. Nick Knight
  11. The Night Stalker
  12. The Night Strangler
  13. Omen IV: The Awakening
  14. Psycho IV: The Beginning
  15. Pterodactyl
  16. Quicksilver Highway
  17. Riding the Bullet
  18. Shadow Zone: The Undead Express
  19. Scream of the Wolf
  20. Slayer
  21. Someone's Watching Me!
  22. Summer of Fear (aka Stranger in Our House)
  23. Trilogy of Terror
  24. Vampires: Out for Blood
  25. Webs

[addicted2dvd]

Title: Pterodactyl Year: 2005 Director: Mark L. Lester Rating: NR Length: 92 Min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: N/A

Stars:
Cameron Daddo
Coolio
Amy Sloan
George Calil
Ivo Cutzarida
Steve Braun

Plot:
Deep in the heart of the Turkish Forest lies Mt. Ararat, a dormant volcano that holds within itself a deadly and prehistoric secret that has been asleep for millions of years...until now. Not knowing the threat that awaits them, tow separate expeditions make their way into the heart of the forest and closer to the volcano. Captain Bergen (Coolio) leads his military special ops unit on a manhunt for a dangerous terrorist, while Professor Lovecraft (Cameron Daddo) and his team of scientists search for clues to the past when they make a dangerous discovery — hatching Pterodactyl eggs! Faced with the threat of the flesh-eating predators, both groups come to the realization that they must rely on one another if they plan on making out of the forest alive! With non-stop action and explosive graphics, PTERODACTYL will make your fear take flight!

Extras:
Scene Access
Bonus Trailers
Gallery
Production Notes
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
I wanted to start the day with one I never seen before. When I first saw the trailer for this one it looked cheesy and low budget... yes... but for some reason it also looked like fun to me. Apparently this one originally was shown on the premium channel Showtime. The pterodactyls themselves looked pretty cool. The gore was definitely present in this one as people wore torn apart. Some of the effects here was decent... but other effects were bad... laughable even. Where this one really failed for me was the writing. The dialog desperately needed a re-write... though the basic story was just fine. I did find that the action and effects brought the picture up enough for me to enjoy the movie. So I am surprisingly glad I have this one in my collection... and can definitely see myself watching it again.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 5
TV Ep. Count: 0
Other Count: 0
Time Started: 5:30am

[addicted2dvd]

A Haunting: Season 3 New Dominion Picture's A Haunting: Season 3, takes you inside ten real-life horror stories that originally aired on the Discovery Channel. Each eerie one-hour episode features eyewitness accounts and cinematic re-inactments of some of the most spine-tingling, ghostly hauntings ever recorded.  Even the most skeptical observer will be shocked and intrigued by these spellbinding tales Visit the centuries-old pub in northern England, haunted by a gruesome past, the dream house that turns into a nightmare, and the famously creepy haunting in Ireland. This three DVD set of the third season of A Haunting explores these and many other unexplainable, creepy and macabre tales of the paranormal. By the end of each amazing story, you will experience a lingering sense that life and death are much stranger then you could have possibly imagined! Hidden Terror Mike Speranza finds the perfect fixer-upper in Corning, NY. After he and his girlfriend Lisa move in, she is plagued by an inconsolable sorrow, uncharacteristic of her. Lisa is unable to pull herself out of the dark depression that has suddenly taken hold of her. At night, Mike hears footsteps running throughout the house and is eventually visited by ghostly figures.

My Thoughts:
I wanted to work a little on my TV episodes as well... so thought I would watch the next episode where I left off last. But it appears I forgot to mark this episode as watched... Because I have seen this one before. But it is a pretty interesting story. I enjoyed watching it.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 5
TV Ep. Count: 1
Other Count: 0
Time Started: 8:30am

[addicted2dvd]

Title: Webs: Sci Fi Essentials Year: 2003 Director: David Wu Rating: R Length: 87 Min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: : Subtitles: N/A

Stars:
Richard Grieco
Kate Greenhouse
Colin Fox
Richard Yearwood
Jeff Douglas
David Nerman

Plot:
When a group of electrical workers are sent to investigate a bizarre power source in an abandoned Chicago building, they find a deserted laboratory. Inside is what they suspect is a defunct nuclear power core, opening up a portal to a parallel universe.

suddenly they're trapped in a maddening mirror-world where savage, cannibalistic humans with spider appendages stalk and swarm. Here, a dwindling band of survivors fight back with primative weapons against the growing storm of spider-people and their monstrous queen. These two groups must join forces to defeat the queen and find their way through the portal and away from the terror.

Extras:
Scene Access

My Thoughts:
I must admit I was pretty hesitant about this one what with my arachnophobia. But thankfully there is only 1 spider looking creature in this movie (the queen) and she isn't really seen all that often.Those infected by her looks like a zombie-like mutation. Some reason while watching this movie I couldn't help but to think of the TV Series Sliders... what with the alternate Earth and all. This one has Richard Grieco in it. I know him from 21 Jump Street and his spin off series from it... Booker. I wouldn't go as far as saying this is a terrible movie. It definitely has it's moments. But not one I liked a lot either. But glad I checked it out... and have it in my collection. I can see myself watching it again.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 6
TV Ep. Count: 1
Other Count: 0
Time Started: 9:45am

[addicted2dvd]

A Haunting: Season 3 New Dominion Picture's A Haunting: Season 3, takes you inside ten real-life horror stories that originally aired on the Discovery Channel. Each eerie one-hour episode features eyewitness accounts and cinematic re-inactments of some of the most spine-tingling, ghostly hauntings ever recorded.  Even the most skeptical observer will be shocked and intrigued by these spellbinding tales Visit the centuries-old pub in northern England, haunted by a gruesome past, the dream house that turns into a nightmare, and the famously creepy haunting in Ireland. This three DVD set of the third season of A Haunting explores these and many other unexplainable, creepy and macabre tales of the paranormal. By the end of each amazing story, you will experience a lingering sense that life and death are much stranger then you could have possibly imagined! The Unleashed Some Native American tribes tell tales of supernatural creatures that haunt the living to protect the dead. When a curious young man explores ancient incarnations, he opens the door to slumbering phantoms who seek to kill him.

My Thoughts:
This episode I found very good. They atmosphere is done well... and the storyline is very interesting. This one is not only the story of a haunting... but of a possession. I now have watched about 2 and a half seasons out of 4... so far this episode ranks up as one of my favorites.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 6
TV Ep. Count: 2
Other Count: 0
Time Started: 1:00pm

[addicted2dvd]

Title: Quicksilver Highway Year: 1997 Director: Mick Garris Rating: NR Length: 90 Min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: N/A

Stars:
Christopher Lloyd
Matt Frewer
Raphael Sbarge
Missy Crider
Silas Weir Mitchell
Bill Nunn

Plot:
He is a collector of rare objects and dark tales, riding the back roads in search of the black heart of America. For him, there is no light without darkness, no life without death. His name is Aaron Quicksilver (Christopher Lloyd) and he has two horrific tales to share...

In "Chattery Teeth" by Stephen King, a traveling salesman (Raphael Sbarge of THE GUARDIAN) picks up both a psychotic hitchhiker and a strange novelty toy for a drive home that leads straight to Hell. In "The Body Politic" by Clive Barker, a plastic surgeon (Matt Frewer of DAWN OF THE DEAD) must fight back when his hands develop a homicidal mind of their own and lead a rebellion of severed extremities. Bill Nunn (SPIDER-MAN) and Veronica Cartwright (ALIEN) co-star in this gruesome double chiller from Mick Garris, the director of the Stephen King miniseries THE STAND, THE SHINING and DESPERATION.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Gallery
DVD-ROM Content
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
As most of you know... I love anthology horrors. This one unfortunately only had 2 stories within the movie. Other then, of course, the wraparound story. This really isn't the best anthology horror I ever seen... but it isn't that bad either. It is definitely worth seeing. One thing that this one does that I haven't seen on other anthology horrors.  There is a different wrap-around story for each of the two main stories. The first story is told to a newlywed woman that is stranded on the highway while waiting for her husband to return with a new tire. The second story is told to a skeptic visitor to Aaron Quicksilver's little tent of horrors. I thought this added to the story more then telling both stories to the same person does. As for which story did I enjoy more? That is a pretty close call. But I would probably say the second one about the hands.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 7
TV Ep. Count: 2
Other Count: 0
Time Started: 3:00

[addicted2dvd]

October 3rd Theme

Dracula

Movie Theme: Dracula: The Legacy Collection For the first time ever, the original Dracula film comes to DVD in this extraordinary Legacy Collection. Included in the collection is the original classic, starring the renowned Bela Lugosi, and three timeless sequels, featuring such legendary actors as Lon Chaney Jr, John Carradine and others. These are the landmark films that inspired an entire genre of movies and continue to be major influences on motion pictures to this day. Contains: - Dracula - Dracula (Spanish Version) I May Not watch this one today - Dracula's Daughter - Son of Dracula - House of Dracula

TV Theme:   Dracula: The Series For centuries he has ruled the night, inspiring dozens of plays, scores of movies and millions of nightmares. His enduring legend is known and feared everywhere. Now, Dracula seeks global domination as Alexander Lucard, international billionaire power broker, who is relentlessly building a hi-tech network of white-collar vampires. Two young American brothers know his secret (and his weaknesses!) as they join their uncle – a lifelong vampire chaser – to follow the trail across Europe and the U.S. in a desperate race to expose Lucard and his undead army of corporate vampires. The hunters become the prey as Lucard seeks to eliminate their threat to his eternal conquest. NOTE: My plan is to watch an episode of this series between each of the movies. If I still have time to spare after all that I will just work on more episodes of this series till I feel like I am done for the day.

[Dragonfire]

I had no idea there was a Dracula tv show.

[addicted2dvd]

It was a Saturday Morning kid show back in 1990. So it is very kid friendly. One of the kids that go up against Dracula is a very young Mia Kirshner (The L Word).

I am hoping Britt will watch a couple episodes with me later today when she gets home. She really liked the series... but absolutely hated the theme song. 

[Dragonfire]

Oh my.  I think her hate is justified.

[addicted2dvd]

 

[addicted2dvd]

Title: Dracula: The Legacy Collection Year: 1931 Director: Tod Browning Rating: NR Length: 75 Min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, English: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Bela Lugosi
Helen Chandler
David Manners
Dwight Frye
Edward Van Sloan
Herbert Bunston

Plot:
Although there have been numerous versions of Bram Stoker's classic tale, none is more enduring than the 1931 original. The ominous portrayal of Count Dracula by Béla Lugosi, combined with horror specialist director Tod Browning, help to create the film's eerie mood. 'Dracula' remains a masterpiece not only of the genre, but for all time.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
Gallery

My Thoughts:
This is the first movie I ever watched with  Bela Lugosi in it. And one of my favorite versions of Dracula. I think Bela Lugosi does an outstanding job in the title role. What with this movie being over 75 years old... I wasn't expecting much from the audio and video on this release. But I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. Though I did have to turn the volume up on my surround sound a little... the quality was impressing. There was some noticeable dust on the video... but nothing that bad at all. It was a very good presentation... and the DVD gives us a nice collection of extras. though I only watched the Theatrical Trailer so far... I like to watch those before the movie to help me get in the mood for what I am about to watch.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 8
TV Ep. Count: 2
Other Count: 0
Time Started: 3:15am

[addicted2dvd]

Dracula: The Series: Volume 1 For centuries he has ruled the night, inspiring dozens of plays, scores of movies and millions of nightmares. His enduring legend is known and feared everywhere. Now, Dracula seeks global domination as Alexander Lucard, international billionaire power broker, who is relentlessly building a hi-tech network of white-collar vampires. Two young American brothers know his secret (and his weaknesses!) as they join their uncle – a lifelong vampire chaser – to follow the trail across Europe and the U.S. in a desperate race to expose Lucard and his undead army of corporate vampires. The hunters become the prey as Lucard seeks to eliminate their threat to his eternal conquest. Children of the Night In this series opener, two American brothers, Max and Chris, are left behind in Europe with their eccentric uncle Gustav while their mother travels on business. While Chris spends his time pining for American television and attempting to romance a young music student also living with Gustav, the younger brother, Max, who happens to be a supernatural enthusiast, is positive that his uncle is a vampire and goes to see multi-millionaire Alexander Lucard for help. Little does he know that the rich businessman is hiding a secret of his own.

My Thoughts:
This is a cute series from 1990. Is a family show that aired Saturday mornings. I never seen this show when it originally aired. I would say it is just a step up higher from Goosebumps. The vampires are done well without looking too scary (family friendly after all). And I liked how they did the effects for when a vampire gets staked. The effects of Dracula turning into a bat is pretty cool as well. This first episode is a good introduction to the characters. And it pretty much keeps to the Vampire mythology... though they do add the fact that Vampires cannot resist poppy seeds. Not sure what brought that idea on... or how I feel about it. But this is a very good episode of an entertaining family oriented vampire series.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 8
TV Ep. Count: 3
Other Count: 0
Time Started: 5:00am

[Najemikon]

Pete, have you ever seen the original Little Vampire series from the 80s? I remember liking that.