Topic: Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon: 2010

[addicted2dvd]

Title: Poltergeist III Year: 1988 Director: Gary Sherman Rating: PG-13 Length: 97 Min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Tom Skerritt
Nancy Allen
Heather O'Rourke
Zelda Rubinstein
Lara Flynn Boyle
Kip Wentz

Plot:
They're back...again! And they're still looking for Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) in this riveting and climactic finale to the Poltergeist trilogy. Sent by her parents to live in a Chicago high rise with her aunt (Nancy Allen), uncle (Tom Skerritt) and cousin (Lara Flynn Boyle), Carol Anne must face demons more frightening than ever before, as they move from invading homes to taking over an entire skyscraper! "Ingenious and cleverly executed" (Los Angeles Times) special effects highlight this haunting chiller that takes terror to new heights!

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
While not as good as the first one... I still enjoyed this one. I would say it is about on par with part 2. Maybe even a little better. Though it is a shame what happened to Heather O'Rourke... what was it shortly after or during making this movie. Passing at such a young age. Still only a child. I keep going back and forth whether I like the new setting of the apartment building. But over all I think it works.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 51
TV Ep. Count: 17
Other Count: 3

[addicted2dvd]

I just realized... I just made it to the half way point of my goal for movies!!! 

[addicted2dvd]

Charmed: The Complete Third Season Three times is a charm! Charmed: The Complete Third Season has three times the power, as well as all of the supernatural thrills and excitement, as the Charmed Ones -- Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) -- deal with being modern-day witches. How could life get any more complicated for the Halliwell sisters? One learns that her greatest love is also her greatest enemy; another defies The Powers That Be to marry; and tragedy unexpectedly befalls the third, leaving the sisters powerless to stop it. The perfect potion of suspense-filled adventure, crafty humor and dynamic heroines casts a spell that brings you 22 episodes of pure viewing magic.

Episode Watched:
All Halliwell's Eve
The Halliwell sisters travel back to the 1600s to protect a coven in danger of extinction and save their own future.

My Thoughts:
I normally don't care for what I call "Period Pieces"... movies/episodes that take place well into the past. But this is definitely an exception. I liked the way that they showed there was a lot of magic know-how lost over the years. And I especially liked the reveal of who it was they went back in time to save. Another really good episode!

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 51
TV Ep. Count: 18
Other Count: 3

[addicted2dvd]

Tales from the Darkside: The First Season Tales from the Darkside, the uniquely terrifying, frighteningly popular horror anthology series, is back. Packed with haunting stories that at first light appear to be about normal situations, these tales are gradually twisted until they become something sinister, shocking and totally unsettling. Revealing the dark underworld of our everyday existence, Tales from the Darkside includes stories penned by masters of horror, with unforgettable performances by some of Hollywood's finest stars. Dark, scary and with a bizarre sense of justice, all 24 episodes of Tales from the Darkside's spine-tingling first season will capture your imagination...and never let it go.

Episode Watched:
Trick or Treat
Some unusual late-night visitors darken a miser's doorway after he dares his neighbors to send their children into his haunted house.

My Thoughts:
The Halloween episode of the first season of this series also just happens to be the pilot episode. I really enjoyed it. Trick or Treat has a cute story... with a fun ending.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 51
TV Ep. Count: 19
Other Count: 3

[Achim]

I hope I am not alone here in thinking this is an enjoyable sequel.

You are not

I keep going back and forth whether I like the new setting of the apartment building. But over all I think it works.

I'd say it was the main reason this still felt fresh!

I just realized... I just made it to the half way point of my goal for movies!!! 

Awesome Slightly ahead of schedule then...

[addicted2dvd]

Title: Stephen King's Silver Bullet: Widescreen Collection Year: 1985 Director: Daniel Attias Rating: R Length: 95 Min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: English

Stars:
Gary Busey
Everett McGill
Corey Haim
Megan Follows
Robin Groves
Leon Russom

Plot:
Something is killing off townsfolk in Tarker's Mills. Something mysterious. Something ingenious. Something remotely human. But the only person in town with the courage to stop this lurking menace is a 13-year-old boy, confined to a wheelchair since birth. Adapted to the screen by suspense master Stephen King from his "Cycle of the Werewolf" novelette, this exhilarating thriller features astounding special effects by three-time Oscar® winner Carlo Rambaldi ("E.T.," "Alien," "King Kong").

Extras:
Scene Access
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
I have loved it since I first saw it when I was just a teen. I absolutely love the supped up wheel chair... The Silver Bullet! I really enjoyed the scene when he first got it... finding out just how fast it went. I believe Stephen King's take on the werewolf legend is just right on the spot. And I liked who the werewolf turned out to be. While it is not what I would call a gory movie... there is a scene or two that shows it's fair share of blood. There was nothing about this movie that was not just plain enjoyable. It is definitely one of my favorite werewolf movies. Unfortunately this is just a bare bones DVD... no extras what so ever. I would have liked to at the very least seen the Theatrical Trailer on the disc. I imagine there will be many people that does not agree with the below rating... but what can I say... I just love this movie. And it is my rating... so there! 

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 52
TV Ep. Count: 19
Other Count: 3

[addicted2dvd]

Note: The Silver Bullet review above is just a recycled review... don't need to add it to the list.

[Jimmy]

That's why I will recycled my usual comment

This film is available on a region 2 dvd with the trailer and a commentary track.

It's also in this boxset since the dvd is oop and according to dvdcompare Silver Bullet had the same extras.

The set even had Maximum Overdrive in it and we all know that you are the only person in the world who like this film

[addicted2dvd]

Enjoy every minute of it! 

[addicted2dvd]

Title: An American Haunting: Unrated Edition Year: 2005 Director: Courtney Solomon Rating: Unrated Length: 91 Min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital EX: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1), English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Donald Sutherland
Sissy Spacek
James D'Arcy
Rachel Hurd-Wood
Matthew Marsh
Thom Fell

Plot:
Based on the true story of The Bell Witch of Tennessee, An American Haunting is the story of a spirit who brutally attacked the Bell family causing the death of one of its members. Years later, we are taken back to the most horrific of nights to find out the truth of the spirit's nature and origin...the night it was born.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Bonus Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Interviews
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
This is one that I enjoyed... I enjoyed it more then I thought I would really as I don't normally like the period pieces. As usual... Donald Sutherland did an outstanding job. As did everyone else... but I have been more and more impressed as I watch more of Donald Sutherland's work. I am becoming a fan of his. There is a nice selection of extras on this disc... but I didn't check them out this time around... decided to save them for the next viewing. Unfortunately there was no Theatrical Trailer on this disc. (a pet peeve of mine) as I like to get in the mood of a movie by watching the trailer first.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 53
TV Ep. Count: 19
Other Count: 3

[Jimmy]

The trailer is on the canadian release

[addicted2dvd]

LOL... that's ok. I can always watch it through DVD Profiler's trailer window... but IO still get mad when they don't have it on the DVD itself.

[addicted2dvd]

Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Year: 1992 Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui Rating: PG-13 Length: 85 Min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 4.0, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Candy Clark
Kristy Swanson
Donald Sutherland
Paul Reubens
Rutger Hauer
Luke Perry

Plot:
Blonde, bouncy Buffy (KRISTY SWANSON) is your typical high school cheerleader – her goal is to "marry Christian Slater and die" and nothing gets in her way when it's time to shop. But all that changes when a strange man (DONALD SUTHERLAND) informs her she's been chosen by fate to kill vampires. With the help of a romantic rebel (LUKE PERRY), Buffy is soon spending school nights protecting L.A. from Lothos, the Vampire King (RUTGER HAUER), his sidekick, Lefty (PAUL REUBENS), and their determined gang of bloodsuckers. It's everything you'd expect from a teen queen in the Valley.

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Featurettes
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
Well... it just felt like it was time to watch a comedy. I enjoy a good comedy horror now and then. I know a lot of people that prefer the TV Series to this movie... and I agree... I do enjoy the series more... but I do still enjoy the movie as well. As much as I enjoy this one...  I have no idea why. It isn't particularly that funny... but all the same I still really get a kick out of it.... and keep finding myself coming back to it! I think if you go into this one expecting what it is... a silly, cheesy movie... then I think you will enjoy it.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 54
TV Ep. Count: 19
Other Count: 3

[addicted2dvd]

NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: The Fourth Season NCIS: THE FOURTH SEASON the top-rated investigative crime drama, continues the thrilling adventures of a cutting-edge crew of special agents who operate outside the government's chain of command. Led by Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a former Marine whose skills as an investigator are unmatched, this highly trained, tight-knit team travels the world investigating murder, espionage and terrorism. This 6-disc set includes all 24 action-packed episodes, along with top-notch, behind-the-scenes features, from this critically acclaimed, one-of-a-kind series.

Episode Watched:
WITCH HUNT
On Halloween night a Marine is attacked in his home and his daughter is kidnapped. Meanwhile, McGee and Tony are rendered speechless by Abby's Halloween costume.

My Thoughts:
One of my favorite current shows. This one has a really good story. Not only that... it has some pretty cool costumes. I especially loved our Goth forensic scientist Abbey dressed up as Marylin Monroe. And I had to laugh at Ducky taking the time on the way to a murder investigation to catch a couple teens that egged his van... so he could make them clean it. Very entertaining episode.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 54
TV Ep. Count: 20
Other Count: 3

[addicted2dvd]

100 Years of Horror: The Complete Collection This frightfully fascinating five-DVD set chronicles the history of movie horror from earliest experimental chillers through the unforgettable "golden age of movie monsters" and on through today's graphic horror films in 26 horrific, half-hour shows. Hosted by Christopher Lee, the screen's legendary King of Horror, the series features appearances by Robert De Niro, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hugh Hefner, Charlton Heston, Kenneth Branagh, Joe Dante, and many more. Also featured are rare interviews with Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, and Claude Rains. Included as a special bonus are never-before-seen interviews with the friends and families of the legendary names of horror such as Bela Lugosi, Jr.; Boris Karloff's daughter, Sarah Karloff; Claude Rains' daughter, Jessica Rains, and more. The collection also includes chilling scenes from such classics as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, The Creature From The Black Lagoon, and The Invasion of the Body Snatchers as well as more recent chillers such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Halloween, Poltergeist and The Haunting. Plus home movies from the sets of horror classics, outtakes, screen tests, previously "lost" films, and other exciting surprises. Easily the most interesting and informative horror chronology ever assembled.

Short Watched:
Witches
Witches has been a favorite of fairy tales - and fright films - for centuries. Here's a wicked look at a coven's worth of portrayals.

My Thoughts:
While not bad... movies about witches aren't among my favorites (with 1 or 2 exceptions [The Craft]). I especially don't care too much for the period piece ones. If the story takes place pretty much in the present there is a better chance of me enjoying it. But this documentary did a pretty good job at covering the subject. Though not a favorite short in the set for me.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Demons
More then just the devil (although the Prince of Darkness has certainly figured into quite a few motion pictures), demons have been a mainstay of horror films since the silent days.

My Thoughts:
For the most part... the movies covered for Demons didn't look to be of much interest to me... at least not the ones I don't already have. So in this case the documentary didn't help me much on movies I will want to add. But it was still a fairly interesting short.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Mutants
Abominable snowmen, mole peple, creatures from the black lagoons. All these half-human/half-beast "hybrids" are here - and more!

My Thoughts:
Now this one I enjoyed quite a bit. It hit on movies I know and have... as well as ones I don't... with a few I am looking forward to seeing at some point in the future. I liked that it hit on all the Creature from the Black Lagoon movies... giving me a look into what I can expect. I must admit that I am a little concerned about the sequel... The Creature Walks Among Us... I mean come on taking him out of the water. Which is probably the reason that it is the last in the trilogy.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Freaks
Horror films have been peppered with people who didn't need makeup and were actually born disfigured, most notably in the movie Freaks. Take a look at those who managed to turn their misfortune into something of a career.

My Thoughts:
This is another really interesting short. Seen several movies I would like to check out. This short made me realize that I never seen a movie based on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. And some of the ones they hit on here looked pretty interesting.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Scream Queens
King Kong's Fay Wray is probably the most famous scream queen of the horror genre, but you'll be surprised to see who else made the list.

My Thoughts:
Another fun and interesting short. It has those I am familiar with as well as a few I am not. While it did have the older black and white movies featured... this one for a change has more color clips then the B&W.

My Rating
Out of a Possible 5

Count:
Movie Count: 54
TV Ep. Count: 20
Other Count: 8  I Made It! (10/15)