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Got another good little documentary from the folks at The Smithsonian Channel HD. This one was a little more horror related and was called "Vampire Princess". This DVD poses the question "Where did Bram Stroker's inspiration come from?" Was it really from Vlad the Impaler or was it actually from a woman named Elanore von Schwartzenberg.
Recent excavations near Elanore's castle have uncovered the first archaelogical evidence of vampire hysteria; three bodies buried in the style of "Magia Pasthuma," a ritual to prevent the undead from rising. One skelton's head rests between his legs, stones weighing down his limbs, a rosary binding his hands; another has a wooden stake coming out of his chest. So much for legends. The hysteria really did happen in this community.
Once again the Smithsonian Channel has produced a quality documentary that really takes you from a-z of these vampire hysterias of the 1700's. The film has some great steady cam shots and once again the acting goes along great with the main storytelling of the film. Also once again they don't pull punches calling the vampire hysteria a result of ignorant people in the countryside.
This DVD is out on October 14th for around $15.00. No extras but I give it a B+
Recent excavations near Elanore's castle have uncovered the first archaelogical evidence of vampire hysteria; three bodies buried in the style of "Magia Pasthuma," a ritual to prevent the undead from rising. One skelton's head rests between his legs, stones weighing down his limbs, a rosary binding his hands; another has a wooden stake coming out of his chest. So much for legends. The hysteria really did happen in this community.
Once again the Smithsonian Channel has produced a quality documentary that really takes you from a-z of these vampire hysterias of the 1700's. The film has some great steady cam shots and once again the acting goes along great with the main storytelling of the film. Also once again they don't pull punches calling the vampire hysteria a result of ignorant people in the countryside.
This DVD is out on October 14th for around $15.00. No extras but I give it a B+
"The Nightmare before Christmas". What can I say. This is simply the best Halloween musical ever made. It's also the best Christmas movie ever made. The reasons for this are countless. The main reason is it combines the genius of Tim Burton along with everyone's favorite two Holidays. It's something that not only kids will love but
people in their twenties, thirties, and more will enjoy as well. I really have not met anyone who doesn't enjoy
"The Nightmare before Christmas".
If you have been living under a rock the film is about Jack Skellington, who is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. Bored of Halloween he finds out about Christmas and decides to do his own Christmas. But his merry mission puts Santa gets Santa in trouble and creates a nightmare for all the good boys and girls.
This is basically the ultimate "Nightmare Before Christmas" DVD. In this amazing DVD you get three DVD's containing everything from a Digital Copy for your iPod to the original remastered film. The extras are some of the best I have ever seen. Including:
What's This? Jack's Haunted Mansion Holiday Tour from Disneyland (yes they re-do the Haunted Mansion for Christmas! aka An Amazing Dark Ride)
Frankenweenie (Uncut Version) with intro by Tim Burton
Vincent
Tim Burton's original Poem
All new audio commentary
Behind The Scenes : Making Of
The Worlds of Tim Burton Art
Deleted Scenes
Storyboard to Film
Original Theatrical Trailer and Posters
Basically this is one of my favorite films totally packed with a ton of Behind The Scenes. Think
Tim Burton animation film school in a box.
I give this one a solid A+. Go out and buy it today.
people in their twenties, thirties, and more will enjoy as well. I really have not met anyone who doesn't enjoy
"The Nightmare before Christmas".
If you have been living under a rock the film is about Jack Skellington, who is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. Bored of Halloween he finds out about Christmas and decides to do his own Christmas. But his merry mission puts Santa gets Santa in trouble and creates a nightmare for all the good boys and girls.
This is basically the ultimate "Nightmare Before Christmas" DVD. In this amazing DVD you get three DVD's containing everything from a Digital Copy for your iPod to the original remastered film. The extras are some of the best I have ever seen. Including:
What's This? Jack's Haunted Mansion Holiday Tour from Disneyland (yes they re-do the Haunted Mansion for Christmas! aka An Amazing Dark Ride)
Frankenweenie (Uncut Version) with intro by Tim Burton
Vincent
Tim Burton's original Poem
All new audio commentary
Behind The Scenes : Making Of
The Worlds of Tim Burton Art
Deleted Scenes
Storyboard to Film
Original Theatrical Trailer and Posters
Basically this is one of my favorite films totally packed with a ton of Behind The Scenes. Think
Tim Burton animation film school in a box.
I give this one a solid A+. Go out and buy it today.
If you are a fan of somewhat offbeat shows then this is for you, but you should watch season 1 first to understand the characters.
Dexter (Played by Michael C. Hall) leads a double life. On one hand he is a blood spatter expert working for the Miami Police Department, but on the other he is a calculating serial killer who kills people who "deserve it."
Season 2 continues where season 1 left off - but with some hitches to Dexter's life.
Up until now he's been able to largely mask his hidden life, but in season 2 some divers find the area in the ocean wher Dexter has been dumping his victims. All too soon, his very private life becomes very public. While no one has yet linked him to the crimes, it's only a matter of time before one of his co-workers, Sgt. Doakes, who thought Dexter was "off" right from the beginning, begins to suspect Dexter, ultimately finding proof tying him to the murders.
I won't get into how Dexter gets himself out of this, suffice as to say Dexter lives through some very tense moments in his life. It is during these moments when he realizes that his step-father's "code" on how Dexter should live his life may be flawed, which then gives Dexter the ability to rewrite the code, allowing him to live his life the way he wishes.
Dexter (Played by Michael C. Hall) leads a double life. On one hand he is a blood spatter expert working for the Miami Police Department, but on the other he is a calculating serial killer who kills people who "deserve it."
Season 2 continues where season 1 left off - but with some hitches to Dexter's life.
Up until now he's been able to largely mask his hidden life, but in season 2 some divers find the area in the ocean wher Dexter has been dumping his victims. All too soon, his very private life becomes very public. While no one has yet linked him to the crimes, it's only a matter of time before one of his co-workers, Sgt. Doakes, who thought Dexter was "off" right from the beginning, begins to suspect Dexter, ultimately finding proof tying him to the murders.
I won't get into how Dexter gets himself out of this, suffice as to say Dexter lives through some very tense moments in his life. It is during these moments when he realizes that his step-father's "code" on how Dexter should live his life may be flawed, which then gives Dexter the ability to rewrite the code, allowing him to live his life the way he wishes.
Continue reading DVD Review - Dexter Season 2.
I'm going to be up front here. I am a total fanboy for the "Shaw Brothers". With their intricate weaving of brilliant kung-fu action, excellent weapon fights and horror these film simply blow me away. "Human Lanterns" as the title suggests is about two rivals that enter into an unholy pack to win an annual Chinese lantern-creating contest. But their secret lies in the flesh of ladies disappearing at the hands of a demonic swordsman.
As in most of the Shaw Brothers film the acting is good, but what really shines is the twisted plot, the cinematography and the fighting. In some scenes of this film it looks like Runme Shaw and crew are using a handheld approach. I'm not sure if the jerky camera is intentional but it gives this 1970's film a decided modern look. Another favorite trick of mine is their use of wide shots. While most modern action film give you quick cuts to hide the fact of the actors not knowing how to fight, Human Lanterns gives you plenty of wide shots of amazing stunt work and spectacular fight scenes.
The behind the scenes features of this DVD are good if not great. You get the basic interview with one of the Shaw Brothers Actresses and an alternate take of one of the more gruesome scenes in this movie. Which was a little too horrific for me to watch. The DVD is in Mandarian Chinese with English subtitles.
All in all I loved this film. Go ahead and order this one when you can.
A+
As in most of the Shaw Brothers film the acting is good, but what really shines is the twisted plot, the cinematography and the fighting. In some scenes of this film it looks like Runme Shaw and crew are using a handheld approach. I'm not sure if the jerky camera is intentional but it gives this 1970's film a decided modern look. Another favorite trick of mine is their use of wide shots. While most modern action film give you quick cuts to hide the fact of the actors not knowing how to fight, Human Lanterns gives you plenty of wide shots of amazing stunt work and spectacular fight scenes.
The behind the scenes features of this DVD are good if not great. You get the basic interview with one of the Shaw Brothers Actresses and an alternate take of one of the more gruesome scenes in this movie. Which was a little too horrific for me to watch. The DVD is in Mandarian Chinese with English subtitles.
All in all I loved this film. Go ahead and order this one when you can.
A+
I was hoping this would come through the review channels as I have been a fan of Michael Vartan since his Alias years. And the movie looked pretty good from the previews I've seen on other movies.
I was a little apprehensive at first mainly because you get so many "horror" movies which are nothing more than blood and guts.
But this one was, surprisingly (and refreshingly) lacking in the blood and guts department. To be honest, there was some blood and guts, but when you have a monster crocodile hunting humans there's bound to be some gore.
The movie follows a group of tourists out on a pleasure cruise exploring Australia's outback. About the time the tour is to end, and they are to return to the dock, one of them notices a flare go off in the distance.
The group, headed by tour guide Kate, proceeds and finds a boat which has been overturned, however there doesn't appear to be any survivors. As they are about to return back to report it, something big hits the boat and punctures it. In a panic Kate heads for the nearest dry land - a small island. And this is where their problems start.
I was a little apprehensive at first mainly because you get so many "horror" movies which are nothing more than blood and guts.
But this one was, surprisingly (and refreshingly) lacking in the blood and guts department. To be honest, there was some blood and guts, but when you have a monster crocodile hunting humans there's bound to be some gore.
The movie follows a group of tourists out on a pleasure cruise exploring Australia's outback. About the time the tour is to end, and they are to return to the dock, one of them notices a flare go off in the distance.
The group, headed by tour guide Kate, proceeds and finds a boat which has been overturned, however there doesn't appear to be any survivors. As they are about to return back to report it, something big hits the boat and punctures it. In a panic Kate heads for the nearest dry land - a small island. And this is where their problems start.
Continue reading DVD Review - Rogue.
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