DVD Collectors Online

Haunts, a review by Jimmy

Title : Haunts (1977)

Overview
A small town is stalked by a deranged killer who uses scissors as his weapon and a very religious young woman begins to suspect that her uncle may be the killer. As more murders take place, the young woman fears that she too will become a victim of the killer. Shocking twists and turns bring you to a surprise ending as well as the identity of the killer.

My Impression
The synopsis (I don't write them) and the general marketing for this film is the biggest problem with it. This film is sold as a serial killer movie and this fact hurts the movie a lot. Knowing absolutly nothing about it I was waiting for something to happen, the film start with a murder and this the only one that happen (unless I've fallen asleep). The end explain a lot of thing and the title become clearer. So don't expect a SK movie and this movie will be a much pleasant experience. On the positive side Aldo Ray is too good to be in this genre of movie, if you don't know the end of his career was quite sad because of the Screen Actor Guild. His card was revoken because he had used his real name in a non-SAG production (Sweet Savage) and without a SAG card it's impossible to work in Hollywood. That's why he was only in C-movies untill his death in 1991. Cameron Mitchell give an honest performance, but he is really underuse.

I've not really like this film because I was hoping something else, but if you know that it's not a SK film I think that you could appreciate it.

Rating :

(From Chilling Classics (50 Movie Pack) - films review on October 21st, 2008)

Mr. Destiny, a review by Rich

Mr. Destiny



Imagine if one day, out of the blue, your wildest dreams came true! That's exactly what happens to junior executive Larry Burrows (James Belushi - 'Taking Care Of Business') when he bumps into a mysterious stranger (Michael Caine - 'Miss Congeniality', 'The Cider House Rules'). Instantly, Larry's ho-hum life becomes his ultimate fantasy - huge mansion, beautiful wife, cars galore! But before long, his new lifestyle isn't so enchanting. Ultimately, Larry discovers it's going to take a lot more than wishful thinking to get back to where he once belonged! Co-starring 'Terminator 2's' Linda Hamilton and comedian Jon Lovitz ('Little Nicky', 'Rat Race'), 'Mr. Destiny' is a delightful rags-to-riches comedy brimming with totally magical entertainment!

(From Riches Random Reviews on August 3rd, 2009)

Smallville Marathon #2, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Lana is having a very special bachelor party: She went out bowling with Chloe. But then Chloe witnesses how a young man is kidnapped. When she starts to investigate this, the young man suddenly reappears without having any memory about this incident. Later he dies in an accident. Someone is tagging and killing meteor freaks - and Chloe is probably one of them.

My Opinion: This was interesting. Chloe a meteor freak? Had she really not known? Did she ever used her power? What power is it? That opens a can of possibilities. I also really like to know whether Tobias could see that Clark was different even though he is no meteor freak.

Synopsis: This is the day. The great day. The one day. The day of the Lexana wedding and even Clark is invited. But will they actually go through with it? Two don't want that marriage two happen and two want it to happen. By the end of the day, who will have tried to protect who?

My Opinion: The "Lana finds out" episode. I really liked the idea to show this day from the POV of every character involved. And I am wondering what Lionel's true intention was when he threatened Clark's life. He remains a dubious character whose true allegiances remain to be seen.

And here the key scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvs0JS6bAEw

Funny thing is that I've watched this scene so often that I immediately could spot the (small, yet existent) differences in the dialogue when it is shown from Clark's perspective - and that happened before this scene.
But Chloe's accusation isn't quite true. He has put his heart on the line before (Reckoning) and it got her killed within a day.

Synopsis: Lois seriously needs to write a new article in order to receive her paycheck. Luckily for her she finds Clark's and Chloe's research about a Zoner in the trash can. Soon after she finds herself in the arena of a fight club and there they fight to the death. But her opponent is none other than Clark.

My Opinion: This was the "Wrestling" episode. Another kind of script that is to be found in a number of shows (Star Trek: Voyager's Tsunkatse anyone?), for reasons I do not know.

Synopsis: Lex uses Chloe's mother to influence other meteorite freaks. But she resists and "contacts" her daughter who in turn tries to find her.
Meanwhile Lana learns that her entire pregnancy (which ended in a "miscarriage" a few weeks ago) has been faked. She never was pregnant.

My Opinion: It's fascinating how Lex manages to alienate everyone, even his own wife. It's also fascinating to think about how things could have turned out since Hydro, if Clark hadn't assumed that she was pregnant. Most likely the writers would have found another way to keep them apart.

(From Smallville Marathon #2 on June 21st, 2008)