DVD Collectors Online

Summer of Fear, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: Summer of Fear (AKA: Stranger in Our House)
Year: 1978
Director: Wes Craven
Rating: PG-13
Length: 98 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Linda Blair as Rachel Bryant
Lee Purcell as Julia
Jeremy Slate as Tom Bryant
Jeff McCracken as Mike Gallagher
Jeff East as Peter Bryant

Plot:
From famed horror master Wes Craven comes a chilling thriller starring acclaimed actress Linda Blair!

When Rachel's cousin Julia comes to live with the family at the farm, unsettling things begin to occur. Casting an alluring spell over everyone she meets, Julia slowly lures everyone away from Rachel. Terrifying instances of the occult begin to take place, forcing Rachel to fight for survival against what is revealed to be a horrifying demonic presence!

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Bonus Trailers
Production Notes
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
After watching The Exorcist with Brittany the other day... I felt like watching another movie with Linda Blair. This is actually an old TV Movie. Yes I realize there is an MPAA rating above for this movie... but it is one of those rare occasions where a TV Movie put through the MPAA for an official rating at the time of it's DVD release. Another familiar face in this movie is Fran Drescher (The Nanny) who has a small part as Rachel's friend. This is actually one of the few movies I have dealing with witchcraft... at least compared to other horror sub-genres. Being a '70s TV movie there is of course no type of gore and most of the bad things that happens occur off screen. But it is a good story with characters you care about. I enjoyed this one quite a bit... I would recommend checking it out.




(From Movies of the '70s Marathon on March 21st, 2010)

Taken, a review by Dragonfire

I went to see Taken not long after it came out in February.

Bryan had been a spy for years, putting his work ahead of his wife Lenore and daughter Kim.  The marriage ended and his relationship with Kim suffered.  Bryan finally decided to retire so he could try to rebuild his relationship with her.  He is a bit over protective, which paints him as the bad guy at times while Lenore and her wealthy new husband basically give Kim everything she wants.  Kim wants to go to Paris with her friend Amanda, but she has to have Bryan's permission before she can go.  He really doesn't think it is a good idea, but he ultimately gives in because he wants to make Kim happy.  Right after she and Amanda get to Paris, they are kidnapped while Bryan listens on the phone - he had just happened to call Kim right before the bad guys showed up.  Bryan then uses his former contacts to find Kim and rescue her himself.

Certain things about this movie were a bit convenient, like how Bryan was on the phone with Kim when everything happened and how he was a former spy who had the types of contacts that would allow him to hunting for his daughter.  The movie is rather predictable because of those things, but it is still very entertaining.  There are a few surprises here and there throughout the movie the help to keep things interesting. 

There is a decent amount of action in Taken, most of which involves Bryan beating the crap out of anyone he thinks was somehow involved in Kim being taken.  He ends up leaving a path of destruction through Paris, including many bodies.  He is willing to do anything to get Kim back, including killing people involved.  There was one or two car chases as well that were done well for the most part.  Jerky camera work does pop up in a few scenes, which is highly annoying since I hate that.  There is violence in the movie, though it wasn't as graphic since the movie was rated PG-13.

Liam Neeson did a really good job with the part.  Who knew he could believably play a character going on spree of beating people up and even killing some.  Kim isn't shown in a lot of the movie since it wasn't that far into the movie when she was taken.  She did come across as a bit of a brat before the trip with her basically having a temper tantrum until Bryan gave her what she wanted.  I do think she loved her father, but she didn't have a problem manipulating him to get what she wanted either. 

There isn't anything that complex about Taken and the movie is mostly predictable.  It still manages to be entertaining and is a decent mindless action movie.

 

I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to take a look.

Taken

(From Taken on April 30th, 2009)

Charmed Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

"The Witch Is Back"
Original Airdate: December 16, 1998
Prue is attacked by a powerful 300-year-old warlock (Billy Wirth) who is furious about having been trapped in a locket by an ancestor of the Halliwell sisters. The vengeful warlock can copy others' powers and the Charmed Ones must stop him.

My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode. One where we learn more about the Halliwell line of witches since we get to meet the witch that started it all... Melinda Warren.

"Wicca Envy"
Original Airdate: January 13, 1999
Prue's devious boss and secret warlock Rex (Neil Roberts) frames Prue for stealing a priceless tiara and puts her in jail. The sisters plot a jailbreak to catch the sly Rex in action.

My Thoughts:
Finally... the end of the storyline with Pru's bosses being warlocks trying to steal their powers... I was never very fond of that storyline or the characters of her bosses.

"Feats Of Clay"
Original Airdate: January 20, 1999
Phoebe's ex-boyfriend Clay (Victor Browne) breezes into town looking for a reconciliation but, as usual, there are strings attached. This time, Clay brings with him a mortal curse in a stolen Egyptian urn.

My Thoughts:
This is a fair episode... not one of my favorites and more of a filler episode. We do find out a little about Phoebe's life in New York and meet one of her ex's.

"The Wendigo"
Original Airdate: February 3, 1999
When a hideous supernatural creature attacks Piper, she begins to make a strange transformation - with similar traits to her attacker. Prue and Phoebe must save her by vanquishing the beast. But at night in the woods, how will they know for sure if it's the creature, or if it's Piper?

My Thoughts:
This one I love... it is not only one of my favorites of the first season... but one of my all-time favorites for the entire 8 year run.  A Wendigo seems to be a creature similar to a werewolf. Of course I enjoy this episode so much... is a big Piper episode!

(From Charmed Marathon on February 27th, 2008)