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Fear(s) of the Dark, a review by Danae Cassandra

Fear(s) of the Dark (Peur(s) du noir)
Year of Release: 2007
Directed By: Blutch, Charles Burns, Marie Cailou, Pierre Di Sciullo, Lorenzo Mattotti, Richard McGuire
Starring: Christian Hincker, Aure Atika, Guilaume Depardieu, Louisa Pili, Laurent van der Rest
Genre: Horror, Animation

Overview:Black HoleMy Thoughts:
This was stylish and interesting, with quite well-done animation in a variety of styles. If all of the segments aren't as good as the others, that's almost to be expected of an anthology film. I enjoyed the insect and the haunted house stories the best, then the story of the village and the story of the dogs, and lastly the story of the bullied girl and the ghosts. Though the animation is well-done in all of them, it is best done in the haunted house story, though I enjoyed the style of the dog story more. What I didn't like was the inter-pieces of the woman complaining about all the mundane things she is afraid of. That portion seemed rather pretentious. Still, the short films are worth seeing, either for fans of animation or fans of anthology horror.

Watched For: Hoop-tober 3.0, Horror/Halloween Challenge 2016

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 1/52

(From Horror/Halloween 2016 Challenge on October 2nd, 2016)

Terminator Salvation, a review by Dragonfire

I went to see Terminator Salvation today.  I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but since I've seen the previous three movies and enjoyed what I've seen of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles I decided to see it. 

In 2018, the resistance is still fighting against Skynet and the machines.  John Connor is an important member of the resistance and he's determined to defeat Skynet.  Marcus Wright, a mysterious man, turns up and ends up involved in what is going on.  Marcus meets Kyle Reese and then later meets John and other members of the resistance.  Marcus is a bit different and John has to decide if he can trust him or not.

My Thoughts

First of all, it is just weird to see a Terminator movie without Arnold having a main role as a Terminator - either one bent on destruction or the reprogrammed version. 

The movie is a bit different from the others and even the tv show since in those, a Terminator was being sent back in time to eliminate John.  This time, just about everything takes place in the future after judgment day.  Things aren't exactly like John expected, but Skynet is still in control and trying to eliminate the remaining humans.  It is interesting to see the future and see some focus on John as an adult.  Some of the machines that were mentioned in previous movies - like the hunter killers - are shown.  I think they looked the same.  Some other machines are around that I don't remember being mentioned before that worked well with the story. 

The plot is interesting and has a few different things going on, but it isn't that complex.  The plot really isn't as strong as previous plots have been, though it still manages to be entertaining.  Most things are resolved by the end of the movie while also leaving some things open for future movies.  I've already heard that the producers want to make 2 more movies.  The action scenes are fine, though nothing special.  The violence is relatively tame thanks to the PG-13 rating instead of R like the previous movies received.  For all the shooting going on, few people get hit and there is practically no blood loss.  At one point, someone receives a major injury with basically no blood loss at all.  It somehow seems weird for a Terminator movie to be rated PG-13...Sort of like how I felt about Live Free or Die Hard being rated PG-13 instead of R.

There are a few references to things from the first movies.  John has the picture of Sarah that Kyle had in the first movie.  John also listens to the tapes Sarah made for him.  Kyle's importance is touched on, though most of the characters have no idea why John says that Kyle is important.  I did like the few references to the previous movies that I noticed.  I didn't pick up on anything that had been mentioned in the television show, though I haven't seen all the second season episodes.  There is no indication that the connection to Kyle that the show came up with exists in the movie.  The first of the T-800s is seen by the end of the movie.  Some sort of computer effects gave the T-800 Arnold's face. 

The cast does a good job with their parts overall even though there isn't a lot of development for any of the characters, even John.  Kate, introduced in the third movie, is back though in a smaller part.  She is still important, it just would have been nice if she has been around a little bit more.  It is nice to see more of Kyle, but it is also a bit odd to see him so young.  Marcus is a very interesting addition.  Most of the questions about him are answered - and I really wasn't surprised by the answers - but I still have a few that were left unanswered. 

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

Terminator Salvation

(From Terminator Salvation on May 22nd, 2009)

Twilight Zone, a review by addicted2dvd

74. Deaths-Head Revisited (11/10/61)
A former Nazi SS Captain returns to the ruins of a concentration camp to re-live the good old days - until his long-dead victims appear to deliver overdue justice!

My Thoughts:
I have seen this episode before... it is a good episode... but not one I would call a favorite. Just a decent basic episode. Attached to the end of this episode was a TV Spot for Gunsmoke. The extras that come with this episode include a Marc Zicree interview with Buck Houghton, an Isolated Score and The Twilight Zone Radio Drama starring H.M. Wynant.

75. The Midnight Sun (11/17/61)
The Earth's orbit has suddenly changed, drawing ever closer to the sun and promising imminent destruction. Or has it? Who really knows how the Earth may be doomed?

My Thoughts:
This is another episode I have seen before... this one I liked quite a bit. Much more then the last episode. Attached to the end of this episode is a commercial for The Refugee Program. Extras included for this episode are an Audio Commentary with Lois Nettleton and an Isolated Score.

76. Still Valley (11/24/61)
A Confederate soldier (Gary Merrill) gets the chance to win the Civil War for the South. But to do that, he must call on a very dubious ally.

My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode. A confederate soldier stumbles upon a book of black magic and must decide if it is worth calling upon the devil for his side of the war. It was another episode that I never seen before now. Attached to the end of the episode was a TV Spot for the series Gunsmoke. Extras included with this episodes are an Isolated Score and a Twilight Zone Radio Drama starring Adam West.

77. The Jungle (12/1/61)
Returning from a business trip to Africa, Alan Richards (John Dehner) scoffs at the voodoo lion curse that was placed on him. Yet soon he will sense that something is chasing him through the streets of New York.

My Thoughts:
This is one of the many I never seen before. This one didn't impress me too much. I mean  it was ok... but nothing really special about it. attached to the end of this episode was a special service announcement about the mentally ill. There was no extras what so ever with this episode.

78. Once Upon a Time (12/15/61)
Woodrow (Buster Keaton), a janitor living in the year 1890, accidentally activates a time-traveling helmet which transports him to 1962 - then promptly breaks down!

My Thoughts:
This one I have seen before... it is one I really enjoyed. It has comedy mixed in... naturally what with Buster Keaton in  it. I liked how the parts that took place in 1890 was like a silent movie... where the parts that took place in 1962 had sound. Was just an all around fun episode. Attached to the end of this episode was a special service announcement for wearing seat belts. The only extra attached to this episode is an Isolated Score.

79. Five Characters in Search of an Exit (12/22/61)
A clown, a hobo, a ballet dancer, a bagpipe player and an Army major are trapped together in an enormous cylinder. They don't know who they are or how they got there. But when the major tries to escape, they finally learn the truth.

My Thoughts:
This is one I saw a year or so ago while watching some episodes during a sci-fi channel marathon. This is a pretty good episode... I enjoyed it. attached to the end of this episode is a TV Spot for Gunsmoke, Extras along with this episode include an Audio Commentary by William Windom and a Marc Zicree Interview with Lamont Johnson.

80. A Quality of Mercy (12/29/61)
A soldier (Dean Stockwell) gets a new perspective on war when he is forced to experience it from the enemy's point of view.

My Thoughts:
This was another episode I never seen before... and a very good one. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I would have never recognized Dean Stockwell if I didn't know it was him going into it. Attached to the end of this episode is a public service message for colleges. The only extra included with this episode is a commentary with Leonard Nimoy.

81. Nothing in the Dark (1/5/62)
An old woman has fought with death a thousand times and has always won. But now she finds herself afraid to let a wounded policeman (Robert Redford) in her door for fear he is Mr. Death. Is he?

My Thoughts:
This is a very good episode that I have seen before. One I enjoyed every minute of. Attached to the end of this episode is a TV Spot for Gunsmoke. The extras included with this episode are a Marc Zicree interview withLamont Johnson and George Clayton Johnson and an Isolated Score.


Episodes I seen for the First time on this set include:

   1. Judgment Night (Episode 10)
   2. And When The Sky Was Opened (Episode 11)
   3. What You Need (Episode 12)
   4. I Shot an Arrow into the Air (Episode 15)
   5. The Hitch-Hiker (Episode 16)
   6. The Purple Testiment (Episode 19)
   7. Elegy (Episode 20)
   8. Mirror Image (Episode 21)
   9. A World of Difference (Episode 23)
  10. Long Live Walter Jameson (Episode 24)
  11. People Are Alike All Over (Episode 25)
  12. Execution (Episode 26)
  13. The Big Tall Wish (Episode 27)
  14. A Nice Place to Visit (Episode 28)
  15. Nightmare as a Child (Episode 29)
  16. The Chaser (Episode 31)
  17. Mr. Bevis (Episode 33)
  18. The Mighty Casey (Episode 35)
  19. A World of his Own (Episode 36)
  20. The Man in the Bottle (Episode 38)
  21. A Thing About Machines (Episode 40)
  22. The Howling Man (Episode 41)
  23. A Most Unusual Camera (Episode 46)
  24. Dust (Episode 48)
  25. Back There (Episode 49)
  26. The Whole Truth (Episode 50)
  27. Twenty-Two (Episode 53)
  28. The Odyssey of Flight 33 (Episode 54)
  29. Static (Episode 56)
  30. The Rip Van Winkle Caper (Episode 60)
  31. The Silence (Episode 61)
  32. Shadow Play (Episode 62)
  33. The Mind and the Matter (Episode 63)
  34. Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up (Episode 64)
  35. The Arrival (Episode 67)
  36. The Mirror (Episode 71)
  37. Still Valley (Episode 76)
  38. The Jungle (Episode 77)
  39. A Quality of Mercy (Episode 80)

(From Twilight Zone on April 2nd, 2008)