DVD Collectors Online

The Call of Cthulhu, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Call of Cthulhu
Year of Release: 2005
Directed By: Andrew Leman
Starring: Matt Foyer, John Bolen, Ralph Lucas, Chad Fifer
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Written in 1926, just before the advent of "talking" pictures, The Call of Cthulhu is one of the most famous and influential tales of H. P. Lovecraft, the father of gothic horror. Now the story is brought richly to life in the style of a classic 1920s silent movie, with a haunting original symphonic score. Using the "Mythoscope" process ~ a mix of modern and vintage techniques ~ the filmmakers have worked to create the most authentic and faithful screen adaptation of a Lovecraft story yet attempted.

My Thoughts:
This is a modern film, made in the style of an old-fashioned silent film.  When this turned up at the store, I knew I had to have it. I adore Lovecraft, and this very short film (47 minutes!) is as authentic an adaptation of this story as will every be done. This is an ultra-low-budget picture, so don't expect high-tech effects, but the performances are solid and the film is eerie and altogether delightful. Recommended.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon on October 22nd, 2014)

Creature from Black Lake, a review by addicted2dvd

Creature from Black Lake
John David Carson (Empire of the Ants) and Dennis Fimple (Petticoat Junction) play two students tracking in the Louisiana backwoods in search of a mysterious, legendary creature.

Ignoring warnings by the local sheriff they team up with Dub Taylor and his grandson, whose parents were killed in an auto wreck after witnessing the beast. Suddenly one of the students disappears and deadly confrontation ensues...

My Thoughts:
Another total blind buy... but I got it so cheap I couldn't help myself. This one was actually less then $4... new. It is a movie that was made back in the mid '70s. I have definitely seen better... but this movie did keep my attention. It is one that I was able to enjoy. It is actually one of the first Big Foot movies I ever watched. It had some good atmosphere and I did like how they barely showed the creature... making you use your imagination on what he really looks like close up.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Unwatched DVDs on April 25th, 2009)

"Stargate SG-1" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: When Daniel saves the daughter of the local king, SG-1 is captured. Except for Daniel they have to work in the local Naqahdah mine (Naqahdah is the ore of which the Stargate is made). Daniel is enjoying the pleasures of the royal court - including a Goa'uld sarcophagus.

My Opinion: Excellently played by Michael Shanks. First the growing apathy regarding the fate of his friends and then the following withdrawal syndromes. I liked it a lot.

Synopsis: The planet, on which SG-1 destroyed Thor's Hammer (Thor's Hammer), has been overrun by Heru-ur's Jaffa. SG-1 feels responsible for the population and tries to find the "Hall of Might". They suspect that they will find weapons which can be used to fight Heru-ur.

My Opinion: "No good deed ever goes unpunished." (Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #285) One thing I like about SG-1 is, that previous events are not forgotten. They may have been written as standalone episodes but the writers often find a way to continue to tell this particular story. This will happen to several episodes we've already watched and it will happen again in the future.
I also liked the idea to present the Asgard as the Roswell aliens.

Synopsis: SG-1 retrieves an object from a planet without atmosphere. They believe it's a time capsule until it "pins" Jack onto the wall and something infects the basis from it.

My Opinion: Average episode, except for the fact the the basis is nearly taken over (again).

Synopsis: Master Bra'tac comes to Earth to tell Teal'c that his son Rya'c is being held hostage by Apophis. Teal'c and SG-1 return to Chulak to free him.

My Opinion: The family traditions amongst the Jaffa are very archaic. I liked the episode because Teal'c would have done anything to rescue his son. But the behaviour of the new husband was predictable.
The Zat'n'ktel ("Zat Guns") is a very useful weapon. It was a good idea to give the Jaffa another weapon type beside the staff weapon.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on March 4th, 2008)