DVD Collectors Online

Screaming Dead, a review by RossRoy

WHAT THEY SAY

An abandoned insane asylum looms dark and foreboding on the horizon. Into it pass six individuals who are about to discover its terrifying secrets and come face to face with its blackest horrors. Sleaze photographer Roger Neale and three beautiful models take up residence in the reportedly haunted old building -- an ideal location for Neale's photographic "study in terror." The hospital was financed by a depraved industrialist who built a hidden vault under the basement where he tortured and murdered hundreds of patients. Neale himself is a sadist, and he takes great pleasure in exploiting the helpless young women. But when he discovers a secret passageway, it leads to a blood-splattered dungeon...and into a supernatural world where pain and evil await mortal flesh.

MY THOUGHTS

Ah I'm so pissed! All because of the last 10 or so minutes. The movie was building so well. Threading a fine line between voyeurism, exploitation and sadism. It was actually working towards asking some legitimate questions about how far you can go "in the name of art". When does art become voyeurism? When does voyeurism become exploitation? When does exploitation become sadism? You had it all. Innocent young girls willing to do anything to get their career started, played marvelously by the three actresses. The down to earth big sister, again well played by the gorgeous Rachael Robbins. The weirdo artsy voyeur photographer, again with a great performance by the actor. There's the hero of the day ... though that guy was a bit shaky as the hero. But still, the rest of the cast made up for it. The story was interesting, pushing the limit slowly further and further. And then it all crumbled. Like I said, the whole movie was building so well towards a nice finale. And then boom! Deux Ex Machina. The hero saves the day by doing something so utterly unexpected, not explained, that doesn't even make any sense! And the gibberish "epilogue" - completely unnecessary, and actually detrimental to the whole. It's so frustrating. It had the makings of a real good movie, despite the obviously teeny tiny budget and cheesy special effects (although they do their job). I must add though that the movie looked awesome. Probably too good for its own good. They used 24p HD Cameras and the image is pristine. They probably could've used some of the grain of traditional stock film to hide the low budget effects. But for the scene where the three girls are together in a single twin bed? Gorgeous!

RATING

(From RossRoy's Random Viewings on October 5th, 2010)

The Faculty, a review by addicted2dvd

The Faculty
This hip and edgy thriller from the director of 'From Dusk Till Dawn' and the writer of 'Scream' and 'Scream 2' sizzles with a hot young cast including Elijah Wood ('Deep Imapct'), Josh Hartnett ('Hallowen: H2O') and R&B superstar Usher Raymond! When some very creepy things start happening around school, the kids at Herrington High make a chilling discovery that confirms their worst suspicions: their teachers 'really' are from another planet! As mind-controlling parasites rapidly begin spreading from the faculty to the students' bodies, it's ultimately up to the few who are left - an unlikely collection of loners, leaders, nerds and jocks - to save the world from alien domination! Also starring Robert Patrick ('Terminator 2'), Famke Janssen ('Deep Rising'), and Jon Stewart ('Playing By Heart') in a great cast - don't miss the unstoppable excitement of this unpredictably smart and scary hit!

My Thoughts:
From the title and description alone I am sure it is of no surprise that this movie is no more then a Teen Horror. But all the same it is good for some "Leave your brain at the Door" horror fun. I did have a problem with the beginning of this movie. When it showed the students coming to school they did a freeze frame with each of the main characters and flash their name on the still picture.  In my opinion this takes away from the flow of the movie. When watching a movie I prefer the story to flow properly.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon 1/2 - 1/4 on January 4th, 2009)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

2.11 Starman (1996-02-22)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Frank Siracusa (Writer)
Director: David Warry-Smith
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Rino Romano (Ian MacDonald), Amanda Tapping (Audrey), John Bourgeois (Colonel Shank), Douglas O'Keeffe (Team Leader), R. D. Reid (Bob), Bill Copeland (Norman), Sandy Webster (Murray), Joyce Campion (Jane), Norma Edwards (Betty), Melissa DiMarco (Stella)

I always have enjoyed this episode. I like Ian better than in his first season's appearance.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on August 21st, 2009)