DVD Collectors Online

Black Sabbath, a review by Danae Cassandra

Black Sabbath (I tre volti della paura)
Year of Release: 1963
Directed By: Mario Bava
Starring: Michele Mercier, Lydia Alfonsi, Boris Karloff, Mark Damon, Susy Andersen, Jacqueline Pierreux
Genre: Horror

Overview:
One of the great horror anthology films, and Bava's personal favorite of his works, BLACK SABBATH solidified the director's reputation as Europe's maestro of the macabre.

In "The Telephone," a woman is haunted by menacing phone calls from a former lover. "The Wurdulak" stars Boris Karloff as a vampire hunter whose family is stalked by the wandering spirit of an undead ghoul. "A Drop of Water" involves a nurse who steals a ring from a corpse-not realizing the curse that is carried with it.

This Kino Classics edition showcases Bava's original European cut of the film (I tre volti della paura, or Three Faces of Fear), before it was re-edited and re-scored for American release.

My Thoughts:
On second viewing, I still think this is one of the best anthology horror films. Each of the stories is a good one, and each is better than the one before. "The Wurdulak" is still my favorite, but I also still think that "The Drop of Water" is actually the strongest story. Having seen two other fine films from Mario Bava (Blood and Black Lace and The Whip and the Body), I appreciate even more his art direction and use of light and color. He really knows how to create a great atmosphere, tell a spooky story, and get a great performance out of his cast. Well worth watching.

The one thing I do wish is that there wasn't the epilogue. i had forgotten about it, and it rather detracts from the great thing Bava has going on here. I'm knocking the film down half a star for it's presence.

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

Bechdel Test: Pass
Mako Mori Test: Pass

Overall: 3.5/5

Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 46/52

(From Horror/Halloween 2016 Challenge on November 1st, 2016)

The Seduction of Misty Mundae, a review by RossRoy

Original Title: The Seduction of Misty Mundae Year: 2005 Country: United States Director: Michael Raso Rating: NR Length: 83 Min. Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital Stereo Subtitles:

What they say
Shy 18-year-old Misty (Misty Mundae) is staying with her aunt Inga (Julian Wells) for a week in the country. Naïve and innocent, yet on the verge of sexual discovery, Misty wants to learn all she can from her seductive aunt about the desires that have begun to stir within her. Misty loses her virginity to the teenage boy next door, and it whets her appetite for further sensual adventures. So when she discovers that Inga prefers the company of beautiful young women, it unleashes Misty's deepest yearnings to see and experience each and very pleasure that lies at her fingertips. How far will Misty go…and with whom?

My Thoughts
Well, I did it. I, finally, watched one of the movies I ordered after our resident unorthodox movie fan, Jimmy.

So, did I like it? Well yeah! It was actually much better than I expected. Yet, I can't say I really knew what I was getting into. Sure, after ordering, I did look around to try and figure out what it's all about, but I was still surprised.

I just read Jimmy's review of the film (I probably should've written my own, before reading his, but oh well), and I must say, I agree with all he said. The two leads, Misty Mundae and Julian Wells, are perfect in their respective role, and I must give mucho kudos to Misty Mundae. She manages to make you actually believe that she is all innocent at the beginning of the movie. Some of the faces she makes as she sees her aunt "perform" for the "first time" in her life are priceless. And I must admit, Misty Mundae is cute as a button. I also like the fact that all the girls in the movie, look like girls you could meet anywhere. They look great, yet not too "artificial". Kudos for that.

I'll admit though, this is not entirely my cup of tea. I liked the movie, it was enjoyable, but it's not something I'd watch regularly. It may be the "first time" factor, and the fact that I'm not used to these type of movies. It may be a type of movie that grows on you, that you like more and more with time. At this point, I don't know. All I know is while I did enjoy the movie, and I'm still curious to see more, it may take a little while for me to dive in again with the other two I bought (Sinful & Chantal).

First contact has been established - let's see where it leads me



(From RossRoy's Random Viewings on March 8th, 2009)

Tom's Random Reviews, a review by Tom

Title: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Season One
Year: 2008
Director:
Rating: NR
Length: 405 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: Chinese, English, Korean, Other, Spanish, Thai

Stars:
Lena Headey
Thomas Dekker
Summer Glau

Plot:
The mother of all destiny. Her son, the future leader of mankind. Their protector, a Terminator from the future. Together they must take back the future as Sarah Connor (300's Lena Headey) prepares her son to fight the war against machines determined to annihilate the human race. The Clock is ticking. Can they stop Judgement Day?

Extras:
Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Outtakes
Scene Access
Storyboard Comparisons

I think it's a great series. When I saw the pilot when it first appeared on the internet, I really liked it. I was hoping that the rest of the series holds up. And I think it did. Cannot wait for season 2!

Major plot hole in the pilot though:
How did the Cromartie terminator travel to the future when it was already blown to pieces and thus not covered by "living tissues" anymore?

Now I am hoping that Arnie will turn up in a cameo. I imagine a scene set in the future where we see how John sends the re-programmed Arnie back in time for Termintor 2.

This series put me in the mood to watch T1 and T2 again. Maybe I will do it soon.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on September 2nd, 2008)