DVD Collectors Online

The Invisible Man, a review by Rogmeister

The Invisible Man (1933)
Director: James Whale
Cast: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, Una O'Connor, William Harrigan, E.E. Clive (plus a few "don't blink or you'll miss them" bits for John Carradine and Walter Brennan)

This is based on a novel by early science fiction writer H.G. Wells.  It is about a scientist who discovers a way to turn himself invisible...but he hasn't found an antidote and the chemicals he has given himself are driving him insane and he runs amuck in a British countryside village.  This is probably more science fiction than horror but I still enjoy watching it this time of year as the wintry landscape evokes a similar feel to some other classic scary movies though it doesn't quite reach that level, but Una O'Connor certainly gives us her best screaming fits.  I enjoyed the film a great deal and it's ironic that Claude Rains (in one of his earliest roles) is in the entire film without his face actually being seen...until the final shot. 

I decided to watch this as my first entry in this marathon since the leading lady is Gloria Stuart...who passed away just days ago at the age of 100.  She certainly looks nothing here like she did in her great come-back role as the older Rose in "Titanic".  She is young and vibrant, a perfect leading lady for such an early time.  I watched this via the Legacy Collection of The Invisible Man which includes 5 total films, four Invisible Man movies and one Invisible Woman film.  The picture and sound quality are first-rate and I highly recommend this film.  It's also a very short film...an hour and 11 minutes.  They don't make 'em that short anymore! 

(From 2010 October Horror Marathon (Discussion thread) on October 2nd, 2010)

Haunts, a review by Jimmy

Title : Haunts (1977)

Overview
A small town is stalked by a deranged killer who uses scissors as his weapon and a very religious young woman begins to suspect that her uncle may be the killer. As more murders take place, the young woman fears that she too will become a victim of the killer. Shocking twists and turns bring you to a surprise ending as well as the identity of the killer.

My Impression
The synopsis (I don't write them) and the general marketing for this film is the biggest problem with it. This film is sold as a serial killer movie and this fact hurts the movie a lot. Knowing absolutly nothing about it I was waiting for something to happen, the film start with a murder and this the only one that happen (unless I've fallen asleep). The end explain a lot of thing and the title become clearer. So don't expect a SK movie and this movie will be a much pleasant experience. On the positive side Aldo Ray is too good to be in this genre of movie, if you don't know the end of his career was quite sad because of the Screen Actor Guild. His card was revoken because he had used his real name in a non-SAG production (Sweet Savage) and without a SAG card it's impossible to work in Hollywood. That's why he was only in C-movies untill his death in 1991. Cameron Mitchell give an honest performance, but he is really underuse.

I've not really like this film because I was hoping something else, but if you know that it's not a SK film I think that you could appreciate it.

Rating :

(From Chilling Classics (50 Movie Pack) - films review on October 21st, 2008)

The One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

The Dukes of Hazzard



What's the show about?
The Duke cousins Bo and Luke live together with their other cousin Daisy and their uncle on a farm in Hazzard County. The Dukes were once moonshiners and they still can make a good corn whiskey. All of the Dukes often get in trouble with the corrupt Sheriff and Boss Hogg but they can always beat them.

"One Armed Bandits"
Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltraine try to smuggle illegal slot machines into Hazzard County. But Bo, Luke & Daisy hijack the "fertilizer" truck and use the slot machines to keep the orphanage open.

My Opinion
Did you know that they scrapped over 300 Dodge Chargers to make that show? The only season I didn't like was the one where just another pair of cousins came to Hazzard County and Bo and Luke went off to drive races.

(From The One Where It All Began: The Pilot Marathon on January 6th, 2008)