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Fantastic Four (1994), a review by addicted2dvd

Fantastic Four (1994/United States) Director: Oley Sassone Writing: Craig J. Nevius (Screenwriter), Kevin Rock (Screenwriter), Stan Lee (1922) (Original Characters By), Jack Kirby (Original Characters By) Length: 90 min. Rating: NR Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono Subtitles: None

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Stars:
Alex Hyde-White as Dr. Reed Richards
Jay Underwood as Johnny Storm
Rebecca Staab as Susan Storm
Michael Bailey Smith as Ben Grimm
Ian Trigger as Jeweler
Joseph Culp as Doctor Doom

Plot:
When an experimental space voyage goes awry, four people are forever changed by cosmic rays: Reed Richards, inventor and leader of the group gains the ability to stretch his body and takes the name Mr. Fantastic. His girlfriend, Sue Storm, gains the ability to turn invisible and create force fields becoming The Invisible Girl. Her little brother, Johnny Storm, becomes The Human Torch with the ability to control fire, including covering his own body with flame. The pilot Ben Grimm is turned into the super-strong, super-tough Thing. Together they become a team of super-heroes and use their unique powers to foil the evil plans of villains.

Extras:

• Scene Access

This is a movie a friend of mine gave me. I believe this is a rather rare... previously unreleased... movie from the '90s. I have heard about this movie for years. The huge majority of what I heard wasn't very good. But of course I always wanted to see for myself. I admit... it leaves quite a bit to be desired. But I did enjoy it for what it is... a fun rarity in film. I don't know how it was in the comics and such... but in this movie it didn't seem Dr. Doom had any kind of special powers. I do know that in the 2005 movie he does...but which is true to the comics... I am not sure. The effects and such shows the low budget of this film... but most of it don't look to bad. I was surprised to see a very young Mercedes McNab (Harmony on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel series) plays the younger version of Sue Storm. Which I would have had no idea of if I didn't spot her name in the credits. But as I said... over all it is a fun film... but definitely nothing to get excited about. And I like having it in my collection for the rarity if nothing else.




(From What Movies I Been Watching on March 17th, 2012)

The Whip and the Body, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Whip and the Body (La frusta e il corpo)
Year of Release: 1963
Directed By: Mario Bava
Starring: Daliah Lavi, Christopher Lee, Tony Kendall, Isli Oberon, Harriet White
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Steeped in sadomasochism and lushly photographed in the vivid hues for which the director is known, Mario Bava's THE WHIP AND THE BODY is a Gothic thriller that far surpasses the API Edgar Allan Poe films that it was intended to emulate.

Christopher Lee (Dracula: Prince of Darkness) stars as Kurt Menliff, the sadistic son of a wealthy Count, who returns to the family castle, much to the dismay of his family, their servants, and the beautiful woman with whom he shares a fondness for the lash (Daliah Lavi). When Kurt is found murdered, it brings no peace to those who had feared him, as his vengeful spirit cannot be contained by the grave, and he returns to torment those unfortunate enough to remain within Menliff Manor.

My Thoughts:
Bava has a real talent for creating atmosphere. His use of light, the howling wind, the way he frames his actors. He really makes you feel the isolation of this family. Not just the isolation of their home, with its seaside view and rugged cliffs, but the isolation they have from each other. For all that they are family, it is in name (or blood) only.

Christopher Lee really stands out as well. His entire manner presents a threat in every move he makes in this film. Daliah Lavi equally portrays the increasingly unhinged Nevenka very well. The rest of the cast is solid, but unremarkable.

I enjoyed this quite a lot. I'd recommend it to fans of gothic horror or of Mario Bava. This is my fourth film of his, and it compares very well to Black Sabbath and Blood and Black Lace, both of which were very good.

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

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 45/52

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

Angel Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

13. Salvage
Original Air Date: 3/5/2003
Angel's evil alter ego, who's out of his cage and pursuing the Beast, hits a pool hall packed with vamps to see if he can determine the demon's hideout. Meanwhile, at the hotel, Wes goes about the grisly task of dispatching Lilah's corpse, as Lorne, Fred and Gunn gather ingredients for a protective sanctuary spell. But the gang is all too familiar with the unpredictability of magic, so Wes pays a visit to the incarcerated Faith to try to persuade her to join the team in the race to prevent Armageddon.

Guest Stars:
Stephanie Romanov
Vladimir Kulich
Eliza Dushku

My Thoughts:
And we have yet another excellent episode! It is so good to see Faith again! And I must say... she knows how to make an exit. Her exit escaping from prison was very cool! And wow! what a fight between Faith and The Beast & Angelus. Lots of action packed excitement in this one!

My Rating:

(From Angel Marathon on March 17th, 2010)