DVD Collectors Online

Monsters, a review by Jon

Monsters
4 out of 5



Like Val Lewton in the 1940s, Gareth Edwards could be accused of pulling a fast one. Lewton was influential in creating cheap b-movies with evocative titles that were actually intelligent character pieces. Likewise MonstersDistrict 9District 9Cloverfield, but MonstersThe Mist stands as a finer example of using monsters as a backdrop for the human condition, however Monsters is distinct for its optimism. While it lacks set-pieces and gore, the detritus of fights with the creatures litter the route and create a sombre atmosphere. If anything, the film it reminds me more of is The RoadMonstersJurassic Park thrill-ride, but go in with an open mind and there is much to admire. Monsters is a masterful film that demonstrates a more effective, restrained use of CGI than any of its contemporaries, from War of the Worlds to Cloverfield, while having a grasp of cinematography and editing so confident it could rival a political thriller like Syriana

(From Monsters **** on December 1st, 2010)

The Burning, a review by Rich

Title: The Burning

Movie Count:14 
TV Ep. Count:8 

Runtime:91
Certificate:R
Year:1981
Genres:Horror

Plot:A group of summer camp pranksters got the scare of their lives when they target the camp's creepy caretaker...and he takes bloody revenge ! "Gruesome" (The Hollywood Reporter) and "stomach churning" (Boxoffice), this terrifying tale is "a brilliant slasher flick [and] gory as hell!" (slasherpool.com)
After a cruel joke goes awry, severly burning him and subjecting him to five years of intensive, unsuccessful skin graft treatments, Cropsy (Lou David) is back at camp...and ready to wreak havoc on those who scarred him! With his hedge clippers in hand, he terrorizes the camp and systematically mutilates each victim. Can a few courageous campres save themself and destroy this demented madman before he kills them all?

My Review:
Funny 80's B movie slasher film, full of nubile young teen girls with perky tits, and jocks and geeks chasing them
Caretaker turns killer with shears and scissors following a prank gone wrong, and he slowly one by one murders his way through the camps guests. Plenty of ketchup and fleshy close-ups, but the gore does not make up for some fairly inept direction and a dot to dot obvious and boring storyline.
Interesting to see young Holly Hunter, Jason Alexander and Fisher Stevens on show.
This would fit nicely into Jimmys current marathon.




(From Rich's October Horror Fest on October 12th, 2009)

[Rerun Marathon] Spaced, a review by Tom

10/10
Most fun episode so far.

(From [Rerun Marathon] Spaced on November 24th, 2007)