DVD Collectors Online

Gamera: The Giant Monster, a review by Danae Cassandra

Gamera: The Giant Monster  (Daikaiju Gamera)
Year of Release: 1965
Directed By: Noriaki Yuasa
Starring: Eiji Funakoshi, Harumi Kiritachi, Junichiro Yamashita, Jun Hamamura
Genre: Science-Fiction, Action, Disaster, Tokusatsu, Kaiju

Overview:Fires On The Plain), find a way to stop this invincible supermonster . . . or is mankind doomed?

Directed by Noriaki Yuasa (who would oversee all eight of the original Gamera entries of the 1960s and 1970s) and created by the same studio that brought Zatoichi to the screen, Daiei's titanic terrapin became the only true rival to Toho's King Of The Monsters. Gamera was able to hold its own at the box office and secured a place in the hearts of kaiju eiga (Japanese monster movie) fans around the world.

Now, for the first time on DVD, Shout! Factory presents the original Japanese version of Gamera with new English subtitles and anamorphic widescreen from an all-new HD master created from vault elements!

My Thoughts:
Introducing Gamera! His origin story! See him rudely awakened by the blast of the bomb! See him bring destruction as he goes forth in anger! and hunger! He breathes fire! He flies! Watch mankind tremble as they realize their weapons are ineffective!

In truth, not a bad opening film. More than a bit of a rip-off of Godzilla, but Gamera isn't created by the bomb, he's simply awakened by it. He's a force of nature rather than mutated by man's weapons. The story's very thin, but we have lots of scenes of Gamera rampaging and causing destruction. Fun kaiju film, and if you're going to watch the old Gamera films, I'd definitely start with the first one.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

(From Gamera! on February 27th, 2016)

The Call of Cthulhu, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Call of Cthulhu
Year of Release: 2005
Directed By: Andrew Leman
Starring: Matt Foyer, John Bolen, Ralph Lucas, Chad Fifer
Genre: Horror

Overview:
Written in 1926, just before the advent of "talking" pictures, The Call of Cthulhu is one of the most famous and influential tales of H. P. Lovecraft, the father of gothic horror. Now the story is brought richly to life in the style of a classic 1920s silent movie, with a haunting original symphonic score. Using the "Mythoscope" process ~ a mix of modern and vintage techniques ~ the filmmakers have worked to create the most authentic and faithful screen adaptation of a Lovecraft story yet attempted.

My Thoughts:
This is a modern film, made in the style of an old-fashioned silent film.  When this turned up at the store, I knew I had to have it. I adore Lovecraft, and this very short film (47 minutes!) is as authentic an adaptation of this story as will every be done. This is an ultra-low-budget picture, so don't expect high-tech effects, but the performances are solid and the film is eerie and altogether delightful. Recommended.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon on October 22nd, 2014)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

5. Reptile Boy
Buffy accompanies Cordelia to a frat party, but it's not much fun ... they're offered as sacrifices to a reptilian demon.

My Thoughts:
Another really good episode... I kinda like the way the snake demon came out in this episode... it reminds me of a drawing I did many years ago in art class... A drawing that was even displayed in the schools art night showing they had... though it didn't win best sketch of the night... I took 2nd place... they for some reason preferred a scenic landscape instead of a drawing of a demon from a teen's over active imagination.

6. Halloween
Someone from Giles' past wreaks havoc on Halloween, causing Buffy and the gang to be transformed into their costumes.

My Thoughts:
One of my favorite episodes.... I always loved Buffy's Halloween episodes. This is the first one they had... and in  my opinion....probably the best one. I loved how they all turned into their costumes... pretty cool idea.

7. Lie to Me
Buffy's childhood crush comes to town, but he's not looking to reminisce... he's looking for immortality as a vampire.

My Thoughts:
Another really good episode. Buffy's friend from the last school she was at appears in Sunnydale.... dying... and he believes his only hope is to become a vampire.

8. The Dark Age
Ethan returns and Ms. Calendar is in danger when a demon from Giles' darker days comes to Sunnydale.

My Thoughts:
Another episode I enjoyed a lot.This time Buffy must face a demon from Giles' past. I thought the demon was pretty cool... and loved the way they got rid of it.


9. What's My Line (Part 1)
As the gang endures career week, Spike sends assassins after Buffy and sets out to cure Drusilla; a new Slayer comes to town.

My Thoughts:
A great 2-parter... with the introduction of Kendra... the new Vampire Slayer. I thought it was pretty smart how they brought in the second slayer... and how they got around the "There can be only one" deal. I also liked how they made it so you didn't know who Kendra was in the beginning...making her look like one of the assassins after Buffy.

10. What's My Line (Part 2)
Buffy must team up with Kendra to save Angel when it turns out that his death is necessary to cure Drusilla.

My Thoughts:
The second part was just as good as the first... 2 different slayers... 2 different styles... one great episode.

11. Ted
Everyone except Buffy loves Joyce's new beau, who turns out to be more than meets the eye.

My Thoughts:
Time for Buffy's mother to fall for someone that isn't human.... another good episode with funny man John Ritter as a robot bent on taking Joyce as his own. I have been a long time fan of John Ritter and is good to see him doing something other then comedy.

12. Bad Eggs
The gang must adopt eggs as "babies" for their Health class, but there's more than yolk inside these eggs.

My Thoughts:
Decent episode... but nothing really special. I did get a kick out of the brother vampires.

(From Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon on November 11th, 2007)