All posts in Horror

DVD Review: Catacombs

By Dominick in Horror, Movies · February 22, 2008 · 1 comment

Writers: Tomm Coker, David Elliot
Directors: Tomm Coker, David Elliot
Cast: Shannyn Sossamon, Pink, Emil Hostina, Sandi Dragoi, Mihai Stanescu, Cabral Ibacka, Radu Andrei Micu, Cain Manoli, DJ Kosta
Rating: Unrated
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: February 19, 2008

The thing I hate most about the horror genre is when a story has promise, but just doesn’t live up to its expectations. That is what I consider to be the major flaw of Catacombs. With the potential to be claustrophobic, intense, and freakishly heart pounding, you think I’d be somewhat satisfied with this movie. I wasn’t and in fact, I was disappointed by how un-scary it really was. That is just one of the major flaws of Catacombs. Well, that and the fact that Catacombs would work out much better if it were a short.

Unfortunately, the movie drags on for 30-50 minutes too long, and the audience, who could have been gripping the arm rests of their seats, are instead left to twiddle their thumbs, wondering when the movie is going to end. There are a few twists that might be surprising, though I’ve heard some say it was predictable, but by the time you reach that part of the movie, you’re already going to be bored out of your mind.

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DVD Review: Saw IV Unrated

By Ashtyn in Horror, Movies · January 25, 2008 · 2 comments

Writer: Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Lyriq Bent
Rating: Unrated
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: January 22, 2008

Putting out a new movie from the Saw franchise has become a yearly tradition. Every Halloween, there will be blood. The biggest question for 2007 was whether or not this blood would be worth watching fall as the fourth film in the franchise, Saw IV, was released.

Saw III brought on the demise of the cancer inflicted Jigsaw (Tobin Bell). Without the perpetual harbinger of likely death for the uncompromising and unwilling souls, I couldn’t help but wonder how this movie would fare. With Jigsaw dead, one had to wonder if Saw IV would pan out or be a complete and utter waste of time.

Many have likened this and other Saw films to torture porn. As a lover of horror movies and action films I am so utterly tired of this phrase. If you hate horror movies then don’t watch them. It’s really as simple as that. Torture porn should be likened to snuff films, which generally are not reviewed at all, much less by the general populace. Needless to say, I disagree. Saw does offer more substance than torture porn, whatever that may be.

In relation to this particular chapter in the ongoing ‘Saw’ story, how much you like Saw IV will depend on your penchant for pain and a pseudo-Sadistic storyline that hinges on a victim’s ability to properly play a game and follow each of the rules therein.

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April Fools Day to Hit DVD Shelves March 25, 2008

By Ryan the Admin in DVD Releases, Horror, Movies, Press Releases · January 16, 2008 · No comments

In the tradition of Cruel Intentions and I Know What You Did Last Summer comes APRIL FOOL’S DAY

The New Film by Rising Horror Mavens The Butcher Brothers Debuts on Unrated DVD March 25, 2008

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (January 14, 2008) – From rising horror mavens The Butcher Brothers (Mitch Altieri and Phil Flores, writer/directors of The Hamiltons) comes April Fool’s Day, debuting on unrated DVD March 25 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. In the tradition of Cruel Intentions and I Know What You Did Last Summer, the directors selected a stellar cast featuring many rising young stars, including Taylor Cole (TV’s “Summerland”), Scout Taylor-Compton (Halloween, Sleepover), and Josh Henderson (TV’s “Desperate Housewives”, Step Up). The unrated DVD will be available for $24.96 SRP.

SYNOPSIS:
Each April Fool’s Day, fabulously wealthy young Desiree Cartier (Cole) hosts the most killer coming-out parties at her to-die-for southern mansion. And this social event is never complete without one of her patented pranks. But when this year’s joke turns deadly, Desiree, her brother Blaine (Henderson) and five of their friends all become the targets of a twisted killer who begins hunting them down one by one in this chilling tale of seduction, betrayal and revenge.

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DVD Review: Resident Evil: Extinction

By Dominick in Drama, Horror, Movies · December 31, 2007 · No comments

Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Cast: Milla Jovovitch, Oded Fehr, Ali Larter, Iain Glen, Ashanti, Mike Epps, Christopher Egan, Spencer Locke, Matthew Marsden, Linden Ashby, Jason O’Mara, Madeline Carroll
Rating: R
Studio: Sony Pictures
Release Date: January 1, 2008

I think they might be on to something when they say third time’s the charm. The third installation in the Resident Evil series of movies actually was my favorite. Perhaps it was the unique outlook that was taken by the director and writer of the film during the production or perhaps the story just happened to be better. Either way, if you plan to see a Resident Evil movie you definitely need to see Resident Evil: Extinction. If anyone had doubts about Milla Jovovitch’s ability to act and kick ass, this is the movie that will prove the critics wrong.

Based on the popular, ‘Resident Evil’ video game series, Resident Evil: Extinction and its predecessors, Resident Evil and Resident Evil: Apocalypse set a new standard for zombie movies by mixing the horror genre with that of the action thriller. While the other two are important for telling the story of Jovovitch’s character, Alice, up until the events in Resident Evil: Extinction, this movie stands alone on its own.

While some who may not have seen the first two flicks may want to know more and may be slightly lost by how Alice came to be the way she is (or even what she is for that matter), seeing the first two movies isn’t necessary to understand the overall plot of Resident Evil: Extinction. Either way, this film has brought new life back into a series that had not quite as many critics as it does fans.

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30 Days of Night Arrives on DVD on February 26, 2007

By Ryan the Admin in DVD Releases, Horror, Movies, Press Releases · December 20, 2007 · No comments

30 DAYS OF NIGHT pits a small band of humans against blood-thirsty vampires in a frozen Alaskan town. Director David Slade turns the pages of the harrowing graphic novel into a visceral experience of pure fright that represents the ultimate in survival horror. The DVD and Blu-ray High-DefTM of 30 DAYS OF NIGHT see the light of day with bonus material including a filmmaker and cast commentary, and eight featurettes, including “Blood, Guts and the Nasty #@$&!” that reveals secrets behind the spine-chilling visual effects and “Building Barrow,” a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the hard-scrabble Alaskan town where the story is set, and much more. The Blu-ray High-DefTM includes an enhanced photo gallery, 30 Images of Night, a Graphic Novel-to-Film Comparison available only on the Blu-ray Disc.

Synopsis
In a sleepy, secluded Alaska town called Barrow, the sun sets and doesn’t rise for over thirty consecutive days and nights. From the darkness, across the frozen wasteland, an evil will come that will bring the residents of Barrow to their knees. The only hope for the town is the Sheriff and Deputy, a husband and wife who are torn between their own survival and saving the town they love.

30 DAYS OF NIGHT is directed by David Slade, produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert (The Evil Dead, The Grudge), written by Steve Niles (author, 30 Days of Night), Stuart Beattie (Collateral), Brian Nelson (Hard Candy) and Ben Templesmith (author, 30 Days of Night), and stars Josh Hartnett, Ben Foster, Danny Huston and Melissa George (The Amityville Horror).

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Black Water Arrives on DVD on February 19, 2007

By Ryan the Admin in DVD Releases, Horror, Movies, Press Releases · December 17, 2007 · No comments

Frightening, Bloody And Suspenseful Black Water Debuts on DVD February 19 Bonus Features Include Making of Featurette, Deleted Scenes and Commentary Track

Black Water DVD Culver City, CA (December 17, 2007) – Inspired by true events, the suspense filled horror film Black Water arrives on DVD February 19 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The DVD bonus features include a ‘Making of’ featurette, deleted scenes and a commentary track with writer/directors Andrew Trauck and David Nerlich. Black Water will be available for $24.96 SRP.

Black Water’s tale begins when a group of friends set off on a leisurely boat tour down the rivers of Northern Australia. When the boat suddenly capsizes and they’re attacked by one of the most dangerous reptiles in the world, the Salt Water crocodile, they’re only able to escape by finding safety in the trees. Now, stranded in the flooded swamp, starving and terrified, the three must fight to survive the bloodthirsty beast that sits below — waiting patiently for one of them to falter.

DVD Special Features for Black Water Include:

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Win a Copy of Captivity Unrated Starring Elisha Cuthbert

By Ryan the Admin in Contests, Horror, Movies · November 13, 2007 · 126 comments

Captivity Box Art Literary Illusions is proud to be offering a free copy of the DVD horror movie, Captivity. This movie is available in unrated form and stars Elisha Cuthbert. For information on the movie and how to win, keep reading!

From the Lionsgate Website:
Top cover girl and fashion model Jennifer Tree (Elisha Cuthbert) has it all – beauty, fame, money and power. Everyone wants her…but some more than others. Alone after a charity event, she is drugged and taken. Directed by acclaimed director Roland Joffe, CAPTIVITY delves deep into the minds of both captor and victim. Called one of the most controversial films of the year, CAPTIVITY will leave you terrified and looking over your shoulder wondering if you could be next!

To enter you must be 18 years of age and have not won a contest with us in the past 30 days. You must also be a US resident. Please make sure you only enter once (comments are moderated due to Spam if you do not see your comment right away do not worry as it is completely normal.) A valid email is necessary for your entry. We will pick a winner on December 5, 2007. Entries will be closed at 11:59 PM on December 4, 2007. Please check back to see if you’re a winner in December!

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DVD Podcast Review: Cutting Class Unrated with Brad Pitt

By The Reviewer Duo in Horror, Movies · October 28, 2007 · No comments

Cutting Class Box Art Writer: Steve Slavkin
Director: Rospo Pallenberg
Cast: Brad Pitt, Roddy McDowall, Jill Schoelen, Donovan Leitch, Martin Mull, Brenda James
Rating: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: October 23, 2007

It’s not often you get to see a young Brad Pitt making a fool of himself. That just happens to be exactly what he does in the slasher-wannabe flick Cutting Class.

This Unrated version was recently released by Lionsgate. Hear what the Reviewer Duo have to say about the movie in one of their very first reviewer Podcasts! To listen to the reviewer duo, just use the audio player below to access their podcast. If you have trouble listening, please leave a comment and let us know. Either way, we look forward to feedback on our podcasts!

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