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Director William Friedkin was a hot ticket in Hollywood after the success of The French Connection, and he turned heads (in more ways than one) when he decided to make The Exorcist as his follow-up film. Adapted by William Peter Blatty from his controversial bestseller, this shocking 1973 thriller set an intense and often-copied milestone for screen terror with its unflinching depiction of a young girl (Linda Blair) who is possessed by an evil spirit. Jason Miller and Max von Sydow are perfectly cast as the priests who risk their sanity and their lives to administer the rites of demonic exorcism, and Ellen Burstyn plays Blair's mother, who can only stand by in horror as her daughter's body is wracked by satanic disfiguration. One of the most frightening films ever made with a soundtrack that's guaranteed to curl your blood, The Exorcist was mysteriously plagued by troubles during production, and the years have not diminished its capacity to disturb even the most stoical viewers. Don't say you weren't warned! --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (640)

4.5 out of 5
Thirty years after it's release, THE EXORCIST remains the scariest film of all-time. Adapted by William Peter Blatty from his own novel, this legendary horror flick follows the difficulties of a mother (Ellen Burstyn) whose 12-year-old girl (Linda Blair, in her biggest performance) becomes possessed by the devil, and how the mother discovers that the only way to save her daughter is an exorcism. There is frightening directing by William Friedkin (THE FRENCH CONNECTION), a very short by haunting score by Jack Nitzsche, and great performances by Burstyn, Blair, Jason Miller, Lee J. Cobb and Max von Sydow. To add to that, there's horrifyingly realistic special effects (by Marcel Vercoutere) and eerie cinematography (by Owen Roizman). Now we also have "The Version You've Never Seen" - which, hopefully you have seen, because it includes ten minutes of new, terrifying footage. Once you've seen, the film's hundreds of ghastly images will never leave your mind. Simply put, THE EXORCIST will live on to horrify us for generations to come.

The best horror movie ever made!
The Exorcist is one of those rare finds. It is a superbly crafted film with a great story and top-notch acting and it also manages to scare the "you know what" right out of you. The thought of the demonic posession of a pre-teen girl is too much for most people to ponder rationally. Yet somehow, William Friedkin (making the movie from the gripping page-turner written by William Peter Blatty) presents this tale in a straight forward manner that doesn't flinch in it's ability to deal with this horrifying subject matter. Contrary to what some people have mentioned the special effects are NOT dated. They are still some of the best effects created in Hollywood. (Perhaps minimalist by todays standards which make them even more incredible).
Highlights of the DVD are the soundtrack, which you'll be scrambling to turn down if you have a home theater system, and the documentary about the making of the film which highlights the many challenges the crew encountered and some of the eerie things that took place during the filming. Look for the infamous "Spider Walk" scene which was left cut on the editor's floor.
Some people I know still refuse to watch this film on its reputation alone. Don't be one of them. You'll be missing one of the best films made in the 70's and without a doubt the greatest horror movie of all time.

The Best and Original
This is probably the best horror film to date, still an excellent movies even though the effects are dated. It destroyed (Linda Blair's) the little girl's career as an actress because people were never able to disassociate her with the possesed girl. She was only 15 when she made the movie.

Still packs a punch
It is easy to banter around a movie as being the scariest ever made. Buy this movie actually lives up to the billing and should give shivers up one's spine unless one is already dead. The soundtrack is outstanding in setting the mood of the scenes. I saw the original movie when it first came out (amidst the tremendous controversy) and found it gripping. Of the added scenes, I will agree that the change to the ending was unnecessary. In the years since it was made, it has lost none of it's punch and is a very powerful and well crafted movie. My first DVD had to be replaced (it contained blank portions while the sound continued)and the replacement sometimes did not want to load. But once the movie started, it is one of the best to put one on edge. Sometimes, the medical scenes were more chilling than the possession scenes.
The cardboard DVD case, however, merits a thumbs down from me.

Misplaced images on the walls.
A great artistic masterpiece, with acting and scenery so sincere and genuine it all feels documentary.

The only good about the "Version You've Never Seen" is the added spider-walk scene which is very creepy; although it may be so strong that it attracts too much attention to itself, causing some unbalance in the film.
The added images on the walls I can't understand why they did. Demon manifestations don't live a life by themselves, they are primarily inner states of a person that are then projected and manifested without for the person. (I have had my own experience of this through a harrowing experience, when a cat which I was unable to help died a painful death before me; afterwards a demon visage appeared in the light from a candle, that was shining and reflecting through a glass, forming a picture onto the table before me. Looking into its eyes and raging mouth I stared right into the Abyss. It was no imagined thing, since I consciously noticed that it had the correct anatomy of an actual head.)
Furthermore these images on the walls, which are really only for the audience's eyes alone and not relating to the actors in the movie, make me think of the interactive computor-games of our modern age, where the viewer is part of the events on the screen. Such added new visual cosmetics really doesn't belong in a 1970s movie.

I recommend the 25th Anniversary Edition, which is the original version. It is also better paced. Another added scene in "The Version You've Never Seen" is of Regan's first visit to the hospital for tests; it comes too abruptly, and Regan being in her mother's bed, telling her that she couldn't sleep because her own bed was shaking, doesn't really seem to warrant it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

D, a haunted half-human, half-vampire warrior, wanders the countrysideof a feudalistic future, hunting his own kind while battling his own evil nature. Like a rogue samurai, the silent, solitary hero wanders into a small hamlet terrorized by the all-powerful Count, a monstrousvampire lord, and his demonic minions from a castle that casts a long shadow over the countryside. The Count has claimed the human Doris (who wields a mean cutlass herself) as his bride. D becomes her protector and--when she's captured by the Count's shape-shifting minions--her savior. Designed in slashes and sharp, angular images and directed with abrupt explosions of lightning-fast action, Vampire Hunter D is violent and bloody in the mode of a samurai adventure. The sleek D is appropriately dark and quiet, cutting a mysterious figure, while the Count is a veritable demon of a vampire, a supernaturally powerful monster whose appetites know no bounds. The undercurrent of sexuality never spills over into the sadistic vein of so many "adults only" thrillers, but it is recommended for mature audiences.

The DVD features both English and Japanese language soundtracks with optional English subtitles. It also has a documentary featurette, deletedfootage, and an artwork gallery by Amano among its supplements. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (171)

Credit should be given where it's due.
This was one of the first anime movies which hit America. It can be called an 80's slasher pic. But it is so much more than that. After Akira took American anime audiences by storm, they wanted more. That's where Vampire Hunter D entered the picture, with the right amount of sexiness, violence and humour, this movie held it's own, and was really popular.

Watching it for the first time, 14 years after it's release, I was not dissapointed. My favourite character is the hero's talking hand. I want one of them for christmas..

Anyone who enjoys gorey slasher type flicks, and is a fan of Anime will enjoy this one. I recommend Blood to you, if you just like gorey stuff with an electirc atmosphere, but if you would like a good story line, this movie is for you.

A girl's life is in jeopardy, after being bitten by a vampire. A vampire who's taken a liking to her. The only solution involves the death of the vampire. Enter Mr.D, the vampire hunter. Dissapointingly enough, he doesn't talk a lot at the beginning of the movie, which is a shame, because he has a rather cool voice. However it does add to the mystery surrounding him.

The plot isn't really amazing, and it's all been done, but the sheer coolness of D and this movie earnes it a 4/5. Watch it, it's a part of anime history.

Boring like hell - slow like a snail.
I am a casual anime fan. I like cartoons in general, and I love sci-fi. I've bought into 'Vampire Hunter D' based on all those fantastic reviews. I was extremely disappointed. This is was the slowest anime I have ever watched. No thrills, no action, stupid dialogue, and no mystery at all. The story line was also very simple, and the heroes lacked dimensions. I bet the original comic book was much better than the movie. At least the graphics were true stills.

The Original Classic
Vampire Hunter D is not just your average anime movie in any form or fassion. It is a classic that no other anime movie can live up to accept it's wonderful sequal Bloodlust. It has a great combination of action, romance, blood, and unique characters. The story is about a young woman named Doris who is bitten by the Count Magnus Lee. She hires D to kill Magnus Lee and to protect her. The main character in this movie is by no means dull. D is a unique and well balanced character who struggles with the hardship of being a vampire ,and falling in love with Doris. Even with such a great main character the story fails to go into depth with the other except Doris.

So this is how I rate Vampire Hunter D

Sound:8/10- The voice actor for D is incredible. The other voice actors are struggling with the concept of sound.

Visuals:9/10- D looks amazing while the other characters look a little dated. Sometimes the movie can get incredible dark and it is hard to see what is happening.

Style:10/10- A great way to put it all together

Story:7/10- Can sometimes be a little repetitive. Other than that it is a great story.

Rating:14 and up- for violence and nudity.

Extras:7/10- You will watch them once and only once.

Movie/10/10- An amazing movie.

The

Among my favorites
This is a classic. Unique storyline (unlike bloodlust), basic animation, good characters, superb violence. Worth owning? Definitely.

Anime Classic finally on DVD. What a great transfer!
Vampire Hunter D. . . this is a film in which I tend to judge other anime films against. Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll, and Vampire Hunter D are the Fab Four of the Anime Universe. You simply cannot go wrong by buying this film. Lots of futuristic action with a major Goth theme to it. You would swear that this was taking place in the dark ages during some parts of this film, but then you see the technology that they have in the future. . . WOW. That's all I can say. WOW. Do yourself a huge favor: See this movie! And with it coming out on DVD, how could it possibly get any better? By the way, even if you don't fully apreciate Japanese animation, this is still one of the greatest vampire action movies of all time. If you want to see an example of what great japanese anime is all about, then there are just a few films that you truly must see: AKIRA, Princess Mononoke, Ghost in the Shell, and Vampire Hunter D. This is truly a classic film. Enjoy.

fin ... Read more

Description

The DVD contains the 184-minute version of the film. ... Read more

Reviews (123)

You'll enjoy Mr. Barlow. And he'll enjoy you...
Directed by Tobe Hooper (who would go on to helm "Poltergeist"), "Salem's Lot" is a better-than-adequate condensing of Stephen King's classic horror novel. It's made all the more effective when you consider this is material originally shown on network television.

David Soul ("Starsky and Hutch") plays Ben Mears, a writer who returns to his hometown to write a novel about the local haunted house, and ends up dating Susan Norton (Bonnie Bedelia, future star of "Heart Like a Wheel"). Then evil James Mason comes to town, and pretty soon 70s character actors like Fred Willard, Geoffery Lewis and Elisha Cook, Jr. are dropping dead due to... mysterious circumstances. Okay, enough phony suspense. It's a vampire movie. Vampires... in modern-day Maine. And it works better than it has a right to.

Soul's not exactly tortured enough, and Lance Kerwin's a little too old to play a monster-obsessed youth, but the supporting cast, which includes Ed Flanders ("St. Elsewhere"), Lew Ayres (Paul, from the classic 1930 "All Quiet on the Western Front"), Kenneth McMillan ("Ragtime," and "Dune") and George Dzundza (everything else) more than make up for it. They're sincere, and that counts for a lot. James Mason makes a perfectly urbane villain; he's suave and dangerous, and much smarter than his undead master, who's something of a disappointment in the chills department when finally revealed.

This disk contains the entire miniseries, which manages to maintain a level of suitable creepiness, despite some dated sexual innuendo and a some "made-for-tv" scenes that aren't quite as menacing as they could be. Still, a few sequences are effectively chilling, and it's well worth your time, especially around Halloween.

Mason shines in this one
"Salem's Lot" is one of the better Stephen King-based films, though it suffers from excessive length (three hours in the original TV version) and a lead performance by David Soul that brings new meaning to the word "limp." Soul virtually sleepwalks through his role of middle-class fiction writer who returns to his home town to investigate the "haunted house" of his childhood, and finds, instead of ghosts, a mysterious antique dealer and his Nosferatu-like colleague. The devious and clandestine exploits of the latter gradually lead to an outbreak of vampirism that threatens to bring the entire town within its clutches.

The film boasts a good seasoning of veteran actors in supporting roles, several of whom ---- Elijah Wood, Jr., Lew Ayres, and Marie Windsor ----- appeared in a number of film noir classics of the forties and fifties. (For a treat, see Windsor in the 1952 version of "The Narrow Margin"). But while it's fascinating to see these old pros in their various roles, it's James Mason who truly impresses.

Indeed, "impressive" may be too mild a word for Mason, who plays the recently-arrived antique dealer with such impeccable style that he single-handedly transforms "Salem's Lot" from an overextended B movie into something worth remembering. Observe his reactions, for example, when informally interrogated by the town constable as suspect in the killing of a small child. Or later, when he meets Soul during a gathering in his antique shop and the former broaches the question of "evil." Says Soul: "Do you believe a house can be evil in its very boards and windows? In its stone foundations? Evil?" "Oh, you're the writer," answers Mason with mocking insouciance --- the words are neutral, but his entire manner and inflection create a devastating put-down. Here is an embodiment of "cool" that would do justice to any jazz musician, but Mason does it quietly, slowly, with the limitless patience of a man who knows he can do anything.

The other outstanding element in "Salem's Lot" is Reggie Nalder as the vampire under Mason's control (though just how this control came about, and how it is sustained ---- is never explained). Some older fans of the Karloff-hosted "Thriller" series may recognize Nalder from that TV anthology, most notably in the episode, "Terror in Teakwood," where he played the sinister "Kaffke." Here, by contrast, his face is half-buried in makeup, but Nalder's cadaverous bone structure assists the illusion and makes his image of the vampire "Barlow" one of the most frightening since Max Shreck. He's not on-screen more than a few minutes, but, as Mason's character amusingly prophesizes in an early scene: "I'm sure you'll enjoy Mr. Barlow. And he'll enjoy you. Oh yes. Oh yes."

"Salem's Lot" is not a great horror movie, since, along with the problems mentioned, it's burdened by lack of originality. Some scenes are atmospheric, such as those where child vampires are shown floating and beckoning through moonlit windows ---- hackneyed, but effective. These are offset by many sequences that are silly or adventitious (e.g., the one where students are acting out a historical play, so poorly directed it recalls Ed Wood or Bert I. Gordon). The film could have been better with a good lead actor, as well as more conviction from the supporting cast generally. Otherwise, it's more than worth watching for the tour-de-force performance of James Mason and the sheer scare-value of Nalder.

RC in Dallas
I was 9 when Salem's Lot first aired. It has always been the prototype of a scary movie to me. For years I could give myself the willies thinking about those glowing eyes, that kid at the window, and Mr. Barnes. Buying the VHS about 10 years ago was a bit of a disappointment. The editing is terrible and leaves many holes. Was it that bad on TV, or was it shortened for the VHS? The effects are a bit hoakie and look really old in these days of CGI. I also understand that a new DVD is less butchered.

But let's give this fun movie the credit it deserves. For network TV, this had to be pretty racy material. Who else but Steven King would kill all those kids? And what's creepier than that kid scratching on the window? Plus, it's fun to see how much things have changed in 25 years. Its a hoot to look back at all the funny clothes, cars and phones.

If you watch the TNT remake, you see that the new version is a little closer to the novel and goes deeper into detail. But the original is still the best and gives more goose-bumps for the buck. Enjoy it on a night you want to feel a little creeped-out and revel in it's 70's TV charm.

Awesome Considering it Was Made For TV In the 70's
First off, this DVD is your best bet with the full version. Back in the day, I bought the condensed version on video which butchers a good 70 minutes of footage.

I had the liberty of seeing the TNT remake of this the other night and was rather disappointed. Although it was slightly more faithful to King's novel, I found a lot of it laughable and the effects were idiotic. This is much better. The story centers a writer returning to his hometown just as a vampire and his servant take up residence and begin preying on the townspeople. The vampire Barlow is very Nosferatu-ish in thsi when actually in the book, he was basicly an average man that happened to be a vampire, but oh well. The vampire make-up and everythingis actually pretty scary and convincing *which is more than I can say for the recent remake.* Overall, highly recommended. It's not what you would call scary, but it's good for a creepy night-time viewing. And don't miss out on the book!

Salem's Lot
Salem's Lot was kind of a dissapointment.I love vampire movies and stuff like that , but this T.V. mini-series just wasn't that impressive.I had heard many good things about it too but I don't agree with any of them.Okay this movie isn't all bad; the storyline and screenplay is written fairly well and it does offer some chilling scenes that may make shivers run down your spine.On the other hand this movie is filled with bad acting and ridiculous dialogue.I haven't read the book but I don't think Stephen King was real impressed either.If you are able to sit through 3 hours of this and think it is good then you are a true vampire addict.This movie is overall borderline rotten/fresh.Only check this one out if you are A TRUE VAMPIRE ADDICT.

Salem's Lot deals with unresolved pain and fatal curiosity. Now a successful writer, Ben Mears (David Soul) returns to his childhood town of Salem's Lot in Maine. Mears wants to rent a house for six months to investigate the strange and disturbing happenings at a creepy house in the town. Mears himself carries the haunting childhood memories of this Marsten House - a "monument to evil" - a house where young kidnapped. boys where taken.Mears believes that evil places attract evil men, and a mysterious and smug Mr Straker (played with delicious enthusiasm by James Mason), has recently purchased the house for an elusive antiques dealer, Mr Barlow. With the help of his former English school teacher, his new girlfriend Susan (Bonnie Bedelia) and her father, the local doctor, Mears sets about investigating the house and the bizarre events that unfold. ... Read more

Reviews (126)

One of the Best Werewolves films in a long time.
When two Oddball sisters named Brigette (Emily Perkins) and Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) are obessed with death. When the both of them are planning to play a cruel prank on one of thier classmates. On that night, Ginger is attack and gets bitten by a Werewolf. Rapidly Ginger wounds are fixen but she`s turning into one slowly and her hormoans are up the roof, because of the curse. Clever black comedy with Horror Elements. Filmed in Canada. Mimi Rogers is funny and well cast as thier over-protective mother. Perkins and Isabelle gives fine performance in this one of a kind werewolf film since An American Werewolf in London. DVD`s has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer with an fine Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. But This DVD is from Canada.

It`s from Columbia/Tri-Star/TVA International/Lions Gate Home Video/Unapix Entertainiment. DVD is Digitally Mastered for Anamorphic Video and Sound.-Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) Aspect Ratio Transfer.-English:Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound. French:Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound. Scene Selections. No Subtitles for English, French or Spanish and No Closed Captioned. DVD is Packed with Extras as:An running commentary track by Director:John Fawcett. An running commentary track by Writer:Karen Walton. Deleted Scenes with/without separate commentary tracks by Fawcett and Walton. Featurette.Cast & Crew Information.Theatrical Trailers & T.V. Spots. Behind the Scenes on Designing the Werewolf.Screen Test & Rehearsals.Production Design Artwork:Bailey Downs, Illustrations and Logos magazine covers. Hidden Feature. This film recieve Three Genie Awards nominations, including:Best Cinematography-Thom Best, Best Editing-Brett Sullivan and Best Sound Editing. Walton recieve an Prize for Best Original Screenplay at the Canadian Comedy Award. Do not miss this wonderful flick. Grade:A-.

Another Interesting Twist On The Werewolf Legacy...
"Ginger Snaps" is a suprise sleeper. Like "The Company Of Wolves", this film deals with the aspects of puberty and the metamorphosis of a girl... becoming a woman. Sure there's a werewolf storyline here, but the heart of the movie comes from the relationship between the two sisters, Brigett and Ginger. Without these intimate characters, this could have been just a campy low budget movie. There is a bit of campiness to the film, but it doesn't overshadow the plot. The effects are low budget, so don't expect "An American Werewolf In London" Rick Baker wizardry here. But you should expect an enteraining horror film with characters you care about. Katharine Isabelle (Ginger) and Emily Perkins (Brigette) are fantastic and hopefully have promising film careers ahead of them. Heads Up: There is a Canadian DVD version of this film that offers a Widescreen Format and loads of extras (including some great and crucial deleted scenes)

One of the best!
This is one of the BEST werewolf films EVER made. It's "curse" is brilliant, its about a girl just reaching "womanhood" let alone "werewolfhood". The film taps both in a brilliant way. However I would suggest trying to find the canadian version on ebay etc as it is widescreen etc and has ALOT of bonus features not presented here.

GREAT WEREWOLF MOVIE
I remember coming across this DVD a few years ago in the horror section and thinking that it was just another teen movie. I later found out that it was a werewolf movie, which is one of my preferred themes in horror (there aren't that many good ones out there) and I therefore ended up watching it. IT BLEW ME AWAY!!! This is a great movie with all the right elements: great story, great effects, a lot of blood for those who like gore and good acting. If you're a fan of horror and especially werewolves, DO NOT miss this movie.
If you decide to buy the movie instead of renting it, buy the special collector's (Canadian) edition. It includes a lot of extra features that are not available on the regular edition. Ginger Snaps II is also available on DVD and is just as great as this movie. Ginger Snaps III (aka Ginger Snaps Back or Ginger Snaps: The Beginning) is being released on DVD in Canada in August 2004 and in US in September.

I was shocked at how good this was!
I saw part 2 sitting in the rental section and laughed and thought it was going to be a horrible movie, so I didn't pick it up...even though I love B movies. But I came to Amazon to look at some customer reviews of part 1 and part 2. To my surprise there were great reviews of the movies. So..I said to hell with it and bought this movie from Amazon. A few days later it shows up and I throw it in the DVD player and me and 4 of my buddies started to watch it. All of us got a kick out of this movie (even though we didn't like the ending that much). The beatdown on the school field was classic to us guys and we had to rewind it twice to watch it..lol. This aint your typical Werewolf movie, which is a good thing! If you are a fan of renting those movies that aren't block buster hits...'B' movies...then you owe it to yourself to pick this movie up. I'm 100% satisfied I bought it and now I'm waiting on part 2 to show up in the mail! ... Read more

Reviews (291)

'The Rocky Horror Show' Movie
There is one reason why everyone should see "The Rocky Horror Picture Show": it is the best cult film ever made. There are also three reasons why everyone should want to watch it: 1) It is one of the only 'R' rated musicals in existence. 2) It has strong science-fiction overtones. 3) It is very funny. The movie starts Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon (before they were stars) as the recently engaged Brad and Janet. However, they are upstaged in nearly every scene by Tim Curry who plays Frank N. Furter, the mad doctor. The cast delightfully performs many memorable songs including "Over at the Frankenstein Place" and, of course, the "Time Warp". To fully enjoy RHPS, one must not be closed minded or the picture could prove to be quite offensive. Don't think it's gratuitously violent- it isn't. Merely, the situations the characters find themselves in could shock or appall overly sensitive viewers. If you think you won't enjoy RHPS, going to a midnight screening might be your best bet. The live audience participation will guarantee you a good time, despite your opinion of the actual film. So overall, RHPS is quite a good adaptation of Richard O'Brien's original concept, which always honors its roots on the stage.

DVD = Perfect format to truly experience "Rocky" at home
I loved going to "Rocky Horror" when I was in college, but watching on home video just wasn't the same. I'm probably committing heresy but there's a reason why this sci-fi, horror, B-movie satire, rock musical didn't really make it big until theaters started showing it as a midnight movie and fans started attending in costume and talking back to the screen. The 25th anniversary DVD, with several audience participation options, really is the next best thing to being there.

For the uninitiated, "Rocky Horror" tells the story of two clean-cut American youths, uptight Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick of "Spin City") and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon of "Dead Man Walking") whose car breaks down on a dark, deserted road in the middle of a storm--the classic beginning to many horror movies--and who seek help at a nearby castle. Castles, as Rocky fans know, don't have phones! What this castle has instead is a cross-dressing mad scientist Frank-N-Furter Tim Curry, in perhaps his finest performance), two very creepy servants, Riff-Raff (Richard O'Brien, who wrote the musical) and Magenta (Patricia Quinn), and various other hangers-on, including lovers Columbia (Little Nell) and biker Eddie (Meat Loaf). Brad and Janet walk in on a party celebrating the creation of Frank-N-Furter's muscle-bound boy-toy "Rocky." Bed-hopping chaos soon ensues, until the servants reveal their true identities and take control.

Punctuating this wacky plot are some of the wildest rock-musical songs ever written. In addition to the classic "Time Warp," there's O'Brien's salute to cult-classic B-movies, "Science Fiction Double Feature," Meat Loaf's "Hot Patootie," and Sarandon ode to sexual self-discovery, "Toucha Toucha Touch Me!"

So much for the "Rocky virgin" portion of the review... What makes the DVD so exceptional is the chance to experience "Rocky Horror" at home nearly like you would in the theater. The DVD has the option of turning on the audience screen comments as well as another option for viewing members of the Rocky Horror Fan Club performing select scenes before returning to the main movie. For those less familiar with audience participation, the DVD can prompt when to throw toast, toilet paper, rice, etc., light a match, put your newspaper on your head, etc.

The second disc contains fascinating interviews with cast members, where fans can find out about their reaction to starring in this cult classic. Meat Loaf's description of not realizing what "Rocky Horror" was going to be about and running out of the theater when Tim Curry entered wearing fishnet stockings, spiked heels, a merry widow, and a leather jacket and singing "Sweet Transvestite" is hysterical. Patricia Quinn talks about how her fondness for the opening song, "Science Fiction Double Feature" made her want to take the role even though she hadn't read the rest of the script. What? Don't remember Quinn singing that number? In the stage versions she did, but the song got reassigned in the film version--and Quinn makes her feelings about that QUITE clear. Sarandon makes the interesting observation that "Rocky Horror" probably kept a lot of art house theaters in business over the years, since they could count on good revenue from the midnight movie, even if the latest regular-hours offering flopped. In Bostwick's interview, however, the actor sounds a bit like William Shatner giving his anti-Trekkie diatribe on "Saturday Night Live."

The only disappointments on the DVD are that the outtakes really aren't that interesting and actor bios aren't provided. I would have liked to see what else the "minor" cast members did after Rocky, but that information is limited to a few lines in the companion booklet. Also, some of the audience-participation comments are nearly impossible to understand because fans are talking over each other. But then that's part of the modern-day theater experience. Even Sarandon noted in her interview that talking back to the screen has gone from the more unison catechism approach to a loud free-for-all.

What seemed so risqué and shocking a few decades ago seems much more innocent today, but it was great when it all began and it's still great! If you've never ventured into the theater to experience "Rocky Horror," this is the best way to experience it at home.

Mesmerizing film.
This is a very outrageous movie. The rock is the background to tell us a horror movie but also spiced with sex , ransvestism and above all a splendid tribute to the movies specially King Kong .
One couple strands in an old house full of weirdos . This movie (here between you and me)could have inspired for Tim Burton in Beetle juice .
In this decade there were great visuals films too . Sherman built a magnificent story absolutely free , intelligent and sarcastic, irreverent and bitter . You might state that Fellini's influence (dressed of english manners and clothes) is present all along the film .
Inmediatly after its release this one acquired the status of cult movie.

The original is still the best!
Don't bother with the play, or the music from the play. The original is still the best. Nobody can fill the shoes of Sarandon, Curry, etc. They originated the roles and have been associated with them for far too long for anyone else to come in try to change them so many years later and attempt to redo them. Stay with the best.

Those Gold Shorts!
Ahhhhh...Rocky had such a lovely outline showing in his gold lame shorts. ... Read more

Reviews (349)

One of the scariest movies ever made
Ridley Scott's original 1979 film pulsates with dread and menace. Its darkened corridors mask a reptillian horror unmatched by any other in cinema. "Alien" scared the hell out of me when I saw it in its theatrical release, and the other night on DVD, it scared hell out of me again. Forget the sequels. This is one of the best movies of all time.

Yes, the story is simple, but that's the whole point. "Alien" is a fundamental horror story, your basic haunted house movie taken to the Nth degree. I love the fact it has only seven characters (OK, nine, if you count Mother and the alien itself ... the space jockey doesn't count). I love its simplicity, its straightforwardness. Aside from being a creepy, blood-curdling horror film (only "The Exorcist" and the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" top the chest-burster scene), it is also hard-core science fiction. James Cameron's sequel was an action-thriller (and an excellent one), and the subsequent sequels were just redundant. Scott's movie is the one for the ages.

It's about evil in a shape-shifting form. It's about our fear of the dark. It's about the bogeyman. It's about our irrational fear of creepy-crawlies, spiders, worms, snakes. It is by turns subtle and terrifying. It scares us by hiding the alien, revealing it only in bits and snatches (those exploding jaws!). There is surprisingly little blood; "Alien Resurrection" was a revolting gore fest. And it's a thoughtful film. It actually pauses to consider what a miracle the alien is on a biological level, which helps reinforce the fear and mystery that surround the creature.

In fact, the whole film is soaked in mystery. What is the intent of the beacon that attracts the Nostromo? What is the nature of the alien pilot, its own chest exploded in a gruesome foreshadowing of Kane's fate? What laid those eggs? How long had they been waiting down in the bowels of that awesome ship? Was the full-grown alien male or female? What did it try to do with Brett and Dallas? How exactly does it kill Lambert and Parker? Questions left largely unanswered. Not a problem for me -- I like loose ends, things left to ponder. That's the difference between a "plot" and a "story."

There's a hidden layer -- the fact that a faceless corporation sent those astronauts to their doom, knowingly, in order to extract the ultimate bioweapon. "Alien" is a subtle jab at Corporate America, the creature itself a representation of "the company's" blind, murderous greed.

See this movie. I repeat, if you love good movies, great movies, then seen this one. If you haven't already.

A Science Fiction Masterpiece!
This is one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. Just watching the opening title of this film suggests a story that will bring you terror and fascination at the same time. Director Ridley Scott ("Blade Runner") has created a masterpiece which transcends time. I sometimes look back on a movie that was made two years prior called "Star Wars" and I laugh at how primitive it seems today. However, Alien is as spectacular as it was in 1979. This movie could be rereleased today with as much fanfare as it had twenty years ago. "Alien" broke the mold when it was made and almost every aspect of it has been copied since. This includes the ingenious set designs and the alien creature itself.

All aspects of this film, the screenplay, direction, acting, special effects, and the awesome set designs took a vast amount of imagination and creativity. The thought process alone that went into conceiving an alien which gestates in a human host, and goes through an incredible metamorphosis of various stages to its final horrific form, was a major accomplishment. Sigourney Weaver, as "Ellen Ripley", is the greatest warrior in movie history. She is not only fighting to save her crew from the "Alien", but she's fighting to save humanity from the evil "Company" that will stop at nothing to gain what they desire.

I cannot say enough good things about this movie. JUST SEE IT!

Starts slow, but gets much better
The first half hour or so of this movie was a bit slow, and I honestly had a hard time not falling asleep. It got a lot better though and kept me on the edge of my seat. I would recommend this movie if you like science fiction or suspense.

A terrifying and spectacular sci-fi horror classic.
Although it took some time for me to appreciate it, today I can easily agree with many that 1979's "Alien" is one of the greatest science fiction/ horror movies that has ever been made.

A team on board a deep space ship called Nostromo is returning to earth after a deep sleep but then while returning to Earth, receives a mysterious distress signal on a distant planet and are sent in to investigate the source of the signal. During that time, one of them discovers large objects with movement within them. It turns out that these 'objects' are actually organic alien eggs and when one of them hatches, one of the crew is attacked and is brought back to the ship to have the 'alien' removed but the 'blood' of this alien is in fact a super strong molecular acid that eats through almost anything it touches. Even worse, the crew are being hunted and killed one by one by an extremely dangerous alien creature and now they must try to destroy the creature and escape with their lives before it's too late.

While nowhere near as action-packed as it's 1986 sequel "Aliens", this movie however is equally intense as the sequel but in a totally different way. While the sequel benefits from it's tons of action sequences, "Alien" is every bit as intense by it's extremely suspenseful tone and while it may be slow at times, when the intense parts come, they'll make you jump right out of your seat. This movie does not rely so much on action for intensity as it does on immense suspense, tension, and disturbingly quiet tone and then the alien jumps right out into the screen! While "Alien" is slow-paced a lot of the time the pace leads up to terrifying confrontations with the creature as it kills the crew members one by one. Perhaps it's most famous scene of all time is the frighteningly vile scene where one of the crew members who was previously attacked by the 'baby' alien goes into violent convulsions and culminating when a 'baby' alien bursts right out of the mans chest killing him instantly. That scene is perhaps the most famous sci-fi horror scenes ever filmed. I had nightmares for many years after seeing that and even now with a stomach made of titanium steel, I still get very queasy at that scene but it is one of the most original sequences ever filmed to this day.

Ridley Scott's directing is absolutely phenomenal. Being that this was a low budget movie of only 11 Million dollars, Scott and the crew have used the limited resources to create a really stunningly beautiful yet terrifying epic that has been virtually unrivalled to this day. The sets are incredible and the special effects are really awesome. Even then the film shows it's age in some places such as some extremely dated special effects, a few of which are ancient even by early 1980s standards but overall, this film is one of the greatest examples of using the limited budget to an efficient degree and the result is not only a terrifying Sci-Fi horror movie but also one of the greatest landmark achievements in these two genres.

The cast is absolutely spectacular. The career of a then unknown Sigourney Weaver would literally take off right through the roof with her playing the main protagonist character Ellen Ripley. Ripley's character is one of the best woman protagonists that I've ever seen in any movie especially towards the latter half of this movie. It was this that made Weaver into a superstar. She's even better in the 1986 James Cameron directed sequel "Aliens". Perhaps another favorite 'actor' of mines in this movie surprisingly enough is the cat Jones. I absolutely love the scenes where he like hisses at the guy in the storage unit and literally walks away when the alien grabs him and makes a meal out of him.

This "Collector's Edition" two disk set is a massive treat. The first disc alone is a vast improvement on both the VHS and the 1999 "Special Edition" DVD. The picture and sound quality of the original movie was not all that great but this "Collector's Edition" gives this movie a much needed clean-up job on a phenomenal classic and the picture quality is now crystal clear and the sound quality is also vastly improved too and I no longer have to turn the volume up to eardrum bursting levels to hear the movie clearly enough. The first disc contains the original theatrical version untouched for the 'purists' who don't want anything done to it. Disc One also comes with the "Director's Cut" edition where some footage that Scott didn't feel to happy with is removed but is replaced with some newly incorporated footage that wasn't on the original. The result is the movie being only a minute longer but gives the movie a different light.

The second disc contains an excellent 'making of' documentary and you can witness some ego battles between some of the members of the cast especially between Yaphet Kotto and the actor who played the 'Alien' and how they edited it to make their tensions work in the movie itself. It also has tons of other amazing extras that I don't want to point out, out of fear of spoiling the fun of this DVD.

Most horror movies to me are nothing but vile gore fests with little to no plot behind them but "Alien" is one of the best horror movies of all time. It was groundbreaking back in 1979 when it was released and now 25 years later (at the time of writing this review), it is an absolutely classic today. I strongly recommend that you buy this today and get this DVD. This is one of the most smartly assembled DVDs that I've had in recent years and it is on the border of being flawless.

True Horror Movie
The original Alien is the first and probably the best of the series. Alien may have a slower pace than the action packed Aliens, it had more tension and suspense which is more important in a horror movie. The suspense in Alien is more unnerving than the Alien it self. In Alien, the alien was invicible, no one could kill it. The aliens in Aliens were fairly easy to kill which made for stuning action sequences, but adversely made them less frightening.
Don't get me wrong Aliens is a great Action Thriller movie and it is the perfect sequel to Alien, Aliens is an Action Thriller movie while Alien is a true horror movie. ... Read more

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The Blair Witch Project
Anyone who has even the slightest trouble with insomnia after seeing a horror movie should stay away from The Blair Witch Project--this film will creep under your skin and stay there for days. Credit for the effectiveness of this mock documentary goes to filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez, who armed three actors (Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, and Josh Leonard) with video equipment, camping supplies, and rough plot outlines. They then let the trio loose into the Maryland woods to improviseand shoot the entire film themselves as the filmmakers attempted to scare the crap out of them. Gimmicky, yes, but it worked--to the wildly successful tune of $130 million at the box office upon its initial release (the budget was a mere $40,000).

For those of you who were under a rock when it first hit the theaters, The Blair Witch Project tracks the doomed quest of three film students shooting a documentary on the Burkittsville, Maryland, legend of the Blair Witch. After filming some local yokels (and providing only scant background on the witch herself), the three, led by Heather (something of a witch herself), head into the woods for some on-location shooting. They're never seen again. What we see is a reconstruction of their "found" footage, edited to make a barely coherent narrative. After losing their way in the forest, whining soon gives way to real terror as the three find themselves stalked by unknown forces that leave piles of rocks outside their campsite and stick-figure art projects in the woods. (As Michael succinctly puts it, "No redneck is this clever!") The masterstroke of the film is that you never actually see what's menacing them; everything is implied, and there's no terror worse than that of the unknown. If you can wade through the tedious arguing--and the shaky, motion-sickness-inducing camerawork--you'll be rewarded with an oppressively sinister atmosphere and one of the most frightening denouements in horror-film history. Even after you take away the monstrous hype, The Blair Witch Project remains a genuine, effective original. --Mark Englehart

Curse of the Blair Witch
Are you wondering just exactly who the Blair Witch was? What the Burkittsville, Maryland, legend was all about? Or what exactly fascinated student filmmaker Heather and what possibly took her, Mike, and Josh from this earth? Get all your background questions answered by Curse of the Blair Witch, a one-stop-shopping "documentary" originally produced for the Sci-Fi Channel as a tie-in marketing tool. Entirely fictionalized, Curse of the Blair Witch focuses both on the past and the present, with copious info on the Blair Witch myth as well as on the disappearance of Heather, Josh, and Mike. As it turns out, the original witch was one Elly Kedward, who was accused in 1785 of taking blood from several children; she was subsequently banished to the harsh winter woods and left for dead. Her grisly and bloody legacy involves missing children, polluted water, disemboweled men, and a serial killer of children who claims to have been haunted by "an old woman ghost." Aside from some ineffective "newsreel" footage of the serial killer, all this intriguing information is presented convincingly and chillingly. Curse may in fact freak you out more than the movie, and it evokes the great, pulpy In Search Of series of the '70s, one of the prime inspirations for filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez. News clips of the search for Heather, Josh, and Mike lend a vérité atmosphere to the proceedings, but shed little light on their mysterious disappearance or their characters. Basically, it's a tease to go see the movie. Still, The Blair Witch Project provided only ever-so-slight information on the legend that haunted the forest, so you'll want this cleverly constructed mock documentary to supplement your knowledge of the film. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (1695)

Portrays "fear" in it's truest sense.
Blair Witch is soon to become a classic. It's skin-crawling, heart-pounding atmosphere makes it one of the best horror films I've seen. When simply describing it, words don't do this movie justice, for it is the unspoken fear of the characters on screen that makes the film come alive. The fact that this film was shot using only three actors, minimal script, and a "documentary-looking" tape makes it all the more refreshing. Besides the fact that there was no axe murderer or bloody, on-screen killings, it was extremely believable. The actors, having very little to go by, used everyday language, and when they were scared beyond control, they said things and acted the same way anyone would. The movie also portrayed mental games that seemed to intoxicate the characters. They started out as relatively normal people in the woods, and turned into babbling freaked out idiots. Try sleeping in the cold forest for several nights with very limited food, no clean clothes, a missing friend and running from evil that may be after you, not knowing if you're going insane... They showed the real-life situations of the real human persona. Along with the fear, they included comedy which was very amusing, satirical, and realistic. They portrayed fear in it's truest sense. Not knowing what is out there, but knowing something is, makes even the toughest of hearts find butterflies in their stomachs. I highly recommend seeing this film. It almost feels as though you're watching 3-D because you feel the same fear as they do. It's nice to finally have a film that you can relate to, scary or not, it was a low-budget film with three actors and no special effects or elaborate script. In order for a movie like that to make it this big, it has to be good. Instead of giving you the imagination on the screen you have to use your own. This film leaves alot unanswered which only increases the tension. Pay close attention to every detail in the movie because it all fits together, even though your questions will not be answered for you. That's your job... The scariest, most terrifying, (but also bewildering) scene of the whole movie, in my opinion, was at the very end, where you see Mike against the wall....

Haunting and Memorable
First of all, as a counterargument to some of the criticisms - true, documentarians don't record every single little thing - or do they? After all, this was a student project that was presumably meant to be edited later, so why not get as much on camera as possible? Nothing happens, say some - but that's the point of this movie, your imagination supplies what isn't shown on the screen (perfect example - Heather running through the woods, screaming "What was that?" at something unseen). Too much of the F-word, cry others - well, hate to burst your bubble, but a lot of young people talk this way, for better or worse; there is certainly nothing unrealistic about a lot of profanity. Enough with the "Devil's Advocate", though - here's what makes this a five-star DVD. First, good bonus materials - Curse of the Blair Witch adds some nice details. Second, nice presentation, i.e., the menus and background screens. Third, and most important, it's easy to criticize this movie for all the hype, but the premise is genuinely creative, the methodology for the performances is very smart (shoot "real-time", keep actors on their toes with the unexpected), and the ending of this movie is just about the spookiest damn thing I have ever seen. If you haven't seen Blair Witch yet, forget the hype and try to lose yourself in the experience of the students - and turn the lights off. If you're like me, this movie will stay with you for days.

What's the point?
For four years, this movie chilled me to the bone. It also sickened me, because I couldn't believe that someone would actually try and profit off someone's death. That seemed pretty low. It wasn't until 2003 that a friend of mine let me know this thing was a hoax. While I was relieved, I was also pretty angry.

If my anger seems misplaced to you, let me try and explain. If this is not a real documentary, what's the purpose of making it so poorly? Shaky video cameras - it looks like my Christmas videos. Do you think someone would pay me to watch those? "The Legend of Boggy Creek", which covers many of the same issues and is done in a semi-documentary style, is made with much higher production values, and as a result is much, much scarier. Watch it with the lights off if you don't believe me. Also, I can't get behind any horror movie that never shows its monster. How am I supposed to know what to be afraid of? A shaking tent? Stick figures?

I give it three stars for the idea and one star for the execution. I'm off to watch "Boggy Creek" again.

i havent seen it a long time
but i rember that when i did see it i peed in my pant.(i was 9 i was scared!) and i literly couldnt sleep for 3 days!! advise for parents:dont let a 9 year old watch this movie...

Well, I'll admit that I purchased the thing used...
Maybe I'm cynical...but a movie about three college students going out into some woods and yelling at each oher? This is entertainment? ... Read more

Description

In 1795, after being convicted of witchcraft, Victoria Winters waits to be hung at the gallows. Peter Bradford vows they'll be together again someday. In 1968, Victoria reappears during a seance at Collinwood and Barnabas fears that she has learned his secret from her time in the past. After he and Victoria are hospitalized following acar accident, Barnabas is stunned when the mysterious Dr. Lang enables him to see daylight for the first time in nearly 200 years. The doctor offers Barnabas hope that he may be permanently cured through a bizarre experiment. Roger Collins surprises the family by introducing his new wife Cassandra, whom Barnabas realizes is actually Angelique, the witch who cursed him as a vampire in 1795.

Bonuses: Includes interactive menus and exclusive interviews withStarring Jonathan Frid, Joan Bennett, Louis Edmonds, Nancy Barrett, Roger Davis, Lara Parker, Thayer David, Grayson Hall, Joel Crothers, Jerry Lacy, Clarice Blackburn, Addison Powell, Robert Rodan and Alexandra Moltke
Color
Back cover photograph by Ben Martin ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Let the Dream Curse Begin!
I love Dark Shadows, and Collection 7 contains some of my favorite episodes from the 5 year series. Ever since it was announced that the series was coming out on DVD, I had been looking forward to this set very much.

Victoria Winters returns from her inexplicable journey into the year 1795, and from the minute she re-appears, very strange events begin to occur at Collinwood. Victoria unexplainably purchases a portrait of the evil Angelique. A man with a striking resemblence to Peter Bradford enters her life suddenly. Roger begins to think he's Joshua Collins, then disappears in the middle of the night, only to return later, horrifying his family with announcement of a new wife, Cassandra (Angelique with a black wig).

Other memorable highlights from Collection 7 include:

-- Barnabas' reaction to the portrait of Angelique and what happens when he tries to destoy it.
-- Cassandra/Angelique's dream curse which terrifies a whole string of people, most notably Maggie Evans.
-- Dr. Eric Lang exposing Barnabas to daylight for the first time in 200 years.
-- The introduction of Julia Hoffman's radical haircut, which Barnabas and Victoria both comment on.
-- And most important for John Karlen fans -- the return of Willie Loomis after a long absence!

There's some great episodes here, and some outstanding performances, especially from Jonathan Frid and Louis Edmonds. Sink your teeth in and enjoy!

Conclusion of 1795
The 1795 Flashback wraps up in Collection 7 (VHS Volumes 45-52). In 1795, Nathan Forbes discovers Barnbas Collins' secret and plans to kill him, however Barnabas strangles him before he does. Joshua Collins then chains him up in his coffin, thinking he will never be released. Victoria Winters is hung and she returns to the present. In 1968, Barnabas fears that she has learned his secret and he bites her. After Victoria agrees to go away with Barnabas, they are involved in a car accident that leaves them both hospitalized. Barnabas is treated by the mysterious Dr. Eric Lang, who allows him to see sunlight for the first time in almost 200 years. Lang offers to permanetly cure Barnabas through a bizarre experiment where he will transfer his life force into another body. Roger Collins returns to Collinwood after some time away and introduces his new wife Cassandra Collins, whom Barnabas and Victoria realize is actually Angelique, the witch from 1795. In a dream Cassandra vows to return the curse to Barnabas. She eventually kills Dr. Lang, but the experiment is performed and the man-made creature Adam comes to life.

Overall I thought these episodes were good, but not as good as 1795. They just don't seem "scary" enough. But still good nonetheless.

Bonuses include interviews with Nancy Barrett, Kathryn Leigh Scott, director Lela Swift, and photographer Ben Martin.

Good Yet Primative
As a child I would rush home from school to watch Dark Shadows daily. When I found the releases on DVD I had to purchase them. While watching we have found that the DVD's capture all the behind the camera mishaps which one notices all the time (hands coming out of nowhere, people standing around, people sneezing, and the likes). The acting which as a youngster I thought was great is now actually rather poor, but overlooking these things the show still holds the same interest - if not more so. Only now one does not have to wait until tomorrow to see the end of the climax from the day before. My sons who are college age also watch with much interest even though they constantly point out how bad the actors are. The plot (which I will not give away) for DVD 7 is honestly not a good one, and is totally out in left field and makes less sense than the whole vampire scenario. Even though, if one was a fan in the past theses DVD's are a great stroll down memory lane. I find these DVD sets a great addition to my collection and I do recommend them to people who are looking to relive their youth. ... Read more

Reviews (264)

Gate to the Kingdom of Disillusion
First, a few reasons why I bothered to see this movie:

1. Roman Polanski is one of my favorite directors. 2. The theatrical/tv trailer looked intense 3. Interesting subject matter (occult). 4. French actress/wife of Polanski Emanuelle Seigner 5. Emanuelle Seigner 6. Last but not least, Emanuelle Seigner

Now, a few reasons why I was left disappointed:

1. The ending 2. The ending 3. ...and the ending.

This film was excellent for it's spectacular cinematography and various global locations. The plot and story itself were easy to comprehend . The mood, setting, atmosphere was very creepy and at times Gothic. Yet, it was not enough to frighten or thrill. As for the climax, maybe some of us are lazy and lack imagination to draw conclusions;However, I still wanted to know what really happened to Johnny Depp's character Corso at the end ( and have it explained to me by the director and actors) The ending was too ambiguous and symbolic (though the movie was filled with symbols figuratively and visually). As for Emanuelle Seigner, she is one underrated talented beauty only known for her modeling and acting in Europe. I wanted to know more about her character; Was she one of Satan's dominions or Satan himself ? She was definitely not heavensent(only to the eyes)...

This movie gets 3 stars because it left me with more questions than answers; No closure whatsoever...and leaving the ending for personal or individual interpretation doesn't count Mr. Polanski

The Worst Movie I Ever Viewed
I made the mistake of seeing this in the theatre...DO NOT BUY THIS MOVIE! It is far and away the most disappointing movie experience of my like.

2 hours of my life I wont get back.
Your time and money would be better spent if you were to commmit these rescources to the study of your own ass!

not a FLOP by any means
I'm currently watching the TRIO channel's disgusting butchery of this film as apart of their "month of flops" promotion. The only FLOP I see is their editing of essential footage. They have condensed the movie to under 2 hours...and have subsequently made certain scenes appear as "stupid" (for lack of a better word).

This movie grew on me. I was not intially impressed, but after viewing it with friends and family, I have become a big fan of its haunting yet calming persona. The subject matter deals with Satanic idolatry, but the movie is in no way "goth". It's the kind of film you could watch with your children and not worry about them being scarred for life.

As far as comedy, Johnny Depp's bad luck with women is hilarious. His facial expressions (even while killing "the albino") are a hoot.

As for the ending, after many viewings I believe Depp went to hell where he was praised for being the human father of the anti-Christ. All along, the lady in the sneakers was Satan.

YES, THE END IS A GYP. OTHERWISE A HAUNTING THRILLER!
The absolutely creepy yet sublime direction of this Polanski endeavour makes it a worthwhile watch. Almost Kubrick-like, wide angle shots and lax-paced screenplay and all.

I was riveted. Riveted, that is, right until the somewhat confusing fire and cobblestone ending, which admittedly leaves you with very little to chew on and instead of appearing clever and ambiguous, as it perhaps wanted to, mostly comes off as complacent.

Yet, the point of a mystery noirish film is to keep you intrigued through out, and the movie manages to do that quite successfully. The sleuthing process is almost done in tandem with the audience, which is fun. Johnny Depp is immaculate in his potrayal of a detached book detective and all others contribute richly. The music is tacky in bits, but not too distracting.

Recommended rental for haunting cinematography of Portugal and France, and a fabulously captivating atmosphere in general. ... Read more

Reviews (130)

Crumb's Crunchy Delights
While Director Peter Jackson may have gained international recognition as the director of LORD OF THE RINGS, many horror fans knew him first from this highly entertaining 1987 splatter comedy. This film is a real testament towards Peter Jackson's talent and love for the genre... the movie was filmed on a shoestring budget on weekends for four years. Reminiscent of other successful horror comedies like RE-ANIMATOR and BASKET CASE, BAD TASTE is a truly eccentric film that has gone on to become a cult hit.

The film has something to do with an alien army that takes over a secluded town in New Zealand. The government has no other choice but to send in "The Boys" to stop those pesky extraterrestrials from turning mankind into the next ingredient on their fast food menu. Led by the evil Lord Crumb, the aliens wage a no-holds barred war against "The Boys" that culminates in an outrageously extended attack on a house that's reminiscent of the climactic showdown in DEAD ALIVE.

BAD TASTE is simply one of the most entertaining horror films that I've ever seen. The action sequences are surprisingly well staged (considering the limited budget) and the graphic violence is presented in such an exaggerated and goofy manner that you can't possibly take it seriously. The film is filled with so many hilariously sick jokes and sight gags that you won't possibly believe that what you're seeing on the screen is actually happening. Peter Jackson handles all the action wonderfully, with a particularly impressive scene filmed on the side of a cliff standing out as the most remarkable (reportedly, this scene was very dangerous to shoot).

While Peter Jackson would top himself a few years later with the release of his over-the-top zombie masterpiece DEAD ALIVE, BAD TASTE first showed genre fans that the New Zealand director could deliver the goods in both the gore and the comedy departments. BAD TASTE is an unforgettable film that comes highly recommended to cult film fanatics. Anchor Bay Entertainment's new release on video and DVD features the quote "From the Director of LORD OF THE RINGS." It's really funny to think how many unsuspecting viewers will sit down to view this bizarre flick on the basis of that quote alone... I envy their ignorance.

Anchor Bay's Bad Taste: Good Taste!
After the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it was pretty much inevitable that director Peter Jackson's old classics would be released to DVD. Already available in a plain, single disc edition, DVD wonder Anchor Bay has re-released Jackson's Bad Taste in a limited 2-disc DVD pack.

THE FILM

Bad Taste was a sensation it was released, and it is a major cult film now. Peter Jackson's 1987 debut picture finds four alienbusters coming to a New Zealand town, where the discover the town overtaken by aliens. Of course, these aren't your everyday Sigourney Weaver aliens. Un-uh. These guys are part of the intergalatic food chain Crumb's Crunchy Delights, and all they want is some major human flesh to chew on. Hmmm ...

Being Jackson's debut, the film obviously can't meet up to later hits like Braindead (a.k.a. Dead Alive) and Lord of the Rings, but there's some talent in here yet. It seems like a backyard picture, and I suppose that's one of the reasons it's so popular. What I do know is that it's gory, entertaining, and the most digusting film I've ever seen. [7/10]

THE VIDEO

Anchor Bay has done a terrific remastering job. There isn't any grain anywhere. A flawless work. [10/10]

THE AUDIO

As all the voices in the film were dubbed after shooting, many times the words didn't meet the mouth movements. Well, Anchor Bay has - somehow - fixed this problem with its lovely DD 5.1 remix. No problem here. [10/10]

THE EXTRAS

Well, if you consider the fact that it's a Limited Edition (of 50,000) an extra, then we got that here. Anchor Bay's double-disc set includes a Peter Jackson bio, the film's trailer, and a very good documentary about the film: "Good Taste Made Bad Taste". I think fans of the film will be pleased. [7/10]

Cult film fans won't wanna miss this DVD release. If you're a fan of disgusting horror or sci-fi with laughable comedy thrown in the middle, then this is the movie for you. Those with a weak stomach will want to stay the hell away from this baby, though!

OVERALL SCORE: [8/10]
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THE FILM: [7/10] Disgusting, funny, and very entertaining. Essential for horror fans.
THE VIDEO: [10/10] A beautiful remastering job.
THE AUDIO: [10/10] Nice DD 5.1 soundtrack.
THE EXTRAS: [7/10] Very satisfying.
OVERALL SCORE: [8/10] Fans of the film won't wanna pass this DVD.

- Thomas Benton

Micro-Budget Masterpiece
This movie is too much fun. This is schlock of the highest caliber. Peter Jackson's considerable talent is on full display in his debut feature film. The camera work and the editing are amazing. The physical schtick is impeccably timed and photographed. Despite the nothing budget, the technical aspects of this movie are outstanding.

Peter Jackson stars as Derreck(sp?), the sadistic, snivling scientist whose four man government agency, the Alien Investigation Defense Service, has been called upon to thwart a hostile alien invasion of a small backwoods town. Jackson's Derreck is revolting and charasmatic at the same time - a truly original anti-hero. The aliens are actually employees of an intergalactic fast food chain that has just begun marketing human meat - and it is evidently delicious. Can our four heroes save the relief worker (con artist) and foil the aliens' evil plan?

There are some great gags in this movie including a Monty Pythonesque exploding sheep and a recurring joke involving Peter Jackson's character's cerebellum continually falling out, being trodden upon, and then being stuffed back in.

This is an extremely enjoyable movie. For optimal enjoyment, watch it with plenty of alchohol and a couple of friends.

Doesn't live up to the hype...
I am a huge fan of horror/gore movies. For years I have heard about this movie with people talking about how good it is, how gory it is. Finally I shelled out the cash for the DVD and was really dissapointed. Other reviewers have described the plot well enough so I won't delve into that. I will say that you should probably rent this before buying it.

If you are looking for crazy gore I think that you would be better off with a movie like the directors cut of Citizen Toxie or maybe one of the newer japanese gore movies (which blow away everything I've ever seen before).

Very Very Very Very Very Very Gory!!!
This movie is sick! I came extreamly close to throwing up and I have a very strong stomach! If you are looking for the sickest goriest movie out thier....this is definatly it! one of the best movies i own!
RECOMENDATIONS:
Bad Taste (Limited Edition)
Meet The Feebles
Dead Alive (DVD UNRATED EDITION)
The Frighteners ... Read more

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The younger you are, the more you'll enjoy UPN's short-lived revival of The Twilight Zone. Front-loaded with young actors (or marginal celebrities, like Jessica Simpson) and a bone-jarring theme by Korn's Jonathan Davis, the show panders to a teen demographic, which original-series creator Rod Serling would never have tolerated. It's a pale copy of Serling's original, and even the 1985 TZ revival was marginally better, but there are some memorable exceptions in this 43-episode, six-disc set. Not surprisingly, the best episodes are straight remakes of (or sequels to) classic Serling originals, including "The Monsters on Maple Street," "It's Still a Good Life" (with former child actor Bill Mumy reprising his creepiest role, and featuring a series-best performance by Cloris Leachman), and "Eye of the Beholder." Of the originals to this series, highlights include the pilot episode with Jeremy Piven; Jason Alexander in "One Night at Mercy," Amber Tamblyn in "Evergreen"; Lukas Haas in "Harsh Mistress"; Lou Diamond Phillips in "The Pool Guy"; ER's Eriq La Salle as writer, director, and star of "Memphis"; and a few others that capture the eerie quality of "another dimension of sight, sound, and mind."

Woefully miscast as the series' host, Forest Whitaker delivers facile introductions devoid of Serling's literary finesse. More often than not, the writing relies on forgettable characters and thinly-disguised variations on original-series themes; at its worst, the series demonstrates a staggering lack of originality, and the youthful casting frequently results in one-dimensional performances, with a few notable exceptions. It's hit-or-miss at best, but shooting locations in Vancouver, British Columbia, lend the series a visually stimulating variety of settings and atmosphere; production values are consistently high (as they were in the Canadian seasons of X-Files), and Rick Maguire deserves praise for his cinematography on virtually every episode. If you can forget Serling altogether (a difficult challenge for his devoted fans), you'll be able to overlook the flaws and enjoy some occasionally clever trips into The Twilight Zone as it was meant to be. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The 2002 Series
The 3rd Twilight Zone series only lasted for one season, this box set will include all of its episodes. This show aired for 22 weeks, with 2 episodes for every one-hour show, so there will be 44 episodes in this set.

This set will be presented in widescreen, and will have 5.1 Surrond Sound , DTS Surround, and Stereo Surround Sound.

Like the original show, this Twilight Zone series has a lot of big name guest stars: Shannon Elizabeth, Jason Alexander, Jessica Simpson, Jaime Presley, Jason Bateman, Usher, Lou Diamond Phillips, Cloris Leachman, Method Man, Molly Sims, Amber Tamblyn (of TV's Joan of Arcadia), Vivica A. Fox, Portia de Rossi, Dean Winters (of TV's Oz), Dylan Walsh, Patrick Warburton, Eriq La Salle, and comedian Paul Rodriquez.

This set also includes remakes of two classic Twilight Zone episodes -- "The Eye of the Beholder" (a plastic surgery story) and "The Monsters on Maple Street" (a lynch mob tale about aliens possibly in their area).

Also, in this set is a sequel to an old Twilight Zone episode called "It's Still a Good Life" (the original was about a kid with the power to make a person disappear, if you think negitive thoughts. The kid would say that he'd send you to "the cornfield") The sequel on this box set includes two of the actors from the original episode: Billy Mumy (who played the kid) and Cloris Leachman.

So let Forest Whitaker take you into a world of imagination. A dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A wonderous world where the boundaries are only that of your imagination. The Twilight Zone.

This is the 2002 version of The Twilight Zone
Be warned. This is the 2002 version of The Twilight Zone and is the third and least effective version of the show.
It is hosted by actor Forrest Whittaker,who for some unexplained reason walks around in a trenchcoat while introducing episodes. The clueless producers thought that this would be an effective way of introducing the episodes,it wasn't.
There is one particularly offensive episode on racism where a white man is portrayed as a racist because,while in the middle of the city in the darkness of night,he wouldn't let a black stranger into his car after the stranger banged on his window and yelled "let me in".
How many people would let any stranger into their car in the middle of the city at night,especially when the stranger is banging on the window and yelling at them?
That just shows how badly written and produced this series was. The complete unfairness of this premise somehow escaped the producers.
There are also many other episodes that meander on with weak stories and lame resolutions. So disorganised was the production of this show that they had to copy no less that three stories from the original Rod Serling version in just this one season.

The three versions of The Twilight Zone comprise-
1st version-The original hosted by writer Rod Serling that premiered in 1959 and ran for five seasons.
2nd version-The eccellent and under-rated 1985-86 version which had a third season padded on after it's cancellation to get enough episodes for syndication
3rd version-This DVD set,which is the disappointing 2002 version that was cancelled after only one season.

I personally am going to wait for the other version as it is much better than this 2002 Twilight Zone,which has some very poorly written episodes.
All in all,this is a very disappointing version of the series and is very badly produced. ... Read more

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Who would have guessed that this clever, fast-paced creature feature from 1990 would become a beloved miniclassic worthy of its own Collector's Edition DVD? Tremors didn't actually break any new ground (even though its tunneling worm monsters certainly did), but it revved up the classic monster-movie formulas of the 1950s with such energetic enthusiasm and humor that it made everything old seem new again.It's also got a cast full of enjoyable actors who clearly had a lot of fun making the film, and director Ron Underwood strikes just the right balance of comedy and terror as a band of small-town rednecks battles a lot of really nasty-looking giant worms. The special effects are great, the one-liners fly fast and furious between heroes Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward (and yes, that's country star Reba McEntire packin' awesome firepower), and it's all done with the kind of flair one rarely associates with goofy monster flicks like this. Followed by a direct-to-video sequel (Tremors: Aftershocks), this horror thriller was given the deluxe treatment for its DVD release. Bonus features include an original "making-of" documentary, previously unseen video showing the creation of the worm-creatures, outtakes from the film, the original ending not shown in theaters, theatrical trailers, and a gallery of production photographs. If you're a fan, consider this a must-have disc! --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (124)

Attention monster movie lovers:
TREMORS is nothing more then pure fun. The story takes place in a very small Western town that is besieged by four giant sluglike monsters. These slugs attack anything that causes a seismic vibration on the ground much like a piranha attacks anything that leaks blood. But these slugs chase after a would-be victim with the speed of a runaway train. And add to that, the surviving slugs seem to get smarter when one of their own is killed.

This is one film where the producers could have just put in a bunch of teenagers that only serve the purposes of taking their clothes off and being victims. But instead, we get a several enjoyable characters that we can actually care about. Fred Ward and Kevin Bacon are priceless as two laborers looking for work only to find - How do I put it? - man-eating slugs. Michael Gross, who plays an NRA poster boy, is far removed from his role as an ex-hippie on FAMILY TIES. His equally gun-toting wife is played by country singer Reba McIntyre, who turns in an impressive performance. Unlike all the FREDDY THE 13TH (Don't blame me if I can't tell'em apart) movies, you find yourself rooting for these people.

While this movie might not be CITIZEN KANE, it is a perfect rental for a Friday night.

Classic horror/camp. A fun movie.
If you are looking for a good scare, Tremors is not the movie for you. However, if your goal is to be ente