The Vincent Price Collection (Blu-ray Review)
Horror icon Vincent Price has finally had the arrow of the magical Blu-ray wheel land on his name this year. Just recently his classics House of Wax and The Fly have been brought to the format. Now, masters of horror Blu-ray, Scream Factory have gotten their mits on 6 of his classic works. Four of them come from the famous Edgar Allan Poe/Roger Corman years. Scream Factory brings all new transfers of the films loaded with Commentaries, interviews and other goodies in this set. The highlight being these intros and outros filmed for an airing of his movies on PBS decades ago. For someone of my generation, stuff like this is how we were introduced to Vincent Price, so high marks for including these little gems. This set was a pretty big undertaking. So, let’s get started to see if this set is the perfect accompaniment for your Halloween season celebrations. Continue reading ‘The Vincent Price Collection (Blu-ray Review)’
I’m going to be completely honest with everyone here. The Conjuring flat out looked like a movie I would want to see upon first viewing of the film’s trailer earlier in the year. If I didn’t get into an early press screening of the film, then you’d better believe I would have laid down my hard earned cash to cover the price of admission. Before I even saw the flick, I believed The Conjuring had four main things going for it right out of the gate. First, word of mouth…it had received rave reviews from critics who were treated to special advanced showings of it. Second…James Wan! The man did Saw and Insidious, people! And now’s he graduating onto much larger things like the seventh Fast and Furious sequel. How grand is that? He’s a big boy with Universal now. Kudos! Third…Vera Farmiga. I love her in everything she does! She just brings it. 
I have a lot to say about Machete Kills, the latest Mexploitation film from director Robert Rodriguez. A lot of it may be negative, as the film, overall, tries too hard, despite having plenty of ideas and a wonderful ensemble cast, consisting of anyone who apparently had a free weekend at some point to come film with Rodriguez and his crew down at his studio. With that said, for whatever reason, I still know right now that I will easily see Machete Kills Again, when it eventually hits theaters. It is a strange thought to know that I am in the bag for the next installment of a series that seems to be getting worse, but I guess that just must be the power that Danny Trejo has over me.
There are many great moments in Captain Phillips, the drama that recreates the true story of a hijacking of a container vessel by Somali pirates that took place in 2009, based on the memoir of Captain Richard Phillips. One moment that comes to mind is a look that Tom Hanks gives during an early part of the film. It is a simple acknowledgment of something pivotal that is happening to his ship, but he finds exactly the right way to do this with just an expression on his face. This is an actor who has been working for over 30 years and still finds new ways to impress me. It could come down to the familiarity with ‘Tom Hanks the actor’, but he is able to say so much with a glance that it truly makes it all worthwhile when a film as good as Captain Phillips is manages to be anchored by very fine performance.
Machete Kills represents everything that’s wrong with Hollywood, sexploitation, extreme gore, bad dialogue, ridiculous plot and action sequences…you name it. But why do I love it so much?! Because it’s so much God d@mn fun! That’s why! If you can’t let go and have a fun time with a Machete flick, then you’re a robot! Loosen up. Let go of everything that makes sense in life. It’s perfectly acceptable to rip someone’s intestines out, jump out the window with them in tow and swing from them to the below building floor. Totally realistic! Right? Wrong! But who the hell cares?! This is Machete and this is the Austin’s prodigal son, Señor Robert Rodriguez. If you can’t respect that harmonious blend, then I have no reason to deal with you anymore. Move along. I’m sure there’s a Muppets review or two here on the site for you to look at. However, for everyone that’s serious in having a “grindhouse” of a good time, stick around…this one’s going to be fun, nonsensical and everything irrational as we discuss the second film in the planned trilogy, Machete Kills. Hold onto you inners, here we go! 
All The Boys Love Mandy Lane can now be finally seen by all. The first thing to really say is ‘Mandy Lane’ is an effective horror feature that trades in true originality for solid horror craftsmanship. There is a lot one can unpack in explaining the history behind how this film made back in 2006 is just now being released, but I see no need to really do so. The best I can do in this regard is stating how great a double feature of All The Boys Love Mandy Lane and You’re Next would be, as far as ‘good horror movies with troubled distribution history’ go. There may have been a delay, but the film certainly stands on its own as far as being a solid entry in the genre.
When vampire horror aficionados talk about cult classics in the genre that were released in the early days of the DVD platform, one title that’s often on the tip of thier salacious tongues is Alyssa Milano’s Embrace of the Vampire. No, it’s not written or directed or even produced by the former Who’s The Boss? star, but that’s not the point. This movie is the embodiment of Alyssa Milano in every which way. You see, this film was very taboo back in the day, and while it may be tame compared to today’s standards back in 1995 the MPAA wore even tighter panties as they swore up and down and reluctantly agreed to a rated R-rating for strong sexuality, violence and language. There was also a more graphic version of the film, which is only 1 minute longer than the previously mentioned rated-R cut, and it’s billed as unrated. And I’ll be the first to admit, that when the DVD platform launched back in the 90’s and Amazon was the buzz of the world, this title was among the first DVD’s I purchased and proudly owned in my collection (it contained both the rated and unrated versions). 
I remember when our Paramount PR peson first sent me the trailer to this film, I checked it out instantly and my curiosity was elevated immediately. It had such a twisted and convoluting plot line that I thought this just has to be interesting. I resisted reading any reviews or checking it out On Demand in hopes that in time it would receive a proper Blu-ray release and as I found out today it will this December…the 10th to be exact. Yea! So for anyone that’s interested in this provocative drama starring Naomi Watts and Robin Wright, make sure you check out the full press release below for more information and heck oh why not…
When my reviewer Gerard Iribe and Aaron Neuwirth (his Comic-Con 2012 coverage 
I was given the chance to interview the two lead stars of the 1984 cult horror-comedy favorite, Night of the Comet. Both Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart were happy to answer a number of questions, leading up to the screening of the film in Los Angeles at the “Lethal Ladies of Horror Film Fest” on October 17th (details 
Despite having a broken wrist and all I literally did a cartwheel when I found out I was selected to review Curse of Chucky on Blu-ray. I’m not sure why other than the fact that I chalk it up to my undying love for the serial killer doll. He’s a relic and a byproduct from my youth. I have many fond memories of the slashing Good Guys buddy doll. Heck, I even remember buying a life-size replica of him at Spencer’s Gifts for my ex-girlfriend’s little brother, who was also infatuated with the character (now that one worries me a bit since he was only seven years old at the time and his mom let him watch Chucky on repeat). So anyway, yes! Thank you Sean and Jami Ferguson for allowing me to cover this thrilling direct-to-video sequel from Universal Pictures. I hope to do you guys proud. So let’s get stabbing! 
Anchor Bay Films is bringing an all new action film pitting together Steven Seagal, Ving Rhames and Danny Trejo on December 17th. This synopsis sounds all sorts of crazy. Seagal is playing an old school mob boss and Danny Trejo the leader of a cartel. The film seems like its going to follow martial arts superstar Bren Foster however. I’m kinda hoping this film isn’t super serious, and goes all out to be as crazy as it possibly can. Its probably really low budget and playing stuff very pulpy and over the top may just be the best way to go. And if Seagal can ham and mug it up, even better. More in depth details follow below. 
American Horror Story: Asylum is the second season of the wildly thrilling FX horror television series American Horror Story. The interesting thing about this show is that it’s billed as an anthology. That means none of the events we discussed 
