Saturday, March 12, 2005

Mansquito!!


I just finished watching Mansquito on the SciFi Network and let me tell you, it wasn't bad! The movie had some decent acting for a B-movie, decent effects, a better than average creature and tons of blood. There were some gruesome kills toward the end of the movie and it makes me wonder how much they had to cut out to make it TV ready. The DVD will probably be released in the near future, I'll have the date here when they announce it. If you can catch it, it's playing again tonight and I suggest you do. It's pure B-movie magic and gruesome goodness. This one along with Frankenfish mark two fun and entertaining movies with cheesy names to premiere on SciFi. The TV version gets ***1/2 out of *****.

DVD Review: Pauly Shore is Dead


"What's up, Buuuddeeee? AAAOOOOOOO!!!" If you can remember that phrase from the late eighties then you know it came from one of hollywood's strangest creations. The Weez started on MTV way back when and then had a slew of not so great films, Son-in-Law probably being the best of the lot. This movie is a mockumentary, focusing on Pauly's slip from fame during the nineties and has him faking his suicide to gain the immense popularity that comes with dying before your time. While parts of the movie are steeped in reality, most of it is creatively constructed by the one time VJ. The film is chock full of cameos from some surprising names I wouldn't expect to be associated with The Weez. You can also get a hint of the relationship he had with the late Sam Kinison, he obviously loved the man greatly. If you're a product of the eighties, you'll appreciate this movie. I give the it ***1/2 out of *****. Oh yeah, keep an eye out for the Rico Suave dude, his scene is hilarious.

Friday, March 11, 2005

Star Wars Ep. 3 News


Well, here it is folks, the official movie poster for Episode 3. From what I've seen so far, it looks like this could be more action oriented than the last two. Bad news for the younger fans though, Moviesonline.ca is reporting that this will be at least a PG-13 Star Wars movie possibly even an R, and George Lucas himself was quoted as saying "I don't think I would take a five- or a six-year-old to this It's way too strong,". If this movie comes out an R, I think that would be a shame because this franchise has been built on the dollar bills from children, with all the toy lines and other merchandise. I remember part of the thing I loved about seeing the originals back in the day, was that I felt like I was seeing a "big person" movie. If Lucas feels the only way to win back fans is to make a more violent movie, he's obviously got his head up a wookie's rear end. Personally, I've always felt the franchise was on the soft side, but that was also what made it great because you could enjoy it right along with your kids. I just can't see them not getting at least a PG-13, but take warning parents, you know a PG-13 today is like an R from years ago. For the whole story and more Lucas quotes click the link below.

http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_3245.html

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Phantasm Returns!

New Line is announcing a new Phantasm trilogy of terror to be hitting the big screen soon. That's right, three movies, on the big screen, with Don Cascarelli serving as producer on the films. It's being called the Star Wars of horror. Oh man, I don't know about you, but I pray this is comes to fruition and doesn't get canned. It would be great to see the series return to the big screen after a few not so great direct to video titles. No word yet if Angus Scrimm is to return as the Tall Man, but I'm betting he will. He is the Tall Man!

CD of the Week: Ravenheart by Xandria


This sophomore effort from Xandria proves to be a welcome addition to the gothic symphonic metal movement that started with Nightwish and Within Temptation.The songs are magnificently arranged and the vocals of Lisa Schaphaus are incredibly impressive. When I tell you that every track is great on this CD, I meant it! It's a rare disc that you can put into a player nowadays and let the thing rip without skipping a track or two, but this is one that is. It's one of my favorite albums released in 2004 and I anxiously await their next. If you like the other bands mentioned earlier, or goth music or just plain good music, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed. It's extremely rare for a CD to get it, but this one gets ***** out of *****. You can find out more about the band at their website below.
http://www.xandria.de/index2.html

Horror\SciFi DVD Releases for 3/15

The Incredibles
Dead Birds
Dial D for Demons
The Last Sign
Matango: Attack of the Mushroom People
The Oracle
Strange Frequency 2
The Toolbox Murders

Small list this week, with The Incredibles being the top dog. The long awaited Tobe Hooper film The Toolbox Murders finally comes out, and Dead Birds is supposed to be decent, not great, but decent.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Book of the Week: Xombies by Walter Greatshell


If you're looking for something to quench your zombie thirst while waiting for the Day of the Dead remake, pick up this book by Walter Greatshell. The book takes a different approach to the zombie genre and it is an interesting one. A plague attacks women through the menstral cycle and turns them into blue skinned killers. The action is fast and furious as a military group and a young girl who is immune to the disease because she has a condition that stops her from menstrating, try to get to the polar ice cap to a secret base. There are some vivid images in the story and it really reads in a very cinematic way. I recommend it for a great escape. **** out of *****.

Movie of the Week: House on Haunted Hill


This movie is one of my guilty pleasures. I don't know what it is about it, but I love it. Geoffrey Rush plays a deliciously rotten character and his interaction with his estranged wife in the film, magnificently played by Famke Jannsen, is priceless. In a small role is genre genius Jeffrey Combs. The movie is just a fun way to spend an hour and a half. It's a remake of Vincent Price's 1959 version which is also very good, if not a little cheesy. Rush even went so far as wearing a Price-esque pencil thin moustache for his role. The movie has it's share of suspense and scares and keeps a good pace til the end. I recommend this film if you're in the mood for fun and frights. It gets **** out of *****.

Tarantino to raise Jason from the dead?

E! Online is reporting that Kill Bill director Quentin Tarantino is working out a deal with New Line to direct a new Friday the 13th installment. The speculated Jason vs. Freddy vs. Ash movie has been squashed for good, so it's great to see a big name director taking an interest in such a long lasting franchise and I can't think of anyone better to revive the old hockey mask. For the full story click the link.
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,16076,00.html

Monday, March 07, 2005

Proof of Nessie?

An investigator checking out leads on some current Nessie sightings came across two tourists who claim to have seen the monster on land! The following link has never before seen films of the actual prints and the testimony of the tourists. There is alot of new evidence that seems to disprove the plesiosaur theory, while shedding some light on a different, snake type beast. Again, click the link and see what you think.

http://loch-movie.tripod.com/

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Grudge Unrated!

If you didn't already pick up your copy of The Grudge, you're in luck! Sony has announced that later this year, they will be releasing an unrated version on DVD. Since the theatrical version was PG-13, I wonder how much they had to cut out to get that rating. If you already bought it, feel free to curse the DVD gods once again!