Cursed (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)CURSED is the story of a brother and sister who are attacked by a werewolf and become infected. Prior to this incident, Ellie's (Christina Ricci) biggest problems were an emotionally distant boyfriend and a snotty PR representative at her company, while Jimmy (Jesse Eisenberg) mostly had to put up with the homophobic bullies at his high school. I guess sometimes we just don't know when we have it good. Jimmy, a comic book geek, is quick to accept the possibility of what has happened to them and begins research immediately, while Ellie remains skeptical until the physical evidence becomes irrefutable.
With Wes Craven's track record (even his lesser films at least dealt with more original subject matter) one had to wonder why he wanted to make such a formulaic movie about such a well-worn concept. [Edit: I have since learned that this movie was a result of contractual obligation.] The first act of the movie felt quite tired, with dozens of unimaginative scares that have been seen time and time again. A dream sequence in particular is a real groaner. However, it actually does get better as it goes on. While it still retains an air of predictability, it did surprise me at times. I really thought it was obvious who the lycanthropic antagonist was. I wasn't completely wrong, but I wasn't exactly right, either.
In the end, CURSED is a passably entertaining movie made so primarily by the cast, which also includes Joshua Jackson (THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS) and Judy Greer (ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT). Portia de Rossi (also ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) appears in a small role, and Scott Baio appears as himself. As a bonus, we get to see Shannon Elizabeth (JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK) get ripped in half. Always a treat.
The unrated DVD contains a number of featurettes: a making-of with cast interview clips, one on effects, one on editing, and a humorous short film on "making a werewolf." There is also effects commentary for certain scenes.

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Packed with even more intense thrills than audiences experienced in theaters, this unrated version of Wes Craven's CURSED brings you the terror of werewolves as never before! Christina Ricci (MONSTER), Jesse Eisenberg (THE VILLAGE), Joshua Jackson (TV's DAWSON'S CREEK), Judy Greer (THE VILLAGE), and Milo Ventimiglia (TV's GILMORE GIRLS) find themselves caught up in an unimaginable horror! A werewolf loose in Los Angeles changes the lives of three young adults who, after being mauled by the beast, learn that the only way to break the curse put upon them is to kill the one who started it all! From the creators of SCREAM, this never-before-seen version is shockingly more frightening and undeniably more fun than the original release!

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Sanctuary: The Complete Second Season (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)"Sanctuary" has always been a murky, shadowy series, but the second season makes everything much, much darker -- death, insanity, and the biggest baddest Abnormal since... well, ever. The handling of the Cabal and Ashley are pretty clumsy, though the stories that follow are more solid and intense than those of the first season.
In the aftermath of the Cabal's worldwide attack, the gang encounters a young con artist named Kate Freelander (Agam Darshi), who has been hired by the Cabal. But when Magnus (Amanda Tapping) and Will (Robin Dunne) go hunting for the Cabal's headquarters, they encounter Ashley (Emilie Fullerup).. who is leading an all-out assault on the Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary gang also have to take in hundreds of new Abnormal refugees, in addition to their usual problems -- a future scenario filled with cannibalistic zombies, a flying superhero, Henry's old flame is attacked by a peaceful Abnormal, a vampire squid, a rageaholic Abnormal mob boss, and a gang of trust-fund vampires. Even worse, Druitt (Christopher Heyerdahl) seems to have returned to his "Jack the Ripper" ways, and Magnus seems to be going insane after shooting Bigfoot (Heyerdahl again).
And a trip to Mumbai goes horribly wrong when Will becomes the host to a bizarre Abnormal, which connects him to Big Bertha, a vast, ancient Abnormal "who raises the seas and shakes the land." Problem is, someone else wants that power instead.
Maybe it's just my imagination, but "Sanctuary Season 2" seems considerably darker than the first season (although it has more sunlight). It starts off rather wobbly for the first few episodes, which are basically devoted to writing both Ashley and the Cabal out of the story -- and it's done in a painfully contrived manner, especially since the Cabal seemed to be the Big Arc Villain.
Fortunately the standalone episodes, and the ones involved with Big Bertha, are far better -- lots of buttkicking action, gruesome murder (knives, spores, zombies), some truly bizarre abnormals, and the usual gothic gloom and rainy skies. But there's still an undercurrent of quirky humor (Henry and Bigfoot go off to geek it up at Comic-Con... especially since nobody notices the Big Guy there). And the whole episode with the Adjustor was just hilarious.
Tapping has some of her most brilliant performances here -- grief, paranoia, struggles with her ex-lover's killer nature, and even the possible loss of the Sanctuary network. Heyerdahl is amazing as both the bloodthirsty Druitt and the gentle (if grumpy) Bigfoot; Dunne is awesome as the gentle, intelligent Will (as well as the hardened, cold "future Will"), and Ryan Robbins gets a great episode devoted to Henry's personal issues.
The one false note: Kate. Darshi is a good actress and the character has promise, but why replace the annoying blonde with an equally annoying brunette? Fortunately, there are some excellent guest stars -- Michael Shanks, Erica Cerra, and the villainously hot Calum Blue.
"Sanctuary Season Two" has some stumbling blocks (I want more Cabal!), but the actors are still brilliant and the storylines are picking up. Worth seeing despite the wobbly first few episodes.

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New Faces, Amazing Places, Bigger Myths and Greater Surprises Await\' As Seen on Syfy. Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) is a beautiful and enigmatic scientist who seeks out all manner of monstrous creatures. Aided by forensic psychiatrist Dr. Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne), tech expert Henry Foss (Ryan Robbins), professional con artist Kate Freelander (Agam Darshi), and the mysterious and unpredictable John Druitt (Christopher Heyerdahl), the Sanctuary team tracks down, studies and protects the strange and often terrifying creatures that secretly populate our world.

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WolvesBayne (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'll keep it short. This is an indie film, produced by "FIWI Entertainment". Credits are given to
the State of Louisiana, Governor Jindal, the Parish and city of Lafayette and its mayor, and the city
of Crowley and its mayor for assistance in the filming. The overall tone of this film is not a horror
movie, nor a parody nor camp; it seems basically designed just to be an entertaining film. The parts
don't always add up to a predictable whole in films; sometimes a bunch of somewhat-average components
add up to a real flop. In this case a bunch of average (at best) components add up to something more
entertaining than it ought to be. The plot is vague and unpersuasive; the special effects are not
high budget, the action scenes for the most part are rather lame, the acting is very uneven, the dialog
hardly brilliant, yet somehow it manages to be fun. Maybe it's that some of the actors and actresses are
pretty good-looking. Maybe its the romantic subtext between the lead male and female. Whatever the
reason I came away liking it OK. The film has no rating but if it were rated it would fall somewhere between
PG-13 and R. There's no nudity, no foul language, no guts but quite a bit of blood. And frequently
skimpily, shall we say provocatively-dressed women.
Bayne is just an ordinary, ruthless, self-centered businessman when his life becomes transformed by getting
bitten by a werewolf. He is befriended by the woman who opposed him business-wise, "Alex", because she
knows he is now caught up in a battle he knows nothing of, and because she figures she may need his help.
Like the dust-jacket says, it's vampires against werewolves against slayers, not to mention vampires against
vampires, with unsuspecting humanity the stake in this game. Don't expect the plot to make sense; just
enjoy the show. Deserving special nods: Mark Dacascos as the vampire Von Griem, Rhett Giles as Jacob Von
Helsing, and Christy Romano as "Alex". There are no "special features" but yes, there are subtitles available.

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Russell Bane (Jeremy London, ''Party of Five'') finds himself in the middle of a paranormal war between vampires, werewolves and human hunters after being viciously attacked by a werewolf. Overwhelmed by his own werewolf transformation, he seeks the help of the beautiful and mysterious Alex. Together they must stop the war before the exiled vampire goddess Lilith (Yancy Butler, ''Kick-Ass'') regains her strength and destroys all mankind.

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Blood Moon (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)I rented this film solely on a chance and found myself really, really suprised at just how well done it was.
Since, as of this writing, there is no plot synopsis here, I will include a brief one. A travelling sideshow, run by Tim Curry, pulls into a small town. It's star attraction is a young girl born covered in hair and billed as The Wolfgirl. She encounters taunts and threats from a group of young townie teenagers, as well as the posibility for a cure for her malady from the local misfit. The cure seems to work, but with the side effect that the previously gentle girl begins to experience more animalistic urges even as she physically becomes more "human".
This film seems to have come out of nowhere. It actually saw life on the USA Network as "Wolfgirl". I hadn't heard of it under either title. Neither name is particularly good, but hey, it's nit picking. The film far outshines such a stuff for a number of reasons.
The cast: Tim Curry is a perfect choice for Harley. He balances a desire for the financial survival of his show with a paternal love and respect for his performers. His is a colorful, yet flawed character, one whom you can easily both like and be angry with, and he makes it very believable. Grace Jones shows far more range than usual and makes great use of her androgeny in playing a half man/half woman. Darlene Cates, the mother from "Gilbert Grape" again amazes as Athena The Fat Lady. One wishes she could grace the screen more often. And Victoria Sanchez, as Tara The Wolfgirl, manages to truly seem beautiful beneath a full hairy make-up job. She is really phenomenal in a brave role for such a lovely looking young lady.
The rest of the cast is equally talented, and I would speak more of them, but for the desire to compliment some very special members. The performers of the freak show are anything but freaks. With the exception of Sanchez and Jones, almost every other sideshow performer is the real deal, and they shine. We are given a chance to see these people in everyday mode, not just as part of the show. The family they portray is believable and breathtaking. Never are they shown in anything but the most repectful light and when they get individual chances to act within character, they are, to a one, believable. Of particular note is Jordan Prentice as Finger Finnian, Harley's right hand man. Not a single false note whenever he is on screen.
The production: What an amazing-looking film! Marvelous production design gives the sideshow scenes an almost other-worldly quality. That the film was shot in Romania only adds to this old world feel within contemporary society. And Paul Jones' JoJo the Dog-Faced Boy make up design for Sanchez as the Wolfgirl is completely convincing. Really. Thom Fitzgerald's direction is biased towards the actors, as it should be here, but he also keeps the pace going and the details clear.
The songs: The sideshow performances themselves are often in musical form with some delightfully bawdy and clever tunes by John Roby. It really gives the film a special touch. It's also great to hear Curry get to sing with the broadness that we remember from Rocky Horror. If there is a CD out there with these songs, I want it! There is also a great Ani DiFranco tune ofver the end credits.
So, why does this film only get four stars after all this laudatory talk? The screenplay, while hitting the mark on the human end of things, seems to go slightly awry when it comes to the horror end of things. When there is violence or the like, it seems somwhat out of place, as if there was a story to tell, but that it was felt that it would only be marketable as a horror flick. It's too bad, because the emotional root is so strong (with the added idea that the "freaks", who are so obviously different, are not the ones with something to be ashamed of). Also, where are the police in this town? With all the delinquint juvvie activity, fearsome wolf attacks, etc., there's nary a cop in sight! Still, I would not hesitate to recommend this film. The four stars is relative to all other films, but that lack of a fifth should not be counted against it.
One final note: This film was suprising in how little it held back in a number of areas, particularly nudity, which is sometimes used for a truly appropriate "shock". I didn't have a problem with it, but it was so unexpected (and I'm not spoiling anything here) and unique that I was a bit taken aback. It's not what we're used to seeing in any mainstream film and some more prickly folk should be made aware.
With "Ginger Snaps" a short while ago, the fem-Werewolf themed film is having a suprising little uprising of quality cinema!

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Item Name: Blood Moon; Studio:20th Century Fox

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The Monster Squad: The Complete Collection (2pc) (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)Not to be confused with the 80s movie of the same name, "The Monster Squad" was a fond memory from my childhood. This 70s NBC Saturday morning show featured a pre "Love Boat" Fred Grandy as Walt, a night watchman at
a Hollywood-type wax museum who was also a criminology college student during the day. He built a "Crime Computer" to monitor police activity during his shift. The computer somehow brought to life the statues of the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula, and the Wolfman(not Laurence Talbot, but Bruce WW. The initials stood for WereWolf). To make up for past misdeeds, the three use their unique abilities to fight crime. The show featured "special guest villians" like Marty Allen, Alice Ghostly, Jonathan Harris, amoung others. If the show reminded you of the 60s "Batman" tv show, that's because both shows were produced by the same people. I can't wait for this DVD, and I still think an updated version of this show would work today.

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MONSTER SQUAD - DVD Movie

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The Hollywood Mom's Mystery (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have 3 words for those who are thinking of buying this movie: save your money!
Justine Bateman, who was so good and so cute as Mallory Keaton in "Family Ties" made a bad choice when she agreed to star in this bomb. It is badly written, amateurishly directed, choppy and disconnected. It goes from slow all the way to boring! The plot is thin, the dialogue worse.
Andrew McCarthy has almost a bit part in this waste of film, as Bateman's husband. Actually, he provides the best single scene in the whole sloppy thing, when Bateman dreams that her husband (McCarthy) is trying to kill her. He is fully menacing and intense, and this is the only good scene to be found anywhere in this nonsense.
The beginning is not so good, the ending is predictable and, well - boring!
I repeat: Save your money.

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THE HOLLYWOOD MOM’S MYSTERY This Hollywood Wife Gives "Desperate" a New Meaning! Golden Globe nominees Justine Bateman (Family Ties) and George Hamilton (Love at First Bite) star with Elizabeth Peña (Lone Star, Rush Hour) in this lighthearted mystery.Children’s book author Lucy Freers (Bateman) needs to sell her house, after her husband Kit (Andrew McCarthy) has produced several flops, and wants to write a book for adults.She gets her material when Julia (Angie Everhart), the trophy wife of sitcom star Woody Prentice (Hamilton), turns up dead in their pool, so Lucy must become an amateur sleuth.This adaptation of Lindsay Maracotta’s The Dead Hollywood Moms Society features Peña as Detective Theresa Shoe, who first suspects Kit, and then becomes Lucy’s unlikely ally. Approximately 87 minutesColor

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