The Return of the Living Dead (Collector's Edition)

Description

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the cemetery'those brain-eating zombies are back and hungry for more tasty mortals. A fiendish mix of outrageous humor and heart-stopping terror, The Return of the Living Dead is a veritable smorgasbord of fun (LA Herald-Examiner) filled with skin-crawling jolts, eye-popping visuals and relentless surprise! On his first day on the job at an army surplus store, poor Freddy unwittingly releases nerve gas from a secret U.S. military canister, unleashing an unbelievable terror. The gas re-animates a corps of corpses, who arise from their graves with a ravenous hunger for human brains! And luckily for those carnivorous cadavers, there is a group of partying teens nearby, just waiting to be eaten!

Customer Reviews:

Old School Zombie Goodness...Buy This..........2007-09-16

I've alway's enjoyed this movie. In fact I put it into the catagory of my "cable classics" as I was too young to see it when it hit the theaters. The combination of carnage, boobies, and gore based humor was awsome at the time and still stands up to this day although the wardrobe and some of the slang dates it.

I'll preface this by saying that I've got the DVD version that came out in 2002, and that was great. I was very happy at it's special features at the time. This edition is great in it's own right. I won't expound on the features carried over from the first DVD offering, so if you want to hear about that go to one of the other reviews.

New Special Features include:

1. The first new feature is a great retrospective with a good many of the cast and crew. Great fun seening what they look like now and how they view the film in retrospect. I'd liked to have seen more, but it was well done.

2. The second new feature is a really cool documentery about the status of horror in the 1980's which interviews quite a few prominent film directors about thier experiences of making horror films in the '80s. Almost worth the price of the DVD by itself.

3. Commentary by some of the cast and crew. Loads of fun until someone decides to impersonate a zombie. That gets old really fast, but thankfully the commentaters cut it short (although not early enough for my taste, as I feel we've missed out on some info, but we'll never know). Otherwise it's very fun hearing the various cast members relate their experiences from the filming and reactions from the public even years later.

To address a few things I've seen online about this version:

1. Yes, the cover artwork isn't great, but that's just the cardboard slipcover; which is forgivable given the rest. The actual DVD wrap art is sweet and worthy. Additionally, the cardboard slipcover is glow in the dark, which I've submitted a photo of to Amazon, although I don't know if they will publish it.

2. I can't speak to earlier comments about the soundtrack and over dubbing. I've never watched the movie on VHS, and only have vague, but fond memories of seeing it on cable as a young lad. You'll have to make up your own mind as to whether this affects the viewing experience for yourself.

3. The Zombie audio track. I didn't bother listening to this, and feel a bit bad about writing a review of the DVD without doing so, but if it's anything like the zombie intrusion on the cast track I can live with that.

All in all this is the superior of the DVD releases for this film. If you have not seen this Zombie movie, then you really owe it to yourself to add it to your collction, and if you own the original release and love the film, then it will enlighten you to a few more aspects and broaden the experience which will be worth the double dip.

My only real disappointment is that they did not include the full interviews with the cast and crew used for the retrospective feature as a bonus feature. That would have been a boon and I suspect a lot of fun. Otherwise it's a great package.

Either way, if you are a zombie movie lover you should definately own this film.

P.S. Send more paramedics, send more cops!

My favorite zombie film, with one minor complaint..........2007-09-14

I'll get the complaint out of the way first... THE EDITED SOUNDTRACK! I know it seems minor, and compared to what Warner Bros. did to Part II, it's miniscule, but I'm still kind of irked that MGM can't seem to correct the soundtrack from their original DVD release. This IS, after all, one of my favorite movie soundtracks ever. It only happens in three scenes, and two of them are just shortened. The only one that's actually replaced is 'The Damned' - 'Dead Beat Dance', that originally played in the scene when the group is going to pick up Freddy... Why they edited and replaced some songs, I have no idea. Possibly something to do with the rights. So I'm glad 'Return of the Living Dead' was one of the few VHS's I didn't sell... Wish I could say the same about Part II. Although the sequel is nowhere NEAR as clever or horrifying...

SPOILERS

Still, the movie remains the classic it was in '84. I'll give a brief plot synopsis. Freddy is being given the rundown on life in the MEDICAL SUPPLY WAREHOUSE business (the back of the package says it's an Army surplus store) by his boss, Frank. The two unwittingly unleash a toxic chemical developed by the Army that causes the dead to become reanimated. On their way to pick up Freddy from his first day on the job, his punk-rock friends decide to stop off in the loacal cemetary and the horror ensues, especially when our would-be victims discover that these zombies are a little harder to kill then the ones George Romero cooked up in his classic 'Night of the Living Dead', of which this might be considered a very loose spin-off... Along with some GREAT tombstone action from Linnea Quigley, there's also a fair deal of humor along the way, but I gotta admit... This movie still gives me chills. Far more so than any other zombie movies, with the exception of Romero's films. The zombie interrogation scene, where the zombie explains that it hurts to be dead, and you can feel yourself rot... I mean, just the IDEA of that STILL creeps me out. Although the reaction to this from Spider always gets a laugh out of me. Also, the ending is pretty chilling. The Army's "plan" is classic, and in a way, coldly realistic.

The cast and characters are excellent. Everybody in the film hands in a memorable performance. I really love Clu Gulager in this. I mean, his portrayal of the average middle-aged joe, with that old members-only jacket and everything (Did anyone else's dad used to wear that? Besides Al Bundy, I mean...), suddenly cast into this incredible situation is a sight to behold. I think the rest of the cast is just as great, but he makes this working-class guy so memorable.

The picture and audio of the DVD and all that stuff is perfect. I already had the other DVD, but I got this one hoping the soundtrack would be corrected, but I gotta say the two featurettes more than justified it. I'm glad they were able to get interviews with so many of the cast members. Anyway, I first saw the film probably about fifteen years ago, I've seen it numerous times since then, and it's still one of the funnest horror flicks I've ever seen. Definately in my top 5.

Save your money!.......2007-09-12

If you never seen Return of the Living Dead in your whole life, then get this. Most likely your going to enjoy it. I'll give a brief summary to those who haven't seen this. It combines the zombie thriller with some mild comedy. Its very serious but has its comedic side. Two workers tamper with a canister that contains a chemical which brings the dead to life. The dead then begin to feast on the living, by eating their brains. A group of teenagers have their night of partying in a cemetary turned into a nightmare. They spend most of the night trying to survive with the help of a couple of others. Its a very good movie with a pretty good soundtrack. Like I said, if you never seen it before then you'll most likely enjoy it.

Now the part I really want to hit. I'm sick to death of amazon allowing people to review and rate an item, whether its high or low before it even comes out. It can be so misleading. This has gotten way out of hand. And getting worse as of late. These first three reviews couldn't be anymore off. The same alterations on the first movie, still exist here! Such as shortened songs(Franks cremation), songs playing late(when they escape the tar zombie), and the zombie who orders to send more cops. Still does not have the original voice!

The extras are a waste of time to me. They consist of commentary, trailers, to this movie and for some dumb reason jeepers creepers 1&2. And hidden in the special features. There is an icon the shape of a red brain. If you scroll up you will hit this. This is the "zombies thought" option. This option allows you to read the zombies thoughts in a green text located in the bottom of the screen. Basically when the zombies are not talking, this subtitle will pop in every single zombie scene. Literally expressing their thoughts. This could have been cool and added a new sense of creepiness. But they kill it by adding lines such as, "brains are good, but could use more ketchup though". The scene with the paramedics heading to the van, "I got dibs on the one on the left","lets party", "being a cadaver sucks". Or something stupid to that effect. It even went so far to give the split dog some dialogue. The chopped up body inside the bags was still dishin' out ridiculous thoughts. Some funny but then eventually I was thinking. Who's dumb idea was this? It just got to the point I had to shut it off because it really didn't add nothing to the movie. I mean, I just don't believe zombies would say s*** like that.

If you already have this movie, then I recommend not wasting your money. Your buying the same thing twice. But then again its your cash, if you really need this widescreen or your just curious then pick it up. Personally, I feel like I wasted my money.

Edit; 9-13-07
I don't want to confuse any potential buyers in the slighest. It appears by the comments that were left. Some things were left out. So I'll address these questions openly.

If you seen ROTLD and liked or loved it but don't own it. Either on DVD or VHS then of course you should get it, if you don't have it. Especially if you loved it. I love the movie in its original form. Not this right here, thus my 2 star rating! No there is no extended version. Its the exact same movie from the original DVD format. If you never seen this on vhs then you won't exactly understand the differences. Fans of the original will know what I'm talking about. Some may feel its nitpicking but I don't care. And many others don't care if its nitpicking. Thats the way the movie is suppose to be.

A MAJOR MOMENT in MODERN HORROR CINEMA!!!!.......2007-09-02

Although it is overlooked by many horror fans, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD is a very important film for it updates the "zombie movie" into a fully mature sub-genre inside horror cinema. We all know Romero's great trilogy NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, DAWN OF THE DEAD and DAY OF THE DEAD. These were great films for they were the true beginning of the "zombie movie". But in the 80's, the zombies lost terrain to the slasher movies (in the FRIDAY THE 13th tradition) and more compeling villains (in the Fred Krueger tradition).

Being a zombie fan, O'Bannon knew that the zombies needed an updating. This is why RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD is so important: it brought the zombies into the 80's character/action oriented horror films. With this thought, he wrote a great screenplay that rewrote the "zombie genesis". So, in this film, the zombies of George A. Romero are refered as a mild version of something that was really true: a chemical accident in India that ended as an Army cover-up operation; and the Romero's zombies just a way of putting it into films without being bothered by the U.S. Army.

Having established that point, O'Bannon introduces us to the REAL zombies: living dead that talk and move (they run!) just as living people do. They are extremely dangerous because they are not those dumb slow-moving zombies people used to walk through (like in the Romero's films). They are also intelligent as they devise ways of getting what they want - brains. And this is where O'Bannon makes a new wonderful twist: the zombies do not die by destroying their brains (for they are already dead and the brain has nothing to do with it). Instead it is the zombies who try to eat living brains!

Having said that, it is also important to point that the screenplay is a beautiful piece of cinematic storytelling for two reasons. FIRST because the whole story works flawlessly in the sense that the inicial incident, the characters' actions and the consequences are very well constructed. SECOND because the story weaves a sense of loneliness and confinement (I am talking about the way they treat the narrative space in relation to the story) that works wonders with the characters and what happens with them (this treatment of space echoes Romero's masterpiece DAWN OF THE DEAD).
The ending is great (so great that the sequels didn't touch it)and the soundtrack is very good. The actors are well cast and the film boasts a lot of dry humour.

The extras in this DVD special edition are fine and they show that a good edition of a film who's by now more that 20 years old is a matter of wanting it. Congratulations to MGM! RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD is not the best horror movie ever, but inside the zombie sub-genre it is one of the best things ever made. Scarry and fun!

The only flaw (for me) in this movie is a female zombie who speaks without lips. I never found it credible.
But who cares!?!?!?

Finally a collectors edition, but whats included?.......2007-08-24

Return of the Living Dead finally gets a Collectors Edition release on September 11th 2007 but whats included?

Here is what you will get with the special collector's edition: (Yes WIDESCREEN is included)

- Cast, crew and undead commentary
- "Remembering The Dead: Cast Recollections" featurette
- "From The Underground: The Rise of Horror in the 80s" featurette
- Zombie subtitle stream

Also:

- Run Time: 114 minutes (Could this contain the previously unreleased workprint material?)
- Rating: R
- Audio: Dolby Stereo 2.0 / Spanish Mono / French Stereo
- Screen Format: Widescreen
- Subtitles: English / Spanish
- CC: Yes

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains!

Average customer rating:

Dead Alive
fast & speedy service
All of the above and more!
Bloodsoaked Blender
Whoa ... That was weird ... but I like zombies

Dead Alive
Starring: Timothy Balme , Jed Brophy , Stuart Devenie , Silvio Fumularo , and Murray Keane
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 157362408X
Release Date: 1998-09-09

Amazon.com essential video

If you're not a connoisseur of graphic horror and gruesome gore, you'd better steer clear of this wicked 1992 horror-comedy from the demented mind and delirious camera of New Zealand-born writer-director Peter Jackson. However, if nonstop mayhem and extreme violence are your idea of great entertainment, you're sure to appreciate Jackson's gleefully inventive approach to a story that can judiciously be described as sick, twisted, and totally outrageous. The movie's central character is a poor schmuck named Lionel who's practically enslaved to his domineering mother. But when ol' Mum gets bitten by a rare and poisonous rat monkey from Skull Island and is turned into a flesh-eating zombie, Lionel has the unfortunate task of keeping Mama happy while fending off all the other zombies that result from her voracious feeding frenzies. If you've read this far, you'll either be crying out for censorship or eagerly awaiting your first viewing (or second, or third...) of this wildly clever and audaciously uninhibited movie. And while director Jackson would later achieve critical success with his fact-based drama Heavenly Creatures, his talent is readily evident in this earlier effort. If you find this kind of thing even remotely appealing, consider Dead Alive a must-see movie. --Jeff Shannon

Amazon.com

Peter Jackson proves that if gory is funny, then excessive gory is downright hysterical. As our hapless hero wades through an ankle-deep puddle of blood and entrails, brandishing a lawnmower like a portable Cuisinart at the climax of this zombie-fest, you'll either be screaming with laughter or fleeing in disgust. Timothy Balme stars as the shy mama's boy Lionel, whose controlling shrew of a mother (Elizabeth Moody) starts rotting away, literally, with a vague supernatural disease. Mother dies but refuses to stay down, rising as a flesh-eating zombie infecting everyone she bites. Lionel tries to hide her in the basement, but the victims keep piling up and finally break out when Lionel's blackmailing uncle (a grotesque, leering Ian Watkin) throws a party in the house. It's snack time as the guests become undead hors d'oeuvres and rise again as hungry soldiers of the new zombie army marching on Lionel and his girl Pacquita (the lovely Diana Penalver). New Zealand goremeister Jackson pulls out all stops in this truly outrageous sanguinary comedy, from gross-out gags of oozing puss and rotting body parts at a formal dinner to slapstick antics as Lionel tries to keep his flesh-hungry mother sedated during the funeral to the final Freudian showdown between a now-monstrous mother and the newly liberated Lionel. If you like your horror with a sense of humor or your comedy with gristle, then wade through this taboo-busting bucket of blood. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

Dead Alive.......2007-09-11

It has squirting blood, romance and reanimated corpses. There's nothing more I could want from this film.

fast & speedy service.......2007-09-09

simple and sweet, i saw a product that i wanted...checked out the distributors info and reviews...saw what i liked as well as the price and ordered it...it came to me no sooner than two days after i ordered it...received the product and enjoyed it...thank you

All of the above and more!.......2007-09-03

For once, a movie that actually lived up to the hype! "Dead Alive" is everything you've heard and then some. Whether you like this or not will be determined by how much you love the genre (not to mention your threshold for gore). The blood and violence is so far over the top you can't see the top without a telescope, but it's balanced nicely by the underlying tale of two souls trying to make a relationship work amid zombie attacks, greedy relatives, and the most dysfunctional mum/son relationship ever. Check it out (if you've got the nerve and/or gag control).

Bloodsoaked Blender.......2007-07-25

There are alot of kitchen and yard tools to be used as weapons against the dark arts of rampant zombies. The action starts at the beginning when a man dies for being bitten by a rat monkey of tribal tyranny. The rat monkey is transported to a city zoo and causes havoc among his captive peers, only to eventually chew on a smitten mother of the ongoing hero of the story. She in turn, kills it with her vengeance. The rat monkey's chomp, however, causes a relay of gore galore in this techo wonder visual feast for spewing blood, and decapitation. Both Lionel, a likeable character striken by his mother's possesive love, and his girl Pacquita make the bond work during this entire movie through all the utter gore. It is a combination slice and dice pizza of THE EVIL DEAD meets DAWN OF THE DEAD with the title actor filling in for the comical liabilites that were once bestowed to Bruce Campbell. Definitely worth a look through for those ready for this type of festive blood gore ultra party.
(NOT FOR THE LITTLE ONES BEFORE BEDTIME).

Whoa ... That was weird ... but I like zombies.......2007-07-17

I wanted to love this movie but didn't ... but I did like it. I liked the concept of a guy in a tough spot, trying to keep his zombie "family" a secret while managing a new girlfriend and maintaining a "normal" life. I liked it for the gore and the zombies that didn't look like actors with white (or blue) face makeup (pretty good fx). Heck, I even liked it for the Skull Island reference (to be resurrected later by director Peter Jackson in King Kong and a set for LOTR). Plus, it was a period piece ... which you don't often find in zombie films. ;)

But it went overboard and just got ridiculous. There are examples of zombie films that are funny without being just silly (Return of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead, etc). The main character (Lionel) being attacked by personified intestines, and his interactions with the incessantly giggling zombie baby were ... well ... just stupid and unfortunately neither really funny or scary. The final straw was the return of the mother at the end who had now become something that didn't make much sense.

Overall, tread carefully and know what you're getting into. If you expect a zombie movie sprinkled with humor, you may be disappointed. This is a splatter film that tries to find comedy but more often than not misses the point and hits the zombie-gore version of a fart joke ... which is not altogether a bad thing ... thus the rating of 4 (closer to a 3.5).

Baby Einstein - Baby Da Vinci - From Head to Toe

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Grandchildren love this
Educational
Baby Da Vinci, Just Marvelous
Baby Da Vinci
Daughter likes it !

Baby Einstein - Baby Da Vinci - From Head to Toe
Starring: Baby Einstein
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00024I2VI
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Product Description

The Baby da Vinci From Head to Toe DVD gives your child a playful and engaging introduction to the human body in three languages. With Baby da Vinci From Head to Toe, your little one will go on an interactive, musical journey from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. Your child will learn to identify her different parts of her body, and also discover each of her five senses . . . in Spanish, English and French! Brightly colored toys, real-world images and fun-loving puppet shows highlight this engaging exploration.The Baby da Vinci From Head to Toe DVD features a cast of playful animal puppets - an owl, monkey, rabbit, hippo, elephant, and duck - each of whom host one of eight engaging vignettes focused on a different part of the body. Your little one will learn eyes, ears, mouth, nose, face, hands, feet and body. Plus, your child will be able to sing along with the favorite song, ?Ç£Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.?Ç¥This unique and interactive title also features the music of master composers Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel, creating a multi-sensory learning experience for parents, babies and toddlers. DVD Features:* Repeat Play* Discovery Cards* The Five Senses* Puppet Shows* Story Time with Mimi's Toes* Baby da Vinci Toy ChestAge: 9 months +Awards:* Parenting Magazine - Parenting Mom Tested! Video of the Year (2004)* Parents' Choice Parents' Choice Approved (2005)* The Dove Foundation Family Approved Seal* National Parenting Seal of Approval

Amazon.com

Expressive faces and the exploration of arms, legs, and other body parts simply fascinate babies and toddlers. From Head to Toe focuses in on eyes, ears, hands, and other appendages with rapidly changing, close-up photography of real-life children alternating with puppetry, toys, animals, and sculptures and paintings by famous artists. Accompanying the vivid images are whimsical versions of classical pieces by famous composers like Bach, Handel, and Corelli, made kid-friendly by the "Music Box Orchestra," as well as the traditional "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." Baby Einstein videos are famous for this tried-and-true format that appeals to the limited attention span of very young viewers while encouraging cognitive development--the visual mix and pace in this presentation are especially effective. DVD features include language tracks in English, Spanish, and French; pictorial discovery cards with written and spoken words; an exploration of the five senses; puppet segments excerpted from the show; a read-aloud version of the book Mimi's Toes; and a listing of featured toys. (Ages 9 to 36 months) --Tami Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Grandchildren love this.......2007-08-23

My 20 month old grandson loves the Baby Einstein Videos. My son takes a portable cd player to restaurants and while they are eating, he watches the videos and does not annoy everyone around them. While I baby sit, I don't have to be afraid of inappropriate tv viewing. I think they learn words, colors, and an appreciation of good music.

Educational.......2007-06-09

I have to admit the Baby Einstein movies are a little brain-numbing for adults, but after a recommendation from a friend I purchased this one. I don't much care to watch it but my 17-month old, who won't sit still for 1 minute, sits through this video. After only watching it three times she knew all of the body parts they go through in this movie. I'd highly recommend it. Even my 5-year old seems to like it.

Baby Da Vinci, Just Marvelous.......2007-06-03

Baby Einstein is a wonderful new line of videos to help aid in your child's development. Get them off to a very good start with these videos, and this special one, Baby Da Vinci. Get them well on the way to a successful future now! Don't wait!

Baby Da Vinci.......2007-05-22

Of the six Baby Einstein DVDs that I own (the others being Mozart, Bach, Galileo, Monet, and Van Gogh) this one is arguably the most educational. It correlates pictures of various body parts (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, face, hands, feet) with the appropriate word in 3 languages, and my 10-month old daughter enjoys watching it. The puppet work is alright, although not as good as the puppet work in Baby Monet. In the bonus material, the story about the monkey getting a bath is a nice touch. Unfortunately, there is a part on the Spanish track when the woman says "el agua es tibia", instead of "el agua está tibia". This is a blatant error in Spanish; the difference between the verbs "ser" and "estar" is one of the first things taught in the first year of high school Spanish. Indeed, the entire story is a very poor translation of the English track; it sounds as if someone who doesn't know Spanish translated each word individually using a dictionary.

Daughter likes it !.......2007-04-07

This is our #2 favorite Baby Einstein tapes/DVD. Daughter likes to follow along but does not absorb it all like our #1 pick "wordsworth" but it is good enough.

Frankenstein (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series)

Average customer rating:

STILL HOLDS IT'S OWN! KARLOFF IS AMAZING!
Still impressive
Can a 75 Year Old Black And White Film Still Entertain? Yes!!!!
Warning Against Weird Science
Frankenstein (1931)

Frankenstein (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series)
Starring: Colin Clive , Mae Clarke , John Boles , Boris Karloff , and Edward Van Sloan
Director: James Whale
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GPIPT2
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Amazon.com essential video

"It's alive! Alive!" shouts Colin Clive's triumphant Dr. Frankenstein as electricity buzzes over the hulking body of a revived corpse. "In the name of God now I know what it's like to be God!" For years unheard, this line has been restored, along with the legendary scene of the childlike monster tossing a little girl into a lake, in James Whale's Frankenstein, one of the most famous and influential horror movies ever made. Coming off the tremendous success of Dracula, Universal assigned sophomore director Whale to helm an adaptation of Mary Shelley's famous novel with Bela Lugosi as the monster. When Lugosi declined the role, Whale cast the largely unknown character actor Boris Karloff and together with makeup designer Jack Pierce they created the most memorable monster in movie history: a towering, lumbering creature with sunken eyes, a flat head, and a jagged scar running down his forehead. Whale and Karloff made this mute, misunderstood brute, who has the brain of a madman (the most obvious of the many liberties taken with Shelley's story), the most pitiable freak of nature to stumble across the screen. Clive's Dr. Frankenstein is intense and twitchy and Dwight Frye set the standard for mad-scientist sidekicks as the wild-eyed hunchback assistant. Whale's later films, notably the spooky spoof The Old Dark House and the deliriously stylized sequel The Bride of Frankenstein, display a surer cinematic hand than seen here and add a subversive twist of black comedy, but given the restraints of early sound films, Whale breaks the film free from static stillness and adorns it with striking design and expressionist flourishes. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

STILL HOLDS IT'S OWN! KARLOFF IS AMAZING!.......2007-08-17

One of the greatest horror movies ever made! I know Dracula came out first, but that is a much more subtle horror film than the "maniac monster on the loose" of "Frankenstein"! This film gives us the definitive Mad Doctor,Evil Assistant and Monster! Clive,Frye and Sloan give brilliant performances, but it is Karloff's genius performance that has kept this movie in the top 100 all time greatest films for eternity! Playing his part of the misunderstood undead being with pathos added so much to this picture, that can not be summed up in words. It is just a marvelous performance! I love the sequel "The Bride Of Frankenstein" but this one is better IMHO. I wanted my 500th review to be special and this film changed my life! I was a monster kid from the first time I saw this movie. The film has been released on DVD 3 times and this review is for the 75th anniversay edition. The DVD transfer is excellent, but not perfect. I didn't think the audio was anything special, but what can you expect for a film celebrating 75 years! If you don't own any versions, buy the 75th anniversary edition, Otherwise wait for HD! Unless you a monster nut like me and buy it 4 times! once on VHS and 3 times on DVD!

Still impressive.......2007-08-08

James Whale's film, based on Mary Shelley's classic novel "Frankenstein," was produced at Universal in 1931 as a follow-up to the immensely successful "Dracula." Even more than the Bela Lugosi shocker, Frankenstein created a sensation in its day, terrifying audiences in ways that no film had done before. Now, of course, "Frankenstein" is so tame it could even be recommended viewing for children, a group that would have been warned to avoid the film in its original release, although the scene (once deleted, but now restored) in which the Monster throws a little girl into a pond, may give them a nightmare or two.

"Frankenstein" is no longer frightening, but it remains impressive, and its story of a scientist who dared to imitate God is as timely as ever. Even now, in this age of computer generated special effects, Jack Pierce's stunning makeup has never been equaled or duplicated. When Boris Karloff makes his first entrance as the Monster, he still inspires awe rather than snickers. Kenneth Strickfaden's striking laboratory sets are still a sight to behold, and were used again in Mel Brooks' send-up, "Young Frankenstein," 43 years later.

But it is the performances that really transcend time. Colin Clive as the nerve frayed doctor is outstanding, as is Dwight Frye as his hunchbacked assistant Fritz (often mistakenly referred to as Ygor, the role played by Lugosi in the second sequel, 1939's "Son of Frankenstein"). Best of all is Karloff in his star-making portrayal of the Monster. It would have been easy to play the role as a lumbering idiot, but Karloff's humanity comes through to make this soulless creature an object of sympathy instead of horror.

One of the most important and influential films in cinema history, "Frankenstein" is essential viewing.

Brian W. Fairbanks

Can a 75 Year Old Black And White Film Still Entertain? Yes!!!!.......2007-07-26

Though the original FRANKENSTEIN is not particularly scary to a modern viewer and is more inspired by Mary Shelley's groundbreaking gothic novel than true to it this classic film is still very worth seeing. Boris Karloff has no dialogue beyond a growl as the monster yet with marvelous makeup and expressive eyes we actually find sympathy with Frankenstein's poor addled creation. Karloff's portrayal and its clones are the monster we envision when we hear the word Frankenstein. The scene with Maria (the little girl playing with the daisies) is restored to what director Whale originally intended and in this context we see the incident as a pathetic accident rather than just a mindless killing. I kept waiting for the scene with the monster and the blind man but that occurs in the also worthy sequel BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. This is a short film of a little more than an hour and a must see for anyone interested in the history of film or the horror genre.

Warning Against Weird Science.......2007-06-26

This 'Revised Version' film begins with a burial. The grave is filled in. Two men dig up the coffin in the now empty graveyard. Then they cut down a hanged man; but this body is useless. A medical school compares the brains of an intelligent man to a foul criminal. Will the servant pick the right brain for Dr. Henry Frankenstein? Is he testing the boundaries of science and sanity? Frankenstein's fiancee worries about Henry. His teacher Dr. Waldman explains the problem with Henry - he wants to experiment on humans! Is this excessive optimism of megalomania? [There is no explanation why a new brain is needed for a body. Unless its for dramatic purposes.] The visitors arrive unexpectedly. "Crazy am I? We'll see tonight." Frankenstein discovered a new ray that gives life! The storm will generate enough electricity to power the experiment. "Its alive!"

Herr Vogel the Burgomeister visits Baron Frankenstein to ask about the scheduled marriage. Why is Henry waiting? The teacher warns Henry about what can happen. The monster makes a dramatic entrance. [They used short sleeves to suggest extra long arms.] The monster has a fear of flames. Fritz teases the monster one time too many. The plan to kill the monster fails. Dr. Waldman's plan to terminate the monster fails. So now the monster runs loose! Meanwhile the preparations for the marriage creates happiness in the village. Young Maria meets the monster, things go terribly wrong! Henry's bride has a premonition that something will go wrong. The monster is near. Maria's father asks for justice. The villagers go out to search for the monster. [They are not armed! How will they stop the monster?] Herr Frankenstein finds the monster. Will the villagers get there in time? The monster seeks refuge in an old windmill. The villagers add lighting. [The unnamed actor give life to the monster's death.] There seems like a happy ending for the Frankensteins.

The story of a man-made monster terrorizing the country must have resonated with people during the Great Depression. A number of sequels were filmed with other monsters: vampires, and wolfmen. Then they ended by 1945. Future horror films would use other creatures.

Frankenstein (1931).......2007-06-20

One of the greatest horror films of all time, James Whale's "Frankenstein" veers broadly from Mary Shelley's original story while retaining its specifically tragic aspect. The ghoul-faced Karloff, without a word of dialogue here, gives a lumbering performance that is both creepy and achingly sympathetic--especially in the famous scene with a young girl (Marilyn Harris) picking a flower for him. Herman Rosse's fabulous sets and Whale's meticulous handling of atmosphere and the monster's appearance elevate this eerie study of alienation and scientific hubris far above the campier creature features that followed. Juice up your neck bolts for "Frankenstein." Universal's reissue of this monster classic brings horror fans more background information on the making of the movie, and rare interviews with its cast. The new documentary "Karloff: The Gentle Monster" pays tribute to the actor whose forty year screen career was made by this monster. A must-see for serious Frankenphiles, and a title worthy of revisiting.

Average customer rating:

This movie is dumb.
rabbitwhisperer
Being John Malcovich
Excellent - in all areas
Incredible original story.

Being John Malkovich
Starring: Orson Bean , Ned Bellamy , W. Earl Brown , Kevin Carroll , and John Cusack
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00007AJF8
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Amazon.com essential video

While too many movies suffer the fate of creative bankruptcy, Being John Malkovich is a refreshing study in contrast, so bracingly original that you'll want to send director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman a thank-you note for restoring your faith in the enchantment of film. Even if it ultimately serves little purpose beyond the thrill of comedic invention, this demented romance is gloriously entertaining, spilling over with ideas that tickle the brain and even touch the heart. That's to be expected in a movie that dares to ponder the existential dilemma of a forlorn puppeteer (John Cusack) who discovers a metaphysical portal into the brain of actor John Malkovich.

The puppeteer's working as a file clerk on the seventh-and-a-half floor of a Manhattan office building; this idea alone might serve as the comedic basis for an entire film, but Jonze and Kaufman are just getting started. Add a devious coworker (Catherine Keener), Cusack's dowdy wife (a barely recognizable Cameron Diaz), and a business scheme to capitalize on the thrill of being John Malkovich, and you've got a movie that just gets crazier as it plays by its own outrageous rules. Malkovich himself is the film's pièce de résistance, riffing on his own persona with obvious delight and--when he enters his own brain via the portal--appearing with multiple versions of himself in a tour-de-force use of digital trickery. Does it add up to much? Not really. But for 112 liberating minutes, Being John Malkovich is a wild place to visit. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

This movie is dumb........2007-08-19

After viewing it for myself, I feel that most of the comments made about the movie are seriously misleading (The good reviews were the reason that I purchased the movie in the first place). There are some aspects of the movie that I consider well thought out and interesting, but the movie itself falls short of all the "ingenious, original, modern masterpiece" nonsense that is said about it. During the first half of the movie, my expectations were high that this was going to turn out to be an offbeat indie movie comparable to the works of Michel Gondry . . . . that is not the case at all.
The beginning of the movie, like I said before seemed promising. . . . the main character is an unemployed puppeteer who is truly gifted with creative genius in his art. Unfortunately for him, his line of work is a dying breed and because he is a nameless no one, he lives his life in obscurity, giving performances on street corners, which even there are not well received. Based on a suggestion by his wife (an eccentric sort herself, with numerous pets to compensate for lack thereof of children), he seeks employment. The only appealing job he finds remotely related to his line of work, is a job as a filing clerk, requiring someone with nimble hands. His new job is found on the 7 1/2 floor of an office building, where the ceilings are so low that workers have to hunch over in order to walk around it.

After dropping a file behind a cabinet, he accidental discovers a portal into the mind of John Malkovich. He crawls down it and finds that he can now see through the eyes of John, becoming him for 15 minutes. After which, he is flung out of the portal and is thrown into a ditch along the Jersey Turnpike. He and another coworker (a love interest for both him and his wife) quickly decide to use this discovery to make fast cash and market the portal as a sort of theme-park ride for individuals willing to pay out 200 dollars to go through the tunnel.

The plot takes a serious nosedive after this point. The remaining times that the main character or his wife go through the portal to be john Malkovich are basically for the sake of having sex with the main character's coworker in an out of body experience. . . which I thought was a disappointing turn in what could have been an otherwise very good movie. . . . Am I the only one that doesn't find it appealing to watch this kind of crap?

I don't understand how this can even remotely be considered a work of cinematic art. It uses sex, like so many other shallow movies, to cover up the empty space between the beginning and end of the movie to hold over the viewers interest and disguise a lack of substance in a poorly developed point in the plot.

The climax of the movie displays some of the same creative qualities that I found appealing in the introduction, but overall it just left me just hoping it would hurry up and end. . . . . . Needless to say I will not be watching this movie again anytime soon.

rabbitwhisperer.......2007-07-21

Funny, Inventive, and asks the cosmic question of what if we could be somebody else.

Being John Malcovich.......2007-07-11

This strangely inventive surrealistic comedy was the inaugural collaboration between onetime music-video director Jonze and talented screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. With such a bizarre concept, this film could have sent audiences home scratching their own noggins, but Cusack, Keener, and an unrecognizable Diaz have a bright, wonderful chemistry that shines through all the head-trippiness. And who can deny that Malkovich, normally such a priggish presence, doesn't have a devilish sense of humor, especially in a hilarious scene where he enters his own head and freaks out? Clever, inspired, and extremely funny, "Malkovich" is cinema-as-funhouse-mirror, and the effect is dizzying.

Excellent - in all areas.......2007-07-01

A great original film which shows the potential once again of an independent production. The photography and the writing were exceptionally well done. I've revisited this film at least 10 times.

Incredible original story........2007-06-16

This film is a modern masterpiece, an original idea that has no rival. Genius in film making. That being said it was damn funny too. Who would have thought that you could base an entire movie around John Malkovich. The ; "in your own head scene" was the funniest thing I've seen in years. Great movie definitely recommend. Call my agent, From now on out its all puppets.

Average customer rating:

gore/comedy
I like it Spooky!
BRAAAAIIIIINS!!!!!!
Classic funny scary movie
Great

The Return of the Living Dead
Starring: David Bond , Don Calfa , Cathleen Cordell , James Dalesandro , and Drew Deighan
Director: Dan O'Bannon
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000068IEV
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Amazon.com

"Do ya wanna party?" challenges the soundtrack to this freaky and funny reworking of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Paced to the beat of a pounding rock score, this comic flesh feast delivers both laughs and outlandish gore. No longer lumbering, moaning creatures, these lithe, feral, and cunning undead claw their way out of the cemetery and into the skulls of a human smorgasbord. They even master the art of home delivery: "Send more cops," croaks a corpse into a patrol car radio. Director Dan O'Bannon even takes pains to explain their motivation between the tributes to the granddaddy of zombie horrors ("Well, it worked in the movie!" screams James Karen when a pickax to the skull hardly phases a lively cadaver). Not that it really matters amid the gore and gallows humor, but it does add a kick to the cynically sinister climax. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Customer Reviews:

gore/comedy.......2007-08-06

Awesome movie for any fan of horror/comedy. Just don't fool your self into thinking that 2, 3, 4 or 5 are ANY better than the 1st and original.

I like it Spooky!.......2007-07-22

this soundtrack is just as awesome as the movie. i especially love "make love til we die". if you love the movie, you'll love the soundtrack!

BRAAAAIIIIINS!!!!!!.......2007-07-03

Oh my lord, I watch this movie once a week. It's so bad!!!!! I am so in love though. I love the cheese factor, it is by far my favorite 80's horror movie. The make-up is so weak, but there's 3 awesome looking zombies in it. You'll laugh a lot, I promise. The acting is just as horrible as the zombie make-up. The special effects will make your bladder bust from laughing so hard. Yay, I think I'll go watch it now.

Classic funny scary movie.......2007-06-27

You can nearly anticipate everything happening in this movie, but its still a good one to see. The makeup and effects are no where near as good as they are today, but still this is one worth watching.

Great.......2007-06-17

This is definitely among the best five horror films made in the 80's. It isn't really the best at anything: there are certainly movies with more gore, more scares, more comedy, even more nudity. But this film pulls everything together very well, has ample gore, scares, etc., and most importantly produces a very good atmosphere for everything to happen in. From beginning to end, the atmosphere and sets of this movie are great for the horror genre, and the tension keeps building throughout the movie. (though Tarman--played by Allan Trautman--was certainly a very high point in the middle).

I never really bought Matthews and Randolph (Freddy and Tina) as people that would hang out with punk-loving... well... punks. But apart from that small issue, the characters are great. Gulager, Calfa, and Karen, (Burt, Ernie, Frank) all give mature, straight performances, which provides a great foundation for the horror elements to be built on. The other actors also fill their rules well--not that there are deep character explorations here, but the characters are certainly good for a horror flick. Quigley and Venturini (Trash and Suicide) in particular come across well, though I think the whole cast holds it own well enough. Maybe two exceptions would be Terry (the Colonel) and his wife, whose performances I thought were lacking, though they were both very short.

This film had a lot of memorable lines, and a lot of memorable gags, as well. The split dog, the pickaxe to the back of the head, the captured female zombie, the request for more paramedics... lots of stuff here that is not just good, but also memorable. O'Bannon also enjoyed cramming scenes with all sorts of stuff in the background, to make the scenes at once more believable and more interesting. Some of the jokes in the film are also sort of comical, like having two friends named Burt and Ernie in a horror film (and one is a mortician).

Definitely a movie that any horror fan should see. And even if you don't really like horror films, you still might want to give it a shot.

Average customer rating:

Go towards the light
DVD release!!!!!!! Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!!
The special edition DVD is still coming!!
A five star bad movie
My patience FINALLY rewarded with...a FULL-SCREEN DVD?!?

The Dark Backward (Special Edition)
Starring: Tanya Banks , Anna Berger , Lara Flynn Boyle , Lydell M. Cheshier , and Claudia Christian
Director: Adam Rifkin
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B000AM4PPE
Release Date: 2007-08-21

Amazon.com

Further riffing on the trashy settings made popular by Repo Man and Street Trash in cult cinema, The Dark Backward stars two garbage men whose attempts at celebrity land them in even more pathetic territory. Director Adam Rifkin's (Detroit Rock City) first film, The Dark Backward, makes revolting comedy out of its carnivalesque plot, in which Marty Malt (Judd Nelson), a garbage man turned second-rate comedian grows an arm out of his back, thereby guaranteeing him a space in show business for freak show inflected stand-up comedy appearances. Cohort, Gus (Bill Paxton), meanwhile, secures him a Vegas-style talent agent, Jackie Chrome (Wayne Newton), who eventually rounds up real attention from bigwig Hollywood man, Dirk Delta (Rob Lowe). The fabulously raunchy, John Waters-inspired characters are what rescue this film from utter stupidity. Marty is the consummate spectacle-sporting nerd, as is Dirk Delta, who wears buckteeth to up the sleaze factor, offering a rare glimpse of two Brat Pack studs degraded to abnormal levels. Gus, the accordion-wielding confidant, masters several key scenes in which he licks a corpse at the local dump and eats rotten chicken. Occasionally, Marty's fling, Rosalita (Lara Flynn Boyle), provides visual respite for this otherwise stupendously dirty film. Comedy of this variety is scarce, making this DVD a treasure to those who find abjection hilarious. Additionally, The Dark Backward special edition disc contains "Blump's Squeezable Documentary," starring Rifkin and cast reminiscing about the making of this unusual gem. — Trinie Dalton

Product Description

Garbage man Marty tries his hand at standup comedy, failing miserably until a third arm mysteriously grows from his back. Gus, his accordion player friend, figures out a way to use the new arm and gets them signed with a sleazy talent agent. Just when success seems near, Marty's girlfriend leaves him - can the arm be far behind?

Customer Reviews:

Go towards the light.......2007-09-07

I own many cult DVDs, but this isn't going to be one of them. I rented this several years ago when it came out and again this week to be sure of what I thought. After the second viewing I concluded my first opionion was correct. This movie is boring. The jokes are't that good, and a arm growing out of someone's back is not going to be enough to carry it. Judd Nelson and Bill Paxton are great actors and really try hard to work with what they have or I wouldn't even give it two stars. Want to watch some good unusual SciFi? Rent or buy any of the LEXX series. It is entertaining, funny, morbid, scary, sexy, and everything this movie wishes it could be.

DVD release!!!!!!! Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!! .......2006-11-17

Thank you so much for the upcoming DVD release!! "The Dark Backward" is one of the darkest, most transgressive, brilliant films of the 80s and it has a significant cult reputation. The DVD release is long overdue. I searched endlessly to find my VHS copy and ended up paying a fortune on ebay. I am soooo glad it is finally coming out.

I am an indie film maker myself and I was very influenced by the look and feel of this film, and have watched it over and over. It is beautifully textured and dense with sinister imagery and sound that really gives it an "out there", disturbing feel.

It makes me a bit sad, however. When a film is released to DVD it means it is becoming more a public property for every average joe who doesn't know or respect film and less "our film" (the secret of film buffs who have good taste). Sad, because now its greatness will be diluted and every idiot will rent it, thinking its an Adam Sandler comedy or something, and not understand or appreciate it.

It doesn't matter though, confrontation art is not meant to be understood by a mass audience.

The special edition DVD is still coming!!.......2006-10-20

My name is Mattt Potter I along with director Adam Rifkin put this DVD together. I talked to the manager of DVD Programming and Content yesterday on the phone. She assured me there is no truth to this, that there is no release date even set for it yet. We are still clearing up some licensing issues. The DVD will be in anamorphic wide screen. I know this because Adam supervised the transfer himself. All the supplements will be included with the disc.

Audio Commentary with Director Adam Rifkin, Bill Paxton, Judd Nelson, producer Brad Wyman and Mattt Potter
Arclight 15th Anniversary Q & A with Adam Rifkin, Bill Paxton, Judd Nelson and Brad Wyman
Deleted Scenes
Gagreel
Blumps Squeezable Documentary - Directed by Mattt Potter
Full length color version of the Cat and Mouse Cartoon from the film animated by Family Guys Dan Povenmire
Cannes Film Festival Video Promos starring Judd Nelson and Adam Rifkin
Director Video Intros
Music Video
Trailer

Please don't say things like BOYCOTT this disc. Because misinformation like this spreads very quickly on the internet. And it can affect sales on a disc that we spent a lot of hard time and work on for fans.

But I realize its not your fault that, that department gave you false information. I just want to make certain that everyone knows how important it is for this disc that we squash this as soon as possible.

Thanks! Adam and I hope you dig the disc!

Mattt Potter

A five star bad movie .......2006-09-23

The Dark Backward is a terrific movie in the most offbeat way. The movie takes place in the not too distant future and it is grimey and full of garbage. Judd Nelson is oily. Bill Paxton is filthy. Together they are garbage men hoping for a big break in show business. Paxton is so over the top and positive about the future that he screams it. Nothing good seems to happen to Nelson. James Caan is in this as a wacky doctor. Rob Lowe is great wearing a false nose and talking like Sammy Davis Jr. Mr. Las Vegas Wayne Newton is a main player as talent agent Jackie Chrome. All this and more in a pretty strange movie. It has found an audience and newer VHS copies can go for $80.00. Let's hope the Oct. 3, 2006 date happens. If you like odd movies try this one out. As dark as it is the movie's ending is strangely uplifting.

My patience FINALLY rewarded with...a FULL-SCREEN DVD?!?.......2006-09-08

The Dark Backward is one of those gleefully twisted films that will only appeal to folks with an appropriately mutated sense of humor. Its dark comedy will almost certainly not appeal to those with decidedly mainstream taste...trust me. But, if (like me) you're into v-e-r-y off-beat fare and can handle the sight seeing Bill Paxton participating in arguably the least erotically-charged threesome ever committed to celluloid (oh, my poor eyes! lol!), well...I'd imagine you'd have a blast with this little oddity...as well as want to take a shower immediately after viewing it!

That being said:

Don't buy this upcoming region 1 DVD release. I, for one, am boycotting it (despite the fact that I very much want to add it to my collection) because it's simply inexcusable - not to mention downright insulting - that this film is NOT being released in its proper aspect ratio as an anamorphic widescreen DVD.

Stop the pan-and-scan madness!!! Don't fork over your ca$h for an inferior prduct. Just say NO!!!

Average customer rating:

What a shocker seeing Bruce Campbell in this
ROBERT G DURANT.....in HD DVD rocks the house
superb
Darkman is Swamp Thing on Steroids. Hd dvd features/pic and sound quality below.
Impressive HD! What All HD should look like!

Darkman [HD DVD]
Starring: Jenny Agutter , Andy Bale , Dan Bell , Carl Bresk , and Bruce Campbell
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000QUEPRS
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Customer Reviews:

What a shocker seeing Bruce Campbell in this.......2007-09-17

A superhero movie that originally flew under my radar when it was first released. Hey I was six! But I'd still never heard of it, when it was suggested that we watch and I thought why not? Was expecting good stuff when I saw Sam Raimi's name flash up on screen and yes, he delivered.

Darkman stars Liam Neeson, as a scientist, who is develops a liquid, mask style skin, for people with serious skin conditions. However, he's attacked by a group of men, his lab assistant his killed, and he's thrown into water, on fire, and presumed dead. His girlfriend holds his funeral, and tries to move on.

But all is well, although Liam Neeson's character, Peyton, is severely disfigured, he sets about getting his revenge, with clever use of masks, even though they keep 'melting' after 99 minutes. He also approaches his girlfriend and they get back together, although he lies to her. He doesn't have any 'comic book' superpowers, apart from the ability not to feel pain and some increased strength.

It's a bit different to other superhero movies out there, it's a lot darker, and is a heart wrenching love story at the same time. Not even Spiderman can compare with this, as it's a true heart felt love, and that's why it ends the way it does. There are some similiarites to Robocop I did feel, with the horrific injuries. You will look away when you see the full extent of his injuries.

As it's a Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell turns up, in a fleeting role - as usual, blink and you'll miss him! But damn, he was looking cute in the glimpse we do get of him! Did feel a bit teary when the movie ended, but thankfully didn't go for the full on sobbing.

An excellent superhero movie, with a heart. Well worth picking up and looks really good in HD.

ROBERT G DURANT.....in HD DVD rocks the house.......2007-09-01

This is one of my favorite Raimi films and with this HD DVD release, it really does the film justice. True there are no extra supplements here, but the picture quality alone makes this release worth every penny. The color and sharpness of the picture quality is 100% improvement over the standard dvd edition. Don't miss out on this title and lets hope Universal contiunes to release films of this quality to the HD DVD library. :)

superb .......2007-08-31

Darkman has been made in the nineties at the time where they were no computer for spécial effects.Nevertheless the results are amazing.
The scénario and the acting is excellent and thrilling. Darkman is now a "cult movie".
This Hd DVD version is great for the picture quality.
As for the sound this is very clean with good dynamic; mostly left/center/right with nearly no surround effects and an average presence in the subwoofer.
I have no possibility to try the Dolby true HD track.
In conclusion buy this HD DVD for your collection.

Darkman is Swamp Thing on Steroids. Hd dvd features/pic and sound quality below........2007-08-31

When I say this is Wes Craven's Swamp Thing on steroids I'm comparing films not actual characters. The thug/henchmen Pauly in Darkman was also a thug/henchmen in Swamp Thing named Bruno. Darkman has the feel of a adult superhero film, picture Lon Chaney's phantom from Phantom of the Opera and is also part action, adventure, crime, horror, drama, sci-fi film covered with dark humor with a sprinkle of cartoon as when Peyton Westlake/Darkman played by Liam Neeson does a road runner move on top of a moving truck while hanging from a hook that is suspended from a helicopter.

Liam Neeson does an effective job, who better down the road to train Christian Bale to become the Dark Knight than Darkman himself. The bad guys are great and dark, the leader played by Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles) is notable and has a collection of fingers that he takes from people.

Seems like Raimi has wanted to do a super hero movie long before spider man. He eases Bruce Campbell into being a hero from evil dead 1 and 2, then three years later does Darkman who would be one cool super hero but he's not quite there yet, although I haven't seen the sequels, Raimi does create one cool character. Then a couple years later does Army of Darkness and Bruce Campbell has evolved into a super hero character on his own, or maybe it's because Bruce is Darkman, when you see the ending of Darkman you'll know what I'm saying. Finally he stops beating around the bush and does Spider man. Spider Man 2 is one of the best super hero movies out of all super hero movies in my opinion.

So, Darkman has something for everyone. If you like super hero movies this is for you, if you like action/adventure this is for you, and if you liked Swamp Thing your going to love it.

The hd dvd looked fine as most do, however there really aren't many bright colors that pop in the picture to really show it off, it wouldn't be my reference hd dvd for picture quality, I would recommend Hot Fuzz or 300 to show off your picture quality. The sound was very impressive. There are no special features to mention.

Thanks for reading.

Impressive HD! What All HD should look like!.......2007-08-02

After being sorely disapointed by HD releases of Excalibur and Army of Darkness, I was extreamly happy when I saw the opening menu for Darkman.

As soon as the clips began to roll behind the menu I knew they'd done the job right here. This film was largely missed in theaters and the home video and DVD versions where grainy, washed-out presentations that greatly diminished the style of director Sam Rami.

This is a must for HD DVD players. The pitcture is fully restored, crisp, clear, vibrant and devoid of all film flaws such as dust and scratches. Where some HD DVD versions are nothing more than the original DVD digital masters transfered to the new format (much the way many early DVD's where really Laser-disk copied to the then new format) this is not!

Darkman is a great, twisted peice that blends the ultra-violent comic-book styles seen in now in films like Sin City with the breakneck actions sequences of films like Spiderman.

See it again for the first time on HD DVD! This is the sound and fury of Home Theater and one of the best restorations I've ever seen!

BTW, if you have a smaller HD set (1280X720p max)that only accepts up to 1080i, then set your HD DVD player only to output 720p, it reduces the pixelation in the dark grays and blacks and reduces motion blure. I use this with my Toshiba Player and 42" sony grand wega through HDMI and the picture is flawless. Remember, if your set is 46" or under, 720p is mostly likely it's native resolution and outputing at that resolution can cause major improvement.

Average customer rating:

BRAINS!!!!!!!! FRESH BRAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ONE OF THE WORST ZOMBIE MOVIES
A MUST SEE!!!!
GET THE DAMN SCREWDRIVER, OUT OF MY HEAD!
A great, silly zombie journey...

Return of the Living Dead Part II
Starring: Michael Kenworthy , Thor Van Lingen , Jason Hogan , James Karen , and Thom Mathews
Director: Ken Wiederhorn
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0002KQNL8
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Amazon.com

Curious kids open a barrel of green gas linked to a mysterious military experiment, and soon a tenebrous green cloud of fog is making its way through the creepy town cemetery. Knowing exactly where this is headed is, of course, part of the fun in this tongue-in-cheek zombie sequel. Maybe it's not as fresh as its successful predecessor, but all of the key zombie ingredients are still well preserved in this second installment: ravenous "undead" in search of human brains, severed limbs with a life of their own, and lots and lots of shrieking! Taking a hackneyed premise that is a close retelling of part I, director Ken Wiederhorn (Freddy's Nightmares, Shock Waves) rejuvenates the genre with sporadic genuine scares, lots of plain old silliness, and some literally eye-popping special effects. Followed up a few years later with the equally enjoyable Return of the Living Dead Part III, this is a fun franchise that reminds you of what '80s horror was all about: bad synth music, and perms. --Matt Wold

Description

Inquisitive kids release deadly gas from a misplaced military canister, causing corpses from a nearby cemetary to rise and wreak havoc.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by Director Ken Wiederhorn and co-star Thor Van Lingen
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

BRAINS!!!!!!!! FRESH BRAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-09-10

funny funny movie, i must say with some horror at times, great make for the zombies. atmosphere is wonderful for the plot. if you like zombie movies this is a must to own. I LOVE THE MICHAEL JACKSON ZOMBIE SO FREAKEN FUNNY.

ONE OF THE WORST ZOMBIE MOVIES.......2007-08-17

If Dawn of the Dead is the pinnacle for zombie movies, Return of the Living Dead II is definitely the nadir.
The original Return of the Living Dead centered on a chemical that resurrected the dead, forcing them to feed off the brains of the living. It was good, campy, scary fun.
The hope of this lame sequel to live up to its predecessor falls way short, leaving it dead in the morgue needing a quick autopsy.
The army is trying to get rid of that pesky chemical that brings back the dead. One of the tanks falls out and it is discovered by a few boys. One kicks the canister and the chemical is released--and to no surprise there is a nearby graveyard.
At the same time, two repulsive grave robbers, James Karen and Thom Matthews, are infected by the chemical. If you are wondering why you have heard those names before, it is because they played the two medical equipment managers who were exposed to the chemical in the first movie. Just like in the first movie, they slowly become zombies.
Director Ken Weiderhorn does not cover this up. In fact, one of them says, "I feel like I've gone through this before."
No you didn't.
True, the first one did not take itself too seriously and went for the laugh just as much as the scare. However, in Part II, it's no scare and all laughs, but they are just as dead as the scares.
Return of the Living Dead II is dead ... and no emergency surgery could possibly resituate it. It belongs in a body bag that needs to be delivered to the coroner's office--fast. I have just given the last rites, and you have read my autopsy report. Just bury it, or even better just put it in the crematorium.

A MUST SEE!!!!.......2007-07-24

I really love this movie. I was so happy when it came on television. Since I love watching movies on my own time I decided to buy this movie. The zombies in the movie are scary to me, but overall there is some comedy in the movie. All of the Return of the Living Dead movies are really good and I am really looking forward to buying the rest. If there are any zombie lovers out there this movie is a must buy.

GET THE DAMN SCREWDRIVER, OUT OF MY HEAD!.......2007-07-22

This entire trilogy rocks! All the Return of the living dead movies are keepers in my collection. Can throw them in anytime and enjoy zombies feasting on the still breathing. And their damn funny at parts too!

A great, silly zombie journey..........2007-05-25

I actually like "Return of the Living Dead: Part II" better than the first. Though that could be considered blasphemous, this movie appealed more to me in my youth over the first, which I have finally