Legend (Ultimate Edition)

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This strange, 1985 experiment by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner) starred the up-and-coming Tom Cruise in a fairy-tale world of dwarfs and unicorns and demons. After the horn of a unicorn is broken, darkness and winter descend upon the world. Cruise's character, helped along by a magic sprite played by David Bennent (The Tin Drum), descends into hell to save paradise. This movie is almost a classic case of art direction gone amok. The somewhat amorphous Cruise doesn't lend much dramatic focus or artistic definition, but the drama between Tim Curry's satanic majesty and Mia Sara's character, who becomes a sort of princess of the netherworld, is pretty captivating. A mixed experience all around that makes one wish it had been more successful. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

awesome!.......2007-09-12

i don't care how old this movie is it rocks!! If u havent seen it you need to!!

Not as good as you remember . . . .......2007-09-08

Some films are better left in the recesses of your nostalgic memories. Legend is one of them. Great art direction, costumes, cinematography and direction can't save a story with no action and unappealing characters. Re-watching this after not having seen it for about a decade, all I kept thinking was, "What a waste!" The sets, the special effects, everything is very nice for the time but totally squandered on a very loose story with little thought put into creating an authentic or detailed fantasy world. I think Ridley Scott wanted to make a Lord of the Rings-type epic but didn't bother to investigate why or how successful fantasy stories work.

best cruise movie.......2007-09-01

wow , i did'nt even know this movie was on dvd , my vhs went bad so i started looking and here it was on amazon , i LOVE this movie and the dvd is great , it even has two versions one with the origanel sound track (witch sucks) and one with the tangerine dream and the guy from yes sound track (kicks butt), if you like fantasy movies this is one that you MUST have in your collection !!

One of the best fantasy movies ever made.......2007-08-24

Wow, I love this movie. The setting is enchanting and there is an innocence about the movie. I love how serene and beautiful the forest looks, with details like floating particles (makes me want to quit my deskjob and go hiking). There isn't a huge amount of story or dialogue, but I think that is why I like it. Tom Cruise does a great job and Mia Sara is extremely beautiful (even when singing)

I bought this version because I really like the director's cut. I haven't actually seen the US theater release since I was a kid so I honestly don't know how much better it is.

Legend is timeless. This is a movie I will show my kids (once I find a girl that will bear my children).

I love this movie.......2007-08-21

I remember seeing this movie when I was much younger and I still love it. Even now, its not as cheezy as a lot of other older fantasy movies. The acting was great and you gotta love Tim Curry in this.

Average customer rating:

You Must Be A Fan
Excellent Adaptation of THE TURN OF THE SCREW
Is She just insane....
The Innocents
A Brillaint, Creepy Masterpiece

The Innocents
Starring: Deborah Kerr , Peter Wyngarde , Megs Jenkins , Michael Redgrave , and Martin Stephens (II)
Director: Jack Clayton
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B0009X75EC
Release Date: 2005-09-06

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The definitive screen adaptation of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, the 1961 production of The Innocents remains one of the most effective ghost stories ever filmed. Originally promoted as the first truly "adult" chiller of the big screen (a marginally valid claim considering the release of Psycho a year earlier), the film arrived at a time when the thematic depth of James's story could finally be addressed without the compromise of reductive discretion. And while the Freudian anxiety that fuels the story may seem tame by today's standards, the psychological horrors that comprise the story's "dark secret" are given full expression in a film that brilliantly clouds the boundary between tragic reality and frightful imagination.

In one of her finest performances, Deborah Kerr stars as Miss Giddons, a devout and somewhat repressed spinster who happily accepts the position of governess for two orphaned children whose uncle (Michael Redgrave) readily admits to having no interest in being tied down by two "brats." So Miss Giddons is dispatched to Bly House, the lavish, shadowy estate where young Flora (Pamela Franklin) and her brother Miles (Martin Stephens, so memorable in 1960's Village of the Damned) live with a good-natured housekeeper (Megs Jenkins). At first, life at Bly House seems splendidly idyllic, but as Miss Giddons learns the horrible truth about the estate's now-deceased groundskeeper and previous governess, she begins to suspect that her young charges are ensnared in a devious plot from beyond the grave.

Ghostly images are revealed in only the most fleeting glimpses, and the outstanding Cinemascope photography by Freddie Francis (who used special filters to subtly darken the edges of the screen) turns Bly House into a welcoming mansion by day, a maze of mystery and terror by night. Sound effects and music are used to bone-chilling effect, and director Jack Clayton, blessed with a script by William Archibald and Truman Capote, maintains a deliberate pace to emphasize the ambiguity of James's timeless novella. The result is a masterful film--comparable to the 1963 classic The Haunting--that uses subtlety and suggestion to reach the pinnacle of fear. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Deborah Kerr stars in this "horrifying Gothic ghost tale" (Newsweek) based on Henry James' "The Turn Of The Screw,' a powerful psychological drama about innocence possessed by evil. Shortly after coming to live with orphans Flora and Miles in their dark, eerie mansion, the new governess (Kerr) mistakes their strange behavior for preciousness. But she soon comes to believe that the charming, beautiful children are possessed by evil, malicious spirits - the souls of their previous governess and estate manager who are now dead. With its shocking conclusion and sinister cinematic effects. The Innocents "catches an eerie, spine-chilling mood right from the start" (Variety) that never lets up.

Customer Reviews:

You Must Be A Fan.......2007-09-10

I am afraid I'm either selling or donating my DVD. Although I enjoy old horror movies, I found myself dozing on this one. The big Victorian house used is an excellent setting. There are definitely some great scenes too and Deborah Kerr and the children are excellent in their roles. But there are also some sections of the movie that drag a bit and probably should have ended up on the cutting room floor. So I highly recommend you rent this before purchasing it. I wish I had instead of trusting the high praise reviews here so I wouldn't be donating a movie instead of returning it to Netflix. By the way, my wife felt the same as me about the movie so it isn't just my perspective.

Excellent Adaptation of THE TURN OF THE SCREW.......2007-09-08

I'm very familiar with the Henry James novella THE TURN OF THE SCREW from which this film is quite closely adapted so I didn't think the filmmakers could make my spine tingle or give me any goose flesh! I was wrong as this movie creates such an atmosphere of horror that I was on the edge of my seat throughout my viewing even though I knew full well where the storyline was taking me. The film is perfectly cast particularly in regard to the children who play Miles and Flora. Deborah Kerr is perhaps quite a bit older than the young governess James wrote about but her restrained proper prettiness is perfect for the role. Michael Redgrave has a brief part at the beginning as the children's charming, selfish uncle and one has to wonder if guilt and/or fear instead of just pure self-indulgence make him so eager to completely give up responsibility for his niece, nephew and his family's incredible estate, Bly. The magnificent house and grounds of Bly are almost another character with the estate's vastness and beautiful statue laden grounds used to spooky effect throughout the movie. We, of course, just get glimpses of the actors playing Miss Jessell and Peter Quint but their appearances are so perfectly presented that in each of these glimpses I felt a chill down my spine. The sound design is superb as bird calls, the squeak of chalk, children's laughter and disembodied voices enhance the mood and the music box song Flora sings and dances with is truly haunting. Like the novella the movie is very ambiguous as to whether this is a ghost story, a tale of possession or simply a portrait of a repressed woman psychologically unraveling. Worth watching more than once to catch all the subtle sights and sounds of horror as well as to help clarify your view of what this story is really all about.

Is She just insane...........2007-09-04

Well is the Governess insane or are the children dealing with the occult?A newly assigned Governess must go to a distant lonely mansion to care for two bastard children.With only a maid at her side she must unravel the children's fears and sinister games and bring them to some sort of redemption.At times Deborah Kerr leaves you wondering if she was not the person in need of mental health and soul searching redemption here.Wonderful performances by the children,the screaming girl,after she was driven to a point of madness;the little boy,too grown up and dark for his age.Suspense and psychological issues abound.With a pacing of story that keeps you guessing.What happens to victims of trauma and dementia.

The Innocents.......2007-06-28

Expertly directed by Jack Clayton and shot by the legendary Freddie Francis, this chilling horror tale uses muffled sounds and fleeting glimpses to cast its spell of dread and mounting terror. Kerr is terrific in the lead, a woman who must determine whether she's being haunted or going mad, and Martin Stephens and Pamela Franklin are appropriately remote as the two possessed children. Also look for Michael Redgrave as the children's aloof uncle (whatever his faults, he's wise enough to stay away). Fans of psychological horror should pounce.

A Brillaint, Creepy Masterpiece.......2007-06-12

This black-and-white gem is a wonderful study in the supernatural, about an evil presence that is full of corruption and hunger. The movie has rich cinematography, great performances, and an atmosphere of dread and menace. This film is creepy and beautiful at the same time.
The song that the child sings in the beginning of the film (about a weeping willow) still haunts me. It is sweet and disturbing at the same time.

The ending devastated me. I finished this movie frightened and sad and shaken up. That's the magic of the movies: to move you, and take you to unexpected places.

This film makes a good companion with the equally excellent 1963 film "The Haunting", which always makes the hair on my neck stand up. (I never, ever want to know what is behind that door.)

The dvd "The Innocents" provides a crisp, clean widescreen image, and great sound. (If you prefer your picture shrunk to a square fullscreen, that version is on side two of the dvd.)
Truman Capote cowrote the screenplay, based on Henry James' The Turn of the Screw.

Note: This film will not be to everyone's taste. Those who want big jolts, gore, or simple plots should definitely steer clear. This movie has a quiet and macabre mood, with unanswered questions.

Average customer rating:

awesome!
Not as good as you remember . . .
best cruise movie
One of the best fantasy movies ever made
I love this movie

Legend
Starring: Tom Cruise , Mia Sara , Tim Curry , David Bennent , and Alice Playten
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007PLLQ0
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

awesome!.......2007-09-12

i don't care how old this movie is it rocks!! If u havent seen it you need to!!

Not as good as you remember . . . .......2007-09-08

best cruise movie.......2007-09-01

One of the best fantasy movies ever made.......2007-08-24

I love this movie.......2007-08-21

Average customer rating:

true terror without modern gore or torture
Atmospheric tale of a house of evil
The Chauffeur
"Just take good care of the house and mother and you will enjoy the place"
[3.5]--Fairly Creepy

Burnt Offerings
Starring: Karen Black , Oliver Reed , Burgess Meredith , Eileen Heckart , and Lee Montgomery
Director: Dan Curtis
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009PY32
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Amazon.com

Based on the Robert Marasco novel of the same name, Dan Curtis's eerie movie puts a spin on celluloid haunted-house sagas. The well-adjusted Rolf family (father Oliver Reed, mother Karen Black, aunt Bette Davis, and young son Lee H. Montgomery) rent a huge old summer house only to find that its spirit is in control of the estate. The requisite sinister proceedings appear--including a possessed pool and the vision of a sinister hearse driver following Reed--that disrupt the family's unity. Black also falls under the spell of an elderly woman whom she is required to take care of, but no one ever sees. While it may not be as overtly shocking as other ghost tales, Burnt Offerings has a creepiness that gets under your skin thanks to good performances and the dreamy, soft-focus photography. --Bryan Reesman

Description

Step inside a vacation house of horror in this terrifying thriller that "does for summer homes whatJaws did for a dip in the surf" (The New York Times)! Starring Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Burgess Meredith and Bette Davis, this riveting haunted-house chiller delivers "hidden terrors [that] mount creepily as the film builds to a climax of pulverizing fright" (Rex Reed)! Marian (Black) and Ben (Reed) find it hard to believe that for only $900 they've rented a sprawling old country mansion for the entire summer. But as they settle into their isolated estate with their son and Ben's aunt (Davis), they find themselves surrounded by a living presencean evil, hypnotic, occult forcethat feeds on torture, fear and murder.

Customer Reviews:

true terror without modern gore or torture.......2007-09-03

What's best about this film is that it is truly frightening on a very visceral and personal level, but without the disgusting gore and torture that passes for horror so often these days. No chainsaws, no hostels, no saws in Burnt Offerings. Just a family being preyed upon by an evil house and its evil owners. Fewer scenes are more frightening than the one in the swimming pool, when the father becomes possessed and nearly drowns his son. Family turning against family is a far worse thought, to me, than maniacs running around in the woods with chainsaws.

Atmospheric tale of a house of evil.......2007-06-16

Burnt Offerings is a classic haunted house story, and though it was made in 1976 [from the creator of Dark Shadows, Dan Curtis], it still manages to deliver chills with the help of excellent casting and spooky atmosphere. The story begins with a couple, Marian [Karen Balck] and Ben [Oliver Reed] Rolf who lease an old gothic house for the summer from a pair of creepy siblings,the Allardyces, played by Burgess Meredith and Eileen Heckart. Marian [Black] is immediately taken in by the charm of the old house, and against his better judgement, Ben [Reed] agrees to lease it for the ridicuously low sum of 900 for the entire summer. There is only one condition - marian will also have to take care of the Allardyce's ailing mother who lives in seclusion in a room upstairs. The Rolf's move in together with their young son David and Ben's aunt Elizabeth [Bette Davis]. It doesn't take long before Ben realises there is something sinister going on, but his wife seems oblivious to it all, content in just taking care of the house and its 'treasures'. The acting is excellent all around - Oliver Reed does an excellent job portraying the puzzled and concerned husband who is also haunted by nightmarish visions from his past [ the hearse driver gives you chills just looking at that sinister smile]. Karen Black is most convincing as the deluded Marian whose obsession with the house grows into a full-scale possession. Bette Davis's Aunt Elizabeth is at first alive with vigor and enthusiasm, but gradually falls into a decline - the house, you see, is a sort of evil parasite that feeds off the life force of its' inhabitants, and the story moves along in a chlling manner towards the shocking climax. The atmosphere is menacing and foreboding at all times, and helps elevate the movie above the usual run-of-the mill haunted house stereotype. All in all - a very watchable horror movie, high on atmosphere, and well-cast.

The Chauffeur.......2007-05-03

the stuff of nightmares. I have seen him in other roles (like the pimp in "the Unforgiven") and I still have to close my eyes!

"Just take good care of the house and mother and you will enjoy the place".......2007-04-15

OK first off, this is one of the BEST HAUNTED HOUSE MOVIES EVER IN MY EYES!!! Only Robert Wise's superb version of "The Haunting" is a better movie of things that go bump in the night(and sometimes the day also)! Everything is right with this tale of a summer "rental" house that is to good to be true, and is too good to be true. Over looked during it's release, this is another of the movies that scared the daylights out of me as a child.
A family (Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Lee Montgomery, and Bette Davis) rent a house for the summer from a brother and sister(wonderfully creepy Eileen Heckart and Burgess Meredith) on the condition that their elderly mother who lives upstairs stays and the wife feed her three times a day. Sounds simple enough, but we know better. What follows is 2 hours of the creepiest goings on you have ever seen. To say much more would ruin your chance to see it yourself. But I must give special mention to Anthony James as the Hearse driver from Reeds past that haunts his present. You may not know the name but you will remember his face from many movies and T.V. shows. He never speaks but he owns this movie with his creepy smile and very slow Hearse.
This one hits all the marks and stays with you long after it goes off. A very good non gory horror movie that delivers the goods.

[3.5]--Fairly Creepy.......2007-03-23

I thought this movie was alright being that it was my first time watching it. It's not anything like the horror movies of today because it obviously relies on an interesting story and creepiness; something Hollywood often does with special effects. This is just a creepy film and runs a bit slow at the beginning but it builds up towards an alright ending. Burnt Offerings is your typical "family buys/rents dream house at bargain price only to regret it" film. Obvious examples being "The Shining" and the "Amityville Horror," both based on books as well. There is also a strange person hidden away upstairs (c.f. Jane Eyre, The Old Dark House, The Ghoul (1975) etc).

The film is a study of family dysfunction, which is exacerbated by the haunted house (see also the first two films mentioned above). Issues explored include child beating, marital stress and breakdown, the importance/impotence of the father figure, and estrangement between all family members.

The most visible manifestation of the "evil" is the ability of the house to clean and repair itself. Unfortunately this is more of a householders dream than nightmare. No more breakages, tidying, "cowboy" building firms, etc. When Ben Rolf appears in a wheelchair, thus emulating Arnold Allardyce at the start, I thought the house was trying to "keep" rather than kill its occupants. The house needed a specific family imprisoned from which to draw its power/feed off. Thus the Alladyces were victims of the house. Their behavior at the start and motivation was of fear and escape. There lays their need to find a replacement family and sudden departure. However, the ending shows the couple to be in league with the evil, my initial impression being wrong.

The conclusion was too open-ended, the origins and mysteries of the house were not fully explained. Perhaps the source novel is clearer. The title, Burnt Offerings, seems a misnomer, nothing is burnt per se. The house itself was the offering; the family had high expectations, only to be fatally disappointed.

Average customer rating:

top ten horror classic
A classic chiller
The best made horror/mystery ever!!!!!!!!!
Great Film!
Excellent DVD

Curse of the Demon / Night of the Demon
Starring: Dana Andrews , Peggy Cummins , Niall MacGinnis , Maurice Denham , and Athene Seyler
Director: Jacques Tourneur
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000694WH
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Amazon.com

After establishing his signature style with such moody classics as Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie, Jacques Tourneur returned to peak form with the first-rate supernatural thriller Curse of the Demon. It's a horror-noir set in England, adapted from the M.R. James story "Casting the Runes" and built around the ominous notion that black arts--particularly the use of ancient runic symbols--can summon a deadly beast from hell. Dana Andrews is the stubborn American skeptic, determined to debunk a genteel occultist (Niall MacGinnis) whose evil powers are ultimately incontestable. The briefly seen demon may be cheesy by latter-day standards, but its nightmarish appearance--and Tourneur's masterful use of subtle suggestion, threatening atmosphere, and eerie special effects--make Curse of the Demon one of the best horror films of the 1950s. This splendid DVD offers the longer British version Night of the Demon for film-buff comparison; it's essentially the same film with a few extended scenes. Both are highly recommended. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

top ten horror classic .......2007-08-26

This film not only stands the test of time it transends most withcraft films (exception haxan ). Dana Andrews plays a doctor trying to disprove black magic and the supernatural in the modern world.
During a trip to England for a symposium on debunking such myths he crosses paths with Julian Carswell (played superbly by the underrated Nial Mc Guiness ). Carswell tries to disway the doctor from the scrutiny placed on Carswell and the devil worship cult he leads .
A curse is placed on Andrews and he is given two weeks till a demon from hell with kill him . The story then begins to take Andrews down a dark path where science and reason dont stand a chance .
Slowly the good doctor realizes that he is doomed and that only Carswell himself can spare him a horrifying fate .
This film is without a doubt one of the greatest horror films ever made and a must in every horror fans colection . A MUST IF YOU DONT OWN IT BUY THIS TODAY !!!!!!

A classic chiller.......2007-08-17

Night of the Demon/Curse of the Demon is one of the greatest films of the 1950's. A cult classic that holds up to repeated viewings. The film is based on the M R James story 'Cast the Runes' and features Dana Andrews as John Holden, a sceptical psychologist who scepticism begins to ebb away after he meets Dr Julian Karswell.

Karswell is played brilliantly by Niall MacGinnis and there are a number of marvellous scenes between Holden and Karswell. Perhaps the best being a scene in the London Library. Of the remaining cast Maurice Denham is deserving of mention for his small but crucial role at the start as Professor Harrington. There is a marvellous scene at the beginning of the film when Harrington visits Karswell. Its beautifully written and played by the two actors.

Although it is often quoted that the director Jacques Tournier did not want the Demon shown in the film at all, but bowed to pressure from the producers, the Demon when it appears is a remarkable special effects creation for 1957. Tournier was probably right but it doesn't spoil the film that much.

This double bill DVD version contains two different versions: The American cut called 'Curse of the Demon' which ran to 82mins and the British cut 'Night of the Demon' which ran to 95mins. Both are very good but the longer version is the better. This is a film that improves with every viewing.

The best made horror/mystery ever!!!!!!!!!.......2007-08-15

Don't be fooled by the title. This movie has it's horror moments
but it's a great mystery movie. The opening with the demon in the
smoke is awesome. Dana Andrews is great as the skeptical doctor
but Nalls McGuiness makes the movie as the mild but evil devil
master. The scene with Andrews in the woods with the smoke chasing
him is outstanding. Finally the ending with the beast destroying
McGuiness is unforgettable. Highly recommended.

Great Film!.......2007-08-08

I have loved horror films ever since I was a small child. I was always sneaking downstairs on a Friday or Saturday night after my folks had gone to bed to get the crap scared out of me. Three films have stayed with me to this day and I am 50yrs old. "The Innocents", "The Haunting" and "Curse of the Demon". All three are just about as creepy as you can get, And far scarier than the gore-fests they seem to make now. Filmed in black and white and with minimal special effects and not a drop of blood, I was never more scared by anything in my life! I saw the extended version "Night of the Demon" and it is by far the better of the two. Not being much of a film expert I was unaware that there were two versions. I just thought that it had been cut up for TV, like they do. But they are all great and all three still give me the willies. And for those of you who are familiar with The Haunting, how long was it before you were able to sleep with your hands out from under the covers?!

Excellent DVD.......2007-07-13

This is a very suspenseful story. Although I have viewed it multiple times it still keeps me on the edge of my seat. In addition the quality of the film is superb.

Tales From The Crypt Presents - Demon Knight

Average customer rating:

Tales From Crypt: Demon Knight
I Wish There Would Have Been A Part 2
One of the best, and most original, horror movies ever made.
BETTER THAN EVIL DEAD!! CREEPIER THAN NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD!!!!
FUN, ENJOYABLE AND A GRADE ABOVE MANY HORROR FILMS!

Tales From The Crypt Presents - Demon Knight
Starring: John Kassir , Billy Zane , William Sadler , Jada Pinkett Smith , and Brenda Bakke
Director: Ernest R. Dickerson , and Gilbert Adler
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000AOX0C
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Product Description

A fearsome, charismatic "Collector" of souls lays siege to a boarding house in order to obtain an ancient talisman which will allow him to control the forces of evil. The first feature film from "Tales From the Crypt."

System Requirements:
Starring: Billy Zane, Jada Pinkett
Directed By: Ernest Dickerson
Running Time: 93 Min., Color
Copyright Universal Studios 2003

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Ernest Dickerson, one-time cinematographer for Spike Lee and director of Demon Knight, said during the initial release of this film that he chose the project because he was a lifelong fan of the horror genre. Other horror fans should be thankful, because without Dickerson's enthusiasm and visual sense, this derivative gorefest wouldn't come close to the entertainment level that it ultimately achieves. The film was the first big- screen adaptation of HBO's Tales from the Crypt series, a show based on the EC comic books of the '50s. Like Creepshow before it, Demon Knight blends fair amounts of blood, sex, and knowing comedy with a paper-thin plot that doesn't leave a bit of room for subtext. Dickerson understands this, so instead he pumps the flick full of eye-popping visuals and gorgeous camerawork, and populates it with terrific character actors (especially Billy Zane, who really has fun, and William Sadler) who don't seem to care that their characters have little identity. Everyone seems to be giving this tiny project everything they've got, while never taking it seriously for a minute. We've seen the story before: A diverse bunch (a hooker, the town drunk, the ex-con, etc.) is locked in a rundown hotel and is forced to battle the Legions of Evil massed outside and determined to get in. Regardless, Dickerson, shooting with as little light as possible, manages to create some tense moments. There's a lot wrong with Demon Knight's shallow premise, and you could make a checklist of the movies it gleefully steals from (Night of the Living Dead and The Evil Dead are two of many), but thrill-seekers who prefer laughs with their grisly special effects and gratuitous nudity should have a mindless blast watching it. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews:

Tales From Crypt: Demon Knight.......2007-05-13

Now those who want a great story line, great plot and a few jumps here and there this is a great find. Unlike its cousin film by the crypt keeper bordello of blood this movie has a little bit of something for everyone of corse following the rating of the film. This is another collecor Diamond in the ruff find, Great cast too. A must see, and must have for Tales From The Crypt fans.

I Wish There Would Have Been A Part 2.......2007-04-09

This very original movie was such a breathe of fresh air in the mid 90's when other so called horror movies were playing it safe. The ultimate battle between good and evil comes to a small road side town HO-tel. Billy Zane is great in this role as well as the supporting cast and the very lovely Jada Pinkett. The atmosphere in this movie fits so well. Very dark scenes and gore galore with a great plot turns out to be a great modern horror movie. The biggest crime is that there was only one installment. I want to know more!!!

One of the best, and most original, horror movies ever made........2007-01-04

I think the thing I like the most about this film is its plot, and how original it is. It involves a man who has been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting an ancient artifact and keep it from falling into the hands of dark forces. Ever since he was given this artifact, an arch-demon has been tracking him and he has been on the run for years. When he was given the artifact, a group of stars appeared as a tattoo in the center of the palm of his hand. Immediately, one of the stars moved toward the outside of his palm. Now, as the film opens, the final star is about to move to the outside of his palm and he knows his time is running out and he has to make his final stand. The arch-demon is close behind him as he approaches an old motel in a one-stoplight town in the desert. The people in that motel are in for a hell of a night as the stranger enters, and the arch-demon shows up soon after.

Everything is done right in this film. The action, the acting, the direction, the script, it's all there. This is truly a classic, unlike that other film bearing the Tales From The Crypt brand, Bordello of Blood, which is a total turkey (I'm planning on writing a review for that one, too, and totally blasting it to hell even though I'm sure three hundred other people already have).

Demon Knight is awesome. It's survival horror in the vein of a few zombie movies I can think of, but with a twist -- the monsters lurking in the darkness outside are demons, summoned from Hell by the arch-demon to aid him in killing the occupants of the motel and retrieving the ancient artifact. Billy Zane totally steals the show as the charismatic arch-demon, or "Demon Knight" of the title. This really is one of his best roles.

I highly reccommend this flick to any true horror fan. There are piles and piles of horror flicks out there that are just poorly-conceived, derivative garbage. This one stands out as one of the few truly original horror films made during the 90's. The story and plot are there, the pace is there, the thrills and chills are there, the gore is there, and it even throws in a little dark humor in places. Truly an excellent film, and in my opinion a modern classic.

BETTER THAN EVIL DEAD!! CREEPIER THAN NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD!!!!.......2006-10-27

The first and best of the movies from Tales From The Crypt!!!

About the movie: Is pure CREEPY SUSPENSEFULL HORROR with a GREAT INTERESTING story!!! Very easy to understand, cool production, good special effects and pretty bloody gory with some nudity!!!!

I think this movie is a mix of Evil Dead and Night of the Living Dead, but this story is WAY MUCH BETTER than Evil Dead and of course with better acting, cast, quality and special effects. The suspense is very look alike to Night of the Living Dead but of course the make-up is BETTER, no black and white picture and this time the zombies are UGLY demons that are harder to kill.

P.S: The best of all is that the intro is the same as the tv series!!!

Adios.

FUN, ENJOYABLE AND A GRADE ABOVE MANY HORROR FILMS!.......2006-10-09

This is one of those horror films that you would not think would be appealing. Let alone worthy of a four-star rating. However, the fact that this film [a little hokey in many parts] delivers and is one I have myself watched more than a few times, is a worthy addition in the horror genre. This is mainly due to the acting of (Billy Zane). As the primary antagonist in the film, (Zane) is after the key which holds the blood of Christ, and when he gets the key all the humans on earth, living and dead, will be subject to a new world order. An evil world order from the minion's of hell. [yeah I know it sounds silly]. But it works!

However, the main protagonist Brayker (William Sadler), is the holder of this ancient relic, and he had been guarding it for a long time. There have been many holders of this relic throughout time, and each have prevented the demons of hell from getting it. Brayker finds himself holed up in a beat-up and run-down boarding house with some very strange denizens who occupy the place. The film takes off quite fast, as the demonic 'Collector' (Billy Zane) attempts to get the key when he is helped by the local law enforcement. Things wrong [no spoilers] however and (Zane) finds himself battling the occupants and Brayker for the key. He does this by summoning up the demons from hell to help him.

Futhermore, the 'Collector' (Zane) is able to reach into the minds of those who occupy the building, promising them their greatest wish. Brayker warns the others who wish to leave that these are all empty promises. I always thought it would be good to have a part 2 of this episode. As the first one was a pretty good watch. Now I am not so sure. I think it would ruin the first one, which for some reason, I find an enjoyable, funny [and a bit gory] to be pretty darn good. Recommended for those who like the horror genre, even if the film is a little silly, it is very, very good and a very entertaining film. [Stars: 4.5]

Average customer rating:

COOL CLASSIC MONSTER MOVIE!
OK mom, right after they take a commercial brake, I promise
Forgettable Fifties Fluff
Nostalgic Horror Classic
Great Movie..............

The Hideous Sun Demon
Starring: Richard Cassarino , Robert Clarke , Xandra Conkling , Del Courtney , and Bill Currie (II)
Director: Robert Clarke
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 6305772711
Release Date: 2000-03-21

Amazon.com

The Hideous Sun Demon is almost too wonderful to be believed. Scientist Dr. Gilbert McKenna drops his sample--oops!--of "a new isotope that has never existed in nature before" and consequently receives a massive dose of radiation. As so often happens in these cases, the results are gruesome and tragic--whenever he is exposed to sunlight Gil turns into a lizard man, driven to kill. "You mean a human being could evolve backwards through time?" asks the plucky Miss Lansing. Alas, her question can only be answered with a yes. Well, a yes and some hilarious "scientific" proof. Even though he becomes a murderous reptile at the pull of a curtain, some obscure legal statute says that Gil can't be kept in the hospital against his will. Full of whiskey and self-pity, he heads out on his own, a time bomb ready to go off the minute he runs out of zinc oxide. The pleasures of The Hideous Sun Demon are many: rubber lizard suits, headlines reading "Weird Killer Still at Large," a lounge singer named Trudy with an unusually lopsided piano playing style, and day-for-night sequences in which the night is so bright that one cannot see the actors' faces. Truly, a movie that must be experienced in DVD. --Ali Davis

Description

Screen star Robert Clarke, legendary science fiction leading man of the 1950s, produced, directed and starred in this Atomic Age chiller about a scientist that turns into a hideous prehistoric creature when exposed to the sun's deadly rays. This is it! The original cult classic, filled with tense radioactive atmosphere, as the Sun Demon stalks his prey while his primordial mating urges go berserk! An excellent modern-day horror screamer filled with murder, monsters, radioactive isotopes and a sizzling blonde babe with gravity-defying assets. Bring your sunglasses and tanning oil because "The Hideous Sun Demon" is on the loose!

Customer Reviews:

COOL CLASSIC MONSTER MOVIE!.......2007-05-03

"This is a pretty good classic monster story with a cool looking monster. The DVD comes with a second DVD which is called "return of" it's the same movie with a voice over dubbed like Mystery Science Theater 3000. Funny and worth picking up."

OK mom, right after they take a commercial brake, I promise.......2007-04-18

Yes it's me again reliving my past,searching for those movies that I liked as a child.
This one is one that I didn't like as well as I did then. To the best of my knowledge not one thing has changed about the movie but I just didn't enjoy it this time around. MY boys love it though, so i'll give it three for that.

Forgettable Fifties Fluff.......2007-02-27

The premise of "The Hideous Sun Demon" is intriguing, but unfortunately this low-budget 1959 film fails to deliver. The central idea here is that an accidental radiation overdose causes a scientist (Robert Clarke) to morph, or "de-evolve," into a scaly reptilian monster whenever he is exposed to sunlight. There are many interesting directions that the filmmakers could have taken this concept, but none of them show up in the film. In the end, "The Hideous Sun Demon" is like an episode of "Seinfeld"--it's really about nothing at all.

Some of today's sophisticated viewers may chuckle at the rubber creature costume, but I have no complaints about the "special effects." By the standards of the day, and considering the small production budget, the monster is actually nicely detailed and quite convincing, for the few brief moments that it appears on-screen. The crisp black-and-white photography is also excellent, featuring some striking, stark, deeply shadowed "noir-like" scenes that look great in this full-screen digital transfer. There are some muddy scenes in which day turns into night through the miracle of gross underexposure, but that technique was common at the time. The biggest problem with "The Hideous Sun Demon" is that there is no meaningful story, and essentially no character development. You never get to the point where you care about the scientist, the monster or anyone else.

On balance, "The Hideous Sun Demon" is not a bad film--it's just not much of a film at all. It's easy to watch, reasonably well-made and the DVD is relatively cheap. Completists can certainly justify buying it to round out their collection of 1950s sci-fi movies. By the way, despite the fact that it is supposed to include "liner notes and personal recollections by producer/director/writer/star Robert Clarke," there was nothing in the case I received except the DVD.

Nostalgic Horror Classic.......2006-03-13

This movie holds a lot of memories for me.

Maybe it's just my imagination but it seems like it always came on during the late afternoon when the sun was still shining brightly.

That's the interesting aspect of the story. It ties in with the mysterious, awesome power of the sun.

The location is a typical American small town from the 50s which is also interesting.

The sun demon looks very similar to the monster in:

IT ! The Terror From Beyond Space

Recommended further viewing:

The Manster
The Thing (from another world)
The Four Skulls Of Jonathan Drake
Horror Hotel
The Blob (with Steve McQueen)
The Flesh Eaters
The Indestructible Man
The Brain That Wouldn't Die
Not Of This Earth (original)
The Incredible Shrinking Man
IT (The Terror From Beyond Space)
Invasion Of The Saucer Men
The Fly / The Return Of The Fly / The Curse Of The Fly

Jeff Marzano

Great Movie.....................2006-03-07

I Thought This Was A Fun B Movie. It intrest me how some people take these B movies seriously. Just by looking at the title you can tell it's cheesy. For those who appreciate classic b movies from the 50's and 60's this movie is for you,for those who like saw and really modern mainstream horror movies stay away by all means....... this is not your type of movie.

The Devil & Daniel Webster - Criterion Collection

Average customer rating:

This Version Is The One To See
4 Star Movie 2 Star Presentation 0 Star Price
Old New England Wisdom stirs the spirits.
The Price of Wealth
"all that money can buy"

The Devil & Daniel Webster - Criterion Collection
Starring: Edward Arnold , Walter Huston , Jane Darwell , Simone Simon , and Gene Lockhart
Director: William Dieterle
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000AKY54
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Amazon.com

Stephen Vincent Benet's timeless 1937 short story gets the red-carpet treatment on Criterion's feature-packed DVD of The Devil & Daniel Webster. William Dieterle's inspired film remains the classic it always was, proving that Citizen Kane wasn't the only cinematic marvel to appear in 1941. It's a sturdy, stylish rendition of Benet's original narrative, beginning when a luckless farmer (James Craig) strikes a Faustian bargain with the devil incarnate Mr. Scratch (Walter Huston at his devious best), trading his soul for seven years of prosperity, during which he grows corrupted, despised, and regretful of his mistake. To Scratch's chagrin, legendary orator Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold) intervenes with a triumphant defense, and Dieterle's brilliant direction gives the proceedings a light, economical touch of supernatural mischief.

To complement the cleverness of the film adaptation, this delightful DVD also includes a playfully expressive reading of Benet's original story by Alec Baldwin, and vintage radio performances of two of Benet's three "Daniel Webster" stories. The film and radio plays were scored by legendary composer Bernard Herrmann, whose Oscar®-winning film score is examined in an interactive essay by Herrmann expert Christopher Husted. Excerpts from an earlier preview version of the film (then titled Here Is a Man) reveal creepy, negative-image shock-shots of Mr. Scratch that were later removed, but they further demonstrate Dieterle's willingness to experiment. With additional essays and archival materials, Criterion's superb DVD shows how a great story can lend itself, with consistent success, to a variety of mediums. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

This Version Is The One To See.......2007-09-06

First off, let me state that after viewing both versions of this film: the 85-minute and the 106-minute ones, both have their merits. For VHS, I recommend the shorter version. If you have the Criterion DVD with a 106-minute one, however, you have the best. I had seen both on tape but when I saw the longer version with a great DVD transfer, it convinced me the longer one is the version you want to see. It also seemed to improve the whole movie.

The Criterion DVD helped me appreciate the underrated black-and-white cinematography in this movie. It simply looks super, and even the special-effects are still pretty darned good considering the year this was made.

Character-wise, as so often is the case, the bad-guys are the most interesting in the movie. The best was Walter Huston playing "Scratch" (the Devil) and Simone Simon playing a female helper of his. Simon has the allure in this story to drive leading character "Jabez Stone" away from his sweet wife "Mary" (Anne Shirley).

Overall, this is a different story than anything you've seen. It's interesting, nicely directed by William Dieterle and photographed by Joseph August. Sadly, the latter died later in the 1940s with a heart attack. His last picture was another visual wonder: "Portrait Of Jennie."

4 Star Movie 2 Star Presentation 0 Star Price.......2007-07-07

37 bucks for a poorly restored pretty good movie. Who is fooling who? The audio is a travesty and the print barely acceptable. This isn't a 90 year old foreign silent movie where there's only so much that even state of the art restoration can do. This is a WW2 era major American studio release. No excuses. One wonders if they simply copied an old vhs tape onto a dvd and called it a day. The price is simply absurd, even by Criterion's usual hold-the-good-films-hostage-for-high-ransoms business practices. Extras are cool but they don't justify highway robbery. One would think they would see the wisdom in long term gains to be had from a reasonably priced product. I would love to own many Criterion movies but the prices force me to be extremely picky. Lower the prices and I'll buy at least twice as many as I already have. Do the math. Would you rather sell 20 products at $30 or 40 at $20? The movie itself is an interesting, if somewhat unimaginative, Faustian morality tale with an American slant, a great performance by Walter Huston as the devil and a few neat camera tricks. Basically, an above average product of Hollywood's contract era movie studios. Hardly Seven Samurai, Wild Strawberries or Citizen Kane level of excellence here in the first place and the nonexistant restoration and outrageous price assure I will never own it.

Old New England Wisdom stirs the spirits........2007-05-07

Ah! Here is a journey back in time to the values that built the nation. A blend of history, folklore, humor, and morals entertains us a curious way. This is one the whole family will want to see more than once.

The Price of Wealth.......2007-04-04

This film is from a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet that considers the morality of wealth. It tells of the economic troubles in the early 19th century that affected farmers and mechanics. One young farmer has more than his share. Then a stranger shows up and offers to make him "lucky". "You don't get rich by working hard but by working other people hard" says Old Scratch. Jabez Stone signs in blood (no Miranda warning), and becomes lucky by finding hidden gold. Jabez pays off his mortgage, his debts, and buys new things. This film shows village life in the 1840s, horse-drawn carriages and wagons on dirt roads. Daniel Webster had passed a law to benefit the farmers of America.

Jabez uses his wealth to lend seed to other farmers. As they prosper, he takes his cut of the harvest. But a hailstorm ruins the crops of many farmers. They now have to work to make Jabez rich. The harvest dance shows them happy in this celebration. Jabez avoids church to drink and gamble on Sunday. [Is he going to the Devil?] The villagers gossip about Jabez and how he has changed. Jabez now has a big mansion and a mistress, and dresses like a lord. He gives a party, but the invited guests don't show up. Jabez learns what is really important in life, but he has signed a contract.

Lawyer Daniel Webster will fight the devil for the soul of Jabez Stone. Can an American serve a foreign prince? The judge and jury, all Americans, will decide on the validity of the contract. Webster speaks to the jury and appeals to them so Jabez will not make a mistake. "Don't let the country go to the Devil!" The jury quickly arrives at a verdict. Then it is morning again in America. [Any contract that violates public policy is null and void.]

The people in those days had to worry about the weather, not about factories being shut down for private advantages and profits. We see how an economic depression is used to increase the wealth of a few by taking wealth from the many.

"all that money can buy".......2007-03-05

Jabez Stone (James Craig) is plagued with problems, his dog goes wild, is pig breaks a leg, his wife Mary (Anne Shirley) is unseated, he can't pay his mortgagee and he lets his seed fall to ground. For two cents he would sell his soul to the devil. Enter Mr. Scratch (Walter Huston.)

Later, if he realizes his folly who can save Mr. Stone from paying his debt? And at what cost? As we learn that a man's soul is his own.

Simone Simon is perfect as Bella Dee, the temptress from over the hill. She made me want to go over the hill. See her again in "Cat People" (1942).

There are some great film advances for the time including, lap dissolves, montage, and narrative shorthand. Make note of the use of shadows. Periodically there are long passages of dialog reminiscent of Ayn Rand. Poignant music by Bernard Herrmann such as "the miser's waltz."

Working title "A certain Mr. Scratch", Based on a story by Stephen Vincent Benet, a one act opera, and screenplay by Dan Totheroh.

This is more of a commie movie than and American movie, as you ether are a stingy money grubber capitalist or a pour saintly commune, oops I mean grange member.

William Dieterle was suspect in the 1941 red scare. He helped bring Kurt Weill, and Bertolt Brecht to this country. Jeff Corey who played
Tom Sharp (The character that was always trying to get everyone to join the grange) was brought up before the house on un-American activities for attending commie meetings.

Be sure to watch the Criterion 106 minutes presentation.

Average customer rating:

The end of Hammer
An anti-climactic swansong for Hammer horror
Another Minor Classic from Hammer's Final Days
The Film Itself -- Ehh. The "Making-Of" Documentary -- Outstanding
Hammer's Final Throw Of The Dice

To The Devil A Daughter
Starring: Anna Bentinck , Honor Blackman , Denholm Elliott , Derek Francis , and Michael Goodliffe
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005UW7N
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Customer Reviews:

The end of Hammer.......2007-08-17

Having just seen this for the first time I was surprised at just how good it was. Whether those involved realised that it would be the last ever Hammer film I don't know, but it seemed as though a bit more effort was made with this.

Firstly this has an excellent cast and unlike the later Dracula films Christopher Lee has a proper role which makes good use of his screen presence and unique voice. Denholm Elliot is also very good and the rest of the cast do a fine job. In many ways TTDAD resembles 'The Devil Rides Out' because it is also based on a Dennis Wheatley story, but I think the overriding influence was probably Hammers attempt to cash in on the success of the Exorcist and The Omen.

Apart from one scene, which is very unpleasant (although you actually see nothing) this is a restrained and subtle film compared with the extreme violence in some modern horror films. So overall an enjoyable film which was a fine swan song for Hammer.

An anti-climactic swansong for Hammer horror.......2007-06-19

To the Devil a Daughter was Hammer's last horror film, but it makes for a less than grand slice of guignol and pales in comparison to their earlier Dennis Wheatley adaptation, The Devil Rides Out. Richard Widmark is the imported American star battling Christopher Lee's Satanist while trying to protect Nastassja Kinski from becoming host to a demon, but despite a few good scenes the film never really makes much of its premise and the ending is one of the biggest anticlimaxes in the history of horror.

The best part of it is the excellent documentary on the Anchor Bay DVD, which is surprisingly frank about the film's shortcomings - including that non-ending - and Richard Widmark's tantrums on the set. Anchor Bay's transfer is also surprisingly good: unlike the cold and slightly shoddy looking TV prints, this really does David Watkins' cinematography a great service.

Another Minor Classic from Hammer's Final Days.......2007-05-25

"To the Devil..." is marred by a clumsy, rushed ending, but prior to the final four minutes, it's fairly stunning stuff. Hammer films were going out of fashion in the 1970's, but not necessarily for lack of quality. Some of the most experimental, daring stabs at literary, gothic horror came from this era of the studio. This film boasts a nice cast and is one of few films to explore black magic in a detailed and accurate manner. Based on the Dennis Wheatley novel.

Recommended for companion viewing to:
The Devil Rides Out
The Wicker Man (original only)
Demons of the Mind
Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter

The Film Itself -- Ehh. The "Making-Of" Documentary -- Outstanding .......2007-05-09

Occasionally I'm in the mood for an occult mystery/horror film like "Bay Cove," "The Devil Rides Out" (AKA "The Devil's Bride"), "Race with the Devil and (to a lesser extent) "Rosemary's Baby," which explains why I recently picked up this 1976 Hammer film "To The Devil A Daughter" (which was Hammer's answer to American horror hits like "The Exorcist" and "Rosemary's Baby"). Hey, with Nastassja Kinski, Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee and Honor Blackman in the cast, how can you go wrong?

THE STORY: In London, Richard Widmark plays an occult novelist who is asked to protect a man's daughter, a young nun (Kinski), from a cult of satanists led by a malevolent Christopher Lee, who possesses supernatural powers. They need her for some diabolical ritual.

The story is loosely based on the Dennis Wheatley novel. Wheatley was furious with the numerous changes and called the film "obscene."

WHAT WORKS: The picture pretty much maintains your interest as the mystery slowly progresses.

The London (and Germany) locations are excellent. They seemed to have more money to work with in this regard than most Hammer films. Speaking of Hammer, "To the Devil a Daughter" doesn't FEEL at all like a Hammer picture. Don't get me wrong, I love the unique, colorful ambiance of Hammer films, but this is a nice (and unsuspected) change.

For those who care, Kinski is shown completely naked from the front. Unfortunately Lee is also show in the nude, albeit from behind. One thing I never cared to see in my life was Christopher Lee's butt.

There's a fairly shocking, obscene "devil baby" sequence. I'm not sure yet if this scene fits or even makes sense (I'll have to see the film again to decide) but they did a good job with the infant F/X, at least for 1976.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: Like I said, the mystery has a fairly good build-up but the ending somehow doesn't quite work. Yes, they throw in some bizarre things -- the aformentioned "devil baby" scene and a wild satanist orgy (which is more silly than shocking) -- but, I don't know, I was left feeling a bit disappointed. It should have ended with a bang (at least I expect it to), but it doesn't.

COMMENTARY: This was Hammer's penultimate film and their final horror picture. Surprisingly, "To the Devil a Daughter" was a hit and made lots of money (at least in Europe), but Hammer Studios had debts to pay and the film's success couldn't save them.

BOTTOM LINE: The film itself is just okay, so I can only barely recommend it to those interested in occult/mystery stories, Hammer and the actors involved. What makes this DVD worth picking up, believe it or not, is the excellent 24-minute "making-of" documentary that discusses the film and the demise of Hammer Studios; it's called "To the Devil... The Death of Hammer." The documenary includes interviews with Lee, Blackman, the director, the producer and many more. It's very informative and entertaining. By all accounts Widmark was arrogant and a real bastage to work with. The Hollywood star frequently insulted the English filmmakers (calling the picture a "Micky Mouse production"), walking off the set, arguing, brawling and kicking over expensive equipment (!!). Every aspect of the film is addressed, including changes from the novel, Wheatley's objections, the ending's failure, etc.

Hammer's Final Throw Of The Dice.......2006-12-27

It would be fair to say that Hammer were a little late catching the modern horror train in the 1970's. There response to such progressive films as "Night of the Living Dead" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was a series of curiously flat gothic retreads and a bungled attempt to place gothic iconography and characters in a modern setting. Horror continued to thrive in the