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Tremors didn't actually break any new ground (even though its tunneling worm monsters certainly did), but it revved up the classic monster-movie formulas of the 1950s with such energetic enthusiasm and humor that it made everything old seem new again.It's also got a cast full of enjoyable actors who clearly had a lot of fun making the film, and director Ron Underwood strikes just the right balance of comedy and terror as a band of small-town rednecks battles a lot of really nasty-looking giant worms. The special effects are great, the one-liners fly fast and furious between heroes Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward (and yes, that's country star Reba McEntire packin' awesome firepower), and it's all done with the kind of flair one rarely associates with goofy monster flicks like this. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (124)

Attention monster movie lovers:
TREMORS is nothing more then pure fun. The story takes place in a very small Western town that is besieged by four giant sluglike monsters. These slugs attack anything that causes a seismic vibration on the ground much like a piranha attacks anything that leaks blood. But these slugs chase after a would-be victim with the speed of a runaway train. And add to that, the surviving slugs seem to get smarter when one of their own is killed.

This is one film where the producers could have just put in a bunch of teenagers that only serve the purposes of taking their clothes off and being victims. But instead, we get a several enjoyable characters that we can actually care about. Fred Ward and Kevin Bacon are priceless as two laborers looking for work only to find - How do I put it? - man-eating slugs. Michael Gross, who plays an NRA poster boy, is far removed from his role as an ex-hippie on FAMILY TIES. His equally gun-toting wife is played by country singer Reba McIntyre, who turns in an impressive performance. Unlike all the FREDDY THE 13TH (Don't blame me if I can't tell'em apart) movies, you find yourself rooting for these people.

While this movie might not be CITIZEN KANE, it is a perfect rental for a Friday night.

Classic horror/camp. A fun movie.
If you are looking for a good scare, Tremors is not the movie for you. However, if your goal is to be entertained, this is a great choice. Tremors is the story of two handymen, the people of the town they live in, and their encounters with a bunch of giant, man eating worms that live in the ground around the town. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, who play the two handymen, won't win any academy awards for this one, but their performances as two offbeat handymen looking for something better make the movie. Micheal Gross and Reba McEntire add to the campy feel of this film as a survivalist couple with enough firepower to start (and probably end) world war three. The special effects are good and the plot, while simple, keeps you involved. Overall, this is a movie that is overjoyed to make fun of itself.

As for comparisons I have seen between this movie and Dune (possibly the WORST adaptation of any book ever to hit the big screen - David Lynch should be ashamed at the way he treated this classic story) the only similarity is that both stories have giant worms in them. Don't let comparisons to Dune scare you off - this movie is in no way similar. Tremors tries hard to be just what it succeeds in being - a campy, funny, semi-horror film that has no other goal but to entertain. Enjoy the film!

Fantastic
The best movies are those in which you don't expect much and then it blows you away. I've read the other reviews and all those that are five star are on target. What can I add? Some of the banter, and curse words (that are not just the f word over and over) are orginal. The pseudoscientific stream involved with seismology, and sensitivity to sound is wonderfully written. All in all a classic tongue firmly in cheek movie.

Guess you broke into the wrong damn rec room, didn't ya!
In "Tremors," as you know, massive underground worms threaten to devour everyone in a small redneck town. I'm sure Freud would've loved it!

You'll love it too, if you have a penchant for cheerfully profane horror/comedy. "Tremors" is a delight, from the slightly bickering (and somewhat homoerotic) performances of Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, to the offbeat casting, to the clever dialogue ("What kind of fuse is that?" "Cannon fuse." "What the hell do you use it for?" "My cannon."), to the worms themselves, which are totally convincing, if not all that scary.

It adds up to a wonderful waste of a couple hours. Is "Tremors" for you? Well, put it this way: if you're not interesting in seeing Steven Keaton and Reba McEntire blast the hell out of a massive worm from their underground arsenal, well, I just don't know how to talk to you.

For sheer fun, "Tremors" can't be beat
What a rare treat to have comedy and horror blended together so amazingly well! This movie takes a standard thriller plot (small group of colorful characters becomes trapped by monsters and must work together and use their heads to figure out how to escape) and makes it seem brand-new. The rapport between the cast members--Bacon and Ward in particular--beautifully serves an already tight script. This movie has it all: drama, excitement, laughs, creativity, scares, and yes, even our hero's search for a good woman. Don't be put off by the fact that it co-stars Michael Gross and Reba McIntyre... their characters are two of the most enjoyable in the movie! As survivalists with somewhat itchy trigger fingers, the mere concept of these two characters could have easily plunged the movie into stupidity. But this is no inane shoot-'em-up flick. The direction and script are smart, and they don't let us down. Buy "Tremors." It's a blast. You won't regret it. I promise. If you don't love it, come find me and I will personally call you a moron. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Very blunt, very disturbing.
All of the stops were pulled out from this nearly forgotten horror classic, set during the English Civil War. Very twisted, extremely straight-forward, it defies some of the standards of its time.

Full of murder, rape, and torture, the story follows Matthew Hopkins (Vincent Price) on his journey to collect money for the finding and executing of those who have made a pact with the devil. His barbaric assistant tortures and beats the confessions out of helpless women and old men, while Hopkins has his own way of beating out confessions out of the younger, more attractive women.

The film follows the anguish of the victims of Hopkins, particularly the husbands of the women he's taken advantage of and killed. The "hero" of the film, Ian Ogilvy, is a soldier in Cromwell's army. He becomes obsessed with killing Hopkins after he learns of how Hopkins has raped his wife and killed her father.

Chilling historical commentary, there are no happy endings and silver-linings in this brutally honest film. The unforgetable ending of the film will shock you. If you watch closely, you will find out the haunting secret of Matthew Hopkins.

Graphic and violent tale of a 17th century witch-hunter
Although Vincent Price stars in a leading role in "Conqueror Worm" don't let that fool you, this is not a horror movie in the sense that it doesn't deal with the supernatural. Price plays a straight up role as real-life witch-hunter Mathew Hopkins. Set in Cromwell's England during the years of civil war, Conqueror Worm is an excellent historical drama whose horrific effects come from what human beings do to other human beings.

The movie itself is a told in a straightforward textbook manner. The first part introduces the main players and their relationship. Hopkins and his cruel assistant and the priest, his niece and her fiance, a soldier in Cromwell's New Model Army. The second act creates the issue at hand, namely Hopkins cruel torture and killing of the priest, his taking advantage of his niece and her rape by the assistant. The final act is the chase, the soldier tracks Hopkins and ends in a harrowing finale.

The simple formula above is successful because of good writing, directing and acting by all players. Conqueror Worm, made in 1969, is still graphic in it's depiction of sexual and physical violence.

An excellent film- highly recommended.

The Best British Western Ever ¿ The Witchfinder General
... or maybe the best horror western ever. What you make of this will depend on two things. How much you like old British horror and how much you know about the production of this particular film. When you realize that this is the last production of a young talented Director, Michael Reeves, who died (25 - accidental overdose) on the path to being one of the all time greatest film directors, and that this is his third, last and best film, you will under its value (as an example of his talent watch the shot in this film of young children cooking potatoes in the ashes of a 'witch' that has just been burned). It is a notch above your average late 1960s early 1970s horror films. In fact it is a notch above nearly every British film making it one of the British modern classics.

The story is based on the real life times and crimes of the lawyer and Witchfinder General - Mathew Hopkins, who set about destroying alleged witches across England with the full power of the law. This film depicts the various acts of torture and trials conducted on witches making it an extremely important historical document (as a note the Western influence comes from the gallant long countryside horseback riding shots, mobs in the villages and things like gallows being erected in the same vein as the cowboy movies in the USA of that era. It WORKS extremely well!) It is also certainly the best rendition of such grim persecutions to date on the screen (US viewers should think Salem Witch Trials x 100).

There is an interesting plot involving a young soldier whose fiancée's father - a priest, is put on trial for witchcraft while the soldier is away. When the soldier returns he vows to track down Hopkins for the crimes he has committed against his wife and father and so the movie is essentially a story of revenge as this soldier chases Hopkins across the countryside passing through villages where Hopkins has been.

Some find this film hard to watch because of this subplot but stick with it because after the first twenty minutes or so the film really takes off. This is also Vincent Price in his best role ever and some would say his best work although the production values are somewhat low (a very restrictive budget with a young director practically making it by himself). Many of the scenes are underexposed, dirty, bad cuts, lots of zooms (a no-no in cinematography these days), daft credits that almost underexpose Hopkins face in the background and other elements of film making associated with tight finances. However ALL of the fight sequences and torture sequences are very well done. In fact some of those scenes had to be cut!

The real gem in this movie though is to know how much it has been through. The director set out to make one of the most violent films ever conceived in the UK. The UK censors immediately cut it to ribbons saying that it would shock the viewers too much. Also the US censors agreed that the violence should be toned down considerably but agreed that the US version could contain different takes with nude women. This led to several versions of the film over the years.

This review refers to the superb DVD version of the film. You can only currently get it on PAL but it contains 2 versions of the films, excellent bonus materials including documentaries, Empire Magazine's Kim Newman provides excellent production notes (best seen on any DVD to date), trailers and biographies. It is dirt cheap. Get it!

Anyway the DVD has 2 versions - The Directors Cut (featuring NO nude women and all the restored cuts) and the Export Version (featuring nude women and all the restored cuts). The VHS version is CUT. However this decade one scene was restored that was originally omitted from the screen version - of the infamous boot in the eye sequence. So all new VHS versions of the film have this restored... but the DVD has also restored - (1) A priest being tortured, (2) A women being slapped, (3)An extended version of the river dunking, (4)A witch missing her eye being tied up and burnt alive, (5)A woman being tortured and (6) the notorious axing sequence. Unfortunately these cut scenes had to be restored from a poor quality tape recording in the Director's own personal collection, so these cut scenes look very different from the quality of the actual film - however this is only a minor point given that the film is over 30 years old and was made on a shoe-string budget. The fact that we get to see these cuts at all on a DVD in SUBLIME for fans!

So for the first time ever - The Fully Restored - Witchfinder General as it was meant to be seen is now available!

CLASSIC!

A fierce horror film with historical implications...
England has a civil war between the Royalist and the Parliament Party that are fighting for power over the country. Matthew Hopkins and his aid John Stearne exploit the situation of the war as they travel around finding witches to kill in the name of God, which in essence is a way for them to live out their sadistic behaviors. Many poor individuals fall under brutal torture by Hopkins and Stearne which often leads them into confessing witchcraft. The two servants of God make one mistake as they kill a priest that is good friends with a soldier and also rape the soldier's future wife. Conqueror Worm
(UK Title: Witchfinder General) is a fierce horror film with historical implications to the failure of Christianity and witch hunts. The film will leave the audience with distaste for the action of humankind that was sanctioned by Christian Church. In the end, Witchfinder General offers a satisfactory cinematic experience that gives a cause for the audience to ponder our past, current, and future actions.

a disturbing and heart pounding film
first off, i'll come out and say that i don't care about the petty feuds between Vincent and the director, or the star and director of any movie! from what i've learned, Reeves was acting like he was a hot shot and by 1968 Vincent was a LEGEND and knew his way around acting and when he questioned the director about something, Reeves coldly replied that Vincent was clueless and his entire career was meaningless. now, had this been a stuffy or an egotistical celebrity i wouldn't have a problem but my god, Vincent Price? He was one of the least egotistical people in the profession and he didn't take himself seriously, and because of this it allowed him to spoof himself in the later years and have fun with his image. Reeves also never visited or checked up on Vincent after an accident happened on the set: Vincent fell off a horse and Reeves purposely ignored Vincent hoping the anger would come across on film! this 1968 film on witch-craft and Matthew Hopkins shows what a great actor Vincent was. Who else had the versatility to do this intense film but yet a year prior he was cavorting around as Dr. Goldfoot in two films as well as appearing as Egghead on the TV show "Batman"! Vincent is often ignored and his LONG career (1935-1992) is constantly being down-played by critics who prescribe the silly notion that horror movies are bad and anyone who gets a kick out of them are bad for society. such garbage! Matthew Hopkins, as played by Vincent, isn't lovable or hammy as we all love Vincent to be...this is probably the only role of his where the viewer has no sympathy and you cheer on his eventual comeuppance and this one is a doozy! it IS a horror movie because it has all the elements: violence, evil, blood, death, intensity, scream queens, and atmosphere...and because this is an AIP film there are several shots of nude women but it's all in context of the story so don't anyone out there yell "X rated" or something silly like that. This movie inspired Vincent's 1970 film "Cry of the Banshee", which i also love. another witch-craft/voo-doo film from this era from Vincent is the wonderful "Oblong Box". but "Conqueror Worm" a/k/a "Witchfinder General" is fantastic. ... Read more

Reviews (219)

one of the greatest westerns of all time
I was going to say that this is the greatest of the spaghetti westerns but truthfully, this movie is bigger than that. Every single thing about is incredible. The theme, the filming and the music is almost operatic. The casting of Henry Fonda as one of the most vicious villains ever seen in a movie was brilliant. Fonda tears into the role. Claudia Cardinale never looked as gorgeous again and Jason Robards, as the movie's wise man takes what could've been just a supporting character and makes him a hero. Finally, there's Charles Bronson, playing a man with no name, a man with only one thing to live for. When the camera leans in for a close up of Bronson's eyes they are cold, empty and seemingly dead. The only time he allows them to light up is when he looks at Claudia and when he and Fonda finally have their little chat. Every time I watch this film I see something that I never noticed before. It's great.

Once Upon a Time in the West
Not only is Once Upon a Time in the West the best western ever made, it is also the best movie ever made, period. The incredible cinematography, the awesome Ennio Morricone score, and the shockingly brilliant casting of Henry Fonda as one of the most cold-blooded villians ever to light up the big screen combine to produce a true movie masterpiece. Sergio Leone's meticulous attention to detail produced a film which is, at once, both a visual work of art and an exciting action picture. Please add my name to the list of people who are anxiously awaitng its release on DVD, and PLEASE use whatever influence you have to encourage its availability with Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS audio. The soundtrack is the best I have ever heard, and it would be an awful shame to release it in a lesser format.

The Greatest Western of all Time.
Even though Sergio Leone is Italian, he's very precise about American history in all of his westerns. Once Upon A Time In The West is based upon such American events as the opening of the western frontier and the age of the Railroad barons ( or " Robber Barons " ). The movie takes place in a small western town called Flagstone, although it's in the middle of nowhere it thrives, probably because of the Railroad ( HINT : If you look carefully at Mr. Morton's private train car, you can find out the name of the railroad ). A widow named Jill McBain ( Claudia Cardinale ), is defending the land she inhereted from her murdered husband against the greedy and powerful railroad tycoon, Mr. Morton ( Gabrielle Ferzetti ) and his pure evil gunman, Frank ( Henry Fonda!!!! ). She soon teams up with a notorious bandit, Cheyenne ( Jason Robards ), and a lonely gunfighter, Harmonica ( Charles Bronson ) to help her. But what she doesn't know is that Harmonica doesn't care that Frank might try to kill Jill, he wants revenge for something Frank did along time ago. Once Upon a Time in The West is full of important expressions, clever ironies, and Sergio Leone's famous close-up shots that truely make this movie an all-time classic.

This is one of Sergio Leone's best, BUT ....
... Charles Bronson and that damn harmonica! Over and over again those same three notes!! Play something else for God's sake!!! Yes, he's a loner who's beyond words - we got it the first 20 times!!!

Don't get me wrong, harmonica aside, this is a great movie - amazing composition, great pacing, very stylized, awesome score (of course). I still think The Good, the Bad & the Ugly is a better movie though. If you haven't already, BUY that DVD!

Henry Fonda is a scary dude
If you have never been scared of Henry Fonda, this is the movie that will do it for you. The scene in the beginning, right after the whole family is killed is so eerie as the gunmen just appear silently from the brush. Henry Fonda's cold, killer eyes staring down the little child before he shoots him. Wow.

This is a very well made film, nothing like is has been made in years. Every scene takes its time to build up the right mood. This is a movie to watch when you have alot of time and nobody is around to bother you. The DVD transfer is nothing short of amazing, the color and quality of this 35 year old film will leave you speechless.

Claudia Cardinale is an absolutely stunning beauty, Charles Bronson is perfect as the vengeful quiet loner. I didnt expect Jason Robards to work well but he is very effective.

Definitly a movie to buy, not just rent. Something to give to someone who really appreciates epic movies the way they used to make them. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Girls Town
I actually saw this movie for the first time a couple of weeks ago on American Movie Classics. I know it's a B movie, but I really liked it. I thought the acting was surprisingly "tight". I was also surprised to see Mel Torme acting in a film, as I had never seen this before. As with most films portraying teenagers, real teenagers are seldom used, so I can't really bash it for that. I liked the music as well, especially the opening song and Anka's touching rendition of Ave Maria. This is the kind of movie I would have enjoyed watching at a Saturday afternoon matinee.

Girls Town awesome fun flick and Mamie is an ICON
This film has been shown on local television, cable special or late night flicks and still manages to inspire films today.
I saw this movie 5 years ago and managed to let friends and family borrow my vhs copy. The movie is one of a kind with its rock 'n' roll greats on stage such as The Platters, Paul Anka , Mel Torme and the cameo appearance with Ray Anthony . Mamie Van Doren bursts onto the screen as the ultimate bombshell and the Mae West- like candor starring as Silver Morgan . Silver is part of a gang of reckless youths that unfortunately are looked upon as hopeless rebels. An accidental death takes place with a member of the gang and Silver Morgan is blamed instantly because of a lipstick found in the dead teenager's car. Denying that she was ever around the night of this date-gone-wrong and is sent to an all female youth detention center run by Nuns. Silver makes her way into the place and decides to cat fight with anyone that gives her bad time....in the end, she comes out of the whole thing a changed girl that has been mistakenly charged with the crime. I truly loved this film and Mamie Van Doren shatters the Marilyn Monroe comparison showing her comedic talents.

Unintentionally hilarious teen-spoitation flick
Was this bad-girls-in-reform-school flick made in an attempt to cash in on the Academy Award-winning "Boys' Town" or did the studio just happen to have a few dozen nun's habits in their wardrobe department? Tubby, dewlapped crooner Mel Torme frames busty bottle-blonde bombshell bad-girl Silver Morgan (Mamie Van Doren, the poor man's Jane Mansfield) for the over-a-cliff murder of her attempted rapist in this manipulative, cloying 1959 teen-sploitation flick. The cops don't have a thing on Silver but the dead punk's dad commands the usual White Male Reality political pull, sending her to a convent-slash-reform-school "Girls' Town" chock-full-o' tough-as-nails nuns, teen gangs played by 35-year old actors, an "Ave Maria"-singing Paul Anka, a no-hands drag race ending in the usual expected laughably "tragic" result, the Platters, badly-choreographed catfights consistently broken up by beefy security nuns, way too much embarrassingly fake teen slang, and Charlie Chaplin, Jr. (?) Watch out for Silver's creepy reform-school pal Seraphina, a spooky obsessive fan stalking a vaguely stupefied young Paul Anka; look carefully in the drive-in scene to spot the reflections of the director and camera crew in the windows of the cars. "The Sound of Music" this ain't. If you're like me, you saw this given the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" treatment, and were all the better for it...it's even funnier that way, and at least *intentionally* funny.

Girls Town (1959)
Classic howler from the drive-in era of movie making, what was then referred to as a rock n roll movie. Starring B-movie bad girl Mamie Van Doren, pushing 30 at least, playing an underage teen, who is sent to reform school run by Catholic nuns. Elinor Donohue (Princess from tv's Father Knows Best) plays Mamie's look alike kid sister (I swear). Mel Torme, the Velvet Fog himself, plays a sneering leatherjacketed j.d. (even tho he's at least 40 when he made this) who blackmails then kidnaps Donohue, with plans of shipping herdown to Mexico. Anyway, there's drag racing, an attempted rape, a murder, cat fights, tough lesbos,rock n roll songs, mental breakdowns, religious conversions and Paul Anka (with his old nose) singing "Lonely Boy" (which he wrote for this film) and the "Ave Maria" (talk about sacriligious!). Also on hand is I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE's Gloria Talbot ( as a lesbo), Gigi Perreau (as the unhinged girl who stalks Anka, before there even was stalking. I guess the producers couldn't afford to have her stalk Ricky Nelson.) And check out the appearence by The Platters, in which the camera never shows the face of lead singer Tony Williams, just his hand, the back of his head, and the column that covers his face! Forget HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL, this is the CITIZEN KANE of camp classics. Crazy, cool and completely unforgettable.From M-G-M , of all places..

girl's town
sending this in again as i forgot 2 put the name of movie......great movie 4 back in the old days ... Read more

Reviews (746)

THE FUTURE IS DISMAL - SO IS THE TRANSFER!
Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is an apocalyptic postmodernist vision of the future. The story involves a bounty hunter, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) who is assigned to kill three replicants - android style robots that look identical to humans, but who have come to earth to seek revenge on their creator - Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel). Sean Young costars as Rachel, the latest model of replicant who is so incredibly life like that not even she knows that she's not human. Also in the cast are Rutgar Hauer as Roy Batty - the ultimate killing machine, Edward Olmos as a drugged out police detective, Gaff, and Darryl Hannah, as the psychotic replicant, Pris. Flawed in its narrative, but visually stunning, "Blade Runner" has developed a cult following - and it is easy to see why. The production is layered with multi-references to the steady moral and social demise of our own society that stir the mind into rethinking this movie as much more than a sci-fi adventure. This version of the film is the re-edited director's cut that audiences were never shown in 1982. The subtle tweaking of story and plot elements really doesn't enhance one's viewing experience so much as it just alters the story in a different direction.
But what a shame about the transfer! Though the general color balancing and attention to fine details, even in the darkest scenes, is adequate, there is simply NO EXCUSE for leaving the chips, scratches and in some cases, tears in this DVD transfer. Pixelization crops up now and them, but the most disturbing part of the transfer is that it fails to pay attention to the dirt and (in some cases) hair, stuck to the film negative. The result is a dirty looking picture that, while perhaps in keeping with Ridley Scott's vision of a dank, hard universe of the future, is most definitely not what the director had in mind. Saving grace: the transfer is anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions. The sonic characteristic of the 5.1 audio is rich, though dated. Strong bass and reasonably well balanced dialogue and effects, though there are a few perceived occasions where dubbing in of dialogue sounds possible. And one final insult from Warner Brothers, this disc has NO extras - not even a theatrical trailer!

Stunning - The Best Sci-Fi Film Ever Made
Directed by Ridley Scott, possibly the best director in Hollywood, Blade Runner: The Director's cut is an outstanding medley of action, noir, sci-fi, and suspense. Robots have been taken to a new level - Nexus 6 Generation Robots called "replicants", which outmatch humans in strength and ability and equal in intelligence, but lack one human quality - emotions. They were used for "slave labor" to work in places too hazardous for humans. However, replicants after a few years begin to develop their own emotions, which causes them to rebel against their masters. Special cops, called blade runners, were assigned to exterminate criminal replicants. Eventually replicants were declared illegal on earth, and were banished to a shuttle in space. LA, 2017. Rick Deckard, (Harrison Ford) a retired blade runner, is forced to "retire" five replicants that have escaped from the shuttle, but winds up falling for one, Rachael. (Sean Young) Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) leads the other three replicants to find their creator, Eldon Tyrell, to expand their short four-year life span. Incredible action scenes, dark, brooding noir, creeping suspense, and excellent sci-fi, Blade Runner: The Director's Cut will please fans of any of these genres. The Director's Cut offers production notes, subtitles, added character developement, the original ending, a unicorn dream sequence, and the deletion of unnecessary scenes and the annoying voice-overs. Plus, it is digitally restored to excellent picture and sound quality. Some "sensitive" viewers might find the plot and noir atmosphere cold, but action, noir, sci-fi, and suspense fans will enjoy it very much. With stunning special effects, incredible cinematography, compelling plot, and rich, incredible characterizations (esp. Rutger Hauer), I strongly recommend Blade Runner: The Director's Cut to action/sci-fi fans.

Not quite the Blade Runner I remember
After purchasing and viewing the DVD director's cut release, all I can think is "where can I find the original theater release version". I sat my family down to watch it two nights ago and they lost interest very quickly. While it is still visually stunning to watch, it is not enough overcome the seeming lack of narrative/plot. In fact, one of the key things removed from the director's cut version is the voiceover narrative by Harrison Ford's character Deckard. For those that know the original version, it can even be a challenge to remember the significance of each scene. For new viewers of BR, they're left wondering, scene after scene, "OK what just happened and what relevance does it have to anything?". Bring back the voiceover!

The Director's Cut is AWFUL.
Compared to the original version the Director's Cut is awful. Background narration has been removed; the ending has been changed. Don't waste your money.

this is still a good DVD
but not as good as the original release. I preferred the narration and for that reason, I probably don't watch this movie as much as i did when I had it on VHS. I really don't understand why they don't make both versions available. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

awesome!
I saw this movie on the Nightmare Before Christmas DVD and I love it! It's a great story, sometimes cheesy but never too much so. Plus I think I'm in love with Barret Oliver who played Victor, I realize that now he's thirt-one. But when this was made he was eleven and I'm fifteen so I don't think it's that creepy. Anyways... what I'm trying to say is this movie really rocks and you should watch it!

Wonderful short for all ages
I show this movie to my fifth graders every Halloween. They get a kick out of the touching story and the adults who come to the party dig the references to the classic Frankenstein movies from the 30's. There is something for everyone in this movie. Tim Burton showed us a bit of his budding genius with this short. A must have for any Tim Burton fan.

It's alive!
It's a twisted variation on all of the "boy and his dog" movies on the market. It's also a modern suburban reinterpretation of Frankenstein. And it's one of Tim Burton's first efforts as a movie director.

Burton's quirky, dark sense of humor and drama is very apparent in this early effort.

Very cute
Made by Tim Burton long before he became famous, this black&white short is about a dog whacked by a car, then brought back to life, ala Frankenstein. There are problems; the poor thing springs leaks when he drinks. Alas, there are other, worse problems, best discovered by your watching this movie. Not only is it cute, it's touching, and very much showcases the talent that made Burton such a well-known director.

Wow! What a great short!
This movie is about a Bull Terrier that gets hit by a car and is brought back to life by his boy as a franken weenie. A must see for BT owners and everyone who loves them! So cute but dont rush out and buy this because it comes free on the nightmare before christmas DVD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The cult television show (in which a hapless space explorer and his robot pals are forced to watch and deliver a hilarious running commentary on bad movies) makes a successful transition to the big screen as Mike and the 'bots lay waste to the '50s sci-fi yarn This Island Earth (a painfully stiff would-be epic that's actually a cut above the usual MST3K fare). While ardent fans may be a little miffed that more advantage isn't taken of the expanded theatrical venue (aside from a tad more scatological humor than usual, the content here would fit in comfortably as a regular episode of the series), the nonstop, hyper-literate salvo of comedy riffs that run the gamut from references to Tommy Chong's backyard to Yes album covers more than make up for any conceptual complacency. Be prepared to laugh till it aches. --Andrew Wright ... Read more

Reviews (123)

The MST Treatment Saves Another Cheesy Sci-Fi Movie!
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie" is the big screen version of the once-popular Comedy Central (later Sci-Fi Network) series. In the series, Mike (or Joel) and his robot pals Gypsy, Tom Servo, and Crow make running wisecracks while watching awful sci-fi movies beamed up to them by the evil Dr. Forrester (Trace Beaulieu, who also voices Crow). In the big screen version, Mike and the 'bots take on Universal's "This Island Earth" with hilarious results!

One of the best reasons for owning this movie is that it is able to overcome many of the technical limitations placed on TV series (such as the motions of the robots, for instance). This provides a more intimate and interesting portrayal of the lives that the crew lead on the Satellite of Love.

If you are deciding whether to watch or buy this movie, please PLEASE ignore the Amazon.com review written by Miles Bethany. It's painfully apparent that he has never seen this movie from the fact that he continually refers to someone named "Jim". There's no character named Jim on the show (although Jim Mallon does the voice of Gypsy). He's clearly referring to either Joel or Mike, but in any event Miles Bethany ought to be fired for this if he's on Amazon's payroll!

Once you watch this movie, you'll hunger for episodes of the series if you've never seen it. Fortunately, the Sci-Fi Network Episodes are not yet available. They're not as funny as any of the early episodes and tend to get a little overindulgent. Additionally, Beaulieu left the series before it got picked up by Sci-Fi, and the actor who replaced him transformed the rather cute, insecure Crow into a character that I grew to dislike.

The William Shatner jokes are really funny on this movie, as well as Crow's impersonation of George Takei, which leaves me rolling on the floor. In any event, I recommend that you check out this movie if for no other reason than to find out what the hell an interocetor is (and hopefully how you spell the damned word)!

Great movie, but needs more
MST3K:TM on DVD is very good. You get the standard excellent picture and incredible sound, and of course, the funniest movie of the decade. But what is missing here is the extra added features which would have warranted this receiving 5 stars. Think of all the fun things which could have been added: a blooper reel, comments from Jim Mallon, Mike Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, and Kevin Murphy about their film, extra scenes which were excluded from the final theatrical version and much more. All you get with MST3K: TM on DVD is the standard jump-to-any-scene-you-wish interface and widescreen presentation.

Granted, if you are a fan of Mike and the Bots, you don't need any extra features to keep your attention, however, the lack of extras may scare off potential buyers, especially those who are not fans.

If you don't know by now, MST3K:TM is the story of a mad scientist marooning a janitor in space with 3 robot pals on an orbiting satellite. Mike Nelson, and two of his bot pals-- Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot are forced to watch an edited down version of the 1955 sci-fi magnum opus "This Island Earth." The mad doctor Clayton Forrester monitors Mike's, Crow's and Tom's minds while they are watching the film so that he can unleash the result on the unwitting public and rule the world. Mike and the bots do not go quietly, throwing a bunch of witty and often humorous insults back at the screen. What you get is a product which has propelled the TV series to a ravenous cult following, boasting a 100,000+ member fan club, numerous internet websites, a book and even a Peabody award.

MST3K:TM is truly unique and it is truly incredible to see the "cow-town puppet show" unleashed on DVD.

Look around, and you might find it. . .
I bought this movie for 7 bucks (used) at a movie/music/book store. I suggest doing the same, since it's being sold for MUCH more on the internet. Hunt around - there's bound to be someone who sold it not knowing it's real worth.

While this movie is definitely not as good as the t.v. episodes, it is worth seeing.

"Glad you could join us here at the Buddy Epson Society!"
Judging by some other UK reviews, it seems a fair few people here caught its late night airing on ITV. Considering how rare the show is here, I made sure I taped this.

The plot isn't really too important. Average joe Mike is an unwilling pawn in his bosses plans to find the worst movie ever created and unleash it on the world to secure an easy take over. With the aid of robot pals Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot, Mike does his best to survive the experiments by mocking the hell out of them. The results are hilarious.
The film being mocked this time round is "This Island Earth", a typical old fashioned sci-fi with a handsome hero, a damsel in distress and an out of control monster. A nuclear scientist is recruited by a strange individual who claims he is working towards world peace, but is really covering his true agenda... The film is cheesey and fits the MST requirements quite nicely. As others have said, TIE is edited down to fit it in so those interested may want to look in finding the original.
The one weak area is the parts with just the MST cast. Dr Clayton Forrestor provides some laughs, but scenes such as Mike crashing into the hubble will likely have you looking at your watch and wondering when they'll be back to the theater.

MST3K:The Movie is definetly worth a purchase, being a hilarious comedy that just about everyone can enjoy. For max enjoyment, watch with a group.

MST3K goes big-screen
MST3K- The Movie is essentially the same as the television show, only with higher production values. The riffing here is top notch, and the host segments are pretty good. The only bone I have to pick with The Movie is the very large theater seats, which were quite annoying to this reviewer. All in all, a terrific movie worth watching over and over again! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Future Nightmare creator and Scream weaver Wes Craven'sfilm debut is a primitive little production that rises above its cut-rateproduction values and hazy, grainy patina via its grimly affecting portraitof human evil infiltrating a middle-class household. The story is adaptedfrom Ingmar Bergman's The Virgin Spring, but the film has more incommon with Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs as it charts the descent of aharmless married couple into methodical killers. A quartet of criminals--adistorted version of the nuclear family--kidnaps a pair of teenage girls andproceeds to ravage, rape, torture, and finally brutally murder them in thewoods, unwittingly within walking distance of their rural home. The killerstake refuge in the girls' own home, but when the parents discover just whothey are and what they've done, they plot violent retribution.

Along with George Romero's Night of the Living Dead and Tobe Hooper'sTexas Chainsaw Massacre, Craven helped redefine American horror withthis debut--all three movies portray modern society crumbling into madnessand horror. But, unlike his fellow directors, Craven gives his film anuncomfortable verisimilitude, setting it squarely in the heartland of modernAmerica. While at times it's awkward and inconsistent, with distracting comicinterludes, his handling of the brutal horror scenes is unsettling, and thedeath of the daughter is an unexpectedly quiet and lyrical moment. --SeanAxmaker ... Read more

Reviews (200)

Meh... It was okay...
I love A LOT of Wes Craven's work, but this had to be his greatest failure! The plot itself seems somewhat rather interesting, but the movie just couldn't cut it! The acting was pretty good but the music score was poor, the colors were grainy looking, and the picture quality has got to be the WORST I've ever seen in DVDs!! (not to mention it really wasn't that scary.) We could at least have a better transfer of this, right?! What's even worse about this movie is that at SOME times it tries to be funny and scary at the same time, which is definetally not a good mix depending on the type of film it's made out to be. (Heck, alot of these 70s films don't really make much sense huh?) The only part I'd have to say I liked was at the very end where the parents get revenge on the killers with the booby-traps and stuff.

OVERALL: I would NOT recommend this movie if you are looking for an Oscar-winner or whatever unless you are a B-movie collector who likes this stuff. I give it 4/10 for a good idea in story but poor sound and picture quality.

How could Wes Craven do this?!!!!
This movie is nothing like people say it is. It is the worst movie I have ever seen. The only part good about it was the breasts( I say breast I was afraid I wouldn't get posted) and nothing else. I didn't even finish watching it.

completly stunk
this movie really sucked, nothing more. I gave it one star because Wes Craven is my favorite movie writer/director.

Wes Cravens first...
Last House On The Left shocked a hardened horror/exploitation fan like me. I couldn't believe that this was made in 1971. The sadistic way Krueg and company acted and how they tortured poor Mari and her friend was nothing short of vile, but the way Craven shot these scenes of torture made your stomach churn twice as bad. The revenge of the parents also made this film something to behold. Last House is classic exploitation. Viewing it is a must.

Clever clever..! -Movie..!! -For a really low budget.
One of Wes Craven's.. -Early film's.. -Has this old
sinnister tale of good old rappe and torture.. -I've
bought this DVD and not half two worry about any
more dang VHS.. -Lucky.. -I am glad that a friend
of mine.. -Bought it for me.. -Becuase..! -I've sold
DVD'S I did not like any more..

I've think.. -Wes is worth it two sell your DVD'S
and respect the man for his buck.. -Craven did a
excellent job.. -I've totally of Wes about all of
his film's.. -The Catholic may condemmed. -Me..!
but Wes will alway's be known as the king of grade
B horror film's.. -In my mind.. -Sean Cunningham..
the Veteran of the Friday the 13th.. -Flick's help
Wes two do this movie in Connecuite..?

Craven.. -Is a cheap cheap film maker..? -And taken
his blood and gut's too serious for this kind..!
Sean did a great job with production value's..!
their is a glimpse as the future Friday the 13th
Steve Minor jumps at the end as he rides with some
drunken roadie's.. -Never mind..!

This movie may disturbed a lot of people..! -But
their is a story two just being a horror film..?
this one did not cost Wes any thing.. -The film
went two their back yards.. -Did something
they've cooed acheived for them selve's..?

Two girls go into a night in town..! -As they've
are hunted by some rapest's..! -The girls get trapped..
after they where headed two a concert.. -Then their
taken two the dimmwitted wooed's two be rape..?
then the movie turn's out a longer for the too ho
have kiddnapped.. -Rape; -and killed these poor
innocent women.. -Then..! -The next day; -the
parent's of the girl.. -Mari Collingwood.. -Goe's
out jogging.. -They've find the girl..?

But the same rapest's go too the house..! -Have
dinner.. -The mother learns that they are the
real killer's.. -So they've plot some fantastic
peice of cinema history.. -Revenge..! -Their are a
lot of disturbing images in this movie.. -And
don't let any one watch this with a bad heart
condition.. -I love the special feature's with

Wes Craven.. -and; -the introduction.. -Which
he explains that he have put back some of the old
violent footage in this flick..?

Wes Craven.. -Shooed of gane an oscor.. -But he
is known as a low budgetted filmmaker..? -You
never guest your going out.. -Two make a low
budget feature.. -Play with stuff that no one
has ever tried.. -And don't win an oscor..?

This is my Grade -A.. -Horror flick.. -Some say
it is not a horror flick..

Wes had a nice try with this..!! ... Read more

Reviews (375)

There's No More Room in Hell, So the Dead Now Walk the Earth
1978's DAWN OF THE DEAD is the second entry in George Romero's "DEAD" trilogy, though it isn't as scary or as groundbreaking as his first, the classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968). Still, for a low-budget sequel, it is an interesting and entertaining film, an unusual mix of action, drama, comedy, and horror that actually functions on two levels: One, it is a stomach-churning study of the depths to which people will sink in order to ensure their survival; and two, it is a dark satire that takes several pokes at Western consumerism.

The plot of DAWN OF THE DEAD builds on the premise of its predecessor. The world is now becoming overrun with the flesh-eating zombies, and in the United States, martial law has been declared and all survivors are required to go to state-run "rescue stations" for shelter and protection. The manager of a TV station and her helicopter-pilot boyfriend decide to defy authorities and seek out their own save haven, and two police officers--friends of the helicopter pilot--decide to abandon their duties and go along with the couple. The group eventually arrives at an abandoned shopping mall, and when they realize that the stores within contain all they need to survive--food, clothing, and weapons & ammunition--they seal off the building, dispose of most of the zombies inside, and take up residence. But when their claim on the mall and its goods is challenged by a band of motorcycle-riding marauders, the quartet is soon fighting for survival against not only the zombies, but also against their own kind.

Although the audience has been made to sympathize with the film's four protagonists, there is no true heroism in this world of Romero's making. Instead, there are only different levels of self-interest and narcissism. After the four move into their new home and start living off the "fat of the mall," they quickly develop a sort of bourgeois attitude towards the comforts they now enjoy. Of course, that is exactly the Western attitude that Romero is ridiculing--that sense of security and satisfaction one feels after amassing material goods. And when the group's right to possession is violently challenged by outsiders, Romero clearly demonstrates just how tenuous a security based on personal possessions really is.

Romero is a master storyteller who knows how to manipulate the emotions of his audience. In this film, he creates a relentless sense of unease by juxtaposing the repulsive and grotesque with the lighthearted and humorous. For example, when the quartet of protagonists first occupies the mall, they turn on the mall-wide Muzak system to mask from the zombies the noises they make while looting the stores. So for several scenes there is this macabre contrast between bloody, pasty-faced zombies and syrupy instrumental music. Uncomfortably comical and humorously disturbing.

Creepy, bloody (FX by Tom Savini), boisterous, and constantly full of surprises, DAWN OF THE DEAD is easily one of the most entertaining zombie movies ever made. True, it does have an underlying anti-materialism message that is none too subtle, but that doesn't detract in the least from the enjoyment of being playfully spooked and repulsed by all the zombie grotesquerie. All in all, horror fans will have a good time watching this minor Romero masterpiece.

The Divimax Edition DVD from Anchor Bay offers an excellent digital transfer of the U.S. theatrical cut (often considered superior even to the director's cut), and there are lots of cool extras, too, not the least of which is a feature commentary with writer/director Romero and FX man Savini. A worthy addition to the film collections of serious horror fans, and well worth amazon.com's very reasonable asking price.

Dawn Of The Dead Is A True Horror Masterpiece!
An intense and overlooked horror classic, George A. Romero's "Dawn Of The Dead", the second and most popular in his Dead trilogy, is probably his most epic tale to date. Regarded by many, including Roger Ebert, as the ultimiate definition in horror films, "Dawn" is truly the thinking man's horror movie. Its horror is far more subtle than that of in-your-face suspense films like "Halloween" or "Exorcist" or for that matter, Romero's first Dead film, "Night". Where most slasher films provide those quick thrills that make us jump but dissapear from our memory almost as quickly as they appeared, "Dawn" creeps into our fears and shows us a view of our downfall as a civilazation.

"Dawn" centers around four survivors, two Philadelphia S.W.A.T. members and a couple from a newstation, who are trying to escape a zombie plague that has engulfed the country. The film opens with chaos ensuing as a handful of newscasters attempt unsuccesfully to put together an emergency broadcast. We move forward to a project house where the tenants are protecting the undead because as one of the central characters explains, "They still believe there is honor in being dead". Guns blaze as seemingly more humans are taken down than actual zombies courtesy of a SWAT team bigit who goes buckwild but ends up getting his before the smoke clears.

As the violence in the city seems to be piling up, our four characters use the local news chopper to escape to the country side where the situation isn't any less of a problem though a handful of trigger-happy rednecks seem to be having a great time with their beers and shotguns. After a brief touchdown at said location where the group runs into a few problems with both the zombies and each other while gassing up their helicopter, they head back up into the sky and eventually land at a shopping center, the film's cental location.

Placing the story at a mall makes for not only a unique and creative backdrop but also allows for Romero to provide an intriguing social commentary on the madness of consumerism that seemed to sweep the late 70's. The zombies who try to break into the center are portrayed as people who loved shopping there so much in life that all they want to do is be there after death.

Romero and make-up effects wizard, Tom Savini are at the most sadistic during the concluding act of this film as our heroes do battle with another band of survivors, a motorcycle gang who shows up and tries to take over the mall for themselves. The zombies, who prior to this were pretty much an afterthought regain their power because their human counterparts are far too busy with each other to notice that they are regaining control of the place. Savini's graphic make-up effects really make for a great finale.

"Dawn Of The Dead" is very much a different film from "Night Of The Living Dead". "Dawn" takes a far different approach to the "dead taking over the world" concept that George helped create in "Night". The mall setting is far less clostrophobic than the farmhouse in the original but it is the nightmare outside that our characters must deal with. In "Night", it was all about getting past the problem that lie in front of them and it's smooth sailing. In "Dawn", the problem is almost reversed. They are safe inside their location, though their safety is an illusion, and it is the outside world that is coming in. They don't want to get away. The outside world is falling apart and the mall is almost a false symbol of protection.

"Dawn" probably will not be an instant overnight favorite. I, myself, was expecting a much different movie than the one I watched. Having caughts bits and pieces of "Day" before I actually sat down to watch it, I was expecting it to have more of the look and feel that I associated with that movie. I honestly didn't know what to make of the weird clothing, the Smurf-blue make-up effects, and the strange Goblins music that popped up through out the film. Within two weeks of watching it, it had become one of my favorite films. All these weird visuals that I found strange actually kept dragging me in over and over again. Though the film is over 25 years old, I can still honestly say that there are very few films of any genre that resemble it.

THE BEST ZOMBIE MOVIE EVER!!! AT LAST!!!
A four disc edition? Who can ask for more? Obviously we saw it coming... the remake was there... the Divimax edition early this year... everybody was saying a big multi-disc edition was coming... and here it is!

To start analyzing this film we must take a look at NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. This film was a landmark as it introduced the zombies as we know today. Now, DAWN OF THE DEAD set a new landmark. In it, the zombies were a mature (sub)genre in modern cinema.

What makes this film so important? Everything! First it is the brilliant screenplay. The story... you already know: as the zombie population increases more and more, four people barricate themselves inside a big shopping mall, where they endulge themselves with all consumering desires they can think of.

Sounds simple? It is, but there is more than meets the eye: as the zombies try to get in (you'll have to wonder why) the four heroes inside discover their paradise makes them more empty than they would have thought it would... and slowly, life start making no sense.

DAWN OF THE DEAD is the kind of film that has been changing as the decades pass. Its violence seems to have softened if we think of all the action and horror films who came in the decades that followed (just like it happened with other horror landmarks like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, FRIDAY THE 13TH, HALLOWEEN and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD). Its makeup is not comparable to the vast majority of horror films that came after (who had bigger makeup budgets)... but on the other hand, elements like tension, drama, character development and social critique have all grown more powerful then in all of the films that followed.

In other words, audiences who see this film today, many times discover the fact that its weight is changing fields... from graphic horror to social horror. And this kind of horror is no less potent and much more rare.

Mr. Romero is one of those rare horror screenwriter/directors who do have a strong critic point of view (and we can see it as he continues to deliver so in his later third zombie film - the sadly underated gem - DAY OF THE DEAD).

Clearly, this is a multi-layered film that demands multiple levels of reading. You must be aware of all the issues put inside this film. Otherwise, if you're in just for the cheap thrills, gore and violence, you'll probably be disappointed.

As a product of the late seventies, this is a production triumph because it manages to deliver a lot with minimum budget. The remake released early this year made a great update on this basic premisse.

I loved them both.

This edition seems to be more than we've all asked for (now that the simpler Divimax edition made all the money it could...). Here, you'll find all the versions and lots of extras.

But again... DAWN OF THE DEAD is a film that I am sure will be seen and celebrated for years to come. See it with an open mind and you too will discover why.

DAWN OF THE DEAD
A GREAT ZOMBIE MOVIE AND SEQUEL TO NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE WHO ENJOYS GUT RIPPING,FLESH TEARING ZOMBIE FILMS.VERY WELL DONE AND ACTED WITH LOTS OF GORE.ANOTHER MASTERPIECE FROM GEORGE ROMERO. GET IT!!!! A++++

Can't Wait
I must be honest, I almost got tricked into buying the DiviMax edition aswell, but after taking a look at what features it had on it and hearing rumours about this four-disc edition, I decided not to bother. All in all by looking at the cover art and reading about what will be on it, I believe that this edition will be a great buy for the month of September and for any Dead fan out there and, hopefully it will be the last edition for this particular movie. I can just see it now, six months from now, brand new "SIX DISC" Special Edition, that would be quite a sight . ... Read more

Amazon.com

David Lynch's 1990 Wild at Heart is an utterly random and ugly experience with pockets of startling imagery and inspired set pieces. Based on a Barry Gifford novel, the film stars Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern as lovers on the lam whose relationship is tested and who meet some truly dangerous wackos (including an almost-simian Willem Dafoe). Lynch's thoughts seem to be everywhere, and he expects the audience to keep up with a story that seems more a collection of avant-garde whims than a coherent vision with the intuitive brilliance of his Blue Velvet. Cage gives one of his more chaotic performances, but then he was just reading Lynch's signposts. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (68)

if you're truly wild at heart, then you must .....
i first saw this film in theatres back in 1990 and i couldn't get the film outta my head. at that time, i knew very little about david lynch or his unique style. needless to say, i fell heart and soul for this maniac film and knew i would probably want to watch it over and over. nicolas cage gives perhaps his best performance prior to the wonderful leaving las vegas and i still think this film was very overlooked by everyone with the exception of true lynch fans. while this is probably his easiest film to date that the mainstream cinema could DIGEST, wild at heart is still very much avantguard as it is excessive in the language, violence, and sex departments. what makes this film so digestible is the ironic humor which surrounds the plot like a second skin. while still not a film for everyone, there is much to like about this david lynch treat. i particularly love the scene where nicolas cage is visited by the good which played by then unknown sheryl lee who advises him that the wild at heart must follow their dreams. shouldn't we all follow our dreams no matter how crazy or chaotic things may be?

Dear Tom Keogh,
Wild at Heart is, indeed, a film with some startling images. Any David Lynch fan will tell you that you should expect no less from him. In this film, Lynch is showing a subtle form of humor, he is referencing the Wizard of Oz (I'll not dare say "remake," he is rewriting it in his own fashion), and he is creating film as art in his typical fashion. You see, you actually have to pay attention to Lynch's movies in order to fully understand them. You likely have to watch them more than once to get his points. That's all part of the fun. If you bother to pay attention to the details of the movie, then you will understand that his thoughts are not all over the place at all, but are telling you a story, in Lynchian fashion. He doesn't take you by the little hand and lead you through a smarmy Hollywood film about life and love then whisk you off to a nice, rosy conclusion with a sunset and cutesy music. Don't expect the point to Wild at Heart to come easily. If that is what you want, may I suggest "Dumb and Dumber." David Lynch combines film with art and Wild at Heart is no exception. If you want a movie to present a simple story line and to conclude with a pretty red bow, then skip this one. But if you want to watch an outstanding David Lynch movie, then Wild at Heart will not disappoint. This is a fantastic movie.

PLEASE RELEASE IT ON DVD!!
David Lynch's Wild At Heart is a masterpiece, it won Palme D'Or at Cannes Film Festival for Best Picture. It has an outstanding cast, featuring Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, Isabela Rosselini, Sheryl Lee,
Diane Ladd, Harry Dean Stanton, Willem Dafoe and so many other great actors! Why wasn't yet released on DVD in North America? Everywhere else in the world was. David Lynch is one of the best American directors and "Wild At Heart" is one of his masterpieces.
My favorite line from this film is: CENSORED.

Film of the Future
Lynch uses cinema the way it should be used. It's a naturally surreal medium, something only Lynch has truly understood, ever since Salvador Dali made Un Chien Andalou, all those years ago. Wild at Heart is totally coherent, as many reviewers have realised, even if only partly and subconsciously. All I would like to know is this: is the American South really the raw and mindless hell on earth that it seems to be in almost every film I've seen located there?

David Lynch's violent adaptation of the Wizard of Oz
Wild at Heart is David Lynch's violent adaptation of the Wizard of Oz with mesmerizing cinematography, which offers an exceptionally artistic cinema experience. Many scenes are visually packed as they offer much to ponder since they are often surrealistic or full of symbolism. The symbolism and surreal environment enhance the fantastic adventure into love, passion, and righteousness that Lynch provides for his audience. The tale begins with Sailor (Nicolas Cage) who was sent to jail for manslaughter as he killed a man in self-defense that was sent by his girlfriends neurotic mother. Released on probation Sailor is free and loving as he can reunite with his girlfriend Lula (Laura Dern) despite Lula's mothers opposition to their relationship. Lula's defiance upsets her mother who hires another hitman to slay Sailor. However, Lula and Sailor decide to take off to California and break Sailor's probation by following the yellow line on the road to the promise land. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

When Universal Pictures picked up the movie rights to a Broadway adaptation of Dracula, they felt secure in handing the property over to the sinister team of actor Lon Chaney and director Tod Browning. But Chaney died of cancer, and Universal hired the Hungarian who had scored a success in the stage play: Béla Lugosi. The resulting film launched both Lugosi's baroque career and the horror-movie cycle of the 1930s. It gets off to an atmospheric start, as we meet Count Dracula in his shadowy castle in Transylvania, superbly captured by the great cinematographer Karl Freund. Eventually Dracula and his blood-sucking devotee (Dwight Frye, in one of the cinema's truly mad performances) meet their match in a vampire-hunter called Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan). If the later sections of the film are undeniably stage bound and a tad creaky, Dracula nevertheless casts a spell, thanks to Lugosi's creepily lugubrious manner and the eerie silences of Browning's directing style. (After a mood-enhancing snippet of Swan Lake under the opening titles, there is no music in the film.) Frankenstein, which was released a few months later, confirmed the horror craze, and Universal has been making money (and countless spin-off projects) from its twin titans of terror ever since. Certainly the role left a lasting impression on the increasingly addled and drug-addicted Lugosi, who was never quite able to distance himself from the part that made him a star. He was buried, at his request, in his black vampire cape. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (143)

Lugosi Live Again !
Dracula has been the subject of numerous films. While many of them are memorable, of many actors who have played Dracula only two stand out as truly superb in their performance of the role. The first one is unmistakably Bela Lugosi who played the role in this 1931 film. While Lugosi's film portrayal has the drawback of being terribly out of date, now that more than 60 years have passed since, his magnetic appeal can still be sensed thru this release. (For those who are interested, the second truly superb actor is of course Christopher Lee, who unfortunately had to play ol' Drac to death in way too many Hammer movies. And Gary Oldman was good too but maybe a little over the top in Francis Ford Coppola's version.) TOD BROWNING's DRACULA was a hit in the early thirties. We can still see why. The film is said to have been restored but very little of this shows, as there are still plenty of signs of wear on the print used for this DVD. However, all the extra's more than make up for that. It is wonderful to be able to compare Bela to his Spanish speaking competitor, Carlos Villarias. Equally interesting is the comparison between Browning's direction and the direction of the Spanish flick, helmed by George Melford. Melford's version has the technical superiority, which cannot be denied, but Lugosi himself is more enthralling in his performance. (I feel a little uncomfortable with the Spanish version as I simply cannot help chuckle at hearing the changed names of Juan Harker and Eva instead of Jonathan Harker and Mina.) Again, the additional information due to special commentaries by David Skal, film historian, Carla Laemmle and Lupita Tovar, and the wonderful photographical montage added make this DVD extremely enjoyable and this not just for classic movie buffs. A note for Philip Glass fans: while Glass's new music score is very interesting to hear, the Kronos Quartet is unfortunately not adequate to the task of bringing the full range of Glass's thematics to life. That is very unfortunate for it makes the new score sound cheap, while it would have been great if it had been performed by a full orchestra.

A Stiff Production with Excellent early moments
Tod Browning's production of Dracula made Bela Lugosi's name immortal in the annals of horror film. While Lugosi had played the role many times on stage, he had a difficult time landing this role. He did and so became intensely identified with the role and never really overcame the typecasting. But he was brilliant in the style he portrayed the count. Helen Chandler was excellent as Bela's victim. The production bogged down in mid to late scenes but the early scenes of Castle Dracula and the bleak Carpathian mountain countryside are brilliant, some of the most gothically chilling in cinematic history. Dwight Frye's Renfield was a role of genius, his maniacal laugh still producting chills down the spine. I only rated this movie three stars because it is somewhat dated and does slow down in pace and drama in the last two thirds. The first third place it with the all time greats and if that mood could have been sustained, Dracula with Bela Lugosi would have been unmatched. Edward Sloan as Dr. Van Helsing was brilliant. The only one better was Peter Cushing.

DON'T REPLACE YOUR COPY!
While I fully understand the urge to swap this older release for one of the new Universal sets (Dracula or the deluxe Monster Legacy box), I implore you not to do it. Not only is the sound much better on this earlier release, but the new set contains the censored print that was originally released in 1931 in which Dracula's "death groans" are highly abbreviated. The contents of the two disks seem to be identical but the quality isn't. If you can put up with the very real possibility of having to repeatedly return sets in order to obtain one that performs perfectly, the Monster Legacy box is a good deal (especially at Amazon's price) and its transfers of the other films in the Universal series are very good, but this film is the exception. THIS ONE'S A KEEPER!

One of the best DVDs I own...
I love all of the old Universal Monster Movies and I love all the DVD versions that Universal has issued. They have done it right, giving us deluxe editions of The Wolf Man and The Mummy with all the bells and whistles. Of all of these, my favorite is Todd Browning's Dracula. Dracula may not be considered the best of the Universal films (that title usually goes to Bride of Frankenstein) but it certainly is the best DVD.

EVERYTHING is on this DVD. There is a wonderful DOCUMENTARY, The Road to Dracula. Amazingly, this is hosted by Carla Laemmle - the niece of the producer who actually ACTED in the movie. (She is the girl in the stagecoach who had the first line of dialogue in the film - indeed, in any sound horror film.) Clive Barker also adds valuable commentary. Although Barker is at the cutting edge (pun not intended) of hard-core horror, he still has great appreciation and insight about the classics.

FEATURE COMMENTARY: This is provided by David J. Skal, the noted Dracula/Vampire expert. Along with the documentary, this should tell you everything you ever wanted to learn about Dracula.

SPANISH LANGUAGE VERSION: It is now a famous story that, after Browning and his crew finished work for the day, a Spanish cast and crew would come in at night to film the same movie for the Spanish-speaking markets. The Spanish crew was very competitive and many critics say that the Spanish version is actually better. I do not agree with this. True, there are more interesting camera moves, but most of what we come to Dracula for is the Bela Lugosi performance - not to mention Dwight Frye as Renfeild with his inimitable laugh. The Spanish version is also great because it is a more accurate realization of the shooting script.

NEW SCORE: The old Universal movies did not yet have scored music. A few years ago, Philip Glass and the Kronos Quartet were commissioned to write a full score. It is excellent and it is also included on the disc. You can watch it with or without. I usually prefer without - I'll always think of the opening set to Swan Lake.

This movie is the all time classic universal monster movie!!
I am Drac-u-la , I bid you welcome, I never drink ... Wine
The 3 lines that famoused (new word of mine) Bela Lugosi and made him The Infinitive Count Dracula

Mr Reinsfield travels to transylvania to sail sum property to Dracula in england
Dracula welcomes him in for a feast and wine
while reinsfield is collectin all of the papers he accidently paper cuts his finger (which he really did in real life!)
Dracula goes for his neck but notices the crucifix on reinsfield's neck so he waits until reinsfield goes to bed and he pulls the chain off
all of a sudden reinsfield feels faint and passes out
leaving a feast for dracula

The next part of the film is the part of the ship which is very short
all of the passengers on board perrish from the hurricane or whatever as it travels to england accept for a mad man named reinsfield and a undead freak in the coffin named dracula (haha)

so dracula arrives to england and start's puttin the bite on the british

a classic i tell u and every1 who loves horror movies should have this!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (48)

have you checked... the children?
I saw this with my parents when I was in 6th grade... I can't believe they took me to see this disturbing film! I just stopped having nightmares last year. It was such a popular film, however, that about every kid in my school had seen it and before such phrases as "Where's the Beef?" and "Show me the money!" became part of pop culture, everyone was saying, "have you checked the children?"

Seriously though, this film isn't for children. It's true life horror and even more true to home in these violent days we live in. When this film came out, no one ever heard stories about Polly Klaas or other children abuducted from their own bedrooms, or intruders entering a home for any purpose other than burglary. Sure, it happened... but it wasn't as prevalent as it is today.

Not contented enough to kill two young children with his bare hands, the antagonist intends to finish off the babysitter as well. Carol Kane is superbly convincing as the terrorized babysitter and Charles Durning does a stunning job as the police detective that won't rest until he can get rid of this guy for good. Slow in some places, but they're really just getting you calm enough so that scare the wits out of you when you least expect it.

The film is most focused on psychological terror... you really don't see much violence, you just hear about it and expect it. It may seem a little unsophisticated by today's standards, but it will scare the willies out of you.

When a Stranger Calls
I read all the reviews of this film, on this site, before actually buying it, so I knew what to expect, and most of the time, when to expect it! As every other reviewer says, the first 20 minutes are exceptional, and the last 20 minutes not too far behind. The problem is the bit in the middle, which provides neither direction, nor suspense. I'm not saying this film should have been full of murder from start to finish, but it lacks that little something that I don't think I've seen anywhere other than Black Christmas which, for me anyway, is the "daddy" of all "he's in the house" films. This is in my top ten scary movies, and is worth buying for the 40 minutes referred to alone. I just worry that, on those dark winter nights, when I love watching these films so much, the gap between the first and last 20 minutes is so bereft of anything interesting or suspenseful, I may well fall asleep!

When a viewer yawns
Despite a raging indifference to the acting chops of Carol Kane--I still can barely stand to watch "Taxi" largely due to her annoying grate--I decided to give "When A Stranger Calls" a chance. After all, who hasn't heard about the opening segment of this film, where babysitter Jill Johnson (Carol Kane) fields an increasingly sinister series of phone calls imploring her to "check on the children"? Lingering camera shots showing the dark, silent parts of the house highlight the growing sense of fear and despair felt by Kane's character as she bravely stands her ground for the benefit of her employer's children. Several phone calls to the police bring the men in blue into the picture, but will they get there in time if the caller materializes? The ominous shadow on the staircase signals trouble of a most horrific nature, Kane reacts, and the scene plays out to its grim conclusion. And then the real horror starts, the stark, soul shattering horror of watching a movie with a memorable beginning sink into a morass of banality. "When A Stranger Calls" would have worked better as a short, independent film strongly emphasizing its bravura opening instead of plunging into the sprawling mess we get here. Too bad.

Years after that horrible night Curt Duncan, the crazed caller, is back out on the streets after a lengthy stint in an insane asylum. Unfortunately, no one told retired detective and now private eye John Gifford (Charles Durning), the cop who was there the night the caller terrorized Jill Johnson. The father of the children brutalized by Duncan hires Gifford to bring the psycho down anyway he can, if for no other reason than to prevent a repeat performance in some other person's family. Gifford agrees to take the case and begins looking for Duncan. "When A Stranger Calls" rapidly descends into boredom from this point forward, as we see Duncan attempting to rejoin society and utterly failing. He ends up in a bar where he meets Tracy (Colleen Dewhurst) and promptly receives a heck of a beating after attempts to ingratiate himself with Tracy brings on the wrath of a beefy bystander. Why Duncan expresses so much interest in a cranky barfly is just one of the many inexplicable questions that arise frequently during the film. You have a better chance of discovering the origins of the Sphinx or learning quantum physics at the age of three than understanding why this movie takes the turn that it does here.

As Duncan takes a beating at the bar, Gifford enlists the aid of one of his cop friends, Charlie Garber (Ron O'Neal), now a lieutenant on the force who remembers the bloody horror of that night but hesitates in helping his buddy. This part of the film is interminable, with lots of shots of Tracy strolling through the blasted landscapes of her city in the middle of the night, Gifford pounding the pavement around town trying to track down Duncan, and the former caller's inept attempts to evade capture. Seeing Charles Durning run, although highly amusing and slightly worrisome from a coronary angle, is not enough to elevate this segment of the film. Thankfully, the film returns to its frightening pace at the end, when the now married Jill Johnson once again encounters Curt Duncan. And this time she has here own children to worry about. The scene where she takes a phone call at a restaurant is worth slogging through the preceding sixty minutes, as is the final showdown shortly thereafter.

Another let down with "When A Stranger Calls" comes when we finally see Curt Duncan face to face. The guy simply isn't that scary in person. He's older, sort of thin, and looks like your average, every day type of guy and not an