The Substitute

Director - Robert Mandel (ABC Afterschool Specials, The X-Files)

Starring - Tom Berenger (Major League, Platoon), Raymond Cruz (Alien: Resurrection, Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires), and William Forsythe (Dick Tracy, The Devil's Rejects) 

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Crime/Action

Tagline - "The most dangerous thing about school used to be the students"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I pretty much lived at my local video store.  Dewey's Video was about a 15 or 20 minute ride from my home and I was there several times a week and always on Friday so I could get that extra day rental.  I was always checking out movies regardless of their genre.  Horror will always be my favorite genre but sometimes a movie from a different genre would catch my eye and I had to rent it.  This was also the time of the premium channels like HBO and Cinemax.  I loved movies and would often scour the TV guide looking for something to watch when I didn't have a movie from Dewey's to check out.  A few weeks back I received the press release for the crime action flick from 1996 called The Substitute.  This is a film I'm very familiar with after watching it several times growing up.  I can't remember if it was because I rented the tape from Dewey's or caught it on the premium channels.  Regardless, it had been a long time and I couldn't wait to check it out again.  I shot them a message and they were kind enough to send over a copy of the UHD release for me to check out.  

     The film follows a former soldier turned mercenary who turns to teaching when his fiancée is attacked by a gang at the inner city school she teaches at.  He goes undercover to get revenge on the gang only to learn that they are working with the principal and a known drug dealer to push their product onto the students of the school.  He turns to his former team to infiltrate the group and put a stop to them.

     The Substitute is one of those mid-90s action flicks that takes a simple action story and tosses it in an urban setting.  These became extremely popular after films like New Jack City was released and I've always enjoyed them for the most part.  The Substitute is not as dark and gritty as a lot of the others but it more than makes up for this with better writing.  The acting in this one is great.  We have a fantastic cast that features some seriously heavy hitters.  Major League is one of those films that I watched all the fucking time as a kid and I always thought Tom Berenger was fantastic in it.  It wasn't until I revisited The Substitute now that I realized how fucking fantastic he is.  Honestly, he carries the film to me.  His character is pretty cliched and not that original but he does an amazing job at bringing him to life.  Ernie Hudson is great as the film's antagonist.  I don't know of another film where he is the villain and I love seeing the charisma he brought to the role.  We also have great performances from Luis Guzman, Raymond Cruz, William Forsythe, Glenn Plummer, and several more.  This film does not have a weak link in regards to cast.  The story for this one is is  bit more complicated than a lot of the other action flicks at the time.  We have a school gang that is selling drugs provided by the principal while a mercenary and his team infiltrate the school to stop them.  It is a bit goofy and busy but it works.  We have characters that are well written and the scenes unfold perfectly.  Finally, we get a lot of gun fights and some minor explosions but those looking for a lot of fun deaths and fantastic gore will be very disappointed.  Overall, The Substitute is one of those mid-90s action films that many people might look over but is actually pretty fucking fun.  I genuinely love this movie and it was great revisiting it in 4K.  I highly recommend checking out this release from Vestron Video.  

The Prince of Terror

Director - Lamberto Bava (Demons, Macabre)

Starring - Tomas Arana (Gladiator, Blood Feud), Carole Andre (Yor: The Hunter from the Future, Flawless), and David Brandon (StageFright, Beyond Darkness)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Horror

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Lamberto Bava is a name that many genre fans know and love but is one that I could argue is severely underrated.  Bis career started in the mid-70s but it was in the early 80s that he really made a name for himself in the horror genre with films like Macabre, A Blade in the Dark, Demons and Demons 2, You'll Die At Midnight, and Delirium.  There was a few stinkers scattered throughout, like Devil Fish, but the majority of them are must see title for genre fans but they are not as widely known as films like Friday the 13th, Night of the Living Dead, and so on.  Demons especially, is a movie that I think every horror fan needs to see at least once but I can easily argue that most of the other films I previously mentioned of his should be seen as well.  A few weeks back my friends over at Severin sent me the High Tension set.  The set contains four made for television movies from an Italian show titled High Tension.  These episodes never made it to air due to their graphic nature and was recently restored by Severin.  I couldn't wait to check these out and started with The Prince of Terror.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a horror director who calls himself The Prince of Terror and lived in a secluded home with his wife and teenage daughter.  After hosting a dinner for a producer and his date, he finds strange things happening around his home from their family pet going missing, the toilet backing up, and light fixtures suddenly exploding.  Things take a sinister twist when they find their dog skinned and a maniac inside their home.  When the three fight back they learn that the maniac is actually an actor who has history with the director who has partnered with a writer recently fired by the director.  Both are disgruntled and plan on putting him through hell but are unaware just how far the Prince of Terror is willing to go to protect his wife and child.  

     It absolutely blows my fucking mind that Bava went into this to make a made for television movie and this was what he came up with.  I don't know the ins and outs of this one so I'm not going to pretend like I do but from what I have read is that these four films were never aired but did find some sort of release eventually finding its way to VHS or BETA.  While working on this review I was able to find several clips on YouTube from the film that was recorded from sort of tape.  Regardless if it was aired or not, this was one hell of a movie and I fucking loved it.  I wish I would have seen this one earlier, especially when I was first getting into Bava and his films.  The acting in this one is over the top especially for the time but that has always been a trademark of his.  We have some of the cast delivering serious performances almost like they are chasing awards while others are hamming it up in front of the camera.  This inconsistent acting would normally ruin a film but it's fun with Bava and most other Italian genre films.  The story for this one is a bit far fetched but it wasn't predictable and the "what the fuck" moments were plenty.  I don't think this one has a lot of replay value but the story is fantastic for a first time watch.  I suspect he had this story ready for a film and was up against a deadline for the television movie so he did some doctoring and submitted it.  Finally, the film has some pretty gruesome moments that I'm still daydreaming about.  The film doesn't have a big body count but two particular instances uses some phenomenal practical effects that were absolutely gorgeous.  It's not the most gruesome Lamberto Bava film but the few times we get gore, he makes it count.  Overall, The Prince of Terror is nowhere near my favorite film from Italian filmmaker Lamberto Bava but god damn did I love it.  It's a strange film for sure but fans of mid-90s horror and Italian gore will appreciate this one.  It's not your typical made for television movie which makes me question that entirely.  

Dinosaur Valley Girls

Director - Donald F. Glut (The Vampire Hunters Club, The Mummy's Kiss)

Starring - Jeff Rector (American Horror Story, Star Trek: The Next Generation), William Marshall (Blacula, Pee-Wee's Playhouse), and Griffin Drew (The Bare Wench Project 2: Scared Topless, Billy Frankenstein)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Comedy/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "A land where time stands still and the exotic action never stops..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was in elementary school when Jurassic Park hit theaters.  I wasn't able to check it out in theaters but as soon as it hot VHS I was able to snag a copy at K-Mart.  This started a small obsession with dinosaurs and it wasn't long before that love spread over into my love for movies.  I was soon religiously watching movies like Adventures in Dinosaur City, Prehysteria, Land of the Lost, and any other dinosaur flick I could find.  I still find myself getting excited when I find a dinosaur flick I had never seen before.  A few months back my friends over at Visual Vengeance announced the release of the 1996 sci-fi comedy Dinosaur Valley Girls.  This looked like a sleazy good time so I quickly pre-ordered a copy.  It was several weeks before the film arrived and once it did I quickly added it to my watch pile.

     The film follows failing action star Tony (Rector) who is having weird dreams about beautiful women and dinosaurs.  While visiting a museum, he finds an old talisman that he has seen in his dreams.  He soon finds himself transported to a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and early man, who we suspect was not around at that time, is trying to survive without becoming dinner.  

     I was really excited to check this one out especially when I saw that that there was a PG-13 cut of the film.  So, like any curious mind, I watched both versions of the film and neither one of them were for me.  It was a cool idea but the execution and diluted scenes made it a tough one for me to finish.  The acting in this one is inconsistent but not bad.  Some scenes feature smooth dialogue and dedication to their characters while other scenes have dialogue delivered too fast to understand and absolutely no energy.  I have no idea what the shooting schedule was like but it clearly drained the cast at some point.  The story for this one is simple and pretty clever but it loses it's traction fairly early on.  I was all for a failed action star with primitive hotties who hate clothes as they fight dinosaurs.  Instead, we get a story that stubbles through it's run time with nothing really happening.  Finally, the film has some impressive dinosaur props with some decent mechanics.  I was not expecting them to look as good as they did.  Also, the women are gorgeous as well and their lack of clothes, if you watch the standard cut.  Overall, Dinosaur Valley Girls is something I could see playing on USA Up All Night when I was little but it wasn't a film I particularly enjoyed.  It did have it's moments but it was difficult to finish.  With that being said, the release from Visual Vengeance looks good.  Collectors will want to snag it but those looking for something new to watch may want to skip it.  

Killers

Director - Mike Mendez (Tales of Halloween, Big Ass Spider!)

Starring - Dave Larsen (Vampire Centerfolds, The Teas of Heaven), David Gunn (The Gravedancers, The Convent), and Damien Hoffer 

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "Meet the new James boyz!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Mike Mendez is a filmmaker that I became familiar with several years ago when his anthology film Tales of Halloween was hitting store shelves.  I snagged a copy for my collection and soon realized that he had been in the game for sometime before then after a quick look at his imdb page.  Since then I've watched Big Ass Spider! and Lavalantula.  Sadly, that was all of his work that I had seen until recently when my friends over at Synapse Films sent me two of Mendez's earlier works.  I decided to start my journey with the 1996 horror crime thriller Killers.  Like always, I want to take a moment to thank Synapse for sending this one my way.  

     The film follows convicted murderers Odessa and Kyle James who just escaped from prison and make their way to the Charles Ryan and his picture perfect family.  However, as they get cozy and settle in while the police is looking for them, things heat up between Odessa and Charles wife while his oldest daughter has eyes for Kyle.  Once they relieve themselves of sexual tension, the pair realize that the home they forced themselves into for safety was anything but that.

     Killers is a movie that took itself too seriously resulting in a lot of unintentional laughs.  While I did enjoy the movie, I still found myself laughing at the cringey characters and over-dramatic performances.  It's a movie that may have found it's market in the late 90s direct to video action thriller boom but doesn't hold up as well these almost 30 years later.  The acting in this one is almost a parody of every direct to video action movie of the 80s and 90s.  The cast is very over the top.  Their cliched performances is clearly modeled after villains from infamous low budget films that littered the video store shelves.  Everyone in this film hams it up and their performances inspired a lot of laughter from me.  The story for this one is actually pretty fucking wild.  We follow two Mendez Brothers style killers who break out of prison and find their way into the Ryan family home.  The Ryan's just happen to be serial killers with a secret dungeon under their home.  The two evil forces clash as the feds attempt to infiltrate the home to capture the James Brothers.  Honestly, I enjoyed this story and I could see myself loving the film if the acting was a little more grounded and not so over the top.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood.  The kills are mostly gunshot deaths with the squibs and so on.  They are not that imaginative but they fit the style of the film very well.  Overall, Killers is a must see especially if you grew up through the video store age.  While it almost feels like a parody of the action thrillers that I grew up on, it still has a great story that just happens to be accompanied by some unintentional humor.  This release from Synapse Films is well worth your time.  Check it out.  

Thinner

Director - Tom Holland (Child's Play, Fright Night)

Starring - Robert John Burke (Robocop 3, Dust Devil), Joe Mantegna (Airheads, The Twilight Zone), and Lucinda Jenney (3 From Hell, The Late Shift)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Let the curse fit the crime"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been fortunate enough to review several Stephen King adaptations over the years thanks to my friends at the various boutique labels re-releasing these films on blu and UHD. I've seriously enjoyed several of his film adaptations, including the one he directed, but I haven't seen them all. One film I never got around to seeing is Thinner. I had bought the film years ago on DVD but never had the desire to watch it. However, I had to finally check it out when Scream Factory released the film on blu. They sent it my way for review which I'm grateful for, but I just didn't think I would enjoy it. The synopsis on the back of the DVD made it sound like it was going to be predictable and unintelligent to watch. However, I was very wrong, and I want to thank Scream Factory for sending it over. 

      The film follows a lawyer who is struggling with his weight. His wife and doctor are constantly bringing up his weight and forcing him to diet, which has not been so successful at this point. One night after celebrating winning a big case they accidentally strike a woman with his car killing her instantly. The accident lands him on trial where he uses his ties with the judge and chief of police to get out of it. After the trial he is approached by the elderly father of the woman he killed where he touches his face while whispering "thinner." That evening he notices he is losing weight and suspects his new diet is working but as the days go on, he realizes he was cursed by the man and so was the judge and chief of police. 

       I never thought a film like Thinner would interest me but here I am writing a review after watching it twice. It's not my favorite King adaptation but it is a fantastic film that combines horror, crime, and drama into something that works. Some genre fans may not appreciate it, but fans of all genres will truly enjoy it. The acting in this one is great. Robert John Burke is fantastic as the overweight lawyer who finds himself quickly wasting away. His performance has a wide range of emotion, and he absolutely nails it. The supporting cast is just as fantastic. We have amazing performances from Kari Wuhrer, Joe Mantegna, Lucinda Jenney, Daniel von Bargen, and many more. The story for this one is a bit predictable but I really enjoyed the ride. The blending of crime, drama, and horror works very well with the story centered around gypsy curses and corrupt lawyers, judges, and cops. While it does slow down dramatically during the middle portion of the film, it is still able to pick back up and deliver a very strong ending that perfectly wraps up everything with a little twist that you see coming but doesn't take away from the effectiveness. Finally, the film has a lot of make-up effects and prosthetics but it's not a bloody or gory flick. While I hate the fat make-up used on Burke, I loved the make-up used on the judge and the chief. They both looked absolutely amazing and worked. Sadly, Burke's make-up is laughable at best and does bring about a bit of unintentional humor. Overall, Thinner is a fantastic King adaptation that may not bring the chills you would expect but still finds a way to entertain. This release from Scream Factory looks great and deserves to be in any collector's collection.

Repligator

Director - Bret McCormick (Highway to Hell, The Abomination)

Starring - Gunnar Hansen (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Mosquito), Keith Kjornes (Thug Life, Six Dollars a Minute), and Randy Clower (Fatal Justice, Time Tracer)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Tagline - "Bret McCormick's erotic sci-fi romp"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I may have been born in the 80s but I grew up in the 90s. I remember some things from my early years in the 80s but the 90s were my time. While I do remember watching some ThunderCats, G.I. Joe, Transformers, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Real Ghostbusters, and TMNT, it was shows like Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Big Wolf on Campus, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Rocko's Modern Life, and so many more that shaped my childhood. When not watching these on cable I was renting tapes from the local video store or watching made for television movies on the original Sy-Fy Channel, Sci-Fi Channel. I watched a lot of cheesy Sci-Fi Channel films during the 90s and have a soft spot for them which is why I was excited when I saw that Visual Vengeance was releasing the 1996 sci-fi comedy Repligator. This looked like something inspired by the Sci-Fi original films of the time and I couldn't wait to see it. Like always, I want to thank Visual Vengeance for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a scientist with a military contract that is working on what he has dubbed a replicator. However, there is an issue when a man is sent through and comes out a woman on the other side. While he is working to correct the error a rival scientist has convinced the military to let him take over the project resulting in the human test subjects being exposed to that of an alligator. 

      I fucking love campy and cheesy cinema. I know most of the movies I love are shitty in retrospect, but I enjoy watching them so fucking much. Repligator is another entry in a long line of science run amok films made popular in the atom age and is still scene to this day. What sets this one apart from others is the nudity and sense of humor. It's far from perfect but you can't deny that it's a lot of fun regardless of your taste in film. The acting in this one is hit or miss. We have the late horror legend Gunnar Hansen and scream queen Brinke Stevens. Both deliver decent performances, but they are only in the film for a short about of time. The remainder of the cast is having fun on set but their dialogue is forced and many struggle with the volume of their voice. It's not the worst acting I've seen but there was a lot of room for improvement. The story for this one is everything I had hoped it would be for a sci-fi flick titled Repligator. We have beautiful women going around topless, a campy sci-fi setting featuring scientists who accidentally create alligator hybrids for the military, and a lot of cheesy visual effects from the 90s. I had a lot of fun with this but movie fans that don't appreciate the cheesy films that you could find on Sy-Fy in the 90s will not enjoy the story here. Finally, the film is not a bloodbath but it does have some seriously dated yet enjoyable visual effects and some gorgeous women. Blood would have made it a little more fun but we have to take what we can get. Overall, Repligator is another solid release from Visual Vengeance. It's one of those extremely cheesy movies that you can watch sober or 12 beers deep and still enjoy it. This release is a must have for collectors. Check it out.

The Dentist

Director - Brian Yuzna (Society, Bride of Re-Animator)

Starring - Corbin Bernsen (Major League, The Nanny), Linda Hoffman (Face/Off, Baywatch), and Michael Stradvec (Sometimes They Come Back... Again, Chairman of the Board)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It's been six months.  Time for your check-up"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I often reminisce about the evenings I spent at my local video store, Dewey’s Video, browsing through his tapes looking for something to rent. I would often rent once or twice a week, but it was a given that I would rent a stack on Friday. I often rented anything that caught my eye but there would be the occasional horror title sneak into my stack. It was during one of these trips that I watch Brian Yuzna’s The Dentist for the first time. As an adult looking back at my childhood, I realize now that Yuzna had a huge impact on my childhood. However, as a child you rarely look at the names for the crew behind the camera. I only rented the film because I saw Ken Foree was in it but looking back at the films I loved and their association with Yuzna I must admit he is easily one of my favorite filmmakers and producers. Hell, he produced From Beyond, Re-Animator, Dolls, and Warlock to name a few along with directing Bride of Re-Animator, Society, Necronomicon: Book of the Dead, and more. I never realized how amazing his body of work was until I started writing reviews. The Dentist is a film I remember truly enjoying but it had been decades since I had watched it so when Vestron Video announced the release of the film on blu I knew I had to revisit this one. I want to thank Vestron Video for sending this one over for review. It really took me back to a time where my biggest problem was making my mind up about which movies to rent and what snacks I was going to snag for my late-night movie watching. 

      The film follows the heavily medicated Dr. Feinstone who is a well known and respected dentist in his area. However, he suspects his wife of infidelity and when he finally catches her with the pool boy he snaps. He becomes obsessed with cleaner the dirt and decay out of the world and soon sets his sights on his clients resulting in medical mayhem and carnage. 

      The Dentist was not as gruesome as I remembered it but I’ve also spent the last 25 years watching some of the most fucked up film imaginable, so I am a little desensitized. With that being said, the film was just as campy and fun as I remembered. It’s not my favorite Yuzna film but I could watch it again and have just as much fun. The acting in this one is very uneven. Corbin Bernsen makes the film. His intensity and delivery sent chills down my spine as a kid and now I still feel eerily uncomfortable when he becomes unhinged. He gives this campy film his all and makes it so much fun. I also enjoyed Ken Foree’s performance as the hardboiled detective hot on his tail. We also get a well rounded performance from Molly Hagan who is best known for her role in Red State. Aside from those three performances, we are given some extra cheesy performances from the gorgeous Linda Hoffman, Michael Stadvec, the rest of the cast. Their performances are over exaggerated and awkward at time. I found myself laughing a few times and lost it during Stadvec’s death scene but the cast’s lack of direction at times really shows from scene to scene. I love a goofy horror films and I could see this one being just as funny as Ice Cream Man if they embraced it. Instead, we have some seriously great performances with campy performances and they clash in several scenes. The story for this one blends mental slasher and fear of dentists into something that only could be described as a seriously enjoyable straight to video horror title. We get some dentist themed deaths mixed with unlikable character that we want to watch die and a killer that makes the film. While I do prefer my slashers masked I still find this one to be very effective especially with the stellar performance from Bernsen. Some of the scenes are a bit stretched out and dull with way too much dialogue. The movie could use a good trimming to make it flow a lot better. Finally, the kills in this one are a lot of fun. As I stated earlier, they fit the theme of the film and the effects are phenomenal. Yuzna does not disappoint in this department but I do feel like the movie was a lot bloodier when I was younger but I can’t swear to it. Overall, The Dentist may not be as well loved as Child’s Play and Scream but I would choose it over those overrated franchises anyday. Be sure to snag this release from Vestron. It’s worth the price.

Uncle Sam

Director - William Lustig (Maniac, Maniac Cop)

Starring - Isaac Hayes (Escape from New York, South Park), Christopher Ogden (SLC Punk!, Pumpkin Man), and Leslie Neale (Twilight Man, Gremlins 2: The Batch)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "I want you... dead"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago, while I was still in high school, I was visiting my local video store when I noticed that they had placed most of their VHS into boxes and had them on sale.  Dewey's Video was a huge part of my childhood and so many memories of mine involved me walking up and down the video isles looking at the various tapes trying to find some to rent for the weekend.  When he sold his store while I was in high school the new owners wanted to upgrade the VHS releases to DVD and to do so they needed to sell their tapes.  It was a bitter sweet feeling walking out of there with bags of tapes knowing that I'll never be able to smell all the tapes as I walked up and down the walkways looking at the cover art.  One of the tapes that I snagged was 1996's Uncle Sam from William Lustig.  The cover art was pretty cool and the lithographic sleeve was rather unique.  The film was a fun watch and since then I've upgraded to blu when Blue Underground released it several years ago.  When I received the press release for the UHD release of the film from BU I used it as an opportunity to revisit this underrated mid-90s slasher.  I reached out to MVD and and Blue Underground and they were kind enough to send a copy my way for review which was just in time for July 4th.  

     The film follows the young Jody (Ogden) who looks up to his uncle who is in the military.  However, his uncle dies in combat during the Gulf War and his body is shipped back to them.  He becomes obsessed with his uncle and vows to enter the military as soon as he is old enough.  However, his uncle, the most patriotic man that ever lived, comes back to punish those that disrespect the country that he died for.

     Uncle Sam is not the best film from the 90s.  Hell, it's not the best film in William Lustig's filmography but it is enjoyable especially if you like holiday themed slashers.  As a fan of cheesy and campy horror films I absolutely adore this film.  It's not one that I can watch repeatedly but once or twice a year is just fine.  I can see some genre snobs and horror hipsters instantly hate on this film and that's alright.  This isn't for them.  This is for fans of the campy side of the genre.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but we do get some fun performances.  Isaac Hayes, The Duke and Truck Turner himself, delivers my favorite performance of the entire film.  I remember thinking how out of place Hayes was during my very first viewing of Uncle Sam but in the years since then I realize that he is among the best parts of the entire film.  With that being said, Ogden was awkward through most of the film.  I know he was young with limited experience but I've seen better performances from other actors his age.  In some of the scenes his performance feels forced and a lot of his emotions don't feel that genuine.  The supporting cast is solid but they are quick in the scenes and don't hold that much screen time.  The story for this one follows a basic slasher formula with an Independence Day theme.  We follow a masked slasher that finds himself wronged and seeks revenge.  This is the standard slasher formula made famous from the early 80s slashers.  However, decorating this one in red, white, and blue makes it stand out and appropriate for yearly viewings.  It is on the cheesy and campy side but I still love what it delivers.  It's simple fun.  Finally, the film has several death scenes with blood and some even fit the theme of the film.  One in particular is rather funny and still finds itself fully submerged in America and American history.  The effects are rather limited but the make-up effects and fucking phenomenal.  Overall, Uncle Sam is going to be one of those films that split the horror community but I enjoy it a lot.  If you are a fan of slashers or cheesy horror then I highly recommend you snag this release from Blue Underground.  I highly recommend it.     

Superman: The Complete Animated Series

Creator(s) - Joe Shuster (Peacemaker, Krypton), Jerry Siegel (Harley Quinn, Supergirl), and Bob Kane (Titans, The Death of Superman)

Starring - Tim Daly (The Sopranos, Justice League: Doom), Dana Delany (Tombstone, Camp Hell), and Clancy Brown (SpongeBob SquarePants, Dexter: New Blood)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The last son of Krypton" 

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in elementary school I was on a one way ticket to horror when I discovered the Goosebumps and it's cheaper clones like Shivers and Deadtime Stories.  However, I was a typical kid as well and loved shows like Batman Beyond, The X-Men, and the wildly more popular Superman: The Animated Series.  This show was huge at my school and I'm sure it was just as popular at every school across the world.  I absolutely loved it and remember snagging episode collections on VHS when I would visit stores like K-Mart and so on.  It was a huge part of my childhood but as I got older and the show was no longer airing on cable I found myself completely forgetting about it until I received a press release from Warner Bros. about the blu release.  I couldn't pass up this trip down memory lane so I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.  I had been sitting on it for a few weeks but after a tiring work week last week I decided to spend my Sunday relaxing and revisiting this classic series!

     The series follows Clark Kent, who was born Kal-el on Krypton, who is sent to Earth as an infant when his planet was destroyed.  The sun gives him super strength along with other unbelievable abilities and he uses those to save Metropolis and, on occasion, the world. 

     Superman: The Animated Series was a top tier animated show when I was a kid.  I had so many different toys from this series and would often trade then with other kids at school.  Everyone, regardless of socio-economic standing or background, had toys from this show, and a lot of them were rocking shirts, backpacks, lunchboxes, and so on.  It's was a popular series that would only be overtaken by the likes of NWO and Goosebumps.  It was great to revisit it and show my kids this show even though they had no interest in.  My daughters are typical girls who don't care about superheroes and my son only like dinosaurs.  They might not have enjoyed it but I had a blast.  The voice acting in this one is just as entertaining now as it was the first time I watched these episodes.  Tim Daly is great as the voice of Clark Kent and Clancy Brown is Lex Luther in my opinion.  The supporting cast fit their characters very well but these two make the show for me and their work here is fucking legendary.  I know Brown is mostly known for SpongeBob now but he's fucking amazing as Luther.  The story for this one spends two episodes on his origin story before spinning into classic encounters and adventures.  Some are new to animation while others are retelling of now famous encounters and struggles.  Honestly, each episode is great and it's hard to find some that just wasn't fun.  It was great story telling that I think is fun for all ages.  Even as an adult I was finding themes, like organized crimes and so forth, that went over my head as a child.  Finally, the animation is fantastic and almost iconic now.  It's similar to Batman Beyond in looks but the style of Superman combines that classic 50s and 60s "retro futuristic" style with modern settings.  I absolutely adore the look of this series.  Overall, Superman: The Animated Series is essential viewing for millennials and fans of the modern DC animated films.  It's fucking fantastic and a must own for collectors!  I highly recommend it.  

Scream

Director - Wes Craven (The Hills Have Eyes, A Nightmare on Elm Street)

Starring - Neve Campbell (Wild Things, Scream 2), Courtney Cox (Murder, She Wrote, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective), and David Arquette (Eight Legged Freaks, Ready to Rumble)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Someone has taken their love of scary movies too far.  Solving this mystery is going to be murder"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was born in the mid-80s but I'm very much a product of the 90s.  I lived through the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, N64, PSone, and PS2 years.  My evenings were spent in the local video store and in 1998 my family got their first computer.  I was constantly rushing to Rite-Aid, K-Mart, and other local stores to get the newest Goosebumps releases.  The 90s were a big factor on who I am today and with all that time spent in the video store I've seen so many movies pass through the "new releases" shelf.  In 1996 I was 10 and I made one of my many trips to the video store when Scream was released.  I remember that a few people I knew were there rushing to snag a copy of it on tape before they were all rented out.  I picked up the sleeve and looked it over but it didn't look like something I was interested in.  I can remember going over and renting a few games instead of movies that weekend because nothing really caught my eye.  I wouldn't watch Scream until the year I was married in 2010.  I don't remember it standing out to me but I knew that so many genre fans loved it.  When I received the press release a few weeks back stating that the film was getting an UHD release I was kind of looking forward to revisiting it since I had only seen it once.  I reached out and was lucky enough to a copy of the film to review.

     The film follows Sidney (Campbell) who is approaching the year anniversary of the murder of her mother.  In the days leading up to it some of her friends at school are murdered. The police is exhausting every lead they can but Sidney and her friends suspect that it is someone close to them.  The town issues an early curfew but that doesn't stop the teenage population from getting together for a house party and soon the masked killer arrives finally revealing who it is.

     Scream is a slasher that is extremely self-aware and is credited with revitalizing the dying sub-genre and inspiring a new generation of angsty slashers that almost feel like a parody of themselves.  There was a few cool moments that I enjoyed but the overall film was not enjoyable.  Honestly, I'm a little confused as to why so many genre fans like it when it's so cringy.  I found myself rolling my eyes more than anything which is saying something coming from a guy who absolutely adores Thankskilling.  I love goofy movies but I'm not a fan that of movies that takes themselves too seriously while trying to mock or poke fun of films before it.  I don't mind a parody.  In fact, I encourage them because they are done in a comical way that.  However, the way Scream almost mocks classic horror films, especially slashers, while trying to keep the serious tone comes across as dated and trying too hard.  The acting in this one is one of the few redeeming aspects of the film.  I don't really care for Neve Campbell but the remainder of the cast makes the film as enjoyable as it is.  Matthew Lillard and Jamie Kennedy made the film for me.  I loved their characters and I wish that the film was centered more around Kennedy's character instead of Campbell.  I also loved the remainder of the cast as well but I always felt that Campbell's performance was the weakest part of the film.  When she screams or shows any sort of distress I found myself chuckling because it doesn't feel genuine.  It reminded me a lot of a teenager on YouTube acting out a skit.  The story for this one has so much potential but it feels like Wes Craven is flexing his own name while somewhat mocking the genre that made him famous.  The idea of a killer using horror cliches and tropes is pretty fucking awesome and one hell of an idea for a slasher.  However, Craven name drops himself while referencing his other films is a bit cringy.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Craven fan with A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Hills Have Eyes being two of my favorite genre films but this is extremely awkward.  I don't mind paying tribute to the films that inspired us but Craven having one of his characters name drop himself was poor taste.  Also, the way the film approaches the horror stereotypes feels like it's done in a mocking way.  If you look passed the mocking tone and the way too serious atmosphere of the film you can find a slasher that has a pretty interesting concept but I would personally prefer the parody Student Bodies.  Finally, the film has some standard slasher kills that are another entertaining aspect of the film.  They are stock slash and stabs kills with a lot of blood and solid practical effects but it's not as gruesome as I was expecting.  Overall, Scream has a huge fan base and is one of the most popular horror titles to come out of 90s cinema but I don't find the appeal.  There is a few aspects that I enjoy but the overall film just misses it's mark with me.  Fans of this one will want to snag this release but if you are looking for something as a first time watch I could recommend other films in it's place.  

Nemesis 4: Cry of Angels

Director - Albert Pyun (Dollman, Captain America)

Starring - Sue Price (Nemesis 2: Nebula, RoboWoman), Andrew Divoff (Wishmaster, Highlander), and Nicholas Guest (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action

Tagline - "The future has a past"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was excited to start my Nemesis journey.  The posters for these films really brought my imagination to life.  I hate that I had to wait so long to review them but they were worth the wait for the most part.  The first film in the series is solid enough but the second was, surprisingly, my favorite of the series.  The third film was the dropping point for the series.  After seeing this I was on the fence about checking out part 4...and it looks like my suspicion was correct.  It would be the low point of this particular trilogy.  

     The film follows Alex (Price) who is the genetically modified human from the previous two installments who was humanities last hope to stop the cyborgs.  Now, she's a cyborg who has turned into an assassin.  Her humanity seems to be wiped from her with each additional upgrade to her body and when she accidentally kills the wrong person she finds herself hunted by other bounty hunters.

     I was expecting an amazing film but I was expecting something better than this chaotic mess.  The movie is sloppy, the cast just doesn't give a shit about their roles, and the effects are so bad that they aren't even funny like the pervious films.  I don't know what was going on with this one behind the scenes but it feels like it was pieced together.  The acting in this one is so bad.  Price attempts to deliver a performance similar to Gruner's in the first film but it just comes across as extremely flat.  She can't carry a scene like this and it results in the story and scene falling apart.  The supporting cast is extremely inconsistent.  In some scenes they really try and in others it's as if they are burned out by this point.  As I said earlier, I'm curious about the behind the scenes of this one because it's as if something negative happened which affected the filming.  The story for this one is just a messy mix of the first two films.  I'm sure Pyun wanted to make something that brought the series full circle but the way it is the movie is just a rehashing of the first two films.  It's dull, extremely boring, and repetitive.  Finally, if you want some pretty weird and cool practical effects this one has it but they are not enough to save this film.  The practical effects and cyborg mechanisms are way more detailed and intense in this one.  One scene in particular features a killer boob but these awesome gags are hidden beneath the unwatchable story.  Overall, Nemesis 4 is the lowest point up to this point for the series.  You could stop with 3 and still feel confident that you've watched the series.  

Nemesis 3: Time Lapse

Director - Albert Pyun (Left for Dead, Road to Hell)

Starring - Sue Price (Nemesis 2: Nebula, RoboWoman), Tim Thomerson (Near Dark, The Twilight Zone), and Norbert Weisser (Hocus Pocus, Brimstone)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The terror has returned"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've seen my fair share of shitty installments to amazing films but it's not often that you get to watch sub-par installments to mediocre films.  I don't remember seeing Nemesis at my local video store but someone had to like it enough to release four additional films.  Yet, here I am staring my review for the third Nemesis film.  MVD released the first in a stand alone blu release and then not long after released 2, 3, and 4 on a triple feature release.  The second film was one I had seen bits and pieces of before but I really enjoyed it.  I was looking forward to the third installment.  

     The film begins with Alex (Price) awakening miles from civilization with a wound in her head and no memory of how she got there.  She soon crosses paths with Farnsworth (Thomerson) who attempts to get her to go with him but fails when her memories come rushing back.  She realizes he is part of the cyborg terrorists.  She attempts to kill him and is forced to flee but not without discovering she has numerous half-sisters who are waiting for her in the future.

     I went into this one hoping it was just as cheesy and fun as the second film but found myself seriously dozing off with it.  The story is repetitive, the acting is horrible, and the effects were worse than the previous film.  This could be the perfect storm of cheesy goodness or a septic tank on film.   Sadly, this was the septic tank installment.  The acting in this one is just as bad as the pervious film.  Sue Price once again shines in the physical scenes but the dialogue scenes are awkward to watch.  The supporting cast is so generic and one dimensional that they blend in with the background at times.  No depth to the cast here.  The story for this one is more of the second film with the addition of the half-sisters which is not fully explored.  They just toss this in on a whim and nothing comes out from it.  They wanted to expand the story but forgot to along the way.  Honestly, if you've seen the second film then you don't need to see this one.  Finally, this one has some blood and a little bit of practical effects but the visuals are so bad.  I'm talking laughing to the point your body hurts bad.  Why anyone signed off on these shots is beyond me.  Overall, Nemesis 3 is a bit of a waste.  I really enjoyed 2 but this one is a fail for a follow up.  Skip it.  

The Craft

Director - Andrew Fleming (Bad Dreams, Paranormal Girl)

Starring - Robin Tunney (End of Days, Vertical Limit), Fairuza Balk (American History X, The Worst Witch), Neve Campbell (Scream, Are You Afraid of the Dark?), and Rachel True (Halfbaked, Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "Welcome to the witching hour"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was born in the mid 80s but I grew up in the 90s.  My entire life was changed when I discovered Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark? so 90's counter culture and horror was what I grew up on.  A lot of my friends that liked what I liked loved the 1996 fantasy horror film The Craft.  I don't mind it but it's not a movie that I will purposely seek out.  If it's playing on television or if a friend turns it on I might check it out.  Sometime ago Scream Factory released the movie on blu.  They were kind enough to send it over for review but I was unable to review it at the time because I accidently placed it in a tote while I was organzing my collection after the house fire.  With the release of the sequel I went searching for it because it reminded me I never reviewed it.  Well, here I am.  Better late than never!

     The film follows Sarah (Tunney) who moves to a new school.  She soon befriends Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle and the four become a coven encomposing the four elements.  They soon discover that they can perform magic and use their powers to better their lives.  However, Sarah soon finds herself falling under the wrath of the other three.  After fighting back they all realize that she is much stronger and the reason they had power to begin with.

     The Craft is not a bad movie by any means but it's one that I can't obsess over like so many genre fans.  The movie has a very interesting story but the final act of the film just never set well with me.  It felt forced and the predictability really makes the movie come across so much cheesier than the first three acts of the film did.  The acting in this one is solid.  The four leads deliver some of their most iconic performances of their careers.  Their performances are fun and they work so well together.  It really is a damn shame that fans of didn't get a direct sequel in a timely manner with this cast returning.  I may not be obsessed with this one like some of the others but I would have loved to see these four ladies return in a follow up.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward but there is so many scenes that are pretty boring.  Some of the more action heavy scenes are more entertaining and help hold the viewer's attention but the pacing is not consistent.  With that being said, I really do have a soft spot for horror movies centered around witches and the depth this film goes into with the witch story really sucks the viewer in.  Finally, the film has a lot of visual effects that did not stand the test of time but those looking for blood and gore will be very disappointed.  Overall, The Craft is such an iconic fantasy horror film and this blu from Scream Factory looks amazing.  I wish I loved this one as much as others but I can't.  It's two uneven and the final act just ruins it for me.  Fans of this one will want to snag this release from Scream.  It's well worth it.  

Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore

Director - Sarah Jacobson  (I Was A Teenage Serial Killer)

Starring - Lisa Gerstein (Bad Boy, Boiler Room), Chris Enright (Pillow Talk, Metalman), and Greg Cruikshank (Whatever Happened to Susan Jane, A Day in the Life of a Death)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Drama/Romance

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     There is several labels that I enjoy collecting.  Companies like Vinegar Syndrome, Wild Eye, and MVD Rewind Collection are all solid labels that I love adding to my collection.  Monthly I will scramble to get their releases while adding to my collection.  Another label that I love is AGFA, or American Genre Film Archive.  They release some odd and unique films.  Sometime last year I snagged their Films of Sarah Jacobson who passed away young from cancer.  I had heard of her feature length film for sometime so I was excited to see AGFA was giving it the blu treatment.  

     The film follows Mary Jane (Gerstein) who is in her last year of high school.  She has her entire life ahead of her but is fixated on losing her virginity.  After she loses it she discovers that everyone's first time was as horrible as hers and soon hooks up with a co-worker who works with her during the act to satisfy her as well.  After seeing sex can go both ways she finds herself drawn to him but soon loses him in an automobile accident.  

     I had heard other talk about Jacobson and her film over the years in the different movie groups and forums I've been a member of.  Her reputation as the queen of underground filmmaking shows that she was good at what she was doing and I was excited to finally check it out.  I'll be completely honest here.  I fucking loved MJNAVA.  This unusual film reminded me so much of the early works of John Waters meets David Lynch.  It was an absolutely amazing film and one I would argue is an essential piece of cinema.  The acting in this one works for the film but a lot of the cast had a lot to learn.  The characters are all real and genuine.  I felt like I knew everyone in this film when it was over with.  They reminded me so much of the people in my life when I was growing up.  I loved the cast of characters.  The story for this one is pretty simple but much like the early works of Waters we get drawn in with the characters and how they interact with each other.  The film is not as crude as films like Pink Flamingos but it does have adult dialogue similar to the stuff you could find on MTV during the mid-90s.  The film is dialogue heavy but I did not find myself becoming bored at all.  I actually really enjoyed the character interactions.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  In fact, it is the furthest from a bloody film you could find.  Overall, Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore is an amazing film from a woman that was taken way too soon.  I absolutely loved it and I'm heartbroken thinking about what she could have accomplished if she wasn't taken away when she was.  This movie is a must see!

Santa with Muscles

Director - John Murlowski (Amityville: A New Generation, Zombie Hamlet)
Starring - Hulk Hogan (No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando), Don Stark (Star Trek: First Contact, That 70s Show), and Robin Curtis (Ghost Story, Star Trek: The Search for Spock)
Release Date - 1996
Genre - Action/Comedy
Tagline - "He's naughty, he's nice, and he's coming to save Christmas"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of you have heard this by now but I feel the need to explain myself.  I was born in the 80s and raised in the 90s.  I was the perfect age to enjoy the NWO take over of WCW and was I was huge fan of the Hulk Hogan family films.  I grew up thinking I had seen all of them but that changed sometime back when Mill Creek Entertainment announced the blu release of the 1996 holiday film Santa with Muscles.  I remember seeing the film and recording it as a kid on tape then turning around and giving the tape away but I don't recall a god damn thing about the film.  I reached out to Mill Creek and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!
     The film follows the rich and famous Blake (Hogan) who is known for his wild antics.  One day he gets the attention of the police and during a getaway he finds himself dressed as Santa.  Soon after he hits his head and suffers amnesia.  One of the elves recognizes him and tries to use his amnesia episode as a way to get to his fortune so he convinces Blake that he is Santa.  Blake falls for it and starts doing righteous acts which earns him the nickname Santa with Muscles from the local news.  His headstrong and righteous ways lands him on the steps of an orphanage that is about to be closed where they need his help to stop the evil Ebner Frost (Ed Begley Jr.) from taking control of it for what is growing underneath it.
     I love the cheesy family friendly movies of the 90s.  Sure, they suck for the most part but they still have that whimsical entertaining value that I enjoy. Sadly, Santa with Muscles was a bit of a let down.  If offered up very little entertainment value and the few things that were pretty cool was overshadowed by the bad.  The acting in this one is super fucking cheesy.  Hogan is not known for his acting chops but this film is by far his cheesiest.  He hams it up in every scene which makes it awkward more often than not.  The same can be said for the supporting cast as well.  They deliver direct to video quality performances which does nothing for the film but does, at times, convince the viewer that they don't know what they are doing.  The story for this one is interesting but nothing new.  There has been several other kids friendly movies pop up over the years, especially during the 90s, that followed a group of orphans trying to save their home.  Tossing in Hogan and setting it during Christmas doesn't save it.  In fact, the lack of Christmas during the film only makes it feel cheaper than what it actually is.  Finally, this family friendly film does have some pretty cool practical effects and make-up effects.  I also liked the props in the film.  Some of the characters resembled super villains but their performances were very underwhelming.  Also, those looking for very dated visual effects will love it.  Overall, Santa with Muscles is the most 1996 straight to video release I have ever seen.  The blu looks fairly decent especially when you watch the VHS quality trailer (where I got the images from).  I'm glad I have this one in my collection but I highly doubt I will be revisiting this one anytime soon.