"Friday the 13th: The Complete Collection" on Blu-ray

Like most long running horror franchises, the Friday the 13th series became tired as it went along. However, the first two entries were solid efforts and remain scary and watchable, some three decades later. Even later entries, including Jason Takes Manhattan, were fun to watch, at least for their sense of humor. Regardless of the quality of each film, I have to admit to watching all of them. Yes, even Jason X and Freddy vs. Jason. I am loyal if nothing else. Even though there is no Friday the 13th during the month of October this year, the films are perfect for viewing around Halloween.


Friday the 13th: The Complete Collection

Synopsis: The 10-disc collection includes the twelve films on nine Blu-ray discs, as well as a killer DVD bonus disc full of special features on the making of the famous franchise. The must-own set will be presented in a collectible tin case with 11 hours of previously released special features and a 40-page soft cover book. The book is excerpted from Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday The 13th, a fan-favorite volume that’s viewed as the ultimate memoir of the series, and highlights some of the 200 interviews, 600 photos, storyboards, concept art and more. Also included is a brand new, official Camp Crystal Lake embroidered Counselor Patch.

Films in the Collection include:
· Disc 1 - Friday the 13th (1980)
· Disc 2 - Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
· Disc 3 - Friday the 13th Part 3 in 3D (1982)
· Disc 4 - Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) NEW TO BLU-RAY
· Disc 5 - Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985) / Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) NEW TO BLU-RAY
· Disc 6 - Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) / Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) NEW TO BLU- RAY
· Disc 7 - Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) / Jason X (2002) NEW TO BLU-RAY
· Disc 8 - Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
· Disc 9 - Friday the 13th (2009) (Theatrical Version and “Killer Cut” Extended Version)
· Disc 10 – Killer Bonus DVD Disc

Special Features: Includes UltraViolet™ so you can enjoy the film on many different compatible devices.

Trailer for "Insidious: Chapter 2" - Starring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne

Insidious is a truly terrifying film, so I expect the same kind of thrills and chills from the sequel, Chapter 2, which is scheduled to be released on September 13 (yes, that is Friday the 13th!). You can read my review of the original film here.

Watch the trailer for Insidious: Chapter 2 below.

New in Theaters: "You're Next" - Oh, the Horror! (Comedy)

About half way through a screening of the new film You're Next I was convinced that it would be one of the worst I had ever seen. The majority of the acting was really bad, the attempts at drama fell short and resulted in several laugh out loud moments (look, she's about to run outside!) and that music!? Has a horror porno ever been made? If not, the score would be perfect for it! You're Next centers around a family gathering to celebrate the 35th anniversary of parents Paul (Rob Moran) and Aubrey (Barbara Crampton), who arrive at the family estate, which has been vacant, to prepare for the event. Almost immediately, Aubrey hears a strange noise and Paul goes to investigate, only to be interrupted by his son Crispian (A. J. Bowen), who has arrived with his much younger girlfriend, Erin (Sharni Vinson). As the family and their significant others begin to arrive, the party begins, but before dinner can be eaten, the family is attacked from the outside of the house with crossbows and from inside the house with axes and knives.

One by one the guests fall, as the three intruders wearing masks of a lamb, a tiger and a fox unleash carnage. But why? Well the answer to that question is more interesting than the first part of the film may lead you to believe. Indeed, there are a few clever twists to this blood soaked gore fest that may have viewers rooting for the demise of the more annoying and unlikable characters. While the three killers have a relatively easy time knocking off many of the guests, they are unprepared for Erin, who happens to be a survivalist behind her petite, but formidable frame. She shares her backstory about a paranoid and overprotective father who must have seen the future that Erin would face, because she needs as much strength and aggression that she can muster to fight off the three killers....and their accomplices.

The weapons used by various characters, including a meat tenderizer, to dispatch their victims is sometimes amusing, which helps to offset the grisly ways in which many of them die. Yes, You're Next is akin to torture porn (and again it has the perfect music!), but the interesting second half grabbed my attention and gave me someone to root for, which I never imagined would happen. I was completely invested in the film as it reached its pulse pounding conclusion, thanks in large part to the performance by Sharni Vinson, who proves that smart and capable people, like her character, Erin, can be used effectively in horror films. I never imagined I would recommend this film after seeing the first half, but I suspect fans of the horror genre will appreciate the effort put forth here, as well as those who can get past the blood and gore to enjoy this better than you might expect effort from director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett.

Movie Recommendation: "The Conjuring" - Starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson

I never heard of the game Hide and Clap until I watched The Conjuring. Younger viewers who happen to watch the film may never want to play the game again - at least the superstitious ones who may not want to recall a few  terrifying early scenes in the film. The Hide and Clap game is just one of many frightening aspects of The Conjuring, which is a modern horror film that is actually able to scare its audience - a rare accomplishment. As I have grown older, most horror films do not bother me much and I cannot think of any recently that have stuck with me after I left the theater and made me wary of falling asleep. However, The Conjuring had me on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion and was also able to repeatedly send chills down my spine.

The Conjuring is set in early 1970s New England, where Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger Perron (Ron Livingston) have purchased a farmhouse that will be home to them and their five daughters. The film is based on a true story of paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), who claim to have helped the Perron family battle a demonic presence in their home. Soon after the family moves in, the family dog refuses to enter the home and is found dead shortly thereafter. After finding a hidden room behind a closet wall, the Perron family begin to experience other strange occurrences; Carolyn has mysterious bruises all over her body, the girls feel like someone is grabbing at their feet in the middle of the night and the clocks all stop at 3:07am each night.

Since Roger is a truck driver, he is away from home a great deal, so it is up to Carolyn to handle the bizarre happenings. After one harrowing evening that includes Carolyn being locked in the basement and one of the daughters attacked by a ghost, the Perron's seek help from paranormal experts Ed and Lorraine Warren. Lorraine is a clairvoyant who can see spirits and share memories by touching others, while Ed is a demonologist. Shortly after they arrive at the Perron's home, they acknowledge that something bizarre is happening in the house and identify a number of spirits, not all of which are necessarily harmful. After setting up equipment with the help of their assistant, Drew (Shannon Kook), and a police officer, Brad (John Brotherton), the Warren's believe that they have gathered enough evidence that will persuade the Catholic Church to perform an exorcism, but time is running out for the family, as Carolyn is possessed by the spirit of an accused witch who is determined to sacrifice one of her children. As a result, the Perrons and the Warrens are in a race against time.

The Conjuring is a well crafted, often scary and generally well acted film. Vera Farmiga is especially good as Lorraine and plays a much more low strung character than Norma Bates in the television series Bates Motel. Lili Taylor also delivers fine work, as Carolyn, the loving mother who finds herself facing an evil that is trying to inhabit her mind and body, which places the lives of her children in jeopardy. The nearly two hour effort is well paced and the story held my attention, at least until the final act. At that point, I felt The Conjuring went from being a semi-believable story to one that seemed to go overboard and became almost hysterical (not funny, just out of control). In addition, the number of spirits who are inhabiting the house only served to convolute the plot. On the other hand, the special effects are quite good and the music is appropriately creepy for the film which benefits from a rural setting, where help is not always easy to find. I suspect that the DVD will drop around Halloween, which would be a perfect time to revisit this above average frightfest that will likely please fans of the horror genre and beyond.

DVD Round-Up: "End of Watch" Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and "The Possession" Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan

End of Watch (2012)

The Basics: Two police officers from South Central Los Angeles encounter a variety of disturbing crimes and soon run afoul of a drug cartel who target them for revenge.

Reasons to Watch: The chemistry between officers Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Zavala (Michael Peña) is the centerpiece of the film. Their rapport is realistic, often amusing, and even though Taylor can be a bit of an ass, viewers will want to root for both of them. Gyllenhaal and Peña deliver some of their best work to date for writer/director David Ayer, who has crafted a gritty, brutally honest and no holds barred film.

The Bottom Line: The violent nature of some scenes, along with the generally depressing subject matter, make the film difficult to watch at times, but the infusion of humor in the rapport between Taylor and Zavala helps to lighten the mood. The personal lives of both characters are explored in detail throughout the film, as viewers are continually drawn into their lives, thus making it easy to become attached to them. However, the constant dangers that the duo face threaten to derail their lives at any given moment, which leads to many tense and suspenseful scenes. In other words, viewers are in for a ride on an emotional roller coaster where things do not always turn out as expected.

The Possession (2012)

The Basics: Horror movie centering around a haunted dybbuk box that houses a spirit which attaches itself to a young girl, Em (Natasha Calis), and unleashes mayhem on her already broken family.

Reasons to Watch: The Possession, directed by Ore Bornedal, offers a few good scares and features an above average cast, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick.

The Bottom Line: The Possession is based on a true story, but after researching its origins, I found that the film strays from the source material which actually interested me more than the film itself. The Possession is well paced, but some characters get lost in the shuffle. For instance, after appearing in many scenes during the first half of the film, Em's sister, Hannah (Madison Davenport), is missing in action for much of the second half. In addition, Stephanie's boyfriend, Brett (Grant Show), disappears after he is attacked by the spirit inhabiting Em and is not mentioned or seen again for the balance of the film. In this case, a longer run time may have been beneficial for continuity purposes. Overall, The Possession is a decent effort and if there is a sequel, I hope it centers around the original true story.

New in Theaters: "Evil Dead" Gets A New Life

You paid how much to see this film?

Sam Raimi's 1981 film The Evil Dead received much critical acclaim and has attained a large cult following since its debut. I have never seen the original film, so I cannot compare it to the remake, the just released Evil Dead. As a longtime fan of the horror genre I enjoy being scared, but as the years have flown by, it now takes a truly shocking effort to shake me up. Unfortunately, Evil Dead is not that kind of film. 

The story centers around a group of friends who travel to a remote cabin in the woods in an effort to help Mia (Jane Levy) detox. Mia's brother, David (Shiloh Fernandez), wants to help his sister get better, but the troubled past they share makes the situation even more difficult. Mia's various problems lower her resolve, which makes her the perfect target for a demonic presence to infiltrate her body and mind, while placing the lives of David and their friends, Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci), Olivia (Jessica Lucas) and Natalie (Elizabeth Blackmore) in great danger.

Soon after arriving, Mia complains about an awful stench emanating from the basement of the cabin. The group soon discovers animal carcasses and plenty of blood, which raises more than a few questions. In addition, Eric finds a book that has been bound shut, but his curiosity gets the better of him and he opens it. The bizarre pictures and words seem to speak to him and, as a result, he begins to read the book aloud, which raises the demonic spirit, who makes a beeline for Mia. Soon thereafter, the carnage begins and even though the deranged Mia has been locked in the basement, the demon is able to move about and inhabit the bodies and minds of others, resulting is copious amounts of blood and gore. Indeed, the demon is intent of killing the five visitors and concocts many gruesome punishments with the help of a very sharp knife, broken glass and a nail gun. Of course, with the lack of character development, I am not sure viewers will care who lives or dies. 

One of the problems with Evil Dead is that it is simply not scary. When the demon inhabits Mia, her voice changes and her face contorts, but it looks more like an attempt at black comedy than horror. I almost laughed when Mia/the demon pokes her head out from the basement door and threatens the others. To their credit, the other characters do initially try to get Mia away from the cabin and to a doctor, but the never ending rainfall has washed out the road, trapping them in the woods. At least the characters have some common sense and a degree of likability about them.

Evil Dead is somewhat suspenseful, Lou Taylor Pucci delivers some fine work, and the final act is rather exciting. I actually found myself rooting for a character who annoyed me almost from start to finish, but wanted to see her/him survive nonetheless. Of course, any survivors could trigger a sequel and I am not sure if that is a good idea. One trip back to the cabin may be enough. 

Director: Fede Alvarez

Screenplay: Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues, Diablo Cody

New in Theaters: "Mama" Offers A Few Good Scares

Mama is able to accomplish two things that are rare among contemporary horror films; provide a few genuinely scary moments and put forth a talented cast. Yes, even the child actors are convincing in this sometimes absorbing, but equally confusing film from first time director Andres Muschietti. The titular character is discovered early on, as a distraught father, Jeffrey (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), murders his wife and business associates and then takes his children, five year old Victoria, and one year old Lily, with him. After crashing as a result of icy road conditions, Jeffrey and the girls walk through the woods until they stumble upon a deserted cabin. Jeffrey intends on killing himself and the children, but a malevolent spirit, Mama, intervenes and kills him instead.

Flash forward five years when Jeffrey's twin brother, Lucas (also portrayed by Waldau), is still searching for his brother and the girls. A search party finally locates the car, the cabin and the girls, who appear to be healthy, but behave more like animals than humans. Jeffrey and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain), place the children under the care of a psychiatrist, Dr. Dreyfuss (Daniel Kash), and plan to seek custody, much to the dismay of the children's wealthy aunt Jean (Jane Moffat). Soon after the girls move in with Lucas and Annabel, strange things begin to occur, as Mama, who apparently took care of the girls while they were at the cabin, has accompanied the youngsters to their new home. As a result, Lucas is quickly attacked and hospitalized, leaving a reluctant Annabel to care for Victoria (Megan Charpentier) and Lily (Isabelle Nélisse). While Victoria appears willing to open up to Annabel and let Mama go, Lily is not, perhaps because Mama is the only mother she has really known.

As Annabel grows closer to the girls, Mama becomes jealous and invades her dreams, which tell her sad and gruesome tale. Mama's aggressive behavior towards Annabel continues to unfold and she eventually reveals herself, much to the horror of the young woman. Meanwhile, Lucas is slowly recovering and is having strange dreams of his own, Dr. Dreyfuss is beginning to unravel Mama's backstory, and Jean suspects that the girls may be suffering physical abuse, which prompts an unexpected and unfortunate visit. All of the aforementioned events serve to set up the final act.

The screenplay, by Neil Cross, Andres Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, is interesting, suspenseful and features a healthy dose of humor to offset the horror. However, some things do not make sense. First of all, what role do moths play in Mama's existence? The clearly are important because they are shown in abundance when she is around, but there is explanation as to why. In addition, why did Mama not injure Annabel like she did Lucas? That would have allowed her to take the girls back much sooner. Furthermore, how can Mama be in two places at once, such as at the cabin and at the house? Does she have a twin sister? Also, how does she know to be at the cabin when it is located by other characters? Those questions, and a few more, bothered me because the story is interesting and the performances are equally good and I wanted everything to come together in a coherent way. 

Andres Muschietti is on to something good here, but there are many unanswered questions and holes in the story that become distracting. I am all for suspending disbelief during horror movies, but Mama stretched the limits of my patience.  Of course, the ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel, which may help to clear a few things up. In any event, Mama is a solid attempt at a modern day horror film and fans of the genre will want to see this one, although they should be aware of its shortcomings.

Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" (2012) - A Love Letter to Frankenstein

Photo Credits: Disney

Director Tim Burton takes the familiar and usually heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog and infuses horror elements and a tribute to the original Frankenstein film, from 1931, in the recently released Frankenweenie. The film has already exited first run theaters, due to a mediocre box office take, but the bargain cinemas should be showing it soon. Frankenweenie is a film that is best viewed on the big screen to better appreciate the special effects and wonderful stop motion animation that is likely to make you smile from start to finish.

The story centers around young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan), an intelligent and good-natured young boy who has a keen interest in science and, unfortunately, has trouble relating to other children. As a result, Victor has few friends, but all he seems to need for companionship is his precious dog, Sparky. Their bond is so strong and genuine that viewers may weep when Sparky is run over and killed while chasing after a ball. Victor is beside himself with grief, but after listening intently to his science teacher, Mr. Rzykruski, speak about successfully reanimating frogs with the use of electricity, he gets an idea on how to be reunited with Sparky. Viewers who are acquainted with the original Frankenstein film will see familiar sites in the attic of Victor's home, where he readies his recently departed best friend for an experiment that he hopes will bring him back to life.

After an initial feeling of failure, Sparky is revived, thanks to Victor's ability to harness electricity during the town's nightly thunderstorm. However, Sparky has difficulty retaining fluids, as water pours out from his battered body. Victor must also keep Sparky hidden until he decides how to let his parents know what has happened. However, the curious little fellow finds a way out of the attic and explores his familiar surroundings and eventually sniffs his way to Victor's school, where he is spotted by Edgar Gore (or E. Gore), who looks and speaks very much like Dr. Frankenstein's assistant, Igor, from the 1931 film. However, E. Gore (portrayed by the hilarious Atticus Shaffer) has an agenda of his own and blackmails Victor with the knowledge that he brought Sparky back to life. As a result, Victor must teach E. Gore how to re-animate life, which leads to other students finding out, including one who looks very much like a young Frankenstein monster, and performing the same procedure on their dead pets. Soon, the town is littered with the recently dead who have been brought back to life and pose a great threat to the entire town of New Holland. Victor is then tasked with devising a way to save everyone since he initiated the experiments that brought about the havoc.

In addition to the numerous references to the Frankenstein legacy, fans of old horror movies are treated to images of Christoper Lee as Count Dracula, a nod to Godzilla, and a hilarious sight gag reminiscent of The Bride of Frankenstein. Viewers who remember the late Vincent Price, who appeared in countless horror films, will see his resemblance in Victor's teacher, Mr. Rzykruski, who is portrayed by Martin Landau. Landau also portrayed another horror legend, Bela Lugosi, in Tim Burton's Ed Wood. The screenplay, by John August, pays homage to Frankenstein for the duration. For instance, both films were shot in black and white and feature many similar characters. Of course, some of them have been creatively re-imagined since Victor is a young boy in Frankenweenie. The scenes in the laboratory/attic, in the pet cemetery and in the windmill at the end of the film, all pay hearty tribute to Frankenstein and director James Whale.

Frankenweenie managed to put a smile on my face for almost 90 minutes. The talented voice actors, including Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short, the great art direction, countless sight gags, foreboding music, and the lovable, innocent Sparky all conspire to make this a must see film, especially for those viewers who enjoy classic horror movies. I am disappointed that Frankenweenie did not resonate better with audiences, but it seems more suited to adults than to children. However, I think it was marketed as a family film, but younger viewers may not have understood the subject matter or could have possibly been frightened by  some of the more ominous plot developments. In any event, Frankenweenie is one of those films I would like to watch over and over again and it will likely become must see viewing for me every Halloween.

Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection (DVD)

One of the greatest monster franchises in history owes a great debt to Mary Shelley, Boris Karloff and James Whale. Shelley for her original book which inspired the films, Karloff for his incredible performance as the gentle giant/fearsome monster in three movies, and James Whale's direction, which brought not only the Frankenstein Monster to life, but his Bride, too. Jack Pierce should also be given considerable credit, since he co-created the amazing make-up, with Whale, that resulted in one of the most recognizable and iconic images of the past eight plus decades.

Five Frankenstein films are included in the Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection box set, which also boasts a plethora of special features that pay homage to the unforgettable series. James Whale directed the first two films; Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, while Karloff appeared in the first three films, including Son of Frankenstein, as the titular character. Karloff also appeared in House of Frankenstein, but not as the monster. In addition to the fantastic make-up, the foreboding atmosphere created by James Whale, and Karloff's sometimes heartbreaking performance, the screenplay, by Francis Edward Faragoh and Garrett Fort, is outstanding and cerebral in the original film. The Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein also feature excellent screenplays, courtesy of William Hurlbut & John L. Balderston, and Wyllis Cooper, respectively.

The intelligent writing helped to balance the science of creating life with the more ominous overtones of a creature that possesses the brain of a criminal, instead of a so-called normal brain, which was what Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) intended. However, his assistant, Igor (Dwight Frye), made a terrible mistake when startled during a robbery at a medical clinic. Of course, when you go about trying to create life, there are bound to be problems, especially from those individuals who think that God is the only one who should have that job. Indeed, there are social and religious components to the film which separate it from its counterparts in the horror genre. In the original film, Henry Frankenstein was a genius, but was also a bit mad, which is typical. Had he known the brain he was using for his creation was abnormal, he would not have gone ahead with the procedure of bringing the being to life. But once the genie was out of the bottle, Henry wanted to try again by making a mate for the lonely and misunderstood creature. Always remember "Alone....Bad, Friend.....Good."

While there is much to like about the first three films, the last two, Ghost of Frankenstein and House of Frankenstein, are not nearly as good. However, the screenplay for Ghost of Frankenstein, by Scott Darling and Eric Taylor, starts off strong, but loses momentum as the film moves along and completely falls apart during the final scenes. On the other hand, House of Frankenstein is a complete mess and must have only been made to generate money for Universal. While it is always great to see Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney Jr. on screen, there is not much to like about this mishmash that includes appearances by Dracula (John Carradine), Chaney as The Wolf Man, and Karloff as the evil Dr. Niemann, who attempts to revive all of the aforementioned monsters for his own personal gain.

It is difficult to decide whether Frankenstein or Bride of Frankenstein is the better film. I think they are about equal. Both benefit from Whale's outstanding direction, Karloff's emotional multi-layered performances, terrific atmosphere and solid work from Colin Clive. Of course, Bride of Frankenstein features the great, albeit brief work, of Elsa Lanchester, as the Bride. The supporting cast, including Una O'Connor and Dwight Frye are also terrific. While Son of Frankenstein was not as widely acclaimed, I thought the vast majority of the film was well conceived, but I was not impressed with the abrupt conclusion, nor how the monster was revived for future installments.

The special features include the excellent documentary "The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made A Monster", commentary by film historians, a poster and photo gallery, original trailers, the short film, "Boo!," a behind the scenes featurette hosted by director Stephen Sommers, and another documentary, "She Alive!," featuring the Bride of Frankenstein.

I always try to reacquaint myself with one or more of the Universal Monsters every Halloween, when it seems more appropriate to watch these classic films that never seem to lose their appeal. Of course, when supremely talented people are involved, magic can be made and Frankenstein is a perfect example.



"Paranormal Activity 4" - Same Old, Same Old

Horror movies are supposed to be scary, right? The once terrifying Paranormal Activity franchise now relies on variations of the original concept, which allows viewers to telegraph what is going to happen and, as a result, they are no longer frightened. The fourth installment is not nearly as good as the previous three. The characters are mostly unlikable and lack any sort of common sense and the screenplay feels very tired.

Paranormal Activity 4 centers around a new family consisting of Holly (Alexondra Lee) and Doug (Stephen Dunham), a married couple, and their two children, the teenage Alex (Kathryn Newton) and the much younger Wyatt (Aiden Lovekamp). Alex has a boyfriend, Ben (Matt Shively), who helps her adjust to problems that begin when the family temporarily takes in a young neighbor boy, Robbie (Brady Allen), after his mother is rushed to the hospital. Robbie is a rather creepy child who enjoys walking around the house at all hours of the night, but otherwise seems harmless. Unfortunately, his imaginary friend (actually a demonic force), Toby, is not so harmless. Once Robbie arrives, Toby does too, and causes all sorts of problems for the family, such as turning on electronics, making loud noises and, of course, trying to kill them.

Alex understands that something is not right with Robbie and tries to talk to her clueless parents, but they think she is being silly, despite the fact that they each have experienced unexplained events. Ben and Alex try to determine what is really going on and set up cameras around the house to capture what is happening. Without understanding the nature of the danger they face, a series of harrowing events begin to plague the family, but it may be too late to save themselves, especially once Robbie's mom, the malevolent Katie (Katie Featherston, who appeared in the first three films) returns to the neighborhood. As it turns out, she has a connection to Wyatt.

The lack of original ideas and the absence of genuine scary moments greatly diminish Paranormal Activity 4. However, I did appreciate two nods to the 1980 film The Shining, which is based on the Stephen King novel. In any event, this low budget film will earn much more than its production costs, so expect more sequels as long as the Paranormal Activity franchise remains profitable. Perhaps future installments should focus on the mysterious cult members who have been seen in the third and fourth installments, and shy away from the doomed family members who awaken in the middle of the night to find themselves fighting for their lives. Been there, done that. Time to move on.

Horror Spotlight - "The Chernobyl Diaries"

Photo credits: Warner Bros.

Writer/producer Oren Peli branches out from his Paranormal Activity films to explore the what ifs of the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that occurred in 1986, with Chernobyl Diaries. The film centers around a group of young adults who are traveling through Europe before heading to Moscow, where Chris (Jesse McCartney) plans to propose to his lady love, Natalie (Olivia Taylor Dudley). While in Kiev, Chris visits his brother, Paul (Jonathan Sadowski), who suggests that they experience extreme tourism by visiting the town of Prypiat, the site of the ill-fated Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Chris and Natalie, along with their friend Amanda (Devin Kelley) agree to go with Paul, who has hired a tour guide, Uri (Dimitri Diatchenko) to escort them there. Before they leave, the group meets up with two backpackers, Zoe (Ingrid Bolso Berdal) and Michael (Nathan Phillips), who are interested in joining them and the group enthusiastically agrees.

The excitement within the group is palpable, but when they approach the Chernobyl Exclusion Checkpoint near Prypiat, they are turned away by authorities. However, Uri knows a back way into Prypiat and proceeds to drive through the desolate surroundings, which does not seem to deter the adventurous group. They soon arrive at the area that used to serve as home to the Chernobyl employees and their families. After a tour of one of the buildings, Uri notices a smoldering fire on the floor, but brushes it aside so no one else can see it. This is an allegedly deserted location after all. Before the team leaves they are frightened by a natural predator, but everyone is safe and accounted for. As darkness looms, they decide to leave, but the van will not start because wires in the engine have been chewed up, perhaps by the wild dog population. After unsuccessfully radioing for help, they decide to stay in the van and wait until morning. However, natural threats from wild animals and other more malevolent threats begin to appear, exposing the group to unspeakable horrors.

The first half of Chernobyl Diaries is effective and chilling, considering the area around Chernobyl was restricted for many years and has since been shut down again. What could be occurring in and around the disaster site that has officials on guard some 25 plus years later? The combination of natural threats and supernatural elements is creative, but provides more questions than answers as the second half of the film moves along. The majority of the cast members are serviceable in their roles as the seemingly doomed group is faced with one unfortunate event after another. There was not enough development to really endear the characters to viewers, but this is a horror movie after all, with many "redshirts" who will not last until the end of the film anyway. That is not a spoiler, just common sense. Overall, Chernobyl Diaries starts off strong and manages to build suspense, but when the body count starts to rise, the plot begins to meander around and never fully addresses exactly what is really going on. Perhaps a sequel might help to fill in the blanks.

Chernobyl Diaries available on Blu-ray Combo pack, DVD and for download 10/16.

“Chernobyl Diaries” Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:

· Alternate Ending

· Uri’s Extreme Tours Infomercial

· Chernobyl Conspiracy Viral Video

· Deleted Scene

“Chernobyl Diaries” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

· Chernobyl Conspiracy Viral Video

· Deleted Scene

Watch a clip below

Celebrate Halloween with "100 Greatest Horror Classics" - Featuring Films Starring Boris Karloff and Vincent Price

Icons of the classic horror movie genre, including Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Sr., Christopher Lee and Lon Chaney Jr., are all featured in the 24-disc DVD box set 100 Greatest Horror Classics (Mill Creek Entertainment). Two DVD sets; "Horror Classics" and "Legends of Horror," each feature 50 movies, along with a booklet with movie titles and descriptions. The notable titles featured on "Horror Classics" include House on Haunted Hill, starring Vincent Price, Nosferatu (1925), starring Max Schreck, Lon Chaney Sr. in The Phantom of the Opera, and Roger Corman's Little Shop of Horrors, starring a very young Jack Nicholson. House on Haunted Hill is the perfect Halloween movie. Set in a huge, mausoleum like house, several strangers are offered a large sum of money if they remain in the house overnight....and survive, of course. Vincent Price chews the scenery as Frederic Loren, an eccentric with a morbid sense of humor. The film features an eerie soundtrack, secret passageways, walking skeletons and the pesky problem with lights that go on and off by themselves, placing a few "guests" in jeopardy.

"Legends of Horror" features 20 selections from the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, including his films Easy Virtue and The Thirty-Nine Steps, as well as two episodes of his classic television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. In addition, Christopher Lee appears in several films, including Count Dracula and his Vampire Bride, End of the World and Horror Express. Lee portrayed Dracula is several Hammer horror films and, after Bela Lugosi, is perhaps the most memorable actor to tackle the role. With Halloween fast approaching, you may be considering a horror movie marathon to celebrate the season. 100 Greatest Horror Classics can provide exactly what viewers need, courtesy of suspenseful and fright filled options featuring the legends of horror.

For additional information, go here.

Giveaway! Win a Copy of the Chernobyl Diaries Blu-Ray Combo Pack and Learn About Extreme Tourism

Updated 10/27/12 - The giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Steven W. from Brookfield, WI, Stephen N. from Romeoville, IL and Shemp D. from Corpus Christi, TX!

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

PopCultureGuy, in conjunction with Warner Bros., would like to give three lucky readers an opportunity to win the Chernobyl Diaries Combo Pack (Blu-Ray + DVD + Ultraviolet), which is being released today, Tuesday, October 16.

Synopsis -“Chernobyl Diaries” is an original story from Oren Peli, who first terrified audiences with his groundbreaking thriller, "Paranormal Activity." The film follows a group of six young vacationers who, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an "extreme" tour guide. Ignoring warnings, he takes them into the city of Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, but a deserted town since the disaster more than 25 years ago.

After a brief exploration of the abandoned city, however, the group soon finds themselves stranded, only to discover that they are not alone... Brad Parker makes his feature film directorial debut with "Chernobyl Diaries." The screenplay was written by Oren Peli and Carey Van Dyke & Shane Van Dyke, based on a story by Peli. Peli also produces, with Brian Witten. Richard Sharkey, Rob Cowan, Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Allison Silver, Milan Popelka and Alison Cohen serve as executive producers. The film's cast includes Devin Kelley, Jonathan Sadowski, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Jesse McCartney, Nathan Phillips and Dimitri Diatchenko.

Before watching Chernobyl Diaries and before you leave for your next exotic vacation, you may want to take into consideration these pointers on extreme tourism to ensure your survival:

Extreme Tourism: Do’s and Don’ts

• ;Do bring someone who speaks the language
• Don’t lose him
• Do pick new and interesting places to explore
• Don’t pick places where people fled from fear of radiation poison

To enter the Chernobyl Diaries giveaway, send an e-mail to don.sauer@gmail.com, place Chernobyl Diaries in the subject line and include your favorite tourist/vacation spot. The contest begins October 16 and runs through October 22. Three winners will then be drawn at random and notified shortly thereafter.

Open to U.S. residents only, 18 years of age or older.

Thank you for reading PopCultureGuy!

New in Theaters: "Sinister" - Starring Ethan Hawke

Photo Credit: Summit Entertainment

A murder scene, the dark of night, terrifying home movies and an overabundance of alcohol do not mix well. Just ask writer Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke), who has moved his family into a house where several murders recently took place, in the new film Sinister. No wonder the property was priced to sell. Ellison, who has written successful true crime novels in the past, is hoping to revitalize his career with a new one, based on the murders of a family, by hanging, that occurred in the back yard of his new home. Of course, he failed to mention the murder scene to his wife, Tracy (Juliet Rylance), which is particularly troubling considering the couple have two young children, Ashley (Clare Foley) and Trevor (Michael Hall D'Addario).

 

Hoping to be inspired by the grisly surroundings, Ellison begins writing his book, keeping the secret of his surroundings to himself. His research is aided by the discovery of a box of home movies that he promptly begins viewing. However, Ellison in unprepared for the graphic nature of the movies, which contain murder scenes from various locations, always involving a family. While he is disturbed by the images, he believes that they will enable him to write a masterpiece. To help cope with what he has discovered, Ellison begins to drink heavily, which is one thing that does not go unnoticed by his wife.

Ellison's determination and greed cloud his judgement. Since he is already acquainted with the local authorities, he could alert them to the videos, but decides not to. Ellison does most of his research/writing in the dead of night and his neighborhood must have rolling blackouts, since he almost always investigates strange nosies and events without the aid of electricity. I understand that this helps to set the mood, but it seems ridiculous. Despite repeated warning signs, Ellison remains steadfast in his goal and refuses to budge, in part, because of the discovery that the video tapes are all connected and the murders all appear to have been perpetrated by children. Eventually, he reaches out to a deputy (James Ransome) and a college professor (Vincent D'Onofrio), who he hopes can shed light on the mysterious drawings/images that appear in the film, for help. But it may already be too late.

Sinister is different from many other contemporary horror films because it is actually scary. Even if you take away the "gotcha" moments, there are still many scenes that are truly frightening, even for experienced horror aficionados. The chilling score helps to set the mood, as does the typically dark setting. Ethan Hawke delivers an impressive performance as a man who appears to be losing his sanity, but that may be a best case scenario for what he has stumbled onto. Even when he knows he should forget about writing the book and take his family away from the house, he feels compelled to stay, almost like something will not let him leave. Perhaps the most unnerving aspect of Sinister is whether or not the threat that Ellison faces is physical or supernatural. That plot point will leave viewers guessing throughout much of the film, which is to the credit of director Scott Dickinson and screenwriter C. Robert Cargill, who have crafted a film that may cause nightmares for some viewers.