Title: The Blob: The Criterion Collection
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 1958
Director: Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr.
Writer: Theodore Simonson (Screenwriter), Kay Linaker [Kate Phillips] (Screenwriter), Irving H. Millgate (Original Material By)
Rating: NR
Length: 83 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.66:1
Audio: English: PCM: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles: English

Stars:
Steve McQueen [Steven McQueen] (1930) as Steve Andrews
Aneta Corsaut [Aneta Corseaut] as Jane Martin
Earl Rowe as Lieutenant Dave
Olin Howland [Olin Howlin] as Old Man
Stephen Chase [Steven Chase] as Dr. T. Hallen
John Benson as Sergeant Jim Bert

Plot:
A CULT CLASSIC OF GOOEY GREATNESS, The Blob follows the havoc wreaked on a small town by an outer-space monster with neither soul nor vertebrae, with Steve McQueen playing a rebel teenager who tries to warn the residents about the jellylike invader. Strong performances and ingenious special effects help The Blob transcend the schlock sci-fi and youth delinquency genres from which it originates. Made outside of Hollywood by a maverick film distributor and a crew whose credits mostly comprised religious and educational shorts, The Blob helped launch the careers of McQueen and composer Burt Bacharach, whose bouncy title song is just one of this film's many unexpected pleasures.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Gallery
Booklet containing an essay by critic Kim Newman

My Thoughts:
This one I enjoyed quite a bit. Definitely more then the '80s remake. While the movie was more then enjoyable I must say the opening theme song had me a bit concerned at first. It just seemed silly and in my opinion didn't fit with the movie. But over-all a good movie with likable characters. Definitely worth the time put in to watch it.

My Rating:

Title: Tower of Terror
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 1997
Director: D. J. MacHale
Writer: D. J. MacHale (Writer)
Rating: NR
Length: 89 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles:

Stars:
Steve Guttenberg as Buzzy Crocker
Kirsten Dunst as Anna
Nia Peeples as Jill Perry
Michael McShane as Chris 'Q' Todd
Amzie Strickland as Abigail Gregory
Melora Hardin as Claire Poulet

Plot:
Big-screen stars Steve Guttenberg (Three Men And A Little Lady) and Kirsten Dunst (Drop Dead Gorgeous) encounter a host of haunts in this delightfully spooky mystery! Buzzy Crocker (Guttenberg) is a hard-luck photojournalist whose unexpected encounter with an old woman leads him to investigate an unexplained, decades-old disappearance. It seems that one Halloween night, many years ago, five partygoers vanished in the elevator of the Hollywood Tower Hotel...and ever since, their ghosts have remained trapped inside the dilapidated old building! In an action-filled story that delivers creepy fun for everyone, Buzzy ultimately teams with his niece (Dunst) to solve the mystery while managing to save their lives and capture the biggest story of the year!

Extras:
Scene Access
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
This is a film that my daughter and I used to watch... so holds some nostalgia for me. I found it to be a fun movie. I have seen better, but is well worth the watch and perfect for family entertainment during the Halloween season. I recommend giving it a chance.

My Rating:

Title: The Haunted Mansion
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 2003
Director: Rob Minkoff
Writer: David Berenbaum (Writer)
Rating: Rated PG : Frightening Images, Thematic Elements and Language
Length: 88 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: PCM: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Eddie Murphy as Jim Evers
Terence Stamp as Ramsley
Nathaniel Parker as Master Gracey
Marsha Thomason as Sara Evers
Jennifer Tilly as Madame Leota
Wallace Shawn as Ezra

Plot:
From the studio that brought you Pirates of the Caribbean comes the fright-filled comedy adventure with eye-popping special effects presented for the first time through the magic of Blu-ray Disc technology!

Eddie Murphy stars as a real estate agent whose family comes face-to-face with 999 grim, grinning ghosts in the creepy old Gracey Manor! Experience each supernatural effect in 1080p High Definition, and hear each ghostly wail in astonishing 5.1 48 kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio. The unparalleled realism of Blu-ray Disc technology delivers you directly into The Haunted Mansion... if you dare to venture inside.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Featurettes

My Thoughts:
This one is definitely not the best ghost movie I ever seen... but what it is... is a fun way to spend 90min. If you are looking for scares you need to look elsewhere. But it is a good movie for the whole family to watch. The story line is good... and the cast does a fine job. Recommended.

My Rating:

Title: The Pumpkin Karver
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 2006
Director: Robert Mann
Writer: Robert Mann (Original Material By), Sheldon Silverstein (Screenwriter), Robert Mann (Screenwriter)
Rating: Rated R : Violence/Gore, Language, Some Sexuality/Nudity and Teen Drinking
Length: 87 Min.
Video: Widescreen :1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: Spanish

Stars:
Michael Zara as Jonathan Starks
Amy Weber as Lynn Starks
Brian Kary as MIB #1
Bryan Jamerson as MIB #2
David J. Wright as Alec/Pumpkin Face
Terrence Evans as Ben Wickets

Plot:
Jonathan and his beautiful sister have moved to a new town in order to start over, leaving a horrible past behind. With the future looking bright, they kick things off with a wild Halloween party on a deserted farm. But there's one guest who wasn't invited and won't let them forget their past. A gruesome pumpkin-headed killer is ready to party—and dying to do some carving. This year, don't answer the door, the trick or treat bags are body bags.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Bonus Trailers
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
This one was recommended to me a while back and when I saw it on sale at Amazon for only $3.99 I couldn't resist checking it out. And it was definitely worth the price paid. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. Sure a couple of the scenes were a bit over the top for the story. And some of the effects could have been better. But over-all I enjoyed it... glad I added it to my collection.

My Rating:

Title: Dracula
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 1979
Director: John Badham
Writer: W. D. Richter [W.D. Richter] (Screenwriter), Hamilton Deane (Original Material By), John L. Balderston (Original Material By), Bram Stoker (Original Material By)
Rating: R
Length: 109 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, French

Stars:
Frank Langella as Dracula
Laurence Olivier as Van Helsing
Donald Pleasence as Seward
Kate Nelligan as Lucy
Trevor Eve as Harker
Jan Francis as Mina

Plot:
Throughout history, Dracula has filled men's hearts with fear – and the hearts of women with desire. In this stylish production of Bram Stoker's classic tale, Frank Langella gives an electrifying performance as the bloodthirsty Count Dracula in search for his ultimate bride. Meanwhile, the renowned and relentless vampire hunter, Van Helsing (Laurence Olivier), seeks to end the Dark Prince's reign of terror over the citizens of Transylvania. Featuring a mesmerizing cast, fine direction and a superbly atmospheric musical score, Dracula is an unforgettable adaptation of one of the most enduring horror legends of all time.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Bonus Trailers
Featurettes
Digital Copy

My Thoughts:
I have been curious about this one for years as I had heard good things about it. While I didn't find it to be a terrible movie... I was expecting more. Mainly I found it to be a little slow for my taste. I did however like the final scene and how they finally defeated Dracula... and then the effects used could have been better. Grated this film is almost 40 years old... but watching it I felt like it was even older effects wise. Worth the time to watch... but don't go in expecting too much. There is definitely better tellings of the story out there.

My Rating:

Title: Beetlejuice
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 1988
Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Michael McDowell (Story By), Larry Wilson (Story By), Michael McDowell (Screenwriter), Warren Skaaren (Screenwriter)
Rating: PG
Length: 92 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby TrueHD: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, German: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Italian: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Music Only: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish

Stars:
Alec Baldwin as Adam
Geena Davis as Barbara
Annie McEnroe as Jane Butterfield
Maurice Page as Ernie
Hugo Stanger as Old Bill
Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse

Plot:
What's a Yuppie ghost couple (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) to do when their quaint New England home is overrun by trendy New Yorkers? Hire a freelance "bio-exorcist" to spook the intruders, of course. As directed by Tim Burton, Michael "Keaton's Beetlejuice is one of the biggest, baddest wolves a ghost movie has ever unleashed, a polter-gas" (The Village Voice). Keaton's work in this and Clean and Sober won him 1988's National Society of Film Critics Best Actor Award. Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones and Sylvia Sidney share starring honors along with wondrous production design, Harry Belafonte soundtrack tunes and Oscar®-winning Best Makeup.

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Beetlejuice Cartoon Episodes

My Thoughts:
I always found this movie to be a lot of fun. Geena Davis was great in the role. And even though I don't normally care for her... I also enjoyed Winona Ryder. This is one that is just plain a fun watch. One that I have seen several times over the years. One I was happy to ugrade to blu-ray... even if they still didn't do much for it when it comes to extras. Believe they just brought over the DVD extras (which wasn't much) and was done with it. Still the film is well worth the time put in to watch it.

My Rating:

Title: Superman: The Movie: Extended Cut
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 1978
Director: Richard Donner
Writer: Jerry Siegel (Original Characters By), Joe Shuster (Original Characters By), Mario Puzo (Story By), Mario Puzo (Screenwriter), David Newman (1937) (Screenwriter), Leslie Newman (Screenwriter), Robert Benton (Screenwriter)
Rating: Rated PG : Peril, Some Mild Sensuality and Language
Length: 151 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, German: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Italian: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Music Only: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Stars:
Marlon Brando as Jor-El
Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor
Christopher Reeve as Superman / Clark Kent
Ned Beatty as Otis
Jackie Cooper as Perry White
Glenn Ford as Pa Kent

Plot:
Richard Donner's big-budget blockbuster Superman: The Movie is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Opening on Krypton (where Marlon Brando plays Superman's father), the film follows the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) as he's sent to Earth where he develops his alter-ego Clark Kent and is raised by a Midwestern family. In no time, the movie has run through his teenage years, and Clark gets a job at the Daily Planet, where he is a news reporter. It's there that he falls in love with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who is already in love with Superman. But the love story is quickly sidetracked once the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) launches a diabolical plan to conquer the world and kill Superman. Superman: The Movie is filled with action, special effects and a surprising amount of humor.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
• Screen Tests • Additional Music Cues

My Thoughts:
This movie... with Christopher Reeve in the starring role... was how I grew up knowing Superman to be. At the time I was more used to seeing him in the role more so then George Reeves. I believe this came from a time that I did not like to watch anything that was in Black and White.... yes... I was one of those people at one time. But I have sense learned there is a lot of great entertainment out there in Black and white... and now have all the George Reeves Superman episodes... including the early Black and White ones. But I think... to me at least... when I think Superman... I still picture Christopher Reeve. There is several short additions to the film in this edition... though nothing that changes anything in the storyline. But still a great movie.

My Rating:

Title: The Marine 2
IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |
Year: 2009
Director: Roel Reiné
Writer: Christopher Borrelli (Writer), John Chapin Morgan (Writer)
Rating: Rated R : Violence
Length: 95 Min.
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: Chinese, English, Portuguese, Spanish

Stars:
Ted DiBiase, Jr. [Ted DiBiase] as Joe Linwood
Temuera Morrison as Damo
Lara Cox as Robin Linwood
Robert Coleby as Darren Conner
Michael Rooker as Church
Kelly B. Jones as Cynthia

Plot:
WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase joins "the few and the proud" in this explosive tale of white-knuckle action, stunning effects and true heroism fit for the Marines. This fully loaded Blu-ray brings the action home with six featurettes, Muay Thai fight outtakes and much more!

On a well-deserved vacation to an exotic resort, Marine sergeant Joe Linwood (DiBiase) and his wife Robin are attending a VIP party when disaster strikes. Ruthless terrorists crash the event and claim a number of hostages – including Robin! Alone in a foreign country with no backup, Linwood must rely on his Marine training to single-handedly strike back at the terrorists, save the hostages and prevent international war!

Extras:
Scene Access
Bonus Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Interviews
Outtakes/Bloopers

My Thoughts:
When I decided to watch this one I expected more of the same. And it really is... but in my personal opinion... I liked this one even more. As I feel it has the better background story. Still just mindless action fun. But sometimes you just need a movie like that. I am now looking forward to checking out the final two films in the franchise.... unfortunately I do not have access to those quite yet.

My Rating: