Lick Ness Monster
Dennis Stamp
From the eerie, eerie depths of Lake Okabena
Posts: 4,874
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Post by Lick Ness Monster on Dec 6, 2009 19:52:57 GMT -5
Anyways, something else that caught my eye in the Wal-Mart bargain bin was a 4-disc Ringu set. I decided not to get it because I think I might've actually seen the original Ringu a while back and wasn't all that impressed. But it's kinda hard to pass up 4 movies for $5, though I only saw one copy and for all I know, some random customer could've grabbed it off the shelf and left it in there instead. Didn't do a price check. Though I may consider going back and grabbing it if it comes with a good enough recommendation from youse guys. Only $5? Snatch that sucker up at light speed, as that's just fantastic value. I gotta be honest, though, bud - since you're not a big fan of J-horror, I honestly don't think you'll find much to like there. There's not much in the way of cheesy fun or rampant gore. They're all about the slow burn and character build-up. I personally love the Ringu series, with the first film being ranked JUST out of my ten best horror films of all time (with Ju-On having scored the clean pinfall win and thus knocking it out of its spot). The "official" sequels, which consist of Ringu 2 and Ringu 0: The Birthday, are excellent as well, while Rasen is an interesting little "else-world" story that got wiped from the continuity after it bombed. ;D
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Post by Rorschach on Dec 6, 2009 19:56:52 GMT -5
Hey TR...I've been meaning to ask you: As far as the RINGU series goes, what is the official film chronology? A local new/used place near me has RINGU 0, RINGU, and RINGU 2 for $7 each, but I don't want to buy them if there's a, like RINGU 1/2 in there that I *need* to see or something.
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Lick Ness Monster
Dennis Stamp
From the eerie, eerie depths of Lake Okabena
Posts: 4,874
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Post by Lick Ness Monster on Dec 6, 2009 20:06:30 GMT -5
Hey TR...I've been meaning to ask you: As far as the RINGU series goes, what is the official film chronology? A local new/used place near me has RINGU 0, RINGU, and RINGU 2 for $7 each, but I don't want to buy them if there's a, like RINGU 1/2 in there that I *need* to see or something. Believe it or not, I was looking for an excuse to post this whole explanation again, so here goes. ;D A lot of people don't know this, but the original Ringu (with Nanako Matsushima that the American film The Ring is based on) was actually released simultaneously in theaters with its sequel, Rasen. Both were adaptations of the novels Ring and Spiral, respectively, by Koji Suzuki, but the directors of the films were given carte blanche to do with the material what they wanted. Hideo Nakata chose to take several liberties with the Ring novel (the most notable being making the protagonist a female, and the Ryuji character the protagonist's ex-husband instead of a high school friend), while Joji Iita seemed dead set intent on following Spiral to the letter. And I think you know what happened here - Ringu went on to be a gigantic hit, while Japanese audiences quickly soured on Rasen, which fell into obscurity. Thus, a year later, Kadokawa Pictures chose to do another sequel, and hired Nakata to film another direct sequel to his own Ringu in an original storyline that wasn't based on anything Suzuki had written in his books - and thus, Ringu 2 was born and Rasen was erased from the existence of the Ringu continuity. Ringu 0 came after that as the prequel to the Nakata films. All of the above being a long way of saying that the official timeline is Ringu 0/ Ringu/ Ringu 2, and no, you don't need to watch Rasen to understand anything. You're not missing much, either - I've grown to like it a bit more over the past year now that I've watched it a few times, but it's still terminally dull in spots. I probably made it all more confusing than it really needed to be, but the movies can be pretty confusing to watch if you include Rasen - especially since Nakata chose to bring back many of the same cast members who reprised their roles from Ringu/ Rasen in Ringu 2. It's pretty jarring watching Miki Nakatani play the love interest/temptress to the suicidal Dr. Mitsuo Ando in the literal book adaptation Rasen, and then be a white meat babyface heroine in the Nakata-scripted Ringu 2. ;D Here's the best Ringu/Ring site on the interwebz, by the way: www.theringworldforum.com/
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Post by YellowJacketY2J on Dec 7, 2009 3:05:29 GMT -5
Went to F.Y.E. today and picked up the Godzilla Collection for $60. The films are as follows:
-Gojira -Godzilla: King of the Monsters (the Americanized version of Gojira with Raymond Burr starring as a reporter covering the Godzilla story) -Godzilla Raids Again -Mothra vs Godzilla (known as Godzilla vs The Thing in the United States) -Terror of MechaGodzilla -All Monsters Attack (known as Godzilla's Revenge in the United States) -Invasion of Astro-Monster (known as Godzilla vs Monster Zero in the United States) -Ghidora: The Three Headed Monster
Each film includes the original Japanese version (with Gojira being the uncut version) and the American version.
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andrew8798
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on 24/7 this month
Posts: 106,084
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Post by andrew8798 on Dec 7, 2009 17:56:27 GMT -5
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Post by Michael Coello on Dec 7, 2009 21:45:35 GMT -5
Finally! I loved that series!
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Post by Michael Coello on Dec 8, 2009 9:06:12 GMT -5
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Welfare Willis
Crow T. Robot
Pornomancer 555-BONE FDIC Bonsured
Game Center CX Kacho on!
Posts: 44,259
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Post by Welfare Willis on Dec 8, 2009 9:34:23 GMT -5
I was curious why no one was mentioning this. I got the set friday and wow... words fail me. I've only watched part 3 so far and that was a bizarre film. Ricky has a a see-through skull cap and is stalking a blind psychic who mind melded with Ricky... yikes.
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Post by YellowJacketY2J on Dec 8, 2009 9:43:13 GMT -5
Was at the mall with my friend yesterday, and decided to beef up my Godzilla collection a bit more (it's my Christmas gift to myself this year). I got:
-Godzilla vs Hedorah -Godzilla vs Megaguirus -Godzilla vs Gigan -Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla/Godzilla vs Destroyah (Double Feature DVD) -Godzilla 2000 -Godzilla: Final Wars
Me and my buddy watched Final Wars yesterday (my first time seeing it). I enjoyed it. Though I enjoyed the subplot of the aliens and The Space Nations, I felt it took away from the film and made you feel as if you were watching something besides a Godzilla film. Regardless, it was still a fun film. Also: Gigan had chainsaws!
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Lick Ness Monster
Dennis Stamp
From the eerie, eerie depths of Lake Okabena
Posts: 4,874
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Post by Lick Ness Monster on Dec 8, 2009 12:30:31 GMT -5
I was curious why no one was mentioning this. I got the set friday and wow... words fail me. I've only watched part 3 so far and that was a bizarre film. Ricky has a a see-through skull cap and is stalking a blind psychic who mind melded with Ricky... yikes. Haven't seen any of the movies beyond the epic awfulness that is Silent Night, Deadly Night 2. All I can say is that I feel sorry for any poor bastard who doesn't own those first two movies thus far - both because of their awesomeness and because even used copies go for more than $20 on Amazon these days.
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Post by YellowJacketY2J on Dec 8, 2009 15:31:46 GMT -5
Wrestlecrap Exclusive ReviewI hate flashbacks! If they're for events that we haven't seen, then they aren't bad (as long as it's done right). It's flashbacks to events we've already scene that I hate. Silent Night Deadly Night 2 spends half of the film using flashbacks to the original, which made this yuletide viewer very bitter. I understand the idea that flashbacks are used to inform viewers who haven't seen the original of its happenings. My problem is it shouldn't happen. If you're watching a sequel, chances are you've seen the original. If you haven't, that's your fault. There's no reason why you couldn't watch the first one before viewing the sequel. There's no need to waste time recapping it. Most sequels that do use flashbacks to the original don't take up half of the film doing so, though. For the first 40 minutes, clips from the original Silent Night Deadly Night are shown, via narration by Ricky Caldwell (Eric Freeman), the brother of Billy, the killer in the original. He's being interviewed by Dr. Henry Bloom (James Newman), who's trying to figure out what made him go insane. Once the 40 minute mark is reached, Lee Harry finally gives us new material, though it's still in the form of flashbacks. The flashbacks harken back to Ricky's time as a child, living with his adoptive parents the Rosemonds (I could be wrong on their last name). They treat him nicely and help him with his problems (a fear of Santa Claus, just like his brother). When he hits the age of 18, his adoptive father dies. He eventually gets a job and falls in love with Jennifer Statson (Elizabeth Kaitan). Everything seems to be going well for him. {Spoiler}Slowly, his homicidal emotions start to boil, as he sees those being naughty around him. He eventually snaps, killing all of those around him who are being naughty (which is basically everybody). He eventually gets arrested. The flashbacks end, as we are caught up to him being interviewed by Dr. Bloom.
The fun doesn't stop there. He kills Dr. Bloom and escapes the prison. He dons a Santa Claus outfit and hunts down Mother Superior (Jean Miller), the woman he feels is responsible for his anger (and his brother's as well).
Once the film moves away from flashbacks to the original, it is entertaining. You still get flashbacks, but it's new and interesting material (even though it doesn't have much to do with Christmas). The story starts moving nicely, and you find your attention being drawn in. That doesn't mean the rest of the movie is perfect. Eric Freeman puts forth a laughable performance as Ricky Caldwell. His mannerisms are wacky and over-the-top, instead of maniacal. Robert Brian Wilson may not have been perfect as Billy in the original, but at least his performance was decent. He didn't overdue his character's insanity. Freeman is just plain bad. If it weren't for the flashbacks to the original, this would be a decent movie. Despite Freeman's horrendous acting (though it does lead to some funny bits, such as "Garbage day!"), it can be fun. But, Lee Harry takes forever to get to the point, almost losing you in the process. I wouldn't be surprised if many people turned the film off halfway through, thinking all it was going to be was a recap of the first one. It's a shame Harry felt the need to recap the original. If he would've just started from Ricky being adopted by the Rosemonds, this could've been a much better film. Final Rating: 40%
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Lick Ness Monster
Dennis Stamp
From the eerie, eerie depths of Lake Okabena
Posts: 4,874
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Post by Lick Ness Monster on Dec 8, 2009 15:39:08 GMT -5
I can readily acknowledge that Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 is a crap film, Y2J...but the reason that I love it is precisely BECAUSE it sucks so hard. Usually I'm not a big fan of camp classic movies that technically suck but have a devoted fanbase (see: Evil Dead, The), but I can't get enough of this one. Of course, I always fast forward through the opening bits of recapping anyway, and as I mentioned previously even my beloved Ju-On franchise used this in Ju-On: Curse 2 for whatever reason.
And that rampage scene...there is no scene in all of moviedom that NEVER fails to make me die laughing like that scene does. True story - I first saw this flick when I was in eighth grade and spent the better part of a month toting the VHS tape around to all my friends/any poor souls who would listen, and got more than a few people to piss themselves laughing. Deadpool said this first, so hopefully he doesn't mind that I'm cribbing from him, but every movie fan owes it to themselves to watch that scene at least once, which is so dumb on so many levels. In fact, you should watch it more than once, because odds are you'll be laughing so hard during the big moments ("Garbage day!" "Bingo!" etc.) that you miss some of the smaller idiotic touches (my personal favorite being "PUNISH!").
Aw, what the hell, here it is:
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Post by YellowJacketY2J on Dec 8, 2009 15:40:53 GMT -5
I can readily acknowledge that Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 is a crap film, Y2J...but the reason that I love it is precisely BECAUSE it sucks so hard. Of course, I always fast forward through the opening bits of recapping anyway, and as I mentioned previously even my beloved Ju-On franchise used this in Ju-On: Curse 2 for whatever reason. Deadpool actually said this first, so hopefully he doesn't mind that I'm cribbing from him, but that rampage scene...there is no scene in all of moviedom that NEVER fails to make me die laughing like this one does. Every movie fan owes it to themselves to watch that scene at least once, which is so dumb on so many levels. In fact, you should watch it more than once, because odds are you'll be laughing so hard during the big moments ("Garbage day!" "Bingo!" etc.) that you miss some of the smaller idiotic touches (my personal favorite being "PUNISH!"). Aw, what the hell, here it is: That scene had me laughing hysterically. It's easily the most enjoyable thing about SNDN2.
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andrew8798
FANatic
on 24/7 this month
Posts: 106,084
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Post by andrew8798 on Dec 8, 2009 22:44:03 GMT -5
Update on the next Halloween movie
The Weinstein Company Looking for New 'Halloween' Pitches
And
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Post by Rorschach on Dec 9, 2009 3:49:28 GMT -5
If he was smart, Weinstein would cut his losses and be done with it. Zombie has killed the HALLOWEEN franchise dead for at least the next 5 years. 3D or not, that series needs a break.
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Post by YellowJacketY2J on Dec 9, 2009 5:10:55 GMT -5
Wrestlecrap Exclusive ReviewIt seems as if every time I start to enjoy a movie, the director radically changes the plot, as if he/she had a change of heart in the middle of filming? It's been happening way too much to me lately. I could be enjoying the plot as it progresses, only for it to have a curve ball thrown in and change the story completely. Elves is a prime example of this. After Kirsten (Julie Austin) and her friends go out in the forest with her grandfather's spell book and fool around with it, they accidentally awaken the elves. These elves are troll-like creatures that feed on human flesh. They set their sights on Kirsten and the gang. Her only hope is through her grandfather's (Borah Silver) assistance and that of Mike McGavin (Dan Haggerty, who is great as always). The plot may have been thin, but it was enjoyable. I wasn't expecting much anyway, so it didn't bother me so much. As long as I got killer elves running amok, I was fine. And I did get just that. For the first half of the movie. {Spoiler}Near the 45 minute mark, Jeffrey Mandel throws in a curve ball that ruins the film. As it turns out, the elves were genetically created by Nazis as super-soldiers. They could sneak up on unsuspecting enemies and kill them quickly and silently. As it turns out, Kirsten's grandfather is a former Nazi, and his spell book contains the spell to bring the elves back to life. He's abandoned his past, but it's back to haunt him. This is where the film lost me. The twist felt unnecessary. It wasn't needed for the film to be remembered (mainly since, no matter what, the film wasn't going to be remembered). The selling point of the film are the killer elves. No dumb twist was needed. If you're the type of person who doesn't mind only watching half of a movie (I'm not), then I can recommend the first 45 minutes of Elves as a light, enjoyable romp. If you're the type who insists on watching the whole thing, I advise you skip Elves. Final Rating: 40%
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Post by YellowJacketY2J on Dec 9, 2009 9:29:30 GMT -5
Sorry for this double post, but I had an idea.
Would you guys be interested in hosting our own horror reviews website? We could still have our discussion threads here and post reviews. But, we'd have an official website where we're the critics. Since a lot of post reviews here, I thought we have enough material to have our own review site. We could even post our old reviews from the past threads to get us started.
What do you guys think?
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Lick Ness Monster
Dennis Stamp
From the eerie, eerie depths of Lake Okabena
Posts: 4,874
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Post by Lick Ness Monster on Dec 9, 2009 9:59:11 GMT -5
Sorry for this double post, but I had an idea. Would you guys be interested in hosting our own horror reviews website? We could still have our discussion threads here and post reviews. But, we'd have an official website where we're the critics. Since a lot of post reviews here, I thought we have enough material to have our own review site. We could even post our old reviews from the past threads to get us started. What do you guys think? I personally love the idea, although I don't know if I could keep up with any sort of quota. If it was just a casual "whenever you feel like it" reviewing system, though, I'd be all in. Just don't expect me to help out with website design, both for time and me being moronic reasons.
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Post by YellowJacketY2J on Dec 9, 2009 11:28:45 GMT -5
Sorry for this double post, but I had an idea. Would you guys be interested in hosting our own horror reviews website? We could still have our discussion threads here and post reviews. But, we'd have an official website where we're the critics. Since a lot of post reviews here, I thought we have enough material to have our own review site. We could even post our old reviews from the past threads to get us started. What do you guys think? I personally love the idea, although I don't know if I could keep up with any sort of quota. If it was just a casual "whenever you feel like it" reviewing system, though, I'd be all in. Just don't expect me to help out with website design, both for time and me being moronic reasons. It'd definitely be a "whenever you feel like it" site. As for web design, I took a few courses in High School, so I may be able to dibble dabble with it. I'd probably talk to Kash Flagg since he made his own website (www.mymomthinksimfunny.com). Thanks for the support! Wrestlecrap Exclusive Review I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, Silent Night Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out feels more like a Christmas horror movie than the second installment. The bad news is SNDN3 is worse than numero dos. Ricky Caldwell (played by Bill Moseley this time, which is a huge improvement) is back and ready to deliver more holiday cheer. Six years have passed since his last venture of murder, as he's in a coma now. Another patient in the hospital, the blind Laura Anderson (Samantha Scully), does volunteer studies for Dr. Newbury (Richard Beymer) of dreams. Her dreams have consisted of Ricky's past, as she has a power to read his mind (I got lost a bit in the story). She goes on her Christmas vacation to her Grandmother's (Elizabeth Hoffman) house, with her brother Chris (Eric DaRe) and his girlfriend Jerri (Laura Harring). Meanwhile, Ricky awakens from his coma and tracks Laura down, doing his Christmas slashing in the process. Silent Night Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out isn't a bad film. It's just an insanely boring one. Nothing about this film is exciting. The plot's generic, the acting's passable, the deaths are weak (you don't see any of them) and the direction's (Monte Hellman is in the director's seat this time) mediocre. I found myself repeatedly drifting out of the film. Nothing held my attention. Though Silent Night Deadly Night 2 got annoying with its flashbacks, it was able to keep my attention (and was fun once the second act kicked in). This film doesn't do anything to warrant my attention. Monte Hellman delivers a gift for horror fans this holiday season. The gift is coal. Final Rating: 20%
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Post by Rorschach on Dec 9, 2009 13:43:58 GMT -5
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