Post by Mark (Webmaster) on Feb 21, 2005 17:56:05 GMT
Creepshow 2
(Anchor Bay UK)[/b][/size]
Buy from AMAZON.CO.UK HERE
Picture: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen (16x9 enhanced)
Sound: Dolby Digital: stereo 2.0, optional 5.1 and DTS surround sound
Discs: 1
Region: 2 (PAL)
Features:
Audio commentary by director Michael Gornick moderated by Perry Martin
Nightmares In Foam Rubber" (34min doc)
"My Friend Rick"(10min interview)
Theatrical trailers (x2)
Film notes
Biographies of George Kennedy, Lois Chiles and Tom Savini
Story: Introduced by The Creep, the first of the film's three stories, "Old Chief Wood'nhead" is the eerie tale of an unlikely avenger, brought to life after a trio of thugs murder two kindly storekeepers during a raid on their store. The bloody vengeance involves arrows, an axe and a very sharp hunting knife, conveniently suited to the "art" of human scalping.
Adapted from a story that appeared in King's "Skeleton Crew" collection, "The Raft" is a grim account of the fate that befalls four libidinous teenagers intent on having some out-of-season fun on the lake at a remote beauty spot. After swimming out to the floating wooden platform on the middle of the lake, the teens spot what appears to be a small oil slick. To their horror, it proves to be a flesh-consuming entity with an insatiable appetite.
In "The Hitchhiker" an adulterous wife, speeding home in her car from a tryst with her lover, knocks down a hitchhiker who refuses to stay dead, instead choosing to terrorize her over and over again.
Featuring gruesomely realistic special effects by Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger, co-founders (with Robert Kurtzman) of the renowned KNB EFX Group, CREEPSHOW 2 stars George Kennedy (TV's Dallas; Cool Hand Luke; the Airport series), Dorothy Lamour (Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's regular co-star in the Road movies), Lois Chiles (The Great Gatsby; Moonraker; TV's Dallas) and Page Hannah (sister of Daryl Hannah and star of Shag and TV's Fame). The film also features cameo appearances by Stephen King and a heavily disguised Tom Savini as The Creep.
Review: A very entertaining camp-horror collection which quietly recalls the tone and style of the 50s EC horror comics. Director Michael Gornick shies away from the comic book dynamic that George Romero employed in the first Creepshow preferring a more sedate style that is neither a help nor hindrance.
Each of the sections is well put together even if at times the cheesy horror side is a little too apparent. The first instalment is I think the weakest even though the acting is the strongest. The Raft is by far the nastiest with the best of Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger¡¦s effects on show. The Hitchhiker is well edited and contains the most scares even if it loses its way towards the end and strays into the absolute absurd you don¡¦t stop watching.
Even though it feels like a rip-off of TALES FROM THE CRYPT it still holds up quite well and I¡¦m sure you¡¦ll enjoy it purely for its camp-factor.
The DVD
Picture: Very good. It comes enhanced by way of the DiviMax method (a high-definition transfer) the picture to the highest possible standard. No blemishes or scratches appear throughout the duration of the film. Contrast can at times appear slightly low but this could just have been my equipment. The colour hues are perfect without any saturation and it comes presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with 16x9 enhancement. What more could you ask for?!
Sound: Comes with the usual hallmarks of Anchor Bay releases: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, DTS surround and Stereo 2.0. The 5.1 DD mix is very nice. Good use of the rear channels especially during The Hitchhiker story and a nice workout for the subwoofer thanks to the over-the-top sound effects and musical score. Stereo 2.0 mix comes as standard and there was no trace of the hissing problems that dogged AB's THE UNNAMEABLE DVD. I was unable to test the DTS mix but based on previous experience I'd assume it wasn¡¦t much different from the DD 5.1.
Menu: Menus are atmospheric with nice transition. As per the norm it samples the main movies synthesiser score and uses the playful nature of the movies homage to the EC horror comics of the 1950s/60s.
Special Features
Audio commentary by director Michael Gornick moderated by Perry Martin: Very informative and covers everything from George Romero not wanting to be involved, through the traumatic shoot up to the premiere. Perry Martin is a great moderator and director Gornick is easy to listen to and has plenty of anecdotes to pass the time. In the absence of a full on retrospective documentary this is excellent material.
"Nightmares In Foam Rubber": This is an interesting 35min documentary that looks at the make-up and other special effects featuring the anecdotes of f/x legends Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger. A lot of info from their perspective complements the audio commentary if at times slightly contradicting it (watch and you shall see). Shame there was no retrospective documentary with some more interviews from the major players
"My Friend Rick"¡V 10min interview: Throw away fan-boy rant from Howard Berger about how he came to work with make-up f/x legend Rick Baker. Berger¡¦s enthusiasm is electric and although I can¡¦t see a point in it being included it made for good one-off viewing.
Features are rounded out with theatrical trailers (x2), film notes and well-informed biographies of George Kennedy, Lois Chiles and Tom Savini.
Summary:
Film: 3/5 ¡V Entertaining, schlock tribute to B-movies and exploitation comics. Good fun.
Picture: 4.5/5 ¡V DiviMax version although at times seemed over contrasted. Minor complaint though.
Sound: 4/5 ¡V 5.1 mix is nicely done with good distribution between the channels.
Extras: 4/5 ¡VSolid selection if lacking a full-on making of retrospective that we know AB can do so well.
Overall package:
4/5 Possessed Cheryls: Entertaining movie on a solid DVD. AB are great at respecting their material and here they show it again. If you¡¦re a fan of the movie then you'll love this DVD.
(Anchor Bay UK)[/b][/size]
Buy from AMAZON.CO.UK HERE
Picture: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen (16x9 enhanced)
Sound: Dolby Digital: stereo 2.0, optional 5.1 and DTS surround sound
Discs: 1
Region: 2 (PAL)
Features:
Audio commentary by director Michael Gornick moderated by Perry Martin
Nightmares In Foam Rubber" (34min doc)
"My Friend Rick"(10min interview)
Theatrical trailers (x2)
Film notes
Biographies of George Kennedy, Lois Chiles and Tom Savini
Story: Introduced by The Creep, the first of the film's three stories, "Old Chief Wood'nhead" is the eerie tale of an unlikely avenger, brought to life after a trio of thugs murder two kindly storekeepers during a raid on their store. The bloody vengeance involves arrows, an axe and a very sharp hunting knife, conveniently suited to the "art" of human scalping.
Adapted from a story that appeared in King's "Skeleton Crew" collection, "The Raft" is a grim account of the fate that befalls four libidinous teenagers intent on having some out-of-season fun on the lake at a remote beauty spot. After swimming out to the floating wooden platform on the middle of the lake, the teens spot what appears to be a small oil slick. To their horror, it proves to be a flesh-consuming entity with an insatiable appetite.
In "The Hitchhiker" an adulterous wife, speeding home in her car from a tryst with her lover, knocks down a hitchhiker who refuses to stay dead, instead choosing to terrorize her over and over again.
Featuring gruesomely realistic special effects by Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger, co-founders (with Robert Kurtzman) of the renowned KNB EFX Group, CREEPSHOW 2 stars George Kennedy (TV's Dallas; Cool Hand Luke; the Airport series), Dorothy Lamour (Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's regular co-star in the Road movies), Lois Chiles (The Great Gatsby; Moonraker; TV's Dallas) and Page Hannah (sister of Daryl Hannah and star of Shag and TV's Fame). The film also features cameo appearances by Stephen King and a heavily disguised Tom Savini as The Creep.
Review: A very entertaining camp-horror collection which quietly recalls the tone and style of the 50s EC horror comics. Director Michael Gornick shies away from the comic book dynamic that George Romero employed in the first Creepshow preferring a more sedate style that is neither a help nor hindrance.
Each of the sections is well put together even if at times the cheesy horror side is a little too apparent. The first instalment is I think the weakest even though the acting is the strongest. The Raft is by far the nastiest with the best of Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger¡¦s effects on show. The Hitchhiker is well edited and contains the most scares even if it loses its way towards the end and strays into the absolute absurd you don¡¦t stop watching.
Even though it feels like a rip-off of TALES FROM THE CRYPT it still holds up quite well and I¡¦m sure you¡¦ll enjoy it purely for its camp-factor.
The DVD
Picture: Very good. It comes enhanced by way of the DiviMax method (a high-definition transfer) the picture to the highest possible standard. No blemishes or scratches appear throughout the duration of the film. Contrast can at times appear slightly low but this could just have been my equipment. The colour hues are perfect without any saturation and it comes presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with 16x9 enhancement. What more could you ask for?!
Sound: Comes with the usual hallmarks of Anchor Bay releases: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, DTS surround and Stereo 2.0. The 5.1 DD mix is very nice. Good use of the rear channels especially during The Hitchhiker story and a nice workout for the subwoofer thanks to the over-the-top sound effects and musical score. Stereo 2.0 mix comes as standard and there was no trace of the hissing problems that dogged AB's THE UNNAMEABLE DVD. I was unable to test the DTS mix but based on previous experience I'd assume it wasn¡¦t much different from the DD 5.1.
Menu: Menus are atmospheric with nice transition. As per the norm it samples the main movies synthesiser score and uses the playful nature of the movies homage to the EC horror comics of the 1950s/60s.
Special Features
Audio commentary by director Michael Gornick moderated by Perry Martin: Very informative and covers everything from George Romero not wanting to be involved, through the traumatic shoot up to the premiere. Perry Martin is a great moderator and director Gornick is easy to listen to and has plenty of anecdotes to pass the time. In the absence of a full on retrospective documentary this is excellent material.
"Nightmares In Foam Rubber": This is an interesting 35min documentary that looks at the make-up and other special effects featuring the anecdotes of f/x legends Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger. A lot of info from their perspective complements the audio commentary if at times slightly contradicting it (watch and you shall see). Shame there was no retrospective documentary with some more interviews from the major players
"My Friend Rick"¡V 10min interview: Throw away fan-boy rant from Howard Berger about how he came to work with make-up f/x legend Rick Baker. Berger¡¦s enthusiasm is electric and although I can¡¦t see a point in it being included it made for good one-off viewing.
Features are rounded out with theatrical trailers (x2), film notes and well-informed biographies of George Kennedy, Lois Chiles and Tom Savini.
Summary:
Film: 3/5 ¡V Entertaining, schlock tribute to B-movies and exploitation comics. Good fun.
Picture: 4.5/5 ¡V DiviMax version although at times seemed over contrasted. Minor complaint though.
Sound: 4/5 ¡V 5.1 mix is nicely done with good distribution between the channels.
Extras: 4/5 ¡VSolid selection if lacking a full-on making of retrospective that we know AB can do so well.
Overall package:
4/5 Possessed Cheryls: Entertaining movie on a solid DVD. AB are great at respecting their material and here they show it again. If you¡¦re a fan of the movie then you'll love this DVD.