Seeing SAW IV

I was able to check out SAW IV a couple days ago and I went in with some trepidation and this was because the "tomato-meter" had it pegged as one of th worst movies of the year. I ignored the reviews and went to see the film. Surprise. Surprise. It was no where near as bad as th critics said it was. It wasn't a great film and the lead characters were more dull than engaging, but the backstory on Jigsaw's origin was a long time coming. Plus, the ending of the films leaves the door wide open for SAW V and considering the low budget film had a $35 million opening weekend it is pretty obvious that part five will be coming around the bend sometime soon.

Shopping Cart Software

Ah, you have opted to start up your own online business. Good for you! This is a smart move because the vast majority of online businesses that have started up in the last few years have proven quite successful and convenience is a major reason for this. After all, the ability to shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year makes it very attractive. However, if you do not have the right ecommerce software then your ability to please your customers will be very tough. Now, you do not want to run people off from your website because of poor shopping cart software. This would prove to be a disastrous situation! Ecommerce software must be reliable and effective and that is why a shopping cart software program such as the one offered by Ashop Commerce is highly recommended as it is among the best shopping cart software on the market.

VOYAGE SEASON THREE VOL 2 OUT!

For all you Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea fans, the new dvd of the series is out now. Granted, this is the WORST season in Voyage's history, but there are a couple decent episodes such as the cool Mummy episode and the silly sequel to the werewolf episode. There are also a number of dumb monster episodes as well so this is a mixed bag. Anyway, when it comes to Voyage you know what you are getting so if you are into to dopey episodes this is a DVD set to get.

Online Casino

Online gaming has truly exploded in popularity in recent years and this should comes as a surprise to no one. After all, the convenience of online gaming now allows individuals who had previously been unable to access the casino industry a means in which to play their favorite games of chance, sportsbooks, off track betting and a host of other games. Not exactly a bad idea, eh? So, when a quality service such as Pro360’s online casino comes along, it is surely to be a hit with gaming fans.

While some may be somewhat skeptical of the notion of an online casino, the fact remains that these casinos are quite reliable and legitimate. After all, if they did not offer a top notch, top of the line product then they would never be as popular as they have become would they? Of course not! So, if you are unsure of whether or not these casinos are something you would wish to invest time or money in, simply follow the link, visit the site and give the casino a little whirl! Try it out! You will surely like was you see and become a regular player and, hopefully, a real winner at the games you play!

Alligator - Looking Back

I just finished watching the DVD of ALLIGATOR and I have some "mixed emotions" over it. This is the quintessential "3 Star" film. That is to say, it is a good film and not a great one. Now, it should have been a one star DUD, but since the great John Sayles was called in for the re-write the film was saved.

In the interview with Sayles on th DVD, he states that he does not consider the film as horror movie as much as he considers it a monster movie. I have to agree with him on this as the notion of a rampaging wild alligator in the streets and sewers of Los Angeles is more Godzilla absurd than it is scary. (Larry Cohen's Q is similar to this film, but it was MUCH more scarier mainly due to the addition of a serial killer to th mix) Perhaps the mayhem is why this film was popular with kids back when it was released despite the gore present in th film. Sayles wrote a PG film that became an R Rated when the director added a ton of gore. This was a mistake because a PG rated Alligator would have been a much bigger hit. (not that is wasn't a hit. It sold 250,000 tickets in Germany alone)

Talent Rock

If you are an aspiring actor, actress, musician or other creative person then it is critical that you receive exposure. Talent Rock can help with that exposure through their event management and other related ventures. As such, they are a valuable resource well worth checking out. This is a well operated organization that can prove to be truly helpful. Sponsored post.

More on ssential Ghost Rider Vol 2

In my previous entry about Essential Ghost Rider Vol 2 I made a very harsh assessment about the first few issues that were reprinted in the series. The "harshness" in the review of these issues was well deserved as the character devolved into little more than a B-Grade hero battling dull and uninspired Spiderman style villains.

As 1976 turned into 1977, the book began to improve greatly and by 1980 the series went from bi-monthly to monthly, a sure sign that sales had picked up. Now, why wouldn't they? The series finally arrived at what it should be - a supernatural anti-hero tale that avoids super villains and instead sticks with mystical villains and human interest stories.

There are a number of great story arcs in this particular volume including an excellent series where Ghost Rider mets Dr Strange as well as a great story arc where Ghost Rider and Johnny Blaze "split up" and we discover that the creature that is the Ghost Rider is an evil spawn of hell who only acts "nice" because Blaze's moral compass locks the creature into a certain code of ethics.

Yes, the latter half of the stories in Essential Ghost Rider Vol 2 are excellent making this a great read.

Soon to come...My review of The Walking Dead Vol 7

Legal Help

When it comes to seeking claims for damages that you have incurred, you will need the help of quality legal representations. After all, some legal issues are quite complicated. Dealing with legal issues regarding reflex sympathetic dystrophy, for example, can be highly complex and this is why a law firm such as the Law Office of Jonathan Light is the type of professional that you would especially gain valuable help from. This office has been practicing for 27 years and has a proven track record for success. If you are in need of legal help, this is an attorney’s office to call. Sponsored post.

Marvel Essential Ghost RIder Vol 2

A while back I reviewed the first volume in the Essential Ghost Rider series and mentioned that it was an underrated, but misunderstood comic. I am referring to the 1970's version, of course, as the 1990's and the modern story lines are always excellent. Unfortunately, the series was somewhat uneven in the 1970's and people have a tendency to think of the cheesier story lines rather than the really great ones.



With this second volume, the first few issues show exactly what was wrong with the series. Basically, Ghost Rider becomes a generic superhero and much of the horror aspects of the first few issues are completely wiped out and Ghost Rider becomes a real B grade superhero. B Grade heroes really only work when they use mature story lines and unique narratives that set them apart. These first few issues reprinted in the volume (Sorry, I didn't read the whole thing yet, folks)degrade the character and make him little more than a run of the mil hero with some really awful villains.

Marvel's problem with supervillians in the 1970's was that they were all cut from the same mold were generally not all that distinguishable from one another. There is one villain in this volume called The Eel. He is as lame as he sounds.



Ghost Rider would eventually ditch the dopey hero angle and turn the title character into Zaratoth, a legitimate hellspawn that added a great deal more horror to the series which dramatically improved it. We'll discuss this later on.

Music Social Networking

It has been theorized that one could understand a society by looking at the music that they listen to. Theorize? Maybe in the past, but today you can answer that question empirically by checking out the denizens of a musical social networking site. Yes, such a creature exists and it is a really cool site. IndieMV - Musical Intercourse is that site and it is an amazing site for you musicians and music fanatics who would love to have their own unique profile that promotes their interests and lifestyle. It is a great site and you really should check it out as soon as you can.
Sponsored Post

Yahoo Meets Dracula

here is a really cool item I found on the net. Basically, there has always been a perpetual fight over the notorious Castle Dracula in Transylvania. Yes, there is a real Castle Dracula and the ownership of it has been in dispute for many years since the Soviet Union dissolved. Here is some more news on the controversy courtesy of Yahoo:


http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20071004/wl_time/baringfangsoverdraculascastle

Coupons!

With the holidays coming it there will be a need to purchase a ton of gifts and the best way to go about this would be to use a lot of deal saving coupons such as my favoriteOverstock.com coupons. EDealFinder.com is a great source for these coupons and is highly recommended. If you are wondring why I place such a high value on Overstock.com coupons it is because that is a seller that provides an INCREDIBLY vast array of items and products at very reasonable prices. They also have great deals on Proflowers coupons which is also a great site. Please check it out! This is a Sponsored post

The Burning - A Review and Some Commentary

Finally, I get to see THE BURNING a slasher film who newspaper ads scared me like crazy when I was a kid. Oddly enough, I did not rent this film in the mid to late 1980's when I was an avowed VHS rental junkie who watched a whole slew of films in those days. (I mean...I watched EVERY genre!) Yet, THE BURNING was one I missed and it was because my attitude that it was a forgettable FRIDAY THE 13TH rip-off did little to make me want to watch it. I made a mistake on that one as THE BURNING is much better than a number of similar films from the era.

If anything, THE BURNING draws its cult following from a very, very creepy extended opening that tells us how Cropsy became a mad killer. (He was burned from head to toe in a summer camp prank that has gone wrong) The creepiness of the opening derives from the fact that it quickly shifts from a summer camp setting (yes, another Friday the 13th summer camp rip-off) and then moves to another creepy scene with Cropsy on life support in the hospital then jumping five years ahead to a grim, urban blight setting among the old adult theaters where Cropsy commits his first murder.

Then, we are off to familiar territory again when we are at a summer camp that Cropsy is now stalking. His prey are cardboard cut out cliched teenagers, but their antics and hijinx are given quite a bit more screen time than in other films. No, they really don't do anything, but act bratty and pull pranks...but they are not as annoying as other teens in similar films so we don't mind these exposition scenes because they are never really dull. So, THE BURNING gets a few more points for being a better than average horror film.

So, will the films of today be remembered the same way the films of the early 1980'll be remembered. No. And the reason? The films of today are, honestly, much better films overall. SAW, THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, 28 DAYS LATER...these are all classics of the horror film genre. They will be remembered many, many years from now just as films such as CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, DAWN OF THE DEAD and DRACULA are remembered today. Simply put, other than the FRIDAY THE 13th series there are really no 1980's "slasher" films that are considered classics. (HALLOWEEN started in the 1970's so I don't count it) And, yes, there were a ton of great early 1980's films that still have strong followings today such as AMERICAN WEREWOLF, THE HOWLING, SCANNERS, and others...but we are specifically talking slasher films most of which were awful. Even the good ones such as MY BLOODY VALENTINE and MADMAN were, well, good but still one dimensional bad films. The thing is with horror films is that we fans of the genre love a great film, but a 'bad' horror film can still be considered good. Unless, of course, it is really bad like TERRORVISION. Does that make sense? Probably not.

What makes this release of THE BURNING unique is that the DVD of the film is completely uncut and restores scenes that were edited out during its initial run to secure an R Rating. (The same fate befell other films such as HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME and MY BLOODY VALENTINE although unedited versions of these films have never been released)This is the never before seen 91 minute version with all the special effects in tact. The make up man on this film was the master himself Tom Savini who created the unforgettable effect on DAWN OF THE DEAD, CREEPSHOW and many other films.

Coupon Codes

The holidays are here with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all quickly coming upon us and if you want to save money on various items you should check out CouponChief.com’s coupon codesfor such top notch sellers such as Buy.com
and my personal favorite Target
(Target pretty much has everything!) Of course, there are a ton of other stores represented on this site you should check it out before you make any shopping decisions. Yes, it is that valuable of a resource!

Saw IV Jigsaw Suit

Since I am on a SAW IV kick this Halloween season, I thought I'd let you all in on this little item: there is a SAW IV Jigsaw costume on the market so if your really want to creep people out this Halloween, wearing this wild and funky Saw costume is the way to go.

SAW IV Television Spot

I did catch the SAW IV teaser commercial on Spike TV last night and it was pretty cool. Jigsaw remains a creepy villain even several years after his debut and he has not waned with age as so many other horror characters. Perhaps this is why I am looking forward to SAW IV’s release. Anyway, it was a cool TV spot and Spike TV is always good for running horror and B movie ads for theatrical and DVD releases. I remember the cool DEVIL’S REJECTS spots a couple years back and they really creeped me out. Anyway, SAW IV hits screens on October 26. I’m looking forward to it.

SAW IV

Looks like we are headed towards the countdown to the final few weeks before Saw IV hits theaters and good old Jigsaw is back. Then again, the most intriguing thing about SAW IV is that Jigsaw is not actually coming back as he is dead and will be staying dead. Instead, we learn Jigsaw has orchestrated a game prior to his death that will be played out after he has left the earth.

What a devious character Jigsaw is, eh? At least the character stayed frightening and malevolent as opposed to the self parodies that Jason and Freddy became as their sequels progressed. Mercifully, people like their horror films serious these days and not the lame mix of horror and comedy that had been common in prior decades. Not that there is anything wrong with horror-comedy mixes, but they do where out their welcome when they become the norm.

One thing I am curious about is how long the Saw franchise will last. If this film makes the mega millions that the other films have made there is no way Lions Gate Films will cancel the series. So what will be the follow up to Saw IV then? A prequel?

Well, if they get the idea for a prequel from me I want a royalty check.

Bet365

The internet has made the world not only one where information travels about freely, it has also made the world a much more fun place. Yes, while this may not have been the original intention of the internet the fact remains that the internet has become a veritable cornucopia of entertainment that boasts a variety of different ways in which to have a lot of fun.

For those who are into online gaming and gambling, the internet has also proven to be a wildly popular resource and this is evidenced by the rise of such sites as bet365 which offers poker, online casinos, sportsbook items such as football betting and a host of other gaming options. As the name would indicate, bet365 is open all year round, 24 hours a day and can cater to all your online gaming needs. What more could anyone ask for? If you are into online gaming and gambling, please visit their site and check out what they have to offer.

Alligator and The Burning on DVD

Here is a follow up to my previous post about John Sayles' classic 1980 monster film ALLIGATOR: the film is now out on DVD so those who want to see the rare uncut version (in edition to TV prints being edited, the original VHS release had some edits as well)
Also released is the very under rated 1980 horror film THE BURNING, the film that eventually launched - of all things - Miramax Pictures. What makes the release of this film unique is that it will be the long awaited uncut version that had never before been seen in the United States. Now, if only someone would release an uncut version of MY BLOODY VALENTINE

Innovative Tutor

A child's education is a critical thing and this why when solid programs such as the brilliant Innovative Tutor program designed by Score Learning is one of the absolute best. If you have a child between the age of 4 and 14 who needs a little help, this is definitely one of the best sites to check out. It really has a lot to offer. Please give the site a visit. Sponsored post

Blod of the Werewolf - My Head Hurts

Yes, this is a brief entry in the I TOLD YOU SO DEPARTMENT. In an earlier post i mentioned how I would take a shot on a trilogy horror film that centered on werewolves called BLOOD OF THE WEREWOLF and the whole thing was ROTTEN and amateurish and a horrid waste of time. A pox on those who made this drivel. What a rotten waste and miserable denizen of the dvd horror wasteland. Bleh.