New On DVD – October 27, 2009
Posted October 27, 2009 12:16 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Night of the Creeps CityNews.ca Pick of the Week – For the first time ever the classic 1986 B-movie Night of the Creeps is coming to DVD and Blu-ray. I’ve watched both versions and the Blu-ray is definitely the way to go for fans as the transfer is much better than the regular DVD. For those who haven’t seen it the film is about a slug-like alien landing on Earth in 1959 and infecting a college student, turning him into a zombie. Jump ahead to 1986 and a couple of geeky college kids discover and thaw out his frozen body as part of an initiation ritual to get into a fraternity. As he starts walking around more people are infected with the slimy slug creatures jumping from host to host and turning everyone into zombies along the way. It’s a fun film and successfully mixes sci-fi, horror and comedy. The cast is wonderfully campy, especially Tom Akins who plays the local detective. Special features include a commentary track by writer/director Fred Dekker and another with the cast, original theatrical ending, deleted scenes, and making-of featurettes Birth of the Creeps, Cast of the Creeps, Creating the Creeps, Escape of the Creeps, Legend of the Creeps, and Tom Akins: Man of Action. Film **** DVD *** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – If you (or your kids) liked the first two Ice Age films you’ll probably enjoy the third in the series. Like the other two it’s cute, funny and the animation is top-notch. Along with regular voices/characters Ray Romano (Manny), Denis Leary (Diego), and John Leguizamo (Sid) we get to hear new additions Simon Pegg (Buck), Bill Hader (Gazelle) and Kristen Wiig (Pudgy Beaver Mom) as the story goes on a wild ride when Sid tries to steal some dinosaur eggs. If you’re going to buy it I recommend picking up the 3-disc Blu-ray release which also comes with a regular DVD and digital download of the film. The animation looks superb in high-def and if you don’t yet have a Blu-ray player you won’t regret the future-proof purchase. Most of the special features focus on the nutty Scrat character and are mainly for the kids. Film *** DVD *** Blu-ray **** (out of 5 stars).
Assassination of a High School President – It’s a shame this didn’t have a better theatrical run. A poor man’s Rushmore, Assassination of a High School President is a political conspiracy set in a Catholic high school. It’s very well made and extremely funny. The cast and script are strong and I predict it will become a hit on DVD as Garden State and Napoleon Dynamite did. Starring Bruce Willis, Mischa Barton and Reece Thompson this is a title I’ll be watching frequently. Special features include audio commentary with the filmmakers, alternate opening and closing scenes, extended and alternate scenes and deleted scenes. Film *** DVD *** (out of 5 stars).
Tales From the Darkside: The Second Season – This 3-disc set includes all 24 episodes from the second season of the creepy 80s show Tales From the Darkside. Not as scary as I remember when it originally aired but still eerie nonetheless. My favourite episode is Monsters in my Room which stars a young Seth Green as a kid being haunted in his bedroom when the lights go out. In a twist the monsters end up protecting him and get his mean stepfather instead. Other notable episodes include the George A. Romero written The Devil’s Advocate (starring Jerry Stiller), Halloween Candy (directed by horror icon Tom Savini), and The Trouble with Mary Jane (starring Phyllis Diller). The show does look dated and the only special feature is the featurette On Air with George Romero. It is a good trip for those who remember it though. DVD *** (out of 5 stars).
Gigantic – Mattress salesman Brian (Paul Dano) is living his life trying to adopt a child from China. When Happy (Zooey Deschanel) walks into his store one day his life begins to change. She’s quirky and cute and he falls in love with her at the same time he’s approved to adopt a young boy. Although I liked Gigantic I felt it was trying too hard to be a surreal indie comedy and might turn people off. Happy’s father (John Goodman) for instance is rich and eccentric, Brian’s family goes hunting for magic mushrooms and there’s a weird homeless man (Zach Galifianakis) who is always lingering around for no reason. Not really a romantic comedy but not really a drama. Special features include deleted scenes, an alternate scene and the trailer. Film *** DVD ** (out of 5 stars).
Sauna – Very unsettling horror film set in 1595 about two brothers who let a young girl die and are later haunted by her. The film disturbed me and I had a hard time sitting through it. No special features except the trailer. In Finnish and Russian with English subtitles. Film ** DVD * (out of 5 stars).
More New DVD releases this week: Orphan, Un Conte de Noel (A Christmas Story), Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, Hell’s Kitchen: Season 2, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Whatever Works
Top image: Scene from Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. Courtesy 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
