The Frighteners DVD

Advantages: Great special effects, funny and thrilling all in one go!
Disadvantages: My video player!!!

...my video player working, with the help of lots of tender loving care, a head cleaner cassette and a few choice slaps to the black casing! So, I was able to watch a video I brought several months ago. I do like a good ghost story, and The Frighteners is definitely a good ghost story. You may not have heard of this film, it was directed by Peter Jackson, and had Robert Zemeckis of Forrest Gump and Back to the Future fame as Executive Producer. It ...
...a lot of publicity at the time, and the same lack of publicity happened when it was released on video, which is good for me as I managed to pick up a copy in the bargain bin for £3.99!!! Anyway, about the film. Michael J. Fox of Back to the Future fame plays psychic investigator Frank Bannister, who drives a very cool, but very beat up old Volvo extremely badly. He has the unfortunate habit of driving over lawns, smashing a few white picket fences ... Read review

Advantages: Good cast, good story, good effects.
Disadvantages: Neither hilarious nor terrifying.

...scratches out a living exploiting the grief and superstition of others. The twist however, is that Frank is in fact the genuine article, and the ghosts are working for him! Then Frank meets Lucy (Trini Alvarado), a pretty young doctor who has faith in hhis abilities. However a series of strange deaths is castiung a shadow over the town and only Frank can see the culprit : a dark apparition. But what is the connexion with a series of grisly murders ...
...past leads him to become the chief suspect for the killings? Fox is excellent here as Frank, a man trying to forget his past, and who has pretty much given up on life and people in general. Fox has great comic timing, but also provides some genuinely moving moments. This fiilm was written by Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures, Lord Of The Rings) and directed by him in his native New Zealand. Fans of NZ-based soap 'Shortland Street' can have fun ... Read review

Advantages: great dark comedy
Disadvantages: none

The Frighteners, released in 1996, is the creation of director Peter Jackson and executive producer Robert Zemeckis and is as far as I am concerned one of the best dark comedies ever made. Staring Michael J Fox (Back to the Future), Trini Alverado, Jeffery Combs, John Astin, Jake Busey (Starship Troopers) and many more this is a very entertaining film. The film also boats some very good special effects and some cleaver cinematography. ~~Content~~ ...
...and sometimes bloody violence. Occasionally the language is quite strong and in places there is moderate nudity. The theme to this film is a comedy horror with ghosts. ~~My Thoughts~~ This is a very good film with a strong cast, which put there all into this film. Michael J Fox is great in this film; you can see some of the qualities, which made him a success in the Back to the Future films. Jake Busey also puts in a very good performance and seems ... Read review

With a touch of humor and suspense mixed wtih supernatural, it blends well to create a complete story that isn't obvious as to how it will end. it seems to keep evolving to the point, that you begin to think, what will happen next. Michael J. fox plays his role well as the tormented widower trying to cope with his life and odd, unlikely friends. The special effects are excellent, and inovative for that time. I still enjoy watching it today.

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...movie, and it’s great. The story is about a small town boy that can talk to dead people, but amongst the spirits of the afterlife there is a serial killer that has come back to haunt the town in the name of ‘Death’. Michael J. Fox has to find a way to stop Death from killing the whole town and send him back to the other side where he belongs, he has to because he’s the only one that can do it! While watching this movie, ... Read review

Advantages: The unearthing of a lost classic
Disadvantages: None

...or forthcoming Shameless DVD features. Also included is the wonderfully hip trailer for The Frightened Movie, a stylish offering that looks like something Andy Warhole could have produced, but actually good. I keep asking you to support Shameless in their movies, because I feel a company like this needs support; offerings like the ones they release are seldom found on UK shores, thus making them almost like national treasures. The difference this time however is that The Frightened Woman needs no support its a stunning masterpiece, with a cover designed to lure in unsuspecting viewers. This time Shameless have struck pure gold, this is a real beauty of a movie. The Frightened Woman is available from play.com for £7.99, you need to enter the adult option of the DVD section in order to search for it, but I assure you there is little adult content... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some gore, lots of violence & Kate Beckinsale in a PVC catsuit
Disadvantages: hard think about anything other than Kate in PVC.

.... About not only what started the war between Lycans and Vampires, but about her own origins, that cause her to question what she has been fighting for over the centuries. This is why I believe that Underworld is more of a thriller than an out and out horror. The ending is such that the possability of a sequal is definately there. The special effects are spectacular to say the least. The Werewolves are not CGI, but actual men in costumes. Forget about the 1950s image of a man with fur stuck to his face. These are high tech and very frightening. ---------------- DVD extras: ---------------- As this is a 2 disc set the list of extras is rather extensive. Disc 1. In addition to the film itself this disc also has a directors and writers commentary. As well as a technical commentary. Disc 2. Now this is the disc packed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good animation
Disadvantages: Not a lot of dancing

...with the film my younger niece found the character of the Mouse King quite frightening. The DVD may not be suitable for very young children.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful