Michael-Bay Movie Reviews

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VHS movie reviews for "Michael-Bay" sorted by average review score:
Creepshow 2
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (10 April, 2001)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Michael Gornick
Starring: George Kennedy and Lois Chiles
What is it about hitchhikers that makes them such a sure-fire bet for horror? This question is addressed in the final segment of Creepshow 2, another Stephen King-George Romero collaboration. "The Hitchhiker" is the simplest and best of the three tales on display here, with Lois Chiles as a cheating wife who just can't seem to get rid of a hitchhiker... no matter how hard she tries. The collection gets off to a slow start with "Old Chief Wood'n Head," a sleepy story of Native American justice. "The Raft" is a passable teens-in-peril number, but it worked better on the page than on screen. Romero adapted the King stories but emphatically did not direct, which accounts for the drop-off from the kicky fun of the first Creepshow. King appears as a dimwitted truck driver--a foreshadowing of Maximum Overdrive? In any case, this one's for diehard fans only. --Robert Horton
Average review score:

A Creepy Sequel
I first saw this sequel and the original when I was a little kid and it scared me to death. The funny thing is, I am 27 now and the movie still spooks the hell out of me. Although the HBO series "Tales From The Crypt" was edgier and better, "Creepshow 2" really marked to rebirth of this genre, which also included "Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits".

Well, getting back to "Creepshow 2", the three stories were written by Stephen King and directed by a Pittsburgh native and family friend George Romero. The first story is called "Old Chief Woodenhead" about a store indian that comes to life once the store's owners a murdered. George Kennedy and Dorothy Lamour( in her last movie) play the store owners. The story is a bit gory, and upsetting to see Dorothy Lamour killed, but well written and acted. "The Raft" is the best story of the three about a kind of blob that terrorizes these kids on a lake. The ending of the story is a classic. The final story is called "The Hitchhiker" and it's the typical yarn about a woman who hits a man, and he comes back to haunt her. That story has since been overdone in "I Know What You Did Last Summer".

This DVD version is what really loses my marks. There are no extras, and I feel the video copy has a much better picture quality. For the extra money, I do not think a DVD version is worth it. The movie itself is great, but I'd go cheaper and buy the video...

"Creepshow 3", anyone?
I liked this movie for many reasons. One, the first one was terrifyingly scary (I was 8 when I first saw it). Two, it was written by horror master Stephen King. The first story, "Old Chief Woodenhead," about a cigar store Indian who avenges the murders of his kindly shop owners, was creepy enough. Only really scary if you are easily creeped out or if you watch it at night with the lights off. The second story, "The Raft," about four college students who go to a secluded lake and unwittingly become sitting ducks to a carnivorous oil slick-like blob was particularly scary. My second favorite out of the three stories in the movie. The last of the three and by far the simplist and most scariest was "The Hitchkiker." About a cheating wife driving home from a rendevous with her lover and runs down some poor guy. She flees the scene only to be haunted by his undead spirit. Makeup effects by master Tom Savini were awesome. The complaints I have about the movie are minor ones. Why were there only three stories instead of five like in the first one? Also, what was up with the animated wraparound story? Yes, the first
"Creepshow" featured animated in-betweens before and after each story, but it did not have any cartoonish interaction between characters in its prologue or epilogue. Also the score wasn't nearly as scary as it was in the first movie. The fillmmakers should have tried to get the same composer to return as well as director George A. Romero. The DVD doesn't have that many special features on it. The trailer and a behind-the-scenes photo gallery montage are about it. I would have liked to at least have a commentary by the director if not a couple of the cast members. Last but not least, when will there be a "Creepshow 3"? It's never too late for another sequel. Hello, Hollywood is sequel-crazy these days. Now is the time to strike. Overall, a decent pick if you're looking for a fright ride.

Great Sequel, where is Creepshow 3???
3 stories of terror introduced by the Creep (in animation form) who appears to have the same sense of macabre humor as the Crypt Keeper from Tales from the Crypt. The stories even begin the same way as match shots from comic-book to film. The first story is called "Old Chief Woodenhead". George Kennedy stars as an old convenience store owner who is robbed and killed by a bunch of 80's punks. His Indian statue comes alive and avenges his death. This story is probably the least entertaining and takes a while to get going.

Story number 2 is called "The Raft" focuses on 4 teenagers out to have a good time at a secluded lake. But a huge sludge monster is out to eat them all up. This is probably the best story as it is very fast-paced and engaging.

The last, and longest story is "The Hitchhiker" in which a rich, cheater (Lois Chiles) runs over the titular character and is haunted by his corpse all the way home until she loses her mind. This is quite a cool story with some interesting direction. Stephen King has a cameo as a trucker. Tom Savini (seriously) appears as the live action Creep and the beginning and end of the movie.

Image and Sound The 1.85:1 anamorphic picture is surprisingly beautiful and free of anything remotely resembling dirt, artifacts or pixalization. Black levels and fleshtones are suspiciously natural and color fidelity is superb. One wonders how such and old, and little seen, film can look so good. And although the soundtrack is plain and simple Mono it had me fooled a couple of times. The sound is clear and crisp and is free of hiss or distortion. Kudos to Anchor Bay on this transfer.

The Extras We get a non-anamorphic trailer and a photo gallery with shots of behind the scenes activity. Nothing is really too interesting apart from a couple of shots of the actor who played the Hitchhiker having his make-up applied. The menus are animated (literally) and are fun to watch when selecting a new page.

A must have for horror fans and Steven King affectionados. Even if you haven't seen the first film (like me) this is still a must have and a definite keeper. Very few people are likely to feel shortchanged after watching this movie.

Creepshow 2
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (06 March, 1995)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Michael Gornick
Starring: George Kennedy and Lois Chiles
What is it about hitchhikers that makes them such a sure-fire bet for horror? This question is addressed in the final segment of Creepshow 2, another Stephen King-George Romero collaboration. "The Hitchhiker" is the simplest and best of the three tales on display here, with Lois Chiles as a cheating wife who just can't seem to get rid of a hitchhiker... no matter how hard she tries. The collection gets off to a slow start with "Old Chief Wood'n Head," a sleepy story of Native American justice. "The Raft" is a passable teens-in-peril number, but it worked better on the page than on screen. Romero adapted the King stories but emphatically did not direct, which accounts for the drop-off from the kicky fun of the first Creepshow. King appears as a dimwitted truck driver--a foreshadowing of Maximum Overdrive? In any case, this one's for diehard fans only. --Robert Horton
Average review score:

Not as much 'Creep', and a lot less 'Show' than the first...
I was a little disappointed in this sequel to the original Creepshow. In the first movie, there was around five segments, while here we only get three. If it were three really great stories, I could let it slide, but that's not the case.

The first story, titled Old Chief Woodenhead, stars George Kennedy as an owner of a general store in a town that has seen better days. His wife thinks it's time to close the store and retire, but George feels a sort of obligation to the town that's supported him and his family over the years, and feels he needs to give a little back. The title of the story refers to a wooden Indian in front of the store, which comes to life and exacts revenge on the gang of punks after they rob and kill George and his wife. Pretty standard stuff, not really scary, and no real surprises.

The next story is called The Raft and is easily the best of the three. It's about four high school kids that go swimming in a lake with a raft. The swimming season is over, but the raft hasn't been removed from the lake, so they are getting in one last swim. While on the raft, they encounter a strange, gooey blob like mass floating in the water. They also discover the hard way that it has an appetite. There are some fairly gory scenes in this short, along with some nudity. The ending is quite good, and almost make up for the lameness of the other two stories.

The third story is the weakest of the bunch. The HitchHiker involves a woman driving home from an extramarital affair, and she accidentally hits and kills a hitchhiker. She has a moment of indecision, but then flees the scene. Along the way home, she does wrestle with what happened, try to justify to herself leaving the scene of the accident, when the hitch-hiker starts appearing on the road even though she knows that couldn't be possible. She starts to lose it, and begins to attack the man with her car. This goes on for awhile, and the shocking ending isn't really all that shocking. I just thought this was a really poor story to end the movie on. One thing I found kind of funny was no matter how mess up the hitchhiker got, he would always repeat the same line, "Thanks for the ride, lady." I found myself saying that to friends for awhile. Also, watch for Stephen King with a small role as a truck driver in this segment.

There is a story interspersed between three stories, like in the first movie. It involves a boy, some bullies, and a man eating Venus flytrap. The segments are mostly animated, and it's sort of fun.

As I stated in the beginning, I think we were a little short changed on this movie. Two lame segments and one good one do not make a great movie. The first Creepshow was much more fun, and had a much more comic book feel, which reminded me of the great EC comics of the past. There was a little of that here, but not enough. And something else I noticed was there were a lot more recognizable actors in the first movie than in this movie. I bought this DVD as I am sort of a completist, and I really like the second story, but interested viewers would probably be better served purchasing the first and renting this one

Creepshow 2 review
Not nearly as good as its chilling precursor, a collection of short horror films based on the works of Stephen King, this sequel contains about half as many "terror tales" as the original and as a result, seems to come up short.

CREEPSHOW 2 is not an awful movie by any means as it tells three stories (and also features a short cartoon) presented as a take on the old EC comic series.

The first story is a simple revenge tale featuring a Native American statue that exacts vengeance on a group of hoodlums who murder an antique store owner and his wife. The story is by-the-numbers but is presented pretty well. Our second tale finds a group of oversexed pot-smoking teen swimmers trying to get away from some type of man-eating human waste in the pond. This one is pretty creepy with some "stay out of the water" horror mixed with some humor. The last one plays on that classic concept of the sinner trying to cover up their mistakes but not being able to bury them properly as a cheating housewife runs down a hitchiker who just won't stay dead.

If you enjoyed the first film, this is pretty much more of the same. Unfortunately, where the first film was a gripping collaboration between horror masters, Stephen King and George Romero that had fun playing with the many common phobias in American culture, this sequel just feels like a bunch of old Tales From The Crypt re-runs played one after another. Not a bad movie if you're looking for a few good scares.

Great Sequel, where is Creepshow 3???
3 stories of terror introduced by the Creep (in animation form) who appears to have the same sense of macabre humor as the Crypt Keeper from Tales from the Crypt. The stories even begin the same way as match shots from comic-book to film. The first story is called "Old Chief Woodenhead". George Kennedy stars as an old convenience store owner who is robbed and killed by a bunch of 80's punks. His Indian statue comes alive and avenges his death. This story is probably the least entertaining and takes a while to get going.

Story number 2 is called "The Raft" focuses on 4 teenagers out to have a good time at a secluded lake. But a huge sludge monster is out to eat them all up. This is probably the best story as it is very fast-paced and engaging.

The last, and longest story is "The Hitchhiker" in which a rich, cheater (Lois Chiles) runs over the titular character and is haunted by his corpse all the way home until she loses her mind. This is quite a cool story with some interesting direction. Stephen King has a cameo as a trucker. Tom Savini (seriously) appears as the live action Creep and the beginning and end of the movie.

Image and Sound The 1.85:1 anamorphic picture is surprisingly beautiful and free of anything remotely resembling dirt, artifacts or pixalization. Black levels and fleshtones are suspiciously natural and color fidelity is superb. One wonders how such and old, and little seen, film can look so good. And although the soundtrack is plain and simple Mono it had me fooled a couple of times. The sound is clear and crisp and is free of hiss or distortion. Kudos to Anchor Bay on this transfer.

The Extras We get a non-anamorphic trailer and a photo gallery with shots of behind the scenes activity. Nothing is really too interesting apart from a couple of shots of the actor who played the Hitchhiker having his make-up applied. The menus are animated (literally) and are fun to watch when selecting a new page.

A must have for horror fans and Steven King affectionados. Even if you haven't seen the first film (like me) this is still a must have and a definite keeper. Very few people are likely to feel shortchanged after watching this movie.

Manhunter
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (30 January, 2001)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Michael Mann
Starring: William L. Petersen
Though it will always be remembered as the movie featuring the "other" Hannibal Lecter, Michael Mann's 1986 thriller Manhunter is nearly as good as The Silence of the Lambs, and in some respects it's arguably even better. Based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon, which introduced the world to the nefarious killer Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter, the film stars William Petersen (giving a suitably brooding performance) as ex-FBI agent Will Graham, who is coaxed out of semiretirement to track down a serial killer who has thwarted the authorities at every turn.

Graham's approach to the case is a perilous one. First he seeks counsel with Lecter (Brian Cox) in the latter's high-security prison cell--an encounter that is utterly horrifying in its psychological effect--and then he begins to mold his own psyche to that of the killer, with potentially devastating results. As directed by Mann (who was at the acme of his success with TV's Miami Vice), this sophisticated cat-and-mouse game never resorts to the compromise of cheap thrills. Predating Anthony Hopkins's portrayal of Lecter by four years, Cox plays the character closer to Harris's original, lower-key conception, and he's no less compelling in the role. Petersen is equally well cast, and as always Mann employs rock music to astonishing effect, using nearly all of Iron Butterfly's heavy-metal epic "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" to accompany the film's heart-stopping climactic sequence. All of this makes Manhunter one of the finest films of its kind, as well as further proof that Harris's fiction is a blessing to any filmmaker brave enough to adapt it. --Jeff Shannon

Average review score:

GRIM AND GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER...
Based upon the wonderful, well written novel "Red Dragon" by Thomas Harris, this is a superior and chilling thriller. Grim and gripping, it features William Peterson in the role of taciturn, retired FBI agent, Will Graham, who is called back to service in order to track down a bizarre serial killer. It appears that Graham has the uncanny ability to get into a killer's mind set and figure out what his next move might be. It is as if he and the killer become one. In his preparation for this, Graham even consults the imprisoned Hannibal Lecter (yes, THE Hannibal Lecter), deliciously played by Brian Cox.

The movie is compelling and, at all times, gripping. Joan Allen affectingly plays a blind woman who unknowingly involves herself with the creepy serial killer who is chillingly played by Tom Noonan. It is her involvement with him that helps bring the film to its stunning conclusion. Good performances by Dennis Farina, Stephen Lang, and Kim Greist round out this fine, ensemble cast.

This film is a taut, unnerving psychological thriller that is deftly directed by Michael Mann and accompanied by a terrific, musical score used to great effect. Who ever would have thought that Iron Butterfly's heavy metal "In A Gadda Da Vita" could be used to such chilling effect in the final, climactic scene? This is a film well worth watching.

Manhunter (director's cut edition)
An FBI agent William Graham (William L. Petersen) comes out of retirement to examine a set of bizarre murders of families. These murders are suspected to have been the work of notorious serial killer known as The Tooth Fairy. Interested enough by the case, Graham makes use of profiling, or tries to think exactly like the killer in order to gain clues regarding his various whereabouts. He consults the incarcerated psychopathic psychiatrist that put him into retirement through near-fatal violence, Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), for further clues. Graham is put into considerable danger when Lecktor warns The Tooth Fairy via phone of the case. It is only a matter of time before The Tooth Fairy will create another victim.

Complicated, well acted, and absorbing, Manhunter is an original thriller that focuses on the unique psychological struggle to catch a heinous criminal.

Note: the director's cut edition has an alternative ending.

If you liked this film, I would recommend you see "Silence of the Lambs", in which Hannibal Lecktor's character is emphasized more.

Overall rating: 4 stars

Rated R for adult themes, sexual encounters, language, and violence.

The First of the Lector Trilogy.
When a former FBI Agent by the name of Will Graham (William Petersen) is asked by his Former Boss (Dennis Farina) to go on a Hunt of a Dangerous Serial Killer known as the Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan), who Preys on families. The only person, who could help Will on the Case, Beside his Boss, is Serial Killer, Dr. Hannibal Lector (Brian Cox).

Directed by Micheal Mann (Ali, Heat, Thief) made a Strong Thriller, Based on the Novel:Red Dragon by Thomas Harris (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal). Mann wrote the Screenplay for this Film. The movie also stars:Kim Griest (Brazil), Stephen Lang (Gods & Generals) & Joan Allen (Pleasentville). Frankie Faison appears in a Cameo, which he appears in the Two Sequels as Barney. Disc 1:DVD's has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer with an fine Digitally Remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD Extras are Interviews, Bios, Collector's Booklet & an Trailer. Disc 2:Director's Cut has the same anamorphic transfer with a Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound with an Extra Three Mintues. Alternative DVD is Coming Out on June, 2003. Which is Micheal Mann's Personal new Director's Cut, which it will have an Commentary Track from Him. This film has been rediscover on Video & DVD, two years ago. Manhunter (Red Dragon) has been Re-Imagined with Anthony Hopkins playing his Famous Role-Hannibal Lector. This is a Cult Classic Thriller. Watch for Chris Elliot in a Scene. Fine Cinematography by Dante Spinotti (Bandits, Blink, Red Dragon-2002). Super 35. Grade:A.

Manhunter (EP Mode)
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (15 January, 1996)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Michael Mann
Starring: William L. Petersen
Though it will always be remembered as the movie featuring the "other" Hannibal Lecter, Michael Mann's 1986 thriller Manhunter is nearly as good as The Silence of the Lambs, and in some respects it's arguably even better. Based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon, which introduced the world to the nefarious killer Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter, the film stars William Petersen (giving a suitably brooding performance) as ex-FBI agent Will Graham, who is coaxed out of semiretirement to track down a serial killer who has thwarted the authorities at every turn.

Graham's approach to the case is a perilous one. First he seeks counsel with Lecter (Brian Cox) in the latter's high-security prison cell--an encounter that is utterly horrifying in its psychological effect--and then he begins to mold his own psyche to that of the killer, with potentially devastating results. As directed by Mann (who was at the acme of his success with TV's Miami Vice), this sophisticated cat-and-mouse game never resorts to the compromise of cheap thrills. Predating Anthony Hopkins's portrayal of Lecter by four years, Cox plays the character closer to Harris's original, lower-key conception, and he's no less compelling in the role. Petersen is equally well cast, and as always Mann employs rock music to astonishing effect, using nearly all of Iron Butterfly's heavy-metal epic "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" to accompany the film's heart-stopping climactic sequence. All of this makes Manhunter one of the finest films of its kind, as well as further proof that Harris's fiction is a blessing to any filmmaker brave enough to adapt it. --Jeff Shannon

Average review score:

GRIM AND GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER...
Based upon the wonderful, well written novel "Red Dragon" by Thomas Harris, this is a superior and chilling thriller. Grim and gripping, it features William Peterson in the role of taciturn, retired FBI agent, Will Graham, who is called back to service in order to track down a bizarre serial killer. It appears that Graham has the uncanny ability to get into a killer's mind set and figure out what his next move might be. It is as if he and the killer become one. In his preparation for this, Graham even consults the imprisoned Hannibal Lecter (yes, THE Hannibal Lecter), deliciously played by Brian Cox.

The movie is compelling and, at all times, gripping. Joan Allen affectingly plays a blind woman who unknowingly involves herself with the creepy serial killer who is chillingly played by Tom Noonan. It is her involvement with him that helps bring the film to its stunning conclusion. Good performances by Dennis Farina, Stephen Lang, and Kim Greist round out this fine, ensemble cast.

This film is a taut, unnerving psychological thriller that is deftly directed by Michael Mann and accompanied by a terrific, musical score used to great effect. Who ever would have thought that Iron Butterfly's heavy metal "In A Gadda Da Vita" could be used to such chilling effect in the final, climactic scene? This is a film well worth watching.

Manhunter (director's cut edition)
An FBI agent William Graham (William L. Petersen) comes out of retirement to examine a set of bizarre murders of families. These murders are suspected to have been the work of notorious serial killer known as The Tooth Fairy. Interested enough by the case, Graham makes use of profiling, or tries to think exactly like the killer in order to gain clues regarding his various whereabouts. He consults the incarcerated psychopathic psychiatrist that put him into retirement through near-fatal violence, Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), for further clues. Graham is put into considerable danger when Lecktor warns The Tooth Fairy via phone of the case. It is only a matter of time before The Tooth Fairy will create another victim.

Complicated, well acted, and absorbing, Manhunter is an original thriller that focuses on the unique psychological struggle to catch a heinous criminal.

Note: the director's cut edition has an alternative ending.

If you liked this film, I would recommend you see "Silence of the Lambs", in which Hannibal Lecktor's character is emphasized more.

Overall rating: 4 stars

Rated R for adult themes, sexual encounters, language, and violence.

The First of the Lector Trilogy.
When a former FBI Agent by the name of Will Graham (William Petersen) is asked by his Former Boss (Dennis Farina) to go on a Hunt of a Dangerous Serial Killer known as the Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan), who Preys on families. The only person, who could help Will on the Case, Beside his Boss, is Serial Killer, Dr. Hannibal Lector (Brian Cox).

Directed by Micheal Mann (Ali, Heat, Thief) made a Strong Thriller, Based on the Novel:Red Dragon by Thomas Harris (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal). Mann wrote the Screenplay for this Film. The movie also stars:Kim Griest (Brazil), Stephen Lang (Gods & Generals) & Joan Allen (Pleasentville). Frankie Faison appears in a Cameo, which he appears in the Two Sequels as Barney. Disc 1:DVD's has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer with an fine Digitally Remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD Extras are Interviews, Bios, Collector's Booklet & an Trailer. Disc 2:Director's Cut has the same anamorphic transfer with a Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound with an Extra Three Mintues. Alternative DVD is Coming Out on June, 2003. Which is Micheal Mann's Personal new Director's Cut, which it will have an Commentary Track from Him. This film has been rediscover on Video & DVD, two years ago. Manhunter (Red Dragon) has been Re-Imagined with Anthony Hopkins playing his Famous Role-Hannibal Lector. This is a Cult Classic Thriller. Watch for Chris Elliot in a Scene. Fine Cinematography by Dante Spinotti (Bandits, Blink, Red Dragon-2002). Super 35. Grade:A.

Manhunter (Widescreen Director's Cut Edition)
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (30 January, 2001)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Michael Mann
Starring: William L. Petersen
Though it will always be remembered as the movie featuring the "other" Hannibal Lecter, Michael Mann's 1986 thriller Manhunter is nearly as good as The Silence of the Lambs, and in some respects it's arguably even better. Based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon, which introduced the world to the nefarious killer Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter, the film stars William Petersen (giving a suitably brooding performance) as ex-FBI agent Will Graham, who is coaxed out of semiretirement to track down a serial killer who has thwarted the authorities at every turn.

Graham's approach to the case is a perilous one. First he seeks counsel with Lecter (Brian Cox) in the latter's high-security prison cell--an encounter that is utterly horrifying in its psychological effect--and then he begins to mold his own psyche to that of the killer, with potentially devastating results. As directed by Mann (who was at the acme of his success with TV's Miami Vice), this sophisticated cat-and-mouse game never resorts to the compromise of cheap thrills. Predating Anthony Hopkins's portrayal of Lecter by four years, Cox plays the character closer to Harris's original, lower-key conception, and he's no less compelling in the role. Petersen is equally well cast, and as always Mann employs rock music to astonishing effect, using nearly all of Iron Butterfly's heavy-metal epic "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" to accompany the film's heart-stopping climactic sequence. All of this makes Manhunter one of the finest films of its kind, as well as further proof that Harris's fiction is a blessing to any filmmaker brave enough to adapt it. --Jeff Shannon

Average review score:

GRIM AND GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER...
Based upon the wonderful, well written novel "Red Dragon" by Thomas Harris, this is a superior and chilling thriller. Grim and gripping, it features William Peterson in the role of taciturn, retired FBI agent, Will Graham, who is called back to service in order to track down a bizarre serial killer. It appears that Graham has the uncanny ability to get into a killer's mind set and figure out what his next move might be. It is as if he and the killer become one. In his preparation for this, Graham even consults the imprisoned Hannibal Lecter (yes, THE Hannibal Lecter), deliciously played by Brian Cox.

The movie is compelling and, at all times, gripping. Joan Allen affectingly plays a blind woman who unknowingly involves herself with the creepy serial killer who is chillingly played by Tom Noonan. It is her involvement with him that helps bring the film to its stunning conclusion. Good performances by Dennis Farina, Stephen Lang, and Kim Greist round out this fine, ensemble cast.

This film is a taut, unnerving psychological thriller that is deftly directed by Michael Mann and accompanied by a terrific, musical score used to great effect. Who ever would have thought that Iron Butterfly's heavy metal "In A Gadda Da Vita" could be used to such chilling effect in the final, climactic scene? This is a film well worth watching.

Manhunter (director's cut edition)
An FBI agent William Graham (William L. Petersen) comes out of retirement to examine a set of bizarre murders of families. These murders are suspected to have been the work of notorious serial killer known as The Tooth Fairy. Interested enough by the case, Graham makes use of profiling, or tries to think exactly like the killer in order to gain clues regarding his various whereabouts. He consults the incarcerated psychopathic psychiatrist that put him into retirement through near-fatal violence, Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), for further clues. Graham is put into considerable danger when Lecktor warns The Tooth Fairy via phone of the case. It is only a matter of time before The Tooth Fairy will create another victim.

Complicated, well acted, and absorbing, Manhunter is an original thriller that focuses on the unique psychological struggle to catch a heinous criminal.

Note: the director's cut edition has an alternative ending.

If you liked this film, I would recommend you see "Silence of the Lambs", in which Hannibal Lecktor's character is emphasized more.

Overall rating: 4 stars

Rated R for adult themes, sexual encounters, language, and violence.

The First of the Lector Trilogy.
When a former FBI Agent by the name of Will Graham (William Petersen) is asked by his Former Boss (Dennis Farina) to go on a Hunt of a Dangerous Serial Killer known as the Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan), who Preys on families. The only person, who could help Will on the Case, Beside his Boss, is Serial Killer, Dr. Hannibal Lector (Brian Cox).

Directed by Micheal Mann (Ali, Heat, Thief) made a Strong Thriller, Based on the Novel:Red Dragon by Thomas Harris (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal). Mann wrote the Screenplay for this Film. The movie also stars:Kim Griest (Brazil), Stephen Lang (Gods & Generals) & Joan Allen (Pleasentville). Frankie Faison appears in a Cameo, which he appears in the Two Sequels as Barney. Disc 1:DVD's has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer with an fine Digitally Remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD Extras are Interviews, Bios, Collector's Booklet & an Trailer. Disc 2:Director's Cut has the same anamorphic transfer with a Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound with an Extra Three Mintues. Alternative DVD is Coming Out on June, 2003. Which is Micheal Mann's Personal new Director's Cut, which it will have an Commentary Track from Him. This film has been rediscover on Video & DVD, two years ago. Manhunter (Red Dragon) has been Re-Imagined with Anthony Hopkins playing his Famous Role-Hannibal Lector. This is a Cult Classic Thriller. Watch for Chris Elliot in a Scene. Fine Cinematography by Dante Spinotti (Bandits, Blink, Red Dragon-2002). Super 35. Grade:A.

Prom Night
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (08 July, 1997)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Paul Lynch
Starring: Leslie Nielsen and Jamie Lee Curtis
When it comes to an expressive set of lungs for horror, it's hard to match Jamie Lee Curtis, who set the standard for nonstop screaming in Halloween. She built her reputation as a scream queen in such subsequent outings as The Fog, Terror Train, and this similarly themed and relatively subpar horror outing. A progenitor of I Know What You Did Last Summer, this film focuses on four high school friends on prom night who are being stalked by a masked maniac seeking revenge for a death that occurred six years earlier. Guess who lives to tell the tale? --Marshall Fine
Average review score:

Not The Worst Movie I've Ever Seen But Close To It!
After seeing the movie Halloween also starring Jamie Lee Curtis I naturally thought I would like Prom Night but I was really disappointed with this movie and think we wasted money going to see it and wonder why Jamie Lee Curtis and Leslie Nielsen even agreed to be in this movie. I will rate this 2 stars because I have seen worse movies but it's pretty bad. Just my opinion.

It's Not Who You Go With Honey,It's Who Takes You Home!
"Prom Night" is an effective little whodunit that centers around a mysterious killer stalking four high school students during their senior prom as retribution for their part in the death of a young girl six years earlier. Not on the hit list but caught up in all of the murder and mayhem is "Scream Queen" Jamie Lee Curtis as prom queen Kim Hammond. She's every young man's dream date: smart,sexy and tough. Leslie Nielsen is fun in a glorified cameo (although he received top billing) as Curtis's father,principal of the high school which provides much of the film's setting. The supporting cast,which I suspect is made up primarily of Canadians (since the flick was filmed in Toronto),is excellent,especially the gorgeous Eddie Benton (now Anne-Marie Martin,or should I say...Mrs.Michael Crichton) as sexy bad girl Wendy. The film boasts an excellent disco score by Paul Zaza and Carl Zittrer,and an eerie opening flashback sequence involving all of the main characters as children. What separates "Prom Night" from the countless clones of slasher greats "Psycho" and "Halloween" is that you will find yourself actually caring about the characters.

WHAT A PROM!
In this teen killer flick,a group of kids cause a girl's death while playing a game in an old house but 6 years passed and thse kids are in for it.Jamie Lee Curtis plays the sister of the little girl and I think Paul Lynch is the brother.So Jamie's charater may be saved but for the rest hell awaits.Leslie Nielsen plays the principal of the high school and is Jamie's father.At the prom people are mysteriously missing from the dance floor with all of the other disco people.After people are found dead terror begins.The killer chops someones head off and the head rolls on the dance floor.Everyone runs,screams,and the music is still playing.The killer comes out and tries to harm Jamie's boyfriend since he was in the group with the other dead kids.After the fighting is over they unmask the killer wh happens to be............ Find out!A horror flick for all horror lovers.Rated R for violence,language,and brief nude.Also see Prom Night 2,3,4 and the Halloween series for more teen fun!

Prom Night
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (08 July, 1997)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Paul Lynch
Starring: Leslie Nielsen and Jamie Lee Curtis
When it comes to an expressive set of lungs for horror, it's hard to match Jamie Lee Curtis, who set the standard for nonstop screaming in Halloween. She built her reputation as a scream queen in such subsequent outings as The Fog, Terror Train, and this similarly themed and relatively subpar horror outing. A progenitor of I Know What You Did Last Summer, this film focuses on four high school friends on prom night who are being stalked by a masked maniac seeking revenge for a death that occurred six years earlier. Guess who lives to tell the tale? --Marshall Fine
Average review score:

Not The Worst Movie I've Ever Seen But Close To It!
After seeing the movie Halloween also starring Jamie Lee Curtis I naturally thought I would like Prom Night but I was really disappointed with this movie and think we wasted money going to see it and wonder why Jamie Lee Curtis and Leslie Nielsen even agreed to be in this movie. I will rate this 2 stars because I have seen worse movies but it's pretty bad. Just my opinion.

It's Not Who You Go With Honey,It's Who Takes You Home!
"Prom Night" is an effective little whodunit that centers around a mysterious killer stalking four high school students during their senior prom as retribution for their part in the death of a young girl six years earlier. Not on the hit list but caught up in all of the murder and mayhem is "Scream Queen" Jamie Lee Curtis as prom queen Kim Hammond. She's every young man's dream date: smart,sexy and tough. Leslie Nielsen is fun in a glorified cameo (although he received top billing) as Curtis's father,principal of the high school which provides much of the film's setting. The supporting cast,which I suspect is made up primarily of Canadians (since the flick was filmed in Toronto),is excellent,especially the gorgeous Eddie Benton (now Anne-Marie Martin,or should I say...Mrs.Michael Crichton) as sexy bad girl Wendy. The film boasts an excellent disco score by Paul Zaza and Carl Zittrer,and an eerie opening flashback sequence involving all of the main characters as children. What separates "Prom Night" from the countless clones of slasher greats "Psycho" and "Halloween" is that you will find yourself actually caring about the characters.

WHAT A PROM!
In this teen killer flick,a group of kids cause a girl's death while playing a game in an old house but 6 years passed and thse kids are in for it.Jamie Lee Curtis plays the sister of the little girl and I think Paul Lynch is the brother.So Jamie's charater may be saved but for the rest hell awaits.Leslie Nielsen plays the principal of the high school and is Jamie's father.At the prom people are mysteriously missing from the dance floor with all of the other disco people.After people are found dead terror begins.The killer chops someones head off and the head rolls on the dance floor.Everyone runs,screams,and the music is still playing.The killer comes out and tries to harm Jamie's boyfriend since he was in the group with the other dead kids.After the fighting is over they unmask the killer wh happens to be............ Find out!A horror flick for all horror lovers.Rated R for violence,language,and brief nude.Also see Prom Night 2,3,4 and the Halloween series for more teen fun!

Halloween 5 - The Revenge of Michael Myers
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (29 August, 2000)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Dominique Othenin-Girard
Starring: Donald Pleasence
Starting around Halloween 4, that masked nut Michael Myers stopped chasing his sister (played by Jamie Lee Curtis in the first and second films, as well as Halloween H20) and went after his niece. Now he's chasing her around again in part 5, but it's a lot of other people who die in the process. Donald Pleasence continues his mad-doctor bit from the earlier movies, Danielle Harris is the unfortunate relation, and Donald L. Shanks plays the monster. The film is an improvement on parts 2 and 4 (part 3 having nothing to do with Michael Myers), but it still amounts to routine slaughter with none of John Carpenter's stylistic brilliance from the original movie. --Tom Keogh
Average review score:

Halloween 5......not that bad?
This was a bad movie for the Halloween Series. This was not as bad as Halloween III. One year after Michael was shot by Sheriff Ben Meeker(Beau Starr) and the country boys, Jamie Lloyd(Danielle Harris) is put in the Haddonfield Children's Clinic and is mute due to the events of Halloween 4. Michael rises from a coma and puts his mask on again. He goes back to the Carruthers house and kills off Rachel(Ellie Cornell). He pursues Jamie and Rachel's best friend Tina(Wendy Kaplan) through town, while Dr. Loomis(Donald Pleasance) trys to lure him to the Myers house to finish him off once and for all. First of all, Michael Myers kills Rachel right of the bat. The psychic connection between Michael and Jamie was very dumb and Jamie got a little bit annoying after a while. Michael's mask is different. Dr. Loomis works in Haddonfield and works in the children's hospital that Jamie lives in. Skip Halloween III if you want to be really want to be scared! Watch this movie if you really love the series! I'd problably give this two and a half stars if I could!

Odd.
This fifth movie in the Halloween series follows events featured in the fourth Hallowween movie. Watching this, one gets the feeling that the franchise is getting old and those at the helm are running out of ideas.

Rental only.

fantastic sequal
WELL I DO HAVE TO ADMIT THIS SEQUAL IS PROBEBLY ONLY GOING TO BE GOOD AND UNDERDTANDING IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE PREVIOS MOVIES.ANYWAY SET AFTER 4 {THIS IS MUCH BETTER BUY THE WAY} HIS NEICE JAMIE IS NOW SENSING HIM AND KNOWS WHEN HE ATTACTS.SOME MORE FANTASTIC DEATHS MAKE FOR A LOVE/HATE SEQUAL
DVD INCLUDES:
THEATRICAL TRAILER
INSIDE HALLOWEEN 5 DOCUMENTARY
SCENE SELECTION

Halloween 5 - The Revenge of Michael Myers (Widescreen Edition)
Released in VHS Tape by Anchor Bay Entertainment (29 August, 2000)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Dominique Othenin-Girard
Starring: Donald Pleasence
Starting around Halloween 4, that masked nut Michael Myers stopped chasing his sister (played by Jamie Lee Curtis in the first and second films, as well as Halloween H20) and went after his niece. Now he's chasing her around again in part 5, but it's a lot of other people who die in the process. Donald Pleasence continues his mad-doctor bit from the earlier movies, Danielle Harris is the unfortunate relation, and Donald L. Shanks plays the monster. The film is an improvement on parts 2 and 4 (part 3 having nothing to do with Michael Myers), but it still amounts to routine slaughter with none of John Carpenter's stylistic brilliance from the original movie. --Tom Keogh
Average review score:

Halloween 5......not that bad?
This was a bad movie for the Halloween Series. This was not as bad as Halloween III. One year after Michael was shot by Sheriff Ben Meeker(Beau Starr) and the country boys, Jamie Lloyd(Danielle Harris) is put in the Haddonfield Children's Clinic and is mute due to the events of Halloween 4. Michael rises from a coma and puts his mask on again. He goes back to the Carruthers house and kills off Rachel(Ellie Cornell). He pursues Jamie and Rachel's best friend Tina(Wendy Kaplan) through town, while Dr. Loomis(Donald Pleasance) trys to lure him to the Myers house to finish him off once and for all. First of all, Michael Myers kills Rachel right of the bat. The psychic connection between Michael and Jamie was very dumb and Jamie got a little bit annoying after a while. Michael's mask is different. Dr. Loomis works in Haddonfield and works in the children's hospital that Jamie lives in. Skip Halloween III if you want to be really want to be scared! Watch this movie if you really love the series! I'd problably give this two and a half stars if I could!

Odd.
This fifth movie in the Halloween series follows events featured in the fourth Hallowween movie. Watching this, one gets the feeling that the franchise is getting old and those at the helm are running out of ideas.

Rental only.

fantastic sequal
WELL I DO HAVE TO ADMIT THIS SEQUAL IS PROBEBLY ONLY GOING TO BE GOOD AND UNDERDTANDING IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE PREVIOS MOVIES.ANYWAY SET AFTER 4 {THIS IS MUCH BETTER BUY THE WAY} HIS NEICE JAMIE IS NOW SENSING HIM AND KNOWS WHEN HE ATTACTS.SOME MORE FANTASTIC DEATHS MAKE FOR A LOVE/HATE SEQUAL
DVD INCLUDES:
THEATRICAL TRAILER
INSIDE HALLOWEEN 5 DOCUMENTARY
SCENE SELECTION

Armageddon (Widescreen Edition)
Released in VHS Tape by Touchstone Video (13 November, 1998)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler
The latest testosterone-saturated blow-'em-up from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay (The Rock, Bad Boys) continues Hollywood's millennium-fueled fascination with the destruction of our planet. There's no arguing that the successful duo understands what mainstream American audiences want in their blockbuster movies--loads of loud, eye-popping special effects, rapid- fire pacing, and patriotic flag waving. Bay's protagonists--the eight crude, lewd, oversexed (but lovable, of course) oil drillers summoned to save the world from a Texas-sized meteor hurling toward the earth--are not flawless heroes, but common men with whom all can relate. In this huge Western-in-space soap opera, they're American cowboys turned astronauts. Sci-fi buffs will appreciate Bay's fetishizing of technology, even though it's apparent he doesn't understand it as anything more than flashing lights and shiny gadgets. Smartly, the duo also tries to lure the art-house crowd, raiding the local indie acting stable and populating the film with guys like Steve Buscemi, Billy Bob Thornton, Owen Wilson, and Michael Duncan, all adding needed touches of humor and charisma. When Bay applies his sledgehammer aesthetics to the action portions of the film, it's mindless fun; it's only when Armageddon tackles humanity that it becomes truly offensive. Not since Mississippi Burning have racial and cultural stereotypes been substituted for characters so blatantly--African Americans, Japanese, Chinese, Scottish, Samoans, Muslims, French ... if it's not white and American, Bay simplifies it. Or, make that white male America; the film features only three notable females--four if you count the meteor, who's constantly referred to as a "bitch that needs drillin'," but she's a hell of a lot more developed and unpredictable than the other women characters combined. Sure, Bay's film creates some tension and contains some visceral moments, but if he can't create any redeemable characters outside of those in space, what's the point of saving the planet? --Dave McCoy
Average review score:

Outrageously adrenalin-packed but unbelievably unbelievable
The final hour of this film is filled with more over-the-top action, suspense and impending disaster than any other film in history, and this alone is worth the price of admission, but...it's also ridiculously unrealistic. Try these on for size: 1) An astronaut's face shield is shattered in space and some 10 seconds later he decides to let out an audible scream in the vacuum of space! I guess his head didn't explode either! 2) Space shuttles swiftly dodging chunks of asteroid with the agility of X-wing fighters. 3) A mining vehicle pulls an Evl Knievel-style jump over an asteroid canyon, landing safely after being put into orbit for a bit. There are plenty of other groaners. The blatant flag-waving patriotism and balls-to-the-wall machoism is laughable. Aerosmith music gets plenty of screen time (surprise!), and at times you think you're watching a music video. The scenes toward the end depicting various countries of the world looks so much like some telecommunication commercial it's disgusting. And the hyperkinetic edits during the action sequences are truly a statement on how low Hollywood is willing to stoop to entertain the ferret-on-a-double-espresso (thank you Dennis Miller!) attention spans of the younger generations. Oh yeah, the movie has its humorous moments (Steve Buscemi helps out immensely), but the "tragic" sequences had me weeping crocodile tears.

Another Oscar-Worthy Contribution From Michael Bay
Normally, the "Criterion Collection" is reserved for only the very best and most brilliant films but their additions of the Michael Bay blockbusters, "The Rock" and this, a big loud apocalyptic joy ride would indicate that even they need to make ends meet. I label Michael Bay films as a "guilty pleasure". They are often big, dumb, and loud movies with predictable crowd-pleasing endings and plot holes big enough to hold "an asteriod the size of Texas". Anyways if you too are a fan of these movies then you will no doubt want to add this to your collection.

"Armageddon" is everyone's favorite disaster flick gone wild with a romantic subplot tacked on to please everyone. It seems that after a violent meteor shower destroys major sections of New York that high-level NASA officials have discovered that the worst is yet to come. We've got a giant asteroid (described as a "global killer") on its way here and it's up to the world's greatest deep-core driller (played by who else but Bruce Willis) to stop it. NASA seems to have pinpointed down to the last second how much exact time we have before it hits us but only Willis the hillbilly driller knows how to truly stop it.

After an hour of training mission montages, Willis and his group of slack-jawed sidekicks are off to do battle with the asteroid. Along the way, they lose about half of the crew and pick up a very annoying Russian astronaut. They end up landing a few miles outside of their planned destination and trouble ensues. The boys back home don't seem to have too much confidence in our heroes and want to remote detonate and call it a day. Bruce isn't having it though as he takes control of the mission and declares to anyone listening that he "promised his girl he was coming home". It seems that the satellite hook-up only works when Bruce has a cheesy overwritten line to perform.

If you're a fan of movies that boast action and special effects over any type of sensical plot then this is your movie. This particular DVD features "The Director's Cut" of the movie with alternate scenes. There are some scenes that have been omitted to make way for the new stuff but hey, you can't win them all. Lawrence Tierney shows up as Bruce's dad in this new version and gives him a cheesy speech about the joys of parenthood for him to use in the "alternate version" of his goodbye speech to Liv Tyler. The movie also comes with a hilarious "gag reel" and equally-entertaining audio commentaries. Well, the actor one is good but there is one with a bunch of real-life NASA folks that just goes on and on.

If you enjoyed "Armageddon" as much as I did then you'll probably want to own this double-disc collector's edition. If not, it's only a matter of time before the good people at Criterion decide to give "Con-Air" it's just due.

One of the best movies in the last decade
Bruce Willis soars leap years above his stereotypical action hero image and delivers a blockbuster performance. This move kept me on the edge of my seat from the opening scene! Any father with a daughter who can watch his final scene without getting caught up in it is emotionally dead. If you haven't seen it, just buy it!

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