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Listed chronologically by release date.
Amityville Horror
(USA
2005)
Director: Andrew Douglas
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 28.98
MPAA Rating: R
Ryan Reynolds (George Lutz),
Melissa George (Kathy Lutz),
Jesse James (Billy Lutz),
Jimmy Bennett (Michael Lutz),
Chloe Moretz (Chelsea Lutz),
Rachel Nichols (Lisa),
Philip Baker Hall (Father Callaway),
Diffident retelling of the classic haunted house movie, scares come, courtesy of The Ring (can you copyright scares?). Good performances (is that really the Van Wilder guy?), but nothing new here, the first version was actually scarier. The R rating seems a little harsh considering what passes for PG-13 these days.
Bedlam
(USA
1945)
Director: Mark Robson
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 19.97
MPAA Rating: NR
Boris Karloff (Master Simms),
Anna Lee (Nell Bowen),
Billy House (Lord Mortimer),
Richard Fraser (Hannay),
Glen Vernon (The Gilded Boy),
Ian Wolfe (Sidney Long),
Jason Robards (Oliver Todd),
Ellen Corby (Queen of the Artichokes),
Double-billed with Isle of the Dead, an earlier collaboration between Karloff, director Mark Robson and producer Val Lewton. This one features the popular UK lunatic asylum known as Bedlam from whence the word came.
Billion Dollar Brain
(UK
1967)
Director: Ken Russell
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 14.94
MPAA Rating: NR
Michael Caine (Harry Palmer),
Karl Malden (Leo Newbigen),
Ed Begley (Gen. Midwinter),
Oscar Homolka (Col. Stok),
Francoise Dorleac (Anya),
Guy Doleman (Col. Ross),
Milo Sperber (Basil),
Vladek Sheybal (Dr. Eiwort),
Susan George (Russian Girl on Train),
Donald Sutherland (Scientist on computer),
After two earlier low key Harry Palmer vehicles, Ken Russell pulls out all the stops to outdo James Bond. I thoroughly enjoyed this as a kid. Suspect it will have dated somewhat. Climax on the ice is memorably surreal.
Cat People
(USA
1942)
Director: Jacques Tourneur
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 19.97
MPAA Rating: NR
Simone Simon (Irena Dubrovna),
Kent Smith (Oliver Reed),
Tom Conway (Dr. Judd),
Jane Randolph (Alice),
Jack Holt (Commodore),
Alec Craig (Zookeeper),
Eddie Dew (Street Cop),
Elizabeth Dunne (Miss Plunkett),
George Ford (Whistling Cop),
Mary Halsey (Blondie),
Theresa Harris (Minnie),
Oodles of atmosphere in this classic tale of a lady who exhibits the odd feline trait when feeling passionate. Flawlessly directed and cast. Recommended.
Cinderella
(USA
1950)
Director: Wilfred Jackson
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 29.99
MPAA Rating: G
Ilene Woods (Cinderella),
Eleanor Audley (Lady Tremaine),
Verna Felton (Fairy Godmother),
Claire Dubrey (),
Rhoda Williams (Drizella),
James MacDonald (Gus/Jacques/Bruno),
Luis Van Rooten (King/Grand Duke),
Don Barclay (Doorman),
Lucille Bliss (Anastasia),
June Foray (Lucifer),
Betty Lou Gerson (Narrator),
Loaded 2 Disc special edition of the Disney perennial, including two extra songs lurking in the special features. Can't say this was ever one of my favourites, marking a transition of sorts to a slightly more economical style though not as hip as the next batch (Lady and the Tramp et al).
Curse of the Cat People
(USA
1944)
Director: Robert Wise
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 19.97
MPAA Rating: NR
Simone Simon (Irena),
Kent Smith (Oliver Reed),
Jane Randolph (Alice Reed),
Ann Carter (Amy Reed),
Eve March (Miss Callahan),
Julia Dean (Mrs Julia Farren),
Erford Gage (Captain of Guard),
Elizabeth Russell (Barbara),
Sarah Selby (Miss Plumett),
Sequel to the classic supernatural tale goes off in a completely different direction, focusing on the strained relationship betwixt father and daughter. Directorial debut for the late, great Robert Wise.
Demon Seed
(USA
1977)
Director: Donald Cammell
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 19.97
MPAA Rating: R
Julie Christie (Susan Harris),
Fritz Weaver (Alex Harris),
Gerrit Graham (Walter Gabler),
Berry Kroeger (Petrosian),
Lisa Lu (Soon Yen),
Robert Vaughn (Proteus IV),
Michael Dorn (Bit),
Felix Silla (Baby),
In an automated house, the local robot decides to go forth and procreate. Despite the ludicrous premise, Demon Seed is actually fairly well thought out, courtesy of Dean R. Koontz's novel. Claustrophobic and scary. Back in the day the final frisson rivaled that of Carrie. Recommended for fans of offbeat sci-fi/horror.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
(USA
1988)
Director: Dwight H. Little
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 19.98
MPAA Rating: R
Screen Ratio: 1.85:1
Donald Pleasence (Dr. Loomis),
Ellie Cornell (Rachel Carruthers),
Danielle Harris (Jamie Lloyd),
Beau Starr (Sheriff Meeker),
George P. Wilbur (Michael Myers),
Sasha Jensen (Brady),
Kathleen Kinmont (Kelly Meeker),
Michael Pataki (Dr. Hoffman),
Jeff Olsen (Richard Carruthers),
Karen Alston (Darlene Carruthers),
Gene Ross (Earl),
Michael gets formulaic in this follow up to Halloween II (Not III!). People die. The William Shatner mask sported by our hero doesn't look as good in these subsequent sequels. Weak.
Interpreter
(USA
2005)
Director: Sydney Pollack
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 29.98
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Nicole Kidman (Silvia Broome),
Sean Penn (Tobin Keller),
Catherine Keener (Dot Woods),
Jesper Christensen (Nils Lud),
Yvan Attal (Philippe),
Earl Cameron (Zuwanie),
George Harris (Kuman-Kuman),
Not bad international intrigue thriller of UN interpreter Kidman who gets wind of an assassination plot and becomes entangled with Penn's Secret Service Agent.
Isle of the Dead
(USA
1945)
Director: Mark Robson
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 19.97
MPAA Rating: NR
Boris Karloff (General Nikolas Pherides),
Ellen Drew (Thea),
Marc Cramer (Oliver),
Katherine Emery (Mrs. St. Aubyn),
Helene Thimig (Madame Kyra),
Alan Napier (St. Aubyn),
Jason Robards (Albrecht),
Ernst Deutsch (Dr Drossos),
Sherry Hall (Greek Colonel),
Skelton Knaggs (Robbins),
Lesser entry in the Val Lewton produced canon, concerning an outbreak of plague on a Greek island, Karloff is good though.
Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane
(USA
1976)
Director: Nicolas Gessner
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 14.94
MPAA Rating: PG
Jodie Foster (Rynn Jacobs),
Scott Jacoby (Mario Podesta),
Martin Sheen (Frank Hallet),
Mort Shuman (Miglioriti),
Alexis Smith (Mrs Hallet),
Tale of underage girl who fakes her father's existence in order to lead a quiet life (she wishes). Extraordinary performance from Jodie Foster in this brilliantly creepy thriller with splendid twists from Laird Koenig's novel. Highly recommended.
Night of the Lepus
(USA
1972)
Director: William F. Claxton
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 19.97
MPAA Rating: PG
Stuart Whitman (Roy Bennett),
Janet Leigh (Gerry Bennett),
Rory Calhoun (Cole Hillman),
DeForest Kelley (Dr. Elgin Clark),
Paul Fix (Sheriff Cody),
Melanie Fullerton (Amanda Bennett),
Chris Morrell (Jackie Hillman),
Bob Hardy (Professor Dirkson),
I. Stanford Jolley (Dispatcher),
Henry Wills (Frank),
Giant killer bunnies scamper over the American heartland. My all-time favourite truly awful movie. Played dead straight and featuring thoroughly unconvincing special effects. I suggest theme parties with V8 used as a mixer. I defy any movie to seem 'bad' to you after this one. Bonus for Trekkies, two, count 'em two Enterprise Doctors in the cast.
Psychomania
(UK
1971)
Director: Don Sharp
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 5.99
MPAA Rating: PG
Nicky Henson (Tom),
Mary Larkin (Abby),
Ann Michelle (Jane),
Roy Holder (Bertram),
Denis Gilmore (Hatchet),
Charles Greenwood (Chopped Meat),
Peter Whitting (Gash),
Rocky Taylor (Hinky),
Robert Hardy (Chief Inspector Hesseltine),
Patrick Holt (Sergeant),
Alan Bennion (Constable),
Utterly bizarre attempt to make a horror movie for young motor bikers. Occasional flashes of humour amidst the embarassment.
Robot Jox
(USA
1989)
Director: Stuart Gordon
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 14.94
MPAA Rating: PG
Gary Graham (Achilles),
Anne-Marie Johnson (Athena),
Paul Koslo (Alexander),
Robert Sampson (Commisioner Jameson (sic)),
Danny Kamekona (Dr Matsumoto),
Hilary Mason (Professor Laplace),
Michael Alldredge (Tex Conway),
Jeffrey Combs (1st Prole),
Carolyn Purdy-Gordon (Kate),
One of two similar themed movies from the same time period (Crash & Burn is the other) featuring gianormous battling robots, oddly enjoyable in a Mortal Kombat video game sort of way.
Santa Claus
(USA
1985)
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Price: 14.98
MPAA Rating: PG
Dudley Moore (Patch),
John Lithgow (B.Z..),
David Huddleston (Santa Claus),
Burgess Meredith (Ancient Elf),
Judy Cornwell (Anya Claus),
Jeffrey Kramer (Towzer),
John Barrard (Dooley),
Truly hideous Christmas movie, in which everything and everyone is completely obnoxious. Plot concerns evil toymaker's scheme to subvert the holiday. Small children may love it (but deserve better). Adults may enter catatonic state.
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