Sleep deprived parents and disturbing visions. Not unusual.

You know I absolutely hate it when babies are functional “props” in a horror movie. More so, I am absolutely tired of horror films beginning with the premise “a new unsuspecting family moves into a haunted house.” Enough already. Well, at least that’s what I was thinking before checking out writer/director Paul Soter‘s Dark Circles. In a solid horror genre debut, Soter’s have one thing going for him in this release–it’s damn creepy. 

The story revolves around Alex (Johnathon Schaech) and his expectant wife Penny (Pell James). Unbeknownst to them both, a creepy, dark-haired woman, will pay them a visit and visits often. When the couple’s son is born–the husband is late attending the arrival of his son. Of course, there is an occurrence of a freaky baby monitor incidents, however, are executed brilliantly. Understandably, the couple relationship suffers due to the “bloody woman” sightings. It isn’t any wonder the already sleep deprived parents contemplate whether or not their bloody, dark haired woman sightings were the result of a lack of sleep–or that their home is righteously haunted. As Penny and Alex struggle with reality, hallucinations and eventual delirium. I was actually surprised that the film remained unsettling and outright awesome. I’m being careful not to give away too much of the film.

The film successfully blended the supernatural experience with familiar reality of new parents and sleep deprivation. You are audience to a variety of visions and “sightings” from the protagonists perspectives. In addition to being subjected to magnified “shock” points in the film that are not specifically “surprising,” however, are well worth watching from a technical viewpoint. The cinematics are well constructed, and the films’ music score is pairs brilliantly with the overall perspective of the film.

Overall, Dark Circles is a familiar horror that’s well worth checking out. The acting performances are compelling, and you can tell that writer/director Paul Soter really understands the genre. The director was sure to develop his main protagonists character importance in the film.

However, I am still disappointed that a baby had to be involved in all this. Poor kid.

Recommended.

Dark Circles DVD special features include audio commentary from writer/director Paul Soter. The film stars Pell James (The Lincoln Lawyer, Fan Boys), Jonathon Schaech (Quarantine, That Thing You Do), Jennifer Foreman and Philippe Brennikmeyer (Super Troopers). Rated “R” for violence and bloody images. Subtitles in English and Spanish. Run time 86 minutes. Format 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1). DVD audio 5.1 Dolby Digital. 
 
Artwork and supplementary materials courtesy of © 2013 Lionsgate Home Entertainment. All rights reserved.

They’re going out with a bang!

STAND UP GUYS is an insatiably hilarious gangster drama from Director Fisher Stevens featuring Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin as retired ex-gangsters who reunite for one unforgettable evening–with one of their friends keeping quiet on a dangerous secret. However, though teeming with one-liners and “old-timer” jokes–including a bit about Val (Pacino) and his impotence issues–they visit an old brothel where their “favorite” madam has long retired–regardless, these old gangsters want to party. Geritol or no.

Val (Pacino) just served 28-years in prison protecting his friends. After 28-years, we learn later that he botched up a job that killed crime lord Claphands (Mark Margolis) son. After 28-years, it is natural for a guy to want to party. So Doc (Walken) meet up and immediately head to a brothel–which requires some incentive (Viagra)–feel free to cringe, I did. Still, there is something going on between Doc and Val that undermines their eventful evening, and it is not good. Meanwhile, Richard (Arkin) join in for a night of excess–which would have been a lot more favorable had he not forgot about his oxygen mask.

The great thing about this movie is the acting talent. With Academy Award® winning actors Pacino, Walken and Arkin there are no worries about either “over-reacting” or “over-acting.” There are clean transitions in comedic moments, dialogue and drama. The only qualm I have about Stand Up Guys, the film is trying to be in too many places–one too many sub-plots to be a succinct movie. The theme of aged ex-gangsters bringing their varied personalities eventually clash. On one bit, there is too much comedy to balance the hard-lined drama aspect of the overall story. However, this is not to state that this is a “bonk” combination of theatrics–the action laden scenes work well. Just don’t expect the climatic events to be appeasing.

Overall, what you get are solid performances and excellent laughs. Just don’t expect the story to meld well with the intended character drama.

Worth checking out. 

Stand Up Guys DVD special features include:

•  American Muscle: The Stand Up Driving scenes featurette – checkout the storyboards comparison to the finished car chase scenes.
•  The Lowdown On Making Stand Up Guys featurette – cast and crew interviews.
•  The Stand Up Songs Of Jon Bon Jovi featurette – Just the artist Jon Bon Jovi discussing his musical contributions to the film.
•  Audio commentary with Director Fisher Stevens - the director talks about the film themes and production.
•  Deleted scenes

The single disc DVD set include a redemption code for the iTunes and UltraViolet digital copies. English 5.1 Digital Audio • Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio • English and Spanish subtitles.

Artwork and supplementary materials courtesy of © 2013 Lionsgate Home Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Evil wears many faces.

There is not much that I can say about a film that is a “frightening” follow-up to an iconic brand of horror except for the predictably aspect of it. Texas Chainsaw (2013) does not stray too far from its horror roots. The film follows the events of Toby Cooper‘s 1974 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre where the Sheriff had problems with rowdy locals of Newt, Texas. Right from the beginning, viewers serve as a witness to the overly zealous Molotov inspired shoot out and eventual house fire. As predicted, there was a survivor, and someone forgot to check the basement. Leatherface (Dan Yeager) got out, and the rest of the story can sell itself.

Aside from the ultra violence and rising death count that is habitual of these types of films, this “chainsaw” is a little “family oriented.” Heather (Alexandra Daddario) inherited the Sawyer family estate and everything and everyone within it. She rounds up a few of her close friends and head out to check out her gifted home in the deep off-roads,  and outside a small town. The “Newt Town rowdy bunch” still lives there. They want to kill Heather ut to kill her. Of course, her dear cousin “Leatherface” is not going to let that happen. Get ready, because I am about to reveal a HUGE spoiler–people die. Overall, the movie is not all bad. The film features some good, gory scenes, and cascading amounts of the red stuff. Just do not expect it to have an involved story-line and impeccable acting performances.

Of course, this newly released “Texas Chainsaw” series to have the same attraction of the original film, however, remains unchanged even 39 years later. Four of the original cast members from the previous films even made a cameo appearance in the film:  Gunnar Hansen, the original “Leatherface,” Marilyn Burns, John Dugan and Bill Moseley. Fans of the franchise would appreciate seeing the original actors have a part in this film. Just don’t be too excited about the mediocre acting performances, and the potential for another “Chainsaw” film.

A good “bad” horror filck. 

Also starring in Texas Chainsaw (2013) Tremaine ‘Trey Songz’ Neverson (Grammy® nominated R&B superstar), Tania Raymonde (TV’s Malcolm in the Middle, Lost), Shaun Sipos (The Grudge 2, Final Destination 2), Keram Malicki-Sanchez (American History X), James MacDonald (Phone Booth), Thom Barry (TV’s Cold Case), Paul Rae (True Grit) and Richard Riehle (Office Space). 

Now let’s get into the “delicious details” of the special features included in the May 14, 2013 DVD release and believe it or not, there are some goodies to beheld:

Texas Chainsaw (2013) DVD special features include:

• Fantastic audio commentary with producer Carl Mazzocone and filmmaker Tobe Hooper, discussing all there is to know about what it took to make this film happen.
• Special “Chainsaw Alumni” commentary with the original “Texas Chainsaw” cast members Bill Moseley, Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn Burns and John Dugan.
• Texas Chainsaw Legacy featurette. Take a look back at the history and 40+ year leacy of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series with filmmaker Tobe Hooper.
• Resurrecting The Saw featurette is a look into the development of “Texas Chainsaw” with dir. John Luessenhop, producer Carl Mazzocone and writers Adam Marcus, Debra Sullivan, Kristen Elms and Stephen Susco.
• The Old Homestead featurette is a detailed look at the re-creation of the shooting location from the original “Texas Chainsaw” film with production designer William A. Elliott and cast members from the “Chainsaw Alumni) Bill Moseley, Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn Burns and John Dugan.
• Casting Terror featurette features interviews with the cast of the film including Alexandra Daddario, Trey Songz, Tania Reynolds, Keram Malicki-Sanchez, Scott Eastwood, Sean Sipos and many others.
• Leatherface 2013 featurette is an interview with “Leatherface” actor Dan Yeager on his interpretation of this legendary role, along with a look at the creation of his costume, mask, and signature chainsaw.
• Lights, Camera, Mayhem featurette is a look at the film’s 3D photography with the Director of Photography Anastas Michos along with a look at the creation of several sequences from the film.
• It’s in the Meat featurette is a detailed look at the film’s grisly special make-up effects with Make Up Effects Supervisor Robert Kurtzman, and Make-Up Artists Alex Diaz and Mike McCarthy.
• On-set Short Subjects: Five Minute Massacres:  “Burning Down The House,” “Trapped in the Van,” “Carnival Time,” “Leatherface In Action,” “Hot Times in Louisiana,” and “Bloody Good Times.”
• Including the DVD + Digital copy + UltraViolet

 
Artwork & Supplementary Materials courtesy © 2013 Lionsgate Home Ent. All Rights Reserved.