Reviewing films slightly off the beaten path
“A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Master” was the most successful Elm Street film until “Freddy vs. Jason.” While the script is weaker than the prior film, the direction by Renny Harlin works. The picture is style over substance, but has plenty of nostalgic charm.
“A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge” is one of the most reviled (and most beloved) horror sequels ever made. Warner has given the film an excellent 4K release in their 4K “A Nightmare on Elm Street” collection.
Wes Craven’s seminal horror masterpiece “A Nightmare on Elm Street” has been given a good looking and great sounding 4K release. The film is one of the most frightening ever made.
“The Funhouse” is a well made horror film from Tobe Hooper that is set apart by strong production design, its carnival setting, and Andrew Laszlo’s cinematography. Shout! Factory’s 4K UHD release is excellent.
Tobe Hooper’s film “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” redefined horror cinema and spawned a slew of imitations. It is still frightening and disturbing almost fifty years later.
“Paganini Horror” is an interesting if not entirely successful horror film from Daria Nicolodi and Luigi Cozzi. Severin have given the film a solid release.
“Death Screams” is a slasher from 1982 directed by David Nelson starring Susan Kiger and Jennifer Chase. Arrow Video have given the film a fan pleasing Blu-ray release.
“Jaws: The Revenge” is one of the most idiotic and unintentionally hilarious sequels ever made. The Universal Pictures Blu-ray looks and sounds great!
With Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, New Line Cinema took over the Friday the 13th franchise. The results are pretty bizarre. The film was released with a new 2K scan in the deluxe box set from Shout! Factory.
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan was the final film of the Paramount era. It has moments of greatness, and a unique visual style, but the finale is totally nonsensical. Shout! Factory has released the film in their deluxe box set!
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood is arguably the weakest of the original series produced by Paramount. That said, it did give the world Kane Hodder as Jason! The film has been released in the Shout! Factory Deluxe Box Set.
