Archive for the 'Movies, Movies, Movies!' Category
Bad Decisions in Horror DVD Box Art
[reposted from Terror Transmission]
As fans of classic horror, we tend to like things left as they are. Whether it’s the occasional cringe when yet another deplorable remake surfaces or, in this case, the original home video box art is expunged and replaced with something less inspired and lacking the flavor of the film it’s trying to promote, it’s often an unwelcome revisionism that terror-fiends want no part of.
The box art change appears especially pointless when directly compared. So, in the interest of edification (and a means to rant for a number of paragraphs), here are a few of the most flagrant violators…
Trick or Treat
Back in the fall of 1986, heavy metal was positioned as the bad guy in popular culture, whether by concerned parent groups or the savvy marketing folks at the record labels. Either way, it made sense to construct a horror movie with a headbanger as the central boogeyman. The original VHS box art for Trick or Treat (let alone the even better movie poster) simply screamed “rent me!” It has the rocker in a ring of flame with a big beasty fellow trying to lick him. That’s pure rental gold right there.
But, of course, time passed. Metal, as it was known then, fell out of the public eye and a new generation had to be lured to this title somehow. Since metal veterans Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne have both made pop culture comebacks with their respective “Reality TV” shows, why not slap them on the front of the DVD edition’s cover? Aside from the fact that their appearances are fleeting cameos at best, what the heck is up with that burning house and floating skull? It’s as if nothing on the cover is indicative of the actual film? And that shot of Ozzy is certainly not from 1986 at all. Give me Sammi Curr or give me nothing.
The Gate
I don’t like when awesomely dark and creepy horror art is “transformed” into something shiny and family friendly. And that is why I am appalled (yes, appalled!) at the sad attempt at modernity glaring back at me from the new DVD release of this classic flick. And for the love of all that is unholy, is that supposed to be Stephen Dorff? Really? It looks like someone took a young Haley Joel Osment and put him in camping clothes. I object! Is Disney making creature pics now? If not, get this crap off my DVD box and put the original art back! Or a naked Christa Denton. Yes, I can be bought off with gratuitous nudity. Sue me.
The Burning
There’s a freakin’ guy on fire, for cryin’ out loud! Right there! That alone makes it a superior cover to… just who is that supposed to be, a welfare version of Freddy Krueger? No, Jason’s in the woods, Freddy’s in your nightmares — keep it straight, people! That aside, The Burning is a classic slasher flick back when they actually knew how to make them, but I sure would pass on this movie if I didn’t know that and had only this bland cover to work with. And I want the freakin’ guy on fire to return. Considering he’s in the movie, that’s truth in packaging right there.
The Thing
I love Photoshop. It’s a great software package that can really aid in creating some solid visual art moments. This DVD cover is not one of those moments. Yes, I understand, the airbrush tool is lots of fun to use, and the paint effect harkens back to the days of MacPaint (or MS Paint, for you PC folks), but it does not replace the sheer brilliance of the original cover, coming at you with big bold letters and crazy blinding evil light radiating from a guy’s face. John Carpenter movies were once good. Let’s not make these DVD release covers as shitty as his modern cinematic offerings. Please.
1 comment
Terror Transmission – Episode 10
Christmas. A time for presents and pretty lights. A time for family gatherings and cheerful songs. A time for… bloody carnage? Well, in this latest installment of Terror Transmission, that’s what you get in the form of the 1984 killer Santa flick, Silent Night, Deadly Night. Matt opens the gift of teen memories while Jason’s package contains a whole lot of love for scream queen, Linnea Quigley, not to mention other goodies under the tree. So, gorge yourself on candy canes and egg nog as you enjoy our commentary on this holiday horror favorite. Are you naughty enough?
Check out the episode post at the official site, or subscribe through iTunes. Also, see the new pics associated with this episode at the Terror Transmission Flickr page.
Terror Transmission is a free podcast program dedicated to horror cinema, particularly classics of the genre and/or those hidden gems begging for rediscovery. Each episode, your hosts will select a film and view it, while providing listeners with real-time commentary, behind-the-scenes ephemera, and a dash of ribald humor. This creepy cocktail will then be edited down to its best elements and presented to you. Other material related to the world of horror will also be featured when deemed applicable.
No commentsTerror Transmission – Episode 9
Like tossing a big ol’ bucket of pig’s blood in your face, we bring you our analysis on the 1976 telekinetic shocker, Carrie. We hoist our brews to late menstruation, shower scenes, outsider teen revenge, and the lip-glossed bitch goddess that is Nancy Allen. Okay, maybe that last part is just Matt talking, but do listen in and get all of the inside scoop on this highest moment in the directorial career of Brian De Palma. Post-movie chat covers the work of Stephen King and Clive Barker, as well as listener mail and some musings on the next movie choice. Turn on, tune in, plug it up!
Check out the episode post at the official site, or subscribe through iTunes. Also, see the new pics associated with this episode at the Terror Transmission Flickr page.
Terror Transmission is a free podcast program dedicated to horror cinema, particularly classics of the genre and/or those hidden gems begging for rediscovery. Each episode, your hosts will select a film and view it, while providing listeners with real-time commentary, behind-the-scenes ephemera, and a dash of ribald humor. This creepy cocktail will then be edited down to its best elements and presented to you. Other material related to the world of horror will also be featured when deemed applicable.
1 commentWhat’s Next On Terror Transmission?
Jason seems rather shocked that you cannot figure out what movie we’ll be commenting upon in the next episode of Terror Transmission. Certainly, you’ve deciphered the hint we gave on our Twitter feed? I mean, that’s all you need until 1 December 2009 when Episode 9 posts to the site. Can you wait that long?
No commentsTerror Transmission – Episode 8
Here are two men with impure hearts, who never say their prayers at night, but become wolves when the podcast starts, and the beer is chilled just right.
Yes, this is our completely hokey segue to the description of our commentary on the 1941 masterpiece of lycanthropic study known as The Wolf Man. Take a journey to the shadowy borderlands of man’s animal nature, or simply enjoy two drinking guys chatting up their love for classic horror. You have a choice, unlike that poor Larry Talbot. After the feature, we’ll have our post-movie talk and maybe say some other clever things. AHHH-OOH!
Check out the episode post at the official site, or subscribe through iTunes. Also, see the new pics associated with this episode at the Terror Transmission Flickr page.
Terror Transmission is a free podcast program dedicated to horror cinema, particularly classics of the genre and/or those hidden gems begging for rediscovery. Each episode, your hosts will select a film and view it, while providing listeners with real-time commentary, behind-the-scenes ephemera, and a dash of ribald humor. This creepy cocktail will then be edited down to its best elements and presented to you. Other material related to the world of horror will also be featured when deemed applicable.
No commentsCrispin Glover on Art, Herzog, Letterman, Etc.
What’s not to love about Cripsin Glover? Sure, you might be asking yourself, “what kind of friggin’ name is Crispin?”… and you’d be right. But that’s merely the top layer of a very complex and multi-faceted onion. In the above video, he speaks with a seemingly grown-up version of Tom Green, and both have an informed and entertaining conversation. Is this the same Glover who gave us such amazing dance moves in Friday The 13th: The (Not-So-) Final Chapter? Damn straight! And are we ever going to see a DVD release of his “What Is It?” film? I hope it happens before I shuffle off my mortal coil because I’m a mighty impatient man at this point.
Long Live Jimmy The Dead Fuck!
2 commentsGames? You Want Games? I’ll Give You Games…
Can you tell what movie I watched last night for the umpteenth time? Definitely one of the greatest films ever made!
End of line.
2 comments
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