DVD Roundup - The Loved Ones, Cabin In the Woods, Zombified
|
The Loved Ones is a very well-regarded Australian horror film that's taken its sweet time coming Stateside. (We did review a bootleg screener a few months ago) Finally, on September 11, all you fright flick fans can dance the last dance with lovely, loco Lola. It's truly one of the better genre movies to come out lately, and it's a shame it didn't get its U.S. due in theaters. It's got heart, gore, suspense, and an unusual family-style drama you won't likely forget... and Lola is a terrific character: pretty scary in pink!
There's a new extra in town, and that's UltraViolet. Have you heard of it? Don't know exactly what it is? Well, here's the scoop from Paramount Home Entertainment: "It's a new way to collect, access and enjoy movies. With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them – reliably and securely – to a variety of devices."
Unrated Version of the Film
Cast & Crew Interviews
· Robin McLeavy (“Lola”)
· Xavier Samuel (“Brent”)
· Justin Dix (Special Effects Makeup Supervisor)
= = =
Cabin In The Woods is another film already reviewed here previously. At the time, I was underwhelmed. I'd missed the press screening, so I paid to see it late one night. The theater was nearly empty, I was tired, and I'd already heard all the hype. I figured it was more about me being underwhelmed than the film being underwhelming. So, it was with an open mind I opened my DVD try and inserted the disc... but, alas, I found the movie just as shallow, snarky and predictable as before. Sorry, folks. I just don't love Cabin in the Woods. I don't dislike it, so it's not that I'm not recommending it.
Now, when it comes to the additional release material, there is lots for the fans to delve into. I especially enjoyed the personal tours from Fran Krantz (who went to 'pot school' for his role as the happy-go-lucky hesher) and co-writer and producer Joss Whedon (who's always so smart, and possesses such a pleasant, affable demeanor).
· Audio commentary with Writer/Director Drew Goddard and Writer/Producer Joss Whedon
·”We Are Not Who We Are: Making The Cabin in the Woods” – “making of” documentary
·”The Secret Secret Stash” featurette
· Marty’s Stash
· Hi, My name is Joss and I’ll be your guide
· Wonder-Con Q&A with Joss and Drew
·”An Army of Nightmares: Make-Up & Animatronic Effects” featurette
·”Primal Terror: Visual Effects” featurette
·”It’s Not What You Think: The Cabin in the Woods” Bonus View Mode (Blu-ray Exclusive)
= = =
Zombified is a southern-fried rock 'n roll zombie slasher flick. Talk about the art of the mash-up! But sometimes too much choice is overwhelming and that seems to have been the case with the filmmakers here. Exuberance abounds, but more than can could be chewed was bitten, as it were.
This very low-budget affair follows a group of Houston, TX., metal-punk fusion fans who go to a concert, only to find themselves aurally infected and turned into mindless zombies who want nothing more than to eat the brains of their idols. Lead singer Alana (Rebecca Torrellas) escapes, but throughout the film she is hunted by a gaggle of ghouls under the command of a mysterious man wearing a Richard Nixon mask who just happens to be a slasher/serial killer.
What'd I say about too much? I had a hard time figuring out exactly what was going on, and unfortunately, didn't care enough to make more of an effort. Still, I will say that writer-director-producer Todd Jason Falcon Cook does show gumption and promise. I'll stay tuned.
= = =
Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson