Blog: Digital Dissection

DVD Dissection -- June 23rd, 2009

Tue., Jun. 23, 2009 1:13 PM PDT , by Scott Weinberg
Simon Says

I hope you enjoyed last month's non-stop Jason-fest, because this week it's back to the same old complaint: Not enough horror DVDs, and not nearly enough good ones!

The most interesting release this week is a slasher flick called Simon Says. Starring Crispin Glover and directed by the helmer of Harry and the Hendersons, the flick played a few years ago at Fantastic Fest, and I thought it was ... OK. Not terrible. So-so, even, but I'll be giving the flick a fresh look this weekend. Truly, nothing starring Crispin Glover could ever be completely worthless. Plus there's a commentary a supplemental what-not, so that's a good thing...

Also slightly compelling, although for different reasons, is a typical-looking tree-bound horror called Backwoods. It'd be entirely generic through and through ... except for the fact that it stars ... Haylie Duff? Really? If I knew who Haylie Duff was, I'd be more fascinated, but I'm told she's very popular.

Vinnie Jones in an Irish indie called Legend of the Bog? About a huge lunatic who rises from a bog and kills people? Sounds fun, right? Wrong. It's hilariously silly. Which is fun, I suppose, but not the sort of fun you're looking for.

Trapped: That's the title of a 1982 thriller starring Henry Silva, and I had no real interest in the flick until I read the Amazon description: From the director of Spasms? And the writer of My Bloody Valentine? And the DP on most of Cronenberg's old classics? Hello, Netflix queue!

Here's one hell of an obscure double feature for the old-schoolers: Greydon Clark's The Uninvited and John "Bud" Cardos' Mutant! It's like hearing from old friends when I read about these titles!

Last, and probably least, we get the digital debut of the ultra-goofy Hobgoblins (1987) *and* its brand-new sequel! You've been warned.

Next week: The drought continues unabated, although we will get an appearance from a Sea Beast. And that's always fun.

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