For most movie fans, August is a pretty dead month. As far as horror freaks go ... we like dead things, don't we? All things considered, the month actually starts off with a Tuesday filled with colorful offerings...

By Scott Weinberg

After giving it a ridiculously small theatrical release not too long ago, Dimension Extreme (aka the Weinsteins) deliver a very solid "killer croc" flick called Rogue. Expect a full review soon, but the movie (which is the second from Wolf Creek director Greg McLean) delivers precisely what you're looking for if you pick up a DVD cover with a gigantic crocodile head on it. Extras include two featurettes, several mini-docos, and a director's commentary. Cool!

Also in the "You know you wanna rent it" pile is Starship Troopers 3: Marauder , which at the very least has to be better than Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation, or whatever it was called. Series veteran Ed Neumeier gets to try his hand in the director's chair, and he'll be aided by none other than Casper Van Dien, who's back to reprise the role of Johnny Rico. Extras include a director's commentary, a few featurettes, and some music videos. And lots of CGI bugs.

Time for another of those godawful "Maneater Series" releases, this one a killer ants movie called The Hive. Tom Wopat stars. Funny-looking DVD cover. OK, I'll watch it. (No extras.)

Here's a curiosity from France. Belphagor: Phantom of the Lourve , starring Sophie Marceau and Julie Christie. Apparently it's about a mummy that's terrorizing (you guessed it) The Louvre. (It's a museum.)

In the random department we have Lionsgate's Dracula's Guest , Sub Rosa's Midnight 2: Sex, Death & Videotape, Allumination's Baby Blues, and the long-awaited special edition of Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers.

I say snatch up the reptile tale and maybe rent Space Bugs Part 3. Next week we get three indies, an import, and a very cool thriller that used to be called WAZ.