Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 21st, 2011
The fourth season of The Virginian was a milestone year for the groundbreaking western. Four of the show's regular characters would be appearing in their final episodes. Lee J. Cobb was never completely happy doing the show, and while he always acted professionally, his castmates all knew he wanted to leave. Cobb finally left halfway through this season even though he would remain on the opening credits for the entire year. This would also be the first and last year for Diane Roter as Jennifer Sommers, the Judge's niece.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 21st, 2011
Mr. Skin and Panik House Entertainment have teamed up to provide us with what can only be described as a schlock-o-rama of 1980's exploitation cinema. After the run of blacksploitation and grindhouse films of the 1970's, we found ourselves in a cycle where the subject shifted to women behind bars. You could still find the same level of low-budget movie making here but with the added "bonus" of watching hot chicks, for the most part, used and abused while being usually unfairly incarcerated.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 20th, 2011
"A picture's worth a thousand words."
James Wan first came to national attention when a short film that he made set the stage for one of the most successful horror franchises in recent years. That short, of course, was Saw, and after no less than 6 sequels that franchise appears to be over, at least for now. Wan has teamed with the writer that also helped to bring about the original Saw film, Leigh Whannell, to try and turn the horror world on its head once again. But, lightning just doesn't strike the same place twice, or does it?
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 20th, 2011
They say that when an alligator grabs hold of something tasty to eat, the reptile won't let go for anything. I guess the same thing could be said for Roger Corman. He's earned the title as King of the B Movie and has held reign for nearly 60 years. So we shouldn't be surprised that his relationship with SyFy and their monster mash-up series of original films would feature a few entries from Corman. Dinocroc came in 2004, followed by Supergator in 2007. Both found fitting places in the series from SyFy. Now Corman and the network have pitted the two against each other
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 20th, 2011
MGM has really started to roll out the titles in their Limited Edition Collection. The result is that you're going to start seeing titles that are quite obscure. While many of the names involved might be known to you, I'm sure you'll find plenty of titles you've never heard of before. Even a movie lover like myself comes across a film from time to time that has managed to escape my notice. This time the film is The Killer Is Loose, and it has escaped my attention for about 50 years.
Posted in: Site News by Gino Sassani on July 16th, 2011
I hope you will all join me as I welcome the newest member of the Upcomingdiscs family.
He's M.W. Phillips and he's already started to contribute to the site. I think you're going to enjoy the new voice.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 15th, 2011
"Delivering justice one shell at a time."
Sometimes you look at a movie title and you really can't decide what kind of movie it might be. It could cause you to avoid a movie you might have really liked. Scent Of A Woman was like that for me. I avoided it for years because I thought it must be some hyper-romantic film. Of course, it was anything but. Hollywood has a habit of trying to get too clever sometimes, and it leaves us just wondering what the heck are we in store for here. Then there are films that tell you everything you need to know in the title.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 14th, 2011
"The Dead should never be woken."
Of course, we've learned that lesson countless times before. Stephen King might have been our best teacher with his chilling book Pet Sematary along with its not-as-successful films. Who can ever forget Fred Gwynne, beloved Herman Munster himself, uttering the line: "Sometimes dead is better"?
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 14th, 2011
"In the winter of 1348 a knight of the Crusades returned to his homeland. He was tired in body and soul and hoped to live in peace the remainder of his days. But this was not to be."
The city of Villach has a problem. The plague has spread to its borders, and the affliction is spreading fast. The disease's arrival is timed to the arrival of a young girl (Foy) who was found to be wondering about the village. After some interrogation she confesses to being a witch and bringing the illness to the village.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 14th, 2011
The story of Jesse James has been told many times over the years. There isn't a medium in the world that hasn't seen its share of tales concerning the infamous outlaw. You could find radio dramas, plays, television shows, films and even songs that recount his exploits. Some of these have been honest and brutal depictions of a lawless man and his gang of thugs who terrorized the West by robbing trains and banks, leaving corpses in their wake. Then there's the romantic telling that picks up on the folk heroes that Jesse and his boys have become over the years.