Reviews

My Horror Movie Collection is small, so my Horrors that start with the letter "S" are very few. THE SHINING and STIR OF ECHOES are right next to each other, so I usually watch them together.

Contrary to the ongoing similarities of the two films, they are very different from each other in many ways. One is about a family stuck in a Haunted Hotel and the other is about a family being haunted by a Rape and Murder victim. One kid had an imaginary clairvoyant friend and could see horrible visions of the past as well as hear other people's thoughts while the other sees dead people and has premonition powers. One Mother is Docile and Enabling while the other seems to be stronger and more rationale than her husband. Still, they both are two of a kind due to the Powerful Center character known as DAD. Kevin Bacon does a fantastic portrayal of a Dad gone nuts.

THE SHINING is one of my all time favorites and am glad to have been able to see this similar story in Theatres when it opened.

In STIR OF ECHOES, Kevin Bacon's DAD role shines and electrifies, the rest of the plot and story fall into place beautifully and makes you wonder how much we or you really know about the supernatural world.

As said in the DVD Production notes; Fred Murphy, director of photography, shot the ghostly character of Samantha at the rate of six frames per second. This movie was done way before THE RING, which makes this movie, that much better considering that particular effect is truly scary.

I strongly recommend this movie to Haunted House and Ghost fanatics

Unlike HEAT and many other modern Bank Robbery or Heist films that include a "nerd" to disarm the Security System or Cameras, this keeps it "Old School". The last of it's kind. This Movie, to me, shows the most notorious Bank Robber Gang ever. THE EX PRESIDENTS.

"Baldwin's" THE GETAWAY had the Micheal Myers Gang, The DEAD PRESIDENTS had the Mime Gang, HEAT had the Jason Gang, but these guys had the best outfits. And talk about Professionalism; The Reservior Dogs nor Keyser Soze's crew would be able to pull a job faster than these guys. Only one man was able to stop these guys. NEO.

Kathryn Bigelow, the best!, directs this spectacular story of friendship and honor that is told during a classic cops and robbers plot. Two guys meet and bond forever knowing who each other is. Like an Asian Movie, these guys are on opposite sides of the Law, but somehow can't stop holding on to each other like brothers.

Gary Busy and Lori Petty make memorable performances as well.

Beautiful, action packed, cop flick.

Again, the last of it's kind.

This is what happens when the two best movie genres in the world meet each other and have passionate sex. It's SCI-FI mixed in with sick old fashioned HORROR. It's the most beautiful mix ever and it was done in this ERIC RED masterpiece. All the best aspects for a good horror/sci-fi were perfectly aligned for this one. An outstanding lead actor, JEFF FAHEY (The Lawnmower Man), a great movie maker, ERIC RED, and a good book, "CHOICE CUTS" from BOILEAU-NARCEJAC. It's starts off good, then it gets better, but it doesn't stop there. It becomes eerie, then sick, then crazy, and all of a sudden you end up watching a violent twisted ending. Once you get passed the "yeah right" idea of the body grafting, you're in and hooked. You cannot expect CGI, or witty modern dialogue, due to the fact that it was made in 1991 just before the big change between good old-fashioned bloody gore and the new commercial stuff you see today. You will, at the very least, be moved by the fact that you saw it and can make a constructive criticism yourself without outside judgment. It was missed by the popular audience but will always be remembered by HORROR fanatics everywhere. It's a definite keeper.

This is the "Real Man's" Wyatt Earp movie. Lawrence Kasdan out-did his other great western SILVERADO. Wyatt Earp is a well made factual depiction of the man himself. Wyatt Earp is the better quality drama for the Old West fanatics. TOMBSTONE was way, way, and I mean way too commercial. That is a fact! not an opinion. It's fake, the scenarios, dialogues, and personalities are made up to make it a cool, hip, action western. It was corny. By the way, for all you Kilmer groupies out there, "DOC Holliday" NEVER EVER ACTUALLY HAD A GUNFIGHT WITH "Johnny RINGO". Do the research yourself, meat-heads. It was a Dream Match conjured up by Hollywood. And you bought it.

One can not, and must not, ever engage in a comparison of the two. It is literally impossible to compare them both. I'm talking two different religions here, buddy. It's like STAR WARS vs STAR TREK. TOMSTONE is an action movie with a great ensemble cast set in the Old West. Wyatt Earp is a biographical, western epic. (yes, I'm afraid there is a big difference between them)

Don't get me wrong. I did enjoy TOMBSTONE very much. I like Val Kilmer (THUNDRHEART), as well as Bill Paxton (NEAR DARK). I am a big fan of Sam Elliot (RUSH), and I love watching Kurt Russell (BREAKDOWN) in just about everything he does. Powers Booth (SOUTHERN COMFORT) lead a great cast portraying the Bad Guys. And I'm going to have to be the bigger man and, without shame, admit that I like Jason Priestly too (COLDBLOODED). The main reason I keep watching TOMBSTONE, in the first place, is to see Micheal Bain's (TERMINATOR) portrayal of the ruthless killer "Johnny Ringo". I love that guy.

The cast of Wyatt Earp is, in many ways more accurate, and better put together. Of course, there are flaws, as in many casts, but I loved all their performances. Dennis Quaid (ENEMY MINE) was, historically, a better Doc. Costner's (PERFECT WORLD) Wyatt Earp was outstanding. Gene Hackman (FRENCH CONNECTION) is always good to watch. Micheal Madsan (THE GETAWAY), Dave Andrews (GRAVEYARD SHIFT), and Mark Harmon (THE PRESIDIO) were great. Tom Sizemore (SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) and BIll Pullman (ZERO EFFECT) as the Masterson Brothers was very very cool. I am a huge Jeff Fehay fan too (BODY PARTS). Too bad the "Johnny Ringo" in this movie sucked. I love that guy.

All in all, Wyatt Earp is the better film to watch, if you want to see the story of Wyatt Earp. You'll definitely like it, and appreciate it more than TOMBSTONE for the quality in acting they give the watcher. Then, you can watch TOMBSTONE as the 2nd feature.

By the way, in actual reality, "Doc" was no match for "Ringo". He's lucky they never had a gunfight. "Doc" had gunslinging mastered, but "Ringo" had that art perfected. Aaaaugh, Don't cry.

The first time I saw it I didn't know what to expect. I noticed early in the movie that it was going to be filled with "Dark Humor". I love Dark Humor and I can't, for the life of me, figure out why anyone would not like this movie. Many people, smart people, have told me that it has an acquired taste to it. Others say it's tasteless. I get tired of rooting for the underdog, but sometimes I have to stand by what intelligent movie buffs call originality. It STANDS ON ITS OWN! Why do people keep looking for run-of-the-mill, predictable, dime-a-dozen, standard cliché movies. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a yuppie that just hunts down weird films. I'm a Micheal Bay & Joel Schumacher fan. I like a good "Cliche" Boy-meets-Girl Comedy and a "Cliche" Tough-cop action flick blockbuster too, every once in a while. But, c'mon, I am not going to go out of my way to be shallow and watch a movie with a very closed-minded mood. You kill the whole movie watching experience. Movie making is an ART, nothing more. The Artist of VERY BAD THINGS, obviously wanted to make a point. The point being that Karma has a magnificent sense of humor. There is no set standard format on movie-making for Pete's sake.

"You must unlearn what you have learned" says Yoda. "Free your mind" says Morpheus

I guess I could understand if a girl doesn't like it for obvious reasons, but even then, any cool girl would have to love Cameron Diaz'z character. She was more deranged than Slater's character.

The whole entire cast were fantastic (favorite being Daniel Stern). My all time number one favorite "scene stealer" has always been Leland Orser ever since his small performance in SEVEN.

Watch it. If you don't like it, watch it again. If you still don't like it, watch it one more %#$?@& Time!!!

This is an Eric Red and Kathryn Bigelow Masterpiece. I'm really not a Vampire fan, I prefer Werewolves, but if I had to chose one, it would be this one. Any Vampire fiend who opposes this movie is obviously hung up on the whole Gothic thing or is probably used to the romantic bloodsucker from the 1800's. Any movie watcher who dislikes this movie is obviously part of the CGI generation and enjoys more elaborate make-up and art direction. Sad, very very sad; and you have my pity. The original story of this feature is kick-ass great.

Just like there are a variety of heroes in comic books, there are also many different types of Vampires. Once you can believe that, then you can accept this movie as an authentic rare keeper. No "Capes", No "Flying", No "Pendulum", No "Shape-shifting", No "Stakes", No "Pointy Ears", No "Cruise", No "Black clothes", No "Holy Water", No "Pitt", No "Melting", and no bunch of weird looking morons sitting in trees or caves talking about how cool all their Mystical Powers are like they're the X-Men or something. No Clichés what-so-ever. Thank God. These Vampires are a rare breed that, most likely, killed all of those pretty faced girly vampires from the 1800's that flew in from the Old World. Yeah, Baby!! They carry guns and use them. Why would a Vampire use a gun? you ask? Well, Why Not! They're bored, bitter, and are upset over their cursed lives. They're dirty, raunchy, filthy and love being outlaws. Even the movie itself is an outlaw among the other bloodsucker flicks. I love the story.

Every one knows about Vampires, so just look at this as an alternate world, with alternate vampires, with alternate powers. Their origin isn't really important. It really isn't. C'mon, you heard it all before. Trust me when I say this covers totally new ground. Even the end will make you go, "Wow, that's different". The vulnerability to sunlight is the only set rule that is put.

One of my all time favorite fantasy is to be "turned" by Diamondback, one of the female Vampires that is quite handy with a knife.

Watch it. If you don't enjoy it, just say you do anyways. Trust me, You'll come out sounding a lot more cool and not like a geek boy. After you watch it, then watch BLUE STEEL.

I am A huge fan of Kathryn Bigelow and Eric Red. I loved "THE HITCHER" (the OG one), "NEAR DARK", and "BODY PARTS". Who cares if there are parts that make you go, "Oh, yeah right, that doesn't really happen to a cop". It is a horror flick, it is designed as a horror flick, not a psychological Morgan Freeman cop thriller. If you can humor a story about Vampires, Zombies, Werewolves, and Killer Toy Dolls, then you can bite into a well made story about a wall street slasher running crazy in the city that uses a GUN instead of a Hook, Claw, Chainsaw, Axe, or whatever tickles you fancy. It is a Scary Movie, nothing more. Like "The Hitcher", the antagonist gets worse and worse and in the end it is a classic Goodguy-vs-Monster battle. Jamie is fantastic, Ron is superb, as always and so is Clancy Brown. A special appearance by Tom Sizmore also makes this movie a cool collector's item.

Many people confuse this movie as a cop suspense thriller and have passed judgment too harshly throughout the years. Most of Kathryn's and Eric's early movies are designed to scare you with the story itself than by using Scary Camera Tricks. It's an old flick, so don't expect any CGI. Many people simply judged it by looking at it as a psychological cop thriller. Don't go out like that. It is an authentic, original, stand-on-its-own, scary movie like "THE HITCHER" and "BODY PARTS". Watch it again as a Horror and you will know what I'm talking about. Be nice. Don't give in to hate. It leads to the Darkside.

Get off the Band Wagon and Enjoy it for what it is. Just watch it and pretend you're living in the 90's for Pete's Sake