Red Dawn

Starring:Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen, Darren Dalton, Jennifer Grey, Brad Savage, Doug Toby, Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton, Ron O'Neal, William Smith, Vladek Sheybal, Powers Boothe, Frank McRae, Roy Jenson, Pepe Serna, Lane Smith, Judd Omen, Michael D'Agosta
Director: John Milius
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

The Ronald Reagan 1980s were all about going back to the future--rewriting the past to better suit Reagan's upbeat vision of the present. So, Sylvester Stallone's John Rambo (a psychotic, shell-shocked Vietnam vet in the original film, transformed into a flag-waving hero in the sequel) was able to go back to Southeast Asia and "correct" history by decisively (and single-handedly) winning that messy ol' war on behalf of America. Red Dawn is a paranoid cold-war cautionary tale that presents us not with a rosy alternative past, but with an ominous vision of the future, metaphorically plopping a piece of Russian-occupied Afghanistan into America's back yard. In this celebration of the Second Amendment, storm troopers from the Evil Empire descend upon the inadequately defended United States and hold America hostage. Stealthily avoiding the invaders, a motley group of red-blooded, small-town, gun-toting teenagers go underground to form the Wolverines, a guerilla resistance squad dedicated to making those Russkies rue the day they parachuted onto U.S. soil. It's a darn good thing those kids had the right to keep and bear arms, huh! Written and directed by macho filmmaker John Milius, the self-described "Zen fascist" who also cowrote Apocalypse Now, as well as the horrifying shark story Robert Shaw tells in Jaws. The cast includes Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Jennifer Grey (a few years before she and Swayze took up Dirty Dancing), Charlie Sheen, Powers Boothe, Harry Dean Stanton, and Ben Johnson. Red Dawn was a commercial success, although audiences invariably split into two camps, finding it either patriotic or appalling. Whatever your verdict, the film remains a telling reflection of its era. --Jim Emerson

Description

Red Dawn opens with one of the most shocking scenes ever filmed; on a peaceful morning, through the windows of a high school classroom, students see paratroopers land on the varsity football field: the invasion of the United States has begun! As their town is overrun by foreign nationals, eight teenagers escape to the mountains. Taking the name of their high school football team, the Wolverines, they wage unremitting guerrilla warfare in defense of their parents, their friends and their country. Powerful, chilling and absolutely gripping, this outstanding film features some of today's most popular stars, including Patrick Swayze (Ghost), Charlie Sheen (Platoon), C. Thomas Howell (The Hitcher), Lea Thompson ("Caroline in the City"), Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing) and veteran actor Harry Dean Stanton (Alien). When it comes to thrilling entertainment, Red Dawn wins the war with a vengeance!

Customer Reviews:

The best PG-13 movie ever made.......2007-07-04

I first watched "Red Dawn" on HBO as a kid. The patriotism that it instilled drove me to join the US Army. The scenery is amazing, the plot line sufficient, and the characters are amazing. Rarely will you find a movie that commands the presence of so many key characters. From the mayor's patriotically weak son, the first generation Mexican-immigrant boy with the will to fight for the country he loves, to the stereotypical "good 'ol boys" who ultimately instill the futility of war in an enemy commanding general, you're forced to realize all that America has to offer to a potential occupational force.

This is a must watch for anyone who displays a yellow ribbon, believes in the American way or is just up for a movie that spans the gambit of American values and determination.

Guerilla Youths Fend Off Soviet Communist Invasion........2007-06-30

_Red Dawn_ (1984) is an excellent film by John Milius (also famous for _Apocalypse Now_ (1979) and as an anti-gun control law advocate) which came out in 1984 when Ronald Reagan was president during the height of much Cold War hysteria. The movie is about a joint Soviet and Cuban invasion of the United States. The movie asks us to imagine the following scenario: "The Soviet Union suffers worst wheat harvest in 55 years. Labor and food riots in Poland, Soviet troops invade. Cuba and Nicaragua reach troop strength goals of 500,000. El Salvador and Honduras fall. Greens party gains control of West German parliament. Demands withdrawal of nuclear weapons from European soil. Mexico plunged into revolution. NATO dissolves. United States stands alone." Following this scenario the Soviet communists invade the United States, crossing the Bering Strait, while Latin America rises up from the South and attacks. The movie takes place in a small Colorado town where a band of high school students (calling themselves the Wolverines) must work together to fight off the Soviet threat. As guerilla forces these students move up into the mountains where they continually wage war against the Soviet invaders. Their hometown becomes compromised and they must fend off the Red Menace. The movie is interesting in that it shows how the people and in particular the youth must rise up and fend off tyranny. It is to be noted that the brave bands who form together are not members of the army but are ordinary citizens. In this respect, the movie is to be commended.

The movie begins with an ordinary day at high school. While their history teacher is discussing the ancient military tactics of the Mongol hordes (eerily foreshadowing things to immediately come), who repeatedly invaded Europe in ancient times and thus forced the people to fend off their menace, a group of Soviet paratroopers suddenly land on the school grounds. The teacher goes out to meet them but is quickly gunned down. Thus, begins the ensuing struggle, which we later learn is merely a part of World War III, the invasion of the United States by communists. A band of students must join together to fight them off, while their parents remain in the town. The students head for the mountains where they live, periodically returning to the town for supplies. Later, we are to learn that many of their parents (particularly the ones who were viewed as trouble-makers) were sent off to re-education camps. As with the Soviets in Russia, these euphemistically named camps are nothing more than torture and death camps. The students must hunt for food, relying on ancient Indian lore and making use of the Indian rite of drinking the blood of a slaughtered deer to attain its powers. Throughout the year the students begin to fight off the Soviets using guerilla tactics against them. The students call themselves "the Wolverines", which one Soviet notes are "small vicious animals". Thus, begins the war with the imperialist Soviet menace. It should also be noted that the mayor of the town collaborates with the Soviet invaders and gives over the names of dissidents in exchange for his life and security. Thus is the way with all politicians. One of the extraordinary facts about this film is that the people involved can no longer rely on the government to fend off tyrants for them. Thus, it is necessary to take up arms and fight for their homeland themselves. In this spirit, the original frontier tradition of the American revolutionaries lives on in these brave bands of freedom fighters. To see how the movie resolves and how freedom is won back from would-be tyrants you must watch it for yourself.

Of course, this movie has been greeted with the usual chorus of detractors and naysayers who claim that it is "right wing propaganda". Such latter-day Soviet apologists simply fail to see the horrors innate within Soviet power. It is unfortunate that today many would gladly witness the ideals upon which America was founded perish rather than to stand up and fight for them. However, this is the situation in which many Americans exist today.

This movie is highly recommended and is certain to entertain. While it does feature fighting and bloodshed which may horrify the squeamish (it was the first movie to receive a PG-13 rating), the message from it is a positive one. Freedom does come with a price, and that price must often by won by standing up to tyranny.

First movie with a Pg-13 rating. . Ive listed what special features the new version has below........2007-06-22

Red dawn is a classic 80s movie from writer director John Milius. Milius also co wrote the screenplay for the brilliant Apocalypse Now which he shared an oscar nomination with Frances Ford Coppola.
I also learned this was the first movie to get a Pg-13 rating from the mpaa after public outcry of the violence in pg rated movies such as Indiana Jones and the temple of doom, and Gremlins.(movieweb)
I own about 1200 dvds and i actually do not have this one, so i will splurge and get this new collectors edition. I've listed some info below about the new version i found on the internet hopefully it helps. Thanks for reading.

Collectors Edition DVD

Release Date: July 17th, 2007
Edition: Collector's Edition DVD
Format: DVD
MPAA Rating: PG13
Studio: MGM
UPC: 027616081315
Production Year: 1984
Special Features:
Red Daw Rising - a retrospective look at the making of the film.
Building the Red Menace - what it took to make "World War III"
Military Training - this piece explores the extensive training that the actors had to go through in order to become convincing guerilla fighters
WWIII Comes To Town - This piece goes back to Las Vegas, New Mexico and finds out from locals and extras what happened when 'Red Dawn' came and turned their hometown into the fictional town of Calumet, Colorado and the center of World War III.
Genre: Action

WOLVERINES !!.......2007-06-20

Though some people may think that this movie is far fetched because it depicts teenage men and women taking on a communist invasion, I believe that this is a very good movie.
If somehow something like this did happen I think that it is very likely that there would be civilian freedom fighters, look at past wars and invasions and this happens. If you were in this situation would you set back and let them win or would you take up arms and fight for your family, friends, country and freedom.
This movie brings about a very strong feeling of patriotism ( Something our country needs much more of) and is very good to watch around independence day.
"WOLVERINES!!!!"

Red Dawn Revisited.......2007-05-21

The first time I saw this in the mid 80s I thought it was kind of cool, with great action, and a bit over the top. I never bought it because I just didn't think it was worth owning. Over the years as I have seen this on TV I realized this was worthy of a revisit to my initial opinion. As I have grown in age, I realized these young teens are thrown into a whole different world and their over-acting if you will, is quite honestly nothing more than I think a teen would do when stressed to this point. After all they lose their families and their world is turned upside down. What am I talking about, any adult would over-act as well in this kind of post holocaust situation. Basicly become distraught and over emotional.

So all things considered this movie deserves much more credit than it typically gets from critics. It is a good fictional story. The action and special effects are well done. I finally ordered a copy for my DVD library. Don't wait till you have seen it at least a half dozen times on TV like me. The commercials are to painful for that. You can even buy it with "Navy Seals" in a two pack for less than fifteen dollars. "Navy Seals" is a reasonably good movie as well and for about seven dollars and change each it is a good deal. Navy Seals has Charlie Sheen, Michael Biehn, Bill Paxton, Dennis Haysbert, and several other familiar faces. Good action movie that most people will enjoy. So grab a Big Gulp and a big bowl of popcorn and make an afternoon of it.

Average customer rating:

The best PG-13 movie ever made
Guerilla Youths Fend Off Soviet Communist Invasion.
First movie with a Pg-13 rating. . Ive listed what special features the new version has below.
WOLVERINES !!
Red Dawn Revisited

Red Dawn (Collector's Edition)
Starring: Patrick Swayze , C. Thomas Howell , Lea Thompson , Charlie Sheen , and Darren Dalton
Director: John Milius
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Road House
War Games
The Day After
Taps (Special Edition)
Platoon (Collector's Edition Steelbook)

ASIN: B000PMFS14
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

The best PG-13 movie ever made.......2007-07-04

Guerilla Youths Fend Off Soviet Communist Invasion........2007-06-30

First movie with a Pg-13 rating. . Ive listed what special features the new version has below........2007-06-22

WOLVERINES !!.......2007-06-20

Red Dawn Revisited.......2007-05-21

The Masque of the Red Death / The Premature Burial

Average customer rating:

Masque is spectacular
a "Masque" worth attending again and again
Masque of the Red Death
Not the best of the poe adaptations
Vincent Price Movies

The Masque of the Red Death / The Premature Burial
Starring: Vincent Price , Hazel Court , Jane Asher , David Weston , and Nigel Green
Director: Roger Corman
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Fall of the House of Usher /The Pit and the Pendulum
The Tomb of Ligeia / An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe
The Comedy of Terrors/The Raven
The Haunted Palace / The Tower of London
Tales of Terror/Twice Told Tales (Midnite Movies Double Feature)

ASIN: B000068TPE
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Amazon.com

The Masque of the Red Death (1964) is Roger Corman's, and most people's, choice as the best of the Edgar Allan Poe pictures. Masque offers the expected creepy atmosphere and violence against peasants, plus metaphysical ponderings and pointed satanic cruelty. (Corman was operating as much under the influence of Ingmar Bergman as of Edgar Allan Poe.) Nicolas Roeg's color cinematography and Daniel Haller's elaborate production design would be stellar in any Hollywood A-movie; the mono-colored rooms of the prince's castle are a startling effect. Vincent Price is in fine fettle as Prince Prospero, the devil-worshipping sadist who throws lavish parties while the countryside is ravaged by the plague.

The Premature Burial (1962) substitutes Ray Milland in the usual Price role. He's a snarky landowner (with a sideline in art--dig those mod paintings) haunted by the fear of being buried alive. This single-minded focus limits the film, but it also adds to the smothering sense of anxiety that prevails throughout its unhealthy scenario. Luscious Hazel Court is Milland's new missus, and old-school cameraman Floyd Crosby proves his facility for photographing women in a classical style. Lots of cobwebs-on-candelabra in the customary Corman-Poe manner, with special emphasis on Milland's crypt, with its supposedly foolproof exit schemes. --Robert Horton

Description

The Masque of the Red Death: Death and Debauchery reign in the castle of Prince Prospero (Vincent Price), and when it reigns... it pours! Prospero has only once excuse for his diabolical deeds--the devil made him do it! But when a mysterious, uninvited guest crashes his pad during a masquerade ball, there'll be hell to pay as the party atmosphere turns into a danse macabre!

The Premature Burial: Talk about a tortured artist! Oscar winner Ray Milland is Guy, a medical student and painter whose obsessive fear of being buried alive compels him to build himself a tomb with a view, equipped with everything he can think of to escape death. But it's when his long-suffering wife convinces him to destroy the tomb that he finds himself in the gravest danger!

Customer Reviews:

Masque is spectacular.......2007-06-10

This is why I bought the disk, The Premature Burial is a good bonus.

Masque of the Red Death is thought by many to be Roger Corman's best of his Edgar Allen Poe movies. I'd have to agree, from those of them I've seen. The Red Death is a plague-like sickness that strikes and will spare very few, particularly when the Red Death incarnate decides to come after you. The movie shows the disparities of medeival society, and you get a feel for how the rich were just slaves to their senses. Vincent Price is wonderful as the evil (by choice) Prince Prospero, and it is good to see him get what happens in the end.

The Premature Burial isn't a bad little film on it's own, and would have stood up for being a lead on many of the other doubles from this genre. All-in-all one great, and one good, film. For the price it can't be beat! Highest Rating

a "Masque" worth attending again and again.......2007-04-01

This review concerns only "The Masque of the Red Death"(though "The Premature Burial" is also enjoyable). I have seen almost every Horror film ever made(with the exception of mid80's through modern day "direct to video" insults made with a mind toward turning a quick buck) and this is one of the very few that I could watch almost every day. WHY? Difficult to say...it is perverse, yet redeeming. Lushly beautiful yet cruelly ugly. The babes are sexy and Vincent Price is greasily, gleefully wicked in just ONE of his many bravura performances. Perhaps it is the use of the Bava-like colours(especially cool are the various "Angels of Death" that appear) and the superior music(check out the closing credits....even THEY are exciting!) I don't know how Roger Corman ended up making this(not to denigrate him, but this movie is so masterful and artistic it can not even be compared to most of his other output!) It creates a claustrophobic atmos-fear of building tension as well as madness and IMPENDING DOOM...I've read about that with other films, but this is one of the few(along with Kubrick's "Shining", of course) that actually delivers that. In my opinion, THE best adaptation, by Corman or anyone else, of Poe(Corman also does a great job adapting Lovecraft in the Poe-titled "The Haunted Palace", which is actually Lovecraft's "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward") "Masque" survives as a beautiful, dream-like, creepy film......"it is time for a NEW dance to begin: The Dance of DEATH"! launches an eerie "dance number" that certainly does NOT include Gene Kelley or any crummy animated penguins!

Masque of the Red Death.......2007-03-29

Masques of the Red Death does not follow the storyline of Poe's story enough for me to use in the classroom. However, the tension and suspense is great.

Not the best of the poe adaptations.......2007-02-25

The editorial review goes on about how lavish a production this movie was. It really wasn't. Simply having a few cheap props, mono coloured rooms and a cast of extras dancing about doesn't mean much. Pit and the Pendulum was the most lavish production. Pit also had superior music. Masque suffers from a bland plot. The only thing that saves the movie was Price.

It should also be noted this dvd is not a quality dvd. It may not play in all players. I think this is the last "midnight movie" double features I buy. This is my second. The other plays in my computer's dvd player, both sides. This dvd only plays one movie on my computer's dvd player. No doubt these dvds are being ran off in someone's garage.

Vincent Price Movies.......2007-01-24

Thank you so much for helping me get "The Masque of the Red Death" & 'The Premature Burial" with Sir Vincent Price. I had looked for it on a number of sites & even my dvd club @ Columbia House, but no-one had it. But Amazon did! Thank you

Rockin' at the Red Dog: The Dawn of Psychedelic Rock

Average customer rating:

Amazing and Historical
Straight From the Horse's -- er -- Dog's Mouth
The only footage of the Charlatans are on this DVD
Psychedelic Music Backstory
What happened to the Thirteenth

Rockin' at the Red Dog: The Dawn of Psychedelic Rock
Starring: Big Brother & the Holding Company , The Grateful Dead , Howard Hesseman , Jefferson Airplane , and Quicksilver Messenger Service
Director: Mary Works
Manufacturer: Monterey Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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The Grateful Dead: The End of the Road - The Final Tour '95
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ASIN: B0009GX2JG
Release Date: 2005-07-05

Description

With music by The Charlatans, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Lynne Hughes, Mark Unobsky, Dan Hicks, Alice Stuart, Ph Phactor Jug Band, Final Solution, Wildflower, Boston Wranglers, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service

Directed By: Mary Works

Their names and music became legendary: Big Brother & the Holding Company, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and the house band - The Charlatans. If the psychedelic sixties were born in the dancehalls of San Francisco, then they were conceived in a saloon in Virginia City, Nevada where the musicians carried Winchesters & the kitchen served French gourmet meals.

The psychedelic era fostered cultural growth and artistic expression. The Red Dog Saloon was the incubator for the lightshow and psychedelic poster art, an entire lifestyle that truly defined a remarkable era and defied classification as it weaved it's tapestry of free love and music, which the Grateful Dead would spread around the world.

Filmmaker Mary Works (assistant editor "Titanic", "Saving Private Ryan") was entrusted with access to the lives, antics and attics of this unique extended rock and roll family that grew out of these wild times.

DVD Features - A conversation with the filmmakers, Where are they now?, Jim Marshall Photo Gallery and Interview

Customer Reviews:

Amazing and Historical.......2007-02-05

This DVD says it all--the history, the music of the era, the culture of the 60s San Franciso-Virginia City, NV scene that helped to create it..amazing Charlatans.

Straight From the Horse's -- er -- Dog's Mouth.......2007-01-30

I gave this DVD every star available. It is solidly produced and presents a robust explication of a Movement which is taken for granted now, but was, lest we forget, ephemeral and wildly improbable in the extreme. Yet it happened. Chaos theory spins a tale of the "butterfly effect" which can eventually power a hurricane on the other side of the Earth. How did the long hair of the Hippie's actually come about? Were Hippies "slobs", "bums", "idiots"? No, they were perfectionists, actually, as any Grateful Dead roadie could endlessly testify. The accessability of the story is perhaps too clear and immediate for viewers to credit on first viewing. This film will get under your skin. It is neglected, discounted anthropology. It is important.

The only footage of the Charlatans are on this DVD.......2007-01-21

I have to agree with some aspects of the negative reviews found here: Yes, if you're looking for stories revolving around the popular bands of the area, don't buy it. Actually, only buy this, if you heard or read of the Red Dog Saloon before. Because then it's safe to assume that you are really familiar with the development of the music scene in San Francisco in the 60s. Because then you don't have to rely on this DVD to learn who the Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane were.

If the Red Dog Saloon does ring a bell, buy this DVD. Buy it, because it contains the only known footage of the Charlatans, the real pioneers. True: If you listen to their sound you would never guess that they were the spearhead of the music scene back in 64 and 65. But that's not the point. This DVD basically explains why the Charlatans worked as a band, as an image and as a visual focus point that drew people because it was way cool.

Also to be seen on DVD: Excerpts of the Red Dog Reunion concert back in the early 90s with the Charlatans and Big Brother And The Holding Company. Lynne Hughes is there, too. The background of the Light Machine is explained. Interviews with people from the scene less famous than the typical names associated with it. Oh yes, and music. Music that is virtually forgotten by most of us today but still belongs and is easily identified as part of the dawn of psychedelic rock.

The bottom line: Great if not fantastic DVD for people interested in the background of the music scene. It concentrates on the Red Dog and leaves therefore little room for the more famous bands of the area. But that was not the intention. The DVD is a joy to watch. It is great to listen to the interviews. I will treasure this DVD.

Psychedelic Music Backstory .......2006-04-16

I consider this an essential documentary of the sixties music scene. It's a story that might well be lost without this film.

If you're expecting a Grateful Dead video, like all the other videos from this company, then don't bother buying this one.

I'm really quite shocked by the one star reviews of this fascinating video. I guess either you get it or you don't.

Rockin' at the Red Dog isn't boring - it's hip, man, you dig?

What happened to the Thirteenth.......2006-03-16

Floor Elevators? I know it is always debateable as to who coined the term psychedelic and who was the first "psychedelic" band. I don't know for sure. History is fickle at best in this area, but I do think that in any psychedelic movie the Elevators should certainly at least be mentioned, as well as some other bands of the era...but it is always the Grateful Dead, Big Brother, Quicksilver, and the San Francisco bands that are mentioned. Don't get me wrong. They belong there and I still enjoy their music--especially Quicksilver's--but where are Roky Erikson and the Thirteenth Floor Elevators?

Average customer rating:

"I'm funny in the head...and I make them nervous."
Code Red's DEVIL TIMES FIVE DVD

Devil Times Five
Starring: Leif Garrett , Sorrell Booke , Gene Evans , Tierre Turner , and Dawn Lyn
Manufacturer: Code Red
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

Slasher Flicks | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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Don't Go Into the Woods...Alone!
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ASIN: B000HEWHJ6
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Description

After their van overturns in the snowy Colorado mountains, five kids from a mental institution (including Leif Garrett) seek shelter at a fancy winter resort occupied by rich snob adults (Sorrell Booke, "Boss Hogg" from THE DUKES OF HAZZARD TV series). As it turns out, these kids are pure evil and plan to kill everyone in the house. Even when the adults discover the kids' true nature, it's too late...they're done for! The adults are murder in grisly, creative fashion. A relentlessly disturbing film. AKA: The Horrible House on the Hill, People Toys.

Customer Reviews:

"I'm funny in the head...and I make them nervous.".......2007-01-03

Despite the fact Devil Times Five (1974) aka The Horrible House on the Hill aka People Toys is an extremely inexpensive, independent feature comprised of footage shot during two, obviously separate shoots, and one that suffers from core issues, I still found it an ookie and entertaining nugget of exploitive horror that depicts what happens when five, young, homicidal sociopaths are accidentally released upon an unsuspecting public. Directed by Sean MacGregor (Gentle Savage), with additional scenes supplied by David Sheldon (Grizzly), the film features Taylor Lacher (Mr. Majestyk), Joan McCall (Grizzly), Carolyn Stellar (Cry Blood, Apache), and Gene Evans (Donovan's Brain). Also appearing is Sorrell `Boss Hogg' Booke ("The Dukes of Hazzard"), Shelley Morrison ("Will & Grace"), John Durren (The Gumball Rally), Gail Smale, Dawn `Dodie' Lyn ("My Three Sons"), Tierre Turner (Cornbread, Earl and Me), Tia Thompson, and 1970s child star Leif Garrett (Walking Tall Part II).

As the film opens we witness a number of things, the most substantial involving a boogie van with some children and a couple of adults careening off a snowy, California mountain road (the five children survive, while the adults, seemingly, aren't so lucky). After the accident the children wander through the snow and come upon a very large, isolated house owned by a self-made blowhard named Papa Doc (Evans), who happens to be vacationing with some family and business acquaintances. In attendance is Papa Doc's daughter Julie (McCall), her hair impaired boyfriend Rick (Lacher), Papa Doc's sleazy trophy wife Lovely (Stellar), who's actually Julie's stepmother, Papa Doc's sycophant Harvey Beckman (Booke), Harvey's boozy wife Ruth (Morrison), and a mentally defective man-child caretaker named Ralph (Durren), who comes off exactly like the character of Lennie from John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men", even to the point where he takes care of some rabbits (I wouldn't have been surprised if he named one of them George). As far as the children go, there's creepy eyed Sister Hannah (Smale), who's the oldest, claims to be a novice nun, and acts somewhat as the leader, a black kid named Brian (Turner) who's apparently obsessed with the military (he even wears fatigues), Susan (Thompson), the resident pyromaniac, David (Garrett), a habitual liar with cross-dressing tendencies, and the youngest a little girl named Moe (Lyn), who's apparently a non-descript sort of nutty. Anyway, shortly after the seemingly harmless children are taken in various things start to happen like the phone going dead, the generator supplying the electricity going kaput, the rifles and kitchen cutlery going missing, along with an `accidental' death. The adults, being incredibly slow on the uptake, don't suspect the children at first, but soon realize the error of their ways once the homicide rate begins to rise...

One should probably know going into this film the first hour or so moves along very slowly, mostly because there's a lot of material involving the adults that doesn't really add anything to the actual plot. The last twenty minutes or so things do pick up, once the little weirdoes start seriously offing the adults. There was one painfully tedious sequence upfront and that involved an adult who actually survived the van accident following the children in an effort to keep them from committing harming others, as he obviously knew the danger should they come into contact with `normal' people. The children realize he's following them and set up a murderous ambush. The vicious attack scene, which was shot in slow motion and sepia tones, lasts a staggering six minutes (this may not seem like a lot but in movie time it's a huge chunk). As far as the story the main problem I had was with the children, specifically how they were able to easily deceive the adults for as long as they did. The children weren't a highly organized collective, especially given their willingness to argue amongst themselves, but they continually managed to outmaneuver the clueless adults at every turn. I would think some major red flags would have gone up once the phone went dead, the power was killed, the car disabled, and all the rifles and knives disappeared, but whatever...if you can get past this element, the film is actually pretty creepy, especially given the means in which the children dispatched some of their elders (hammers, sickles, axes, spears, guns, piranha, immolation, etc.). The funniest bit for me in the film, besides seeing a young Leif Garrett donning a wig, makeup, and a dress (his character was one of the creepiest of the little weirdoes), was when Harvey Beckman tries to score with his souse of a wife Ruth, who obviously lost interest in that kind of thing long ago, resulting in the following exchange...

Ruth: Harvey, I have a headache, a toothache, a backache, and I'm expecting the gout.
Harvey: (frustrated) Would an aspirin help?

As I said the story does tend to move along slowly, but I thought the characters were fairly interesting so it wasn't a huge deal for me. Along with some violence (none of it terribly gory), there's also a small bit of skin from both Joan McCall and Carolyn Stellar. All in all the film did have some problems, but the performances were fairly solid (for an independently made, exploitative horror film) and the nastiness, once in full swing, was pretty entertaining making it worthy of a look for anyone interested in creepy, somewhat forgotten horror features from the 1970s.

The picture on the DVD, released by Code Red and distributed by Media Blasters, is presented in widescreen anamorphic (1.78:1), and looks decent considering the age of the film and the independent nature of the production. There is the occasional flaw, but nothing too obtrusive, usually limited to a small scratch or some other, minor marking. The audio, available in Dolby Digital 2.0, is definitely on the soft side, but otherwise decent enough. There are a slew of complimentary extras including a short, alternate main sequence, a poster gallery, an original theatrical trailer, interviews with the cast and crew, and an audio commentary track featuring actors Joan McCall, Dawn Lyn, producer Mickey Blowitz, and co-director David Sheldon, moderated by film historian Darren Gross (the original director, Sean MacGregor, is noticeably absent). Also included are previews for Don't Go in the Woods (1982), Love Me Deadly (1973), School Girls in Chains (1973), Sweet Sixteen (1983), Beyond the Door (1974), and The Secrets of Sweet Sixteen (1973).

Cookieman108

Code Red's DEVIL TIMES FIVE DVD.......2006-11-26

This is one of my pet favorite films and frankly I was surprised to learn that an actual DVD release was in the works. DEVIL TIMES FIVE is another one of those long lost home video era cult favorites due to what poor taste the film seems to revel in. People often sneer when reading the premise of the film -- especially at the presence of cultural punching bag Leif Garrett -- but once you have seen it you cannot help but be somewhat charmed by it's wickedness.

THE PLOT: Five little psychopathic monsters en-route to a state run mental hospital for the criminally insane survive a horrifying bus accident in the California mountains. The tykes make their way across the frozen winter countryside and take up residence in a resort home owned by a local hospital magnate. They then proceed to terrorize, torture and murder the six adults on-hand in a single minded game to collect "People Toys" for a life sized playset up in the loft bungalow of the chalet's caretaker. Creepy, innapropriately entertaining and surprisingly well made, this is a highly recommended shocker for fans of low budget 1970s American horror.

Code Red's DVD is made from a brand new direct to digital transfer from the original negatives, and for anyone who is used to the somewhat murky fullframe VHS prints will be a revelation during some of the darker passages: You can pretty much see everything now. While I am not a big fan of the digital coloring process used to simulate the DeLuxe color process used (including light-through projection: it just doesn't look the same, ever) and am concerned that the LBX cropping to 1:78:1 (anamorphic, 16x9) may have resulted in some loss of information at the top and bottom, it's still a fabulous little DVD version that should suit fans well, and hopefully make some new ones.

The content of the film is about the same as what we know from the older VHS releases, with added bonus features of a theatrical trailer, an alternate opening sequence, and a photo gallery of advertisement art. There are also interview segments featuring some of the original participants and an optional commentary track as well. It's too bad that Leif Garrett -- who could probably have used the money -- was not able to participate due to scheduling conflicts beyond his ability to control (re: prison). Stay in school, kids.

Overall I give the DVD a 4/5. It's worth the money, and those old Media Ent. video tapes still have life yet, with the correct color and the original open matte 4:3 transfer. Some things in life are worth holding onto.

Average customer rating:

Red Dawn / Navy Seals
Starring: Charlie Sheen , Michael Biehn , Joanne Whalley , Rick Rossovich , and Cyril O'Reilly
Director: Lewis Teague , and John Milius
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000F48D4G
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Description

Disc 1: NAVY S.E.A.L.S. Disc 2: RED DAWN

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John Holmes the Man the Myth the Legend
Starring: John Holmes , Bill Amerson , Mark Novick , William Margold , and Roger Diamond
Director: David Wald , and David Wald (IV)
Manufacturer: Red Luci Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000227EN2
Release Date: 2004-06-22

Average customer rating:

what a great cast
Highly Underated
Mostly a waste of talent
worth watching for one scene

Red Letters
Starring: Peter Coyote , Nastassja Kinski , Fairuza Balk , Jeremy Piven , and Ernie Hudson
Director: Bradley Battersby
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000541W9
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Amazon.com

Professor Dennis Burke (Peter Coyote) wrote a sizzling erotic novel called Red Letters 20 years ago--but since then, his wife died from a protracted illness, and he's been fired from a job because of an affair with a student. So he's grateful to be given a second chance at a small California college where he lectures on Hawthorne... only all his students are more interested in Burke's writing than Hawthorne's. Burke starts receiving letters for the former resident of his apartment, letters that are from a woman in prison named Lydia (Nastassja Kinski of Your Friends and Neighbors) with a 30-year sentence for murder. Burke writes back, and their correspondence takes a turn for the intimate when she asks him to visit her. Burke isn't sure what he's getting into, and his life is only further complicated when the daughter of the college dean (Fairuza Balk, The Craft) starts making advances. Suddenly Lydia has escaped, his best friend (Jeremy Piven, Very Bad Things) is arrested for hacking into the prison computer system, and the dean suspects Burke of trifling with his daughter. Red Letters has all the makings of a classic Hitchcock film: a hapless hero who thinks he's smarter than he is, an unpredictable femme fatale, snaky plot twists, and an all-around excellent cast (also including Ernie Hudson from Ghostbusters and Udo Kier from My Own Private Idaho and The Kingdom). The movie loses focus at the very end, but until then it's a smart, well-written, subtle, and unpredictable film that actually gives its characters some depth and grit. Even the more implausible moments are fun and engaging. Well worth checking out. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

what a great cast.......2003-10-30

this movie sizzles with its great cast that spark and snap this thrilling, well thriller. Peter Coyote(Sphere) is a writer, Nastassja Kinski(Cold Heart, One Night Stand, Little Boy Blue and Cat People) is the one he writes to in prison and she meets him. Jeremy Piven(PCU, Judgment Night) is Coyotes friend, and Fairuza Balk(The Craft, The Island Of Dr. Moreau) is the girl infatuated with Coyote. the cast is great, no doubt, especially Piven(who is always great). you also got supporting cast members like Udo Kier(Blade, Barb Wire), Ernie Hudson(The Substitute, No Escape and Pauly Shore(In The Army Now, Son In Law). hang on

Highly Underated.......2002-11-12

I started watching this movie with the assumpton that it was going to be very bad and not a good movie at all as I had heard from numerous other reviews and posts, etc. But I actually highly enjoyed this movie. It does have it's faults, yes, but still it is an entertaining movie to me and I think it could be to others too, if they would give it a chance. It does have a very low budget feel to it (not the faul of the director, Bradley Battersby, the music was changed without his permission and he was given only twenty days to shoot it or he would be fired) but these are all the fault of the producers who basically made everything that is cheesy about it that way. I have heard what the original plan for the movie was and that plan was very unique, but as mentioned above, it was not to be this way through not fault of anybody's except the producers. But again, a highy enjoyable movie with wonderful performances by Natassja Kinski and Peter Coyote (though he hams things up way too much). Good for a light laugh and some enjoyability.

Mostly a waste of talent.......2001-03-11

Unfotunately, the talents of the cast are ill used. The story trys to be clever and sexually titallating, but mostly is just silly. The characters never seem real and the story less so. I am a big fan of both Ms. Kinski and Balk and wasting their talents in this tawdry thriller was very disappointing.

worth watching for one scene.......2001-02-06

the lenghty editorial review is accurate and recommends the film....I would agreee and add that there is a particular scene which is unusual....it involves a police line up with a witness and police on one side of the 1-way glass and the suspects on the other...I won't divulge what happens, but the film is worth seeing just for this surprise.

A Red Dawn Rises: The Story of the 2002 Anaheim Angels

Average customer rating:

A Red Dawn Rises: The Story of the 2002 Anaheim Angels

Manufacturer: Anaheim Angels L.P.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

2002 World Series Video - Anaheim Angels vs. San Francisco Giants

ASIN: B000A0GE1Y

Product Description

This DVD takes an extensive look at the Angels regular season and highlights their unfailing commitment to the team concept that resulted in winning a franchise-best 99 games. Narrated by former California Angels announcer Dick Enberg.

Average customer rating:

what a great cast
Highly Underated
Mostly a waste of talent
worth watching for one scene

Red Letters [Region 2]
Starring: Peter Coyote , Nastassja Kinski , Fairuza Balk , Jeremy Piven , and Ernie Hudson
Director: Bradley Battersby
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000C24FQ

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Customer Reviews:

what a great cast.......2003-10-30

Highly Underated.......2002-11-12

Mostly a waste of talent.......2001-03-11

worth watching for one scene.......2001-02-06

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