Alone in the Dark

Starring:Christian Slater, Tara Reid, Stephen Dorff, Frank C. Turner, Matthew Walker, Will Sanderson, Mark Acheson, Darren Shahlavi, Karin Konoval, Craig Bruhnanski, Kwesi Ameyaw, Dustyn Arthurs, Catherine Lough Haggquist, Ed Anders, Brad Turner (III), Michael P. Northey, Malcolm Scott (IV), Ryan Drescher, Sean Campbell, Sarah Deakins
Director: Uwe Boll
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

As another entry in the video-game-to-movie genre, Alone in the Dark certainly delivers in terms of its splattering gore and number of things that get shot or blown up with the kind of arsenal familiar to any fan of games that allow the player to shoot or blow things up. You could argue that some game-based movies have been big successes--gauged either by audience appeal or box office scores. Even though a lot of hardcore gamers probably won't care, Alone in the Dark is not of that ilk. At least the Resident Evil and Tomb Raider series had some interesting characters and locations (not to mention sexy stars). But Alone in the Dark is crippled from the first by a mundane setting of caves, laboratories, and street-fighting backgrounds as well as a cast (including Christian Slater, Stephen Dorff, and Tara Reid) that couldn't be less interested in the overly complex plot. The absurdity starts right away with a long expository pre-title text crawl that carries all the gravitas of a "Monty Python" sketch intro. The gist of the plot has a group of scientists, special-ops military guys, and paranormal freaks and geeks investigating evil creatures that were once harnessed by an extinct subset race of Native Americans. Unleashed again, the creatures must be destroyed, which is where the video game blasting and attendant gore comes into play. Considering the cult following the game series carries (the first installment is over a decade old), Alone in the Dark could find a nice little life on DVD, but theater-goers might discover the title's a little too literal. --Ted Fry

Description

Edward Carnby (Christian Slater) is a private investigator specializing in unexplainable supernatural Phenomena. His cases delve into the dark corners of the world, searching for truth in the occult remnants of ancient civilizations. Now, the greatest mystery of his past is about to become the most dangerous case he has ever faced. With the help of his ex-girlfriend, archeologist Aline Cedrac (Tara Reid), and his bitter rival, government agent Richard Burke (Stephen Dorff), Edward is about to learn that just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it cannot kill you!

Customer Reviews:

Its not a classic but.......2007-06-23

I recently saw this movie and I enjoyed it. I didnt find anything wrong, probably because I was looking to be entertained rather then find hiding meanings. Its a great action movie. Plus, im a huge metal fan. They have six videos on the dvd from good metal bands, that was just icing on the cake for me.

It tried, it failed.......2007-06-21

This reminds me a little of "Relic", but relic didn't preach like a documentary. Perhaps they thought it made it Film Noir, but they were sadly mistaken. I like Christian Slater, and the rest the cast is decent in their parts. The creatures are downright good. Weapons that fire light bullets kind of cool. So why does it fail as a movie? The intro text back story is to long, Slater telling things in background dialogue gets old, and his character doesn't seem to feel anything. The supposed tension between him and an old 713 rival never really feels tense. The ending is just stupid. Supposedly the creatures are sealed up again, but they can't find anyone in the city or at the 713 headquarters. Did everyone get wiped out like the tribe of people in ancient times? Who knows and who cares? Not me. That stupid beginning and ending were just to much. I might have tolerated the bad dialogue throughout but putting that lame beginning and ending on it were to much. So although I had seen this some time ago, when I rented it again it was obvious why I never bought it. The only movie that stinks enough to get one star though is Ishtar.

Great DVD.......2007-05-16

I like it. there are so many for me to comment on. All the DVD'S ARE GREAT. Thank you

I'm confused...........2007-04-21

I saw this movie in the theater and still don't really know what it's actually about. I have to say though, that if you rank this "film" as a comedy, then it deserves 5 stars, sadly, I'm pretty certain that Uwe Boll didn't mean it as such (though i'm sure he would say otherwise). Despite this movie being as bad as it is, I have to say that it made for one of the best movie going experiences that I have ever had, the consesus of the viewing audience was that this movie was so bad, that noone minded one bit when everyone in the theater started heckling it out loud in Mystery Science Theater fashion. The movie was fool of great moments and memorable lines like "don't be insane!" and virtually every word to come out of Tara Reid's mouth, but the best part came when one of the characters called out for their lost friend Marco and literally 5 people, including myself, couldn't resist the urge to yell "polo" at the screen. This is one of those movies that's so unbelieveably bad that it borders on being art (if you consider taking a dump on a puppy artistic expression that is). It amazes me that there are people out there that may actually like this movie, I can't think of a single use for it, though I can honestly say that if a copy of this film were found in Sadam Huisein's palace during operation Iraqi freedom, then it certainly justifies going to war and is proof that Saddam had at least one weapon of mass distruction.

uwe boll fails at life.......2007-04-17

Have you ever been stabbed in the face? I haven't but while I was watching this movie, I had this almost overbearing curiosity to find out what its like. Seriously, this movie is so bad, suicide won't erase the haunting visions of sheer ineptetude from your mind. this movie is probably the worst movie ever made. well, there are worse movies out there, shatter dead and 13 seconds being two that i can name off the top of my head, but i mean come on both movies had a combined budget of a McChicken sandwhich with a small order of fries. whats this movies excuse?

Average customer rating:

Landau Horror Classic
1.5 STARS: Very disappointing despite the all-star cast.
A dog.
leave this one "alone in the dark"
Jack Palance Wants You!!!

Alone in the Dark
Starring: Lee Taylor Allen , Phillip Clark , Frederick Coffin , Steve Daskawisz , and Laura Esterman
Director: Jack Sholder
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A59Q2I
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Product Description

When the lights go out, the terror begins! At a secluded mental institution, Dr. Bain (Halloween's Donald Pleasence) has developed a new form of therapy while electricity fuels the asylum's hi-tech security system, keeping nearby neighborhoods safe from menaces like Frank Hawkes (Academy Award winner Jack Palance, City Slickers) and the "Preacher" (Academy Award winner Martin Landau, Ed Wood). Meanwhile a new doctor, Dan Potter (Dwight Schultz, The A-Team), arrives in town with his family, but the inmates don't take kindly to his presence and believe he has killed off their former therapist. Suddenly a power outage leaves the town in chaos... and now the maniacs are free to roam the streets and hunt down the man they believe has invaded their lives. With the area quickly descending into riots, the innocent few must fight for their lives when they're left terrified, cornered, and Alone in the Dark! One of the most memorable and terrifying cult horror films of the 1980s, this white-knuckle shocker from director Jack Sholder (The Hidden) delivers one seat-jumping scare after another along with a thick vein of sly, pitch-black humor. Turn off the lights and watch... if you dare!

System Requirements:

Running Time 93 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Landau Horror Classic.......2007-01-28

This is actually the best movie of all of Martin Landau's horror flicks. It's quite well made, features some appealing cinematography and direction, a much better script than most other similar films, and a lot of strong performances (Pleasance, Palance and a delightfully scenery-chewing Landau - "I made the lights go out!"). Not as much fun (in the cheesy sense) as others like "The Being", but a much better straight-forward horror film. The opening sequence is a surrealistic classic! Definitely recommended.

1.5 STARS: Very disappointing despite the all-star cast........2006-07-01

"Alone in the Dark" is one of those movies that you expect a lot from because of the cast, but it just never gets off the ground. Donald Pleasance, Martin Landau and Jack Palance star in "Alone in the Dark" and none of them could save it. In fact, you could argue that they really didn't try to...let's be fair as this movie is not one of Jack Palance's, Donald Pleasance's, and Martin Landau's best performances. Also, some of the other actors in this movie were atrocious.

"Alone in the Dark" is about a group of psychopaths that escape from a mental institution. The electricity goes out in the entire town and these maniacs go out on the loose. Their doctor, played by Donald Pleasance, attempts to stop them...what eventually occurs is stand-off where a family attempts to fend off the psychopaths who have attempted to infiltrate their home. Because the electricity is out, this is supposed to make the situation that much scarier.

Well, maybe, this movie could have worked under another director with a bit more vision and touch, but for one reason or another, "Alone in the Dark" does not work. This movie is undynamic and is severely lacking in style and substance. The atmosphere produced by this movie is largely ineffective and what you ultimately get is an inferior horror movie. The scenes do not move well and are without any real sense of fluidity, and any suspense that is built in the movie fails to gain any momentum as a result of this lack of fluidity, poor structural development and a thorough lack of rising action or even a climax of which the movie can hang its hat on so to speak. "Alone in the Dark" is the classic "dud" which just fails to do anything for the intelligent horror movie audience. "Alone in the Dark" is bland, plain and uninspiring as a horror movie or otherwise. Quite frankly and simply put, "Alone in the Dark" will leave you very alone with your boredom.

A dog........2006-06-29

Alone in the Dark (Jack Sholder, 1982)

The fact the over half of Alone in the Dark takes place in broad daylight should tell you most of what you need to know about this dog. It tries to be a cross between The Desperate Hours, Night of the Living Dead, and Straw Dogs, and manages to fail at imitating any of them with any sort of competence.

Dan Potter (Dwight Schultz) is the new doctor at Haven Hospital, run by the rather loose nut Leo Bain (Donald Pleasance). Bain is trying to cure violent offenders with just therapy in a hospital whose entire security system is electric. Then comes the inevitable blackout, and the escape of the four most violent felons in the place-- Byron the Preacher (Martin Landau), the arsonist; Ronald Elster (Stir Crazy's Erland van Lidth), the child molester; Skaggs, the Bleeder (character actor PhilipClark); and their leader, Frank Hawkes (Jack Palance). They know where Potter lives. You can guess the rest.

Alone in the Dark is notable for having, possibly, the largest plot hole in modern film (explain how a doctor doesn't recognize one of his patients for an entire day, if you'd be so kind). It is also noticeable for having two normally wonderful actors, Landau and Palance, give the worst performances either ever managed to come up with. As well, you have a script that lets four psychopaths loose on society-- a wonderful concept with which wonders can be done (viz. The Dream Team)-- and Sholder uses it just as a plot device. Come to think of it, he does that with just about every angle he could have used to give any depth whatsoever to this film. The end result can't even be called a mindless action flick; it doesn't have enough action. Some nifty special effects by Tom Savini and a fun soundtrack by the Sic F***s are about the only reasons you'd want to check this out. * ½

leave this one "alone in the dark".......2006-03-25

first off 1 star because you can't give no stars!! THIS IS ONE OF THE DUMBEST AND SILLY HORROR MOVIES EVER MADE . IT REALLY STINKS AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY BOTHERED TO PUT IT ON DVD. NOT SCARY,NOT FUNNY, JUST THE WORST!!!!! SAVE YOUR MONEY AND BUY ANYTHING BUT THIS PIECE OF JUNK!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Jack Palance Wants You!!!.......2006-01-07

What can be scarier than being stuck Alone In The Dark with Martin Landau and Jack Palance? This film attempts to answer that question and does a fine job. I'm a huge nut for any B horror picture, and it's nice sometimes to actually see some real star power in them. Granted, Landau and Palance weren't at the highest point in their careers when they did this. The film has Dwight Schultz, who you may remember as Murdock in the A-Team, as a new therapist at an asylum run by Psychiatrist, Donald Pleasance(who smokes pot in his office). "The men on the 3rd floor" are the extremely dangerous lunatics who decide to kill Murdock coz they believe he has murdered their former therapist. There are 4 central killers-First is Marin Landau as "Preacher", a bible quoting psycho. He's fantastic in this part. Palance is the paranoid Vietnam vet named Hawkes, who is basically the ringleader. He doesn't have alot of lines, but since it's Jack Palance, he's wonderfully creepy and convincing. The third is played by Erland van Lidth as a child molester who is childlike himself. You may remember Erland as the opera singing Roman Stalker in The Running Man("Cut! Cut! Go to commercial!!"). The fourth is rarely seen and this makes him interesting. Since his face is always off camera, a name actor isn't necessary. He's called The Bleeder, and comes off as the most dangerous of the 4 coz he doesn't speak and at one point pre-dates Jason Voorhees by wearing a hockey mask. Donald Pleasance is awfully nutty and funny in his role of the doctor. In fact, you start to wonder if he's actually a mental patient himself. Schultz is decent as the straight man, a far cry from his Murdock character. This film starts and builds up wonderfully. It has a fantastic buildup to the point where it becomes like Night Of The Living Dead with Schultz and his family trapped inside their home during a blackout with the band of crazies outside. Unfortunately the film falls kinda flat here. With such a good buildup and collection of characters, you expect alot more out of this confrontation than you get. It's actually kinda boring and not very intense at all. Despite this shortcoming, the film is well worth watching for the performances.

Alone in the Dark/Afraid of the Dark/Relentless 3/Relentless 4

Average customer rating:

Alone in the Dark/Afraid of the Dark/Relentless 3/Relentless 4
Starring: Alone in the Dark , Afraid of Dark , Relentless 3 , and Rete
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000O77LX8
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Description

Brace yourself for four times the terror! During a power failure, murderous psychopaths break out of a mental institution and lay siege to their doctor's house in Alone in the Dark, one of the most terrifying and memorable cult films of the 1980s. The chilling Afraid of the Dark follows a psychic boy troubled by a razor-toting slasher who preys on defenseless blind women. Detective Sam Dietz pursues a savagely cunning serial killer who carves up young women and taunts police by mailing them pieces of his handiwork in Relentless 3. Then Dietz returns in Rentless 4, hot on the trail of a bloodthirsty murderer with a passion for ritualistic executions.

Average customer rating:

Alone in the Dark

Manufacturer: Vision Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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amazon.com

A gripping eye-opener for teenagers! Giving in to peer pressure--and against her parents' wishes--seventeen-year-old Tasha Grant goes to a party and gets drunk. When Tasha takes the wheel, the alcohol has made her so sleepy she is unaware of the life-threatening danger ahead. Through the help of a concerned friend, Tasha comes to see the potentially devastating choices she's made. This suspenseful half-hour drama for youth depicts the lethal dangers of alcohol and shows how our actions have consequences. A guide can be downloaded free from www.visionvideo.com.

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