Dylan Dog: Dead Of Night - Horror Spot DVD Review

Dylan Dog: Dead Of Night - Horror Spot DVD Review

By Jose

Plot:

The adventures of supernatural private eye, Dylan Dog, who seeks out the monsters of the Louisiana bayou in his signature red shirt, black jacket, and blue jeans.

Cast:

Brandon Routh (Dylan Dog), Peter Stromare (Gabriel), Sam Huntington (Marcus), Taye Diggs (Vargas), Kurt Angle (Wolfgang), Anita Briem (Elizabeth)

Review:

Dylan Dog is an Americanized version of the Italian horror graphic novel character, and as far as adaptations of comics from another culture goes, this one hits the mark in expectations. Where the source material got extremely dumbed down, save for the trademarked coat and red shirt. Director Kevin Munroe's vision of this character became somewhat of a generic monster hunter type of film. Though a plus point would be its treatment and narrative style in full detective noir, with Routh's Dylan Dog being reluctantly pulled from retirement by his client Elizabeth (Anita Briem) to investigate the death of her father, as well as that of his assistant Marcus (Sam Huntington).


This investigative trip of course introduces the audience to Dylan Dog and the mythos that the undead (from vampires to werewolves to zombies) all have hidden human identities and walk the Earth quite undetected. With a truce in place to keep the peace and Dylan being the only trusted human for the monsters to go to when someone crosses the line or breaks the peace. There's a little back story here on Dylan's origins and the reasons behind his forced retirement, but nothing truly to wow or build upon any depth to the character.

The thrill factor of course is the make up and effects. Having the monsters look their nasty part, although they aren't something that hasn't been seen before on screen. Action sequences are ho-hum, with the feeling that the story can't quite decide how to empower Dylan, making him become as powerful as Routh's previous comic book outing in at least the indestructibility factor, while equipped with some funky weapons that we should see more of. And the trailer actually summed up the entire plot, having revealed too much and letting out that the filmmakers aren't quite confident with their end product, and the marketers a little bit clueless on how to sell this film, hence its poor show in box office.


Brandon Routh did a great job with the character. Sam Huntington, his co-star from Superman Returns as well as he played Jimmy Olsen, did a good job being the very whiny assistant, whose wisecracks and constant shouting get onto your nerves, and you wonder when his character could shut up if at all for five minutes. In a good way though. The Marcus character doesn't exist in the books simply because of a potential copyright tussle if what was deemed as a Grucho Marx look-alike got interpreted, but this modern replacement was as funny in a lot of ways.


Dylan Dog has a Men in Black feel to it. Only replacing aliens in our midst with that of monsters roaming around. If only it had stuck more faithfully to its source, then it could have been something quite unique. But it was a good horror comedy regardless.

Ratings: 3 out of 5

Coming Soon: The Ides of March

Coming Soon: The Ides of March

Plot: An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Based on the play by Beau Willimon.

Cast: Marisa Tomei , Ryan Gosling , George Clooney , Evan Wood , Paul Giamatti , Philip Hoffman, Max Minghella , Jeffrey Wright

Release Date: October 7th, 2011

Fantasy Spot: Left 4 Dead

--Robert Acosta

Most of my friends know that when I talk video games, somewhere in that conversation i'll fit in some talk of my favorite video game series, Left 4 Dead. For those who have no idea what the hell a Left 4 Dead is, it's a survival/horror game, tremendously based on how you cooperate with your teammates to get out of a zombie apocalypse alive. It's no secret how much I love that game. No game has ever made an impact quite like Left 4 Dead, in terms of time spent playing, time spent with friends having a blast with it.

I'm not the only one. When the first L4D game hit, it became a sensation, seemingly overnight. And with that sudden success came talk of lots of things. New levels for the game. A sequel for the game. And a movie. This being The Movie Spot, what do you think i'm going to talk about?

I've talked about this with the friends and family that i've played the game with. We've always talked about who would play who, what would happen, all that business. Well the time for talk is over! Well, actually, it's just begun. I've got your cast for MY Left 4 Dead movie:

Rutger Hauer as Bill
Ron Perlman as Francis
Idris Elba as Louis
Ellen Page as Zoey

(Pictures Below)

Now, the only role I don't feel as confident with as the rest of them is the Zoey pick. Maybe Ellen Page would be the perfect role just cause she looks somewhat like Zoey and has the capability to be a kick ass zombie killing machine. Though I also considered Zooey Deschanel (based on looks) and Michelle Rodriguez (though she looks nothing like Zoey, she sure does kick ass).

It's also clear to see I would base the movie off of the original game, just cause the characters are A LOT more interesting.

Everyone else is just too perfect for the role. If you saw the movie Hobo with a Shotgun, you'd see why Rutger Hauer is the man for the Bill role. He's got the look and he can be the leader, all while naturally kicking ass. Ron Perlman is a gritty biker, it just fits him best. His work on Sons of Anarchy will attest to that. Plus, I can see him complain for everything, very much like Francis does in the game. As for Elba, if he were to shave his head and beard and pull out his American accent, he's the perfect Louis. A tremendous actor that can be the over the top kind of guy that Louis is.

The story...well...would be simple. You don't try and over-do a Left 4 Dead movie. You keep it simple. You give reasons as to why a zombie apocalypse has broken out, you give a reason as to how the 4 survivors have met up, and you let them get from point A (hell) to point b (serenity). Bring the special infected, maybe give reason as to why they are different from the rest, and make them bad ass. An action packed, survival/horror movie is exactly what Left 4 Dead should be. Unfortunately, I doubt this movie will ever get made.

Horror Spot Editorial: Twists in Horror Movies

Horror Spot Editorial: Twists in Horror Movies

By Jose

We are all familiar with them. We even see them coming. Some even surprise us. Twists in movies have now become a common occurrence. Sometimes these twists work and other times they can ruin the movie.

Now the reasons behind having twists in horror movies or movies in general is to keep the audience guessing and involved in the movie. Because due to audience wanting things now and fast instead of a slow build up with a satisfying ending. So movie makers began throwing twists in to keep their attention.


Horror movies have twists to help the story move along and to give it a “who dunnit?” or “who is it?” type of feel. Or they work it so a twist unfolds at the end totally throwing you off and making you go “wow”. Before, horror movies didn’t use this technique that often. Now though almost everyone has to have a twist. Or throw in so many that the movie suffers. For instance the SAW series worked in twists that helped create a detailed and overreaching story arc. Each twist building and building throughout the franchise.


The opposite to that I would say is the Scream series. Throwing twists just for the sake of building on the cast and different kills. Hell the last movie, Scream 4, had so many twists in just the beginning that it became comical. Another way the twists hurt movies is when they become obvious to the point that we all see it coming or even call it out way before the twist is revealed. Or the twist makes no sense or thrown in just because. That is not a way to make a movie. Seriously the best ones come when least expected and normally toward the end of the movie. Keep it hidden and surprise the audience with them.
Twists don’t hurt movies. Abused twists do.

Coming Soon: Real Steel

Coming Soon: Real Steel

Plot: A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech, REAL STEEL stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.

Cast: Hugh Jackman , Evangeline Lilly , Dakota Goyo , Anthony Mackie , Kevin Durand

Release Date: October 7th, 2011

Horror Spot - Walking Dead Season One Special Edition DVD/Blu-Ray

Horror Spot - Walking Dead Season One Special Edition DVD/Blu-Ray

There is even a Limited Collectors Tin Case that comes with a wearable zombie mask. But that is exclusive to Best Buy.

Anchor Bay Entertainment proudly releases the AMC® original series THE WALKING DEAD: Season One– Special Edition on October 4, 2011. Available in three versions (Special Edition DVD, Special Edition Blu-ray and Limited Edition Blu-ray Collector’s Tin), each set contains all six episodes of the first season and is loaded with NEW behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentaries, extra footage and the fan-requested black and white version of the pilot episode. In addition to the Blu-ray special edition, a limited edition collector’s tin contains an exclusive wearable zombie mask from NECA designed by the series own make-up artist, Greg Nicotero. The first 100,000 units of the Blu-ray and Limited Edition Collector’s Tin together includes an EXCLUSIVE Cryptozoic “The Walking Dead” trading card.

In each version, all six episodes contain audio commentaries including award-winning Producer/Writer/Director Frank Darabont, Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer/Writer Robert Kirkman, Producer Denise Huth, Actor Andrew Lincoln, Special Effects Make-Up Artist/Consulting Producer Greg Nicotero and many more!
All three versions include the following NEW extras:
• Pilot Episode: The B&W Version
• Audio Commentaries On All 6 episodes
• We Are The Walking Dead
• Bring Out The Dead: KNB And The Art of Making Zombies
• Digital Decay: The VFX of The Walking Dead
• No More Room in Hell: The Walking Dead Phenomenon
• Adapting The Dead
• Killer Conversations: Frank Darabont & Greg Nicotero

Each version includes bonus features from the previous release of “The Walking Dead: Season 1″ on DVD that contained the following:
• The Making of The Walking Dead
• Inside The Walking Dead: Episodes 1 — 6
• A Sneak Peek with Robert Kirkman
• Behind The Scenes Zombie Make-Up Tips
• Convention Panel with the Producers
• The Walking Dead Trailer

Extra Footage includes:
• Zombie School
• Bicycle Girl
• On Set with Robert Kirkman
• Hanging with Steven Yeun
• Inside Dale’s RV
• On Set with Andrew Lincoln

Horror Spot DVD Releases: October 4th

Horror Spot DVD Releases: October 4th

• Scream 4 - DVD/Blu-Ray
• Friday The 13th The Ultimate Collection
• The Walking Dead 3 Disc Edition - DVD/Blu-Ray
• Dead Alive -Blu-Ray
• Fugue
• Elvira's Haunted Hills

The Spot News: Marvel Studios Confirms Movie Plans After Avengers

The Spot News: Marvel Studios Confirms Movie Plans After Avengers

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly provides the first confirmation of five films that will occupy Marvel’s time after Earth’s Mightiest Heroes arrive in theaters in March. In addition to Iron Man 3 and Thor 2, there’s Ant-Man — “still nebulous, but definitely in the works,” the magazine says — Guardians of the Galaxy and Inhumans. “There’s an opportunity to do a big space epic, which Thor sort of hints at, in the cosmic side of the [Marvel] universe,” says Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige.

Yet there is no news on Dr. Strange or Runaways. But Inhumans? I am so down for that.

Eskalofrio - Shiver: Horror Spot Review

Eskalofrio - Shiver: Horror Spot Review

By Jose

Plot:

Santi, a young high-school student with a serious physical reaction to sunlight, is forced by his health to move with his single mother to a shadowy, isolated village in the mountains of Spain where the inhabitants begin to reveal themselves as strangely xenophobic. When terrible, violent events begin to occur, Santi becomes first an outcast at school and then strongly suspected by the police of hideous murders. Santi himself, however, wonders if he is not the next victim.

Review:

When I first saw this movie I did not know that it had ties to Pan’s Labyrinth and The Orphanage. Two rather good Spanish supernatural/horror movies. If anyone has seen either one or both of those films they know that Shiver should be something special as well.

Eskalofrio or Shiver I found to be really entertaining as a international horror movie. It is well known that foreign horror movies tend to be much better than American horror. We tend to want fast paced scare after scare or kill after kill. Although I do enjoy some movies like that and some are good movies, it gets tiring and repetitive. Plus we tend to “censor” horror here. I may be confusing some people but if you do watch many foreign horror from Spain, Japan, Italy, etc you would see some really messed up and gruesome things that would disturb you (Martyrs for example).


Shiver does not bring buckets of blood and guts. It brings a sense of dread and uneasiness of what lurks and hides in the dark. And gives you that feeling ten fold when you see that whatever that thing is in the dark invades your home and room, and basically breathes down your neck while you sleep. And no I am not saying that to scare you I am saying that because it happens in the movie.


Santi suffers from a vampire like allergy of sunlight. And due to that, at the beginning, you would think Shiver was a vampire movie. But it is not once Santi and his mom move to the village things seem too good to be true. Live stock disappear, people are attacked, and what the hell lurks in the forest? And once we have a small idea of what it is we get a rather uncomfortable scene of Santi alone in his home after an attack. Let me just say that sleeping alone in a house in the middle of a forest with a creature living in it is a very, very bad idea.

Final thoughts:

Great Spanish horror movie. Creepy and unnerving. Junio Valverde who plays Santi was great. Highly recommend it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

It's BAAAACCCCKKK!!

So turn off the lights.
Grab your flashlights.
Cover up with a blanket.
Say a little prayer.
Squeeze your teddy bear tight.

You feel a bit secure?
Too bad...
Because the Horror Spot is coming back to get you!

Horror Spot 2011 Begins Now!