Just in time for Halloween, Trick ‘r Treat is a haunting four stories in one film anthology available on DVD release from Warner Home Video on October 6th. In the vein of the popular comic book movie Sin City, this story has four scary stories that are modestly connected together over the course of the movie.

In one story, a terrifying principal with a serial killer mentality teaches a neighborhood boy a lesson. Laurie (Anna Paquin), a young woman dressed as Little Red Riding Hood is stalked by a mysterious hooded figure at a local Halloween Festival. But, who is really the prey? In another story, a group of young children take a prank too far and find the horrifying truth about a local school bus massacre legend. Finally, a bitter old man is visited by a strange trick-or-treater, Sam.

While the plot ties that connect the four stories are very subtle and often slight, the one constant in every story is the presence of the pumpkin-clad Sam. His appearances are mostly for effect in three of the stories but his impact overall is solidified with the horrifying and relentless approach he takes in his attack of the old man.

Trick ‘r Treat is a strange and very original Halloween movie. The film starts off somewhat slow and cliched. However, if you are patient with it, the course of the story and the haunting stories do establish the creepy factor that you want in a good Halloween film. The stories on their own merits are diverse in that the stories feature different types of characters and haunting elements.

Intensity is probably the one word that best describes the overall nature of the four story film. The story of the prank gone wrong is surprising. The Sam attack on the old man is never-ending drama. Laurie’s story is one that truly catches you off guard as it takes a completely different direction than you would have predicted from the get go. Ultimately, while not destined for Halloween “Hall of Fame”, Trick ‘r Treat is nice new film for the current season. Just realize that with horrific violence and some sexuality and brief nudity, it is not for young children.

MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 82 minutes
DVD Release Date: October 6, 2009

Grade: B

Director: Michael Dougherty
Starring: Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, and Quinn Lord

DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

October 13th, Warner Home Video releases Natural Born Killers: 15th Anniversary Director’s Cut in a special edition DVD. This special DVD release celebrates one of the most intense psychotic thrillers ever.

Director Oliver Stone, a three-time Academy Award winner put together Natural Born Killers, a visual masterpiece that slams violence and media obsession. The difference in this new special edition DVD release is that it includes extra visceral and frenzied footage.

Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis take the lead in this story as married serial killers Mickey and Mallory. They portray crazy mixed up young people with a demonic approach to life. Say what you will, but Lewis is in her most natural element in movies where she plays a character that’s not playing “with a full deck”. A brilliant supporting cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Sizemore, and Rodney Dangerfield.

Natural Born Killers is an intensely wild and violent ride that is definitely not intended for young people (see “WARNING! Contains unrated graphic and violent footage not seen in theaters!” label on front of package). The message is certainly powerful and Stone pulls no punches in his very graphic and exaggerated presentation of it. This film shocked audiences with its original release in 1994 and it is sure to cause the same effect with the advanced technology available on DVD today.

Special Features in the original uncut Director’s edition of Natural Born Killers include:

• New Featurette
• NBK Evolution: How Would It All Go Down?
• Commentary and New Introduction by Director Oliver Stone
• 44-Page Booklet
• Chaos Rising: The Storm Around Natural Born Killers
• Deleted Scenes Featuring Performances by Ashley Judd, Denis Leary, Rachel Ticotin, and the Barbarian Brothers (Not Shown Theatrically)
• Charlie Rose Interview of Oliver Stone
• Alternate Ending
• Director’s Cut Trailer

MPAA Rating: NR
Running Time: 122 minutes
DVD Release Date: October 13, 2009

Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Sizemore

DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

October 13th, Warner Home Video releases Natural Born Killers: 15th Anniversary Director’s Cut in a special edition DVD. This special DVD release celebrates one of the most intense psychotic thrillers ever.

Director Oliver Stone, a three-time Academy Award winner put together Natural Born Killers, a visual masterpiece that slams violence and media obsession. The difference in this new special edition DVD release is that it includes extra visceral and frenzied footage.

Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis take the lead in this story as married serial killers Mickey and Mallory. They portray crazy mixed up young people with a demonic approach to life. Say what you will, but Lewis is in her most natural element in movies where she plays a character that’s not playing “with a full deck”. A brilliant supporting cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Sizemore, and Rodney Dangerfield.

Natural Born Killers is an intensely wild and violent ride that is definitely not intended for young people (see “WARNING! Contains unrated graphic and violent footage not seen in theaters!” label on front of package). The message is certainly powerful and Stone pulls no punches in his very graphic and exaggerated presentation of it. This film shocked audiences with its original release in 1994 and it is sure to cause the same effect with the advanced technology available on DVD today.

Special Features in the original uncut Director’s edition of Natural Born Killers include:

• New Featurette
• NBK Evolution: How Would It All Go Down?
• Commentary and New Introduction by Director Oliver Stone
• 44-Page Booklet
• Chaos Rising: The Storm Around Natural Born Killers
• Deleted Scenes Featuring Performances by Ashley Judd, Denis Leary, Rachel Ticotin, and the Barbarian Brothers (Not Shown Theatrically)
• Charlie Rose Interview of Oliver Stone
• Alternate Ending
• Director’s Cut Trailer

MPAA Rating: NR
Running Time: 122 minutes
DVD Release Date: October 13, 2009

Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Sizemore

DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

In one of the most amazing animated DVD sets ever, Peanuts 1970’s Collection: Volume 1 becomes available on DVD October 20th from Warner Home Video. This 2-Disc deluxe DVD set features the first six animated Peanuts TV specials remastered and together for the first time ever.

List of Animated Movies

Peanuts specials, written by Charles M. Schultz, were a memorable part of the holidays for many kids during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. This six remastered Peanuts TV specials featured in the DVD set include:

• Play It Again, Charlie Brown (First time on DVD)
• You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown
• There’s No Time for Love, Charlie Brown
• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
• It’s a Mystery, Charlie Brown (First time on DVD)
• It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown

Also include in the Peanuts 1970’s Collection deluxe edition DVD set is an all-new featurette about everyone’s favorite bird, Woodstock. Another bonus is that it includes two songs from Charlie Brown’s Holiday Hits available in Digital Music Download.

This is an amazing DVD set that offers over 175 minutes of animated entertainment from one of the truly all-time classic cartoon shows ever created. This show was a part of the childhood of many who are now adults. What is really cool about modern technology, like digital remastering, is that you now have the chance to share this wholesome, clever, and character-driven set of classics with your children. The Peanut’s Collection is also available on DVD.

MPAA Rating: NR
Running Time: 175 minutes
DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009

Directors: Bill Melendez, Phil Roman
Starring: Chad Webber, Robin Kohn, Stephen Shea, Hilary Momberger, Jimmy Ahrens

DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

In one of the most amazing animated DVD sets ever, Peanuts 1970’s Collection: Volume 1 becomes available on DVD October 20th from Warner Home Video. This 2-Disc deluxe DVD set features the first six animated Peanuts TV specials remastered and together for the first time ever.

List of Animated Movies

Peanuts specials, written by Charles M. Schultz, were a memorable part of the holidays for many kids during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. This six remastered Peanuts TV specials featured in the DVD set include:

• Play It Again, Charlie Brown (First time on DVD)
• You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown
• There’s No Time for Love, Charlie Brown
• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
• It’s a Mystery, Charlie Brown (First time on DVD)
• It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown

Also include in the Peanuts 1970’s Collection deluxe edition DVD set is an all-new featurette about everyone’s favorite bird, Woodstock. Another bonus is that it includes two songs from Charlie Brown’s Holiday Hits available in Digital Music Download.

This is an amazing DVD set that offers over 175 minutes of animated entertainment from one of the truly all-time classic cartoon shows ever created. This show was a part of the childhood of many who are now adults. What is really cool about modern technology, like digital remastering, is that you now have the chance to share this wholesome, clever, and character-driven set of classics with your children. The Peanut’s Collection is also available on DVD.

MPAA Rating: NR
Running Time: 175 minutes
DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009

Directors: Bill Melendez, Phil Roman
Starring: Chad Webber, Robin Kohn, Stephen Shea, Hilary Momberger, Jimmy Ahrens

DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews