All Cheerleaders Die - Blu-ray Review - Image Entertainment

You Can't Kill Their Spirit

Released by: Image Entertainment
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Production Year: 2013
Region Code: A
Running Time: 1:29:33
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Video: 1080p (2.35:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English SDH

THE FILM:

Teenage outsider Maddy (Caitlin Stasey "I, Frankenstein") is keeping some dark secrets and holding a serious grudge against the captain of the Blackfoot High football team. When Maddy joins the school's elite and powerful cheerleading squad, she convinces her new friends to help inflict her revenge. After a late-night party goes awry, their plans take an unexpected turn for the worst and all of the girls die. A sinister, supernatural power intervenes and the girls mysteriously appear at school the next day with a killer new look… and some unusual new appetites.

I find Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson's "All Cheerleaders Die" to be a fun film. It has an interesting story and some likable characters. This film is a remake of the directors film of the same name that they made after they finished film school. 

AUDIO:

The only audio option included on the Blu-ray disc is an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Quality of the audio is great. The 5.1 track features a nice balance of the musical score and sound effects without drowning out the dialogue. There are no negative issues to report except that at times you don't quite feel as immersed in the sound as you might be expecting. 

VIDEO:

"All Cheerleaders Die" climbs its way to Blu-ray courtesy of Image Entertainment. The film is presented in 1080p with a 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio. Colors look lively and bright. Contrast is little high at times with things on screen appearing a little darker than they necessarily need to be. Black levels look nice for the most part. Skin tones look natural. The film has an excellent amount of fine detail throughout the feature. I did not really notice any digital noise or similar problems. The overall picture quality is great. 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Along with the featurette listed below, the Blu-ray also has a Chapter Selection Screen and English SDH Subtitles.

Behind the Scenes (23:45) - This featurette includes a lot of information in short snippets. Producer Andrew Van Den Houten and several cast members give viewers a glimpse into the process of making the film. They cover topics such as auditioning for the film, their roles and what it was like working with the directors. Mixed in among the interviews are clips of behind the scenes footage showing how some of the scenes were filmed.  

IN CONCLUSION:

I find "All Cheerleaders Die" to be a fun and entertaining horror-comedy. You should watch the trailer first and see if this looks like something you may enjoy. The audio and video quality is great. I'd suggest most people rent it first, although if the trailer really appeals to you, throw caution to the wind and buy it. 

OVERALL: 3.5/5

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The Legend of Hell House - Blu-ray Review - Scream Factory

For The Sake Of Your Sanity, Pray It Isn't True!

Released by: Scream Factory
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Region Code: A
Running Time: 1:33:54
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Video: 1080P (1.85:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English


THE FILM

It sits there, shrouded in mist and mystery, a nesting place for living evil and terror from the dead. It's Hell House. Roddy McDowall heads the cast of this exciting chiller about four psychic investigators and the dark, brooding mansion they call "the Mt. Everest of haunted houses." It's already destroyed one team of researchers. Now this brave quartet ventures in for another try at unraveling its secrets. But before they succeed, they must suffer through madness, murder and everything else that the spirits who dwell here have in store for them. Yet learning the truth just might drive them all insane. An ingeniously devised ghost story, "The Legend of Hell House" will thrill and delight veteran horror fans from the first creaking door to the very last slithering shadow.

This is my favorite haunted house film. It has so much going for it, from the cast, music and most of all, the house itself. It has a look that most films made now just can't quite capture. Typically they're set in a modern house and to me, it's just not as scary. I also love how when the lights illuminate the cobwebs, it adds another level to the eeriness of it all. You would not want to spend a single night in that house.

"The Legend of Hell House" was written by Richard Matheson, based on his own book. "Hell House". The film was directed by John Hough (Twins of Evil) and stars Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes), Pamela Franklin (The Food of the Gods), Clive Revill (C.H.U.D. II - Bud the Chud), and Gayle Hunnicutt (Eye of the Cat).

AUDIO:

The audio portion of the film sounds very good thanks to the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track. The score by Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson is effective at creating a haunting environment for the viewer. This film may have benefited from a new 5.1 audio mix to really immerse its audience, but the track provided does an adequate job. There is a nice balance of dialogue, sound effects and score. I did not notice any problems with the audio.

VIDEO:

"The Legend of Hell House" haunts its way on to Blu-ray thanks to Scream Factory. The film features a 1080p transfer with an Aspect Ratio of 1.85:1. For the most part, the video quality is quite good throughout the film. The quality does dip a bit in darker scenes and is a little soft in wide shots. But in close ups, specifically of the characters, there is very good fine detail in the characters faces and clothing. Colors in general, look good. The film has a nice thin layer of grain but it does get heavier at times in the darker shots. You also have the occasional speck or scratch but they are minor in my opinion. Overall I would say the video quality is quite good and this release is a big improvement over the old DVD from Fox. 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Scream Factory provides a couple of nice bonus features. Along with those listed below you will also find a Chapter Selection Screen and English Subtitles for the film. This release also features reversible cover art. 

Commentary Track - This track is a bit confusing because on the back cover of the Blu-ray it is listed as an "Audio Interview With Pamela Franklin." But on the Blu-ray itself it is listed as an audio commentary. It plays more like an interview since Pamela Franklin seems to be asked and answers questions that rarely pertain to what is on the screen at the time. She doesn't speak until a few minutes into the film and she stops with several minutes remaining in the film. However, the track is worth listening to as she talks about everything from "The Legend of Hell House" to other films she has works on and even her personal life.

Theatrical Trailer

Interview With Director John Hough (28:19) - This was an entertaining interview where John Hough discusses many aspects of the film including locating the house,  the casts wardrobe, and his filming style. He also talks about his favorite shots in the film but did not want to disclose all of his secrets. Mr. Hough talks about other films he has worked on and also mentions how he would like to make a sequel to "The Legend of Hell House" someday. 

Photo Gallery (2:50)

Radio Spots (2:00)

Also Available From Scream Factory (4:47)

IN CONCLUSION:

"The Legend of Hell House" is a great haunted house film that older fans of the genre should enjoy. Younger fans may find the film too tame by today's standards because it is not a gore-fest and only has a PG rating. "The Legend of Hell House" relies more on sounds and what you don't see, to entertain it's viewers. Scream Factory did a fine job with this release and I think those that purchase it will be pleased.

OVERALL RATING: 3.5/5 

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