DVD/Blu-Ray Picks Of The Week - 9/13/11

Samurai's Pick: HALLOWEEN II - 30th Anniversary Edition (Region 1 Blu-Ray; Universal)
This is still the best slasher set in a hospital I have ever seen, and honestly this film is one of the best pure slashers ever made. If Halloween was a game changer for the genre, I would say this is the best of the stuff that cane after and was influenced from the original film. Rick Rosentahl doesnt get the credit he deserves for crafting an exceptional slaher film.

They Call Him Chad's Pick: HALLOWEEN II - 30th Anniversary Edition (Region 1 Blu-Ray; Universal)
While it may not be saying much, Halloween II is one of the best horror follow-ups ever made. There are a number of elements to enjoy; the first being that this sequel picks right up where the original left off as Michael Myers stalks final girl Laurie through a Haddonfield hospital, creating one big movie when watching the pair back-to-back. There's also more of a standard slasher approach taken that emphasizes more action and gore over atmosphere and substance, though I feel small Italian vibes in spots. Like Poltergeist, I like the rumors and intrigue that John Carpenter ghost-directed the sequel even if this has mainly been since relegated to shooting 2nd units and some finale re-shoots. I love that scene where we finally get to meet Laurie's crush Ben Tramer, too. In addition to all this, this release even comes with the much sought-after 1984 horror-documentary Terror in the Aisles hosted by Dr. Loomis himself, Donald Pleasance.

Links:
Amazon

Large William's Pick: MEEK'S CUTOFF (Region 1 DVD & Blu-Ray; Oscilloscope)
while Catherine Bigelow is good, she ain't the only female director on the block. Kelly Reichardt has been making fantastic, quiet, poetic films for about a decade now. Ms. Reichardt has decided to try her hand at Westerns with, Meek's Cutoff, about a group who take a wrong turn on the Oregon Trail, and have to deal with hunger, outside forces, and a myriad of other things. Can't recommend Reichardt's films enough. Bolstered by a fantastic cast, this one is can't miss

Kisses,
Large William

Links:
Amazon DVD and Blu-Ray
DVD Talk Blu-Ray Review