Outstanding Update to a Monster Classic Opus
934490
TAAB remains one of my all time favorite albums. The reworking of TAAB with new stereo mixes, 5.1 and DTS surround sound are superb to say the least. The 40 page book, with the original newspaper, essays, memoirs, plus rare & interesting photos really add to the value of this set. Bottom line, what's not to like [well, TAAB 2 didn't do much for me - glad it's not here]. The TAAB remix will be heard often on my playlist & the DVD will fill my home with dolbe 5.1 & DTS surround quite regularly!
1854452
The real highlight of this remaster for Deadheads, other than the improved sound, is the added tracks. "Clementine Jam," "Nobody's Spoonful Jam," and "The Eleven Jam" are nearly as much fun as the rest of the album, which contains such Dead live staples as "St. Stephen" and "China Cat Sunflower." All of the bonus stuff was recorded live in the studio, except for "Cosmic Charlie," which was recorded live in San Francisco on 1/25/69. The expanded booklet and liner notes are great, too. A must-have.
3342658
As much as I was (and still am) a passionate fan of the original soundtrack release, this new, expanded set is a fan's dream.  Filled with earlier versions of what became famous, highly acclaimed pieces, you feel like you're being allowed a rare visit into Basil Poledouris' creative process (RIP, Maestro).  You also get the comprehensive film score: I can't think of a moment's worth of music from the film which is not captured here.  There is the crazed music from the pit fights, the visit to the wolf witch's cave, weapons-sharpening/painted faces music in preparation for their trek to Doom's mountain, the full kitchen piece prior to the orgy, Battle on the Mounds is expanded to 3 parts, and even Basil's take on "Las Cantigas De Santa Maria" (ethereal music during the giant snake scene) is included.  The liner booklet is itself a treasure. Our world of music lost a great voice with Basil's passing.  I cannot recommend this collection too heartily.
1887639
This 1986 film classic was made into a novel by Alan Dean Foster many years ago. Long out-of-print, this book is a must. GREAT cover art, well written and almost spot on with the film: there are some extremely minor changes in the book including altered/added lines (now on the BLUray edition, some not) and the rediscovered deleted scene of Burke being cocooned before Ripley saves Newt from the facehuggers. A great book to read from the classic film, highly recommended!
3641583
Excellent value for the Universal Monster fans. All the 'biggies' are here in this set. Great to have on hand if Svengoolie lets you down.
2358448
For those of you who own the 5th edition of Chaosium's award-winning game, you will find that not much has changed in this edition. This is good news though, because unlike many game systems, Call of Cthulhu does not need  much improvement.
While there are some smaller additions, such as a  section on alien technology, the most notable new find is H.P. Lovecraft's  short story, "The Call of Cthulhu". This has long been considered  required reading for players and keepers alike, but now a Lovecraft novice  can find this signature tale without needing to purchase another book (but  chances are you will want to).
If you do not own this game and are  interested in role-playing at its finest, you are missing out. If you own  an older addition, this can still be a worthwhile purchase strictly because  of its hardcover format and captivating cover art.
Enter the world of  H.P. Lovecraft, you won't be disappointed.
2058230
Extremely Addictive, and the gameplay is easier than the original, with improved hammer-ons and pull-offs.  But the songs aren't quite as good as in the first one, unless you're a fan of more trendy titles.  Heavy Metal and Speed Metal didn;t get their due in GH2 compared to GH1 - where's the Iron Maiden???  The new Co-op mode is a ton of fun, and gives you access to the bass lines and rhythm guitar sections for the first time!  You haven't played John the Fisherman until you've tried the bassline.
736337
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

Like many of us, I'm a bit of a purist regarding adaptations of classic works, so the fact that Shaun Hutson chose(actually, this decision was the publisher's, not Hutson's)to bring this adaptation forward to the present day and relocate it a long way south of the events of the original 1956 film filled me with no little trepidation.

Having said that, I hadn't seen the movie for a very long time--probably sometime back in the late 60s--so I decided to watch it again first, so I could more easily see what changes had been made.

I'm pleased to report that the alterations actually work very well and, in hindsight, the book hangs together rather better than the original.

Freed from the constraints of the film board censorship, Hutson is able to be more realistic with the dialogue of the soldiers. He neatly adds material and characters which give more weight to the events of the film, without sacrificing anything. There are only two major changes, other than period and location. The first is in making the lead character somewhat younger than in the original, which I found perfectly logical. The second is right at the end, where he has Royston realise that his original plan for destroying the entity was simply not going to work and comes up with a better and more believable one.

I'd always thought the "monster" to be vaguely Lovecraftian in concept, and it's evident that Hutson agreed, as he ends the book on a quote from the master himself.

To some extent, I regretted my decision to view the original movie version first, as it rather took all the suspense out of reading what turned out to be a very enjoyable SF/horror novel.
1054591
as with volume 1 , volume 2 is a must own for all fans of the old school Horror comic. printed on heavy stock it looks amazing. though it is still fun to read the old yellowing pages of the originals, these collections make it possible for new readers to enjoy these classics without breaking the piggy-bank!  Cant wait for my Cousin's book to come out!
3561534
If you stumble upon the original DG CD issue (415367-2), it will be slightly edited. About four minutes of repeated and previously herad bars will be absent. Back in the 1980's when first issued on CD, the technologhy was just not there to present the performance entirely complete on 2 CD's, as heard on its original 3 LP issue (DG 2709 099). This re-issue (DG 453055-2) has restored all the missing bars. This remains the most exciting complete "Swan Lake" out there. The only complete "Swan Lakes" which are more exciting than this, are the live Ozawa/Boston performances, dating just a week or two before this recording was made by DG; and those live performances are locked in The Boston Symphony Orchestra archives!!

Update: I just noticed (quite some time later) that the pamphlet which comes with this re-issued 453055-2 edition did not get an exactly perfect revision. The restored bars are all on CD # 2, tracks 7, 19, and 20 respectively. The longer playing timings have been updated, but DG missed a couple of details on the text portion. Each number of the score is described in detail, track by track. In the original 415367-2 CD booklet, it is notated in small print after tracks 7, 19, 20 on CD # 2, "abridged." In the 453055-2 booklet, it still says "abridged" in the same areas of the text, although they are now thoroughly complete and restored. Most likely someone didn't proof read thoroughly.
3524600
These are two of my favorite films from the second tier Universal Monsters pictures.  Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman in particular was always a childhood creature feature favorite.  The film finds Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr) accidentally brought back to life (recall the Wolfman was killed in the end of the original film) by a couple of would be grave robbers.  None to happy to be alive he begins a journey that would span a few more films to find a cure for his lycanthropy.  His search brings him to the castle Frankenstein and a mad scientist who promises a cure for the wolfman, but soon becomes consumed with the  Frankenstein monster.  Frankenstein was played for the first time by Bela Lugosi in a role that he originally turned down.  The quality of the film transfer is descent, though there are a few scratches and other minor imperfections.  It would be nice to see the film given the deluxe treatment, but a few "imperfections" give these old movies character.
In House of Frankenstein we are treated to Boris Karloff in the role of a mad doctor bent on the revenge of those who sent him to prison.  Obsessed with the secrets of life and death, his journey takes him to the ruins of the Frankenstein castle.  Here he will find the bodies of the Frankenstein monster and the wolfman, frozen by the dam waters released by the villagers in FMTW.  Lon Chaney Jr reprises his role as the tortured Larry Talbot.  Glenn Strange plays the Frankenstein monster.  I always thought Frank looked a little goofy in this film.  John Carradine rounds out the monster cast as Dracula.  It's fun to have all of these monsters in the same film, but the real gem here is Karloff.  As above, the film transfer is descent with a few scratches and imperfections.  Sound quality is very good though.
These films are far from perfect, but are great fun.  They are must haves in any classic monster DVD library.  It's too bad they are out of print.  I've heard rumors that Universal will re-release many of these later in the year along with some of the previously unreleased (at least on DVD) monster flicks.  Still, I recommend finding a copy if you can.
1846007
Hey, if you recall this at all, you liked it for its sincere evocation of the iconic Universal Monsters, Dracula and Doc Frankenstein's walking jigsaw giant.
It was one LP that I never heard till in my 20s in an old scratchy 12 incher, but you gotta love those James Bama paintings! They were composited right from his art for the Aurora plastic kits. Nice.
Is that Gabe Dell doing Lugosi? Who performs the Glenn Strange-like characterization of The Monster?

Liked it then, like it now. A must have if, like me, you only partially grew up and are one of Uncle 4SJ Ackerman's "nephews."
165307
I have always been a sucker for creature features, and this one is an A-list contender for my top favorite.

The fun begins when a ferocious Rhedosaurus is resurrected from its prehistoric dormancy after a series of nuclear tests in the Antarctic. The beast heads due south through the canadian territories and surfaces straight smack-dab in the center of New York City. From there on, you should be able to guess what happens next.

This is a great showcase for stop-motion effects legend, Ray Harryhausen. He is the man who later went on to lend his talent to the "Sinbad" movies, "Jason and the Argonauts," and "Clash of the Titans." It's a popcorn movie that never loses its appeal, and one that I am especially proud to say I own. I had no prior idea that it even made it to DVD. So, it goes without saying that I practically lunged at the opportunity to finally have it in my collection.

I actually prefer this over the original "Godzilla" film. Many don't but, hey, that's just my two cents.

Kick back, monster fans, relax and enjoy!!!
708603
I have the 1999 Columbia Legacy release of this album with its great liner notes by Will Friedwald which I have enjoyed listening to over the years. However, this new release from Sony Music, Japan, is such a vast improvement over the former that I still can not believe it. I have often wondered if the original Duke Ellington tracks (recorded in New York and later layered with Clooney's vocals which were recorded in California) might exist to create a stereo version but there is no need now for even though this is indeed a mono recording, Rosemary's voice is clearer and closer than ever. And the orchestra sounds crisper with the brass section truly brassy. No kidding folks; this is one of those times when you need to update an album for better sound. The CD also as the two bonus recordings that the Legacy version first issued: "I You Were In My Place" and "Just a Sittin' and a Rockin'". The liner notes, as can be expected from these Japanese releases, are in Japanese while the lyrics are in English. I took the booklet from the Legacy version (minus the front cover) and slipped it in the four page liner notes booklet of this new release. Then I'll give the older CD to a friend to inrtoduce him to one of Clooney's best albums and still have the excellent booklet with wonderful photos that was produced by Didier  C. Deutsch.
1091773
This is an incredibly luxurious and grand edition of my favorite book, J.R.R. Tolkien's magnum opus.  It is interesting to compare it to my other leather-clad single-volume edition, given to me as a gift in 1977.  The cover is greenish-brown suede, as opposed to the bonded red leather cover of the '77.  The garish polychrome 70s graphics have been replaced with a dignified rendering of one of JRRT's own drawings of Minas Tirith, and the edges are gilded instead of plain, a glaring oversight in the '77.  The maps are the same; the case bindings are the same as the book.  The typography is different, though, with the lurid red print of the chapter headings being made uniform with the text.  The introduction assures us that typographical errors have all been repaired, and we shall not run into "dwarfish" when JRRT wrote "dwarven".  The index is improved, more complete.  All in all, a great improvement and, despite the price, a must-have for the Tolkin aficianado.  Highly recommended.
637953
I Have Lived in the Monster is the superb sequel to the original Whoever  Fights Monsters. In this book, he explains many unknown murder cases that  occur outside of the united states, and these are every bit as fascinating  (if not more so) than those already well-known here in America.
The  interview with Dahmer is interesting, but the interview with Gacy is, from  a psychological standpoint, a goldmine. I've read it many times, and still  can't quite fathom the serial killer's mind.
Get this book. It far  surpasses Journey into Darkness AND Obsession.
2263785
This set may contain a near dozen of my favorite movies ever. The Universal Monster films have never really been topped. Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein...who would deny that-- even beyond being great horror movies-- these are simply great films.
 Frankenstein's monster, The Wolf Man and Dracula are as much like old friends to me as Superman and Batman were to a lot of young boys back in the days before gangsta rap and Britney.
 But I say again: WHERE IS THE MUMMY? The Mummy series are my favorite of the Universals. Even most of the sequels for The Mummy are stunningly good.
 Even those who are more fond of some of the other monsters would not deny that The Mummy warrants this kind of nice DVD treatment too, right?
 Until the ultimate Universal Mummy collection is released--Im-Ho-Tep curses you!