Take a Hedgehog home for the Holidays!

Sonic Christmas Blast
1996 | Color | 30 min | 1.33 | G | Stereo | Holiday | DIC Entertainment

Director:

Blair Peters

Writers: 

Reed Shelly

Bruce Shelly

Stars: 

Jaleel White

Long John Baldry

Philip Maurice Hayes

Sonic the Hedgehog must stop the evil Dr. Robotnik from ruining Christmas after Santa Clause disappears

In the early 90's you where either a Sonic fan or a Mario fan for some you could not be both. So for me, I took the high road and "Ran" with Sonic. I was unaware of this Christmas Speical until earlier this month when it popped up on ConTv. Being a fan of cartoons based on games and enjoying Sonic back in the day I was more than eager to check this out.

Santa's Magic Toy Bag

This year for Christmas I found myself digging for those old Christmas Classic Cartoons that you just don't hear much about anymore. So let us start this one off right with a little-known title...

Santa's Magic Toy Bag
1982 | Color | 29 min | 1.33 |  G  | Stereo | Holiday | Imagicom Productions Inc

Directed by:

James Field

Written by:

Paul Fusco
Troy Cabral

Stars:

Lisa Buckley

Bob Fappiano

Paul Fusco

In Santas Magic Toy Bag, Christmas is bustling, festive and exciting for Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the Elves at the North Pole. Sherman, an aspiring apprentice Elf, tries his best to fit in but can't seem to do anything right! He's worked in nearly every department at the North Pole and has triggered a series of disasters everywhere he goes.

Santa tries to bolster Sherman's self-esteem by entrusting him with the special task of guarding his Magic Toy Bag until Christmas Eve. When Sherman accidentally shrinks the bag by washing it, he fears there might not be a Christmas this year. Unless the accident-prone Elf can finally make things right!

Still Alice

Still Alice
2014 | Color | 101 min | 1.85:1 | PG-13 | Dolby Digial | Drama | Sony

Directors: 

Richard Glatzer

Wash Westmoreland

Writers: 

Richard Glatzer 

Wash Westmoreland

Stars: 

Julianne Moore

Alec Baldwin

Kristen Stewart

Alice Howland is a renowned linguistics professor happily married with three grown children. All that begins to change when she strangely starts to forget words and then more. When her doctor diagnoses her with Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease, Alice and her family's lives face a harrowing challenge as this terminal degenerative neurological ailment slowly progresses to an inevitable conclusion they all dread. Along the way, Alice struggles to not only to fight the inner decay but to make the most of her remaining time to find the love and peace to make simply living worthwhile.

Some of you just might not like me after this review. So let me start off with...

I was very attracted to this movie due to the fact it was about having Alzheimer's Disease. Painfully I watched my grandmother slowly pass away fighting this horrible disease. At times tho it was good I heard stories about her past that even my mom forgot about. At times, it was so wonderful to be there for her and hard other times as I watched her struggle with her day. Finding the remote in the fridge visiting after work and her stove was still on but at 96 she never gave up and has been a huge influence on my life. So while watching the first say 30 to 40 minutes of Still Alice, I was hooked and took the rollercoaster ride all over again.  But then this movie just kind of fell apart. I understand that she (Alice) had a rare form of Alzheimer's but the movie stopped moving me and started to (GULP) bore me.

Evil never tasted so good!

On the 10th day of Creepmas, the Krampus gave to me one Nasty Cookie!

The Gingerdead Man

2005 | Color | 70 Min | 1.33:1 | R | Stereo | Horror | Full Moon Features

Director: Charles Band

Writers: William Butler

Stars:

Gary Busey

Robin Sydney

Ryan Locke

In a quiet, small-town diner a deranged patron, Millard Findlemeyer (Gary Busey), opens fire on the Leigh family, killing all but the daughter, Sara Leigh (Robin Sydney). During the trial, Sara’s testimony sends Millard to the electric chair and his ashes are sent to his mother.

In a vow of vengeance, Millard’s mother mixes her son’s ashes with a secret gingerbread cookie mix, which makes its way into Sara Leigh’s bakery. When one of the bakery employees, Brick Fields (Jonathan Chase), cuts his arm and accidentally bleeds into the mixture, an old curse spawns a 12” walking, talking, killing gingerbread cookie who wreaks havoc on anything standing in his way!!

Now, the adorable yet evil cookie will stop at nothing to get his revenge!

That Old Bitter Miser Scrooge

On the Ninth day of Creepmas, The Krampus gave to me a Scrooge on TV

A Christmas Carol 

1971| Color | 28 Min | 1.33:1 | G | Mono | Holiday | Richard Williams Productions

Director: Richard Williams

Writer: Charles Dickens

Stars: 

Alastair Sim

Michael Redgrave

Michael Hordern

An old bitter miser is given a chance for redemption when he is haunted by ghosts on Christmas Eve.

For the past few years, I find myself tracking down a version of the Christmas Carol that I have not already seen. Why you ask, well every Christmas as a child the one thing my mom would ask to do on Christmas was to watch A Christmas Carol. We would all moan and grown when it came on and then would turn back to our Christmas haul and play away. It was not until I was older when I finally understood the power of this story. It is by far the best ghost story around. And now I find myself  holding up her tradition with a little node to Bah Humbug every year.

This year I found myself captivated by this 1971 animated short that came out of Londen. This was the first animated TV special that was so well received that they released it into theaters. In return it became eligible for an oscar nomination and won in 1972. This is the only version of "A Christmas Carol" to will an Oscar even to this day.  In fact, so many industry insiders were unhappy that a short originally shown on television was given the award, that the Academy changed its policy, disqualifying any future works initially shown on television.

Horror Comes Home for the Holidays

On the fourth day of Creepmas, The Krampus gave to me...one short family movie.

2013 | Color | 30 Min | 1.69 | R | Stereo | Family | Fighting Owl Films

Director: Thomas Smith

Writer: Thomas Smith

Stars:

Khristian Fulmer

Erin Lilley

Soren Odom 

According to legend, on Christmas Eve Santa Claus travels with a creature known as Krampus. While Santa rewards the good children, Krampus punishes the naughty. But that's just a myth. ...Or is it? When the naughty kids of a suburb begin to vanish in the weeks leading to Christmas, all evidence points to the creature's existence. In this follow-up to "The Night Shift", it's up to supernatural investigators Rue Morgan, Claire Rennfield, and skeletal sidekick Herbie West to solve the mystery, save the children, and face-off against the deadly Krampus.

Director and writer Thomas Smith bring's his reoccurring charters back for this short film wrapped around the Krampus. The main character Rue Morgan started his journey in the full-length feature The Night Shift from 2011 along with his sidekick Herb a talking skeleton. But never fear Claire comes along in Night of the Krampus to lightly fill you in on why they are bound to a cemetery.

Everyone else is just CHUM!

On the first day of Creepmas, the Krampus gave to me one Snow Shark!

Snow Shark
2011 | Color | 79 Min | 1.33:1 | R | Stereo | Horror | Metroshia Productions

Source: ConTv

Director: Sam Qualiana

Writer: Sam Qualiana

Stars:

Sam Qualiana

Michael O'Hear

Jackey Hall

Frozen for thousands of years, freed by an earthquake, and really, really hungry. In 1999, a team of animal biologists investigating a rash of wildlife killings disappeared in the lonely woods near a small town. Years later, a local resident claims to have killed a prehistoric carnivorous creature living in the snow. Now, someone - or something - is making lunch of the locals. As curiosity-seekers and cryptozoologists descend on the small town, drawn by the legend of the Snow Shark, Mike - sole survivor of an earlier attack - leads an armed and dangerous posse into a deadly battle.

Get ready for Snow Shark

Actor, Writer, and Director Sam Qualiana bring's his 2004 short film full circle into a full-length blood soaked shark tale to life. Shot on a shoestring budget of $7,000 and a lot of help from his friends they set out into the cold to shoot their story. Shot in 21 days mainly on weekends with their  digital camera in hand with what seems to be a group of buddies. 

The Park is Open

Jurassic World
2015 | Color | 124 Min | 2.00:1 | PG-13 | Dolby | Action | Universal

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Writers:

Rick Jaffa 

Amanda Silver

Stars: 

Chris Pratt

Bryce Dallas Howard

Ty Simpkins

22 years after the original Jurassic Park failed, the new park (also known as Jurassic World) is open for business. After years of studying genetics, the scientists on the park genetically engineer a new breed of dinosaur. When everything goes horribly wrong, will our heroes make it off the island?

Sense movie making is a team effort you have to give its nod's to the whole crew on this one. From all those glorious easter eggs to an amazing looking world you are transported into. Can you really say anything bad about this movie? Jurassic World is an amazing movie just like it's older brother Jurassic Park.

Sorry Bruce

The location and the mood set by JW have to be one of the biggest stars. Don't get me wrong the Dinosaurs are great and I will get to that. But the way Jurassic World wrap's you into is environment makes you feel safe and warm just like being at Disney World even though you know all hell is going to break loose at some point. The story is very believable as well giving you the hints at mad scientist going where no man should go like they did in the first movie. I also enjoyed the new soundtrack and how they used the cues from the main JP theme in the undertones of the score. 

VHS Wednesday with the Duckmen

Duckmen 9 Bloodline
2005 | Color | 70 Min | 1.33:1 | PG | Stereo | Sports | Duck Commander

From the flooded timber of Louisiana to the corn fields of Washington State and on to Montana, join the family of Duckmen as they pursue their first love- DUCKS. Listen to their exact hen calling skills and watch in awe at their phenomenal shooting skills. The Duckmen are a breed apart, for sure! Become one with them as they do what they to best- CHASE 'EM DUCKS!

Ok, Ok calm down and admit it most of you watched the train wreck tv show Duck Dynasty. I don't watch much TV and I watched the dang show. So when I found an odd looking VHS tape with them on it before they were stars I thought hey why not! The first five minutes fills the screen with ducks floating in the air and then suddenly falling from the sky. At first I thought hey not bad these boys can really shoot. Then more of the same for almost ten minutes now. Hmm, I'm not much of a hunter and I seem to have been wrong about this tape.

A Man Cave Rewind: Ultraman!

Ultraman
1966 | Color | 30 Min | 1.33:1 | G | Mono | Sci-Fi Family | Tsuburaya Productions

Source: ConTV

Stars: 

Susumu Kurobe

Sandayû Dokumamushi

Masaya Nihei

The series begins when the heroic alien Urutoraman pursues an alien menace to Earth. In the pursuit, he collides with Hiyata, an officer of the Science Patrol who is investigating the chase. To make amends for the accident, the alien gives his life force to the human along with his regular form and powers should he ever need it. Thus, Hiyata is returned to Earth alive and merged with the alien. This linking proves to be a most fortuitous event as the monster being pursued is but the first of a wave of destructive monsters and aliens that attack the planet. 

Hiyata investigates sightings of these beasts as part of the Patrol who fights these threats with the advanced weapons at their disposal. However, the monsters often prove too strong for the Earth forces to stop. When that happens, Hiyata uses a beta capsule given to him by the alien. When he activates it, he transforms into the giant superhero, Urutoraman, who has the power necessary to protect Earth.

Sometimes the women in this house just take over. I guess that happens when your out numbered. So I always take the time to head down to the Cave and hang out in peaceful nerd nirvana. So last night I was feeling a little nostalgic looking for something to watch. I'm not ready for all the Christmas junk just yet so when I stumbled on to Ultraman I thought hey why not give this a go. I remember enjoying the show quite a bit when I was younger and wondered if the show aged well. 

Deformed. Devious. Depraved.

Hideous!
1997 | Color | 82 Min | 1.37:1 | R | Dolby | Horror | Full Moon Features

Source: Full Moon Streaming

Director:

Charles Band

Writer:

Neal Marshall Stevens

Stars: 

Jacqueline Lovell

Michael Citriniti

Rhonda Griffin

Mel Johnson Jr.

A group of rival collectors of severely deformed freakish human beings and the FBI agents that are investigating them must battle against some of their collections which aren't as dead as they seem...

Wow, what a crazy idea for a movie! Guys skimming the shit in a sewage plant looking for rare and odd things to sell to people that have too much money and really freaky hobbies! Sure Charles Band is back and playing with tiny dead things that freak you out in 1997's crazy flick Hideous! I'm not sure what Neal Marshall Stevens (Head of the Family, Hellraiser: Deader) was smoking to come up with a wild ride like this. Only Full Moon could come up with classic lines like "You gave your fiancee' an engagement ring fished out of liquid crap?" You just can't make this stuff up like they can!

Groping, desperately hoping for a way out!

The Cat and The Canary
1939 | B&W | 72 Min | 1.37:1 | NA | Mono | Horror Comedy | Paramount Pictures

Source: Svengoolie

Director: Elliott Nugent

Writers: Walter DeLeon

Stars: 

Bob Hope

Paulette Goddard

John Beal

Ten years have passed since the death of millionaire, Cyrus Norman. Cosby, Cyrus' attorney, has gathered Cyrus' 6 remaining relatives to his New Orleans' mansion for Cyrus' "reading of the will". To the others disappointment, Joyce is the sole heir, but, due to a streak of insanity running in the family, a second will have been made in case Joyce falls victim to it. This puts Joyce in danger. Suddenly, Miss Lu, Cyrus' maid, appears and warns them that the spirits have told her that one of them will die that night. Following this, Hendrick, a prison guard, warns them that, "The Cat", a homicidal maniac has escaped. This sets up Cyrus' relatives with a night filled with murders, mysteries, and intrigue.

Fall Harvest on Hallmark Channel

Harvest Moon
2015 | Color | 120 Min | 16:9 | G | Stereo | Drama | Hallmark Channel 

Director: 

Peter DeLuise

Writers: 

J.P. Martin

Ron Oliver

Stars: 

Willie Aames

Tony Alcantar

Lynda Boyd

After her family has to file for bankruptcy, a young woman moves to the country in hopes of fixing up a struggling pumpkin farm that her father bought as an investment. Hoping to get the family back on their feet financially, she finds purpose and love.

Yes, I have a soft spot in my heart for love story's too! So this year when I heard Hallmark was running a few Fall Harvest movies I was more than happy to give them a shot. Like most families and households in America, Halllmark Channel will be on for hours on end in December watching Christmas movies. Hallmark had four movies this year, but I only caught two of them. Like all the other Hallmark movies, they are pretty predictable and you can pretty much figure out the outcome in the first 20 minutes. The hard part would have to be can the movie keep you interested the rest of the time. 

I think Willie Aames has aged well

They'll scare your pants off...and give you the chill of your life!

Hillbillys in a Haunted House
1967 | Color | 87 Min | 1.85:1 | PG | Mono | Comedy/Horror/Musical | Woolner Brothers Pictures

Source: ConTv.com

Director: Jean Yarbrough

Writers: Duke Yelton

Stars: 

Ferlin Husky

Joi Lansing

Don Bowman

Basil Rathbone

Lon Chaney Jr

John Carradine

Country singers on their way to Nashville have car trouble, forcing them to stop at an old haunted mansion. Soon they realize that the house is not only haunted but is also the headquarters of a ring of international spies after a top secret formula for rocket fuel.

Oh boy, where do I start with this one? Let's start with the title and the cast. Sounds pretty solid to be you get some big hitters the word Hillbilly and Haunted House. Pretty promising too so let sit back and relax to some country jams good looking gam's and Lon Chaney. 

Lumpkin the Pumpkin Rare VHS

Lumpkin the Pumpkin
1994 | Color | 22 Min | 1.37:1 | G | Stereo | Animated | Lions Gate 

Music by Bobby Goldsboro 

It's Halloween! A contest is on among the spooky witches and jack-o'-lanterns to see who can frighten the children the most. But Tara the Good Witch and Lumpkin the Pumpkin don't want to be scary or play tricks. They show the girls and boys how to really enjoy Halloween and how to stay safe too. Singer Bobby Goldsboro narrates and sings this happy tale of tricks, treats, and Halloween fun.

Picked up this VHS early in the season for 20 cents and felt I could not go wrong it's a Halloween special that I have never seen. Well was it worth it, hmm maybe.

The cartoon was not intended to be scary and geared toward younger children. Being this was produced by PBS the  main emphasis is education and safety during trick or treating. The whole idea is not about scaring anyone in order to have fun on Halloween when we are out trick or treating.

In fact, Tara the young witch stops a group of younger kids playing a trick on an old lady that was in reality very nice and more afraid of the kids. Well thank goodness Tara and Lumpkin do not want to scare anybody.

The show was narrated by singer Bobby Goldsboro who after retiring from music he went on to do a few animated kid shows. The songs are really the only fun thing for me after watching this show. The voices were kind of rough the animation was crude to the point that The Worst Witch from the 70's with its psychedelic colors looked better than this. Just misses its mark. 

Well sorry, folks this gem is not out on DVD which is good for me as my VHS is bringing in anywhere from 7 to 32 dollars. But thanks to the glory of YouTube you can find it there. Lumpkin was worth my 20 cents but that was about it. I recommend going the free route if you want to check this out. Or by my VHS tape for ten bucks. 

2 Bloody Brains

Evil beyond evil...

Witchhouse
1999 | Color | 72 Min | 1.37:1 | R | Stereo | Horror | Full Moon Pictures

Source: VHS 

Director: 

David DeCoteau (as Jack Reed)

Writers: 

Charles Band

Neal Marshall Stevens

Stars: 

Matt Raftery

Monica Serene Garnich

Brooke Mueller

May Day 1998 - Dunwich, Massachusetts. In an old mansion, a teenage party is about to take a terrifying turn... When a group of seven kids is invited over by their strange classmate ELIZABETH for a little "get together," they soon become unwitting participants in a horrific sacrificial ritual. LILITH, Elizabeth's ancestor, has returned from the dead to exact her revenge upon the descendants of those that brutally murdered her in a witch hunt 300 years ago.

So I was trying to watch The Tenant today as it is on my bucket list for this Halloween. Needless to say, I could not do it I'm an hour into it and it's soooooo slow. So being that I was alone today I thought why not hit those thrift shops. Low and behold out of the corner of my eye I spotted the Full Moon logo in the VHS section. I must admit it is still fun to find these on VHS being this was the hay day for the company. Now the cover is pretty beaten up and has a few stickers on the front due to being an ex-rental. That did not stop me from popping this bad boy in once I got home. How did it fair well read on and see?

What kind of a thing is it?

Night Monster
1942 | B&W | 73 Min | 1.37:1 | NR | Mono | Horror | Universal

Director: Ford Beebe

Writer: Clarence Upson Young

Stars:
Bela Lugosi
Lionel Atwill
Leif Erickson

Dr. Lynn Harper, psychologist, has been called out to the old Ingston Mansion, a dark and mysterious place with a very bad reputation, in order to make an assessment of the sanity of Margaret Ingston, daughter of patriarch Kurt Ingston. She claims to be sane, but she is clearly very disturbed; we can't be certain, although the doctor gives her a clean bill of health. But then Dick Baldwin shows up on the scene, just when Dr. Lynne has been receiving thinly veiled threats from the inhabitants of the house.

I have not been having much luck latly with watching Svengoolie. First Hold that Ghost was out of Sync and that bummed me out then the movie I was looking forward to Monster On Campus did not DVR thanks to a Northwestern Football game. Normally I'm pretty happy about the Wildcats on TV but not that day! Then came along Night Monster and... well....