Checking out the horror/"sci-fi" iasle at video stores has changed

[Duke Nukem]

There you used to be primarily older films that were once released in theaters, and thus had recognition. From that stand-point, we had some idea of the given movies and whether to try them them or not. And as the VHS-to-DVD age started up, straight-to-video movies began to appear.

But the process has changed. The last few times I've been to Sam Goody, only half of the movies are older/theatrical/recognized films. And the other half is straight-to-video crap - some of it really looking like crap, some of it teasing of possible potential, and some of it also Asian horror from across the globe. But you really don't know if it's any good and whether to blind-buy it.

That's the problem. There seems to be so much more straight-to-video taking up space at video stores, that you don't know what to trust. And that fact that they are untested - in other words, never played in theaters and gained a good or bad word of mouth - you don't know whether to try it out or not.

Speaking on subject straight-to-video, some of it is what it is. But not all of it. You never know what might be a hidden gem. Some of them are, no doubt, were made for theaters but dropped when they turned out to be crap. And some of it is low-budget and made for the market on purpose - they were made with good intentions and to entertain.

That is why there should be websites/web critics specifically trying out every new straight-to-video movie and starting some word of mouth. Maybe there already is and I just didn't know it. If so, please point me to such a website if there is. I am also aware that Arrow might review some straight-to-video as well, but there is so much of it out there, I doubt he has the time in the world to review each one.

Basically though, this is the result of too much straight-to-video. No recognition, no word-of-mouth, no nothing. Not all of the straight-to-video can be that bad, I want to know about the hidden gems among them. I want to know which of these movies to try out next time I go to Sam Goody's.

[teenkiller]

I know what you mean. Recently I have bought a few STD clunkers that I was sure were going to be good fun. I mean I wasn't expecting actual horror film experiences here like Exorcist or TCM or something like that. Just a dumb movie that I could laugh with and get some entertainment out of. The three of these films were mediocre at best with me rating the one a 1/10. Even if I HATE a movie I hardly ever whip out the 1/10. Long story short I am just going to be more selective about what I buy these days because I can't afford to be spending $20 on something that winds up being a pile of shit. Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[EVILxxx]

I hear ya. The isle used to be filled with obscure but mostly good horror films, many of which were too old for me to have seen in theaters. More often than not I was pleased with the rental.
Being the more experienced viewer I can sense a shit movie from across the store and that is what the isle today is made up of; that and recent theatrical releases. Films like Monkey Boy, the Unnamable, and RawHead Rex are no longer on shelves.

[LordSimen]

The worst part is getting these complete rip off straight to video movies that take up the spot of potentially good horror films.

Case in Point:


Seriously, who the fuck APPROVES rip offs like this?

[teenkiller]

To quote Palmer from THE THING:

"You've got to be fucking kidding..."

Seriously I thought you photoshopped that shit as a joke so we could all have a good laugh. Then the grim reality set in. At least I haven't seen it in my local video stores yet.

Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[Ratlehed]

Years ago I found some great DTV's. Such as May, The Hazing, Ginger Snaps, Dog Soliders, and Flesh for the Beast. Recently, however, I haven't had much luck. Awful movies with lame covers seems to be the trend at the moment. With the lack of good ideas and lack of good dir./actors helping fuel this fire. So now we are stuck with a dozen Saw and TCM rip-offs. Even old reliables like Shock Cinema/Seduction Cinema and Troma have been stale lately. Though Full Moon seems to be getting back on track. Doing away with thier urban horror films and getting a little more fun with movies like Evil Bong and Dead Mans Hand.

I think because movies like Saw, Hostel, and the TCM remake films make such a killing on DVD. The big movie companies send out thier little divisions to buy up anything horror. Most popular stores seem to sell anything anymore and the rental stores will carry anything. So the chances of us poor schmoes being suckered into purchasing a crappy film is likely and the companies make there money back.

It used to be fun in to go in the horror section. I usally get in and get out nowadays. Armed with knowledge of the films I am looking for. I rarely blind buy anymore. Unless of course its a Tiffany Shepis or Darian Caine film.

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by LordSimen
The worst part is getting these complete rip off straight to video movies that take up the spot of potentially good horror films.

Case in Point:


Seriously, who the fuck APPROVES rip offs like this?

They didn't. Originally it was a completely different movie and they decided to change the title last-second so it's more recognizable as part of a franchise.

[Kanadian_kev]

Around here we have the franchise movie stores (Rogers, Blockbuster, etc.) which are full of DTV crap. But we have a few privately owned stores which still carry ALL the good stuff. Don't you guys have something like that too?

[Henry Lee Lucas]

Yea I've been seeing a LOT of cool looking STV movies, though I rarely buy them (actually never) no matter how eye catching they are.

On the topic of Blockbuster, the one by my place has the Card Player... worth the rental fee?

[Kikabi]

Originally posted by Kanadian_kev
Around here we have the franchise movie stores (Rogers, Blockbuster, etc.) which are full of DTV crap. But we have a few privately owned stores which still carry ALL the good stuff. Don't you guys have something like that too?

I live in a pretty small city, and recently major franchise stores have moved in and gobbled up a lot of privately owned shops, from little coffee shops to book stores. We don't have many choices. Just Best Buy, Borders, and Circuit City. And used DVD's from Blockbuster and one privately owned shop which buys and trades games and DVDs. Only Circuit City has a good selection - I've found older movies there and a couple of asian ones. Borders and Best Buy sucks when it comes to horror.

[MidnightAngel]

A lot of those movies are made from indy filmmakers and producers and also what about those original movies shown at Sci Fi.

[XCoRyX]

hard to explain because i love supporting b-movies and low budget cinema...but it indeed has gotten so crazy as of late. nothing is the same for my movie-going expieriences anymore,though to be honest. i guess i have the little kid in me who doesn't want to grow up,but the memories I had as a kid going to the mom and pop corner store will never be surpassed.

[Cronos]

had the same thing happen over here, i haven't been into a shop to browse the horror dvd's for at least a year since whenever i go theres just a load of stv films and their sequels with the odd classic which i either already have or have seen previously....and even when they do have the odd interesting one they always seem to only have the really shitty versions of them