Waxwork / Waxwork II - Lost in Time

Rating:
Summary: Giggles 'N Gore for a cheap price
Review: Artisan does it again by releasing this great double feature DVD. If the original Waxowrk wasn't good enough, you also get its awsome sequel. For those of you who haven't see Waxwork, don't be fooled into thinking this is going to be a totally serious scary as hell movie. I is actually very toungue in cheek and has many funny moments. In the wake of Re-Animator, there were many immitations on mixing humor and gore, and Waxwork is one of the better films to come out of the mix. The sequel is almost just as good as the original and portrays many cameos that you will recognize (Bruce Campbell and Drew Barrymore to name a few). Two very entertaining film a cheap price. Now te downside. Originally when Waxwork was released on VHS, it was released in two seperate verions: an R-Rated and an Unrated. Sadly, the R-Rated version is the one present on the DVD which makes me worried that the Unrated will never be released. Another complaint is the picture quality. Artisan needs to start remastering these things. All their double feature DVD's are grainy. But that aside, don't let those downsides stop you from purchasing this DVD, its well worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Ah Ohhhh...That's gotta hurt...
Review: As if the original Waxwork wasn't enough to make this an excellent DVD, the makers decided to throw in the sequel, which is just as good as the first movie. This is a must have DVD for horror fans. The special effects and plot are wonderful. There's something for everyone in this flick. I was absolutely obsessed with these movies as a kid and I still love it today!

Rating:
Summary: Cult classic
Review: The 1988 film "Waxwork" will always hold a special place in this horror fan's heart. On the surface, this movie doesn't seem that original or engaging. A group of young adults, led by Mark Loftmore (Zach Galligan) and Sarah Brightman (Deborah Foreman), decide to head over to a recently opened wax museum in their town for a night of giggles and guffaws. How could anything about a display of wax dummies be particularly frightening? We soon discover something quite ominous is going on behind the doors of this creepy building. The curator of the museum, David Lincoln (David Warner), and his two Addam's Family like cronies seek to open a portal to Hell through which the worst monsters of history will rise again to wreak havoc on the living. In order to accomplish this nefarious plot, Lincoln must procure several living people to sacrifice to the dark gods. The waxwork displays, which reconstruct carefully orchestrated scenes of horrific murder and mayhem in history, are in fact tricks designed to lure these unwary kids to their doom. Once one of these dupes step past the velvet rope in front of a scene, they discover that what they were looking at is real and very dangerous. And one by one, Lincoln secures his sacrifices.

One of the adults finds himself caught in the middle of a gruesome werewolf hunt. A snobby rich girl falls for the penetrating gaze of Count Dracula (Miles O'Keefe of "Ator" fame, for goodness sake!), thus discovering that vampires do exist and don't mind gnawing on human drumsticks whenever possible. By the time Loftmore discovers what is going on in the wax museum, most of his friends have perished in graphic, horrible ways. It's only through luck that he manages to extricate Brightman from a particularly sadistic encounter with the Marquis De Sade. The two turn to Loftmore's wheelchair bound uncle, Sir Wilfred (Patrick Macnee), to uncover the particulars of Lincoln's scurrilous goals. According to the knowledgeable Wilfred, David Lincoln has been alive for a hundred years plotting to unleash doom on planet earth. Now that Loftmore's uncle knows exactly where Lincoln is and what he's going to do, he hopes to upset the malevolent curator's museum with the help of a few friends. But Wilfred, Brightman, and Loftmore will have to hurry because Lincoln will soon open the portal. The conclusion to the film is notable because it's probably the only time you'll see the Marquis De Sade and Count Dracula battling a bunch of crusty old British chaps led by a guy in a wheelchair.

"Waxwork II" goes for high camp, quite possibly on purpose. Galligan returns as Mark Loftmore, but this time there's a bunch of bunkum about a portal through time and space. At the end of the first film, Mark and Sarah destroyed the wax museum, but something survived long enough to follow Brightman home and murder her stepfather. Now the young girl is on trial for her life, and Loftmore must work behind the scenes to save her. Thanks to a tape left behind by Sir Wilfred, Mark finds a device that allows him to travel through time to prove that Sarah is innocent. Or something like that. Whatever happens, "Waxwork II" quickly descends into a series of occasionally humorous but more often groan inducing vignettes based on a plethora of classic horror movies. We see the cast here struggling through scenes lifted from "Alien," "Dawn of the Dead," "Jack the Ripper," and probably a dozen other cult classics. There's also a continuing plot set in the Middle Ages where Mark must defeat a bunch of baddies to protect a king. Both films are worth a watch, but the original far outpaces the sequel. These films are worth watching because of the cast and the special appearances of what looks like dozens of memorable faces.

Zach Galligan largely exhausted any goodwill he had from "Gremlins" by appearing in these types of low budget films, but that doesn't mean he isn't fun to watch. Deborah Foreman needs no props from me; any fan of films made in the 1980s recognizes this gorgeous gal on sight (someone named Monika Schnarre unfortunately replaced Foreman as Sarah in the sequel). Patrick Macnee gets a chance to pile on the ham as Sir Wilfred, and David Warner is as creepy as ever as the nefarious David Lincoln. What really grabs your attention, in the first but particularly the second film, is the number of names appearing in big and small roles. Look for Jonathan Rhys-Davies, John Ireland, Drew Barrymore, Bruce Campbell (in a hilarious turn), Marina Sirtis, Martin Kemp, Michael Des Barres, David Carradine, Alexander Godunov, Maxwell Caulfield, and about a billion other famous faces. Aside from the huge cast lists, prepare yourself for a gore drenching experience in the first film. While "Waxwork" doesn't approach the level of "Dead Alive," it does turn the stomach on numerous occasions. The vampire scenes alone should bring forth a few groans of disgust from viewers.

Artisan Entertainment (since purchased by Lion's Gate) saw fit to put both films on a single disc. It's nice to have them on DVD but regrettable the disc contains nothing more than a trailer or two. I consider "Waxwork" a cult classic worthy of a commentary track at the very least, but I am glad to see the movie reach DVD despite this omission. Also, rest assured that you are watching the unrated version of "Waxwork" on the Artisan disc--the R rated version runs ninety-five minutes while this one runs ninety-seven. If you haven't indulged in the campy, loopy fun that is the "Waxwork" franchise, you need to add this one to your must have list as soon as possible.







Rating:
Summary: great campy horror at it's best!
Review: These movies I have watched over and over and have even memerised alot of the lines. "So my pretty you too feel a bit peckish" "raw meat". Classic. And the echo sounds and the slurps when the vampires are eating the "raw meat". not to mention the costumes. All in all excellent. Oh and Deborah Foreman from "valley girl" and Zach Galligan from "gremlins" perfect for the parts. I am a big fan of Madame Troussiants waxworks and loved the Vincent Price movie where he too used "bodies" for his works. Everyone who I have shown these movies to have always told me thanks for sharing such campy classics.

Rating:
Summary: great campy horror at it's best!
Review: These movies I have watched over and over and have even memerised alot of the lines. "So my pretty you too feel a bit peckish" "raw meat". Classic. And the echo sounds and the slurps when the vampires are eating the "raw meat". not to mention the costumes. All in all excellent. Oh and Deborah Foreman from "valley girl" and Zach Galligan from "gremlins" perfect for the parts. I am a big fan of Madame Troussiants waxworks and loved the Vincent Price movie where he too used "bodies" for his works. Everyone who I have shown these movies to have always told me thanks for sharing such campy classics.

Rating:
Summary: Relax your Twisted Mind
Review: This has it all. Make some time for Halloween Night, a bowl of popcorn, lights out, and enjoy this gory/bloody/funny treat. Every classic ghoul you were born to love is back. Goofier and more violent then ever. Enjoy! Sends shivers of joy down your spine. This out of control film will put a smile on every horrorfanatics face. If it dosen't, then you still have the spine chill effect. Happy Halloween 2003!! Waxwork baby!!!

Rating:
Summary: waxwork
Review: This is a double feature dvd containing waxwork 1&2. Waxwork one is about a group of kids that are invited to a private waxwork showing. The owner has alternative motives. His waxworks are actually alive if one crosses over the rope in front of the display. It takes them to another reality. Everytime a person is killed in one they become part of the display. The owner needs someone killed in each display to bring the creatures to life. Some of the displays are dracula, the mummy, a werewolf, and many other hideous creatures. Waxwork two takes place where the other left off. The survivors have discovered a way to travel to alternate realities. They are doing this to try to go back in time and change what happened at the waxwork. Many people like this one better than the first but I liked the first one. This movie is definately worth checking out if you are a horror fan.

Rating:
Summary: waxwork
Review: This is a double feature dvd containing waxwork 1&2. Waxwork one is about a group of kids that are invited to a private waxwork showing. The owner has alternative motives. His waxworks are actually alive if one crosses over the rope in front of the display. It takes them to another reality. Everytime a person is killed in one they become part of the display. The owner needs someone killed in each display to bring the creatures to life. Some of the displays are dracula, the mummy, a werewolf, and many other hideous creatures. Waxwork two takes place where the other left off. The survivors have discovered a way to travel to alternate realities. They are doing this to try to go back in time and change what happened at the waxwork. Many people like this one better than the first but I liked the first one. This movie is definately worth checking out if you are a horror fan.

Rating:
Summary: waxwork
Review: This is a double feature dvd containing waxwork 1&2. Waxwork one is about a group of kids that are invited to a private waxwork showing. The owner has alternative motives. His waxworks are actually alive if one crosses over the rope in front of the display. It takes them to another reality. Everytime a person is killed in one they become part of the display. The owner needs someone killed in each display to bring the creatures to life. Some of the displays are dracula, the mummy, a werewolf, and many other hideous creatures. Waxwork two takes place where the other left off. The survivors have discovered a way to travel to alternate realities. They are doing this to try to go back in time and change what happened at the waxwork. Many people like this one better than the first but I liked the first one. This movie is definately worth checking out if you are a horror fan.

Rating:
Summary: 4 for Waxwork, 1 for the sequel
Review: Waxwork is a great 80s horror/comedy/thriller in the Fright Night vein. Sometimes scary, clever, humorous and gory, it takes you on a fun-filled, malicious little trip. It's a great one to have for horror fans. The sequel - well if there was a way to scratch it off of the dvd, you would be better off. It is bad, bad, bad.