I guess the mission statement for Disney lately is to modernize a lot of their classics, no matter how big or small by—copying them to the tee. “Under Wraps” is the much anticipated remake of the original 1997 TV movie that doesn’t realty offer a new angle toward the movie. Even though it’s a perfectly good Halloween treat and solid DCOM, it misses out on emphasizing the more emotional themes the original didn’t.
Under Wraps (1997)
I don’t know why but “Under Wraps” is one of those DCOM’s that slipped right by me as a kid. I loved the DCOM’s when I was a kid and I still watch them to this day if they interest me. Despite having seen most of them, “Under Wraps” never crossed paths with me. That’s a shame since Greg Beeman’s film is pretty much peak Disney Channel TV movie entertainment. There are cameos from Disney channel stars, a reliable child cast, and a lovable monster. There’s also the Halloween back drop that completes the full circle turning the movie in to a mini-Halloween classic.
The Bootleg Files: The Rula Lenska / Alberto VO5 Commercials
BOOTLEG FILES 780: “The Rula Lenska / Alberto VO5 Commercials” (series of TV commercials from the late 1970s).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: There is no perceived commercial value for a home entertainment anthology of these commercials.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Sorry, darling.
I did not plan to write another television commercial-based column, but yesterday on Twitter I read that the British actress Rula Lenska turned 74. I had not thought of Rula Lenska in ages, and for those of us who were watching television in the 1970s her name and image occupied a unique space.
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30 Years Later, I’m Still a Big Fan of “Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare”
You could probably make a great argument that the only reason why I love “Freddy’s Dead” is because of the memories attached to it. Back in 1991, Freddy Krueger was still a household name, and him dying on film was a big deal. My dad took my brother and I to see “Freddy’s Dead” when it premiered and it was the first (probably only) 3D movie going experience I’d ever had. We had a great time, and then afterward we went to have pizza and we were allowed to blow quarters on a Simpson arcade in the pizzeria. We then went home to watch “Eerie, Indiana.”
V/H/S/94 (2021)
“V/H/S/94” comes at just the right time in just the right climate. Right now the found footage sub-genre is experiencing a small resurgence, while Analog Horror/ARG’s is all the rage on Youtube right now (e.g. “Local 58”). Horror fans love being immersed in to alternate realities and “V/H/S/94” offers up a bevy of original, creepy, bizarre, and damn scary tales that re-introduces us to a horrifying world where the darkest demons can only be found on VHS. It keeps true to its roots though, bringing back Simon Barrett and Timo Tjahjanto for another great go around.
Five More Great Latinx Horror Movie Heroes
October is my favorite month of the year. While it is the month where we get to celebrate Halloween, it’s also National Hispanic Heritage Month. I’ve been on a quest lately to find Hispanic and or Latin heroes and heroines from various movies and I thought it just the right time to introduce part two of my original list of Five Great Latinx Horror Movie Heroes.
It was tough to find some great characters in a genre mostly reserved for Caucasian characters, but overall I think it’s a great way to ring in both occasions.
Halloween Horror Month 2021 Has Begun! Don’t Forget to Wear You Masks!
It’s our favorite time of year, October! It’s the time where we begin celebrating our favorite holiday of the year. The holiday goes by many names including Samhain, Hallowe’en, All Soul’s Day, Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Eve, or just Halloween. Whatever you celebrate it as, however you celebrate it, it’s the best time of year,
We hope you enjoy the next 31 days of horror flavored Halloween fun on Cinema Crazed.
We sure will.