hellraiser7

This is another of my favorite episodes of the series. The premise alone isn't new as it's the common modern person displaced in the past trope; but it's really in its execution that makes it stand out.

The whole episode introduced me to the yesteryear mystery and noir genre, as a kid I honest never knew how far back and how far the genres really came; so, in a way this episode was somewhat educational, but I mean that in a good way. Though for the veterans to the genres, this was a real treat as it was a homage/love letter toward the genres. From the settings, customs, styles, along with the clichés and tropes it's all there.

The ongoing mystery is intriguing and has some weight which makes you care, which even more makes you want Magnum to solve the case and win. However, I really like Magnum and how he reacts to everything going on around him, which feels like how any of us would act if we ever were in the same strange dilemma he's in. I like the fact that his familiarity and knowledge with the mystery and noir genres of yesteryear and most importantly history itself; that just shows the importance in the education of all those things but also helps gives explanation as to how the time travelers can adapt and blend into the period.

We see how what went on yesterday despite how far back in time and slight differences both the mystery and noir genre remain the same. I even like some of Magnum's time with T. C. and T. C. has some solid moments, like one favorite is in the club fight scene which was just fun and satisfying as most of the members had a butt kicking coming.

Can Magnum make the links to the past, to solve the case before it's too late. You'll just have to watch to find out. Yesterday is never truly gone, because it always lives on in the present.

Rating: 4 stars.

This is one of my favorite vampire films of all time, and films from my favorite movie company of all time, Hammer. I saw this film on "TCM (Turner Classic Movies") which always plays on the October month each year, but also even on the show "Svengoolie" which in a way makes this film one of my traditional films for the "Halloween" season.

In a way this film really was you can say the kick off for the company's horror renaissance. The fact they picked "Dracula" wasn't much of a surprise as it's a timeless classic that has been adapted over the years. This to me is one of my favorites no surprise, though my favorite is "Norsferatu" (2024 version) at least for now. It's one of my favorite versions as it revolutionized and evolved the horror genre to the next level but also just simply one of the most enjoyable versions of the "Dracula" story.

There is so much I love about the film; I really love the score for the film which to me is one of my favorite horror tracks and just movie tracks in general. Just that theme song is just iconic as it sounds beautiful and menacing, just strongly sings out Dracula and his evil ascending and coming to town may 'be yours.

And of course, the atmosphere and set pieces are all pitch perfect, from Drac castle outside but most importantly the interior which is just gothic beauty. Along with most of the Victorian countryside, settings and costumes that just really look and give you the feeling like you are back in another time.

I even like the fact this film has some special effects, most notably the blood effect which was revolutionary for its time. This film was one of the first to use this, where in a staking we see blood being drawn out, or even blood on Dracula's fangs; I can't help but wonder how audiences back then must've reacted to seeing that for the first time as you must realize this was nothing anyone at the time ever seen. I always like the blood effect because it enhances the sense of jeopardy realizing this film really has high stakes and what's happening and what their doing isn't a game. It also shows how both horror and movies in general were taking the next step in the evolution of films, going the extra mile in entertainment and many more to come.

The characters are solid, you get a good feel for all of them despite not being the deepest, which is probably a good thing because it means no drama filler crap, everyone knows who they are and what their functions are.

From supporting characters like Lucy (Carol Marsh) whom I thought was kind of hot (I watched this when I was a kid mind you), you get a little of her persona and depth which just makes her fate even more tragic.

And there is Arthur Holmwood played well by Michael Gough who is both an alumi for "Hammer" but of course I best remember him as Alfred in the 90's "Batman" films which is cool as he's one of my favorite Alfred's. What I really like about him is he's pretty much the ordinary joe how he reacts and feels about what happens in the film feels like how any of us might react. Despite having a hard time swallowing the supernatural business he can't deny things aren't falling into the categories he's used to and something bad is happening all the same, which is why he's not hesitant to help Van Helsing being an expert, let alone must protect his significant other being targeted.

But of course, two of the characters I really like and who were all here for the most are Van Helsing and Dracula. Peter Cushing one of my favorite actors and my favorite version of Van Helsing. I always felt Van Helsing in this film was Fox Mulder but in the Victorian era. I really like the dry sharp charisma and strong authority he has which makes you want this to be the guy to call to save your life.

Even like his outfit which looks like Sherlock Homes wear which is ironic considering Peter played Sherlock in another Hammer film "The Hound of the Baskervilles" which could be a story for another time. He's capable of physical combat or at least holding his own against danger. But to me what I really like and what makes him strong his open intellect. He is open to a lot of things because it's a big world out there with many truths and discoveries waiting to be discovered. He despises modern and conventional thinking because it's limiting, which is true, despite all the advancements in science, tech, and society it never erases the truths of life and nature held from the beginning, nor does it provide all the answers.

And there is Christopher Lee another of my favorite actors as the count himself. He's one of my favorite versions of "Dracula". Even though he's mute throughout the film it works because we see Dracula for what he really is an inhuman fiend that is in the guise of a human. Of course, my favorite shot of him and this is no surprise is seeing him animalistically hissing, baring his fangs, blood running and dripping, and just those red eyes that have pure evil colored on them. You just know if he ever stares at you with those eyes, he's going to destroy you.

And he's sort of like the Xenomorph from "Alien" as you don't see him for long, and to me that works to the film's benefit along with the villain. To me I find too much of the villain can sometime diminish their threat level. Even when he's not around, you don't feel safe because he's still out there and you know he's going to make his next move soon.

I even like the pacing and length of the film; it doesn't feel like it's overstaying it's welcome as this is a film that knows who it is and where it's going. Everything is suspenseful from beginning to end, down to the final conflict which to me is one of my favorite battles of all time in my book anyway. I like how it was choregraphed, it's not wall to wall action but that's because it's more on the realistic side, it really felt like how a regular person would deal with an supernatural creature. Who will triumph, let alone how you'll just have to watch and see.

This timeless classic just like the "Dracula" myth casts a shadow that will always grow and never fade for many generations to come.

Rating: 4 stars.

This is another of my favorite beat em ups of all time, it's also another arcade edition in the "Under the Radar Video" series. I do remember the "Rastan" franchise from Taito, the first game of course is one of my favorite video games of all time (and one I reviewed), the second was a huge mis swing for me and worth skipping.

However, I honestly never heard about a third and technically final entry; though I'm not alone in this as there was barely any to no marketing for this sequel, let alone there weren't many arcade units distributed in enough places. Discovering and playing this game was a real treat for me as it shows that the "beat em up" genre from the 90's still has plenty left yet to offer; this was one of only a very few "beat em up" games Taito had and to me it's one of their best.

Most of what you see and play in this game isn't new but like all beat em ups it's the execution that makes the sharpest cut. For one thing the game has the crispest graphical presentation, I really love the detail in both the backgrounds and characters, they feel like the fantasy paintings of Frank Frazeta and even the comic panels from the "Conan" comic series come to life.

Even like the music which is very good as it's done by the same team that did the music from the first game, it just sings out fantasy action. And there is the fact that you get to play this game on a widescreen which I love as there are very few arcade games that utilized that; the widescreen feature I always found beautiful because of how you are just getting a fuller picture of everything and gave you a feel the world you were playing in is much bigger than your eyes can see.

But I really like the gameplay which is solid as it should be. You get to play three different characters whom each utilize different weapons, combos and have strengths and weaknesses, to me I like to play as the main man Rastan as he's more balanced of the three. I like how with each of the characters you not just have different moves which make each enjoyable to play, but for one thing you can hit right behind as your swinging in a big overhead arc, which is cool as it helps in your defense whenever the baddies are coming right behind you. Also, you can disarm and even break your opponent's weapons, deflect any oncoming projectiles. And, while your opponents are in the air you can hit them and finish them off when on the ground.

You do get some weapon power ups depending on your character, like the fire sword that can shoot fireballs and do incendiary damage with each swing that makes contact. Another is the lighting sword where you hit an opponent, and lighting comes down on them. And best of all is when you have a wizard companion that comes with you, when you hit him he will summon whichever spell comes up which helps in cutting the odds down. Though use this wizard wisely as his MP (Magic Point) gauge will drain the more you use his power.

I like the fact that you can select the levels, so you can beat the game anyway you see fit. But you also if you beat the stages quickly enough you uncover another stage and even the story in the game may change and effect which ending you get. Branching pathways and the multiple ending concept was a unique feature in beat em ups at the time and is still something I rarely see in the "beat em up" genre. I like that each of the stages in the levels are all different and they don't feel like in most "beat em ups" like they blend.

Each of the stages are a different kind of challenge, there are some moving stages like riding a horse and another a dragon and trying to knock down any one else riding. The boss battles are actually easy but each of them are set up as a different kind of challenge but still you strike them down enough times to defeat them as long as your in the right position at the right time. But the best thing to me about the stages are the fact that they go by at a fast pace which helps keep the game flowing and also helps in reenforce the feel like your playing a 80's fantasy film.

This hidden "beat em up" classic makes the cut and for any fans of the "beat em up" genre it's worth a swing.

Rating: 3 and a half stars.