Nicolaou, Ted

Vampire Journals

Director Ted Nicolaou rewrites his original Subspecies story line and transplants it into the urban location of Bucharest, Romania. In this gothic tale, a wandering vampire named Zachary (subtly played by David Gunn) seeks revenge against the clan of vampires who crossed him over from mortal life. The abduction of acquaintance and young concert pianist Sofia (the charming Kirstin Cerre) lures him to the lair of Ash (Jonathon Morris) and his den of vampires living beneath a ritzy nightclub. In an interesting twist, the bloodsuckers do not commonly hunt down their prey in the outside world; rather, they seek them in willing bodies through the club, with whose owner they have dealings. Zachary seeks to free the terrified, imprisoned Sofia, who Ash has crossed over, and put an end to the clan's evil, decadent ways. In some instances, Vampire Journals suffers from melodramatic acting and overwrought dialogue, and conversation dominates overaction, but the combination of exquisite Romanian locations, Adolfo Bartoli's sumptuous cinematography, and Richard Kosinki's moody score will keep you watching. Another striking aspect of the film is that it is shot almost exclusively at nighttime, with the beautiful interiors often bathed in golden light; it offers a good representation of what living in eternal night must be like. --Bryan Reesman

Puppetmaster vs. Demonic Toys

It's the night before Christmas Eve, and oddball inventor Robert Toulon (Corey Feldman of THE GOONIES and STAND BY ME) has discovered his great granduncle's formula for reanimating the master's lethal puppets: Six-Shooter, Jester, Blade and Pinhead. Meanwhile, diabolical industrialist Erica Sharpe (Vanessa Angel of KINGPIN and WEIRD SCIENCE) is finalizing her satanic plan for unleashing her father's foul-mouthed, blood-guzzling toys upon the world's underprivileged children. But even if Toulon can give the puppets a deadly cyber makeover and stop the blood sacrifice of his daughter, can he still prevent the coming Christmas carnage? Playtime is over: Get ready for the final battle between the ultimate titans of toy terror!

The St. Francisville Experiment

As of June 2000, experts had documented two hundred twenty five haunted houses in the United States. Almost half can be found... in St. Francisville, Louisiana.

Deep in the heart of the south, at the end of a long, dark road, stands a very old house... shrouded in mystery and veiled in secrets. When the door opens, you will be sent back by the stench of death. On dark stormy nights, you can hear a young girl screaming in the courtyard. You always heard the rumors, but you never knew if they were true.

Now, four strangers will spend an entire night in that very house. What you will hear is true. What you will see is real. What you will feel is absolute terror.

Dragon World: The Legend Continues

This good-natured kids' movie from director Ted Nicolau focuses on a teenage magician (Drake Bell) who must overcome many dangerous obstacles in order to save the life of the world's last living dragon.System Requirements:Run Time: 84 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: NR UPC: 844628090704 Manufacturer No: DH9070

Ragdoll

Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm

If that isn't enough of a title, it's also subtitled "The Master's Revenge." The old master is Radu Vladislas, the same bloodsucker from the other Subspecies movies. Michelle (Denise Duff) is back once more as well, although her sister gets knocked off unceremoniously in the first few minutes. It's impossible not to warm a little to a film that has the line, "So what brings you to Bucharest, master?" and this film doesn't mess around delivering what its audience wants. That means blood, lots of blood, and everybody talks with their mouths full. Vampires can't seem to wipe their chins, but they sure are plucky. Filmmakers pretty much expect that you've seen the first three films. The DVD also has a cheapo video release update, showing off the latest Blood Dolls and Puppet Master films, as well as a "making of" for this film. Hope this doesn't disappoint, but there is no actual storm of blood. Tsk, tsk, what a shame. --Keith Simanton

Lip Service

In the erotically charged world of oh-so private eye, LINDA ISHERWOOD and her under-the-covers secret operatives, errant husbands and wayward wives are all in a day's work. When adult superstar MONIQUE ST. CLAIR receives death threats, then gets kidnapped, Linda and her L.I.P. service girls swing into action to catch the bad guy, or is it girl? in this lurid tale set in the city of fallen angels.

Dragon World: The Legend Continues

In the remote Scottish Highlands, a place steeped in myth and mystery, there lives a boy wizard. His name is John McGowen and his only true friend is Yowler, the last dragon on earth. But Yowler is in terrible danger. His arch enemy, the Dark Knight, has returned and is determined to slay the dragon so that he might use the magical powers of the creature's blood to unleash a new age of darkness on the planet. Only young John can save Yowler....and so gegins the ultimate battle between good and evil.

The Horrible Doctor Bones

Cut / The St. Francisville Experiment - Fright Flicks Double Feature