Kevin Williamson, writer of teen horror flicks "Scream", "Scream 2",  and "I Know What You Did Last Summer", turns to adolescence once again, but with the emphasis on suspense instead of horror in "TEACHING MRS. TINGLE".   With the exception of Katie Holmes, the acting is the only thing scary about the film.  One but can't help to feel pity for as fine an actress as Helen Mirren to stoop so low as to take part in such drivel.  Holmes plays a high school student wrongly accused of  cheating after stupidly holding onto a stolen copy of a final exam for what seems an eternity, after the teacher walks in on her???   It's hard to be sympathetic to someone who acts as stupid as she does throughout the film.  When she decides to explain herself to the teacher, by showing up at her private residence and confronting her, things take a turn for the worst!  Again, no surprises here.  There's another young actress, whom I don't want to name,  because she doesn't deserve the recognition she's been getting, whom gives "bad" acting a new definition.  There's a ridiculous scene where she tries to  mimic Linda Blair in "The Exorcist", as a joke or tension breaker for a captive.   Watching this girl "perform" makes everyone feel like an unwanted captive.  She's not just bad, she's one of the worst actresses in history.

The dvd transfer from BUENA VISTA is another story!!!  Everything about the transfer is terrific!!!!  The presentation is flawless.  The colors are perfect, the overall image slick!  The blacks and grays are perfectly defined, and contrast is also perfect.  The 16:9 enhancement adds more depth to an already spectacular picture.  Perhaps, most impressive is the sound mix!  BUENA VISTA deserves great   applause for finally offering "DTS"   as an option with DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1, at no extra cost!   While the film isn't abundant with directional effects, when they're present, they're quite effective, with the DTS having a real edge over the Dolby Digital 5.1 in clarity.  Most noticeable however, is the depth of the musical soundtrack, which really aids the film(as much as possible) again having more clarity in DTS than in Dolby Digital 5.1

"EXISTENZ" is one of the best films Director/writer David Cronenberg has ever done.  While its plot is too complicated for its own good, its conclusion actually ties things up nicely and makes up for some of the more trying passages in the film's 97 minute running time.  Similar in some aspects to his earlier "VIDEODROME",   the plot of "EXISTENZ" deals with the main characters getting lost into a world of virtual reality wherein madness and sanity coexist closely enought to blur the lines between each other.  Jennifer Jason Leigh is excellent(as always) as the designer of a virtual reality game called EXISTENZ, wherein players connect to the main game via tentacle like attachments connected to a portal at the base of their spine.   They, in essence, "become" one with the game.  When an assasin nearly takes the life of Leigh, she and her protector must run for their lives.   After becoming concerned her game may have been damaged she convinces her new partner to participate with her in trying the game, only to both become lost in a maze bordering between reality and the game itself.  While complicated, the film actually improves over repeated viewings.

BUENA VISTA deserves great praise for the dvd transfer.  While the jacket is misprinted, the aspect ratio is actually 1.85:1(not 1.77:1) and there's great depth and clarity added with the 16:9 enhancement.  The film has an excellent production design, perfectly represented with strong grays and blacks.  The image is always crisp.  The soundtrack is actually dolby digital 5.1 rather than the standard dolby surround noted on the jacket.  the sound mix is extremely active with an abundance of directional effects complimenting the atmospheric effects throughout the film.

While we're still scratching our heads as to what Tiffini Amber Thiesen was doing in the film's opening throwaway sequence, "FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 2:TEXAS BLOOD MONEY" isn't that bad for a horror film sequel.  The actual premise, in which a crook must team up with a sheriff to fight the vampires, has real potential!  Unfortunately, the possibilities are handicaped by the film's obvious low budget, but the filmmakers still manage to get a few thrills out, and there's more than a few beautiful girls as well.

The dvd transfer is pretty sharp, even without 16:9 enhancement.  No artifacts, and fleshtones are consistent.  The stereo sound is somewhat disappointing, especially when compared to the dolby digital 5.1 sound mix found on the dvd to this film's predecesor.

Another sequel to a horror cult classic can be found in "PROPHECY 2".   Christopher Walken returns as the fallen angel, Gabriel. Borrowing from other horror films, including "The Seventh Sign", "PROPHECY 2" lacks originality, but one can't help but wonder what Walken's going to do next.  He's just that good!!!  The modest budget limits the film's possibilities much more than the original film, but there are some entertaining moments, and it's kind of fun and nostalgic to see Jennifer Beals here.

The dvd transfer is extremely sharp, with no artifacts, excellent contrast and great color values.  The dolby surround sound offers some fun directional effects.

Stacy Keach is on hand, and so is Nancy(Carrie)Allen, but they need saving more than the protagonists in "CHILDREN OF THE CORN 666".  There's almost nothing about the film to recommend.  A young woman gets involved with a mysterious   rider and cult while looking for her birth mother in the 5th sequel to the original "loose" adaptation of a Stephen King short story.  Except for a few(brief) thrills, the film is too slow, even at 82 minutes.

The dvd transfer looks fine, although the contrast varies in a few scenes.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound actually offers some great directional effects, but not enough to recommend the film for demonstration purposes.