Share AntoNEO's profile
 
Facebook Twitter
 
 
AntoNEO
 
 
 
AntoNEO's stats
 
  • Review count
    13
  • Helpfulness votes
    52
  • First review
    October 8, 2007
  • Last review
    January 23, 2011
  • Featured reviews
    1
  • Average rating
    4
 
Reviews comments
  • Review comment count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First review comment
    None
  • Last review comment
    None
  • Featured review comments
    0
 
Questions
  • Question count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First question
    None
  • Last question
    None
  • Featured questions
    0
 
Answers
  • Answer count
    0
  • Helpfulness votes
    0
  • First answer
    None
  • Last answer
    None
  • Featured answers
    0
  • Best answers
    0
 
 
AntoNEO's Reviews
<< 1 2
 
Lion's Gate Home Entertainment delivers one big wallop of a package for Eli Roth's love-it-or-hate-it splatter epic, Cabin Fever. Forgoing the usual over-hyped two-disc "special" editions out there, this lean one disc delivers the all the bloody goods (and then some) for all of you aficionados in DVD-land. As far as extras go, the first thing you have to mention is the five feature-length audio commentaries. Considering how many companies skimped out and just edited together multiple commentary tracks during this time, you have to respect this disc for throwing it all on the line and including all five -- each of which is immensely entertaining. The madness begins with Roth's solo track, which is a doozy! His commentary is never boring and abounds with Tarantino-like references -- the director comes across as exactly the type of hilarious horror geek that the film's hype made him out to be. It's perfect, then, that he's the moderator for the rest of the tracks, including one with the guys in the cast, another with the girls, one that consists of him and members of the crew, and, finally, one just with Boy Meets World star Rider Strong (who, as the DVD put it, talked so much they had to move him to his own track). Amazingly, none of it feels like filler, and with so many moments of brilliance (Roth's call to his old N.Y.U. film professor is genius), the five tracks add to up hours of entertainment for those brave enough for the task. If you hop on over to the special features, there's more fun waiting for you, starting with a brand-new cut of the film called the Family Version (great for a laugh or two), while the Chick-Vision feature blocks the image whenever something frightening is about to happen -- a neat (albeit throwaway) idea that more or less just adds another silly bonus to the list of features. For those behind-the-scenes lovers out there, head straight to the "Beneath the Skin" documentary. Clocking in at 30 minutes, the featurette contains on-set footage and numerous interviews that show off the relaxed set and detail some of the smaller production elements that weren't covered quite as much in the commentaries (though don't be surprised if there's some overlapping information). The Pancakes special feature shows more of Matthew Helms' outrageous kung fu abilities (further proof that Roth needs to shoot an action flick starring the young blonde one very soon), while the Rotten Fruit section has three segments from the hilarious gore-filled stop-motion series created by Roth and Noah Belson. Technically, picture quality is superb and the disc's 5.1 Dolby Surround track (along with the standard stereo track) is equally fantastic, creating depth in the darkest reaches of the score and atmospheric sound mix. All in all, it's a disc worth shouting about, and one that will keep you busy for a long time to come. Also released in a Limited Edition featuring a holographic slipcover.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Successful throwback to 70s and 80s horror
on October 10, 2007
Posted by: AntoNEO
from Orange, CA
Cabin Fever, Eli Roth's first feature length film, is a wonderful throwback to 70s and 80s horror for us horror film buffs out there. The film is full of minute details and clever references to some of the old cult favorites (most notably Evil Dead and Texas Chainsaw Massacre). Roth's idea of having a flesh eating virus as the antogonist is a nice stroke of originality and adds a nice twist to the usual zombie/demon/friends possessed genre. It also adds an extra layer of eerieness as it makes the horror a bit closer to reality. Beyond that unique twist though, Cabin Fever isn't 100% successful as a standalone horror movie. It becomes more of a constant nod and wink fest to old school horror fans, but never quite becomes its own film. Don't get me wrong, it's great to have a film that brings back the feel of old school horror, but Cabin Fever doesn't quite do enough to transcend its referential nature.
Looking beyond the movie itself, much like the DVD for Roth's sophomore feature Hostel, the DVD presentation for Cabin Fever is killer (no pun intended...okay, maybe a little). There are some fun short films from Roth's pre-Cabin Fever years, an entertaining, if not entirely deep behind the scenes documentary, and best of all, five amazing feature length commentaries. After hearing the Hostel commentaries and now moving on to the ones for Cabin Fever, Eli Roth has now established himself as one of the best commentators around in my opinion. He is engaging, informative, and a non-stop talker. Not only that, but the quality remains consistently high across all five commentaries, with little to no overlap. For horror film fans as well as eager film students, Eli Roth's commentaries should not be missed.
Cabin Fever is an enjoyable throwback to the horror films of yesteryear, and it's given awesome treatment on DVD that should not be missed.
What's great about it: A good mishmash of horror throwbacks, stellar DVD commentaries
What's not so great: Falls short of being a great horror film on its own terms
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Better than you might think
on October 9, 2007
Posted by: AntoNEO
from Orange, CA
I think this film is actually much better than its reputation. After hearing so many bad things I expected to hate it, but I was pleasantly surprised when I found it had a lot to offer. I'm surprised how often it gets lambasted as being a brainless film, as I actually consider it to be one of the more intellectual horror films to come out in quite some time. Thematically, it addresses such pertinent and interesting topics as exploitation, the evolution of prostitution, and the relationship between pleasure and pain. It offers up some pretty thought provoking material if you look for it.
However, I must admit that although the ideas in the film are worth pursuing, the execution does indeed leave a little to be desired. The narrative isn't the most exciting thing in the world, and the torture elements of the film are going to alienate a lot of viewers with their greusome presentation.
No matter what you may think of the film, you can't deny the wealth of information provided by the special features. The majority of the enlightening bonus material comes in the form of five (count 'em, FIVE) audio commentaries. This is the most commentaries I've witness on any DVD to date, aside from Eli Roth's first outing, Cabin Fever. Not only are there five feature length commentaries to check out, but they're all worth listening to. I would be happy with just one audio commentary of this caliber, but across the board, all five of them are a wealth of information, with little to no overlap. Eli Roth (who participates in every single one) has oodles to say about his film and filmmaking and
general, and he is just a joy to listen to.
If you didn't like the film on a first go around, I would recommend giving another try and looking a little deeper. If you still don't see any deeper thematic elements at play then give Eli Roth's commentary a
spin and see if he persuades you at all.
All in all, this is an intellectually stimulating horror movie with a wonderful DVD presentation.
What's great about it: Thematically stimulating film and a treasure-trove of commentaries
What's not so great: Narrative isn't as compelling as the themes explored, torture elements may turn off many viewers
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Finally available on DVD
on October 8, 2007
Posted by: AntoNEO
from Orange, CA
Fans of the Night of the Demons trilogy have been waiting a long time for part 2 to get a proper DVD release. The good news is that Lionsgate has stepped up and given us a Region 1 release. Unfortunately, it's a barebones release, with no extras to speak of other than some trailers for other films. Nonetheless, the film is what's important and now at least we have it.
I would like to point out to those put off by the Fullscreen transfer (as I was) that the film was most likely shot that way, as it played in very few theaters and was practically straight to video. I haven't been able to 100% confirm this despite my best attempts, but all of the compositions look appropriate and uncramped, so don't fret that it's not a widescreen transfer.
So enjoy finally having this fun little horror film on DVD, but don't forget to leave a little room for the holy ghost!
What's great about it: It's finally on DVD so you can get rid of your worn out VHS
What's not so great: Barebones release - just trailers
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
AntoNEO's Review Comments
 
AntoNEO has not submitted comments on any reviews.
 
AntoNEO's Questions
 
AntoNEO has not submitted any questions.
 
AntoNEO's Answers
 
AntoNEO has not submitted any answers.