Virus (1999)

A salvage crew discovers an abandoned Russian science ship only to discover the creature that killed the crew is still on-board.

Virus was released in 1999 and had the bad luck to come out after Scream and in the middle of the slasher revival.  People just weren't in the mood for a monster movie.  It's a shame because this movie has some top notch effects and the story, while reminiscent of The Thing is still a lot of fun.

 

The cast includes Jamie Lee Curtis, William Baldwin, Marshall Bell and Donald Sutherland.  This was one of the last horror movies that Curtis did, and she seems to have nothing but disdain for it.  Which is odd since it is FAR from the worst horror movie she's been in (I'm looking at you Terror Train).

 The practical effects are what really set this movie apart.  If it was made today, they would do all the creatures with CGI and it wouldn't look nearly as good.

Some of the creatures reminded me of the ones from Hardware.  This was the first film directed by visual effects artist John Bruno.  He was responsible for effects on several of James Cameron's films, including The Abyss.

I was actually able to meet John Bruno and one the actors Marshall Bell at a convention in Tulsa Oklahoma before the films release.  They were both very excited about the film and the clips they showed at the con delighted the fans.  It was a shame the movie didn't do better at the box office.

Halloween Box Set

 

From the Scream Factory Press release:

 *** LIMITED EDITION 15-DISC DELUXE EDITION BRINGS TOGETHER ALL THE HALLOWEEN FEATURE FILMS IN ONE MASSIVE SET FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER; All-New Bonus Features, Collectible Packaging, and 40-Page Book Make This THE Blu-ray™ Box Set Event of 2014!***

Yes, you’ve heard the news by now and let’s just say that we are BEYOND thrilled to be working with Anchor Bay and Malek Akkad from Trancas Entertainment directly on this very special project! (It really is a dream come true.) Artwork and bonus features to be announced in the next couple of months so hang tight!

Here’s the quick breakdown of the Deluxe Edition:

- 15 Discs
- Contains all the Halloween feature films – Halloween, Halloween II, Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Halloween H20, Halloween: Resurrection, Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Halloween II.
- Includes the never-before-released producers cut of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers as well as the ultra-rare network TV version of the original Halloween, the network TV version of Halloween II, plus the unrated versions of Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Halloween II.
- Packed with hours of BRAND NEW bonus features including new interviews with cast and crew from the entire franchise
- Due to fan demand, the first Halloween film will now also include the original mono audio track and the set will include both versions of the original Halloween-the original Blu-ray™ release and the recently remastered 35th Anniversary version with the mono track added back in!
- Includes limited edition 40-page book written by Michael Gingold of Fangoria Magazine.
- Collectible packaging will include a newly commissioned illustration on the outer case and each film will be in its own black Blu-ray™ case with the original theatrical one sheet as the key art. 

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This is great news! I've always wanted to see the producers cut of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers.   It was previously available only as a bootleg, and I didn't want to see it that way.