June 17, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • Page 27 Horror anthology mixes thrills and eroticism by Dennis Seuling “The Hunger: The Complete First Season” (E1 Entertainment) is a collection of 22 uncut episodes from a Showtime series that originally aired in 1997-98. Not to be confused with the 1983 feature film “The Hunger” that starred David Bowie, the series is an anthology of tales of the macabre and horrific. All manner of horror staples are incorporated into the various stories, from vampires and demons to humans with dark motives. Like HBO’s “Tales from the Crypt,” the episodes are erotic and do not shy from nudity and sexual content, but they are less graphic in the horror department. The series was produced by feature film directors Ridley and Tony Scott and filmed in Montreal, and each episode is introduced by Terrence Stamp. The episodes have a retro feel: the kind of show “The Twilight Zone” might have been without TV censorship. Actors featured in this set include newest screen James Bond, Daniel Craig; Karen Black (“Trilogy of Terror,” “Five Easy Pieces”); Chad Lowe (“24”); Lena Headey (“300”); Sally Kirkland (“Bruce Almighty”); Bruce Davison (“X-Men”); Margot Kidder (“Superman: The Movie”); and Balthazar Getty (“Alias”). Plots include a peculiar relationship that develops between a man and woman who can be pierced by a sword and live; a chef preparing an unusual recipe from a secret book; a woman controlled by a beast; a vampire who convinces another man that he, too, is a vampire, and offers to tutor him; and a tabloid journalist investigating a mysterious woman whose name is always mentioned by victims in a series of murders. Keep in mind this series is geared for adults. There is as much skin in these episodes as there is horror. All episodes are in the full-frame format. The four-disc box set contains a 20-minute featurette, “The Hunger Inside,” which provides a behindthe-scenes look at Season Two and features interviews with Ridley and Scott. Paramount Home Entertainment has issued deluxe editions of three films in the “Friday the 13th” franchise. “The Final Chapter,” fourth in the series, was intended to finalize the saga of Jason Voorhees and his penchant for murdering horny teenagers with sharp implements, and the script is pretty good. After the Crystal Lake massacres, Jason is pronounced dead and taken to the hospital morgue, where he is mysteriously revived, allowing his gruesome killing spree to continue at the camp where it began. This time, in addition to the terrified teenagers, he meets a young boy named ter” made a fortune, Paramount simply could not let a cash cow lie dormant, and hashed together this lame effort. Tommy Jarvis is still haunted by the horrible events that occurred at Crystal Lake. When murders begin at the secluded halfway house for troubled teens where he now lives, it seems Jason is back for more destruction. The denouement incensed fans of the series, who rightfully claimed the basic appeal of the series -- Jason -- had been undermined. “Part VI: Evil Lives Forever” got the series back on track by reviving the old formula, though an opening sequence introduced a supernatural element for the first time. As a child, Tommy Jarvis killed mass murderer Jason Voorhees but now, years later, he is tormented by the fear that Jason is not really dead. Determined to finish off the notorious killer once and for all, Tommy and a friend dig up Jason’s corpse in order to cremate him. But things go wrong and Jason is instead resurrected, initiating a new spate of brutal, bloody murders. Tommy feels it’s up to him to stop the killing. All three deluxe editions contain expansive extras, including deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, director commentary, an alternate ending, theatrical trailers, (continued on Crossword page) ‘The Hunger: Season One’ is a new macabre anthology featuring Daniel Craig, Karen Black, Bruce Davison, and Margot Kidder. Tommy Jarvis, who has a talent for creating horror masks and makeup. “Part V: A New Beginning” is the worst in the entire series. When “The Final Chap- ��������������������������������������������� 7 Taste Authentic Cuisine from Spain ����������������� Lunch Special $ includes soup or salad Mon-Sat 12-3pm Please bring this ad, not to be combined with any other offer, expires 7-30-09 of Thai Restaurant 37 S. 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