Welcome to one of the main features of 'Castle Dracula,' the movie reviews section.
The reviews placed here are from all around the world, from the USA to the UK Japan
and everything inbetween. The formats reviewed are video and DVD. I have included the
origin of the film reviewed so you can check your player for compatibility. You may
also notice that there are some DVD-R reviews. These are not 'bootlegs' or 'copies'
but official screeners that I have been sent containing an as yet unreleased film to 
review. All the reviews here have been reviewed either by myself or my current movie 
reviewers. If you're an avid watcher of horror movies then why not join 'Castle Dracula'
as an official 'staff member' reviewing them. To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff'
link in the menu to the left for details of this and other vacancies.
New reviews are normally placed here once a week, check my front page for under 'Castle
Dracula Updates' to see what latest movie reviews have been placed.

- The Boogens - US DVD - 

During the clever (and inexpensive) opening credit sequence we learn about a once booming
Colorado gold mining town that closed off its vein after 27 miners were trapped and
ultimately killed. Flash forward 93 years to the mine being reopened. A young miner, 
'Roger' (Jeff Harlan) invites his lover 'Jessica' (Anne-Marie Martin) and her friend,
'Trish' (Rebecca Balding) up for a weekend of fun and sex with his housemate and co-worker,
'Mark' (Fred McCarren). Only problem being that beneath 'Roger' and 'Mark’s' humble abode
is nest of little creatures we’ll lovingly refer to as "the Boogens."
This little is flick is jam packed with likeable characters and fun dialog. True, it’s
bubbling over with the usual bunch of horny twenty-somethings but the acting is earnest
enough to pepper the sexy dialog and make it enjoyable rather than annoying.
Another high point in this film is the two female leads. Neither of the actresses plays 
a ditz and they manage to take on two separate and welcoming personalities. An almost 
unheard of task in these kind of creature features! 
Anne Marie Martin is an affable addition to the professional cast but it was such a
pleasant surprise to see Rebecca Balding drop her normally sub-zero demeanor (check out
her ice princess performance in “Silent Scream” for a prime example) and finally adopt 
a warm persona. Although both actresses had some success after this (you sci-fi geeks 
may know Anne Marie Martin as the ex-Mrs. Crichton), sadly they never achieved the sort 
of fame I think both of them deserved.  
“The Boogens” is one of those rare occasions that prove you can make a good movie with 
spare change. Full of personality and life (as well as death), this movie rises above
many of it’s less successful counterparts by having fun while still understanding what’s
scary. And what’s scary here is that less is more. You’ll enjoy the ‘Boogen-cam’ as each
victim is attacked by the camera and some crafty tentacles. 
Eventually the film fails by finally showing its dime store creature but there’s enough
silliness to forgive the FX department.
“The Boogens” is a great treat for anyone looking for something that won’t tax their 
brain but still offer a few thrills. 
Finally available on video (at least here in the states), it’s well worth a trip to your
video store – but don’t forget to pick up a six pack on the way! 

Reviewed By Amanda By Night

Click here to read how this page is protected by copyright laws.