"Phantasm" has been released on dvd as an absolutely terrific special edition!!!  While the plot sounds ridiculous, it's actually a scary film!! The dvd features all of the supplements as the special edition laserdisc minus the CD, it also offers more deleted scenes.  The audio commentary is more entertaining than enlightening, but there's some interesting tidbits about how some great moments were achieved in this low budget film. 

The transfer looks much sharper than the laserdisc with great detail and color values.   Even in the darkest scenes, there's excellent clarity.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound offers some decent directional effects, but most of the film is focused towards ther front speakers. 

Certainly the best of the series, the original "Child's Play" is now available on dvd from MGM.  We're extremely disappointed that MGM didn't elect to present this in the letterboxed format.  It never feels framed right.   Additionally, although fleshtones look good, there is artifacting present.   The surround sound offers some thrilling moments with rear speaker effects.

Director Georga A. Romero is clearly a better director than writer.  His adaptation of Stephen King's "The Dark Half" tries to focus on the driving narrative of the novel, but is completely devoid of suspense.  The story about a writer whom finds himself in danger after killing off the pseudonym which he sometimes writes under, has some great potential that's never achieved.

The dvd transfer is also lacking.  While colors are fine, there is an abundance of artifacts present and there's no good reason for this not to be in letterboxed format.   The dolby surround sound is lively with an abundance of  rear speaker effects.

An unusual suspense thriller, George A. Romero's "Monkey Shines" is actually an intelligent surprise coming from the man who brought us "The Dark Half".   Even more impressive, MGM elected to present this release with 16:9 enhancement!   The picture looks great with excellent contrast and detail!  There's great depth to differing shades of color in even the darkest scenes.  The surround sound is fine, although offering minimal directional effects.