Vampire movies have always been kind of a strange batch. We’ve had some truly great ones–Salem’s Lot (either one, really, including the sequel), John Carpenter’s Vampires, 30 Days of Night–and of course, a legion of truly lesser pieces. And sometimes, we’ve had some vampire movies that have just been indescribable. One of those titles comes to us via the IFC, who sent out a copy of Vampires.

Basically, three years before the film was released, a company was contracted to shoot a documentary about the vampire community in Belgium. Sounds bizarre on the surface, but they took the deal and dispatched a film crew. Their sound man was promptly devoured. Subsequent attempts actually went worse, if you can believe that, until they sent out just one last crew under what were called “perfectly safe conditions”. Considering that the film is actually dedicated to the film crew–as well as one crewman’s arm–the end result is going to be only marginally better than previous ventures.

Vampires is chilling for many reasons, but the biggest one is that these vampires believe that they’re performing a valuable service to the community. They genuinely believe they’re helping society by kidnapping people and draining them of their blood. Frankly, it’s enough to make you think that  vampire hunters are our greatest natural resource, if these egomaniacal amoral psychotics are actually out there.

And yet, at the same time, Vampires is a real sight to see. This is a documentary devoted to an entirely fictional community, and yet, at every length, it’s believable. This is what you’d expect a movie about vampires to look like, and that’s strange enough in its own right. I mean, seriously–when’s the last time you saw a viable documentary about vampires? And even better, a fictionalized documentary? That’s just what the IFC will put on, and that makes Vampires a really rare and unique find that’s as chilling as it is compelling. It’s even got some funny bits in it that can’t be denied.

It’s hard to believe that a believable documentary about vampires can actually exist, especially given that vampires themselves don’t actually exist. You get an incredible look at their culture, their ceremony, their rules and guidelines, everything. They even do a great follow-up piece keeping up with a vampire clan that was forced to move.

The Screenhead Ten Scale gives Vampires a full ten out of ten by virtue of its sheer uniqueness. There is very little, if anything, out there that’s like this. This is a beautiful little movie, and vampire fans are going to love this.

I have three lucky winners for the Neil Young Music Box giveaway!

Vicki Dahlstrom won and she says, “I love Neil Young. I didn’t get to see him when he came to town. The tickets were just too
expensive. So, maybe, if I win, I would get to listen to him at home.”

Yup Vicki. You get to listen to him at home!

Kathy Emerick is our next winner, and she says, “OH.. brings back a lot of memories of Neil Young and the group Crosby, Still and Nash and Young. Wow I would love this.”

Our final winner is Nora Scott-Platt, who sums it up nicely, “I think I have grown old with Neil Young.”

You and me both!

Despite remaining a hugely original singer, songwriter, performer and, let’s face it, human being, across a career spanning almost fifty years, Neil Young has never been immune to the influence of others. This will be of no surprise to anyone with even a hint of interest in the man and his music, but only those who have studied their subject in depth will be aware of the enormous range of artists and genres Neil has both been affected by and drawn inspiration from, much of which, if one knows where to look, is apparent in Young’s incredible catalogue.

This film traces the astonishing musical journey of Neil Young from the day he first heard Elvis to his most recent offerings, via numerous talented artists who assisted in his creation of, arguably, the finest body of work to emerge during the rock era.

Extra features include extended interviews, digital biographies, beyond DVD and more.

Neil Young with Crosby and Nash: Party In The USA
It’s always a treat when Neil Young stops by, and this time David Crosby and Graham Nash were on hand to help him with Miley Cyrus’ ‘Party In The USA.’

So it’s finally summertime in earnest, at least in the northern hemisphere. The days are long–not to mention hot–and most people start thinking about ways to stay cool. A good long swim is at the top of many lists, and with good reason. But as the folks out at Image Entertainment, who sent us out a copy of Highwater to review, would no doubt like to point out, there’s a lot more than swimming to be done out there.

Highwater follows some of the greatest names in surfing–Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, and plenty more–as they go forth to take on the breakers on Oahu’s legendary North Shore. Some of the waves are the size of multi-story buildings, and so, this is one for the best and bravest only.

It’s something like a documentary, with a bit of drama thrown in for flavor. But the one flavor that will be absolutely unavoidable is the sharp stink of pretentiousness. When you’ve got lines like “Maybe they (the waves) still represented a meaningful meaninglessness, a place where reality was beyond debate and truth was more than having the best spin.”, you know somebody thinks very, very highly of his own work, and any devil that disagrees may take the hindmost.

Of course, the critic out there may say “Any time you bust out a line like ‘meaningful meaninglessness’, it’s time to pack it in because if your film were any more pretentious it would stick up its nose at the audience, and it doesn’t even have a nose to stick up. It would create one. It would grow one just so it could look down it.” And we’d probably be right, but don’t tell the poor schmuck who directed this high-toned metaphysical mush pile.

But credit where credit is due: there are some truly spectacular visuals here. Amazing shots of wind and wave and sun and sand alike, truly beautiful looks at an island paradise to which many are called, but few are chosen.

There’s some interesting history, some unusual facts thrown in, strange bits of information that make this really interesting in spots too, like the story of Bethany Hamilton, who lost an arm to a shark attack and got a movie made out of it, called Soul Surfer.

You’ll get quite a bit out of it, though some of it will be less palatable than others. The visuals are amazing, the dialogue sheer crap. And when you get a blend like this, you know what has to come next.

The Screenhead Ten Scale gives a mix of excellence and garbage like Highwater a five out of ten–when it’s beautiful in one sense and horrible in another, there’s only one thing you can do: call it good enough.

Running this giveaway was totally awesome because a lot of the participants had not heard of this show before.  It kind of opened their minds a bit to other DVDs to view besides for pure entertainment. Although, I am sure this series is entertaining.  I haven’t seen it because I only have the giveaway copy.

Enough lamenting over only having one copy, I need to let you know who won. Our winner is George Comstock, who says “”Like Beth T said – I’ve never heard of this series and it sounds fantastic!  David Attenborough’s documentaries on PBS really inspired me- he can tell highly intellectual stories in a manner accessible to anyone with curiosity.  Thanks for the tip about this dvd set and the chance to own it!”

You are welcome George! Enjoy the DVD! I hope you have a great time when you watch it.

The scientific progress in Britain to vivid life, Genius of Britain: The Scientists Who Changed the World has arrived on DVD from Athena. Presented by an array of distinguished thinkers and broadcast on the U.K’s Channel 4 in May 2010 and available to U.S. audiences for the first time with its DVD release, this five-part series offers an enthralling look at the personalities behind some of the world’s greatest discoveries – from the invention of the steam engine to the discovery of DNA. The DVD 3-vol. boxed set features appearances by leading contemporary figures including Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough, Richard Dawkins and James Dyson.

Each episode in this five-part series brings an era of scientific thought to vivid life, with modern-day geniuses examining the legacies of their heroes. Stephen Hawking takes on Isaac Newton, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins discusses Alfred Russel Wallace, acclaimed naturalist David Attenborough profiles Joseph Banks, and many more. Also in the mix: industrial designer James Dyson, Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Paul Nurse, and others.

Along the way, learn intriguing facts about famous scientists and discover unheralded people whose revelations have changed the way we live today, paving the path for everything from the steam engine to current thinking about the atom and evolution.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Bonus disc, Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything (90 min.), about the search for an explanation of the universe.

• 12-page viewer’s guide with articles on myths and science, lesser-known geniuses, the Royal Society, the steady state theory, and a gallery of evolutionary specimens

• Biographies of the presenters, plus a timeline of British scientific advances, article on Rosalind Franklin, and more at AthenaLearning.com

Miranda Ward is the winner of this spectacular giveaway, a prize package for the Sundance Festival Audience Award winning documentary Buck. The documentary features real life horse-whisper Buck Brannaman and it hits the movie theaters on June 17, 2011.

With that said, we are celebrated the Sundance Selects release by running a promotional giveaway.

This is what Miranda Ward won:

- One (1) official BUCK theatrical one-sheet signed by Buck Brannaman
- One (1) copy of Faraway Horses, the official Buck Brannaman biography

“Your horse is a mirror to your soul, and sometimes you may not like what you see. Sometimes, you will.” So says Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback who travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems.

Directed by Cindy Meehl the documentary is a richly textured and visually stunning film. It follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment.

Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses – and people – with his understanding, compassion and respect. In this film, the animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life.

A truly American story about an unsung hero, Buck is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds.

Neil Young “Here We Are In The Years” On DVD June 21
In-depth documentary tracing the enormous range of artists and
genres Neil has drawn inspiration from…

Despite remaining a hugely original singer, songwriter, performer and, let’s face it, human being, across a career spanning almost fifty years, Neil Young has never been immune to the influence of others. This will be of no surprise to anyone with even a hint of interest in the man and his music, but only those who have studied their subject in depth will be aware of the enormous range of artists and genres Neil has both been affected by and drawn inspiration from, much of which, if one knows where to look, is apparent in Young’s incredible catalogue.

This film traces the astonishing musical journey of Neil Young from the day he first heard Elvis to his most recent offerings, via numerous talented artists who assisted in his creation of, arguably, the finest body of work to emerge during the rock era.

I have three copies of Neil Young’s Music Box to give away!  To enter the giveaway, post your name and I will pick the winners June 28, 2011.

Extra features include extended interviews, digital biographies, beyond DVD and more.

Neil Young with Crosby and Nash: Party In The USA
It’s always a treat when Neil Young stops by, and this time David Crosby and Graham Nash were on hand to help him with Miley Cyrus’ ‘Party In The USA.’

13 Exciting DVD Collector’s Sets *  Highlighting Major League Baseball Teams
Featuring Intimate, Classic & Rare Interviews With Many of the Greatest Icons in Sports History

Hosted by Broadcasting Legend Ed Randall
Volume #1 of Each Team Collection Available Now!

Ed Randall has spent the better part of a lifetime in and around baseball, chronicling and celebrating the game, its players and history with the devotion of a fan and the observant eye of a reporter.
— Bob Costas

Talking Baseball With Ed Randall is a DVD collection of intimate and rare, one-on-one interviews with the greatest that Major League Baseball has to offer, including the game’s most iconic players, managers and announcers.

We have our winner Susan Smoaks, who says “I would love to win this for my husband for Father’s Day.”  It looks like you won the Collector’s set for Father’s Day! Congratulations!

From Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams to Bob Gibson and Ernie Banks – and dozens of other renowned players from 13 major league teams – this unique anthology celebrates the legends, legacies and heroes of the diamond (on and off the field) that have made baseball America’s #1 national pastime in major cities across the country.

Featuring select interviews with some of baseball’s most extraordinary legends—insightful, compelling and entertaining personal portraits that can only be delivered by a broadcasting pro like Ed Randall. One of the foremost journalists in the history of baseball, Randall is host of Ed Randall’s Talking Baseball on New York’s WFAN-AM and on Sirius XM Radio’s MLB Home Plate channel and hosted a television version of the show for more than 15 years on what later became FOX Sports Network.

These memorable interviews, culled from over 500 Randall-hosted broadcasts, are an extraordinary archival library covering more than nine decades, digitally restored and being released for the first time, in any format, since their original broadcasts.

Collector’s Sets Include: Atlanta Braves * Boston Red Sox * Chicago Cubs * Cincinnati Reds * Detroit Tigers * Los Angeles Dodgers * Minnesota Twins * New York Mets * New York Yankees * Philadelphia Phillies * Pittsburgh Pirates * San Francisco Giants * St. Louis Cardinals

Talking Baseball is the perfect gift for baseball enthusiasts of all ages for Father’s Day, birthdays, holiday gifts … or just because.

Any baseball fan wants to see these interviews. It’s exciting with extraordinary stories for the great baseball players of all time.

Screenhead’s next giveaway is a prize package for the Sundance Festival Audience Award winning documentary Buck. The documentary features real life horse-whisper Buck Brannaman and it hits the movie theaters on June 17, 2011.

With that said, we are celebrating the Sundance Selects release by running a promotional giveaway this week.

The Buck Prize Package includes:

- One (1) official BUCK theatrical one-sheet signed by Buck Brannaman
- One (1) copy of Faraway Horses, the official Buck Brannaman biography

“Your horse is a mirror to your soul, and sometimes you may not like what you see. Sometimes, you will.” So says Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback who travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems.

Directed by Cindy Meehl the documentary is a richly textured and visually stunning film. It follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment.

Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses – and people – with his understanding, compassion and respect. In this film, the animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life.

A truly American story about an unsung hero, Buck is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds.

To enter the giveaway, post your name and we will pick the winner June 20, 2011.

The folks out at Anchor Bay sent over a copy of Megan is Missing for us to review, and if you’ve got kids, you need to see this one. Though by the time you’re done, you’re going to probably regret you saw it.

Megan is Missing is horror for the parents out there, as fourteen year old Megan Stewart goes missing one day. Her thirteen year old friend Amy Herman vanishes just three weeks after Megan did, and what we see here is a reconstruction of the period immediately before and after their disappearance using a variety of sources, including home video, web files, and assorted other things.

What follows is eighty five minutes of bizarrity and horror as we watch what amounts to kids gone wild. The thought that this could be happening right now will likely shock most anyone, especially if you’ve got kids. In fact, if you’ve got kids–especially thirteen year olds like those that are apparently all over this movie–it’s probably going to prevent you from sleeping at night for a good long time to come.

It’s like I’ve always said: the scariest stuff is that which is the most likely to happen, and the events you witness here are not only absolutely plausible, but if as true as the movie suggests, they’re scarier than most any undead juggernaut with a machete could ever hope to be.

Of course, from here, you’re now left with a distinct issue. Do you watch this or not? It’s slowly paced, awkward in spots, and downright painful to watch in others. Some might say it’s important for kids to watch, yet at the same time they’ve got this huge warning stamped on the back about how it’s got “scenes of drug use, sexual assault and frank language and not intended for persons under the age of eighteen”. And yet, it’s those same “persons under the age of eighteen” that this is geared to protect. There’s also a lot of commentary in here on the media, which is somewhat out of place given what’s going on.

In fact, the final twenty minutes or so of this movie are quite thoroughly beyond most anything you’ve seen lately, and that’s not a good thing, either. It’s utterly beyond disturbing. It’s downright painful to watch. It may well be the most horrendous and repulsive thing I’ve ever witnessed.

So in turn, the Screenhead Ten Scale does about the only thing it can rationally do and hands Megan is Missing a five out of ten. The difference is split. It’s vile, but likely necessary. It’s disturbing, but important. It’s the root canal of movies. It’s a prostate exam in a DVD case. It’s going to be an education in most every sense of the word and will terrify most anyone with children…or without. Subject yourself to this horror at your own risk, but you may not be able to live without it.

Screenhead brings you a rather interesting giveaway that I am sure any science buff will love to own and watch.

The scientific progress in Britain to vivid life, Genius of Britain: The Scientists Who Changed the World has arrived on DVD from Athena. Presented by an array of distinguished thinkers and broadcast on the U.K’s Channel 4 in May 2010 and available to U.S. audiences for the first time with its DVD release, this five-part series offers an enthralling look at the personalities behind some of the world’s greatest discoveries – from the invention of the steam engine to the discovery of DNA. The DVD 3-vol. boxed set features appearances by leading contemporary figures including Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough, Richard Dawkins and James Dyson.

Each episode in this five-part series brings an era of scientific thought to vivid life, with modern-day geniuses examining the legacies of their heroes. Stephen Hawking takes on Isaac Newton, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins discusses Alfred Russel Wallace, acclaimed naturalist David Attenborough profiles Joseph Banks, and many more. Also in the mix: industrial designer James Dyson, Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Paul Nurse, and others.

Along the way, learn intriguing facts about famous scientists and discover unheralded people whose revelations have changed the way we live today, paving the path for everything from the steam engine to current thinking about the atom and evolution.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Bonus disc, Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything (90 min.), about the search for an explanation of the universe.

• 12-page viewer’s guide with articles on myths and science, lesser-known geniuses, the Royal Society, the steady state theory, and a gallery of evolutionary specimens

• Biographies of the presenters, plus a timeline of British scientific advances, article on Rosalind Franklin, and more at AthenaLearning.com

To enter the giveaway, post your name and we will pick the winner June 21, 2011.