hey_o Reviews

The Other Side (I) (1995– )

Forgotten Talk Show

[8/10 · 12 August 2016]

Fascinating but short lived and mostly forgotten talk show about the paranormal and other unexplained phenomenon. Topics ranged from ESP, reincarnation, near death experiences, ghostly hauntings, UFO's, alien abductions, etc. Lots of re-enactments to dramatize a particular story or topic. Lots of kooky individuals were guests on the show. Many appeared delusional. But the show nicely balanced things out with serious discussions between professional paranormal investigators, scientists, and even hard core skeptics. Very good and unique show. The show was a trailblazer for many other paranormal reality shows that came later. Around the time the show came out, X-Files had just appeared on the scene. I was just developing a fascination with the paranormal. This show whetted my appetite.

Ghost Stories (I) (1997–1998)

Neglected Gem

[10/10 · 5 August 2005]

This was indeed a great show. I have always loved horror/sci-fi/fantasy anthologies whether it's on TV, the movies, or comic books. Ghost Stories was arguably one of the best, and definately overlooked. The show was low budget and featured no name actors. It even reused a few brief scenes and settings on different unrelated episodes. Surprisingly, 2 of the Ghost Stories episodes, "You'll Always Be Mine" and "Denial" were remade in the 2002 Twilight Zone series that came later. The TZ episodes were "To Protect and Serve" and "Dead Man's Eyes". Maybe not so surprising since IMDB lists Frederick Rappaport as a producer on BOTH shows. The power of script recycling compels you!!! Anyway, Rip Torn was surprisingly effective as the narrator and commentator in Ghost Stories. The stories were much more serious than most other anthology shows. The stories were always eerie, but also touching and thought provoking at times. Unfortunately, this show didn't have a chance. It received very little media attention or promotion when it first aired. I wish they revive this show..

The Watcher (1995)

Great Overlooked Show

[10/10 · 5 June 2005]

This was one of the (then) fledgling UPN network's early shows. Sadly it was greatly overlooked by the viewing public, and was quickly canceled. The show was basically The Twilight Zone set under the glitzy glamour of Las Vegas. It was an anthology show with several mini-stories per episode. As an anthology, each episode featured a different cast of characters, although a few supporting characters do make regular appearances. It was hosted by The Watcher, (rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot) in a role similar to Rod Serling on TZ. It was quite a kick to see the group, Cheap Trick guest star in one episode as a fictional has-been rock group called Pandemonium. The strange, quirky little stories were for the most part well written. The production value was also very good. But the real star of the show was the city of Las Vegas - so beautiful, glitzy, and surreal, but beneath the neon glare was a shadowy underside.

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997–2024)

Good Entertainment

[10/10 · 5 June 2005]

I really loved this show when it was on TV. It was taken off the air without any good explanation which is bizarre since it had gotten good ratings. Hosted for the most part by Jonathan Frakes, each show consisted of five bizarre mini-stories - either "inspired" by real life events or completely fictional. At the end of each story, the viewer is asked to decide which is which. The answers are given at the end. That's what sets this show apart from other bizarre story anthology shows like Twilight Zone (which started this genre), Outer Limits, Tales From The Crypt, The Hitchhiker, etc., it has an element of truth to it. How real is that truth is questionable. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "true" stories are slightly exaggerated even if they are based on real events. But never-the -less, a really great and entertaining show. I wish they bring it back.

Urotsukidôji II: Legend of the Demon Womb (1990 Video)

Stupid Supernatural Soft Core Porno Nonsense

[10/10 · 10 April 2005]

Legend of the Demon Womb is one Japanese animated feature which is far too stupid, ridiculous, and removed from reality to be either offensive or misogynistic. In the movie's infamous beginning scene, a cyborg Nazi mad scientist operates a monstrous "death rape machine" for a bizarre Satanic ritual in which naked women are hooked up to a gigantic engine and systematically raped with metallic dildos over and over again until they climax in a final orgasm of death - to summon a demon from another dimension called the Evil King to Earth! Years later that scenario is replayed again, but conducted by the late scientist's now grown son who has become an evil sorcerer. STUPID enough for you? This is a continuation of the first film, Legend of the Overfiend while bearing little in actual continuity (wasn't the earth being destroyed at the end of the first one?). But like the first one, the graphic depictions of demonic rape is rampant throughout, but now with mechanical rape added on. Graphic violence, blood, and gore is generously splashed across the screen. This film belongs to a category of adult anime called "erotic grotesque" in which sex and violence are combined and played out to the most absolute mind numbing and shocking extreme. We basically get a front row seat to view the twisted sexual perversions of Satanists, demons, man-beasts, and other supernatural beings. The film is beautifully animated, insanely imaginative, and incredibly disgusting. Storywise, this film is like the fevered wet dream of a perverted lunatic. To sum it up, Legend of the Demon Womb is a lot of extremely ridiculous, sadistic, soft core porno nonsense in the guise of fantasy anime, but basically harmless if viewed by sane adults (as it should be).