Take those two threads, the girls lured into danger and the killers nearing their destiny, and weave them together and you have a movie whose suspense is restored as we near the second half, where the blood makes its appearance. I felt like there was less nudity and less gore this time around, but it seemed to be more effective. Then there is the 'twist' ending, which, while not the 'most shocking ending in horror history' as the commercials would like you to believe, was still surprising; it caught me off-guard anyway.

Eli Roth is a good director; he may still have some issues with pacing, but he has a good eye, and an odd penchant for creepy kids. He has given this film a good look, and may have delivered a sequel that outdoes its predecessor (minus that opening scene nonsense, anyway). The performances were effective, for the most part, though I really wanted to see Bijou Phillips die. Bart and Burgi stole the show, and Lauren German does a fine job as the lead. Like the prior film, this one has a cameo by a horror director that has had an impact on Roth; Hostel had Takashi Miike, this time out we get notorious Italian director Ruggero Deodato (of Cannibal Holocaust fame), credited as The Italian Cannibal.

I wasn't sure at first, but it succeeded in winning me over and by the time the ending rolled around, I was sold. There is some nice gore, a weird horror/comedic vibe that was not executed all that well but still worked in creating this weird movie universe where stuff like this actually happens. In the end I liked it. It is an excursion into the darker side of life and much more frightening than Jigsaw in Saw.

The extras include:

• Four featurettes ("The Next Level" Behind-the-Scenes, the Art of KNB Effects, Set Design, International TV Special)
• Blood and Guts Montage
• Set Design
• 10 Deleted Scenes
• Commentary with Eli Roth
• Commentary with Eli Roth, Gabe Roth and Quentin Tarantino
• Cast and crew commentary with Eli Roth, Lauren German, Richard Burgi and Vera Jordanova
• Elvis Mitchell of 'The Treatment' with Eli Roth

• Meet the Robinsons. A rather dull and unfocused Disney outing. This was in its final stages just prior to the Disney/Pixar merger. Definitely only a rental for the kids.
• Veronica Mars: The Complete Third Season. Not at the same level as the first two, but still outstanding television. It is as real shame that this turned out to be its final go around. At least Kristen Bell found new work on Heroes.
• The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Volume One. Many have been waiting for this to finally see the light of day. I cannot recall ever watching it, this is my best chance to get caught up.
• Mr. Brooks. Not a good movie, but surprisingly entertaining. William Hurt as Kevin Costner's "conscience" was fantastic. There are some absolutely horrid scenes, mostly with Demi Moore, but the movie is quite watchable. Rental only.
• Stanley Kubrick: Warner Home Video Director's Series. A remastered collection of Kubrick's masterpieces.
• 2001- A Space Odyssey: Two Disk Special Edition. It's been a long time coming, but it is finally here.
• A Clockwork Orange: Two Disk Special Edition. See above.
• The Shining: Two Disk Special Edition. Ditto. These films are also seeing release on Blu ray.
• The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians. Superman, Batman, and the rest of the gang in another animated iteration.
• Fido. Brilliant blending of the '50s-era Lassie aesthetic and the modern Shawn of the Dead bent and you get a great film that is definitely different.
• Battleship Potemkin: Two Disk Ultimate Edition. Sergei Eisenstein's classic from the early era of cinema. I have been wanting to see this for some time.
• Home of the Brave. Blink and you missed its theatrical release, this war film features Samuel L. Jackson.
• Saw III: Unrated Director's Cut. A new cut just in time to promote the pending release of Saw IV.
• Fantastic Planet. Bizarre French animation arrives on DVD, I believe, for the first time.
• Hostel: Director's Cut. I thought we already had a DC of this. I guess it was just an unrated cut. Anyway, banking on the release of the sequel and the need for more DVD aisle torture we get this new cut.
• Rey Mysterio: Biggest Little Man. My wrestling fandom has waned, but this guy has always been a blast to watch, what he can do is simply amazing.
• Hellraiser: 20th Anniversary Edition. Aaahh. It has been awhile, hasn't it Pinhead?A newly remastered edition with new extras is here.
• Buried Alive. A new horror release form Dimension Extreme.
• Dog Bite Dog. This has had quite the buzz surrounding it in the action loving community. Will be interesting to see if it lives up the hype.