Brad Loree talks about playing Michael Myers and doing stunt work

Brad Loree is known best for playing Michael Myers in “Halloween: Resurrection”.  He is also has performed stunt work on numerous TV and film projects including  “TRON: Legacy” and “Watchmen”.  He is the star of the recently released “Mr. Hush” directed by Dave Madison.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Brad about his film and stunt work.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved playing the role of Holland Price in “Mr. Hush”?
Brad Loree: Well Mike, I meet writer/directors at the con’s all the time who claim they want to work with me, but Dave Madison actually sent me a script and then kept his word by using me as Holland!

MG: Can you reflect on playing such an iconic character such as Michael Myers in “Halloween: Resurrection”?
BL: When i got offered the part of Michael Myers, I was already on another show. But when they explained that I wasn’t going to be just the stunt-double, but actually play The Shape, I quickly left my previous gig and jumped into the role! It was a great honor!

MG: What do you like most about working in the horror genre?
BL: My favorite thing about the horror genre is doing conventions and meeting the fans. Great people!

MG: You’ve worked stunts in two of my favorite films, “TRON: Legacy” and “Watchmen”, can you tell us about those experiences?
BL: Well, on “Tron” I got to meet ‘The Dude’, Jeff Bridges. Awesome guy! Did a little gag where he gets kicked by his younger self and slides several feet backwards on this platform. “Watchmen” was fun because I got to be a motorcycle cop, an arresting officer and also the lead character’s fist punching thru a wall! And Zach (Synder), the director, is my fav of any I’ve worked with!

MG: What has been your most challenging role stunt performing?
BL: My most challenging stunt was on a TV show called “Mantis”. I had to jump thru an 8ft by 8ft window from the 3rd story and, across a 14ft abutment below! If i’d fallen short, well….

MG: Tell us about your upcoming projects?
BL: My next project is to be determined. I’ve been laid up for a few years now due to a motorcycle wreck. But i am hoping to do more acting in the future and may try my hand at writing/producing. Wish me luck!

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Blu-ray Review “Miramax Triple Feature: Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later & Halloween: Resurrection”

Directed by: Joe Chappelle, Steve Miner, Rick Rosenthal
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Paul Rudd, Kim Darby, Marianne Hagan, Mitch Ryan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, LL Cool J, Michelle Williams, Sean Patrick Thomas, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tyra Banks, Busta Rhymes
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Running Time: 88, 85, 90 minutes (respectively)

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers: 3 out of 5 stars
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Halloween: Resurrection: 3 out of 5 stars

Echo Bridge is the studio behind this Miramax Triple Feature release. Though previously released individually before, this is the first time that “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers”, “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” & “Halloween: Resurrection” has been released together. These are all the films that are under the Miramax label, as “Halloween 1-5” are under other distributors. I am a little disappointed though with the missing features on “Resurrection” from its solo release. But even though these aren’t the best film in the series, if you are a fan of this franchise now you can have a chance to get all these films together in one Blu-ray release.

Official Premises: “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers”: In a single horrifying night, Michael Myers’ masked reign of terror changed Halloween forever. Now, six years after he was presumed dead in a fire, Myers has returned to kill again—and this time there’s no escape. As the homicidal fury builds to a spine-tingling climax, the long-hidden secrets of the screen’s most maniacal murderer are revealed…with shocking results. “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later”: Now the headmistress of a private school, Laurie Strode is still struggling with the horrifying, 20-year-old memories of the maniacal killer Michael Myers…when he suddenly reappears with a vengeance. “Halloween: Resurrection”: Reality programmers select a group of thrill-seeking teenagers to spend one night in the childhood home of serial killer Michael Myers. But the broadcast turns deadly when Michael himself decides to crash the party.

This Blu-ray presentations are these releases are varied but mostly with mixed results. “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” comes with a 1080i transfer and a 2.0 Stereo track, not the worst but also not the best. “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” comes with a 1080p transfer, but is the worst of the bunch and also comes with a 2.0 Stereo track. Lastly we have “Halloween: Resurrection”, which is the best of the trio with its 1080p transfer and its 5.1 DTS audio track. But like I said earlier don’t celebrate yet because the solo release for “Resurrection” also came with a Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS-HD MA, and LCM 2.0 Stereo tracks, which are missing here. Also missing for “Resurrection” is the special features from the solo release as well. So got to take the good with the bad.  Still worth the price of the cheap Blu-ray.

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Blu-ray Review “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers”

Directed by: Dominique Othenin-Girard
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Beau Starr
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Anchor Bay
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Running Time: 88 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
EXtras: 3 out of 5 stars

After the cliffhanger of “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers”, the series takes another downfall. Although the fifth installment is still a decent film. The film also features some great gore from our buddies over at KNB EFX Group. The film has been full re-mastered and like the recent release of “Halloween 4”, it is definitely an essential upgrade from the previous DVD releases. Personally I am more excited about Scream Factory’s upcoming releases for “Halloween 2” and…yes…even “Halloween III”. If you are a fan of the series then this release will be a must.

“Halloween 5” looks very sharp and clear on Blu-ray just like “Halloween 4”.  It’s 1080p transfer is impressive with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1.  The audio track, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 is also surprisingly a lot better than the fourth film also. The special features does include a few new items unlike “Halloween 4”.  I am not sure why “Halloween 4” promised a bunch of new extras but didn’t deliver on the release.  This release is still missing the “Inside Halloween 5” featurette and the intro from Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell from last DVD release.

The special features include a few ports from previous DVD releases, along with the new content.  I am a confused though since the packaging contains a bunch of typos and mismatched the names for each commentary.  Who was the proofreader for these releases? There is an audio commentary with director Dominique Othenin-Girard and actors Danielle Harris and Jeffrey Landman, worth checking out.  The star of this release is the audio commentary with actor Don Shanks aka Michael Myers and moderated by author Justin Beahm, this is new for this release. I also enjoyed the 17 minutes mix of raw production footage in “Halloween 5: On Set Footage”, a must for fans.  Lastly there is a the original promo trailer included.

 

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Blu-ray Review “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers”

Director: Dwight H. Little
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris, Sasha Jenson, David Jensen, Beau Starr
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Anchor Bay
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Running Time: 88 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
EXtras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I always thought that “Halloween 4” was a great reboot of the series especially after “Halloween III”, which lost it aim on the franchise. This will does what the subtitle says, it brings back the master murder Michael Myers. As a big fan of the “Halloween” series, I was hoping that this release would really bring something new to the table for its fans. In that sense, it really doesn’t but it is still an essential upgrade from the previous DVD releases. It is also crazy to believe that it has been almost 25 years since this was released.

“Halloween 4” looks very sharp and clear on Blu-ray.  It’s 1080p transfer is impressive with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1.  The audio track, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 is good but a little bit of a let down overall. The special features are also a bit of a let down, especially since Anchor Bay reported about a full half hour of deleted and alternate scenes but they are no one to but found. Also MIA is a promised audio commentary with writer Alan B. McElroy.  Also from past DVD releases, the “The Making of Halloween 4: Final Cut” is not included as well.

Since these features are all ports from past releases, don’t expect anything new.  The bulk of the special features are audio commentaries.  The first is from director Dwight H. Little with Justin Beahm, the editor-in-chief of halloweenmovies.com as the moderator. It is definitely worth checking out.  The second commentary is with actresses Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris, which is not as good.  There is a “Halloween 4/5 Discussion Panel”, which is from the H25 convention and runs about 20 minutes.  Lastly a standard-def trailer is included.

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Blu-ray Review “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers”

Directed by: Joe Chappelle
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Paul Rudd, Kim Darby, Marianne Hagan, Mitch Ryan
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Running Time: 88 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 0 out of 5 stars

“Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” is a very touchy release. Following the the impressive fourth and fifth films, it its harshly criticized. I have always been a fan of this film, especially since it also was the first in the series that I saw in the theaters. Personally though, I am a fan of the producer’s cut or “Halloween 666” as the fans know it by. Even though it is not the best release kudos to Echo Bridge for bringing the “Halloween” franchise to Blu-ray.

The best part of this film is that it brings back Donald Pleasence in what was unfortunately his last role. The film follows the terror of Michael Myers six years after he was presumed dead in a fire and he returns to kill his bloodline again.  Long-hidden secrets of the maniacal murderer are revealed and end with shocking results. The film also stars Paul Rudd. who was just coming off his role in “Clueless”.

The Blu-ray release is not the best I have ever seen but far from the worst. The high definition transfer only clocks in at 1080i and is decent but not amazing. Though I am a not a major big fan of the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track, it is decent but I would have preferred a surround track. The special features on this release are also M.I.A and comes with no extras. If you are reading this Echo Bridge, make the “Halloween” fans happy and finally release the “Producer’s Cut” of this film. I guarantee you will not regret it.

 

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