The Nightmare on Elm Street Collection of My Dreams

I may be dating myself here, but I remember when the first film with Freddy came out in theaters. My mom, who had raised me on horror movies (love you forever, mom!) took me to see the first "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and we were both hooked. Because Freddy was different. Unlike Jason or Michael, he talked. Well, a little.

And unlike say, Leatherface who you could avoid if you stayed out of Texas, Freddy could get you in your dreams. Because no one ever believed that he was stuck on Elm Street. He was way too powerful and clever for that. And as each film came out and my stash of Freddy goodies and collection of Fangoria magazines grew, mom took me to every film.

Mom might be gone now, but this wonderful collection brings back good memories of going to the movies, or watching the films on VHS or cable. Luckily she was still with me when I got the collection and although ill, she got to see every film one last time. So I have to thank Freddy for letting two major fans see him one last time together.

Don't believe I'm a fan? As the life-sized Freddy behind my desk. But I digress. This collection has his first seven films Nightmares I through 5, then "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare" and "Wes Craven's New Nightmare" and I honestly can't pick a favorite. There is also a collectible book and 3-D glasses and Freddy aficionados know very well what those are for. New fans will find out, trust me.

There's even "The Nightmare Series Encyclopedia", also on DVD, fun trivia games to play and goodies loaded into the DVD-Rom capabilities of your computer. But you will want it because Freddy is one of those characters that endure forever. Even as I type there is A Nightmare on Elm Street film festival on cable and many stations have been playing shows about the films.

But the problem with cable is they cut out all the good parts and you know what I mean. But with this collection you get the Springwood Slasher in all his cinematic glory with so many extras that you'll just have to see them to believe them. This, by the way, was one of the last Christmas presents mom ever gave me, along with a new Freddy sweater and the iconic glove. Thanks, mom.

Yes, the series is almost 30 years old!