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30 June 2013

88 Films screens REEL EVIL (review)

Full Moon throws its hat into the "found footage" genre ring with REEL EVIL in which a documentary crew enter an abandoned insane asylum to shoot behind the scenes footage for a dramatic motion picture about a woman's breakdown.  With a diva starlet and an egotistical director (one with a manifesto!) making them feel unwanted, the trio of filmmakers instead decide to explore the disused wings and tunnels of the asylum and discover that something evil lurks about.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

REEL EVIL DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
  • Audio Commentary by director Danny Draven
  • VideoZone: Behind the Scenes of 'Reel Evil'
  • Darkest Hours: The 'Reel Evil' Set Visit Episode
  • Darkest America: A Look Inside the Linda Vista Hospital
  • Blooper Reel
  • Music Video
  • Original 'Reel Evil' Promos
  • Deleted Scenes
    • Full Moon Trailer Park

    More 88 Films and Full Moon reviews at Update the Tags: 88 Films.

    29 June 2013

    Second Run DVD presents HERE,THEN (review)

    REVIEW LINK: Second Run DVD (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

    HERE, THEN DVD specs:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
    • Chinese Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
    • Optional English subtitles
    • Interview with director Mao Mao
    More Second Run DVD reviews at Update the Tags: Second Run DVD.

    Breaking Glass Pictures dukes it out with DIABLO (review)

    After killing another man in the ring, boxer Marcos has been laying low waiting for a comeback with the publication of his autobiography.  He is excited when his old girlfriend Ana wants to meet but finds trouble when his cousin Hugo makes an unexpected visit with his shady "business partner" Cafe au Lait.  Marcos finds himself plunged into the middle of a deadly battle over a most peculiar ransom that turns his peaceful home into a warzone.

    REVIEW LINK: Breaking Glass Pictures (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

    DIABLO DVD specs:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
    • Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
    • Choice of playing the film with or without English subtitles (two separate encodes, one with burnt-in subs)
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Trailer
    • Photo Gallery
    • Breaking Glass Trailers
    More Breaking Glass Pictures reviews at Update the Tags: Breaking Glass Pictures.

    26 June 2013

    Severin Films gets to know THE MANSON FAMILY (review)

    Fifteen years in the making, Jim VanBebber's epic interpretation of THE MANSON FAMILY murders was finally completed and released in 2003 and gets the HD treatment this year courtesy of Severin Films and their Blu-ray and Blu-ray/DVD combo editions.

    REVIEW LINK: Severin Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

    THE MANSON FAMILY Blu-ray specs:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC pillar-boxed 1.33:1 aspect ratio
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
    • Audio Commentary by director Jim VanBebber
    • "Gator Green" 2013 short film
    • Interview with composer Phil Anselmo
    • "The VanBebber Family" documentary (77 minutes)
    • "In The Belly Of The Beast" documentary (73 minutes)
    • Charles Manson interview
    • Deleted Scenes
    • Trailers:
      • 2013 Red Band Trailer
      • 2013 Green Band Trailer
      • 2003 Red Band Trailer
      • 2003 Green Band Trailer
      • Promo Ree
    More Severin Films reviews at Update the Tags: Severin Films.

    25 June 2013

    Arrow Films delves into STATE AFFAIRS (review)

    From Eric Valette - director of the French action series BRAQUO - comes this investigation into the underbelly of French politics.  A new female detective's investigation of the death of a high-class hooker dovetails into the coverup of a French plane that exploded over the Congo.  Andre Dussollier (A HEART IN WINTER) and Christine Boisson (EMMANUELLE) star.

    REVIEW LINK: Arrow Films (UK) Region 2 PAL (DVDBeaver)

    STATE AFFAIRS DVD specs:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
    • French Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
    • Optional English subtitles
    More Arrow Films reviews at Update the Tags: Arrow Films.

    24 June 2013

    More Nordic Noir from Arrow Films: ACCUSED (review)

    A swim instructor's life is turned upside down when his troubled daughter accuses him of abuse, but the allegation may just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to family secrets in this Danish thriller.

    REVIEW LINK: Arrow Films (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

    ACCUSED DVD specs:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
    • Danish Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
    • Optional English subtitles
    More Arrow Films reviews at Update the Tags: Arrow Films.

    21 June 2013

    Arrow Video vs FOXY BROWN (promo)

    You can find DVDBeaver's review of Arrow Video's new Blu-ray/DVD combo of Jack Hill's FOXY BROWN HERE, but this new trailer should give you a tantalizing taste of what the release has to offer in motion:


    Full specs:
      • Restored High Definition presentation (1080p), on Blu-ray for the first time in the world!
      • Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
      • Original Uncompressed PCM Mono 2.0 Audio.
      • Audio commentary with director Jack Hill.
      • "From Black and White to Blaxploitation" – Actor Sid Haig speaks about his long and influential friendship with Jack Hill.
      • "A Not So Minor Influence" – An Interview with Bob Minor, the first African-American member of the Stuntman’s Association, and co-star of Foxy Brown. 
      • "Back to Black" – Legendary actors Fred "The Hammer" Williamson (Black Caesar) and Austin Stoker (Sheba Baby, Assault on Precinct 13), alongside Rosanne Katon (Ebony, Ivory, and Jade) and film scholar Howard S. Berger speak about the enduring popularity of the Blaxploitation film.
      • Photo gallery of behind-the-scenes and publicity images.
      • Original Theatrical Trailer.
      • Trailer Reel – Trailers for all the major works by Jack Hill including Foxy Brown, Coffy and Switchblade Sisters.
      • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by The Red Dress.
      • Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Josiah Howard, author of Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide, a new interview with Pam Grier by Jack Hill biographer Calum Waddell, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.

        VCI Home Video takes a ROCKIN' ROAD TRIP (review)

        Boston artist Martin hits the road with sexy Samantha and her sister Nicole's band Cherry Suicide when they go on the run from a trio of jewel thieves and Nicole's psychotic punk ex-boyfriend Ivan in ROCKIN' ROAD TRIP.

        REVIEW LINK: VCI Home Video (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

        ROCKIN' ROAD TRIP DVD specs:
        • 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
        • English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
        • Photo Gallery with commentary by director William Olsen
        • Interview with director William Olsen
        • Director Biography
        • Trailers

        More VCI Home Video reviews at Update the Tags: VCI Home Video.

        20 June 2013

        FOR ELLEN from Soda Pictures (review)


        REVIEW LINK: Soda Pictures (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

        FOR ELLEN DVD specs:
        • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
        • English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
        • Trailer

        Arrow Video in the web of the SPIDER BABY (promo)

        You can find DVDBeaver's review of Arrow Video's new Blu-ray/DVD combo of SPIDER BABY HERE, but this new trailer should give you a tantalizing taste of what the release has to offer in motion:

        Full specs:
        • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of the main feature, available in the UK for the very first time.
        • High Definition transfer of the feature approved by director Jack Hill.
        • English SDH subtitles for deaf and hearing impaired.
        • Audio commentary featuring Jack Hill and star Sid Haig.
        • Panel discussion from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences “FILM-TO-FILM” Festival, recorded September 2012, featuring Jack Hill and stars Quinn K. Redeker and Beverly Washburn.
        • “The Hatching of Spider Baby” – Interviews with Jack Hill, Sid Haig, star Mary Mitchel, fan Joe Dante and more on the making of the film. 
        • “Spider Stravinsky: The Cinema Sounds of Ronald Stein” - The composer of ‘The Terror’ and ‘Attack of the 50 Foot Woman’ among others is remembered by Harlene Stein, Jack Hill, American Cinematheque’s Chris D. and others.
        • “The Merrye House Revisited” – Jack Hill revisits the original house that was used as the main location in the film.
        • Alternate opening title sequence.
        • Extended scene.
        • Original Trailer.
        • Gallery of behind-the-scenes images.
        • The Host (1960) – Jack Hill’s early short film featuring Sid Haig in his first starring role.
        • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham ‘Evil Dead’ Humpreys.
        • Collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by artist and writer Stephen R. Bissette, and an extensive article re-printed from FilmFax: The Magazine of Unusual Film and Television featuring interviews with the cast and crew, illustrated with original stills and artwork.

        17 June 2013

        VCI Home Video and Joan Collins help you with HOMEWORK (review)

        "Every young man needs a teacher" and who better than desperate housewife Joan Collins in the eighties sex comedy HOMEWORK.  Seventeen-year-old Tommy's grades are slipping and he's seeing a shrink because he believes he's the only virgin left in school.  His girlfriend is so obsessed with making the swim team that Tommy often ends up spending more time with her mother (Collins); which doesn't seem to be out of the norm since pal Ralphie and exchange student Gilles both have their eyes on flighty new French teacher Ms. Jackson.  When Tommy and his friends hit upon the idea to form a rock band, they find their big chance at frame threatened by the consequences of their own sexual urges.  Carrie Snodgrass (THE FURY), Lee Purcell (NECROMANCY), and Wings Hauser (THE WIND) also star.

        REVIEW LINK: VCI Home Video (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

        HOMEWORK DVD specs:
        • 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.70:1 letterbox
        • English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
        • Interview with producer Max Rosenberg
        • Trailer
        • Joan Collins Bio

        More VCI Home Video reviews at Update the Tags: VCI Home Video.

        16 June 2013

        Shout Factory presents ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE on Blu (review)

        A pre-BERETTA Robert Blake plays a motorcycle cop eager to move up to homicide in the seventies sleeper ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE.  He gets a golden opportunity when he discovers an apparent suicide that he believes was actually a murder; however, his investigation reveals more corruption on his own side of the law than in among the hippies, bikers, and drug pushers he is chasing.  Mitchell Ryan (HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER), Elisha Cook Jr. (THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL), and Royal Dano (THE KILLER INSIDE ME) also star.


        REVIEW LINK: Shout! Factory (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

        ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE Blu-ray specs:
        • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
        • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo
        • Introduction and Audio Commentary by director
        • Trailer

        More Shout! Factory reviews at Update the Tags: Shout Factory.

        12 June 2013

        ArrowDrome visits THE VINEYARD (review)

        James Hong (BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, BLADE RUNNER) directs and stars in this gory, sleazy slice of eighties horror from New World Pictures.  Hong plays a winemaker who sustains his own immortality with a formula that requires the blood of human victims.  He invites a group of actors and a journalist to his island under the pretense of auditioning them for a movie.  While he courts one of them to be his bride (Playboy Playmate Karen Witter), he wreaks magical and grisly havoc on the other guests.

        REVIEW LINK: ArrowDrome/Arrow Video (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

        THE VINEYARD DVD specs:
        • 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
        • English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
        • Trailer
        • Liner Notes Booklet
        • Reversible Cover
        More ArrowDrome and Arrow Video reviews at Update the Tags: Arrow Video.

        11 June 2013

        What's in Breaking Glass Pictures' SILVER CASE (review)


        REVIEW LINK: Breaking Glass Pictures (US) Region 1 NTSC (DVDBeaver)

        SILVER CASE DVD specs:
        • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
        • English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
        • Two Behind the Scenes Featurettes
        • Two Trailers
        • Photo Gallery
        • Breaking Glass Trailers
        More Breaking Glass Pictures reviews at Update the Tags: Breaking Glass Pictures.

        10 June 2013

        88 Films celebrates the slasher genre in SLICE AND DICE: THE SLASHER FILM FOREVER (review)


        REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

        SLICE AND DICE DVD specs:
        • DISC ONE:
          • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
          • English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
          • Premiere Footage:
            • Sitges Film Festival
            • Another Hole in the Head
            • Glasgow Film Theatre
          • Outtake Interviews: 
            • J.S. Cardone
            • Corey Feldman
            • Adam Green
            • Fred Olen Ray
            • Felissa Rose
            • Kevin Tenney
          • Q&A Session with James Moran and Norman J. Warren
          • Music Video 'All Kinds of Twisted' by The Acid Fascists
          • 88 Films Trailer Park
        • DISC TWO:
          • Documentary DON'T GO IN THE BACKWOODS: RURAL RAMPAGES AND THE HORROR FILM
          • Trailer Park of Slasher Titles
            • with optional commentary by Calum Waddel and Justin Kerswell
        More 88 Films reviews at Update the Tags: 88 Films.

        Arrow Films goes Nordic Noir with ARNE DAHL: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON (review)

        Based on the bestselling "Intercrime" novels by Arne Dahl (penname for Jan Arnald), ARNE DAHL: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON collects five two-part adaptations of the authors cases in an engrossing near-fifteen hour package.  The assassinations of several Swedish financiers finds CID officer Jenny Hultin recruiting a crack team of five police officers, each of whom take center stage in the individual tales pursuing serial killers, drug pushers, mobsters, and corrupt officials while struggling through their harried personal lives.

        REVIEW LINK: Arrow Films (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

        ARNE DAHL: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON DVD specs:
        • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
        • Swedish Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
        • Optional English subtitles
        • Ten ninety-minute episodes on five discs comprising two-part adaptations of five of Jan Arnald's best-selling novels.  Nearly fifteen hours of action and suspense!
        Check out this trailer:

        More Arrow Films reviews at Update the Tags: Arrow Video.

        09 June 2013

        Shout! Factory put a hit on COHEN AND TATE (review)

        Two mob hitmen may have met their match in a kidnapped nine-year-old boy in the eighties thriller COHEN AND TATE, the directorial debut of NEAR DARK and THE HITCHER scripter Eric Red.  Roy Scheieder (JAWS), Adam Baldwin (TV's CHUCK), Cooper Huckabee (THE FUNHOUSE), and Harley Cross (THE BELIEVERS) star.

        REVIEW LINK: Shout! Factory (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

        COHEN AND TATE Blu-ray specs:
        • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
        • English DTS-MA 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
        • Optional English subtitles
        • Audio Commentary by director Eric Red
        • A Look Back at COHEN AND TATE
        • Deleted and Uncut Scenes
        • Trailer
        • Still Gallery

        More Shout! Factory reviews at Update the Tags: Shout Factory.

        03 June 2013

        VCI Home Video is GETTING IT ON! (review)

        Peeking in windows through binoculars just isn't doing it anymore for high school student/tech wiz Alex (particularly since hot Sally has just moved in next door) so he hits up his yuppie parents for a major investment in new video technology for neighborhood "surveillance".


        REVIEW LINK: VCI Home Video (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)


        GETTING IT ON! DVD specs:
        • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
        • English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
        • Audio Commentary by director William Olsen
        • Photo Gallery with director commentary
        • New York Auditions
        • Trailer
        • Director Bio
        More VCI Home Video reviews at Update the Tags: VCI Home Video.

        02 June 2013

        Redemption Films spies on THE SINFUL NUNS OF ST. VALENTINE (review)

        In order to prevent the marriage between young members of two warring families, Don Alonso has his daughter Lucita shipped off to the convent of St. Valentine and has her lover Esteban falsely accused of heresy and the murder of a powerful bishop.  Escaping from the inquisition, the wounded Esteban is sheltered in the convent by the caretaker.  When her cellmate is murdered, Lucita is accused of the crime and branded a witch by the inquisition.  As Esteban tries to save Lucita without revealing his presence in the convent, he discovers a hornets nest of perversity and madness behind the convent walls.  Francoise Provost (SPIRITS OF THE DEAD), Jenny Tamburi (THE PSYCHIC), Paolo Malco (HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY), and Franco Ressel (BLOOD AND BLACK LACE) star.

        REVIEW LINK: Redemption Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

        THE SINFUL NUNS OF ST. VALENTINE Blu-ray specs:
        • 1080p24 AVC MPEG-4 2.35:1 widescreen
        • Italian LPCM 2.0 mono
        • Optional English subtitles
        • Redemption Films Trailers
        More Redemption Films reviews at Update the Tags: Redemption Films/Kino Lorber.