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31 July 2019

Redemption mounts the ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS (review)

Lemmy Caution himself Eddie Constantine is up to his ears in beautiful women and zombie assassins in Jess Franco's comic thriller ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

REVIEW LINK: Redemption Films/Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

ATTACK OF THE ROBOTS Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 widescreen
  • English and French LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Tim Lucas
  • Theatrical Trailer 

Scream Factory digs up the UNIVERSAL HORROR COLLECTION VOLUME TWO (Review)

Scream Factory's second Universal horror volume gives us three Lionel Atwills and one George Zucco.  In MURDERS IN THE ZOO, a billionaire sportsman uses wild animals to do away with men who covet his beautiful wife.  In THE MAD DOCTOR OF MARKET STREET, a group of castaways are shipwrecked on an island with natives and a mad doctor who plans to use them for his experiments.  In THE STRANGE CASE OF DOCTOR RX, a private detective is up against a killer who targets the defendants of high profile murder cases.  Finally, in THE MAD GHOUL, a doctor discovers an ancient Mayan formula that creates zombies.  Unfortunately, he needs human hearts to control his test subject.

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

UNIVERSAL HORROR COLLECTION VOLUME 2 Blu-ray specs:
  • DISC ONE - Murders in the Zoo:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by film historian Gregory William Mank
    • Image Gallery
  • DISC TWO - The Mad Doctor of Market Street:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Theatrical Trailer
    • Image Gallery
  • DISC THREE - The Strange Case of Doctor RX:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • "Gloriously Wicked: The Life and Legacy of Lionel Atwill" discussion with film historian Gregory William Mank
    • Image Gallery
  • DISC FOUR - The Mad Ghoul:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by film historian Thomas Reeder
    • Image Gallery
    • Press Kit
  • Collector's Slipcase

REVIEW LINK:

26 July 2019

Vinegar Syndrome tries on MASCARA (review)

Roberta Findlay co-directs the drama on female sexual hangups MASCARA in which a lonely secretary discovers her boss regularly sees a prostitute and hopes to learn from the other woman how to embrace and enjoy her sexuality.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

MASCARA Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • DVD:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
    • English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by cinematographer/editor/co-director Roberta Findlay, moderated by Casey Scott
  • Full-length audio interview with actress Lee Carroll
  • Script Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible Cover
  • The first 2,000 units ordered directly from Vinegar Syndrome
come with a special limited edition embossed slipcover designed by Earl Kessler Jr.

Vinegar Syndrome paints THE PINK LADIES (review)

THE PINK LADIES are a quartet of housewives who share everything... except their sexual fantasies.  Even their husbands are unaware, but they have their own fantasies (most of them starring Vanessa del Rio).

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE PINK LADIES Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • DVD:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
    • English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Interview with actor John A. Mozzer/Alan Adrian
  • Roger Watkin's friend and biographer Art Ettinger on THE PINK LADIES
  • Script and Shooting Schedule Gallery
  • Production Stills Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible Cover
  • The first 2,000 units ordered directly from Vinegar Syndrome
come with a special limited edition embossed slipcover designed by Earl Kessler Jr.

Kino Lorber goes on an ARABIAN ADVENTURE (Review)

A prince, an orphan, a thief, and a monkey go on an ARABIAN ADVENTURE when an evil wizard will only offer the hand of a princess to the prince if he can retrieve a magic jewel.  Christopher Lee stars.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

ARABIAN ADVENTURE Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by director Kevin Connor moderated by filmmaker C. Courtney Joyner
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Bonus Trailers

24 July 2019

Vinegar Syndrome commands PLAY DEAD (review)

Spinster Hester has never forgiven her sister for stealing her man and marrying him.  When her sister dies, she gifts her grieving daughter with a very special Rottweiler named Greta and uses occult forces to murder her family and friends in this Texas-lensed horror flick starring Yvonne de Carlo.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

PLAY DEAD Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • DVD:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 Widescreen
    • English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Interview with director Peter Whittan
  • Audio Interview with actress Stephenie Dunnam
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible Cover
  • The first 2,000 units ordered directly from Vinegar Syndrome
include a special limited edition embossed slipcover designed by Earl Kessler Jr.

Vinegar Syndrome conjures up THEM with HELLMASTER (review)

A reporter traces a series of murders of homeless people to a series of medical experiments taking place at a college for gifted minds where the mistakes have become murderous mutants.  A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET's John Saxon and DAWN OF THE DEAD's David Emge star.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

HELLMASTER Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo
  • DVD:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 Widescreen
    • English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Full-length director's cut (in Standard Definition)
  • Audio Commentary on the original cut by director Douglas Schultze
  • Audio Commentary on the director's cut by director Douglas Schultze and producer Kurt Eli Mayry
  • "Creating Reality" interview with cinematographer Michael Goi
  • Conceptual Artwork Gallery
  • Behind the Scenes Gallery
  • Archival Locations Featurette
  • Reversible Cover
  • The first 2,000 units ordered directly from Vinegar Syndrome
includes a special limited edition embossed J-symbol die-cut slipcover designed by Chris Garofalo.

21 July 2019

Eureka Classics hawks USED CARS (review)

Used car salesman Kurt Russell is pursuing the American Dream: to be a corrupt politician in the Bob Zemeckis eighties comedy USED CARS.

REVIEW LINK: Eureka (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

USED CARS Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English HoH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary with director Robert Zemeckis, writer Bob Gale, and actor Kurt Russell
  • Isolated Score Track (The Film Score in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0)
  • Isolated Score Track (The Unused Score by Ernest Gold in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0)
  • Gag Reel and Outtakes
  • "Would You Buy a Used Car from These Men?: Getting Used Cars Made with Producer Bob Gale" interview
  • Kurt Russell Radio Interview
  • Radio Spots
  • Still Galleries
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: limited edition collector's booklet featuring new essays by author Scott Harrison and film writer Phil Hoad.

Masters of Cinema echoes THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH (Review)

From director Fred Schepisi (A CRY IN THE DARK) comes this bleak depiction of a turn of the century true crime in which a half-caste aboriginal man trying to make his way in the white man's world is driven to an act of violence.

REVIEW LINK: Eureka (UK) Region B Blu-ray/Region 2 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen transfers of the Australian cut (122 minutes) and the international cut (117 minutes)
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • DVD:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen transfer of the Australian cut
    • English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English HoH Subtitles (both versions)
  • Audio Commentary by director Fred Schepisi
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
  • New Interview with director Fred Schepisi
  • "Celluloid Gypsies: Making The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith" documentary
  • A Conversation with director Fred Schepisi & cinematographer Ian Baker
  • "The Chant of Tom Lewis" interview with actor Tom E. Lewis
  • 2008 Melbourne International Film Festival Q and A with director Fred Schepisi & actor Geoffrey Rush
  • "Making Us Blacksmiths" documentary on the casting of Aboriginal lead actors Tom E. Lewis and Freddy Reynolds
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible cover
  • Collector's booklet featuring a reprint of Pauline Kael's original review of the film and rare archival imagery.
  • The first 2,000 copies include a limited edition O-card featuring newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh.

19 July 2019

Indiepix cheers on LOLA (review)

Lola and her friends are college bound. When they are hassled by a group of vollyball players at the local rec center, they challenge the other gang to a winner-takes-all match.  The problem is: they must learn to play vollyeball in a week to beat them.

REVIEW LINK: Indiepix (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD-R (DVDCompare)

LOLA DVD-R specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.30:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
  • Zulu/English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
  • Burnt-in English subtitles
  • Trailer

Indiepix takes ONE MORE SHOT (Review)

Johnny Tough is a retired boxer living in the countryside peacefully until his mortal enemy Tap-Tap gets out of jail and kidnaps the daughter of Johnny's lawyer to force him to reveal Johnny's whereabouts.  Fortunately, Johnny has been studying martial arts with his buddy Chan and they are more than ready to take on the enemy in this South African eighties action flick.

REVIEW LINK: Indiepix (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD-R (DVDCompare)

ONE MORE SHOT DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.29:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
  • English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
  • Burnt-in English Subtitles
  • Trailer

18 July 2019

Montage Pictures selects THE THIRD WIFE (review)

In the late nineteenth century, fourteen year old May becomes the third wife of a wealthy landowner.  Not considered a lady of the house until she delivers a male heir, she receives advice and teaching from the first and second wife, but are they acting in their own self-interest.

REVIEW LINK: Montage Pictures/Eureka Video (UK) Region B Blu-ray/Region 2 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

THE THIRD WIFE Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.50:1 Widescreen
    • Vietnamese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo
  • DVD:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.50:1 Widescreen 
    • Vietnamese Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Booklet featuring a new essay by David West, news editor at NEO magazine

Strand Releasing gets SAUVAGE / WILD (review)

Leo is a twenty-two year old Parisian hooker loking for love in all the wrong places in this graphic award winner from newbie Camille Vidal-Naquet.

REVIEW LINK: Strand Releasing (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

SAUVAGE / WILD DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.66:1 widescreen
  • French Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Bonus Trailers

Arrow Video USA gives communion to ALICE, SWEET ALICE (review)

When young Karen Spages is murdered on the day of her first communion, suspicion turns towards her older sister Alice who plays cruel pranks on people and wanders her apartment building in a monster mask.  As more murders occur, Alice swears the killer is the ghost of her sister.  Is she crazy or is there something more sinister stalking her family?

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

ALICE, SWEET ALICE Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • English LPCM 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Original "Communion" Theatrical Release Version
  • "Holy Terror" 1981 re-release version
  • Audio Commentary by director Alfred Sole and editor Edward Salier, moderated by William Lustig
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Richard Harland Smith
  • "First Communion" interview with director Alfred Sole
  • "Alice on My Mind" interview with composer Stephen Lawrence
  • "In the Name of the Father" interview with actor Niles McMaster
  • "Lost Childhood: The Locations of Alice, Sweet Alice" tour of the original shooting locations by author Michael Gingold
  • "Sweet Memories" interview with filmmaker Dante Tomaselli, cousin of Alfred Sole
  • Deleted Scene
  • Alternate "Alice, Sweet Alice" Opening Titles
  • "Holy Terror" Re-release Theatrical Trailer
  • U.K. "Communion" TV Spot
  • Image Gallery
  • BD-ROM: Original Screenplay (.pdf)
  • Reversible cover.
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: a booklet by Michael Blyth 

Scream Factory gets clawed by THE LEOPARD MAN (review)

"Women alone the victims of a strange, savage killer" in the Lewtonest of Val Lewton RKO horror pictures THE LEOPARD MAN.  A leopard used in a publicity stunt gets loose in a small New Mexico town and a series of grisly deaths ensue, but is the culprit beast or beastly man?

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

THE LEOPARD MAN Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by filmmaker William Friedkin
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Constaine Nasr
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Stills Gallery

Scream Factory invades THIS ISLAND EARTH (Review)

Earth scientists are recruited on an international project for world peace that turns out to be a secret operation of aliens from Metaluna in this Technicolor extravaganza from the producers of IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE and THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.

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

THIS ISLAND EARTH Blu-ray specs:
  • Theatrical Widescreen Version:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 3.0 Perspecta Stereophonic Sound and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
    • Audio Commentary by author/visual effects artist Robert Skotak
    • Audio Commentary by film historian David Schnecter
  • Open-Matte Full Screen Version:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • "Alien Ideas" interview With Filmmaker Luigi Cozzi
  • "Two And A Half Years In The Making" extended documentary
  • Trailers From Hell: This Island Earth
  • "War Of The Planets" 8mm & 16mm versions of the film
  • Facts About Perspecta Stereophonic Sound By Bob Furmanek
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Behind-The-Scenes Gallery
  • Poster And Lobby Card Gallery
  • Publicity Stills Gallery

Umbrella Entertainment crosses paths with THE BLACK CAT (Review)

A honeymooning couple take shelter in the fortress of a creepy architect in Universal's Bela Lugosi/Boris Karloff fright flick THE BLACK CAT.

REVIEW LINK: Umbrella Entertainment (AUS) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE BLACK CAT DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
  • English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono

Vinegar Syndrome Archive takes on SAVAGE HARBOR (review)

Stallone and Mitchum (Frank and Chris, that is) are a two-man army taking on pimps and human traffickers in the eighties action flick SAVAGE HARBOR from the director of A SCREAM IN THE STREETS and PLEASE DON'T EAT MY MOTHER!

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

SAVAGE HARBOR Blu-ray specs:
  • Limited to 2,500 copies!
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • "Do You Like Avocados?" interview with actor Frank Stallone
  • Audio Interview with cinematographer Jack Beckett
  • Reversible Cover
  • Fold-out Poster
  • Bottom-loading Cardboard Slipcase

An allocation of the limited edition is available directly from Vinegar Syndrome while the rest is available from certain brick and mortar retailers.

Vinegar Syndrome crash lands NIGHTBEAST (review)

"If you've got guts, he wants them!" An alien spaceship crash-lands in a small Maryland town and a toothsome beast starts mutilating the populace in Don Dohler's gory, sexed-up remake fo THE ALIEN FACTOR.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

NIGHTBEAST Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • DVD:
    • 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
    • English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
  • Audio Commentary by writer/director Don Dohler and actor George Stover
  • “Nightbeast Returns” archival interviews with the cast and crew 
  • “An Electric Performance" interview with actor Jamie Zemarel
  • “Crashing the Set" interview with visual fx artist John Ellis
  • “Shooting the Nightbeast" interview with cinematographer Richard Geiwitz
  • Outtakes & Bloopers
  • Visual FX Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible Cover
Available directly from Vinegar Syndrome with a slipcover included with the first 3,000 copies.

14 July 2019

Kino Lorber confesses to LEON MORIN, PRIEST (review)

Jean-Paul Belmondo is a priest who bewitches widowed mother Emmanuelle Riva during the German occupation in Jean-Pierre Melville's wartime psychological drama LEON MORIN, PRIEST on Blu-ray in its original director's cut.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

LEON MORIN, PRIEST Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 widescreen
  • French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Mike Siegel
  • "The Demon Within Him" interview with assistant director Volker Schlöndorff
  • Master Class with Philippe Labro & Rémy Grumbach
  • "24 Heures de la Vie d'un Clown" short film
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Bonus Trailers

Kino Lorber informs on LE DOULOS (review)

Who is The Finger Man in Jean-Pierre Melville's crime drama LE DOULOS.  Jean-Paul Belmondo and Serge Reggiani face off when one suspects the other of squealing to the police when a heist goes wrong and a detective is killed.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

LE DOULOS Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
  • French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Samm Deighan
  • "Birth of the Detective Story Melville Style" documentary
  • Interview with assistant director Volker Schlöndorff
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Bonus Trailers

11 July 2019

Kino Lorber storms THUNDER BAY (Review)

A lust for oil stirs high passion and violence in Louisiana's THUNDER BAY starring James Stewart, Joanne Dru, Gilbert Roland, and Dan Duryea, and directed by Anthony Mann.


REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THUNDER BAY Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • English Dolby TrueHD 3.0 Stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Toby Roan
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Bonus Trailers

Eureka Classics celebrates THE COCKLESHELL HEROES (review)

José Ferrer stars and directs this story of the British Royal Navy's impossible mission to blow up the ships supplying the German occupation in the port of Bordeaux.  Trever Howard co-stars.


REVIEW LINK: Eureka (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE COCKLESHELL HEROES Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
  • English LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English HoH Subtitles
  • Interview with film historian Sheldon Hall

Strand Releasing bids SORRY ANGEL (review)

Christophe Honoré looks back at the AIDS crisis in the nineties with a tail of an aspiring filmmaker and a playwright whose casual encounter becomes something more but is destined for tragedy.

REVIEW LINK: Strand Releasing (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

SORRY ANGEL DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
  • French Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Previews

10 July 2019

Vinegar Syndrome takes on TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN (review)

Before he hooked up with Roger Corman and James Cameron, a nineteen-year-old Bill Paxton starred in the bizarrely experimental post-apocalyptic film TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN as a sex-crazed young man programmed by feminist terrorists to assassinate the Minister of Prostitution in a village in Wales.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • DVD:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 Widescreen
    • English Dolby Digital 1.0
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • 2019 "Revisited" Version (75:11)
  • Director's Introduction to the Original Cut
  • Director's Introduction to the Revisited Cut
  • “Taking Over Tiger Mountain” interview on the original version with director Tom Huckabee
  • “Revisiting Tiger Mountain” interview on the revisited version with director Tom Huckabee
  • “Interviews With Welshmen” short film by Kent Smith
  • Reversible Cover
  • Booklet by film historian Heather Drain.

Vinegar Syndrome marks THE PASSING (Review)

World War II vet Ernie is not ready to die yet even though his best buddy Rose is resigned to the end.  Enrolling in a geriatric medical experiment, he discovers that he is to be transplanted into the body of a younger man to extend his lifespan, unfortunately the man whose body he is to take is a Death Row inmate.  An obscure Maryland regional horror film championed by John Waters.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE PASSING Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • DVD:
    • 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
    • English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by director John Huckert, moderated by Tom Fitzgerald of EXP TV
  • "Water Under the Bridge" interview with producer/co-writer Mary Maruca
  • "Passing Time" interview with cinematographer Richard Chisolm
  • Still Gallery
  • Short Films Directed by John Huckert:
    • "The Water That is Passed" (1976)
    • "Quack" (1976)
    • "Einmal" (1979)
    • "Ernie & Rose" (1982) 
  • Reversible Cover

Scream Factory unveils the UNIVERSAL HORROR COLLECTION VOLUME 1 (review)

Four of the less appreciated Bela Lugosi/Boris Karloff Universal Pictures collaboartions come to Blu-ray with the UNIVERSAL HORROR COLLECTION VOLUME 1.  In THE BLACK CAT, a honeymooning couple in Hungary are forced to seek shelter with a doctor (Lugosi) in the mansion of a Satan-worshipping architect (Karloff) built over a World War I fort and the bodies of ten thousand men.  In THE RAVEN, a surgeon (Lugosi) enslaves a gangster (Karloff) and forces him to help him attain a young woman at any costs.  In THE INVISIBLE RAY, an eccentric doctor (Karloff) discovers an element a hundred times the power of Radium but his obsession costs him his discovery and his wife causing him to seek deadly, radioactive revenge on those who wronged him.  In BLACK FRIDAY, a doctor (Karloff) transplants the brain of a gangster into the body of his dying friend, but the personality of the gangster emerges to seek revenge on his killers (including Lugosi).

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

UNIVERSAL HORROR COLLECTION VOLUME 1 Blu-ray:
  • Disc One - The Black Cat (1934):
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by author/film historian Gregory William Mank
    • Audio Commentary by author/film historian Steve Haberman
    • "Dreams Within A Dream: The Classic Cinema Of Edgar Allan Poe" narrated by Doug Bradley
    • "A Good Game - Karloff And Lugosi At Universal Part One: The Black Cat" documentary
    • "The Black Cat Contest" vintage footage
    • Still Gallery
  • Disc Two - The Raven (1935):
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by author/film historian Gary D. Rhodes
    • Audio Commentary by author/film Historian Steve Haberman
    • "A Good Game - Karloff And Lugosi At Universal Part Two: The Raven" documentary
    • "Bela Lugosi Reads The Tell-Tale Heart” audio recording
    • Still Gallery
  • Disc Three - The Invisible Ray (1936):
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by authors/film historians Tom Weaver And Randall Larson
    • "A Good Game - Karloff And Lugosi At Universal Part Three: The Invisible Ray" documentary
    • Re-Release Theatrical Trailer
    • Still Gallery
  • Disc Four - Black Friday (1940):
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by filmmaker/film historian Constantine Nasr
    • "A Good Game - Karloff And Lugosi At Universal Part Four: Black Friday" documentary
    • Inner Sanctum Mystery Radio Show: “The Tell-Tale Heart” starring Boris Karloff
    • Theatrical Trailer
    • Still Gallery
  • Insert booklet with poster artwork
  • Collector's Slipcase

Garagehouse Pictures encounters FOES (Review)

A lighthouse keeper, his wife, and a pair of skin divers have a close encounter of the deadly kind when a UFO erects a forcefield over an island off the coast of California in this obscure seventies sci-fi film with jawdropping visual effects.

REVIEW LINK: Garagehouse Pictures (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

FOES Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
  • Audio Commentary by director John Coats
  • Optional Original Director's Cut
  • U.K. Theatrical Trailer
  • Photo Gallery
  • Short film "Tales of L.A."
  • Garagehouse Pictures Trailers

Unearthed Films visits THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON (review)

When the controls of a satelite maintenance ship go haywire and it drifts to THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, their only hope may be an abandoned NASA shuttle that their databank tells them splashed down in the Bermuda Triangle decades ago.  How did it get back into space, and what has come with it?

REVIEW LINK: Unearthed Films (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
  • English LPCM 2.0 Stereo (clean and vintage options)
  • Audio Commentary by producer Paul White, moderated by Stephen Biro
  • Interview with actor Alan Blumenfeld
  • Interview with make-up effects artist R. Christopher Biggs
  • Interview with stuntman Chuck Borden
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Trailers
  • 22-page booklet
  • Slipcover

09 July 2019

Kino Lorber uncorks THE CHAMPAGNE MURDERS (Review)

Suffering from blackouts ever since he was attacked in an incident that left a prostitute dead, playboy Paul has surrendered management of his centuries-old family business to the wife of his best friend and is only interested in having fun... that is until he wakes up next to another dead woman, and another.  An American/French co-production from Claude Chabrol starring Anthony Perkins, Maurice Ronet, Yvonne Furneaux, and Stéphane Audran.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE CHAMPAGNE MURDERS Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historians Nathaniel Thompson and Howard S. Berger
  • "Trailers from Hell" with Tim Hunter
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Bonus Trailers

05 July 2019

Second Sight enters THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (Review)

A Scotland Yard detective investigating the disappearance of a horror star at his country house and learns the history of murder and madness in the house's past.  Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Ingrid Pitt, and Jon Pertwee star in this Amicus anthology.

REVIEW LINK: Second Sight (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • English LPCM 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English HoH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Troy Howarth
  • Audio Commentary by director Peter Duffell, moderated by Jonathan Rigby
  • Interview with second assistant director Mike Higgins
  • “A-Rated Horror Film” featurette with director Peter Duffell and actors Geoffrey Bayldon, Ingrid Pitt and Chloe Franks
  • U.S. and Mexican Theatrical Trailers
  • Amicus Radio Spots
  • Limited Edition Contents:
    • rigid slipcase featuring new artwork by Graham Humphreys
    • a 40-page booklet with new essays by Allan Bryce, Jon Towlson and Kat Ellinger
    • reversible poster featuring new and original artwork

Scream Factory digs up NIGHT OF THE CREEPS (Review)

"The good news is your date is here.  The bad news is... he's dead!" The eighties sci-fi/horror comedy classic NIGHT OF THE CREEPS comes to Blu-ray in a two-disc edition with both the theatrical and director's cuts with brand new extras and extras from the previous Sony special edition.

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

NIGHT OF THE CREEPS Blu-ray specs:
  • Disc One (Theatrical Cut):
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • "Thrill Me: Making Night of the Creeps" documentary
      • "Birth of the Creeps"
      • "Cast of the Creeps"
      • "Creating the Creeps"
      • "Escape of the Creeps"
      • "Legend of the Creeps"
    • "Tom Atkins: Man of Action" interview
    • Deleted Scenes
    • Theatrical Trailer
  • Disc Two (Director's Cut): 
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by writer/firector Fred Dekker, moderated by Michael Felsher
    • Audio Commentary by actors Jason Lively, Tom Atkins, Steve Marshall, and Jill Whitlow
    • "Real Good Plan" interview with actor Jason Lively
    • "The Bradster" interview with actor Alan Kayser
    • "I Vote For That One" interview with actor Ken Heron
    • "Worst Coroner Ever" interview with actor Vic Polizos
    • "Answering The Door" interview with actress Suzanne Snyder
    • "Final Cut" interview with editor Michael N. Knue
    • "Horror's Hallowed Grounds" look at the film's locations today with host Sean Clark, director Fred Dekker, and Actor Jason Lively
  • Reversible Cover
  • Slipcover

03 July 2019

Kino Lorber dresses in MIDNIGHT LACE (Review)

Doris Day is an American housewife in London who starts getting obscene phone calls and death threats.  No one believes her and she start to believe she is going mad.  Rex Harrison, John Gavin, and Myrna Loy co-star.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

MIDNIGHT LACE Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.00:1 and 1.78:1 widescreen versions
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Bonus Trailers

Arrow Video thaws out THE CHILL FACTOR (review)

Six snowmobilers crash and must take shelter in an abanonded ski lodge that was the site of Satanic murders.  An ill-advised Oujia board game unleashes dark forces that stalk them one by one in this nineties slasher.

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video (US) Region A/B Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

THE CHILL FACTOR Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English LPCM 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by effects artist Hank Carlson and horror writer Josh Hadley
  • VHS Workprint (84 mins)
  • "Portrait of a Make-up Artist" interview with makeup artist Jeffery Lyle Segal
  • "Lights! Cameras! Snowmobiles!" interview with production manager Alexandra Reed
  • "Fire and Ice" interview with stunt coordinator Gary Paul
  • "Ouija and Chill" interview with effects assistant Hank Carlson by horror writer Josh Hadley
  • Still Gallery
  • Original Home Video Trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Marc Schoenbach
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: a collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Mike White