Bergman's FANNY AND ALEXANDER from Palisades Tartan

My review for Palisades Tartan's DVD of the 3 hour feature version of Ingmar Bergman's multiple-award-winning FANNY AND ALEXANDER* is up at DVDBeaver (review HERE).  UK fans will want to check it out since the TV version is already out in the UK, but in an inferior transfer.  US fans (and UK fans who own the Criterion set) will be interested in this edition because the Svensk Filmindustri HD master reveals a little more information at 1.78:1 and the color timing is completely different.  Criterion might be more authentic, but that doesn't stop this alternate color-timed version from looking gorgeous (the better to appreciate the film's wonderful sets and costumes).

*I know it should be FANNY ampersand ALEXANDER, but Blogger keeps turning it into and ampersands into '&amp'

FANNY AND ALEXANDER DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1 transfer
• Swedish Dolby Digital 2.0 mono

REVIEW LINK: FANNY AND ALEXANDER (Palisades Tartan Region 2 PAL DVD)  at DVDBeaver

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Palisades Tartan

"Palisades Tartan" releases at my Amazon UK aStore.

"Palisades Tartan" and "Tartan" releases at my Amazon aStore.

Code Red's THE WORKING GIRLS reviewed

I've reviewed Stephanie Rothman's THE WORKING GIRLS (you know, the one with Elvira naked) - on DVD from Code Red Releasing - for DVD Drive-In.  Code Red's transfer was mastered in High Definition by Rothman herself from UCLA's archival 35mm print.  Sarah Kennedy (THE TELEPHONE BOOK), Laurie Rose (THE HOT BOX), Lynn Guthrie (NIGHT CALL NURSES) and Cassandra Peterson star.

THE WORKING GIRLS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen transfer
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Interview with Laurie Rose
• Theatrical Trailer
• Trailers for other Code Red titles

REVIEW LINK: Code Red Releasing (USA) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

RELATED LINK: Update the Tags: Code Red Releasing

"Code Red Releasing" titles at my Amazon aStore.

WAR from Palisades Tartan reviewed

Here's a review link to Palisades Tartan's Sainsbury exclusive DVD of Alexei Balabanov's WAR for DVDBeaver. 

THERE IS NO WIDE UK RELEASE DATE HAS BEEN SET YET, BUT IT WILL BE POSTED HERE AS WELL AS IN A NEW POST WHEN AVAILABLE.  



REVIEW LINK: Palisades Tartan (UK) Region 2 DVD (DVDBeaver)

WAR DVD specs:

• Anamorphic 16:9 widescreen transfer (1.77:1)
• Russian/Arabic/English DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo audio options
• Optional English subtitles
• Behind the Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV spots

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Palisades Tartan

"Palisades Tartan" releases at my Amazon UK aStore.

Federico Fellini's I CLOWNS (Raro Video USA) reviewed

I've reviewed Raro Video's first US release: Federico Fellini's I CLOWNS (Region 1 NTSC DVD) at DVDBeaver.

REVIEW LINK: Raro Video/eOne (US) Region 0 DVD (DVDBeaver)

I CLOWNS DVD specs:

• Full Frame 1.33:1 original open matte TV aspect ratio
• Italian/French Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• "Un Agenzia Matrimoniale" short film by Fellini (1953) in Italian with English subtitles
• "Fellini's Circus" visual essay by Adriano Apra
• 50-page booklet of Fellini's reflections and notes on the film (including Fellini's drawings)

RELATED LINK: Federico Fellini's I CLOWNS from Raro USA

RELATED LINK: Raro Video's Unofficially Announced Release List?



RELATED LINK: Update the Tags: Raro Video

Lucio Fulci's THE BEYOND from Arrow Video (reviewed/compared)

I've reviewed Arrow's check disc of THE BEYOND for DVDBeaver.  It is already known that the HD master provided to Arrow featured the opening sequence incorrectly in black and white (it was shot in color and processed in a yellowish sepia look as seen on all previous releases other than the full color German prints).  Arrow has already issued a statement promising to look into this, so the DVDBeaver comparison with the Anchor Bay disc should be considered somewhat of a placeholder review as we are not certain whether Arrow will reassess the transfer of the rest of the film or just the opening.

REVIEW LINK: THE BEYOND (Arrow Video [UK] Region 0 PAL vs Anchor Bay [US] Region 1 NTSC DVD) at DVDBeaver

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Arrow Video

THE BEYOND Arrow DVD specs:

• HD-mastered 16:9 anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1 transfer
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 (DTS-MA on BluRay), English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• English subtitles for English audio, English subtitles for Italian audio
• Audio Commentary by David Warbeck and Catriona MacColl
• Audio Commentary by Antonella Fulci, moderated by Callum Waddel
• Q&A with Catriona MacColl
• Interview with Cinzea Monreale
• Interview with Terry Levene (US distributor of THE BEYOND under the title 7 DOORS OF DEATH)
• Interview with Catriona MacColl
• Interview with Giannetto de Rossi
• Fulci Flashbacks featuring camerman Roberto Forges Davanzati, Daria Nicolodi, Dario Argento, Antonella Fulci, Giannetto de Rossi, and Sergio Stivaletti
• Alternate Color Precredits Sequence
• International Theatrical Trailer
• Easter Egg

UK DVD:
More Arrow Video reviews at Update the Tags: Arrow Video.

US DVD:

Arrow Video's ISLAND OF DEATH reviewed

I have reviewed Arrow Video's DVD of Nico Mastorakis' ISLAND OF DEATH, uncut for the first time in the UK.  Bob Behling (LAND OF THE MINOTAUR/THE DEVIL'S MEN) and Jane Ryall (MYKONOS ILLUSION) screw and slash their way through the livestock and perverted tourists on the island of Mykonos.  No taboo left unbroken and no perversion unexplored... the lucky ones had their brains blown out!

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD at DVDBeaver

RELATED POST: Arrow Video's Cruel Destination: ISLAND OF DEATH

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Arrow Video

ISLAND OF DEATH DVD specs:

• 4:3 1.33:1 original aspect ratio transfer
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by Niko Mastorakis*
• Interview with Niko Mastorakis
• Q&A with Niko Mastorakis*
• Theatrical Trailer*
• The Music of ISLAND OF DEATH
• Re-recording "Destination Understanding"*

*brand new extras

Arrow Video's Cruel Destination: ISLAND OF DEATH

Arrow Video has brought another Video Nasty back into print with their special edition DVD of Niko Mastorakis' ISLAND OF DEATH.  Bob Belling (THE DEVIL'S MEN/LAND OF THE MINOTAUR) and Jane Ryall play a pair of incestuous siblings screwing and slashing their way through the various "perverts" on the island of Mykonos while on the run from the law.  Mastorakis said that he conceived the film by first writing a list of every gruesome death he could think of one day, writing down a list of every twisted sex act he could think of the next day, writing the script on the weekend, and then seeking out strangers on the street in Athens (if they spoke English, he cast them int he movie).  Mastorakis remastered ISLAND OF DEATH in 2002 and produced some extras for DVD licensing, but Arrow have produced some brand new extras of their own to accompany them.

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD at DVDBeaver

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Arrow Video

ISLAND OF DEATH DVD specs:

• 4:3 1.33:1 original aspect ratio transfer
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by Niko Mastorakis*
• Interview with Niko Mastorakis
• Q&A with Niko Mastorakis*
• Theatrical Trailer*
• The Music of ISLAND OF DEATH
• Re-recording "Destination Understanding"*

*brand new extras

Federico Fellini's I CLOWNS from Raro USA

Raro Video debut their US line with I CLOWNS (CLOWNS) on March 1, 2011,  A television/cinema production by Federico Fellini, recently restored by RAI Radio Televisione Italiana, CLOWNS is part documentary, part comedy.  The film tracks down the real circus clowns that captured Fellini's fascination in his youth.  Filming in Italy and Paris, he also comes across Anita Ekberg (LA DOLCE VITA) trying to buy a panther.  It was shown on television on Christmas day 1970 and then premiered in the theaters on December 26th.  Raro USA's edition comes in a slipcase with the disc in a digipack alongside a 50-page booklet (it even has a bookmark).

REVIEW LINK: Raro Video/eOne (US) Region 0 DVD (DVDBeaver)

I CLOWNS DVD specs:

• Full Frame 1.33:1 original open matte TV aspect ratio
• Italian/French Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• "Un Agenzia Matrimoniale" short film by Fellini (1953) in Italian with English subtitles
• "Fellini's Circus" visual essay by Adriano Apra
• 50-page booklet of Fellini's reflections and notes on the film (including Fellini's drawings)

More "Raro USA" releases at my Amazon aStore.

Palisades Tartan's Carlos Reygadas' SILENT LIGHT reviewed/compared

I have reviewed and compared the Palisades Tartan R2 UK and R1 NTSC editions of Carlos Reygadas' SILENT LIGHT at DVDBeaver.  Although it won several awards (including Mexico's Best Picture equivalent and a Cannes Jury Prize) and film festival prizes, SILENT LIGHT was ruled ineligible for the Academy Awards (it was Mexico's entry for the year).  Johan (Cornelio Wall), a farmer in a Mexican Mennonite community, has fallen for Marianne (Maria Pankratz, Ariel winner for best supporting actress) although he is married to Esther (Miriam Toews, novelist and Ariel best actress nominee) and has five children.  Surprisingly, his preacher father only offers support for whatever choice he makes and warns him that he could lose both women if he doesn't act soon, but will fate force his hand?

Palisades Tartan (R2 UK PAL) DVD specs:

• 2.35:1 16:9 anamorphic widescreen transfer
• Plautdietsch DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Interview with lead Cornelio Wall
• Behind the Scenes
• Delected Scenes
• Region 2 PAL

Palisades Tartan/Vivendi (R1 USA NTSC) DVD specs:

• 2.35:1 16:9 anamorphic widescreen transfer
• Plautdietsch DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo audio
• Optional English or Spanish subtitles
• Interview with lead Cornelio Wall
• Behind the Scenes
• Deleted Scenes
• Region 1 NTSC

REVIEW LINK: SILENT LIGHT (Palisades Tartan Region 2 PAL vs Region1 NTSC) at DVDBeaver

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Palisades Tartan

"Palisades Tartan" releases at my Amazon UK aStore.

"Palisades Tartan" and "Tartan" releases at my Amazon aStore.

UK DVD:


US DVD:

Jim Brown and Gene Hackman are in a RIOT!

Olive Films rescues this little-seen William Castle production from the Paramount vaults: RIOT (1969).  Jim Brown (THE DIRTY DOZEN) plays Cully Briston, a prisoner at the Arizona State Prison doing a five year sentence.  He gets caught up in a riot lead by Red Fraker (Gene Hackman) of the isolation block when the sadistic warden is away.  Their initial escape plans fail, so they decide to snowjob the press and the government by making them believe their takeover is a political protest and that they want reform.  Meanwhile, they are tunneling beneath the prison.  The strain of the waiting gets to the various prisoners, who turn on each other (in between drag shows, moonshine benders, and dreams of freedom involving bikini-clad babes).  Briston tries to stay neutral but he finds he has to take decisive action when the warden returns and threatens violent repercussions.

REVIEW LINK: RIOT (Olive Films [USA] Region 1 DVD at DVD Drive-In)

RIOT is my eighth review for the excellent DVD Drive-In site (see also LEGACY, QUEST FOR LOVE, THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE, PAULA-PAULA, THE SINISTER EYES OF DR. ORLOFF, THE BLACK KLANSMAN, and A LONG RIDE FROM HELL).



More Interesting Titles at my Amazon aStore (UK aStore).















Other Reviewed Titles referenced in this Post:
Black Klansman

WAR from Palisades Tartan

BROTHER director Aleksei Balabnov's WAR hits Palisades Tartan R2 DVD on February 21 (first as an exclusive at Sainsbury's) starring Aleksey Chadov (NIGHTWATCH), Ian Kelly (HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1), Ingeborga Dapkunaite (HANNIBAL RISING), Sergey Bodrov Jr. (BROTHER).  A British actor and his girlfriend are kidnapped in Georgia by Chechen rebels.  The actor is set free to raise the money in Britain for his girlfriend's freedom.  He meets up with another man in his situation and they pair up to wage a two-man war on the kidnappers.

NO WIDE UK RELEASE DATE HAS BEEN SET YET, BUT IT WILL BE POSTED HERE AS WELL AS IN A NEW POST WHEN AVAILABLE.

REVIEW LINK: Palisades Tartan (UK) Region 2 DVD (DVDBeaver)

WAR DVD specs:

• Anamorphic 16:9 widescreen transfer (1.77:1)
• Russian/Arabic/English DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo audio options
• Optional English subtitles
• Behind the Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV spots

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Palisades Tartan

"Palisades Tartan" releases at my Amazon UK aStore.

Palisades Tartan welcomes THE UNINVITED

I have reviewed Palisades Tartan's Region 2 PAL DVD of Soo-yuon Lee's THE UNINVITED (review HERE).  One night on the way home, Jung-won (Park Shin-yang, WHITE VALENTINE) falls asleep on the train.  He wakes up at the last stop and gets off only to notice two children are still on the train alone.  The next morning he learns that the two children were murdered.  Soon apparitions of the children start appearing at his dinner table.  He thinks he is going crazy until neighbor Yeon (Gianna Jun, BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE) sees them too, but she's got her own problems since she is testifying at the trial of a friend who killed both their children.  Yeon has a shamanistic gift for second sight and tells Jung-won that she can tell him why he is seeing the ghosts, but he might not like the answer...

THE UNINVITED DVD specs:
2.35:1 16:9 anamorphic widescreen transfer
Korean DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
Optional English subtitles
Theatrical Trailer

REVIEW LINK: THE UNINVITED - Palisades Tartan R2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Palisades Tartan



"Palisades Tartan" releases at my Amazon UK aStore.

Scorpion's LEGACY and QUEST FOR LOVE reviewed at DVDBeaver

My reviews for Karen Arthur's LEGACY (review HERE) with Joan Hotchkis and Ralph Thomas' QUEST FOR LOVE (review HERE) with Joan Collins, Tom Bell, and Denholm Elliot are now up at DVDBeaver.  See QUEST FOR LOVE and LEGACY from Scorpion Releasing for DVD technical specs for both titles.

REVIEW LINK: Legacy, Scorpion Releasing (USA) Region 0 DVD at DVDBeaver


REVIEW LINK: Quest for Love, Scorpion Releasing (USA) Region 0 DVD at DVDBeaver


RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Scorpion Releasing


RELATED POST: QUEST FOR LOVE and LEGACY from Scorpion Releasing

"Scorpion Releasing" releases at my Amazon aStore.

GHOSTS OF WAR Back From Beyond the Grave

"BLAIR WITCH meets FULL METAL JACKET"* in Su-chang Kong's Vietnam war-era ghost story R-POINT returns to UK DVD from Palisades Tartan as GHOSTS OF WAR.  Six months after they disappeared, distress signals from Batallion 53 appear on the airwaves.  A shell-shocked lieutenant leads a small group in search of the missing men in R-Point, an abandoned military outpost that neither side of the war will enter.  The men arrive at an abandoned temple built on cursed holy ground and are soon confronted with assailants living and dead.  Will they end up like the missing Battalion 53?  Fans of DEATHWATCH and THE BUNKER will enjoy this one.

*Front Magazine

REVIEW LINK: DVDBeaver review of GHOSTS OF WAR (Palisades Tartan R2 DVD)


RELATED POST: "Update the Tags: Palisades Tartan"


GHOST OF WAR DVD specs:

• 1.81:1 16:9 anamorphic widescreen transfer
• Korean DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Su-chang Kong, producer Kang-Hyuk Choi and location manager Wan-Shik Kim
• Mission R-Point (4:3; 30:19)
• Broken Radio (4:3; 13:17)
• 1972 Vietnam (4:3; 9:59)
• Special Effects (4:3; 9:58)
• Original Trailer (4:3; 1:51)

"Palisades Tartan" releases at my Amazon UK aStore.

UK DVD:

US DVD:

Palisades Tartan presents Ki-duk Kim's 13th film TIME (reviewed)

Kim Ki-Duk's (THE ISLE/SEOM) 13th film TIME (Shi-gan) hits DVD in the UK courtesy of Palisades Tartan.  Fearing her boyfriend Ji-woo (Jung-woo Ha, of Ki-Duk's BREATH) has grown tired of her, jealous Seh-hee (Ji-Yeon Park, MEMENTO MORI) disappears out of his life one day and undergoes painful and extensive plastic surgery and comes back into his life as waitress See-hee (Hyeon-a Seong, CELLO).  She is shocked to learn that Ji-woo has not gotten over Seh-hee and cannot move on.  When she reveals her true identity, she gets far from the expected reaction and that's when things get weird (and bloody). While some of Tartan Films' past Asian titles have been NTSC-PAL transfers, this Palisades Tartan disc is Region 2 NTSC encoded, so the transfer is as good as the original R3 edition.  The extras have English subtitles as well.

REVIEW LINK: Palisades Tartan (UK) Region 2 NTSC DVD at DVDBeaver

RELATED POST: Update the Tags: Palisades Tartan

TIME DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic widescreen 1.85:1 transfer
• Korean Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo options
• Optional English subtitles
• Behind the Scenes (45 minutes)
• Theatrical Trailer

"Palisades Tartan" releases at my Amazon UK aStore.

QUEST FOR LOVE reviewed at DVD Drive-In

My review of Ralph Thomas' QUEST FOR LOVE with Tom Bell (STRAIGHT ON TIL MORNING), Joan Collins (FEAR IN THE NIGHT), and Denholm Elliot (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK) is up at DVD Drive-In (review link HERE).  This is my seventh review for DVD Drive-In. 

QUEST FOR LOVE DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic widescreen transfer
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Trailers for other Scorpion Releasing titles

REVIEW LINK: QUEST FOR LOVE - Scorpion Releasing (USA) Region 0 DVD at DVD Drive-In

RELATED POST #1: QUEST FOR LOVE and LEGACY from Scorpion Releasing


RELATED POST #2: Update the Tags: Scorpion Releasing

"Scorpion Releasing" releases at my Amazon aStore.

LEGACY reviewed at DVD Drive-In

I've reviewed Scorpion Releasing's special edition of Karen Arthur's LEGACY over at George Reis' DVD Drive-In (review HERE).  It's my sixth review over there and my reaction to the film was such that I wrote a bit more than usual (about 2 1/2 pages double-spaced in Word).

LEGACY DVD Specs:

• Audio Commentary by writer/actress Joan Hotchkis 
• Audio Commentary by director Karen Arthur 
• The Legacy of Joan Hotchkis: interview with Joan Hotchkis
• Starting a Legacy: interview with Karen Arthur
• Shooting a Legacy: interview with editor Carol Littleton and cinematographer John Bailey
• Still Gallery

REVIEW LINK: Scorpion Releasing (USA) Region 0 DVD at DVD Drive-In


RELATED POST #1: QUEST FOR LOVE and LEGACY from Scorpion Releasing


RELATED POST #2: Update the Tags: Scorpion Releasing

"Scorpion Releasing" releases at my Amazon aStore.

QUEST FOR LOVE and LEGACY from Scorpion Releasing

On February 22, Scorpion Releasing will be putting out an interesting pair of releases: Karen Arthur's  LEGACY with Joan Hotchkis and Ralph Thomas' QUEST FOR LOVE starring Joan Collins.  Written by and starring Joan Hotchkis (BREEZY), LEGACY depicts the mental deterioration of an upper class housewife in the isolation of her perfect home.  LEGACY was the first film of director Karen Arthur, who followed this up with THE MAFU CAGE (also available from Scorpion Releasing in a great extras-laden special edition package).  Editor Carol Littleton (BELOVED), cinematographer John Bailey (CAT PEOPLE), and Roger Kellaway (SILENT SCREAM) worked on both LEGACY and THE MAFU CAGE.  QUEST FOR LOVE is the feature film adaptation of John Wyndham's story "Random Quest" (you may know Wyndham as the author of DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS and VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED's source novel THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS).  A scientist (the late Tom Bell, STRAIGHT ON TIL MORNING) finds himself in an alternate reality when a scientific experiment goes wrong.  Besides World War II never happening and man not having yet reached the moon, he is married to Tracy (Joan Collins, FEAR IN THE NIGHT), a woman he disliked in his own reality but finds himself falling for in this world.  When he gets back to his own reality, her life depends on him tracking her down before she falls victim to a tragedy he has already witnessed.  The source story "Random Quest" has also been adapted twice for British television.


REVIEW LINK #1: LEGACY at DVD Drive-In
REVIEW LINK #2: QUEST FOR LOVE at DVD Drive-In
REVIEW LINK #3: LEGACY at DVDBeaver
REVIEW LINK #4: QUEST FOR LOVE at DVDBeaver


LEGACY DVD specs:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 full frame transfer (mastered from HD)
English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio
Audio commentary by writer/actress Joan Hotchkis
Audio commentary by producer/director Karen Arthur
Interview with Joan Hotchkis
Interview with Karen Arthur
Interview with editor Carol Littleton and cinematographer John Bailey
Stills Gallery

QUEST FOR LOVE DVD specs:
16:9 anamorphic widescreen transfer
English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio
Trailers for Scorpion Releasing titles



Related Link: "Update the Tags: Scorpion Releasing"


Check out other "Scorpion Releasing" titles at my Amazon aStore.

Anchor Bay's BLACK DVD reviewed

Anchor Bay UK is putting out Pierre Laffargue's French retro-blaxploitation pic BLACK on February 14 in the UK on Region 2 DVD and Region B Blu-Ray.  Rapper MC Jean Gab'1 and his crew flee France for Dakar to plan a heist of diamonds from an ill-secured bank, but they're not the only ones who want them.  Arms dealer Degrand (Francois Levantal) and mercenary Viktor (Anton Yakovlev) are also planning a heist of their own, and new bank director Miss Gaye (Carole Karemera) is more than she seems.  Also, let's not forget Degrand's deadly witch-doctor mistress and her army of machete-wielding body-builders.  BLACK is an entertaining flick full of fast action, mystical weirdness, and a fantastic soundtrack.

REVIEW LINK: BLACK Anchor Bay (UK) R2 DVD at DVDBeaver.

DVD Specs:
16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen transfer
French Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo audio
Optional English subtitles
Teaser Trailer

EDIT: originally the heading was "Anchor Bay's BLACK DVD reviewed/compared," but that was a mistake.  It is just a review of the UK DVD (that's what happens when you are working on about 10 different draft posts at the same time).

Blue Underground's DEEP RED and INFERNO DVD/Blu up for Pre-Order!

Get your pre-orders in right away.  Blue Underground's DVD and Blu Ray editions of Dario Argento's DEEP RED and INFERNO are up for pre-order at Amazon.  Right now the DEEP RED Blu (which features both English export and Italian director's cuts) is only $14.99 (the DVD edition of the English export version-only is $13.49) while the Blu of INFERNO is $20.99 and the double DVD of INFERNO is $16.99.

Anchor Bay Blu-Ray I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE reviewed/compared

I contributed the SD caps (from the Elite Entertainment R1 Millenium Edition DVD) and the film review portion of DVDBeaver's review/comparison of Anchor Bay's Region A Blu-Ray of Mier Zarchi's I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE with Camille Keaton (WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE?).

You can find the review at DVDBeaver.

EISENSTEIN COLLECTION VOL. 2 from Palisades Tartan

Tartan UK went into administration before they could put out the second volume of their EISENSTEIN COLLECTION, but Palisades Tartan put it out a couple months ago (they also rebranded and reissued the EISENSTEIN COLLECTION VOLUME ONE - review forthcoming).  Volume 2 features ALEXANDER NEVSKY as well as Eisenstein's crowning achievements IVAN THE TERRIBLE PART I and IVAN THE TERRIBLE PART II: THE BOYAR'S PLOT.  The reconstruction of the seized and unfinished BEZHIN MEADOWS is also included as an extra.  The 3 disc set features attractive transfers of the three features with Russian mono audio and optional English subtitles.  Although it does not have the extras of Criterion's US set (an early release with interlaced transfers), it is a great buy if you just want the films in good transfers.  I had forgotten how visually ravishing the IVAN films are until I re-watched them for review.


REVIEW LINK: Palisades Tartan (UK) Region 2 DVD set at DVDBeaver

Arrow's VAMP (on DVD and Blu) reviewed/compared

 REVIEW LINK: VAMP (Arrow Video R0 PAL DVD vs Anchor Bay R1 DVD) at DVDBeaver.

Richard Wenk's memorable eighties horror comedy VAMP will be hitting DVD and BluRay in the UK on February 7.  Frat pledges Keith (Chris Makepeace, MAZES AND MONSTERS) and AJ (Robert Rusler, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE) venture into downtown LA to secure strippers for a frat party and happen upon the After Dark Club where the strippers morph into grotesque, toothsome vamps and Grace Jones is their queen.  SIXTEEN CANDLES' Gedde Watanabe, Dedee Pfeiffer, and Billy Drago co-star. One of the many New World Pictures releases that Anchor Bay put out on DVD on US in 2001, VAMP was treated to a nice special edition with director/actor commentary, behind the scenes footage, and a short film by the director.  10 years later, Arrow Video has given it the HD-mastered treatment with a BluRay and a 2-disc DVD set.



Arrow Video specs (DVD edition):

16:9 anamorphic widescreen transfer
English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio
Optional English subtitles
Introduction by actor Robert Rusler
Audio commentary by Robert Rusler
Four panel reversible cover with new artwork and original posters
Double sided fold-out poster
Interview with Dedee Pfeiffer
Interview with director Richard Wenk
Retrospective documentary
Richard Wenk's VAMP memorabilia
Behind the Scenes
Blooper Reel
"Dracula Bites the Big Apple" short film by Richard Wenk
Easter Egg
Original Trailer