Entertainment One releases THE PACT (review)

Annie returns home for her abusive mother's funeral only to discover that her sister Nichole is missing, leaving her young daughter behind with a friend Liz.  When Annie discovers her sister's laptop and phone in her mother's house, she starts to suspect that her sister hasn't just flaked out and taken off for a few days.  When Liz spends the night at the house and also disappears, Annie realizes that there's something more lurking in the house than traumatic childhood memories. Caity Lotz, Casper Van Dean, and Agnes Bruckner star.

REVIEW LINK: Entertainment One (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

THE PACT DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English SDH subtitles
• About the Cast
• About the Director
• About the Location
• THE PACT original short film (2011 Sundance Film Festival Selection)

Artificial Eye experiences LOVE LIKE POISON (review)

Anna comes home from boarding school for vacation to discover that her mother has left her father (who has a new woman in his life) and moved in with his parents.  A week before her confirmation, Anna experiences enough teen angst (her dying grandfather, her parents' marital strife, the inklings of physical attraction to a childhood friend) to test her faith in director Katell Quillevere's feature directorial debut.

REVIEW LINK: Artificial Eye (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

LOVE LIKE POISON DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• French Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English Subtitles
• Interview with director Katell Quillévéré
• Interview with actor Michel Galabru
• Interview with cinematographer Tom Harari
• Theatrical Trailer
• Short film WITH ALL MY MIGHT?

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Breaking Glass Pictures presents NATE & MARGARET (review)

Move over HAROLD AND MAUDE, NATE & MARGARET tells the story of an unlikely close friendship between a nineteen-year-old gay film student and a fifty-two year old spinster waitress/stand-up comic.  When Nate experiences first love, he starts to neglect his friendship with Margaret, who has finally been noticed by a talent agent for her humorous spin on her abusive childhood.  Will this odd couple be able to face their separate adventures without leaning on each other?  Natalie West (TV's ROSEANNE) and Tyler Ross (THE WISE KIDS) star.

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

NATE AND MARGARET DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic ? widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio
• Picture-in-Picture Commentary with director Nathan Adloff, and actors Tyler Ross and Natalie West
• Audio Commentary with director Nathan Adloff, and actors Tyler Ross and Natalie West
• Audio Commentary with director Nathan Adloff, cinematographer Brian Levin, and production designer Chelsea Warren
• Audio Commentary with director Nathan Adloff and writer Justin D.M. Palmer
• Audition Tapes:
• Conor McCahill
• Tyler Ross
• Tyler Ross with Steve Lenz
• Behind the Scenes
• 5 Deleted Scenes
• 2 Outtakes
• Short Film "Untied Strangers"
• Photo Gallery
• Trailer
• Breaking Glass Trailers

Danger After Dark plays STRIP MAHJONG: BATTLE ROYALE (review)

Four young women who have racked up millions of Yen in online mahjong debts are kidnapped and forced to play a game of "Strip Mahjong" where the winner gets ten million yen and the losers are stripped and killed.

REVIEW LINK: Danger After Dark (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

STRIP MAHJONG: BATTLE ROYALE DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.76:1 widescreen
• Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English Subtitles
• Danger After Dark Trailers

Scorpion Releasing and James Ryan kick ass in KILL AND KILL AGAIN (review)

Steve Chase (James Ryan, KILL OR BE KILLED) and his sidekicks Gorilla, Hotdog, The Fly, and Gypsy Billy are on a mission to rescue the missing biochemist father of the lovely Kandy Kane.  The group infiltrate the village of New Babylonia where Marduk rules the people with a mind-controlling drug that he plans to unleash on the world water supply.  In the thrilling climax, Chase will have to face off against karate killer Optimus in Marduk's very own gladiator arena.

REVIEW LINK: Scorpion Releasing (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

KILL AND KILL AGAIN DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Audio Interview with star James Ryan
• Interview with writer John Crowther
• Isolated Music Track
• Theatrical Trailer
• Scorpion Releasing Trailers

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Second Run visits Pedro Costa's CASA DE LAVA (review)

In Pedro Costa's loose take on Jacques Tourneur's I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE, Portuguese nurse Mariana escorts the comatose body of construction worker Leao back to Cape Verde only to discover that no one is expecting him (even though someone has paid for his transport back home).  Stuck in the wartorn area until the supply helicopter returns in a week, Mariana works in the local hospital, watches over Leao, and tries to discover the whereabouts of the comatose man's family (and why no one will claim him).  Edith Scob (EYES WITHOUT A FACE) co-stars.

REVIEW LINK: Second Run DVD (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD vs Gemini Video Editions (FR) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

CASA DE LAVA DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.66:1 widescreen
• Portuguese Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Interview with director Pedro Costa
• "The Other CASA DE LAVA" - extracts from Pedro Costa's research scrapbook
• Interview with cinematographer Emmanuel Machuel
• New booklet essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum

Scorpion Releasing's THE DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN (review)

Angela, a nineteen-year-old hairdresser gets the opportunity of a lifetime when model Madeleine gets her a modeling job.  Popping her top before the camera opens up a whole new exciting world for Angela, but someone is stalking and terrorizing her.  Is it her creepy boyfriend who drives a Mr. Whippy van, or is it any number of shady characters in the world of fashion and film that are eager to take advantage of her naivete and desperation?  Sigrid Thornton (THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER) and Chantal Contouri (THIRST) star in this thriller from producer Anthony Ginnane (THE SURVIVOR) and director Simon Wincer (QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER).

REVIEW LINK: Scorpion Releasing (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

THE DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen transfer of the US Version (92 minutes)
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen transfer of the International Version (100 minutes)
• Audio Commentary by producer Anthony Ginnane on the International Version
• Alternate Title Card
• Playable with optional KATARINA'S NIGHTMARE THEATER hostess segments

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88 Films goes to the Grindhouse for CANNIBAL WOMEN IN THE AVOCADO JUNGLE OF DEATH (review)

Shannon Tweed (NIGHT EYES) plays a feminist anthropologist who is sent deep into the jungle (in the middle of Southern California's "Avocado Belt") to try to reason with the rogue feminist cannibalistic Piranha Women and convince them to move to Malibu so as not to disrupt California's vital avocado supply.  THE FOG's Adrienne Barbeau, POLITICALLY INCORRECT's Bill Maher, and RETURN OF THE KILLER TOMATOES' Karen Mistal co-star.


REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD vs Cult Video (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)


CANNIBAL WOMEN IN THE AVOCADO JUNGLE OF DEATH DVD specs:

• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Full Moon Trailer Park

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Linda Blair on the SAVAGE STREETS (review)

High school girl gang leader Brenda (Linda Blair, HELL NIGHT) hits the SAVAGE STREETS after The Scars (Robert Dryer, Sal Landi, Scott Mayer, and Johnny Venocur) brutally rape her deaf-mute sister (Linnea Quigley, NIGHT OF THE DEMONS) and murder her best friend.  Armed with a crossbow and a supply of bear traps, Brenda wreaks a night of vengeance on her enemies.  John Vernon (CHAINED HEAT) also stars.  Directed by Danny Steinmann (FRIDAY THE 13TH V: A NEW BEGINNING).  Quintessential R-rated eighties exploitation from Motion Picture Marketing in a new HD-mastered transfer with brand new extras courtesy of Scorpion Releasing.

REVIEW LINK: Scorpion Releasing (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

SAVAGE STREETS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by director Danny Steinmann
• Audio Commentary by producer John Strong and actors Robert Dryer and Johnny Venocur
• Audio Commentary by cinematographer Stephen Posey and actors Robert Dryer and Sal Landi
• Vintage Interviews with Linda Blair, John Strong, Robert Dryer, Johnny Venocur, Sal Landi, and Linnea Quigley
• Brand New Interviews with Robert Dryer, Johnny Venocur, John Strong, and Scott Mayer
• Theatrical Trailer
• Feature Optionally Playable in KAT SCRATCH CINEMA mode with Katarina Leigh Waters
• Scorpion Releasing Trailers

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88 Films goes to the Grindhouse for THE DAY TIME ENDED (review)

Jim Davis (DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN), Christopher Mitchum (FACELESS), and Dorothy Malone (THE BIG SLEEP) encounter extraterrestrial phenomena out in the California desert in this early Charles Band production.  Aliens, time warps, space ships, and dinosaurs terrorize a family and send them hurtling through time and space.  With visual effects by Peter Kuran (WOLFEN), David Allen (SUBSPECIES), Randy Cook (THE GATE), Paul Gentry (BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR), and Jim Danforth (GOLIATH AND THE DRAGON) and music by Richard Band (HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW).

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD vs Cult Video (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

THE DAY TIME ENDED DVD specs:

• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Full Moon Trailer Park

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Scorpion Releasing plays with its JOYSTICKS (reviews)

Grab onto your joystick and jiggle away with Scorpion Releasing's 30th Anniversary Edition of Greydon Clark's eighties sex comedy JOYSTICKS.  When big bad Rutter (WALKING TALL's Joe Don Baker) wants to close down the River City's only video arcade, studly Jefferson Bailey, virginal geek Eugene, and flatulent video game junkie Dorfus have to outwit Rutter's lamebrain nephews and King Vidiot (FRIGHT NIGHT II's Jon Gries) and his Vidiots.

REVIEW LINK: Scorpion Releasing (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

JOYSTICKS DVD specs: 

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by producer/director Greydon Clark
• Interview with producer/director Greydon Clark
• Theatrical Trailer
• Scorpion Releasing Trailers

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Momentum Pictures presents THE RAID (review)

Jakarta underworld crime boss Tama lives on the top floor of a decrepit apartment building that is a veritable fortress and a no-go zone for the police.  Tonight, however, a SWAT unit of twenty men is infiltrating the building and securing each floor (filled with machete-wielding criminals who receive protection from Tama in exchange for keeping out unwelcome visitors) on the way up to the top floor.  Their invasion has not gone unnoticed and pretty soon the officers are fighting off desperate criminals from above and below.  Featuring a music score by Mike Shinoda of LINKIN' PARK and Joe Trapanese (TRON: LEGACY).

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

THE RAID DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
• Indonesian/Bahasa and English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks
• Descriptive Audio for the Visually Impaired Track
• Optional English Subtitles
• UK exclusive commentary track with writer/director/editor Gareth Evans and actor Joe Taslim
• Behind the Music featurette
• THE RAID Fan Film
• Music Video
• Behind the Scenes Featurettes
• Theatrical Trailers
• Trailers for SLEEPING DOGS, WARFIGHTERS, SAFE, and RED TAILS

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Vampires in Monster Pictures' HARSH LIGHT OF DAY (review)

Paralyzed after a violent home invasion that leaves his wife brutally murdered, and embittered over a police investigation going nowhere, writer Dan Shergold is offered a very unique opportunity at revenge against his wife's killers by a vampire.

REVIEW LINK: Monster Pictures/Eureka Video (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

HARSH LIGHT OF DAY DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.83:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Audio Commentary by writer/director Oliver Milburn and producer Emma Biggins
• Short Film: SHAMELESS
• Interview with director Oliver Milburn
• Dan's Memory
• Scene 36 - first version and final cut reshoot (with optional commentary)
• Gag Reel
• Trailers

More Monster Pictures reviews at Update the Tags: Eureka Video.

Chelsea Films unleashes DRAGON WASPS (review)

When her father goes missing in the jungles of Belize, entomologist Gina and her friend Rhonda attempt to find him only to find their entrance barred by the military because of the dangers of terrorists, rebels, and drug runners.  American soldiers John Hammond and Meyers decide to escort them into the jungle as a final hurrah before transferring.  An ambush by cocaine dealer Jaguar and his men is bad enough, but soon both sides find themselves under attack by giant, fire-breathing wasps!  Corin Nemec (STARGATE SG-1) and Domenica Juillet (THE VANQUISHER) star.

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

DRAGON WASPS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Trailer

Fernando Di Leo and Joe Dallesandro in MADNESS (review)

Eurocult greats Joe Dallesandro (ANDY WARHOL'S DRACULA) and director Fernando Di Leo (TO BE TWENTY) meet up in MADNESS.  Dallesandro plays an escaped criminal in search of his hidden loot, which happens to be buried under the fireplace of a couple's country vacation cottage.  When the couple and the wife's sexy sister arrive, Dallesandro puts them through a hellish weekend of beatings, rape, and murder.  Lorraine de Selle (CANNIBAL FEROX) also stars.

REVIEW LINK: Raro Video USA (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD vs Raro Video (IT) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

MADNESS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Director's Biography
• Director's Filmography
• Liner Notes Booklet

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Raro Video cruises on WAVES OF LUST (review)

Before CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST and THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK, Ruggero Deodato dabbled in the giallo genre with the sexy, sleazy jet-set thriller WAVES OF LUST (Ondata di Piacere).  John Steiner (TENEBRAE) and Elizabeth Turner (BEYOND THE DOOR) play a sadomasochistic wealthy couple who meet their match when they are individually and jointly seduced and manipulated by carefree youths Silvia Dionisio (MURDER OBSESSION) and Al Cliver (ZOMBIE).

REVIEW LINK: Raro Video USA (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

WAVES OF LUST DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.84:1 widescreen
• English and Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• "Erotic Tsunami" documentary
• Deleted Scenes from the English version
• Ruggero Deodato TV spots with commentary 
• Liner Notes Booklet (by yours truly!)

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