Masters of Cinema experiences TROUBLE IN PARADISE (review)

In Ernst Lubitsch's comic classic, debonair conman Gaston (Herbert Marshall) and his lover Lily (Miriam Hopkins) plan to fund their anniversary trip to Venice by bilking money out of lovely widowed perfume exec Mariette (Kay Francis), but Gaston didn't count on falling in love with his mark and running into some familiar faces.  Charles Ruggles and Edward Everett Horton also star.


REVIEW LINK: Eureka Video/Masters of Cinema (UK) Region 2 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)


TROUBLE IN PARADISE DVD specs:

• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English SDH subtitles
• Kent Jones and Dan Shallitt on TROUBLE IN PARADISE

More Masters of Cinema reviews at Update the Tags: Eureka Video.

Artificial Eye investigates the POLISSE (review)

Actress Maiwenn (HIGH TENSION) stars and directs herself in POLISSE as Melissa, a photographer following the professional and private lives of Paris' Child Protection Unit as they raid Romanian caravans, interrogate molesters, comfort rape victims, track down child abductors, and assist in special operations. 

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

POLISSE DVD specs:

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

More Artificial Eye reviews at Update the Tags: Artificial Eye.

The Criterion Collection spawns ROSEMARY'S BABY (review)

The birth of Rosemary's baby was not a happy event, but you can pass out the cigars for The Criterion Collection's brand new Blu-Ray edition of Roman Polanski's classic.  This new edition features an eye-popping new transfer and brand new special features (including interviews with Roman Polanski, producer Robert Evans and actress Mia Farrow).

REVIEW LINK: The Criterion Collection (US) Region A Blu-Ray (DVD Drive-In)

ROSEMARY'S BABY Blu-Ray specs:

• 1080p MPEG-4 AVC widescreen 1.85:1
• English LPCM 1.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• "Remembering ROSEMARY'S BABY" featurette
• Radio Interview with author Ira Levin
• "Komeda, Komeda" feature-length documentary on the composer
• Collector's Booklet

Kino Lorber/Redemption Films and Jess Franco perform an EXORCISM (review)

Don't go looking for projectile split-pea soup and spinning heads when demented ex-priest Jess Franco goes medieval on aristocratic perverts and black magic poseurs in EXORCISM, making its HD debut on Blu-Ray courtesy of Redemption Films!  Lina Romay, Olivier Mathot, Lynn Monteil, Monica Swinn, Nadine Pascal, France Nicholas, and Caroline Riviere star.  Music by Daniel White.  Also known as DEMONIAC.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber/Redemption Films (US) Region ALL Blu-Ray

EXORCISM Blu-Ray specs:

• 1080p widescreen 1.66:1 aspect ratio
• English DTS-MA 2.0 mono
• Extended erotic version "Exorcism" (97 mins)
• Standard horror version "Demoniac" (69 mins)
• Theatrical Trailers

Arrow Video and Satan go wild for THE NIGHT CHILD

THE HAUNTING's Richard Johnson had already gone BEYOND THE DOOR in Italy's last EXORCIST rip-off, but director Massimo Dallamano takes on a more psychological approach with the creepy THE NIGHT CHILD (aka THE CURSED MEDALLION).  A British documentary filmmaker goes to Spoletto to do a film on a mysterious painting of the devil.  He discovers a strange medallion and gives it to his young daughter - traumatized after her mother's fiery death - who begins to act strangely, especially when her father starts seeing his pretty American producer (BLADE RUNNER's Joanna Cassidy).  Music by Stelvio Cipriani (THE BLOODSTAINED SHADOW).

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

THE NIGHT CHILD DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Exorcism: Italian-style
• Italian Trailer
• US Trailer

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

Arrow Video presents SUPER BITCH (review)

Ivan Rassimov (MAN FROM DEEP RIVER) and Stephanie Beacham (AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS) - and her bosoms - star in WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? director Massimo Dallamano's kinky crime thriller about prostitution and drug trafficking.  Originally titled BLUE MOVIE BLACKMAIL in the UK and MAFIA JUNCTION in the US, the film was retitled SUPER BITCH for UK video release after Beacham had made a name for herself as a soap diva on THE COLBYS and DYNASTY.

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

SUPER BITCH DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Bullets, Babes, and Blood featurette
• Ruggero Deodato remembers Ivan Rassimov
• Liner Notes Booklet by Calum Waddel

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

Kino Lorber/Redemption Films presents Jess Franco's FEMALE VAMPIRE (review)

Lina Romay's Countess Irina is back, this time in high definition as Redemption Video's FEMALE VAMPIRE.  The "love story of a strange vampire lost in Madeira" also stars Franco favorite Jack Taylor (HORROR OF THE ZOMBIES), Alice Arno (COUNTESS PERVERSE), and Monica Swinn (HELL TRAIN).

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber/Redemption Films (US) Region ALL Blu-Ray (DVD Drive-In)

FEMALE VAMPIRE Blu-Ray specs:

• 1080p widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio
• French and English DTS-MA 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Extended erotic version "Female Vampire" (100 mins)
• Standard horror version "Erotikill" (70 mins)
• Destiny in Soft Focus: Jess Franco remembers FEMALE VAMPIRE documentary by Elijah Drenner and David Gregory
• Words for Lina: a tribute by co-star Jean-Pierre Bouyxou (produced by Daniel Gouyette)
• Theatrical Trailer

88 Films presents PUPPET MASTER III (review)

When the Nazis kill his wife to get the ancient Egyptian secret of animated his puppets, Andre Toulon and his puppet friends Six Shooter, Leech Woman, Blade, and Strongman seek vengeance.  Guy Rolfe (MR. SARDONICUS) and Richard Lynch (BAD DREAMS) star.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD vs 88 Films (UK) Region ALL Blu-Ray (DVDBeaver)

PUPPET MASTER III DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, and 2.0 stereo
• Audio Commentary by director David DeCoteau and writer C. Courtney Joyner
• Introduction by Charles Band
• VideoZone "Making of PUPPET MASTER III"
• Trailer
• Rare Toy Commercials
• Full Moon Trailer Park

PUPPET MASTER III Blu-Ray specs:

• 1080p AVC-encoded 1.78:1 widescreen
• English DTS-MA 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Introduction by Charles Band
• Audio Commentary by director David DeCoteau and writer C. Courtney Joyner
• VideoZone "Making of PUPPET MASTER III"
• Trailer
• Rare Toy Commercials
• Full Moon Trailer Park

More 88 Films reviews at Update the Tags: 88 Films.

88 Films unleashes PUPPET MASTER II (review)

Andre Toulon's diabolical puppet creations are back in stop-motion master David Allen's feature directorial debut: PUPPET MASTER II.  A team of paranormal researchers investigate the happenings of the first film and are soon fresh meat for the puppets and their resurrected master.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD vs 88 Films (UK) Region ALL Blu-Ray (DVDBeaver)

PUPPET MASTER 2 DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Audio Commentary by executive producer Charles Band
• Introduction by Charles Band
• Videozone "Making of PUPPET MASTER II"
• Theatrical Trailer
• Rare Toy Commercials
• Full Moon Trailers 

PUPPET MASTER II Blu-Ray specs:

• 1080p AVC-encoded 1.78:1 widescreen
• English DTS-MA 2.0 Stereo
• Introduction by Charles Band
• Audio Commentary by Charles Band
• VideoZone "Makng of PUPPET MASTER II"
• Theatrical Trailer
• Rare Toy Commercials
• Full Moon Trailers

More 88 Films reviews at Update the Tags: 88 Films.

Monster Pictures presents MONSTRO! (review)

Three violent femmes decide to hide out at a shack in a desolate seaside village.  Their frolicking in the water unfortunately awakens an ancient sea monster that whittled the town's population down considerably years before.  Now the deadly dames will have to team up with the locals to survive the tentacled horror.  Originally titled EL MONSTRO DEL MAR!

REVIEW LINK: Monster Pictures/Eureka Video (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

MONSTRO! DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Cast Commentary
• Crew Commentary
• Short Film ACID SPIDERS
• Short Film SICKIE
• Behind the Scenes
• Deleted Scenes
• Trailer

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

Artificial Eye presents the ALEXANDER SOKUROV COLLECTION (review)

Artificial Eye presents a trio of lesser known works of Alexander Sokurov (RUSSIAN ARK), the heir apparent to Andrei Tarkovsky.  Emma is the original "Material Girl" in SAVE AND PROTECT an eccentric arty adaptation of Gustav Flaubert's MADAME BOVARY, a young man experiences a bureaucratic hell trying to bury his estranged father in THE SECOND CIRCLE, and husband and wife musicians Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich (a cellist who studied under Dmitri Shostakovich) and Galina Vishnevskaya (an opera singer who took the Bolshoi Theatre by storm at an early age) and their fifty-year marriage are the subjects of the documentary ELEGY OF LIFE.

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

ALEXANDER SOKUROV COLLECTION DVD specs:

• SAVE AND PROTECT
•  4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen (original aspect ratio) transfer of the 2009 director's cut.
• Russian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• THE SECOND CIRCLE
• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen (original aspect ratio) transfer of the 2005 director's cut.
• Russian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• ELEGY OF LIVE
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• Russian Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Burnt-in English subtitles

More Artificial Eye reviews at Update the Tags: Artificial Eye.

Second Run DVD reveals a MUNDANE HISTORY (review)

In Anocha Suwichakornpong's first feature MUNDANE HISTORY, male nurse Pun arrives from the countryside to look after Ake, the paralyzed son of an affluent professor.

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

MUNDANE HISTORY (Jao Nok Krajok) DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• Thai Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Interview with director Anocha Suwichakornpong
• Award-winning short film "Graceland"
• Liner Notes Booklet with an essay by film critic Carmen Gray and Director's Statement
• Theatrical Trailer

More Second Run DVD reviews at Update the Tags: Second Run DVD.

The Global Film Initiative steals THE LIGHT THIEF (review)

When it is discovered that local electrician Svet-Ake has been tampering with meters to provide electricity to the poorest of the poor in his dying village, he loses his job.  A land-coveting politician infiltrates the town with plans for redevelopment to sell off the land to the Chinese.  His big plans not only mean money for Svet-Ake's family, but also a chance to realize his ambitions to power the village with wind mills, but it could also mean the end of the village.  Aktan Arym Kubat writes, directs, and stars.

REVIEW LINK: The Global Film Initiative (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

THE LIGHT THIEF DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• Kyrgyz  Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Burnt-in English subtitles
• PDF Discussion Guide
• About The Global Lens Collection

More Global Film Initiative reviews at Update the Tags: The Global Film Initiative.

The Global Film Initiative presents SOUL OF SAND (review)

When Twinkle runs out on her arranged marriage to o on the run with her true love Daya, her social-climbing father sends a murderous bounty hunter on their trail.  They seek shelter at the long closed Royal Silica Mine and put-upon guard Bhanu's decision to break regulations and protect the couple sets off a tragic and deadly chain of events.

REVIEW LINK: The Global Film Initiative (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

SOUL OF SAND (Pairon Talle) DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• Hindi Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Burnt-in English subtitles
• PDF Discussion Guide
• About The Global Lens Collection

More Global Film Initiative reviews at Update the Tags: The Global Film Initiative.

Breaking Glass Pictures are ALMOST KINGS (reviews)

Desperate to emulate his cool older brother Truck, Ted wants to become one of "The Kings" the elite group to which Truck and his buddies belong. Among their recreational activities is a contest to nail as many members of the female student body (whose do-ability is rated beforehand in a copy of the yearbook), and Ted accepts the challenge despite his changing feelings for best friend Kallea. He's up to the challenge of scoring several freshman girls for The Kings parties and , but there is a dark side to his increasing confidence and popularity as he soon discovers that belonging to The Kings is not all fun and games.  Lorenzo James Henrie (STAR TREK), Alex Frost (ELEPHANT), Portia Doubleday (YOUTH IN REVOLT), Haley Ramm (INTO THE WILD)and Billy Campbell (BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA) star.


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

ALMOST KINGS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio
• Audio Commentary by co-writer/director Philip G. Flores and actors Alex Russell, Haley Ramm and Lorenzo James Henrie
• Story and Characters
• Casting and Working with Actors
• Origins of ALMOST KINGS
• Assembling the Crew
• Netflix "Find Your Voice" Competition Trailer
• Photo Gallery
• Trailer
• Breaking Glass Trailers

VCI gets lost IN THE DEVIL'S GARDEN (review)

Schoolgirls disappear down into Devil's Wood in a small English village and a murderous rapist is at large in Sidney Hayer's IN THE DEVIL'S GARDEN (aka ASSAULT aka THE CREEPERS) starring Suzy Kendall (BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE and TORSO), James Laurenson (THE MONSTER CLUB), Frank Finlay (TWISTED NERVE), Tony Beckley (WHEN A STRANGER CALLS), Anthony Ainley (BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW), and introducing Lesley-Anne Down (COUNTESS DRACULA).  An atmospheric British giallo from the director, producer, and writer of REVENGE (INN OF THE FRIGHTENED PEOPLE).

REVIEW LINK: VCI Home Entertainment (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

IN THE DEVIL'S GARDEN DVD specs:

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

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

Synapse Films opens up BASKET CASE 3 (review)

Belial is out of the basket again when greedy deputies seeking a reward steal his twelve offspring to lure him out of hiding in Frank Henenlotter's BASKET CASE 3.  Starring Annie Ross (STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING) with effects by Gabe Bartalos (SPOOKIES) and David Kindlon (LEPRECHAUN).

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

BASKET CASE 3 DVD specs:

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

More Synapse Films reviews at Update the Tags: Synapse Films.

Synapse Films visits the HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR (review)

Hammer's last golden age theatrical feature was 1976's TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER, but they lived on in TV-land with the 1980 thirteen-episode anthology HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR.  In episodes directed by Hammer vets Peter Sasdy (COUNTESS DRACULA), Alan Gibson (DRACULA A.D. 1972), Robert Young (VAMPIRE CIRCUS), and Don Sharp (RASPUTIN THE MAD MONK) among others, we encounter evil kids, werewolves, devil worshippers, witches, haunted houses, crazed killers, and more.  Hammer vets like Peter Cushing (HORROR OF DRACULA), Robert Urquhart (CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN), and John Carson (PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES) along with Leigh Lawson (TESS), Pierce Brosnan (DIE ANOTHER DAY), Diana Dors (NOTHING BUT THE NIGHT), Kathryn Leigh Scot (DARK SHADOWS), Anthony Valentine (PERFORMANCE), Christopher Cazenove (DYNASTY), Brian Cox (MANHUNTER) and Sian Phillips (DUNE) are among the recognizable faces on Hammer's small-screen venture.

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR DVD specs:

• Five-disc set
• 13 episodes in original broadcast order
• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Grave Recollections: A Visit with Kathryn Leigh Scott
• Hammer Housekeeping: A Visit with Mia Nadasi
• Animated Still Gallery

Momentum Pictures investigates APARTMENT 143 (review)

When paranormal activity follows widower Alan White and his kids from their old home to a decrepit Los Angeles apartment building, he calls in parapsychologist Dr. Helzer and his team to investigate the increasingly violent hauntings.  The team does not have to wait long for proof of the paranormal, and soon no one may get out of APARTMENT 143 alive.  Produced by Rodrigo Cortes (BURIED) and directed by Carles Torrens.

REVIEW LINK: Momentum Pictures (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD vs Magnolia Entertainment (USA) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

APARTMENT 143 DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Making-of Featurette
• Trailer

More Momentum Pictures reviews at Update the Tags: Momentum Pictures.
Also available in the US:
 

Nucleus Films releases NIGHT OF THE BLOODY APES (review)

When Dr. Krallman learns that his son Julio's leukemia is incurable, he decides that a gorilla heart transplant will be potent enough to fight the cancerous cells.  It proves too potent, and Julio turns into an ape man from the neck up and a fumbling sex maniac from the waist down and menaces the town.  Mexican exploitation vet Rene Cardona (SURVIVE) goosed up his original film for an adult variant titled HORROR Y SEXO, and US exploitation purveyor Jerald Intrater then added graphically gory eye-gouging, scalp-ripping inserts for what became NIGHT OF THE BLOODY APES (banned in the UK during the Video Nasties craze and presented here uncut from Nucleus Films).

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

NIGHT OF THE BLOODY APES DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.63:1 widescreen
• English and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Video Nasties Intro by Dr. Patricia MacCormack
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spots
• Still Gallery
• Nucleus Films Trailers

More Nucleus Films reviews at Update the Tags: Nucleus Films.

Will Scorpion Releasing survive 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 vs Magna Pacific (AUS) Region 4 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

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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Scorpion Releasing and Linda Blair visit 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 vs Arrow Video (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

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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