Scream Factory receives a DEADLY BLESSING (review)

Maren Jensen (BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA), Sharon Stone (ACTION JACKSON), and Susan Bruckner (GREASE) are three young women targeted to receive a DEADLY BLESSING in Wes Craven's underrated eighties horror film.  When a young woman's husband is killed in a mysterious accident, she is terrorized by his Hittite relatives who believe she is a demon; but are they behind the terrifying and baffling deaths that terrorize both sides.  Ernest Borgnine (MARTY), Lisa Hartman (WHERE THE BOYS ARE '84), Michael Berryman (THE HILLS HAVE YES), Jeff East (THE CAMPUS CORPSE), Douglas Barr (THE UNSEEN), and Lois Nettleton (GENERAL HOSPITAL) also star.  See the review link below:

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

DEADLY BLESSING Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 1.85:1 widescreen
• English DTS-MA 5.1 and 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by Wes Craven
• Interview with effects creator John Naulen
• Interview with actress Susan Buckner
• Interview with actor Michael Berryman
• Interview with writers Matthew Barr and Glen Benest
• Theatrical Trailer
• 3 TV spots
• 5 radio spots
• Still Gallery

More Scream Factory reviews at Update the Tags: Scream Factory.

Scream Factory discovers THE NEST (review)

In the tradition of producer Roger Corman's PIRANHA and HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP, a New England island community is invaded by mutant cockroaches in THE NEST.  Robert Lansing, Franc Luz, and Lisa Langlois star.

REVIEW LINK: Scream Factory/Shout! Factory Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE NEST Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• 1080p24 1.78:1 widescreen (Blu-ray)
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen (DVD)
• English DTS-MA 2.0 stereo (Blu-ray)
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo (DVD)
• Audio Commentary by Terence H. Winkless

More Scream Factory reviews at Update the Tags: Scream Factory.

Second Run faces THE CONFRONTATION (review)

In Hungarian director Miklos Jancso's first color film, students representing the Peoples' School invade a Catholic seminary to convert the students over to communist ideals.  Laci takes an approach involving persuasion and debate while militant Jutka favors intimidation, considering resistance to be provocation and suffering in silence to be "peaceful fascism".  In between the two of them is a state police officer who finds both approaches useful towards his own ends.


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


THE CONFRONTATION DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.46:1 widescreen
• Hungarian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Liner Notes Booklet by Graham Petrie

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

Scream Factory and Viggo Mortensen go to PRISON (review)

When an abandoned prison is re-opened, something more evil and deadly than a sadistic warden awaits the inmates and the staff as a series of grisly "accidents" begin to befall anyone who tries to escape PRISON.  Lane Smith (NETWORK), Chelsea Field (DUST DEVIL), and Viggo Mortensen (THE REFLECTING SKIN) star (also look for a very special appearance by Kane "Jason Voorhees" Hodder).  From Charles Band's Empire Pictures and Irwin Yablans, the producer of HALLOWEEN... a new place to haunt!

REVIEW LINK: Scream Factory/Shout!Factory (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

PRISON Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• 1080p24 1.78:1 widescreen (Blu-ray)
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen (DVD)
• English DTS-MA 5.1 and 2.0 stereo (Blu-ray)
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo (DVD)
• Audio Commentary by director Renny Harlin
• "Hard Time: The Making of PRISON"
• Poster and Still Gallery
• DVD-ROM: First Draft Screenplay (.pdf)

More Scream Factory reviews at Update the Tags: Scream Factory.

Vampires don't sparkle in MIDNIGHT SON (review)

Security guard Jacob only works at night since he has a fiery allergy to the son, but he's not a vampire... at least not yet.  His craving for warm blood is a relatively new thing and his search for it involves him with shady characters and grisly killings, not to mention a new, quirky love interest who might also end up on the menu.

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

MIDNIGHT SON DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Audio Commentary with director Scott Leberecht and stars Zak Kilberg, Maya Parish, and Jo D. Jonz
• Interviews:
• director Scott Leberecht
• actor Zak Kilberg
• actress Maya Parish
• actor Jo D. Jonz
• cinematographer Lyn Moncrief
• Music Tracks
• Deleted Scene
• U.K. Theatrical Trailer

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

Scream Factory on TERRORVISION with THE VIDEO DEAD (review)

Terror comes out of the television, from outer space AND from beyond the grave in Scream Factory/Shout!Factory's Blu-ray/DVD double bill of Empire Pictures' TERRORVISION and the direct-to-video eighties cult hit THE VIDEO DEAD.  In the first film, a ravenous mutant is beamed from its home planet and unfortunately into the satellite of a well-to-do Los Angeles family of swingers, New Age rockers, and survivalists.  Gerit Graham, Mary Woronov, Diane Franklin, Jonathan Gries, and Chad Allen star.  In the second film, an old TV set is the gateway between worlds that unleashes the living dead into a pleasant suburban neighborhood.  Both films are surprisingly stacked with extras including commentary tracks (two on THE VIDEO DEAD and one on TERRORVISION), retrospective featurettes, trailers, galleries, and even a original screenplay for THE VIDEO DEAD.

REVIEW LINK: Scream Factory/Shout!Factory (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

TERRORVISION/THE VIDEO DEAD Blu-ray/DVD specs:

• TERRORVISION:
• 1080p24 1.85:1 widescreen (Blu-ray)
• English DTS-MA 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen (DVD) 
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Ted Nicolau and actors Diane Franklin and Jon Gries
• "Monster on Demand" retrospective documentary
• THE VIDEO DEAD:
• 1080p24 1.85:1 widescreen (Blu-ray)
• English DTS-MA 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen (DVD)
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio Commentary by writer/director Robert Scott, editor Bob Sarles, and special make-up effects creator Dale Hall, Jr.
• Audio Commentary by stars Roxanna Augesen and Rocky Duvall, production manager Jacques Thelemaque, and make-up assistant Patrick Denver
• "Pre-RecorDEAD" - interview with make-up effects artist Dale Hall, Jr. and assistant Patrick Denver
• Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery
• Poster and Still Gallery
• DVD-ROM: Original Screenplay (.pdf)

More Scream Factory reviews at Update the Tags: Scream Factory.

Vinegar Syndrome premieres THE LOST FILMS OF HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS (review)

The last three "lost" films of "Godfather of Gore" Herschell Gordon Lewis are finally present and accounted for on DVD (and Blu-ray) from the original negatives no less.  In THE ECSTASIES OF WOMEN, bachelor Harry learns that he may not be so willing to give up his freewheeling lifestyle as he recalls his past conquests at his bachelor party.  In LINDA AND ABILINE, Todd and Abiline bury their parents and finally succumb to their repressed desires before seeking outside partners in this wild west softcore item.  Finally, in BLACK LOVE, Lewis takes a documentary look at what sets African American sexuality apart (or does he?) in this rare XXX effort.

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

THE LOST FILMS OF HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS Blu-ray+DVD combo specs:

• 1080p24 pillarboxed 1.37:1 (Blu-ray)
• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.37:1 fullscreen (DVD)
• Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (Blu-ray and DVD)
• Original Theatrical Trailers (Blu-ray and DVD)
• Liner Notes Booklet by Casey Scott
• Special Edition Lab Cards 
• Three Collectors' Pins

The Global Film Initiative wanders in THE WHITE MEADOWS (review)

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

THE WHITE MEADOWS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• Farsi Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Burnt-in English subtitles
• Global Lens Collection Trailer
• About The Global Lens Initiative
• PDF Discussion Guide

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

88 Films gets a check-up from DR. ALIEN (review)

BLOODY BIRTHDAY's Billy Jacoby is all grown up in DR. ALIEN as straightlaced college freshman Wesley Littlejohn who has a paralyzing fear of talking to girls.  When his biology professor (Troy Donahue) winds up in traction, the sexy substitute Ms. Zenobia (Judy Landers) selects Wesley for a mysterious science experiment that makes him irresistible to women (human and extraterrestrial).  Edy Williams (BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS), Michelle Bauer (THE TOMB), and Billy's brother Bobby Jacoby (NIGHT OF THE DEMONS 2) also star (the two brothers also penned a theme song called "I Was a Teenage Sex Mutant").  There's also a girl rock group trio made up of adult star Ginger Lynn, scream queen Linnea Quigley, and actress/stuntwoman Laura Albert (THE UNNAMABLE).

88 Films' DVD release also includes the 1978 X-rated bonus film AUDITIONS in which a director sets up two days of auditions for sexiest man and woman and weirdest act, welcoming in a diverse group of the sexy and the freaky from off the street (actually, the cast includes a lot of familiar faces from softcore and hardcore seventies cinema).

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


DR. ALIEN DVD specs:

• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Original Trailer
• Still Gallery
• Bonus Feature Film: AUDITIONS (1978)
• Full Moon Trailers

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

88 Films captures SLAVE GIRLS FROM BEYOND INFINITY (review)

Elizabeth Kaitan (FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD), Cindy Beal (MY CHAUFFEUR), and Brinke Stevens (SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA) are SLAVE GIRLS FROM BEYOND INFINITY.  Hapless travelers who become shipwrecked on a mysterious planet become the potential trophies of hunter Zed in this sci-fi variation on THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME.

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

SLAVE GIRLS FROM BEYOND INFINITY DVD specs:

• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0
• Still Gallery
• Original Trailer
• 10 Full Moon Trailers
• Bonus Feature: "FAMOUS T and A" hosted by Sybil Danning

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

88 Films battles CREEPOZOIDS (review)

In the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Earth 1998 (read: downtown Los Angeles 1987), five army deserters search for shelter from mutant nomads and acid rains in a bunker that turns out to be an abandoned research lab where genetic experiments have lead to the creation of a hulking mutant that starts picking off the soldiers one-by-one.  Linnea Quigley (RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD), Ken Abraham (TERROR NIGHT/BLOODY MOVIE), adult actress Ashlyn Gere (EVIL LAUGH) star.  Directed by David DeCoteau (SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA) with creature effects by John Criswell (the FRIGHT NIGHT remake).

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

CREEPOZOIDS DVD specs:

• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0
• Original Trailer
• Still Gallery
• BONUS FEATURE FILM: "Filmgore" (1983) 119 minutes (hosted by Elvira)
• 10 Full Moon Trailers

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

PIRANHACONDA attacks Chelsea Films (review)

KILL BILL's Michael Madsen and "Stacy's Mom" Rachel Hunter are potential human sushi for a gigantic half-piranha, half-anaconda creature hunting the Hawaiian islands in Jim Wynorski's and Roger Corman's DTV monster flick PIRANHACONDA.

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

PIRANHACONDA DVD specs:

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

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

Monster Pictures releases DEAR GOD NO! (review)

When racist bikers decide to pull a LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT on a professor and his guests in an out-of-the-way cabin, they stumble into NIGHT OF THE DEMON territory as a sasquatch starts picking them off one by one in this Grindhouse pastiche.

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

DEAR GOD NO! DVD specs:

• Disc One:
• The Original Cut (77 minutes)*
• Audio Commentary by director James Bickert and composer Richard Davis
• Audio Commentary by actors Jett Bryant, Madeline Brumby, and Shane Morton
• Trailer
• Easter Eggs
• Disc Two:
• The Grindhouse Cut (79 minutes)*
• Redband Trailer
• Behind the Scenes Gag Reel
• Zombie Parody
• Torture Porn Parody
• Vlog the Magnificent at the Film's Premiere
• "Blaarg" animated short 

*Both versions have been edited for content by order of the BBFC.

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

Troma Films unleases THE TOXIC AVENGER: THE JAPANESE CUT (review)

Toxie is back again in the rare extended Japanese cut of the original THE TOXIC AVENGER featuring more gore and additional scenes not present in the unrated American and extended European cuts of the film that have been on video and DVD since the dawn of the formats.

REVIEW LINK: Troma Films (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE TOXIC AVENGER: THE JAPANESE CUT DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Trailers for all of the Toxie films
• Still Gallery
• Rare introduction for the Japanese release (in English with Japanese and translated English subtitles)
• Troma Trailers
• Radiation March

Breaking Glass Pictures visits THE FALLS (review)

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

THE FALLS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1
• English Closed Captioning
• Behind the Scenes
• Trailer
• Photo Gallery
• Breaking Glass Pictures Trailers

Ballyhoo Motion Pictures uncovers THE DEVIL'S SISTERS (review)

DEATH CURSE OF TARTU/STING OF DEATH director William Grefe's once-lost sleazy true crime thriller THE DEVIL'S SISTERS makes is digital debut courtesy of special features producer Ballyhoo Motion Pictures.  After her cop boyfriend dumps her, lovely Teresa heads to Tijuana in search of a job.  Answering a too-good-to-be-true newspaper ad looking for a girl to assist in domestic and social activities, Teresa soon finds herself trapped in a room and forced into a life of prostitution.  When one of her clients turns out to be her policeman ex, her captors spirit her away to "The Ranch" where prostitutes are either sold or killed if they don't fetch a good price.  Transferred from the only known remaining print (from a German collector), the film's final eight minutes are forever lost, so director William Grefe appears on camera and explains the ending with the help of animated storyboards.

REVIEW LINK: Ballyhoo Motion Pictures (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE DEVIL'S SISTERS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.66:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by director William Grefe
• Introduction by William Grefe
• "Devil's Sisters" Revisited
• Re-release Radio Spot
• Still Gallery
• Bonus Trailers
• Historial Essay by Chris Poggiali 

Available exclusively through William Grefe's website: Reality Edge Films.