Gorgon Video reveals the EVILS OF THE NIGHT (review)

It's summer vacation and necking couples in a quiet college town are disappearing from the local lake, but the killer is not a sex maniac but a group of alien vampires who need teenage blood to survive.  John Carradine, Neville Brand, Aldo Ray, Tina Louise, and Julie Newmar star in this eighties body count pic from EATEN ALIVE producer Mardi Rustam.

REVIEW LINK: Gorgon Video/MPI Media Group (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

EVILS OF THE NIGHT DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Alternate full TV version
• Outtakes
• Trailer

MVD Visual confesses THE SINS OF DRACULA (review)

In this eighties throwback vampire flick from the director of MURDER UNIVERSITY, the outcasts and weirdos that make up the local community theater are mysteriously disappearing to satiate the thirst of a growing army of the undead lead by Count Dracula himself.  Can a young man of faith withstand the undead onslaught or will he be tempted by THE SINS OF DRACULA.

REVIEW LINK: MVD Visual (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

THE SINS OF DRACULA DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.30:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Audio Commentary by director Richard Griffin and writer Michael Varrati
• Audio Commentary by actors Jamie Dufault and Sarah Nicklin
• "They Stole the Pope's Blood" short film
• Easter Egg

88 Films fears THE BOGEY MAN (review)

"The most terrifying nightmare of childhood is about to return" in Ulli Lommel's eighties supernatural slasher classic THE BOOGEY MAN (aka THE BOGEY MAN or THE BOOGEYMAN).  As a child, Lacey witnesses her brother Willy murder their mother's boyfriend.  Years later, the mirror in which Lacey witnessed the act takes on supernatural powers and begins murdering innocent people on its way to take revenge on the siblings.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDBeaver)

THE BOGEY MAN Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 mono
• Interview with Ulli Lommel
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spots
• Stills Gallery
• Reversible sleeve with alternate American poster Artwork
• Collector’s Booklet By Calum Waddell ‘IN THE NAME OF LOVE’ Featuring An In Depth Conversation with Scream Queen Suzanna Love

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

Second Run DVD paints PICTURES OF THE OLD WORLD (review)

REVIEW LINK: Second Run DVD (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

PICTURES OF THE OLD WORLD DVD specs:

• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• Czech Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Essay Booklet by Jonathan Owen

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

Arrow Video USA falls under the BLIND WOMAN'S CURSE (review)

In this rare Nikkatsu Yakuza/horror hybrid from Tesru Ishii (BLIND BEAST VS DWARF), LADY SNOWBLOOD's Meiko Kaji plays Akemi, the leader of a gang who fears that she is cursed by a blood-drinking black cat.  Stalked by a blind swordswoman and a creepy hunchback, Akemi must take up the sword again even though she had resolved to go straight.

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video USA (US) Region A/B Blu-ray/Region 1/2 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

BLIND WOMAN'S CURSE Blu-ray/DVD combo:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.44:1 widescreen
• Japanese LCPM 1.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• DVD: 
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.44:1 widescreen
• Japanese Dolby Digital 1.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Japanese film expert Jasper Sharp
• Theatrical Trailer
• Liner Notes Booklet

Arrow Video USA has its DAY OF ANGER (review)

Arrow Video's American arm brings the rare spaghetti western DAY OF ANGER to stunning high definition with their Blu-ray/DVD combo.  Lee Van Cleef stars as an aging gunfighter who takes on a younger accomplice (Giuliano Gemma) in his quest to conquer a town that owes him a share of fifty-thousand dollars in missing gold from a train robbery.  Tonino Valerii directs.

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Films (US) Region A/B Blu-ray/Region 1/2 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

DAY OF ANGER Blu-ray/DVD combo:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1
• Original Italian Version (113 minutes)
• Italian LPCM 1.0 mono
• English LPCM 1.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• US Theatrical Version (86 minutes)
• English LPCM 1.0 mono
• Optional English HoH subtitles
• The two versions of the feature and all extras on two DVDs
• Interview with director Tomino Valerii
• Interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi
• Interview with Italian cinema expert Roberto Curti
• Deleted Scene
• 3 Theatrical Trailers
• Reversible Sleeve
• Liner Notes Booklet

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

Film Movement challenges IF YOU DON'T, I WILL (review)

In this French comedy from Sophie Fillieres, Emmanuelle Devos and Mathieu Amalric play a couple of fifteen years whose relationship has become deeply toxic.  When wife Pomme suddenly decides one day on a hike to remain behind in the forest, she attempts to adapt to her surroundings while trying to determine where her life will go next while her husband Pierre tries to adapt to life without his wife and to explain her absence to others when even he cannot wrap his mind around it.

REVIEW LINK: Film Movement (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVD Beaver)

IF YOU DON'T, I WILL DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• French Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles and close captioning
• Interview with 
• Filmographies/Biographies
• Theatrical Trailer
• Short Film "Driving Lessons" 
• Film Movement Trailers

More Film Movement reviews at Update the Tags: Film Movement.

Warner and Cartoon Network say GOOD MORNIN' to UNCLE GRANDPA (review)

The Cartoon Network oddity UNCLE GRANDPA hits DVD in this compilation consisting of twelve episodes from the first and second seasons.  Follow Uncle Grandpa, Mr. Gus, Pizza Steve, Giant Realistic Flying Tiger, and Belly Bag as they attempt to help kids with their problems with adventures that more often than not go hilariously awry.

REVIEW LINK: Cartoon Network/Warner Home Video (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

UNCLE GRANDPA: GOOD MORNIN' DVD specs:

• A selection of twelve episodes from the first and second seasons
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English HoH subtitles

Grindhouse Releasing throws a MASSACRE MAFIA STYLE (review)

Duke Mitchell's low budget mafia masterpiece MASSACRE MAFIA STYLE - also known as THE EXECUTIONER and LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON - hits Blu-ray from Grindhouse Releasing.  After years of living in exile in Palermo with his father Don Miceli, Mimi Miceli heads to Los Angeles to conquer Hollywood, starting a war with the local Dons who think the Sicilian way is a thing of the past.

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

MASSACRE MAFIA STYLE Blu-ray/DVD combo:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• "Like Father, Like Son" retrospective documentary
• Duke Mitchell's Home Movies
• Interviews with Matt Cimber and Joe Lobianco
• Theatrical Trailer
• Radio Spots
• Still Galleries
• Bonus Features: Duke Mitchell in BELA LUGOSI MEETS A BROOKLYN GORILLA and AN IMPRESSIONISTIC TRIBUTE TO JIMMY DURANTE (Blu-ray exclusive)
• DVD-ROM extras: two screenplay drafts, two treatments, and additional notes.
• Easter Eggs
• Grindhouse Releasing Trailers
• Booklet by David Szulkin

More Grindhouse Releasing reviews at Review Archive: Grindhouse Releasing.

Vinegar Syndrome raids THE MUTHERS (review)

In this action adventure from Cirio H. Santiago, female pirates Anggie and Kelly infiltrate a coffee plantation that uses abducted women as slave labor in search of Kelly's sister.  When they see the savage and sadistic treatment of those that try to escape, THE MUTHERS and their fellow inmates stage a daring escape through the jungle towards the sea.  Jayne Kennedy, Jeanne Bell, Rosanne Katon, and Trina Parks star.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE MUTHERS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 1.0
• Theatrical Trailer

More Vinegar Syndrome reviews at Update the Tags: Vinegar Syndrome.

Gorgon Video welcomes THE ROOMMATES and A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN (review)

Gorgon Video resurrects these two Arthur Marks productions, seldom-seen since their theatrical release.  In THE ROOMMATES a quartet of college gals and one of their virginal cousins head to Lake Arrowhead for the summer and encounter sun, sex, and murder.  Marki Bey (SUGAR HILL), Roberta Collins (THE WITCH WHO CAME FROM THE SEA), Pat Woodell (PETTICOAT JUNCTION), and Laurie Rose (THE WORKING GIRLS) star.  In A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN, hard-ass construction millionaire Walter brings home a stripper wife from Las Vegas, much to the frustration of his grown children who think they will be out of the will unless they can do something about daddy's will and his scheming new wife.  Keenan Wynn (BLACK MOON RISING), Judy Brown (THE BIG DOLL HOUSE), Andy Robinson (DIRTY HARRY, HELLRAISER), Peter Hooten (BO DEREK'S FANTASIES), Alex Rocco (BLOOD MANIA), and Don Porter (GIDGET) star.

REVIEW LINK: Gorgon Video/MPI Home Video (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE ROOMMATES/A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 mono
• DVD: 
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio Commentary on THE ROOMMATES by director Arthur Marks, moderated by Elijah Drenner
• Interview with Arthur Marks and THE ROOMMATES' Roberta Collins
• Interview with Arthur Marks and A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN's Judy Brown
• Theatrical Trailer and TV spots for A WOMAN FOR ALL MEN

Second Run DVD falls into Vera Chytilová's TRAPS (review)

(Pasti, pasti, pasticky) In this late film from Czech cinematic provocateur Vera Chytilova, macho photographer Petr and politician Dohnal celebrate their reunion with a drive into the country where they rape stranded veterinarian Lenka.  Faking amnesia after the event, she invites them into her home for a drink, drugs them, and castrates them.  That is only the beginning, however, as all three are are pulled into the surreal aftermath of political machinations, public relations, and sexual provocation.

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

TRAPS DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.66:1 widescreen
• Czech Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Liner Notes Booklet

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

Troma is infected with RABID GRANNIES (review)

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house... where the old biddies love their grandchildren... well done!  Troma's Belgian acquisition from 1988 is a half-dubbed, all-silly gorefest about a dysfunctional family reunion in which a gift from the black sheep of the family turns two sweet grannies into demons who chomp their way down the family tree.

REVIEW LINK: Troma Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD combo (DVD Drive-in)

RABID GRANNIES Blu-ray/DVD combo:

• Blu-ray:
• 2011 Director's Cut of the Film (69 minutes)
• 1080i30 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen (not original aspect ratio)
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Interview with the producer
• Interview with a real Rabid Granny
• Outtakes
• Troma Trailers
• DVD:
• 1988 R-rated Version (88 minutes)
• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by director Emmanuel Kervyn
• Interview with the Producer
• Interview with a real Rabid Granny
• Outtakes
• Video Trailer
• Interview with Dario Argento on THE STENDHAL SYNDROME
• Other Tempting Tromabilia
• Troma Trailers

Vinegar Syndrome exposes DIXIE RAY HOLLYWOOD STAR (review)

John Leslie, Cameron Mitchell, Samantha Fox, Kelly Nichols, Veronica Hart, Juliet Anderson, and the lovely Lisa de Leeuw star in this X-rated homage to film noir.  Detective Nick investigates the blackmailing of film star Dixie Ray whose comeback could be ruined by the publication of a nude photograph.  He becomes tangled in a web of intrigue, murder, and lots of sex.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

DIXIE RAY HOLLYWOOD STAR DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 1.0 mono
• Theatrical Trailer
• R-rated version IT'S CALLED MURDER, BABY with several alternate scenes

More Vinegar Syndrome reviews at Update the Tags: Vinegar Syndrome.

Scream Factory hitches a DARK HAUL (review)

Hitch a ride on the DARK HAUL as a secret church organization transports the legendary Jersey Devil on a journey fraught with danger as it uses its unearthly influence to take the trip on an unholy detour.

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

DARK HAUL Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Trailer

More Scream Factory reviews at Review Archive: Scream Factory.

Strand Releasing ponders THE WAY HE LOOKS (review)

Blind teenager Leonardo's way of "looking" at things undergoes a major change when charming new student Gabriel joins the class and starts to come between him and his childhood best friend Giovana.

REVIEW LINK: Strand Releasing (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDBeaver)

THE WAY HE LOOKS Blu-ray:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
• Portuguese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• English Audio Descriptive Track (in Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo)
• Optional English and Spanish subtitle tracks
• Behind the Scenes
• Cast and Crew Interview
• Deleted Scenes
• Short Film "I Don't Want to Go Back Alone"
• Theatrical Trailer
• Strand Releasing Trailers

More Strand Releasing reviews at Update the Tags: Strand Releasing.

88 Films celebrates MOTHER'S DAY (review)

88 Films celebrates MOTHER'S DAY with a Blu-ray of this pre-Troma Films release produced by Lloyd Kaufman and directed by his brother.  Three women celebrate the tenth anniversary of their college graduation by camping deep in the New Jersey Barrens where they are abducted by a pair of backwoods brothers who bring them home to mama for a very special kind of entertainment.  Beatrice Pons (CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU?) stars.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDBeaver)

MOTHER'S DAY Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by director Charles Kaufman and assistant art director Rex Piano
• Introductions by Charles Kaufman and Rex Piano
• Eli Roth on MOTHER'S DAY
• Interview with Charles Kaufman and Darren Bousman
• Theatrical Trailer
• Behind the Scenes 16mm footage
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spot
• Liner Notes Booklet

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

Impulse Pictures files SCHOOLGIRL REPORT #13 (review)

In the thirteenth entry of the SCHOOLGIRL REPORT series, a drama class rehearsing a production of ROMEO AND JULIET ponder through a series of comic and tragic vignettes whether sex can exist without love and vice versa.

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

SCHOOLGIRL REPORT #13 DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.66:1 widescreen
• German Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles

Vinegar Syndrome has HOT LEGS for a CALIFORNIA GIGOLO (review)

Vinegar Syndrome's latest Peekarama Big 2 Unit Show! double feature includes two works by Bob Chinn.  In HOT LEGS, a women's legging company bets the bank for an exciting ad campaign but their top models can't get off their backs or out from under their boyfriends (and girlfriends).  In CALIFORNIA GIGOLO, John Holmes has a packed schedule of comely tricks from Palm Springs to Malibu.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

HOT LEGS/CALIFORNIA GIGOLO DVD specs:

• Mastered from 2K scans of the original 35mm camera negatives
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 1.0 mono
• Theatrical Trailers for both films

More Vinegar Syndrome reviews at Update the Tags: Vinegar Syndrome.

88 Films visits the SLAUGHTERHOUSE (review)

When the county wants to foreclose on his slaughterhouse and two ex-employees conspire to buy it out from under him, Lester Bacon finds an advantage to his hulking son Buddy's unfortunate penchant for butchering trespassers.  It's going to be a busy stormy night when a gaggle of teenagers break in to shoot a music video and have a party.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDBeaver)

SLAUGHTERHOUSE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 stereo
• Audio Commentary by writer/driector Rick Roessler and producer Jerry Encoe
  Interviews with Roessler and Encoe
• Raw On-set Footage
• "Buddy Meets the Public" promotional appearances
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spots (2:01)
• "No Smoking" Trailer
• 88 Films Trailer Reel
• Reversible Sleeve
• Collector's Booklet

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

88 Films warns DON'T GO IN THE WOODS (review)

Campers, hikers, photographers, mediocre artists, birdwatchers, and roller skaters going down to the woods today are in for a grisly surprise in the 1980 Utah-lensed slasher DON'T GO IN THE WOODS.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDBeaver)

DON'T GO IN THE WOOD Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by director James Bryan
• Audio Commentary by director James Bryan, actress Mary Gail Artz, and super fan Deron Miller
• Making-of Featurette with the Cast and Crew (56 mins)
• Vintage Local Television Appearances
• Theatrical Trailer
• Poster and Stills Gallery
• 88 Films Trailer Reel
• Reversible Cover
• Collector's Booklet

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

Viengar Syndrome warns DON'T GO IN THE WOODS (review)

"For some people, a simple warning isn't enough" and those who go out into the woods today are in for a big surprise when a killer starts picking off badly-dressed campers, hikers, birdwatchers, terrible artists, honeymooners, and roller skaters in James Bryan's Utah-lensed slasher.

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

DON'T GO IN THE WOODS Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono
• DVD: 
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.66:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 1.0 mono
• Audio Commentary by director James Bryan
• Audio Commentary by director James Bryan, actress Mary Gail Artz, and super fan Deron Miller
• Audio Commentary by The Hysteria Continues
• Cast and Crew Featurette
• Autograph Signing Party
• TV Promo Compilation
• Theatrical Trailer
• Production Stills Gallery
• Press and Art Gallery
• Script Gallery

More Vinegar Syndrome reviews at Update the Tags: Vinegar Syndrome.

Arrow Films sets up a heist with TOMMY (review)

In the Swedish noir film TOMMY, Estelle returns from Sri Lanka to Sweden to retrieve her boyfriend Tommy's share of a four million Euro bank heist.  When she discovers that the other members of the gang believe Tommy disappeared with the money, she sets about turning the gang members against each other in an effort to root out the betrayer, turning the Laplands into a warzone.

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

TOMMY DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• Swedish Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Start-up Trailers

More Arrow Films reviews at Review Archive: Arrow Films.