Severin Films attends DRIVE-IN MASSACRE (review)

Just when you thought it was safe to go the drive-in, the proto-slasher DRIVE-IN MASSACRE slices its way through necking couples and peeping toms as the police investigation comes up empty.  Written by character actors John Goff and George "Buck" Flower and directed by Stu Segall (who went from Marilyn Chambers' INSATIABLE to TV shows like HUNTER, RENEGADE, and SILK STAKINGS).

REVIEW LINK: Severin Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

DRIVE-IN MASSACRE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English SDH subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Stu Segall
• Interview with writer/actor John Goff
• Norm Sheridan recalls DRIVE-IN MASSACRE
• "Making the Massacre" with Stu Segall
• Theatrical Trailer
• Easter Egg

LionsGate captures THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (Review)

Nicolas Roeg's landmark science fiction film that transformed David Bowie from rock star to movie star THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH comes back to Blu-ray from its fortieth anniversary 4K restoration with over three hours of extras and other collector's material.

REVIEW LINK: LionsGate (US) Region A Blu-ray/Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Disc One (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo
• Disc Two (DVD):
• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles
• Bonus Features (on disc one and on bonus second DVD):
• Interviews:
• actress Candy Clark
• writer Paul Mayersberg
• cinematographer Tony Richmond
• director Nicolas Roeg
• costume desigenr May Routh
• still phtoographer Daniel James
• filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson
• producer Michael Deeley
• "The Lost Soundtrack" featurette
• David Bowie Interview from French TV 1977
• Theatrical Trailer
• Digital Download Code
• Collector's Booklet featuring essays by David Jenkins and Chris Chamption
• Four Photo Cards
• Fold-out Poster
• Collector's Slipcase

Wolfe Video presents DEPARTURE (Review)

When Beatrice and son Elliot travel to rural France to close up the family vacation home after a bitter divorce, the sheltered son feels the first stirrings of love and lust for French youth Clement but the emotional breakdown of his family colors his experience and makes him reticent to express his feelings.

REVIEW LINK: Wolfe Video (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

DEPARTURE DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English SDH subtitles (burnt-in subtitles for French dialogue)
• Interviews with actors Juliet Stevenson, Alex Lawther, and Phenix Brossard
• Trailer
• Previews

Breaking Glass Pictures does a RETAKE (review)

In this hybrid of romance and thriller, wealthy businessman Jonathan hires San Francisco hustler Adam to role-play as his younger lover Brandon on a long road trip to the Grand Canyon.  As he slips into the role, Adam realizes that Jonathan is not living out a fantasy but recreating a past relationship that ended tragically which makes him determined to change the past.

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

RETAKE DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• English Closed Captioning
• Audio Commentary by director Nick Corporon
• 'Making RETAKE' featurette
• Deleted Scenes
• Atlanta Q and A
• Newfest NYC Q and A
• Tuc Watkins Interview
• Short Film 'The Passenger'
• Trailer
• Previews

Wolfe Video finds love and redemption in AKRON (review)

University of Akron freshman Benny and Scott fall in love and begin dating with the support of their family; however, their happiness is threatened when a devastating and tragic secret shared by their parents comes to light.

REVIEW LINK: Wolfe Video (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

AKRON DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English SDH subtitles
• Cast and Crew Interviews
• Interview with co-director Brian O'Donnell
• Trailer
• Previews

Film Movement sees THE FOREST FOR THE TREES (review)

The thesis film of Maren Ade (TONI ERDMANN) hits close to home with the story of new teacher Melanie whose bright enthusiasm and progressive teaching ideas are brought down by resentful colleagues, defiant students, and her own crippling social awkwardness.

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

THE FOREST FOR THE TREES DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• German Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• English Closed Captioning
• Short Film "Estes Avenue"
• Biographies

Scream Factory tells DEADTIME STORIES (review)

The eighties anthology classic DEADTIME STORIES hits Blu-ray.  When bratty Brian won't go to bed, Uncle Mike puts his own spin on some very grim fairy tales.  An orphan is sent to procure a virgin for sacrifice for a pair of ugly witches, Little Red Riding Hood is re-imagined a hot-to-trot high school senior, and Goldilocks goes CARRIE on the three bears.  Scott Valentine and Melissa Leo star.

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

DEADTIME STORIES Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English SDH subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Jeffrey Delman
• "The Black Forest" alternate version of the first story
• Interview with director Jeffrey Delman
• Making-of featurette with actors Melissa Leo, Cathryn de Prume, and Scott Valentine
• Deleted Scenes
• Three Theatrical Trailers
• Stills Gallery

Dorado Films finds the SILENCE OF THE TOMB in THE SINISTER EYES OF DR. ORLOFF (review)

Dorado Films debuts on Blu-ray with two Jess Franco obscurities. In THE SILENCE OF THE TOMB, a weekend island party is an ideal place to kill when an actress and a group of greedy friends and family gather together.  In THE SINISTER EYES OF DOCTOR ORLOFF, wheelchair bound Melissa has had nightmares since childhood in which she murders her father.  When her uncle mysteriously disappears she is uncertain if she is guilty or if one of her family is trying to drive her insane.  Monserrat Prous, William Berger, Robert Woods, and Kali Hansa star.

REVIEW LINK: Dorado Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

JESS FRANCO'S FORGOTTEN FILMS Blu-ray specs:

• The Silence of the Tomb (1972):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
• Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff (1973):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed widescreen
• Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optional English, Italian, and Spanish subtitles
• Interview with actor Robert Woods
• Original Scripted Ending for THE SILENCE OF THE TOMB
• Trailers
• Booklet by Alex Mendibil on the literary source of SILENCE OF THE TOMB

LionsGate investigates THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX (Review)

Based on the novel by Liz Jensen, THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX explores the mystery of the most accident prone boy who has survived electrocutions, drownings, poisonings, and other freak accidents but now lies in a coma after a fatal fall.  As a neurologist seeks to find a way to communicate with him, Louis goes on a journey of his own in his brain and reaches out to the living in strange and miraculous ways.

REVIEW LINK: LionsGate (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Optional English, English SDH, and Spanish subtitles
• Making-of
• Previews

Vinegar Syndrome is teased by BABYFACE (Review)

Alex deRenzy pushes the envelope again with BABYFACE.  When dock worker Dan is caught with teenage tease Priscilla, he is left for dead and takes shelter in a male brothel.  When Priscilla's stabby mother learns of his whereabouts, she plans to crash the party.

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

BABYFACE Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 1.0 mono
• "Parochial Passion Princess" short film
• Audio Interview with actress Molly Seagrim (109 minutes)

Vinegar Syndrome visits the SLAUGHTERHOUSE (Review)

Hulking buddy has an axe to grind and he turns teenagers into Bacon Bits in SLAUGHTERHOUSE.  When the county tries to foreclose on Lester Bacon's run-down slaughterhouse, he and his son start taking out those who try to profit from the sale and anyone else who wanders along.

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

SLAUGHTERHOUSE Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• Blu-ray:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• DVD:
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional English SDH subtitles
• Audio Commentary by writer/director Rick Roessler, producer Jerry Encoe, and production designer Michael Scaglione
• Interview with actress Sherry Bendorf Leigh
• "Making A Low Budget Indie" interview with Rick Roessler
• "Producing Slaughterhouse" interview with Jerry Encoe
• "The Making of Slaughterhouse" archival interview with Rick Roessler
• "Financing and Distribution of Independent Horror Films" with producer Jerry Encoe
• Behind the Scenes Featurette
• Outtakes
• "Epilogue: 30 Years After the Slaughter" featurette
• Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• Radio Spots
• 1987 Radio Interview with actor Joe Barton
• Local News Coverage
• "Slaughterhouse Shooting Script" slideshow
• "No Smoking" Trailer

Kino Lorber takes on STRYKER (Review)

Filipino action hack Cirio H. Santiago takes on ROAD WARRIOR in this cut-rate ripoff in which water is scare and those who have a source have the power.  A late release by Roger Corman's New World Pictures.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

STRYKER Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio Commentary by filmmaker Jim Wynorski
• Theatrical Trailer
• Previews

Severin Films haunts THE SURVIVOR (Review)

James Herbert's best-selling horror novel hits the screen as the Ozploitation classic THE SURVIVOR.  When an airline crashes into an Australian village, the only survivor of three hundred casualties is the pilot who emerges unscathed but without his memory.  As bad thing start happening to people involved in the investigation and those who seek to prophet from it, it becomes apparent that the spirits of the restless dead want the pilot to discover who was behind the crash.

REVIEW LINK: Severin Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

THE SURVIVOR Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 mono
• Optional English SDH subtitles
• Extended Scenes
• TV Spot
• Extended Interviews with producer Anthony Ginnane and director of photography John Seale from NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD
• Archival TV Interviews with Joseph Cotten, Peter Sumner, Ralph Cotterill, Angela Punch-McGregor, and Jenny Agutter
• Archival TV Interview with David Hemmings
• Archival TV Interview with David Hemmings and Robert Powell
• Anthony Ginnane Trailer Reel

Redemption Films resurrects DR. ORLOFF'S MONSTER (review)

The awful Dr. Orloff is back (briefly) in DR. ORLOFF'S MONSTER as the mentor of Dr. Fisherman who has created a robot from the reanimated corpse of the brother he murdered for sleeping with his wife.  Using ultrasonic transmitters, Dr. Fisherman commands his creation to do away with the women in his life until his niece comes to the castle to visit looking for information about her dead father.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

DR. ORLOFF'S MONSTER Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 widescreen
• English and French LPCM 2.0 mono audio tracks
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas
• Alternate Erotic Footage
• French Theatrical Trailer
• Italian Theatrical Trailer

Films2C presents THE AMERICAN TRILOGY (review)

Composer turned filmmaker Cyril Morin explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption in the three films that comprise AN AMERICAN TRILOGY.  In THE ACTIVIST, a lawyer for the AIM movement and his brother-in-law are held in a remote two man precinct at the height of the occupation of Wounded Knee for mysterious reasons.  In NY84, singer Kate, photographer Anton, and poet Keith complete each other but their world of bohemian artists, drugs, and nightclubbing is about to be shattered by the emergency of the AIDS crisis in the eighties New York.  Finally, in HACKER'S GAME, hackers Soyan and Loise fall in love but their relationship is manipulated by an unscrupulous corporation with wide-ranging and corrupt interests.

REVIEW LINK: Films2C/Media in Sync (US) Region ALL BD-R (DVDCompare)

AN AMERICAN TRILOGY BD-R specs:

• Disc One:
• "The Activist" (2014)
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional French and Spanish subtitles
• "NY84" (2016)
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional French and Spanish subtitles
• Trailers for Both Films
• Disc Two:
• "Hacker's Game" (2015)
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.40:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
• Optional French and Spanish subtitles
• Theatrical Trailer (with optional French subtitles)
• "An American Trilogy" featurette

Acorn Media cross examines THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (review)

REVIEW LINK: Acorn Media (UK) Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English HoH subtitles
• Featurettes:
• "From Script to Screen"
• "Fashion"
• "Anatomy of a Murder"
• "Filming on The Front"
• Still Gallery

Film Movement falls hard for BLUSH (review)

When Naama falls for wild new girl at school Dana, their whirlwind affair offers escape from her dysfunctional family life but the relationship soon becomes all-consuming at the expense of her friendships.  A drug-fueled coming of age and coming out story that is bold and bittersweet.

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

BLUSH DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen
• Hebrew/Arabic Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Short Film "This is You and Me"
• Trailer
• Previews

Breaking Glass Pictures' THE HARROW (review)

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

THE HARROW DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1
• English Closed Captioning
• Q and A with the Cast and Crew
• Two Short Films by director Kevin Stocklin
• Trailer
• Previews

Strand Releasing weds THE BRIDE (LA NOVIA) (review)

In this modern adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca's "Blood Wedding" a bride forsakes her impending nuptials for lust, bringing about bloody tragedy upon two families already embroiled in a long-standing feud.

REVIEW LINK: Outsider Pictures/Strand Releasing (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

THE BRIDE (LA NOVIA) DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.40:1 widescreen
• Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
• Optional English Subtitles
• Theatrical Trailer
• Preview

Second Run's SOME DAY MY PRINCE WILL COME for PHILIP AND HIS SEVEN WIVES (review)

Although the subjects are disparate, these two documentaries from Marc Isaac both examine the themes of love and innocence.  In SOME DAY MY PRINCE WILL COME, ten year old Laura-Anne embarks on a year-long quest to find the boy of her dreams in a seaside fishing village.  In PHILIP AND HIS SEVEN WIVES, former DJ/Rabbi Philip decides after a visitation to live like an Old Testament Hebrew King with seven wives on a farm.  The documentary explores his ideals and the underlying tensions as they eight adults and their children endeavor to live by their faith while contending with jealousy and hardship.

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

SOME DAY MY PRINCE WILL COME/PHILIP AND HIS SEVEN WIVES DVD specs:

• "Some Day My Prince Will Come" (49 minutes):
• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono 
• New epilogue
• "Philip and His Seven Wives" (69 minutes):
• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• "Philip and His Seven Wives: Eight Years Later" featurette
• Interview with director Marc Isaacs
• Booklet by Nick Bradshaw featuring an interview with Marc Isaacs

The Film Detective carries out THE BLACK DRAGON'S REVENGE (review)

Ron Van Clief - nicknamed "The Black Dragon" by Bruce Lee himself - investigates his mentor's mysterious death in THE BLACK DRAGON'S REVENGE.  Hired to find out who killed Bruce Lee, Ron Van Clief travels to Hong Kong and hooks up with former army buddy Charlie Woodcock and they find themselves in the crossfire of two rival clans.

REVIEW LINK: The Film Detective (US) Region ALL BD-R (DVD Drive-in)

THE BLACK DRAGON'S REVENGE BD-R specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
• Optional English SDH subtitles
• Theatrical Trailer
• "Bruce Lee Dubs" featurette

Mondo Macabro emerges SUDDENLY IN THE DARK (review)

This rare eighties Korean horror film makes its stateside debut courtesy of Mondo Macabro.  A housewife's world is turned upside down when her husband brings home an orphaned country girl to be their housemaid.  The housewife soon suspects her husband of having an affair with the girl and is also plagued by hallucinations involving the girl's wooden witch doll that seems to have a life of its own.

REVIEW LINK: Mondo Macabro (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

SUDDENLY IN THE DARK Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
• Korean LPCM 1.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Interview with producer 
• Interview with Korean film critic
• Korean Horror VHS Cover Gallery
• More from Mondo Macabro

Fox seeks HOMELAND: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON (review)

In season five of HOMELAND, Carrie (Claire Danes) has left the CIA to work for a German philanthropist trying to improve things in the Middle East.  Her new and old worlds collide when a hacktivist data breach exposes CIA spying operations in Berlin to circumvent German privacy laws, exposing the country to terrorist threats and making Carrie the target on both sides.

REVIEW LINK: Twentieth Century Fox (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

HOMELAND: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON Blu-ray specs:

• Twelve episodes on three Blu-ray discs
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Castilian Spanish DTS 5.1, and Italian DTS 5.1
• Optional English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Castilian Spanish subtitles
• "The Evolution of Carrie Matthison" featurette
• "HOMELAND in Berlin" featurette

Mr. Bongo shares MEMORIES OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT (review)

Based on the novel by Edmundo Desnoes, MEMORIES OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT finds would-be intellectual Sergio remaining behind as his family and estranged wife flees Havana following the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

REVIEW LINK: Mr. Bongo (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

MEMORIES OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 widescreen
• Spanish/English LCPM 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles

Kino Lorber hunts THE UNHOLY FOUR (review)

When bank robbers set fire to the local asylum to create a diversion, four inmates escape including an amnesiac who is recognized by one of the robbers as fast gun Chuck Mool.  The four escapees brave bounty hunters and card sharps to get to Chuck's home town and find themselves in the middle of a standoff between two feuding families.

REVIEW LINK: Kino Lorber (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

THE UNHOLY FOUR Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
• English and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
• Optional English subtitles
• Previews

Severin Films tames WILD BEASTS (review)

Mondo film godfather Franco Prosperi takes on the "nature strikes back" genre with the Italian gorefest WILD BEASTS.  When PCP gets into the water system, the animals of the Frankfurt Zoo escape and go on a killing spree.  Elephants stomp skulls, cheetahs chase cars, rats attack horny couples, lions and tigers tear people apart, cows and bulls stampede the locals, and a polar bear terrorizes a school.  HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK's Lorraine de Selle stars.

REVIEW LINK: Severin Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

WILD BEASTS Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo and Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• "Altered Beasts" interview with director Franco Prosperi
• "Wild Tony" interview with actor Tony DiLeo
• "Cut After Cut" interview with editor Mario Morra
• "The Circus is in Town" interview with animal wrangler Roberto Tiberti's son Carlo Tiberti
• "House of Wild Beasts" a visit to the home of Franco Prosperi
• International Trailer