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29 June 2018

Kino Lorber peers UNDER CAPRICORN (review)

Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, and Michael Wilding star in Alfred Hitchcock's costume drama of doomed love in which a young adventurer discovers a childhood crush now married to an ex-prisoner in the prison colony of Sydney, Australia.

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

UNDER CAPRICORN Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
  • Optional English SDH subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger
  • Extract from "Hitchcock/Truffaut: Icon Interview Icon" on the film
  • "Cinema of Signs: Claude Chabrol on Alfred Hitchcock" featurette
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Previews 

25 June 2018

Mondo Macabro asks WHO CAN KILL A CHILD? (review)

A British couple travel to a remote Spanish island and find it completely and unexpectedly deserted, except for some deadly pint-sized terrors who are armed and dangerous in Narciso Serrador's brutal follow-up to THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED.  Released theatrically as ISLAND OF THE DAMNED, TRAPPED, ISLAND OF DEATH, and THE HEX MASSACRE.

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

WHO CAN KILL A CHILD? Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • Four Versions:
    • English-language version with optional English subtitles for Spanish sequences (English/Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono)
    • Spanish-language version with optional English subtitles (Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono)
    • Alternate English dub with optional English subtitles for fewer Spanish language sequences (English/Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono)
    • "Island of Death" 101 minute American version with English/Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono with optional English subtitles for the Spanish language scenes
  • Audio Commentary by Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan
  • "Versión Española" television special on the film featuring director Narciso Ibáñez Serrador, cinematographer José Luis Alcaine, and San Sebastian film festival programmer José Luis Rebordinos, hosted by Cayetana Guillén Cuervo (46 minutes)
  • "Child Director" interview with director Narciso Ibáñez Serrador
  • "Who Could Shoot a Child" interview with cinematographer José Luis Alcaine
  • "Killer Kids: Kim Newman Duscusses the Concept in Myth and Movies" featurette
  • "Hex Massacre" Double Bill Trailer with "Lucifer's Curse"
  • Three "Hex Massacre" Radio Spots
  • More from Mondo Macabro

Vinegar Syndrome visits BLOOD THEATRE to see THE VISITANTS (review)

Before the glory days of HOBGOBLINS and T AND A ACADEMY, Rick Sloane took a student short film budget and turned out the feature debut slasher BLOOD THEATRE showcasing Mary Waranov in the story of a trio of youngsters who try to reopen a haunted theatre while a teenager stands up against aliens set to invade earth in THE VISITANTS.

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

BLOOD THEATRE/THE VISITANTS Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Blood Theatre (1984)
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono
    • Optional English SDH subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by director Rick Sloane 
    • Audio Commentary by The Hysteria Continues
  • The Visitants (1986)
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono
    • Optional English SDH subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by director Rick Sloane
    • Beverly Theatre Screening with Rick Sloane, Mary Waranov, Matt Vaughter, and Jordana Capra
    • Post-screening Q and A with Rick Sloane and Mary Waranov
  • DVD Copy
  • Reversible Cover.

Vinegar Syndrome digs up GRAVE ROBBERS (Review)

Former prostitute turned waitress Nora takes a risk when wealthy John Henry proposes to her moments after meeting her.  She does not discover until after that he is his small town's local undertaker and may be bringing his work home when he requires that she lie perfectly still in bed.

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

GRAVE ROBBERS 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
  • Optional English SDH subtitles
  • Audio Commetnary by writer/director Straw Weisman
  • "Digging Up the Past" interview with Straw Weisman
  • Video Trailer
  • Reversible Cover

Vinegar Syndrome flies with MS. MAGNIFICENT (Review)

MS. MAGNIFICENT was Superwoman until Marvel Comics sued, requiring her name to be erased completely from the soundtrack and her insignia covered up by scribbling directly onto the film, but she will do anything to find her boyfriend and his fourteen inch tool, including walking into a trap set by alien queen Kreeta Borgia and her "crayonite" strapon.

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

MS. MAGNIFICENT DVD specs:
  • 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
  • English Dolby Digital 1.0 mono

Vinegar Syndrome tunes into NAUGHTY NETWORK (review)

Even porn stations scramble for dynamite ideas during sweeps month, and this one's executives are ready to unload such potential hits as GENITAL HOSPITAL, THE YOUNG AND THE HORNY, WILD AND CRAZY KINGDOM, and T*R*A*S*H - all sponsored by Stinky Beans - to get the juices of their audience flowing in this crude XXX comedy from Howard Ziehm (FLESH GORDON).

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

NAUGHTY NETWORK DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English Dolby Digital 1.0 mono
  • Theatrical Trailer

24 June 2018

Yellow Bag Films dabbles in S&M: LES SADIQUES (review)

In this homage to the Sadeian films of Jess Franco, Marie arrives in Berlin from the countryside and becomes involved in an increasingly violent affair with photographer Sandra who has her model in sadomasochistic photo spreads with male hustlers.  When Marie accidentally kills one of the models, the two develop a taste for even riskier behavior that turns tragic when Marie falls in love with a potential victim.

REVIEW LINK: Yellow Bag Films (GER) Region 0 PAL DVD-R (DVDBeaver)

S AND M: LES SADIQUES DVD-R specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
  • German Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English and Spanish subtitels
  • Trailer
  • Previews

Yellow Bag Films exorcises THE DEVIL OF KREUZBERG (review)

An artist becomes convinced through vivid dreams that the love of his life is destined to murder him so he hires a hitman friend to murder her in this German short film that pays homage to Jess Franco.

REVIEW LINK: Yellow Bag Films (GER) Region 0 PAL DVD-R (DVDBeaver)

THE DEVILS OF KREUZBERG DVD-R specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
  • German Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English subtitles
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Making-of
  • Video Review
  • Short Films "Bittersweet" and "Crash Zoom"
  • Trailer
  • English Trailer
  • Preview

Strand Releasing collects a SOUVENIR (Review)

Pate factory worker Liliane has a secret past as singer "Laura" that she would like to forget until she is recognized by a smitten co-worker who forgoes advancement in his own ambition as a boxer to encourage her to make a comeback in this Belgian comedy starring Isabelle Huppert.

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

SOUVENIR DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
  • French Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Optional English subtitles
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Previews

Cinedigm experiences ALTERED PERCEPTION (review)

Three couples with troubled and violent relationships agree to participate in a study with a drug intended to alter their perceptions but the revelations caused by the drug have differing effects on each participant, pushing one or more to murder.

REVIEW LINK: Cinedigm (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

ALTERED PERCEPTION DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English subtitles
  • Previews

Film Movement living IN BETWEEN (Review)

Three Palestinian women living in Tel Aviv away from the pressure of their families get to experience sex, drugs, and freedom, but a horrific event brings them together and also forces them to confront tradition and religious expectations.

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

IN BETWEEN DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
  • Hebrew/Arabic Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English subtitles
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Short Film
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Previews

21 June 2018

Eureka Classics hangs with IRON MONKEY (review)

When his son is held prisoner by a corrupt governor, physician/martial artist Wong Kei-ying must track down the masked Iron Monkey who he believes to be a villain but who is actually a hero stealing from the rich to feed and heal the poor.  Donnie Yen stars in this Tsui Hark production.


REVIEW LINK: Eureka Classics (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

IRON MONKEY Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 1.0 mono, Mandarin LPCM 2.0 Stereo, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 1.0 mono
  • Optional English subtitles (for the Cantonese track) and English HoH subtitles (for the English dub)
  • Interview with Donnie Yen
  • Interview with producer Tsui Hark
  • Interview with Yu Rong-kwong
  • Interview with Angie Tsang
  • Interview with stuntwoman and actress Li Fai
  • "Iron Fist" behind-the-scenes look at the film's action choreography
  • "Shadow Boxing" featurette on Hong Kong action choreography featuring Alex Yip
  • Footage of Li Fai and Angie Tsang competing at the 2003 Wu Shu Championships
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • First run comes with a limited O-card and a collector's booklet featuring a new essay on the film

Film Movement Classics outs EDWARD II (review)

Celebrated gay filmmaker Derek Jarman takes the homoerotic Christopher Marlowe play EDWARD II and turns it into a avant garde rallying cry for gay rights in conservative eighties Britain.  Steven Waddington, Andrew Tiernan, Nigel Terry, and Tilda Swinton star.

REVIEW LINK: Film Movement Classics (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

EDWARD II Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English LPCM 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English HoH subtitles
  • "Derek's Edward" featurette with actor Steven Waddington, producers Anthony Root and Steve Clark-Hall, cinematographer Ian Wilson, and Outrage activist Peter Tatchell
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Trailers
  • Booklet featuring "Queenie Queens on Top" a new essay by filmmaker Bruce LaBruce with a prologue by star Tilda Swinton

19 June 2018

Arrow Video is hooked on THE ADDICTION (review)

On her way home from class one night, Kathleen Conklin (Lili Taylor) is assaulted by a woman (Annabella Sciorra) and bitten on the throat.  Over the next few days, she turns from heroin addiction to blood-drinking in desperation to satisfy the hunger within her.  Christopher Walken, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Paul Calderon, Freddo Starr, and Kathryn Erbe also star in this indie vampire film from Abel Ferrara.

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

THE ADDICTION Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English SDH subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by director Abel Ferrara
    "Talking with the Vampires" documentary about the film made by Ferrara featuring actors Christopher Walken and Lili Taylor, composer Joe Delia, Ken Kelsch, and Ferrara himself
  • Interview with Abel Ferrara
  • Appreciation by Brad Stevens
  • "Abel Edits The Addiction" archival piece from the time of production
  • Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain
  • The first pressing includes an illustrated collector s booklet containing new writing on the film by critic Michael Ewins

Arrow Video stands VIGIL (Review)

Living on an isolated farm in the middle of a wet valley, young Lisa experiences a rude awakening to the harshness of life when her father mysteriously dies and a strange drifter insinuates himself into the household in the directorial debut of New Zealand filmmaker Vincent Ward (THE NAVIGATOR).

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

VIGIL Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • English LPCM 1.0 mono
  • Optional English SDH subtitles
  • Appreciation by film critic Nick Roddick
  • On-set report from the long-running New Zealand television programme "Country Calendar"
  • Extract from a 1987 Kaleidoscope television documentary on New Zealand cinema, focusing on "Vigil" and Vincent Ward
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • The first pressing comes with an illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Carmen Gray

88 Films feeds MIND RIPPER (review)

Wes Craven lends his name as presenter to this DTV sequel to THE HILLS HAVE EYES in which a group of scientists experimenting with a virus in a desert bunker accidentally create a brain-sucking monster.  Lance Henriksen, Clare Stansfield, John Diehl, Giovanni Ribisi, and Natasha Gregson-Wagner star.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

MIND RIPPER Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English HoH subtitles
  • “Stories from the Outpost" an interview with Jonathan Craven
  • Original Trailer
  • 4-page liner notes booklet “Rip ‘Em Up” by Callum Waddell
  • Reversible sleeve with choice of artworks
  • Card sleeve with original artwork

MVD Visual slashes open THE VIOLENCE MOVIE (review)

In 1988, budding filmmaker Eric D. Wilkinson, his brother, and friends decided to put their love of slasher films on video with the VHS short film THE VIOLENCE MOVIE, a homage to everything from FRIDAY THE 13TH and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET to LETHAL WEAPON and DIE HARD.  In 2003, they shot new footage for a fifteenth anniversary special edition.  Now on the thirtieth anniversary, THE VIOLENCE MOVIE comes to DVD in a special edition with its sequel, deleted and extended scenes, original credits sequences, behind the scenes video, audio commentary, and footage from the scrapped first shoot (also with commentary).

REVIEW LINK: MVD Visual (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-in)

THE VIOLENCE MOVIE DVD specs:
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
  • English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
  • Audio Commentary by director Eric D. Wilkinson, actor David E. Wilkinson, and friend Michael Kahn
  • "The Violence Movie 2" sequel with optional commentary by director Eric D. Wilkinson, actor David E. Wilkinson, and friend Michael Kahn
  • Deleted and Extended Scenes for both films
  • Original Credits for both films
  • "Violence in '03" behind the scenes of the 2003 reshoot
  • "Scrapped VIOLENCE MOVIE" outtakes from the abandoned version of film with optional commentary by director Eric D. Wilkinson, actor David E. Wilkinson, and friend Michael Kahn 
  • Photo Gallery
  • Trailer
  • Previews 

18 June 2018

Scorpion Releasing bids ALOHA, BOBBY AND ROSE (Review)

AMERICAN GRAFFITI's Paul Le Mat is a rebel with a '68 Camaro and GIRLS ON THE ROAD's Dianne Hull is a single mother with dreams.  A prank gone wrong puts them on the wrong side of the law and on the road in a story of young love with an inevitable tragic end set to a hit music from Elton John, Little Eva, The Temptations, and others from the director of AMERICAN HOT WAX.  Robert Carradine also stars.

REVIEW LINK: Scorpion Releasing (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

ALOHA, BOBBY AND ROSE Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
  • Optional English SDH subtitles
  • Interview with actor Paul Le Mat
  • Interview with actor Robert Carradine
  • Interview with director Floyd Mutrux
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Preview

14 June 2018

When SAVANNAH SMILES for MVD Rewind (review)

Busted out of prison a few days shy of his parole by none-too-bright buddy Boots, Alvie flees the cops and the pair have the misfortune to steal a car in which runaway child Savannah is hiding to teach her neglectful parents a lesson.  Soon the three are on the run with a price on their heads in this heartwarming eighties comedy.


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

SAVANNAH SMILES 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
  • Making-of with actor/writer/producer Mark Miller, actor Donovan Scott, composer Ken Sutherland, and Teresa Anderson (mother of actress Bridgette Anderson)
  • Memories of Bridgette featurette
  • Interview with composer Ken Sutherland
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Trailers
  • Fold-out poster
  • Slipcover

13 June 2018

Umbrella Entertainment takes on DEATH WISH II and DEATH WISH 3 (review)

Charles Bronson has a double death wish with this Cannon Classics duo.  In DEATH WISH II, architect Paul Kersey turns vigilante again when his daughter is raped and murdered.  In DEATH WISH 3, Kersey returns to New York to help the residents of an apartment building being shaken down by a violent street gang.

REVIEW LINK: Umbrella Entertainment (AUS) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

DEATH WISH II/DEATH WISH 3 Blu-ray specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • Death Wish II (1982):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
    • Death Wish 3 (1985):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono
    • Optional English SDH subtitles
    • Notes on the uncut version of "Death Wish II" by Paul Talbot (5 text pages that play before the film)
    • "Action! II" televison special with behind the scenes footage and interviews from the making of DEATH WISH 3, GRACE QUIGLEY, RUNAWAY TRAIN, INVASION USA, and HOUSE) (53 minutes)
    • "Cast & Crew Interviews" raw out takes from "Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films":
      • writer David Engelbach (13 minutes)
      • actress Robin Sherwood (26 minutes)
      • producer's son Todd Roberts (35 mninutes)
      • actor Alex Winter (26 minutes)
    • DEATH WISH II Theatrical Trailer and two TV Spots
    • DEATH WISH 3 Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot
    • Easter Egg featuring extended and deleted scenes from DEATH WISH 3
  • Bonus DVD:
    • R-rated cut of DEATH WISH II
    • Greek VHS cut of DEATH WISH II with additional scenes
    • TV version of DEATH WISH II with additional scenes
    • Notes on the versions by Paul Talbot
    • Subtitle track on the TV version noting differences

09 June 2018

Film Movement presents OH LUCY! (Review)

From producers Will Ferrell and Adam McKay (TALLEDEGA NIGHTS) comes this dark romantic comedy in which lonely Setsuko takes an English-language class and falls for the charming John.  When he abruptly quits and returns to Los Angeles, Setsuko impulsively takes leave from her work to follow him with her sister in tow searching for her daughter.  Shinobu Terajima and Josh Hartnett star.

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

OH LUCY! Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • English/Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • NYAFF Chat Interview with director Atsuko Hirayanagi
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Trailers

Kino Lorber spies THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW (review)

When his wife and kids go out of town, a mild-mannered professor takes a risk and escorts a beautiful young woman home and finds himself pulled into a nightmare of murder and blackmail.  Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett star in this film noir from Fritz Lang.

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

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
  • Optional English SDH subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historian Imogen Sara Smith
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Trailers
  • Reversible Cover

07 June 2018

Eureka Classics and MARTY (review)

Star Ernest Borgnine, director Delbert Mann, and writer Paddy Chayefsky won their first Academy Awards for this feature film adaptation of the teleplay MARTY about a thirty-four year old Italian-American bachelor butcher who has just about given up looking for love despite pressure from his family and friends.

REVIEW LINK: Eureka Video (UK) Region B Blu-ray/Region 2 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

MARTY Blu-ray/DVD combo specs.
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 pillarboxed fullscreen
    • English LPCM 2.0 mono
  • DVD:
    • 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.33:1 fullscreen
    • English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
  • Optional English HoH subtitles
  • Original 1953 teleplay starring Rod Steiger (51 minutes)
  • Archival Interview with director Delbert Mann and the cast on the teleplay
  • Interview with film scholar Neil Sinyard
  • Original Theatrical Trailer presented by Burt Lancaster

06 June 2018

Eureka Video braves BREAKHEART PASS (review)

Charles Bronson plays a captured outlaw who gets caught up in a murder mystery aboard a train headed for a fort in the middle of snow country in this seventies western thriller based on the novel by Alistair MacLean.  Jill Ireland, Richard Crenna, Ben Johnson, and Charles Durning also star.

REVIEW LINK: Eureka Video (UK) Region B Blu-ray/Region 2 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

BREAKHEART PASS Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Blu-ray:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
    • English LPCM 2.0 mono
  • DVD:
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen
    • English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
  • Optional English HoH subtitles
  • Interview with critic Kim Newman
  • Theatrical Trailer

05 June 2018

Arrow Video invades THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (review)

The road leads to nowhere when a gang of escaped criminals rape and murder two teenagers and their getaway car just happens to break down in front of the isolated home of one of the dead girls' vengeful parents.  The original, controversial sensation that had audiences repeating "It's only a movie!" directed by Wes Craven and produced by FRIDAY THE 13TH director Sean S. Cunningham, presented uncut with two discs worth of extras and a CD soundtrack.

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

LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT Blu-ray specs:
  • Disc One (Blu-ray):
    • Unrated Cut
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
      • English LPCM 1.0 mono
      • Optional English SDH subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by Bill Ackerman and Amanda Reyes
    • Audio Commentary by writer/director Wes Craven and producer Sean S. Cunningham
    • Audio Commentary by stars David Hess, Marc Sheffler, and Fred Lincoln
    • Isolated score newly remastered from the original 17.5" magnetic tracks
    • Optional introduction to the film by Wes Craven
    • "Still Standing: The Legacy of The Last House on the Left" archival interview with Wes Craven
    • "Celluloid Crime of the Century" archival documentary featuring interviews with Wes Craven, Sean S. Cunningham, actors David Hess, Fred Lincoln, Jeramie Rain, Marc Sheffler and Martin Kove
    • "Scoring Last House" archival interview with actor/composer David Hess
    • "It's Only a Movie: The Making of Last House in the Left" archival featurette
    • "Forbidden Footage" the cast and crew discuss the film's most controversial sequences
    • "Junior's Story" interview with actor Marc Sheffler
    • "Blood and Guts" interview with makeup artist Anne Paul
    • "The Road Leads to Terror" featurette revisiting the film's original shooting locations
    • Deleted Scene: "Mari Dying at the Lake"
    • Extended Outtakes and Dailies (47 minutes)
    • Two Theatrical Trailers
    • TV Spot
    • Radio Spots
    • Stills Gallery
    • Promotional Materials Gallery
  • Disc Two (Blu-ray):
    • "Krug and Company" UK release version and American R-rated cuts
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
      • English LPCM 1.0 mono
      • Optional English SDH subtitles
    • "The Craven Touch" featurette bringing together interviews with a number of Wes Craven's collaborators including Sean S. Cunningham, composer Charles Bernstein, producer Peter Locke, cinematographer Mark Irwin and actress Amanda Wyss
    • "Early Days and Night of Vengeance filmmaker Roy Frumkes remembers Wes Craven and "Last House on the Left"
    • "Tales That'll Tear Your Heart Out" unfinished short film by Wes Craven
    • "Q&A with Marc Sheffler" 2017 screening of the film at The American Cinematheque 
    • "Krug Conquers England" archival featurette charting the theatrical tour of the first ever uncut screening of the film in the UK
  • Disc Three: CD Soundtrack by David A. Hess
  • Six collector's postcards
  • Double-sided fold-out poster
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
  • Limited edition 60-page perfect-bound book featuring new writing on the film by author Stephen Thrower

Shameless Screen Entertainment scales the MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD (review)

Ursula Andress is undressed yet again when she ventures into the jungle in search of THE MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD when her husband goes missing.  Stacey Keach and Claudio Cassinelli also star in this Sergio Martino adventure.  NOTE: This British release has been softened of footage of animal violence that violates British law while the human violence and sexuality are uncensored (including a cannibal orgy not seen theatrically).

REVIEW LINK: Shameless Screen Entertainment (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
  • English LPCM 2.0 mono
  • Introduction with Sergio Martino
    "Cannibal Nightmare: Return to the Mountain of the Cannibal God" documentary
  • “Director Sergio Martino on on the Controversial Scenes He Shot ... and on the Scenes That He Maybe Didn’t Shoot at All!” featurette
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Italian Credits
  • Exclusive, Limited Edition Serial-Numbered O card
  • Cannibal Paradise, a snakes and ladders inspired board game on a card folded inside the case
  • Reversible inlay sleeve with new and original poster artwork

Umbrella Entertainment cries THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH (review)

From director Fred Schepisi (A CRY IN THE DARK) comes this bleak depiction of a turn of the century true crime in which a half-caste aboriginal man trying to make his way in the white man's world is driven to an act of violence.

REVIEW LINK: Umbrella Entertainment (AUS) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English HoH subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by director Fred Schepisi
  • Introduction by Fred Schepisi
  • A Conversation with Fred Schepisi & Ian Baker (64 minutes)
  • Melbourne Premiere from "Willesee at Seven" June 1978
  • "Celluloid Gypsies: Making The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith" documentary (36 minutes)
  • "The Chant of Tom Lewis" interview with Tommy Lewis (25 minutes)
  • 2008 Melbourne International Film Festival Q&A with Fred Schepisi & Geoffrey Rush (34 minutes)
  • "Making Us Blacksmiths" featurette on actors Tommy Lewis and Freddy Reynolds
  • Stills Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible Cover

Cult Films sighs with SUSPIRIA (review)

Dario Argento's masterpiece SUSPIRIA gets a 4K overhaul with Cult Films' Blu-ray/DVD combo.  An American ballet student discovers that the German dance academy in which she has enrolled teaches more than the arts as a string of brutal murders of her fellow students.  Jessica Harper star.  Music by Goblin.

REVIEW LINK: Cult Films (UK) Region B Blu-ray/Region 2 PAL DVD (DVD Drive-in)

SUSPIRIA Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:
  • Disc One (Blu-ray):
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
    • English and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo
  • Disc Two (DVD): 
    • 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen
    • Engilsh and Italian Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo
  • Optional English subtitles
  • Audio Commentary with film critics Kim Newman and Alan Jones
  • "The Restoration Process" documentary
  • "Argento Presents His Suspiria" interview with director Dario Argento
  • "Suspiria Perspectives" documentary
  • "Fear at 400 Degrees: The Cine-Excess of Suspiria" documentary
  • Slipcase

01 June 2018

Kino Lorber rolls a deadly SEVEN (review)

During the final season of HAWAII FIVE-O when he replaced Danno, William Smith also lead a team of seven mercenaries to target the leaders of a crime syndicate out to pillage and plunder the Hawaiian Islands in Andy Sidaris' second feature film, a precursor to his babes and bullets features of the 1980s.

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

SEVEN Blu-ray specs:
  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 widescreen
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
  • Audio Commentary by Steve Mitchell, producer-director of King Cohen, and film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson
  • Interview with Arlene Sidaris
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Previews