Masters of Cinema conjures up VIY (review)

A student monk is sent to read prayers over the body of a landowner's murdered daughter only to discover that she is an evil witch who raises all the power of hell to steal his soul.  Best known to Westerners as the source story for Mario Bava's BLACK SUNDAY, VIY got a more faithful adaptation in its native Russia with stunning visual effects by Aleksandr Petushko.

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

VIY Blu-ray specs:

• DISC ONE: The Viy (1967)
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• Russian and English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by film historian Michael Brooke
• "Samuel Goff on Nikolai Gogol" audio essay
• "Remembering Nikolai Gogol" 1939 documentary
• Russian Silent Film Fragments:
• "Satan Exultant"
• "The Queen of Spades"
• "The Portrait"
• Theatrical Trailer
  
• DISC TWO: Limited Bonus Disc of A Holy Place (1990)
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• Serbo-Croat LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• "Djordje Kadijevic on A HOLY PLACE" director interview
  
• Limited pressing of 3,000 copies that includes an exclusive O-Card slipcase, bonus disc, and a 31-page booklet featuring "Aleksandr Ptushko: Honest Tales of Bygone Days" by Tim Lucas, "A Holy Place" by Dejan Ognjanović, viewing notes, and Blu-ray credits
  

Mondo Macabro palpitates with PANIC BEATS (review)

A middle-aged couple retreat to the husband's country estate for some relaxation, but the ghost of a brutally murderous ancestal knight turns up for some ghoulish gore in Paul Naschy's semi-follow-up to HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB.

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

PANIC BEATS Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• Spanish
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn of Naschycast
• "Paul Naschy on...His Life in Cinema" 2005 interview
• 1997 interview with actor/director Paul Naschy
• More from Mondo Macabro 

 

Vinegar Syndrome spills SATAN'S BLOOD (Review)

A young couple are invited by an older couple to dinner at a remote country house where they are then drawn into a Satanic orgy, the aftermath of which spirals into a nightmarish whirlpool of murder and suicide.  A sexy, gory Spanish horror film produced by the director of SLUGS and PIECES.

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

SATAN'S BLOOD Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
• Audio Commentary by film historians Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan
• "Satan's Blood: Recuerdos de Escalofrío" documentary with director Carlos Puerto, actress Sandra Alberti, and editor Pedro del Rey
• Still Gallery
• Reversible Cover
• The first 4,000 copies ordered directly from <b><A href="https://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/vinegar-syndrome/products/satans-blood">Vinegar Syndrome</a></b> include an embossed slipcover designed by Earl Kessler Jr.

 

Severin Films visits PLAGUE TOWN (review)

A dysfunctional family seeking out their Irish roots get lost deep in the countryside and discover some unfriendly, and possibly cannibalistic, locals.

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

PLAGUE TOWN Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by co-writer/director David Gregory and producer Derek Curl 
• "White Lace and Button Eyes: The Making of Plague Town" documentary by Howard S. Berger (86 mins)
• "A Visit to Plague Town" original making-of
• "The Sounds of Plague Town" interview with composer Mark Raskin
• "Scathed" 1995 short film by David Gregory
• "Till Death" short film by David Gregory
• Theatrical Trailer
• Easter Eggs

 

Second Run time travels with TOMORROW I'LL WAKE UP AND SCALD MYSELF WITH TEA (review)

A Nazi plot to go back in time and win World War II goes awry by way of a stale bread roll in the Czech science fiction comedy TOMORROW I'LL WAKE UP AND SCALD MYSELF WITH TEA from the director of IKARIE XB 1.

REVIEW LINK: Second Run (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

TOMORROW I'LL WAKE UP AND SCALD MYSELF WITH TEA Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• Czech LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by The Projection Booth Podcast (Kat Ellinger, Jonathan Owen, and Mike White)
• Theatrical Trailer
• 15-page booklet featuring a new essay by writer and filmmaker Graham Williamson
  

Kino Lorber peeks into the DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE (review)

Relentlessly picked at by her narcisstic husband and bratty children, Manhattan housewife Tina is a woman on the verge until she falls into bed with an arrogant writer who continues what her husband started in Frank Perry's uncompromising DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE.  Richard Benjamin, Frank Langella, and Carrie Snodgress star.

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

DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by screenwriter Larry Karaszewski with critics Howard S. Berger and Steve Mitchell
• Theatrical Trailer
• Bonus Trailers

 

Mondo Macabro courts QUEENS OF EVIL (review)

A hippie learns that there is a high price to pay for abandoning his ideals when he is tempted by three beautiful women in the horror-tinged fantasy QUEENS OF EVIL starring Ray Lovelock, Evelyn Stewart, Silvia Monti, and Haydée Politoff.

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

QUEENS OF EVIL Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by film historians Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan
• Interview with actor Ray Lovelock
• Italian Theatrical Trailer
• Alternative Scenes
• More From Mondo Macabro

 

AGFA arouses THE CURIOUS DR. HUMPP (review)

A mad doctor is abducting virile young men and "latent nymphomaniacs" in order to "dominate sex" in the crazy Argentinian sexploitation film from the director of THE DEADLY ORGAN and BLOOD OF THE VIRGINS.

REVIEW LINK: American Genre Film Archive/Something Weird Video (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

THE CURIOUS DR. HUMPP Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by filmmaker Frank Henenlotter
• "La Venganza del Sexo" original Argentinan version of the film from a 2K scan of a pristine lab element, in Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono with optional English Subtitles)
• "Tomb It May Concern" 1950 short film
• Brain Damaged Trailers
• Reversible Cover
• The first 1,500 copies ordered directly from Vinegar Syndrome include a special limited edition embossed slipcover.

Vinegar Syndrome scales DARK TOWER (review)

A series of freak accidents at a new skyscraper may have a supernatural cause in DARK TOWER starring Michael Moriarty and Jenny Agutter.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

DARK TOWER Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono and Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• "Dark Inspirations" interview with special effects make-up artist Steve Neill
• Still Gallery
• Reversible Cover
• Available in a Limited Edition with an embossed slipcover designed by Earl Kessler Jr. via the Vinegar Syndrome website (limited to 4,000 copies)

 

Vinegar Syndrome conjures up CTHULHU MANSION (review)

Murderous punks run afoul of The Old Gods when they take a stage magician and his daughter hostage in a mansion with dark secrets in CTHULHU MANSION, from the director of PIECES.

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

CTHULHU MANSION Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono and Dolby Digital 2.0 Monog
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
  
• "The Simon's Jigsaw: A Trip to the Universe of Juan Piquer Simón" 2015 feature-length documentary by Luis Esquinas
• "Colin the Special Effects Make-up Magician" interview with effects artist Colin Arthur
  Reversible Cover
• Available in a Limited Edition with an embossed slipcover designed by Richard Hilliard via the Vinegar Syndrome website (limited to 4,000 copies)

Cult Epics is seduced by MADAME CLAUDE (Review)

A madame whose girls cater to high profile French and internatioanl clients becomes embroiled in a wide-ranging political scandal in Just Jaeckin's softcore thriller based on a true story.  Francoise Fabian, Dayle Haddon, and Klaus Kinski star.  Music by Serge Gainsbourg with a theme song by Jane Birkin.

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

MADAME CLAUDE Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs: 

• DISC ONE (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• French DTS-HD Master Audio and LPCM 2.0 Mono
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
  
• DISC TWO (DVD):
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.66:1 Widescreen
• French and English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitels
  
• Audio Commentary by Jeremy Richey, author of the upcoming book "Sylvia Kristel: From Emmanuelle to Chabrol"
• Interview with director Just Jaeckin
• French Theatrical Trailer
• Promotional Gallery
• Cult Epics Trailers

 

Severin Films is chilled by the CASTLE OF THE CREEPING FLESH (review)

Jet setters become entangled in bloody lust when they get stranded at the CASTLE OF THE CREEPING FLESH.  Howard Vernon, Janine Reynaud, and Michael Lemoine star.  From the co-director of MARK OF THE DEVIL.

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

CASTLE OF THE CREEPING FLESH Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• Engish and German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
• Optional English and English SDH Subtitles
• Adrian in the Castle of Bloody Lust: Talking with the Hoven Family" interview with Joyce Hoven and Percy Hoven
• "Mark of the Devil" Australian Pulp Film Festival Q&A with Joyce Hoven and Percy Hoven, moderated by Uwe Huber
• "The Return to the Castle of the Bloody Lust" location tour
• Alternate Credits:
• "Appointment with Lust" 
• "Im Schloß der blutigen Begierde" 
• "Castle of the Creeping Flesh" Alternate Title Font
• Textless Background
• "German VHS" Alternate Ending
• Notes on the Different Versions
• Theatrical Trailers:
• "Castle of the Creeping Flesh"
• "Im Schloß der blutigen Begierde"
• "Appointment with Lust"

Blue Underground turns VIGILANTE (review)

When his wife is brutally assaulted and his young son is murdered, a mechanic teams up with a secret gang to exact justice upon New York's scum in the eighties grindhouse classic VIGILANTE starring Robert Forster and Fred Williamson, from the director of MANIAC and MANIAC COP!

REVIEW LINK: Blue Underground (US) 4K UltraHD/Region ALL Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

VIGILANTE 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray specs:

• DISC ONE (4K UltraHD):
• 2160p24 HEVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby Atmos, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo, French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, and German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HoH, French, Portuguese, and Spanish subtitles
  
• DISC TWO (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• English Dolby Atmos, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo, French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, and German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HoH, French, Portuguese, and Spanish subtitles
  
• Audio Commentary by co-producer/director William Lustig and co-producer Andrew W. Garroni
• Audio Commentary by co-producer/director William Lustig and actors Robert Forster, Fred Williamson and Frank Pesce
• Audio Commentary by authors Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
• "Blue Collar Death Wish" interviews with writer Richard Vetere, star Rutanya Alda, associate producer/first assistant director/actor Randy Jurgensen, and others
• "Urban Western" interview with composer Jay Chattaway
• Galleries:
• Poster and Still Gallery 1
• Poster and Still Gallery 2
• Trailers:
• U.S. Theatrical Trailer
• International Trailer
• British Theatrical Trailer 1
• British Theatrical Trailer 2
• German Theatrical Trailer
• Italian Theatrical Trailer
• French Theatrical Trailer
• 4 TV Spots
• Radio Spots
• Promotional Reel
  
• Lenticular slipcase
• Reversible cover,
• 20-page booklet featuring an essay by Michael Gingold and technical credits.

 

Arrow Video digs up Perfection with TREMORS (review)

There's never anything new under the sun in the desert town of Perfection (population 14), but something under the ground has a hunger for human flesh in the nineties cult horror comedy with Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward.

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video USA/MVD Visual (US) Region ALL 4K UltraHD (DVD Drive-in)

TREMORS 4K UltraHD specs:

• DISC ONE (4K UltraHD):
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.85:1 Widescreen with HDR
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Ron Underwood and writers/producers Brent Maddock and S.S. Wilson
• Audio Commentary by Jonathan Melville, author of "Seeking Perfection: The Unofficial Guide to Tremors"
• "Making Perfection" brand-new documentary
• "The Truth About Tremors" interview with co-producer Nancy Roberts
• "Bad Vibrations" interview with director of photography Alexander Gruszynski
• "Aftershocks and Other Rumblings" interview with associate producer/second unit producer Ellen Collett
• "Digging In the Dirt: The Visual Effects of Tremors"
• "Music for Graboids" video interview with composer Ernest Troost and audio interview with additional music composer Robert Fox
• "The Making of Tremors" 1995 documentary
• 1996 Creature Featurette
• Deleted Scenes
• "Pardon My French!" compilation of overdubs from the edited-for-television version
• Electronic Press Kit:
• Behind the Scenes
  
• Kevin Bacon Profile
• Michael Gross Profile
• Reba McEntire Profile
• Trailer Gallery:
• Theatrical Trailer 1
• Theatrical Trailer 2
• Radio Spots
• TV Spots
• VHS Promo
• Tremors Franchise Trailers:
• Image Galleries:
• Production Stills
• Behind the Scenes
• Laserdisc Image Gallery
• Screenplay (draft 6, 1988)
• Screenplay (draft 8b, 1989)
• Storyboards
• Posters & Video Artwork
  
• DISC TWO (Limited Edition Bonus Blu-ray):
• Extended Interviews from "Making Perfection": 
• Ron Underwood
• S.S. Wilson
• Brent Maddock
• Nancy Roberts
• Alec Gillis
• ArcLight Hollywood 2015 Q&A:
• Pre-Film Q&A (Cast)
• Post-Film Q&A (Crew)
• Gag Reel with optional introduction and commentary by S.S. Wilson
• Early Short Films:
• "Recorded Live" 1975 short film by S.S. Wilson
• "Dictionary: The Adventure of Words" 1968 short film by Brent Maddock
• "Library Report" 1983 short film by Ron Underwood
  
• Rigid spot-gloss enhanced slipcase
• Fully-illustrated 60-page soft-cover book featuring new writing by Kim Newman and Jonathan Melville and selected archive materials
• Large fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
• Small fold-out double-sided poster featuring new Graboid X-ray art by Matt Frank
• Six art cards
• Novelty Walter Chang's Coupon
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Frank.

 

 

Also available on Blu-ray: