Masters of Cinema grafts the HANDS OF ORLAC (review)

When a world-famous concert pianst loses his hands in a train accident, a doctor transplants new hands for him, but he learns they come from an executed murderer who may not be done using them.  Conrad Veidt stars in this film from the director of THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI.

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

THE HANDS OF ORLAC Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 Fullscreen
• German Intertitles with optional Engish Subtitles
• Johannes Kalitzke score in LPCM 2.0 Stereo
• Audio Commentary by author Stephen Jones and author/critic Kim Newman
• Full-length F.W. Murnau Foundation Restoration (112 minutes) 
• "Extremities" video essay by filmmakers David Cairns and Fiona Watson
• Version Comparisons
• The first 2,000 copies come with a limited edition O-card slipcase and a 31-page collector's booklet featuring the essays "Robert Wiene: A Forgotten Film-maker?" by Philip Kemp and "Orlac and Beyond: The Body Horror of Maurice Renard" by Tim Lucas.

Second Run wile away BEFORE TONIGHT IS OVER (review)

On a snowy night up in the High Tatras, an assortment of customers in a nightclub wile away the evening with music, dancing, flirtation, alcohol, bitterness, and petty crime in Peter Solan's influential work of Slovak cinema.

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

BEFORE TONIGHT IS OVER Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Fullscreen
• Slovak LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• "On BEFORE TONIGHT IS OVER" 2021 documentary on director Peter Solan
• Short Films:
• "High Tatras [Bysoké Tatry]" (1966)
• "Operation BL [Akcia BL]" (1959)
• 20-page booklet by critic Peter Hames
  

Masters of Cinema patrols with PTU (review)

When a corrupt sergeant's gun goes missing, he fears that it will be used in a crime that will draw attention to his own criminal activities and appeals for help to his colleague in the PTU (Police Tactical Unit) to help him get his gun back.  Things get complicated when the Organized Crime Unit becomes involved and he must do a job for the Triad under the noses of his colleagues. From director Johnnie To (THROW DOWN).

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

PTU Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
• Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Optional English and English HoH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng of the NY Asian Film Festival
• Interview with director Johnnie To and actor Simon Yam
• "Into the Perilous Night" interview with director Johnnie To
• "On the Trail of the Smoking Gun" interview with actor Simon Yam
• "Cool as a Kat” interview with actress Maggie Siu
• Theatrical Trailer 
• Comes with a collector's booklet featuring new writing by David West (NEO Magazine).
• The first 2,000 units come with a limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju).
  

Second Sight delves into the depths of LAKE MUNGO (review)

When teenager Alice drowns during a family picnic at the dam, the recovery of her body is just the beginning of a haunting that has her family first questioning whether she might still be alive and then what little they really knew of her in the Australian chiller LAKE MUNGO.

REVIEW LINK: Second Sight (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

LAKE MUNGO Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Optional English HoH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by producer David Rapsey and cinematographer John Brawley
• Audio Commentary by film historians Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Emma Westwood
• "Captured Spirits" interview with cinematographer John Brawley
• "Ghost in the Machine" interview with producer David Rapsey
• "A Cop and a Friend" interview with actors Carole Patullo and James Lawson 
• "Kindred Spirits: Filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead on Lake Mungo"
• "Hosting Spirits: Filmmaker Rob Savage on Lake Mungo"
• "Simulacra and Spirits" video essay by film academic Josh Nelson
• "Autopsy of a Family Home" video essay by filmmaker Joseph Wallace
• Deleted Scenes
• Limited Edition Contents:
• Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Thomas Walker
• 80-page softcover book with new essays by Sarah Appleton, Simon Fitzjohn, Rich Johnson, Mary Beth McAndrews and Shellie McMurdo; an interview with actor James Lawson by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas plus rare behind-the-scenes photos courtesy of John Brawley
• Three art cards with new illustrations by Thomas Walker
  

Sunburnt Screens pines for SUNDAY TOO FAR AWAY (review)

Striking out in the city, Foley returns to the Outback in 1950s Australia planning to save up money sheep-shearing to buy a racehorse.  Working a contract with his old friends, however, he finds himself slipping as his self-image begins to crumble and a strike is imminent.  Jack Thompson stars in this award-winning Australian classic of the seventies.

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

SUNDAY TOO FAR AWAY Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HoH Subtitles
• "The Making of Sunday Too Far Away" 1975 documentary
  
• Jack Thompson in conversation with David Wenham, 2019
• Original World Premiere Programme from 1975
• Stills Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
  

Umbrella Entertainment goes Beyond Genres with BAD BOY BUBBY (Review)

Having been raised for thirty-five years in a bunker apartment believing his mother that the air outside is unbreathable, Bubby must go out into the world after a tragic event and questions all he has come to believe as he is beaten up, exploited, becomes a punk rock star, and falls in love in Rolf de Heer's Australian cult classic.

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

BAD BOY BUBBY Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• Original Binaural Headphone Recording in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English HoH Subtitles
  
• Audio Commentary by director Rolf de Heer and actor Nicholas Hope
• "Christ Kid, You're a Weirdo" interview with director Rolf de Heer
• "Being Bubby" interview with actor Nicholas Hope
• "Confessor Caressor" short film starring Nicholas Hope
• "Popcorn Taxi Q&A 2004" Q&A With Nicholas Hope
• 25th Anniversary Q&A with Nicholas Hope and Natalie Carr
• Stills Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
• Rolf de Heer Trailers
• Slipcover