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30 October 2023

Arrow Video takes attendance of UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO (review)

David Hemmings stars as a schoolteacher at an elite boys school who starts to suspect that his pupils are not joking when they claim to have killed the previous teacher and threaten to do the same to him if he does not do their bidding in this thriller based on the popular radio play by Giles Cooper.

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

UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
  • English LPCM 1.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historians Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
  • "An Unruly Education: Matthew Sweet on UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO" 
  • "Unman, Terhew, Lipstrob + Mrs Ebony" interviews with actors Carolyn Seymour, Michael Howe, Michael Cashman and James Wardroper 
  • 1958 radio play set to stills from the film 
  • Theatrical Trailer 
  • Still Gallery 
  • First pressing includes a a double-sided foldout poster featuring the original poster art and a new design by Eric Adrian Lee, reversible sleeve art, and a liner notes booklet with new essays by Kevin Lyons and Oliver Wake.

Eureka Classics spars with THE SKYHAWK (review)

Kwan Tak-Hing who played Cantonese folk hero Wong Fei-Hung in more than seventy films returns to the screen as the famous healer and martial arts master who winds up in the middle of a war between masters over control of the Thai ports with his pupils Sammo Hung and Carter Wong.

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

THE SKYHAWK Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
  • Cantonese, Mandarin, and English LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng
  • Audio Commentary by Asian film experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
  • Conversation with martial arts cinema academic Blade Po
  • Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible Cover
  • The first 2,000 copies include an O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling and a 19-page collector's booklet featuring "The Wong Man: Of Kwan Tak-hing, Wong Fei-hung and The Skyhawk" by James Oliver.
     

26 October 2023

Eureka Classics takes aim at SHE SHOOTS STRAIGHT (review)

After gang members murder her husband, detective Mina and her sister-in-law Ling go on a mission of revenge that could cost them their jobs and their lives in this Sammo Hung production starring his future Mrs. Joyce Godenzi and Carina Lau.

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

SHE SHOOTS STRAIGHT Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
  • Cantonese and English LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng 
  • Audio Commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema 
  • Interview with filmmaker Valerie Soe 
  • "Shooting Locations" documentary 
  • English "Lethal Lady" Opening/Closing Credits 
  • Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer 
  • Comes with a reversible cover. 
  • The first 2,000 copies include an O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling and a collector's booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver.
     

24 October 2023

Synapse Films excavates the TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD (Review)

Spanish tourists in Portugal stumble upon a medieval village that is the resting place of undead Satan-worshiping, blood-drinking mummified knights in Amando de Ossorio's iconic Spanish horror film that introduced "The Blind Dead" to the world.

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD Blu-ray specs:

  • Disc One:
    • Spanish-Language Version (101 minutes): 
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen 
      • Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (with Spanish inserts for undubbed scenes) 
      • Optional English subtitles (for the Spanish track), English SDH subtitles (for the English track), and English subtitles (for the undubbed scenes on the English track) 
      • Audio Commentary by horror film historian and author Troy Howarth 
      • Audio Commentary by actress Lone Fleming, moderated by Calum Waddell 
      • Audio Commentary by Rod Barnett & Troy Guinn of the NaschyCast podcast 
    • Alternate "Revenge from Planet Ape" U.S. Reissue Opening Sequence 
    • "Awakening of Spanish Horror Cinema" introduction by film historian Prof. Dr. Marcus Stiglegger 
    • Salem's Pop "Templar's Tear" music video 
    • "Marauders from the Mediterranean: The Macabre Magic of the Spanish Zombie Film" documentary by filmmaker Naomi Holwill (89 minutes) 
    • Photo Gallery 
    • U.S. Theatrical Trailer
  • Disc Two:
  • U.S. Theatrical Cut (84 minutes):
    1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen 
    English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
    Optional English SDH Subtitles

Second Run submits to INTERROGATION (review)

A cabaret performer drowns her sorrows with some supposed fans only to wake up in prison under interrogation by the Polish secret police in this grueling drama that was banned for a decade but circulated underground to acclaim.

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

INTERROGATION Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
  • Polish LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • "Interrogation Introduced by Ryszard Bugajski"
  • 40-page booklet with writing on the film by Michael Szporer and the complete transcript of the 1982 hearing before the so-called 'co-laudation commission' ahead of the film's suppression.
     

18 October 2023

Arrow Video UK gives a standard edition to ENTER THE VIDEO STORE: EMPIRE OF SCREAMS (review)

Arrow Video restores classics from the video rental era with the output of Empire Pictures.  In THE DUNGEONMASTER, a computer genius and his girlfriend must take battle a demonic wizard in a series of adventures.  In DOLLS, travelers lost in a storm take shelter in the country house of a toy maker whose dolls have a deadly life of their own.  In CELLAR DWELLER, a comic book artist discovers that the monstrous creation of her artist hero is all too real and very hungry.  In ARENA, a short order cook on an intergalactic space station takes on aliens and robots in the ring.  In ROBOT JOX, global war in the future is fought one on one by trained fighters piloting massive robots.

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video (UK) Region A/B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

ENTER THE VIDEO STORE: EMPIRE OF SCREAMS Blu-ray specs:

  • Disc One - The Dungeonmaster:
    • "Ragewar" Pre-release Version (77:59) 
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
      • Audio Commentary by actor Jeffrey Byron, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain 
    • "Ragewar" International Version (77:23) 
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
    • "The Dungeonmaster" US Theatrical Version (73:35)
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
      • "I Reject Your Reality and Substitute My Own" interview with actor Jeffrey Byron 
    • Trailers: 
      • U.S. Theatrical Trailer 
      • Alternate Trailer
  • Disc Two - Dolls:
    • 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 David Decoteau, Empire alumnus and friend of director Stuart Gordon 
    • Audio Commentary by director Stuart Gordon and writer Ed Naha 
    • Audio Commentary by actors Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, Stephen Lee, Carrie Lorraine, and Ian Patrick Williams 
    • "Assembling Dolls" interview with editor Lee Percy 
    • "Toys of Terror: The Making of DOLLS" documentary 
    • Film-to-Storyboard Comparison 
    • Trailers: 
      • U.S. Theatrical Trailer 
      • Alternate Trailer 
    • U.K. Home Video Trailer Image Gallery
  • Disc Three - Cellar Dweller:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
    • English LPCM 2.0 Stereo 
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles
    • Audio Commentary by special make-up effects artist Michael Deak, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain 
    • "Grabbed by the Ghoulies" appreciation of special make-up effects artist John Carl Buechler by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain 
    • "Inside the Cellar" interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Deak 
    • VHS Trailer
    • Empire Pictures Trailer Reel: 
      • GHOULIES 
      • GHOULIES II 
      • BREEDERS 
      • ELIMINATORS 
      • CRAWLSPACE 
      • FROM BEYOND 
      • PRISON 
    • Empire Pictures Trailer Reel - VHS Mode!: 
      • CATACOMBS 
      • ELIMINATORS 
      • ENEMY TERRITORY 
      • FROM BEYOND 
      • GHOST TOWN 
      • GHOULIES 
      • GHOULIES II 
      • TERRORVISION 
      • TROLL 
      • CRAWLSPACE 
    • Image Galleries: 
      • Behind the Scenes 
      • Artwork and Stills 
    • Original Sales Sheet 
    • Original Production Notes
  • Disc Four - Arena:
    • Widescreen Version: 
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • English LPCM 2.0 Stereo 
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
      • Audio Commentary by director Peter Manoogian, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain 
    • Cropped Fullframe Version:
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen (upscaled) 
      • English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo 
    • "Not His Arena" interview with co-screenwriter Danny Bilson 
    • "Empire of Creatures" interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Deak 
    • Theatrical Trailer in 16:9 and 4:3 Versions
    • Image Gallery: 
      • Behind the Scenes 
      • Posters and Stills
  • Disc Five - Robot Jox:
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
    • English LPCM 2.0 Stereo 
    • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
    • Audio Commentary by director Stuart Gordon 
    • Audio Commentary by associate effects director Paul Gentry, mechanical effects artist Mark Rappaport, and stop-motion animator Paul Jessell 
    • "Crash and Burn" interview with actor Gary Graham 
    • "Her Name is Athena" interview with actress Anne-Marie Johnson 
    • "The Scale of Battle: David Allen and the FX of ROBOT JOX" appreciation by visual effects artists Steve Burg, Yancy Calzeda, Paul Gentry, Kevin Kuchaver, Dennis Muren, and John Vincent 
    • "Looking Back" interview with actor Paul Koslo 
    • "Salvaged from the Wreckage" behind the scenes photos archive from associate effects director Paul Gentry 
    • Theatrical Trailer 
    • Image Galleries: 
      • Behind the Scenes 
      • Posters and Stills 
    • Original Sales Sheet 
    • Original Production Notes
  • Comes with in slipcase packaging with reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady.

88 Films unearths a MAGIC CRYSTAL (review)

Andy Lau and Cynthia Rothrock battle Richard Norton over a magic artifact that befriends a young child in Wong Jing's MAGIC CRYSTAL.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE MAGIC CRYSTAL Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
  • Cantonese and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by Hong Kong film expert Frank Djeng
  • Introduction by actor Richard Norton
  • "Fight Like a Girl" interview with actress Cynthia Rothrock 
  • "Fast as Lightning" interview with actor Richard Norton 
  • English Export Trailer 
  • Comes with a reversible cover with new artwork by Sean Longmore and original HK poster art. 
  • The first pressing includes a double-walled matte-finish o-ring featuring new artwork by Sean Longmore and a double-sided foldout poster.
     

16 October 2023

88 Films is stalked by TAXI HUNTER (review)

A man snaps when a taxi driver accidentally kills his pregnant wife.  He goes on a one man mission of revenge on all taxi drivers who take advantage of their customers in this crazy HK action film from Herman Yau and Anthony Wong, the director and star of UNTOLD STORY and EBOLA SYNDROME.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (US/UK/Canada) Region A/B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

TAXI HUNTER Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
  • Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by Hong Kong film expert Frank Djeng
  • "Hunting For Words" interview with scriptwriter and producer Tony Leung Hung-Wah 
  • "How to Murder Your Taxi Driver?" interview with action director James Ha 
  • "Falling Down in Hong Kong" interview with star Anthony Wong 
  • Stills Gallery 
  • Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer 
  • Reversible cover with new artwork by Sean Longmore and original HK poster art. 
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: double walled matt finish O-ring featuring new artwork by Sean Longmore and a double-sided foldout poster.

88 Films dances a bullet ballet with HARD BOILED II: THE LAST BLOOD (review)

When a Tibetan holy leader and a gangster's girlfriend are both wounded in an assassination attempt, two cops and a gangster try to get to the donors of a rare blood type before the terrorists can take them out in this action comedy from Wong Jing starring Alan Tam and Andy Lau.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (US/UK/Canada) Region A/B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

HARD BOILED II: THE LAST BLOOD Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
  • Cantonese and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English and English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by Hong Kong film expert Frank Djeng and John Charles, author of "The Hong Kong Filmography, 1977-1997"
  • Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer
  • English Export Trailer
  • Stills Gallery
  • Reversible Cover with new design by Sean Longmore and original Hong Kong Art
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Double-walled matte-finish O-ring slipcover featuring new artwork by Sean Longmore, as well as a double-sided foldout poster.

Cauldron Films digs up CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD in 4K (review)

The dead walk in Dunwich when a priest commits suicide and opens the Gates of Hell.  A psychic medium, a reporter, a psychiatrist, and his patient must find a way to close the gates before the living dead take over the Earth in Lucio Fulci's eighties gorefest.

REVIEW LINK: Cauldron Films (US) Region ALL 4K UltraHD/Region A Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray Combo specs:

  • Disc One (4K UltraHD):
    • English Version: 
      • 2160p24 HEVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
    • Italian Version: 
      • 2160p24 HEVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
      • Optional English Subtitles 
    • Audio Commentary by film historian Samm Deighan (2023) 
    • Audio Commentary by film historian Troy Howarth and Mondo Digital's Nathaniel Thompson 
    • Audio Commentary by actress Catriona MacColl, moderated by Jay Slater 
    • Audio Commentary by actor Giovanni Lombardo Radice, moderated by Calum Waddell
  • Disc Two (Blu-ray):
    • English Version: 
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
    • Italian Version: 
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
      • Optional English Subtitles 
    • Audio Commentary by film historian Samm Deighan
    • Audio Commentary by film historian Troy Howarth and Mondo Digital's Nathaniel Thompson
    • Audio Commentary by actress Catriona MacColl, moderated by Jay Slater
    • Audio Commentary by actor Giovanni Lombardo Radice, moderated by Calum Waddell
  • Disc Three (Bonus Blu-ray):
  • "Zombie Kings" interview with Massimo Antonello Geleng 
    "Requiem for Bob" interview with Giovanni Lombardo Radice 
    "The Meat Munching Movies of Gino De Rossi" interview with special effects artist Gino de Rossi 
    "Carlo of the Living Dead" interview with actor Carlo De Mejo 
    Q and A with actor Venantino Venantini and director Ruggero Deodato 
    Catriona MacColl Q and A from The Glasgow Theater 
    "Music for a Flesh Feast" Fabio Frizzi Q and A 
    Catriona MacColl Archival Video Intro 
    "A Trip Through Bonaventure Cemetery" 
    Archival interviews with cast and crew from "Paura, Lucio Fulci Remembered Vol. 1" 
    Trailers: 
    U.S. Theatrical Trailer 
    International Trailer 
    Italian Theatrical 
    Trailer 
    Image Gallery

11 October 2023

Eureka Classics trains FEARLESS SHAOLIN (review)

FEARLESS SHAOLIN gives us four more films by Joseph Kuo including the two 18 BRONZEMEN films starring Carter Wong, the revenge film SHAOLIN KUNG FU, and the court intrigue of SHAOLIN KIDS.

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

FEARLESS SHAOLIN - 4 KUNG-FU CLASSICS FROM DIRECTOR JOSEPH KUO Blu-ray specs:

  • Disc One:
    • Shaolin Kung-Fu (1974):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
      • Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
      • Optional English Subtitles 
      • Audio Commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
    • The Shaolin Kids (1975):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
      • Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
      • Optional English Subtitles 
      • Audio Commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
  • Disc Two:
    • 18 Bronzemen (1976):
      • Japanese Version: 
        • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
        • Mandarin LPCM 1.0 Mono 
        • Optional English Subtitles 
        • Audio Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng and film writer John Charles 
      • Hong Kong Version: 
        • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
        • Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
        • Optional English Subtitles
    • Return of the 18 Bronzemen (1976):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
      • Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
      • Optional English Subtitles 
      • Audio Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng and film writer John Charles

Eureka Classics takes on DEADLY MASTERS (review)

Slapdash director Joseph Kuo worked in several martial arts genres and four of his films are represented here.  In 7 GRAND MASTERS, a grand master cannot retire until he is assured of his position, challenging seven other grand masters to the title.  In THE 36 DEADLY STYLES, a warrior monk breaks his vow not to use his skills to kill when a young man is threatened by killers.  In THE WORLD OF DRUNKEN MASTER, two aged martial artists reflect on their training and the love of their lives as they prepare for a final battle against a powerful enemy.  In THE OLD MASTER, an aged grandmaster visits one of his students in San Francisco to discover that one of his old students is misusing his fighting skill and finds a promising new pupil.

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

DEADLY MASTERS! - 4 KUNG FU FILMS FROM DIRECTOR JOSEPH KUO Blu-ray specs:

  • Disc One:
    • 7 Grand Masters (1977):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
      • Mandarin, Cantonese, and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
      • Optional English Subtitles for Mandarin or Cantonese Tracks 
      • Audio Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng and martial artist/filmmaker Michael Worth 
    • The 36 Deadly Styles (1982):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
      • Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
      • Optional English Subtitles 
      • Audio Commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema 
  • Disc Two: 
  • The World of Drunken Master (1979): 
    1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
    Mandarin, Cantonese, and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
    Optional English Subtitles for Mandarin or Cantonese Tracks 
    Audio Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng and martial artist/filmmaker Michael Worth
    The Old Master (1979): 
    1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
    Mandarin, Cantonese, and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
    Optional English Subtitles for Mandarin or Cantonese Tracks 
    Audio Commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
     

10 October 2023

Acorn Media investigates THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: SERIES 9 (review)

New Zealand's answer to MIDSOMER MURDERS is back as detectives Mike Shepard, Kristin Sims, and Daniel Chalmers investigate a murder at a musical, a body found in a car trunk, and a murdered nun with a colorful past among others.

REVIEW LINK: Acorn Media (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDCompare)

THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES - SERIES 9 DVD specs:

  • Six feature-length episodes on three dual-layer DVDs
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English HoH Subtitles
     

Acorn Media commits MIDSOMER MURDERS: SERIES 22 (review)

Barnaby and Winter are back for six more mysteries involving a meme character turned killer, a dinner theater murder mystery game with a real victim and killer, a killer targeting paranormal influencers at a psychic faere, and a production of "The Pirates of Penzance" in which a corpse shares a treasure chest with pirate's booty.

REVIEW LINK: Acorn Media (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDCompare)

MIDSOMER MURDERS - SERIES TWENTY TWO DVD specs: 

  • Six feature-length episodes on three dual-layer DVDs
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English HoH Subtitles
  • Picture Gallery
  • Cast Filmographies
  • Caroline Graham Biography
  • Broadcast Dates

Acorn Media investigates THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE: SERIES 1 (review)

Having just lost his father and broken up with his girlfriend, detective Max Arnold is on the case with his partner Priya Shamsie who is dealing with the stress of motherhood in this Chelsea set quartet of mysteries involving a man haunted by ghosts, a missing restaurant PR woman, a murdered local hero, and a dead schoolmaster whose own family are among the suspects.

REVIEW LINK: Acorn Media (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDCompare)

THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE - SERIES 1 DVD specs:

  • Four feature-length episodes on two dual-layer DVDs
  • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
  • English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
  • Optional English HoH Subtitles
  • "The Making of THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE"
  • "Tour the Sets"
     

06 October 2023

88 Films visits THE TORTURE CHAMBER OF DR. SADISM (review)

Christopher Lee is yet another undead aristocrat back from beyond the grave with a bone to pick in this sixties German Gothic chiller also starring Lex Barker and Karin Dor.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region B Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE TORTURE CHAMBER OF DR. SADISM Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.57:1 Pillarboxed Widescreen
  • English and German LPCM 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English and English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film critics Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
  • Film Locations 1967 VS 2020
  • "Das Todespendel Burg des grauens" German Super 8 Digest Version
  • "Die Schlangengrube des grafen Dracula" German Super 8 Digest Version
  • German Theatrical Trailer
  • Modern Trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring alternate art. 
  • The first pressing of 2000 copies also includes a reverse-board matt finish O-ring featuring new artwork by Thomas Walker and a 16-page booklet with notes by Andrew Graves.
     

Radiance Films gets treatment from THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK (review)

Barbara Steele starts as a woman in peril when she marries THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK whose first wife may be dead but she's still up for a bit of kinky fun in this gothic horror classic from Riccardo Freda.

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

THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK Blu-ray specs:

  • Disc One:
    • Italian Version:
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
      • Optional English Subtitles 
    • English Version: 
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles 
    • Audio Commentary by film critics Kat Ellinger and Annie Rose Malamet 
    • Audio Commentary by Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas 
    • "Ernesto Gastaldi on THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK" 
    • "Murderous Husbands: Bluebeard and the Gothic" visual essay by academic Miranda Corcoran 
    • "Madeleine Le Despencer on Necrophilia and Gothic Taboo" 
    • Poster Gallery 
    • Italian Theatrical Trailer
  • Disc Two (Limited Edition Exclusive):
    • U.S. Version:
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles
  • Limited edition of 5000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings, bonus disc featuring the U.S. version of the film, a reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters, and a booklet featuring new writing by critic and author Chris Fujiwara on the film; an archival piece by Alan Y. Upchurch, Tim Lucas and Luigi Boscaino on the making of the film featuring interviews with Freda, Steele, Flemyng and others; and a critical overview by Cullen Gallagher.

04 October 2023

Raro Video brings NIGHT OF THE DEVILS to the UK (review)

A businessman gets stranded deep in the woods in Yugoslavia and is forced to seek shelter with a family who believe one of their own has become a vampire.  A gory Italian/Spanish horror film from the director of MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN.

REVIEW LINK: Raro Video UK/Radiance Films (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE NIGHT OF THE DEVILS Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
  • English and Italian Versions
  • English and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
  • Optional English and English SDH Subtitles
  • Audio Commentary by film historians Alan Jones and Kim Newman 
  • "The Angel and the Devils" interview with actress Agostina Belli 
  • "The Devils Among Us" interview with actor Gianni Garko 
  • "The Child of Darkness" interview with actress Cinzia de Carolis 
  • "Celestial Light" interview with camera operator Nino Celeste 
  • Interview with composer Giorgio Gaslini 
  • Interview with film historian Chris Alexander 
  • Comes with a reversible sleeve featuring artwork based on original posters. 
  • The first pressing of 3,000 copies includes a limited edition booklet with new writing by Rachael Nisbet and archival writing by Chris Alexander.

Arrow Video spars with THE IRON-FISTED MONK (review)

A rice husker training at a Shaolin temple to avenge his murdered master tries to sway another vengeful young man from violence after the Manchu rape and murder his sister in Sammo Hung's directorial debut.

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

THE IRON-FISTED MONK Blu-ray specs:

  • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 widescreen
  • Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 1.0 Mono 
  • Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono 
  • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo Modern Dub and 1.0 Mono Classic Dub 
  • Optional English (for Cantonese) and English HoH (for English) Subtitles 
  • Audio Commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
  • Two Archival Interviews with actor/director Sammo Hung
  • Archival Interview with actor Casanova Wong 
  • Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer 
  • Image Gallery 
  • Comes with a sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Mills. 
  • The first pressing includes a double-sided sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Mills and an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Brandon Bentley.

Jinga Films sheds light on MIDNIGHT SON (review)

A young artist who lives by night due to a fiery aversion to sunlight starts to wonder if he might actually be a vampire, and his first taste of blood sets off a deadly transformation.

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

MIDNIGHT SON Blu-ray/DVD/CD Combo specs:

  • Disc One (Blu-ray):
    • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen 
    • English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo 
    • Audio Commentary by writer/director Scott Leberecht & actors Zak Kilberg, Maya Parish, and Jo D. Jonz 
    • Deleted Scenes 
    • Interviews: 
      • writer/director Scott Lebrecht 
      • actor Zak Kilberg 
      • actress Maya Parish 
      • actor Jo D. Jonz 
      • cinematographer Lyn Moncrieff 
    • Theatrical Trailer
    • Teaser Trailer
    • Bonus Trailers
  • Disc Two (DVD):
    • 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 Widescreen 
    • English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo 
    • Audio Commentary by writer/director Scott Leberecht & actors Zak Kilberg, Maya Parish, and Jo D. Jonz 
    • Deleted Scenes 
    • Interviews: 
      • writer/director Scott Lebrecht 
      • actor Zak Kilberg 
      • actress Maya Parish 
      • actor Jo D. Jonz 
      • cinematographer Lyn Moncrieff 
    • Theatrical Trailer 
    • Teaser Trailer 
    • Bonus Trailers
  • Disc Three (CD):
  • Soundtrack by Kays Al-Atrakchi and Geoff Levin (16 tracks)

02 October 2023

Vinegar Syndrome endures a NIGHT OF HORROR with the CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD (review)

Don Dohler associate Tony Malanowski struck off on his own with an ultra low-budget ghost story in NIGHT OF HORROR and then made a zombie pic in CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD (better known as "Curse of the Cannibal Confederates") with money given to him by a distributor to add gore to his first film.  See them both in this eighties regional horror double feature.

REVIEW LINK: Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD Blu-ray specs:

  • DISC ONE:
    • The Curse of the Screaming Dead (1982):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles
      • Audio Commentary by producer/director/editor Tony Malanowski and actor Steve Sandkuhler
    • Night of Horror (1981):
      • 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.33:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
      • English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
      • Optional English SDH Subtitles
      • Audio Commentary by producer/director/editor Tony Malanowski and actor Steve Sandkuhler (2023)
  • DISC TWO:
    • "Scream On! The Making of THE CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD" documentary
    • "Bart Mixon: The Man Behind the Masks" interview with special make-up effects artist Bart Mixon
    • "The Score of the Screaming Dead" interview with composer Charlie Barnett and recording engineer Jim Crenca
    • "Oh, What a Night... of Horror!" documentary
    • "A Morning After a NIGHT OF HORROR: The "Unmade" Making of..." interview with fans Rosie Nakamura and Autumn Nakamura Neal
    • "I Put a Spell on You" interview with "Nightmare USA" author Stephen Thrower
    • THE CURSE OF THE SCREAMING DEAD Outtakes
    • Video Trailer
  • Comes with reversible sleeve artwork.
  • The first 6,000 copies ordered directly from Vinegar Syndrome include a special limited edition spot gloss slipcover designed by Black Coffiend.