Arrow Video strikes back with SHAWSCOPE VOLUME 3 (review)

From Shaw Brothers who brought the wuxia genre back to Hong Kong and Chinese screens are a selection of fourteen major and rare titles from their library including the ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN trilogy, THE LADY HERMIT, INTIMATE CONFESSIONS OF A CHINESE COURTESAN, THE 14 AMAZONS, KILLER CONSTABLE, and more along with commentaries, interviews, and even alternate versions.

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

SHAWSCOPE VOLUME 3 Blu-ray specs:

• Disc One - The One Armed Swordsman:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English dub) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by David West, author of "Chasing Dragons: An Introduction to the Martial Arts Film" 
• Appreciation by film critic and historian Tony Rayns 
• "One Armed Superstar" interview with actor Wang Yu 
• "Chiao Chiao: A Shaw Career" interview with actress Chiao Chiao 
• "Ku Feng on Chang Cheh" interview with actor Ku Feng 
• "Sam Ho on Chang Cheh" appreciation of director Chang Cheh's work by film historian Sam Ho 
• "Daniel Lee on ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN" 2004 interview with Daniel Lee, director of the remake "What Price Survival" 
• "One-Armed Side Hustles" video essay by film historian Brandon Bentley on actor Wang Yu 
• Trailer Gallery: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English) 
• Chang Cheh Trailer Reel
• Disc Two:
• Return of the One Armed Swordsman: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic Samm Deighan 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English) 
• The New One Armed Swordsman: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Brian Bankston 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English) 
• German Theatrical Trailer 
• "Triple Irons" U.S. Theatrical Trailer 
• "Triple Irons" U.S. TV Spots
• Disc Three:
• The Lady Hermit: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic James Mudge
• Theatrical Trailers:
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin)
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English)
• Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by film critic and historian Tony Rayns 
• Audio Commentary by critic Samm Deighan 
• Alternate English Export Credits 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English)
• Disc Four - 14 Amazons:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by Jonathan Clements, author of "A Brief History of China" 
• Interview with stuntwoman Sharon Yeung 
• Interview with film historian Bede Chang 
• Interview with film critic Law Kar 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #2) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English)
• Disc Five:
• The Magic Blade: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic Samm Deighan 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English) 
• Clans of Intrigue: 
• Theatrical Version: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and Cantonese LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English (for Cantonese) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic James Mudge 
• Uncensored Version: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and Cantonese LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English (for Cantonese) Subtitles 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #2) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Cantonese)
• Disc Six:
• Jade Tiger: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic Ian Jane 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer 
• The Sentimental Swordsman: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and Cantonese LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English (for Cantonese) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by David West, author of "Chasing Dragons: An Introduction to the Martial Arts Film" 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #2) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Cantonese)
• Disc Seven:
• Avenging Eagle:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin, Cantonese, and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin), English (for Cantonese), and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng 
• Alternate English Export Credits 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Cantonese) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English #2)
• Killer Constable: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin) and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by film critic and historian Tony Rayns 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Brian Bankston 
• Additional and Alternate Scenes from the South Korean Version 
• Alternate "Lightning Kung Fu" English Credits 
• Theatrical Trailers: 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #1) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (Mandarin #2) 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer (English)
• Disc Eight:
• Buddha's Palm: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin, Cantonese, and English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English (for Mandarin), English (for Cantonese), and English SDH (for English) Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critic and translator Dylan Cheung 
• Alternate "Raiders of the Magic Palm" English Credits 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer 
• Bastard Swordsman: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng 
• Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer
• Disc Nine - Bonus Content:
• Killer Constable - South Korean Version: 
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen (with standard definition inserts) 
• Korean LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English Subtitles 
• Appreciation of director Chor Yuen by film critic and historian Tony Rayns 
• Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan: 
• "Confessions of a Stunt Woman" interview with stunt woman Sharon Yeung 
• "Theories on Intimate Confessions" appreciation by academic Sze Man-hung, musician Kwan King-chung, and filmmaker Clarence Fok 
• Magic Blade: 
• Audio interview with actor Ti Lung 
• Interview with director Chor Yuen 
• Interview with actor Yuen Wah 
• Interview with actor Li Ching 
• "Sam Ho on Chor Yuen" appreciation by film historian Sam Ho 
• "The Scriptwriter" interview with screenwriter Sze-to
• Avenging Eagle: 
• "The Eagle Chief" interview with actor Ku Feng 
• "The Blue Eagle" interview with actor Eddy Ko
• Disc Ten - CD Soundtrack:
• Thirty-five tracks from the De Wolfe Music Library (79 minutes)
  
• Housed in a digibook in a slipcase with an illustrated 60-page collectors' booklet featuring new writing by David West, Jonathan Clements and Dylan Cheung, plus cast and crew listings and notes on each film by Ian Jane.

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Second Run grants THREE WISHES FOR CINDERELLA (review)

A Czech/East German co-production based on the Czech version of "Cinderella" with feminist undertones THREE WISHES FOR CINDERELLA remains a Christmas favorite throughout Europe.

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

THREE WISHES FOR CINDERELLA Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• Czech LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• An Appreciation by film historian Michael Brooke
• "Popelka" 1929 Silent Film Adaptation
• "Střevíček" 1937 Animated Film
• Theatrical Trailer
• Restoration Trailer
• Comes with a booklet by Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas
   

Acorn Media investigates THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: SERIES 10 (review)

Quirky city detective Mike Shepard and his local team Kristen Sims, Daniel Chalmers, and coroner Gina investigate bizarre murders in the New Zealand backwoods town of Brokenwood.

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

THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES: SERIES 10 DVD specs:

• Six feature-length episodes on three dual-layer DVDs
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 Widescreen (PAL)
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English HoH Subtitles
• The Making of Series 10
  

Second Run harvests THE HOP-PICKERS (review)

Where else would you find a widescreen, color musical comedy about harvesting hops than Communist Czechoslovakia with this story of star-crossed lovers stylistically-indebted to Robert Wise's film of WEST SIDE STORY.

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

THE HOP-PICKERS Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.55:1 Widescreen
• Czech DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English Subtitles
• Short Films:
• Comes with a 24-page booklet by author Jonathan Owen.
  

MVD Visual hunts COP KILLERS (review)

A drug deal gone wrong results in a shootout and two Rolls Royce-driving criminals on the run with a hostage in this seventies grindhouse flick from the makers of FLESH GORDON.

REVIEW LINK: MVD Visual (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

COP KILLERS Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by actor Jason Williams, moderated by Adam Trash
• "Confessions of a Cop Killer" interview with actor Jason Williams
• Theatrical Trailer

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88 Films spies on THE WATCHER IN THE ATTIC (review)

A landlord spies on the tenants of his boarding house through holes in the attic.  When he sees beautiful Minako strangle her lover with her thighs, he realizes he has found a soulmate in pleasure and murder in this Nikkatsu adaptation of a story by Edogawa Rampo, the Japanese Poe.

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

THE WATCHER IN THE ATTIC Blu-ray/DVD combo specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.46:1 Widescreen
• Japanese LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Japanese cinema experts Jasper Sharp and Amber T.
• "Who's Watching Who?" interview with filmmaker Hisayasu Sato
• Still Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
• The limited edition first pressing includes a DVD copy, OBI strip, and booklet by Earl Jackson.
   

88 Films peruses SWEDEN PORNO: BLONDE ANIMAL (review)

Besides their own homegrown erotica, Japanese studio Nikkatsu went to Scandinavia to exploit "Swedish Sin" with the SWEDEN PORNO series and this entry BLONDE ANIMAL about a pair of innocent young lovers who get entangled with a pair of American swingers.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region B Blu-ray/Region 2 PAL DVD (DVDCompare)

SWEDEN PORNO: BLONDE ANIMAL Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• Japanese LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Japanese cinema experts Rickard Gramfors and Jasper Sharp 
• "Swedish Sin - Johan Nordström on Nikkatsu's 'Sweden Porno' Line" 2024 video essay 
• Stills Gallery 
• Theatrical Trailer
• DVD Copy
• Comes with an OBI strip and booklet with an essay by David Flint.
  

88 Films confesses I AM A NYMPHOMANIAC (review)

A repressed young woman falls down an elevator shaft and becomes a nymphomaniac in Max Pecas' softcore erotic melodrama starring Sandra Julien (SHIVER OF THE VAMPIRES), Janine Reynaud (SUCCUBUS), and Michel Lemoine (SEVEN WOMEN FOR SATAN).

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

I AM A NYMPHOMANIAC Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English and French LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• "Flirting with Genres" interview with film historian Christophe Bier
  

Arrow Video petrifies with MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN (review)

A young journalist doing a story on a windmill with a macabre carousel of female statues becomes embroiled in lust and jealousy in the early Italian horror film MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN.

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

MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN Blu-ray specs: 

• Italian Version:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• Italian LPCM 1.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• English Version:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English LPCM 1.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas
• "MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN and The Gothic Body" visual essay by film historian Kat Ellinger
• "Turned to Stone" featurette containing archival interviews with actress Liana Orfei and film historian Fabio Melelli
• "A Little Chat with Dr. Mabuse" interview with actor Wolfgang Preiss
• Alternate Opening Titles:
• UK "Drops of Blood" Titles
• German Titles
• Trailers:
• US Theatrical Trailer
• German Theatrical Trailer
• Image Galleries:
• Posters
• Stills and Lobby Cards
• German Pressbook
• US Pressbook
  

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Grindhouse Releasing takes a trip through HOLLYWOOD 90028 (review)

A freelance cameraman's psyche deteriorates as another of Hollywood's broken dreams, but his includes serial murder in this forgotten seventies arty exploitation film.

REVIEW LINK: Grindhouse Releasing (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

HOLLYWOOD 90028 Blu-ray specs:

• Disc One:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono 
• Optional English SDH Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by film historians Marc Heuck and Heid Honeycutt 
• Audio Commentary on the film's locations by film historian Shawn Langrick 
• "Twisted Throats" Reissue Version (in standard definition) 
• Alternate X-Rated Cuts 
• Outtakes 
• Trailers and Radio Spot 
• Still Galleries 
• Grindhouse Releasing Prevues of Coming Attractions 
• Easter Eggs
• Disc Two:
• "Hollywood Dreams: The Making of HOLLYWOOD 90028" 
• "Christopher Augustine at The New Beverly: September 13, 2022 Q and A" 
• "Tom and Tina: The Early Years" interview with filmmaker Tom DeSimone 
• Christina Hornisher Short Films 
• "Los Angeles: Here and Gone" location comparison 
• Production Credits 
• Easter Eggs
• Disc Three:
• CD Soundtrack by Basil Poledouris
• Comes in a slipcase with a reversible cover, a booklet featuring essays by Jim Van Bebber, Marc Heuck, David Szulkin, and Richard Kraft.

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Arrow Video haunts CRIMSON PEAK in 4K (review)

Guillermo del Toro tells a tale of gothic romance on an epic scale (at least an epic budget) when a young American woman is swept off her feet by a British aristocrat and taken to his ancestral home, the forbidding CRIMSON PEAK where the dead are not quiet.

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Video (US/UK) Region ALL 4K UltraHD (DVDCompare) 

CRIMSON PEAK 4K UltraHD specs:

• 2160p24 HEVC 1.85:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision HDR/HDR10)
• English DTS:X and DTS Headphone:X 2.0 Stereo
• English Audio Descriptive Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by co-writer/director Guillermo del Toro 
• "The House is Alive: Constructing CRIMSON PEAK" documentary 
• Spanish-language Interview with co-writer/director Guillermo Del Toro 
• Allerdale Hall - Four Featurettes:
• "The Gothic Corridor"
• "The Scullery"
• "The Red Clay Mines"
• "The Limbo Fog Set"
• "A Primer on Gothic Romance" interview with co-writer/director Guillermo del Toro on the film's literary elements 
• "The Light and Dark of CRIMSON PEAK" featurette about the film's use of color 
• "Hand Tailored Gothic" featurette on the film's costumes 
• "A Living Thing" featurette on the modelling and construction of the Allerdale Hall sets 
• "Beware of CRIMSON PEAK" walking tour of Allerdale Hall with actor Tom Hiddleston 
• "Crimson Phantoms" featurette on the film's ghosts 
• "Kim Newman on CRIMSON PEAK and the Tradition of Gothic Romance" interview with the author and critic 
• "Violence and Beauty in Guillermo del Toro's Gothic Fairy Tale Films" video essay by writer Kat Ellinger 
• Deleted Scenes 
• International Trailer 
• Theatrical Trailer 
• 2 TV Spots 
• Image Galleries: 
• Production Stills 
• Behind the Scenes
  

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Eureka's Masters of Cinema goes bump in the night with THE CAT AND THE CANARY (review)

On a dark and stormy night, a young heiress is threatened by greedy relatives and an escaped maniac in the OG "old dark house" film THE CAT AND THE CANARY.

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

THE CAT AND THE CANARY Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.37:1 Pillarboxed Fullscreen
• Robert Israel Score in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Original English Intertitles
• Audio Commentary by author Stephen Jones and author/critic Kim Newman
• Audio Commentary by film historians Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby
• "Mysteries Mean Dark Corners" video essay by David Cairns and Fiona Watson
• Interview with writer and film critic Pamela Hutchinson
• Interview with film critic Phuong Le
• Extracts from John Willard's Original Play
• "Lucky Strike" Paul Leni Cigarette Brand Endorsement
• The first pressing comes with a collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Richard Combs, Craig Ian Mann, and Imogen Sara Smith.
  

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88 Films stalks THE COMEBACK (review)

An American pop singer takes a house in the English countryside to work on his comeback album, unfortunately it may be haunted and someone is murdering all of his friends in Pete Walker's penultimate horror film starring singer Jack Jones.

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

THE COMEBACK Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HoH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by screenwriter David McGillivray, moderated by film critics Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
• Audio Commentary by director/producer Pete Walker, moderated by "English Gothic" author Jonathan Rigby
• "Walker's Women" interview with director Pete Walker
• "The Making of THE COMEBACK"
• Theatrical Trailer
  

88 Films splits a SCHIZO (Review)

No one believes ice skater Samantha when she claims someone is stalking her, but then the bodies start to drop in Pete Walker's PSYCHO-thriller.

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

SCHIZO Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HoH Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by screenwriter David McGillivray, moderated by film critics Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
• "Ask Mr Walker" interview with director Pete Walker
  

VCI scares up HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE (review)

On the way to Nashville, country singers Woody and Boots along with their manager Jeepers spend the night in an old house haunted by a killer gorilla and international spies.  Basil Rathbone and Lon Chaney Jr. co-star.

REVIEW LINK: VCI Entertainment (US) Region ALL Blu-ray/Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:

• Disc One (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Disc Two (DVD):
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by film historian Robert Kelly
• Still Gallery 
• Trailer for LAS VEGAS HILLBILLYS

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Full Moon unearths THE PRIMEVALS (review)

Forty years in the making, THE PRIMEVALS was PUPPET MASTER stop motion artist David Allen's passion project that started shooting in 1994 and stalled due to financial issues and then his passing.  Now the film has been completed by producer Charles Band and the industry effects greats who were once his apprentices.  When the body of a yeti is brought back from Tibet, a scientific time and a guide travel deep into the mountains to find another and discover the secret behind human evolution.

REVIEW LINK: Full Moon Pictures (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

THE PRIMEVALS Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Trailer

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Second Run spends DAYS and an AFTERNOON with Tsai Ming-Liang (review)

An actor in constant pain after a stroke and a younger Laotian masseuse find more than physical intimacy in the space of an evening in DAYS, from the director of GOODBYE, DRAGON INN.

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

DAYS//AFTERNOON - TWO FILMS BY TSAI MING-LIANG Blu-ray specs: 

• Disc One - Days:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• This film is intentionally unsubtitled.Interview with director Tsai Ming-Liang 
• "Wandering" 2021 short film by Tsai Ming-Liang 
• "Days Passed: Lee Kang-Sheng Through the Eyes of Tsai Ming-Liang" video essay by film historian Michelle Cho 
• Teasers and Trailers
• Disc Two - Afternoon:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
• Mandarin LPCM 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English Subtitles 
• "Tsai Ming-Liang in Conversation with Tony Rayns" (78 minutes) 
• Theatrical Trailer
• Comes with a 20-page booklet with writing by So Mayer.

Unearthed Films visits the VILLAGE OF DOOM (review)

An introverted young man is further ostracized in his village when he contracts tuberculosis and cannot serve in the Japanese army and decides to make his village his own battlefield in this true crime account from Daiei.

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

VILLAGE OF DOOM Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• Japanese LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by Asian film experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema 
• "Dark Asia with Megan: Case #57 Japan's Darkest Night, Tsuyama Massacre" interview with true crime podcaster Megan Lee 
• Promotional Gallery 
• Theatrical Trailer Comes with a slipcover.

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Cauldron Films turns Michael York into the "Phantom of Death" in OFF BALANCE (review)

Michael York plays a pianist struck down with a rare disease and he can no longer control his impulse to kill in this giallo from Ruggero Deodato starring Donald Pleasance and Edwich Fenech.

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

OFF BALANCE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English LPCM 2.0 Stereo and Italian LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles (for English track) and English Subtitles (for Italian dub)
• Audio Commentary by film historians Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth 
• "An Uncommon Director" interview with Ruggero Deodato, filmed July 2022 
• English Export Trailer
• Italian Theatrical Trailer 
• Comes with a reversible cover.

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Arrow Video contracts 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 (US/UK) Region ALL 4K UltraHD (DVDCompare)

THE ADDICTION 4K UltraHD specs:

• 2160p24 HEVC 1.85:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision/HDR10)
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Abel Ferrara, moderated by critic and biographer Brad Stevens 
• "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 director Abel Ferrara 
• Appreciation by critic Brad Stevens 
• "Abel Edits THE ADDICTION" featurette 
• Image Gallery 
• Theatrical Trailer 
• Easter Egg 
• Comes with a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain, and the first pressing includes a slipcover and an illustrated collector s booklet containing new writing on the film by critic Michael Ewins
  

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Dread the blind witch BEEZEL (review)

Three stories chart the deadly history of a New England house haunted by a demonic force lurking in the cellar.

REVIEW LINK: Epic Pictures (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

BEEZEL Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC Mult-Aspect Ratio
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH and Spanish Subtitles
• The Making of BEEZEL
• Short Films DOCTOR DEATH and THE SLEEP WATCHER
• Trailer
• Dread Trailers

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Synapse Films desecrates THE CONVENT (review)

When a group of college fraternity and sorority members break into a long-abandoned Catholic school to tag the bell tower, they unleash a Satanic evil that possess them in a mission to bring about the end of the world in this 2000 comedy horror flick featuring Adrienne Barbeau.

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

THE CONVENT 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray Combo specs:

• Disc One (4K UltraHD):
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.78:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision/HDR10)
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Disc Two (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Mike Mendez, composer Joseph Bishara, and actors Megahn Perry and Liam Kyle Sullivan 
• Audio Commentary by the Lords Of Hell actors David Gunn and Kelly Mantle 
• Behind the Scenes 
• Locations featurette 
• Deleted Scene 
• Gore Outtakes 
• Still Gallery 
• Electronic Press Kit 
• Promotional Trailer 1 
• Promotional Trailer 2
  
• Comes with a reversible cover and "It's Always Something with a Virgin" liner notes booklet by Corey Danna. 

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Also available directly from Synapse Films in a 4,000 copy limited edition with a slipcover.

Acorn Media investigates MIDSOMER MURDERS: SERIES 23 (review)

Barnaby and Winter investigate more bizarre murders in the idyllic English countryside including the suspicious car accident of a former police chief, a series of strange deaths among a group of preppers, a deadly sabotage campaign against an artisan mill, and deaths at a drag queen competition.

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

MIDSOMER MURDERS: SERIES 23 DVD specs:

• Four episodes on two dual-layer DVDs
• 16:9 anamorphic 1.78:1 widescreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English HoH Subtitles
• "MIDSOMER MURDERS: 25 Years of Mayhem" anniversary special
• Caroline Graham Biography
• Broadcast Dates
   

Film Movement and Vinegar Syndrome prey on L'INNOCENTE (review)

Luchino Visconti's final film looks at nineteenth century hypocrisy when Tullio is unfaithful to his wife Giuliana with widowed young countess Teresa and only begins to desire his wife again when she has an affair of her own.  Giancarlo Giannini, Laura Antonelli, Jennifer O'Neill, Massimo Girotti, and Marc Porel star.

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

L'INNOCENTE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• Italian LPCM 2.0 Mono 
•  Optional English Subtitles 
•  "Reframing L'INNOCENTE" visual essay by Ivo Blom 
• Theatrical Trailer 
• Film Movement Trailers 
• Booklet by Dan Callahan  

Available directly from Vinegar Syndrome with a 1,000-copy limited special edition slipcover.

Film Movement and Vinegar Syndrome get BENT (review)

The 1997 screen adaptation of the 1979 Martin Sherman play looks at the forbidden intimacy between two gay men in a concentration camp during World War II.  Clive OWen, Lothaire Bluteau, Ian McKellan, and Mick Jagger star.

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

BENT Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 widescreen 
• English LPCM 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English SDH subtitles 
• Behind the Scenes 
• "Streets of Berlin" music video by Mick Jagger
  
• Cast Interviews
• Re-release Trailer 
• Original Trailer 
• Previews 
• Booklet by Steven Alan Carr 

Available directly from Vinegar Syndrome with a 1,000-copy limited edition slipcover.

Radiance Films retells THE STORY OF ADELE H. (review)

Isabelle Adjani came to international attention in François Truffaut's THE STORY OF ADELE H. about the tragic life and love of Adele Hugo, daughter of Victor Hugo, who followed the love of her life to Nova Scotia, Barbados, and into madness.

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

THE STORY OF ADELE H. Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• French/English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Interview with critic Phuong Le 
• 1986 interview with cinematographer Nestor Almendros 
• 1975 interview with director François Truffaut 
• 1980 interview with actress Isabelle Adjani 
• 1975 footage of the premiere in Lyon with François Truffaut and Isabelle Adjani 
• French Theatrical Trailer 
• Limited edition of 3,000 copies comes with a reversible cover featuring designs based on original posters and a 24-page booklet featuring archival writing by Fran ois Truffaut. 
• Presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings.
  

Radiance Films experiences PANIC IN YEAR ZERO! (review)

An average suburban family discovers their basest instincts when they take to the road in the aftermath of a nuclear attack in this American International picture starring Ray Milland and Frankie Avalon.

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

PANIC IN YEAR ZERO Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen 
• English LPCM 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English SDH Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by film critic Richard Harland Smith 
• Interview with writer/critic Kim Newman 
• 1972 interview with actor Ray Milland 
• "Atomic Shock!" interview with filmmaker Joe Dante 
• Theatrical Trailer 
• Limited edition of 3,000 copies comes with a reversible cover featuring designs based on original posters and a booklet featuring new writing by film critic Christina Newland. 
• Presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings.
  

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

MADAME CLAUDE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• French/English and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• "Monsieur Klaus - Kinski and French Cinema" visual essay by film historian Troy Howarth
• Still Gallery
• Initial pressing includes a slipcase and booklet notes by Chris O'Neill.
  

88 Films wields a KNIFE UNDER THE THROAT (review)

Florence Guerin and Brigitte Lahaie are menaced by a knife-wielding killer in the eighties French slasher KNIFE UNDER THE THROAT from director Claude Mulot (THE BLOOD ROSE).

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

KNIFE UNDER THE THROAT Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• French LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• "Brigitte on My Mind" interview with actress Brigitte Lahaie
• Image Gallery
   

88 Films has a rendezvous with Nikkatsu's APARTMENT WIFE: AFFAIR IN THE AFTERNOON (review)

Left to her own devices by a salary man husband unmindful of her pleasure, a young wife becomes vulnerable to seduction and the scheming of a sexpot neighbor in this first Nikkatsu softcore erotica effort.

REVIEW LINK: 88 Films (UK) Region B Blu-ray/Region 2 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

APARTMENT WIFE: AFFAIR IN THE AFTERNOON Blu-ray/DVD Combo specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.44:1 Widescreen
• Japanese LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by film historian Irene Gonzalez-Lopez 
• "An Introduction to Roman Porno: Mio Hatokai on APARTMENT WIFE: AFFAIR IN THE AFTERNOON" 
• Stills Gallery 
• Theatrical Trailer 
• DVD Copy 
• Includes a reversible cover with original and newly commissioned artwork by Silver Ferox. 
• The first pressing includes the DVD copy, an OBI strip, and booklet notes by Dmitri Ianni.
  

Arrow Video has a date with TOMIE (review)

A young college student suffering from amnesia after an accident is stalked by a beautiful classmate who repeatedly dies and comes back in the manga adaptation TOMIE.

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

TOMIE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen 
• Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by Japanese cinema expert Amber T. 
• "It's a Girl's World" interview with director Ataru Oikawa 
• "Scream Queen" interview with actress Mami Nakamura 
• "From Manga to Screen" interview with producer Mikihiko Hirata 
• Making-of Tomie 
• Series Trailers 
• Image Gallery 
• Comes with an illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing by Zack Davisson and Eugene Thacker and a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck. 

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Fun City Editions gyrates with HEAVENLY BODIES (review)

Three young women take on a big gym chain when they strike out for themselves with an all-inclusive dance and aerobics studio in this Canadian FLASHDANCE cash-in.

REVIEW LINK: Fun City Editions (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

HEAVENLY BODIES Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by film historians Millie De Chirico and Jeffrey Mixed 
• "A Little Bit of Gold Dust" interview with actress Cynthia Dale 
• Image Gallery 
• Comes with a reversible cover and a booklet. 
• Also available with a slipcover exclusively at Fun City Editions.

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