Impulse Pictures conjures up a SEX AND SATAN DOUBLE FEATURE (review)

SEX AND SATAN is Ray Dennis Steckler's "The Sexorcist" in which a professor and a photographer discover an ancient parchment that possesses the photographer's hooker roommate who slashes her way through her client list.  In TWICE IS NOT ENOUGH, a brother and sister target simple-minded young men for seduction and blackmail.

REVIEW LINK: Impulse Pictures (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDCompare)

SEX AND SATAN DOUBLE FEATURE DVD specs:

• Sex and Satan (aka The Sexorcist):
• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.37:1 Fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono 
• Twice is Not Enough:
• 4:3 non-anamorphic 1.37:1 Fullscreen
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono 

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Red Shirt Home Video rocks with TRICK OR TREAT (review)

FAMILY TIES' Skippy (Marc Price) summons up evil with a heavy metal rock record in the eighties cult classic TRICK OR TREAT featuring special appearances by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne.

REVIEW LINK: Red Shirt Home Video (US) Region ALL Blu-ray (DVDCompare)

TRICK OR TREAT Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Charles Martin Smith, moderated by filmmaker Mark Savage 
• Audio Interviews with writer/producer Michael S. Murphey and writer Rhet Topham, moderated by film historian Michael Felsher 
• Audio Conversation with Paul Corupe and Allison Lang, authors of "Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s" 
• "Rock & Shock: The Making of TRICK OR TREAT" all-new retrospective featuring director Charles Martin Smith, actors Marc Price, Glen Morgan, Elise Richards, and Larry Sprinkle, writer/producer Joel Soisson, costume designer Jill Ohanneson, assistant set costumer Francine Decoursey, construction foreman Tom Jones, Jr., special make-up effects artist Everett Burrell, music executive producer Stephen E. Smith, composer Christopher Young, and a special appearance by Gene Simmons 
• "In The Spotlight: A Tribute to Tony Fields" featuring his family and friends 
• "Horror's Hallowed Grounds: The Filming Locations of TRICK OR TREAT" hosted by Sean Clark 
• "After Midnight" Music Video by Fastway 
• Still Gallery featuring optional audio interview with still photographer Phillip V. Caruso 
• Vintage Electronic Press Kit 
• 2 Theatrical Trailers 
• 2 TV Spots 
• 3 Radio Spots 
• The first pressing comes with a slipcover.
  

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Also available on 4K UltraHD or movie-only DVD.

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.

Synapse Films tunes into DEMONS 2 in 4K (review)

Demons burst through the television set and infect a hi-tech highrise in Lamberto Bava's sequel to his hit film.  Dario Argento produces.

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region ALL 4K UltraHD (DVDCompare)

DEMONS 2 4K UltraHD specs: 

• International Version:
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.66:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision) 
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English SDH Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by film historian Travis Crawford
• Italian Version:
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.66:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision) 
• Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English Subtitles
• "Together and Apart" visual essay by author/critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas 
• "Creating Creature Carnage" interview with special makeup effects artist Sergio Stivaletti 
• "Bava to Bava" interview with filmmaker Luigi Cozzi on the history of Italian horror 
• "Demonic Influences" Federico Zampaglione Speaks 
• "The Demons Generation: Roy Bava Discusses a Legacy in Lacerations" interview with director's son Roy Bava 
• "The New Blood of Italian Horror: Sergio Stivaletti and Michele Soavi from DEMONS to DELLAMORTE DELLAMORE" interview with special makeup effects artist Sergio Stivaletti 
• "Screaming for a Sequel: The Delirious Legacy of DEMONS 2" interview with director Lamberto Bava 
• "A Soundtrack for Splatter" interview with composer Simon Boswell 
• Comes with an insert with information on the transfer.
  

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Also available on Blu-ray!

Synapse Films breaks the fourth wall with DEMONS in 4K (review)

Guests at a special sneak preview of a horror film become infected with a supernatural outbreak in the gory, eighties Italian horror DEMONS directed by Lamberto Bava and produced by Dario Argento.

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region ALL 4K UltraHD (DVDCompare)

DEMONS 4K UltraHD specs:

• International Version:
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.66:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision) 
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English SDH Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by critics Kat Ellinger and Heather Drain, co-hosts of the Hell's Belles podcast 
• Audio Commentary by director Lamberto Bava, special effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, composer Claudio Simonetti, and actress Geretta Geretta (Giancarlo), moderated by Mike Baronas, Art Ettinger, and Mark Murray
• Italian Version:
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.66:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision) 
• Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English Subtitles
• U.S. Version:
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.66:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision) 
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English Subtitles
• "Produced by Dario Argento" visual essay by author and critic Michael Mackenzie 
• "Dario’s Demon Days" interview with writer/producer Dario Argento 
• "Defining an Era in Music" interview with composer Claudio Simonetti 
• "Splatter Spaghetti Style” interview with Luigi Cozzi 
• "Carnage at the Cinema: Lamberto Bava and His Splatter Masterpiece" interview with director Lamberto Bava 
• "Dario and His Demons: Producing Monster Mayhem" interview with writer/producer Dario Argento 
• "Monstrous Memories: Luigi Cozzi on DEMONS" interview with filmmaker Luigi Cozzi 
• "Profondo Jones: The Critical Perspective" interview with critic Alan Jones 
• "Splatter Stunt Rock" interview with stuntman Ottaviano Dell'Acqua 
• "[Sergio] Stivaletti Q and A" The Festival of Fantastic Films - Manchester, England 25th October 2019 moderated by Michelangelo Stivaletti and Calum Waddell 
• Italian Theatrical Trailer 
• International Theatrical Trailer 
• US Theatrical Trailer 
• Includes an insert with information about the transfer. 

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Also available on Blu-ray!

Synapse Films hunts a CROCODILE (review)

When a gigantic killer crocodile starts attacking villages and consuming hundreds of innocent victims, two doctors and a fisherman set out to destroy the beast themselves in this Thai/Korean co-production.

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

CROCODILE Blu-ray specs: 

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by writer and film historian Lee Gambin 
• Interview with original CROCODILE FANGS director Won-se Lee 
• Deleted and Alternate Scenes 
• U.S. Theatrical Trailer 

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Synapse Films whips up a BLOOD FEAST (review)

Fuad Ramses moves his family to France to capitalize on the American diner fad in Paris.  Business is not moving so Fuad takes a second job as a nightwatchman in a museum where the spirit of the goddess Ishtar beckons him to provide a feast of human flesh to resurrect her.  Soon, his college coed daughter's best friends are disappearing and Fuad is cooking up a storm for a very special party in this remake of the Herschell Gordon Lewis classic.

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region ALL 4K UltraHD (DVDCompare)

BLOOD FEAST 4K UltraHD specs:

• 2160p24 HEVC 2.40:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Indiegogo Promotional Teaser 
• Theatrical Trailer 
• "Making of" featurette 
• Chilli Con Curtis "Tonite" Music Video 
• Red Carpet Premiere 2018 
• Scare Cam 
• Slipcover

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Synapse Films gazes into THE BLACK CIRCLE (review)

Two sisters lives are turned upside down when they both use a self-help magnetism therapy record which claims to be able to do away with the negative elements of a subject's personality; however, those negative forces take on a life of their own in this Mexican/Swedish horror film from the director of HERE COMES THE DEVIL and starring THRILLER's Christina Lindberg.

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

BLACK CIRCLE Blu-ray specs:

• Disc One (Blu-ray):
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.39:1 Widescreen
• Swedish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by director Adrián García Bogliano
• "Inside BLACK CIRCLE" making-of
• Interview with director Adrián García Bogliano and actress Christina Lindberg
• "Don’t Open Your Eyes" 2017 short film
• Teaser Trailer
• Still Gallery
• Disc Two (CD):
• Soundtrack by Rickard Gramfors
• 18 tracks
  

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
  

Synapse Films declares a war on drugs with McBAIN (review)

When one of his Vietnam buddies is killed fighting the drug war in Columbia, New York metalworker McBain teams up with the dead man's sister and his fellow vets to take on an entire country and overthrow a corrupt president.  Christopher Walken and Maria Conchita Alonso star in this action flick from the director of THE EXTERMINATOR.

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

McBAIN Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by writer/director James Glickenhaus, moderated by Chris Poggiali
• Theatrical Trailer
  
  

Synapse Films gets the creepers from PHENOMENA (review)

"Jennifer has a million close friends and she's going to need every one of them" in Dario Argento's PHENOMENA, a batshit crazy mishmash of the giallo, telepathic insect horror, the American slasher, and a dark fairy tale.  Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasance, Patrick Bauchau, and Daria Nicolodi star.

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region ALL 4K UltraHD (DVDCompare)

PHENOMENA 4K UHD specs:

• Disc One:
• Italian Version (116 minutes):
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.66:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision)
  
• English/Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 
• Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English (for Italian), English (for Italian insert on hybrid track), and English SDH Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by film historian Troy Howarth 
• "Of Flies and Maggots" documentary (120 minutes) 
• "Claudio Simonetti: Jennifer" music video 
• Promotional Materials: 
• Italian Theatrical Trailer 
• English Export Trailer 
• Japanese Pressbook
• Disc Two:
• International Version (110 minutes):
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.66:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision) 
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo 
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo (alternate sound effects and music cues) 
• Optional English SDH Subtitles 
• Audio Commentary by Argento scholar/author Derek Botelho and film historian/journalist/commentator David Del Valle 
• U.S. "Creepers" Version (83 minutes):
• 2160p24 HEVC 1.66:1 Widescreen (Dolby Vision) 
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo 
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono 
• Optional English SDH Subtitles 
• "The Three Sarcophagi" visual essay by Michael Mackenzie comparing the different cuts of PHENOMENA 
• Promotional Materials: 
• U.S. Theatrical Trailer 
• U.S. Radio Spots
• Reversible Cover
• Slipcover
  

CineVentures Best of 2022 Blu-rays/UHD

Top Blu-ray Releases of 2022:
1. BOILING POINT (Phillip Barantini, 2021) Region B UK Second Sight (REVIEW)
2. SISTER, SISTER (Bill Condon, 1988) Region ALL USA Vinegar Syndrome (REVIEW)
3. DRAGON'S RETURN (Eduard Grecner, 1968) Region ALL Second Run (REVIEW)
4. LOVE (Karoly Makk, 1971) Region ALL Second Run (REVIEW)
5. THE PARTY AND THE GUESTS (Jan Nemec, 1966) Region ALL Second Run (REVIEW)
6. EXECUTION IN AUTUMN (Hsing Lee, 1972) Region B Eureka (REVIEW)
7. TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD (Amando de Ossorio, 1971) Region ALL Synapse Films
8. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR (Jess Franco, 1973) Region ALL Mondo Macabro
9. TO SLEEP SO AS TO DREAM (Kaizo Hayashi, 1986) Region A/B Arrow Video (REVIEW)
10. COACH TO VIENNA (Karel Kachyna, 1966) Region ALL Second Run (REVIEW)

Top 4K UHD Releases of 2022:
1. QUIET DAYS IN CLICHY (Jens Jørgen Thorsen, 1970) Region ALL UHD/Blu-ray Blue Underground (REVIEW)
2. DOG SOLDIERS (Neil Marshall, 2002) Region ALL UHD/Region B Blu-ray Second Sight
3. SCHIZOID/X-RAY (David Paulsen, 1980/Boaz Davidson, 1981) Region ALL UHD/Region A Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome (REVIEW)
4. MADMAN (Joe Giannone, 1981) Region ALL UHD/Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome (REVIEW)
5. THE WEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN (Leon Klimovsky, 1970) Region ALL UHD/Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome
6. DEATH WISH II (Michael Winner, 1982) Region ALL UHD/Region A Blu-ray Vinegar Syndrome (REVIEW)
7. FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET (Dario Argento, 1971) Region ALL UHD/Blu-ray Severin Films
8. THE COMPANY OF WOLVES (Neil Jordan, 1984) Region ALL UHD/Region A Blu-ray Scream Factory/Shout! Factory
9. THE FOG (John Carpenter, 1980) Region ALL UHD/Region A Blu-ray Scream Factory/Shout! Factory
10. PHENOMENA (Dario Argento, 1984) Region ALL UHD Synapse Films

Top Boxsets of 2022:
1. TWISTING THE KNIFE (Claude Chabrol, 1997-2003) Region A/B Blu-ray Arrow Video (REVIEW)
2. THE WAR TRILOGY (Andrzej Wajda, 1955-1958) Region ALL Blu-ray Second Run
3. LIES AND DECEIT (Claude Chabrol, 1984-1994) Region A/B Blu-ray Arrow Video (REVIEW)
4. SYLVIA KRISTEL 1970s COLLECTION (Alain Robbe-Grillet, 1975/Wim Verstappen, 1978/Paul de Lussanet, 1978/Sigi Rothemund, 1974) Region ALL Blu-ray Cult Epics (REVIEW)
5. GOTHIC FANTASTICO: FOUR ITALIAN TALES OF TERROR (Massimo Pupillo, 1965/Alberto de Martino, 1963/Mino Guerrini, 1966/Damiano Damiani, 1966) Region ALL Blu-ray Arrow Video (REVIEW)

Honorable Mentions:

While Severin Films made fans ecstatic with their UHD debuts of the first legitimate English-friendly release of Dario Argento's lesser-seen FIVE DAYS OF MILAN and the first fully uncut version of FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET that did not depend on sub-par 16mm or standard definition video inserts, what may have fallen under the radar for many are their other halfway to Black Friday and Black Friday releases including THE DEVIL'S GAME - which not only includes the first legitimate release anywhere of Mario Bava's final film "The Venus of Ille" (co-directed with his son Lamberto Bava) but also otehr Italian telefilm adaptations of other pieces of fantastic nineteenth century literature including one from DEATH LAID AN EGG's Giulio Questi - as well as the little-seen South African psychosexual slasher THE SHADOWED MIND - truly a rescue operation since no film materials were available when the film was last announced as a DVD release by another label half a decade ago - the rare giallo LIBIDO (with heretofore unavailable English dub), and Jess Franco's MACUMBA SEXUAL, MANSION OF THE LIVING DEAD, and SEX IS CRAZY.

Besides the aforementioned Blu-ray debut of Franco's arthouse stunner THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR that made our top ten, Mondo Macabro also gave us in that same bundle LOVE BRIDES OF THE BLOOD MUMMY - heretofore only available as a Spanish-language copy of the domestic nudity-free version or a British 8mm reduction that was also lighter on sex than violence - and THE HORRIBLE SEXY VAMPIRE, neither of which are truly good films but are atmospheric timewasters nicely-curated with audio commentaries, footage from alternate versios in the case of MUMMY and much-needed context about the true crime "Vamprire of the Highway" case for HORRIBLE.

Arrow Video's announcement of Region A editions of three Shaw Brothers Blu-ray releases of titles already available in the UK from the likes of Eureka Video and 88 Films with a nice set of extras was initially not that thrilling, but they put their own spin on things for the better.  COME DRINK WITH ME had a new commentary track from the esteemed Tony Rayns and a host of interviews from the archvies of Frédéric Ambroisine, THE ONE ARMED BOXER ported over the UK commentary but added an exclusive interview, and THE EIGHT POLE DIAGRAM FIGHTER not only featured a healthy stack of extras but also addressed the issue of lost frames at every splice point that has dogged other masters of Shaw Brothers material including the previous Blu-ray editions.

Synapse Films sights the CREATURE FROM BLACK LAKE (Review)

A Vietnam vet and a hippie explore the swamps of Louisiana in search of the CREATURE FROM BLACK LAKE.

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

CREATURE FROM BLACK LAKE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 2.35:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by film historians Michael Gingold and Chris Poggiali
• "Swamp Stories" interview with cinematographer Dean Cundey
• Theatrical Trailer
• Radio Spot
• The first 2,500 copies ordered directly from Synapse Films include a limited edition slipcover.
  

Synapse Films rings in the holiday with SATAN'S LITTLE HELPER (review)

Lonely young Dougie has fallen in love with the video game "Satan's Little Helper" and is determined to be the real thing when he meets a serial killer who may or may not actually be the devil himself in this slasher film from the director of JUST BEFORE DAWN.

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

SATAN'S LITTLE HELPER Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by writer/director Jeff Lieberman
• Archival Behind the Scenes Featurette
• "The Devil and the Details: The Making of SATAN'S LITTLE HELPER" new documentary
• "Mister Satan's Neighborhood" locations visit
• Promotional Trailer
  

Synapse Films raises THE KINDRED (review)

 

A geneticist discovers that his late mother has continued her own revolutionary experiments in the privacy of their family home and has grown something that is less-than-human and very angry in the eighties creature feature THE KINDRED.

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

THE KINDRED Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles Audio Commentary by co-writers/co-directors Stephen Carpenter and Jeffrey Obrow
• "Inhuman Experiments: The Making of The Kindred" documentary
• On-Set Footage
• Storyboards
• Still Gallery
• TV Spots
• Video Trailer
• Theatrical Trailer
  

Synapse Films attends a MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH (review)

When a gang of school bullies cripples new kid David, he doesn't rat them out, he gets revenge, but he doesn't just stop there in the satirical MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH.

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

MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Interviews with actors Andrew Stevens, Robert Carradine, Rex Steven Sikes, and Darrel Maury conducted by Mike White of The Projection Booth podcast
• Audio Interview with director Rene Daalder conducted by Michael Gingold
• "Hell in the Hallways" documentary
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spot
• Radio Spot
• Photo Gallery
  

Synapse Films breaks bread with THE LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE (Review)

Weekenders discover it's better to "let sleeping corpses lie" than to "break bread with the living dead" in the Spanish/Italian zombie gore flic THE LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE.

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

THE LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.85:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commentary by authors Nathaniel Thompson and Bruce Holecheck
• Audio Commentary by author Troy Howarth
• "Jorge Grau: Catalonia's Cult Film King" feature-length documentary
• "The Scene of the Crime: Giannetto De Rossi in Discussion from Manchester"
• Giannetto De Rossi Q&A at the 2020 Festival of Fantastic Films, UK
• Theatrical Trailer
• 2 TV Spots
• 2 Radio Spots
  

Cineventures' Best of 2021 List

TOP TEN MAINSTREAM/ARTHOUSE RELEASES:

• NOUCHKA VAN BRAKEL TRILOGY (A Woman Like Eve/The Debut/The Cool Lakes of Death), Cult Epics (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon.

• A WOMAN LIKE EVE available separately from Amazon.
• THE DEBUT available separately from Amazon.
• THE COOL LAKES OF DEATH available separately from Amazon.
  

• VIY/SVETO MESTO, Eureka (UK) Region B Blu-ray, limited edition no longer available from Amazon
  

• single disc standard edition without SVETO MESTO also available at Amazon

• CELIA, Second Run (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• ADOPTION, Second Run (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Second Run (UK), available from Amazon

• LAKE MUNGO, Second Sight (UK) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• JOHNNY GUITAR, Eureka (UK) Region B Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• THE GREAT SILENCE, Eureka (UK) Region B Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• MALCOLM, Umbrella Entertainment (Australia) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• SUNDAY TOO FAR AWAY, Umbrella Entertainment (Australia) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

TOP TEN CULT RELEASES:

• TIE: PERDITA DURANGO, Severin Films (US) Region ALL 4K UHD/Blu-ray and DAY OF THE BEAST, Severin Films (US) Region ALL 4K UHD/Blu-ray

• PERDITA DURANGO 4K UHD/Blu-ray, available from Amazon
• PERDITA DURANGO Blu-ray, available from Amazon
• DAY OF THE BEAST 4K UHD/Blu-ray, available from Amazon
• DAY OF THE BEAST Blu-ray, available from Amazon
  

• 99.9, Cult Epics (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• IREZUMI, Arrow Video (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• TIE: CANNIBAL MAN, Severin Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray and NO ONE HEARD THE SCREAM, Severin Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray
• CANNIBAL MAN available from Amazon
• NO ONE HEARD THE SCREAM available from Amazon
  

• THE DESIGNATED VICTIM, Mondo Macabro (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• FORGOTTEN GIALLI VOL. 3 (Crazy Desires of the Murderer/Autopsy/Murder Mansion) Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Vinegar Syndrome
  

• SATAN'S BLOOD, Vinegar Syndrome (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN, Arrow Video (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• FRANCO NOIR (Death Whistles the Blues/Rififi in the City), Severin Films (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• AN ANGEL FOR SATAN, Severin Films (US) Region A Blu-ray, available from Amazon

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
For giving a boxed set to a martial arts filmmaker more inconsistent than Godfrey Ho:

• CINEMATIC VENGEANCE! (7 Grandmasters, The 36 Deadly Styles, The World of Drunken Master, The Old Master, Shaolin Kung Fu, The Shaolin Kids, The 18 Bronzemen, Return of the 18 Bronzemen), Eureka (UK) Region B Blu-ray, available from Amazon

For Synapse Films improvements on DEMONS US mono track and the restoration of English stereo soundtrack to DEMONS 2:

• DEMONS/DEMONS 2, Synapse Films (US) Region A Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• 4K UHD also available from Amazon

For making such godawful films look so, so good:

• SHE FREAK, American Genre Film Archive (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

• THE CURIOUS DR. HUMPP, American Genre Film Archive (US) Region ALL Blu-ray, available from Amazon

Synapse Films remasters DEMONS and DEMONS II (review)

DEMONS bust through the screen - this time in 4K - in Syanpse's special limited edition Blu-ray and 4K UHD sets of Lamberto Bava's DEMONS and DEMONS 2 in which the audience of a movie theater and the residents of a high-tech apartment building are trapped with a supernatural infestation of demonic proportions.  From producer Dario Argento.

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

DEMONS I AND II Blu-ray specs:

• DISC ONE - Demons (1985):
• International English Version:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
  
• Audio Commentary by critics Kat Ellinger and Heather Drain, co-hosts of the Hell's Belles podcast
• Audio Commentary by director Lamberto Bava, special effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, and actress Geretta Giancarlo, moderated by Mike Baronas, Art Ettinger, and Mark Murray
• Italian Version:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
• Optional English Subtitles
  
• US Theatrical Version:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
  
• "Produced by Dario Argento" visual essay by author and critic Michael Mackenzie
• Archival Special Features:
• "Dario’s Demon Days" interview with writer/producer Dario Argento
• "Defining an Era in Music" interview with composer Claudio Simonetti
• "Dario and His Demons: Producing Monster Mayhem" interview with writer/producer Dario Argento
• "Splatter Stunt Rock" interview with stuntman Ottaviano Dell’Acqua
• Italian Theatrical Trailer
• International English Theatrical Trailer
• US Theatrical Trailer
• DISC TWO - Demons 2 (1986):
• English Version:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo
  
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
  
• Audio Commentary by film historian Travis Crawford
• Italian Version:
• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.66:1 Widescreen
• Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo 
• Optional English Subtitles
  
• "Together and Apart" visual essay by author/critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
• Archival Special Features:
• "Creating Creature Carnage" interview with special makeup effects artist Sergio Stivaletti
• "The Demons Generation: Roy Bava Discusses a Legacy in Lacerations" inteview with director's son Roy Bava
• "Screaming for a Sequel: The Delirious Legacy of DEMONS 2" interview with director Lamberto Bava
• "A Soundtrack for Splatter" interview with composer Simon Boswell
• Italian Theatrical Trailer
• International English Trailer
• Limited to 6,000 copies including a slipcover featuring new artwork by Juan José Saldarriaga and Chris MacGibbon, a reproduction of the original movie ticket from Demons, a special Demons 2 birthday party invitation, fold-out poster of Demons artwork from Wes Benscoter, and reversible cover art.
  

Also available on 4K UHD:

Synapse Films hits the slopes for HOT DOG... THE MOVIE! (review)

Hit the slopes with freestyle skiing pranksters, horny ski-bunnies, corrupt judges, and a nast Austrian opponent in one of the original ski sex comedies HOT DOG... THE MOVIE!

REVIEW LINK: Synapse Films (US) Region A Blu-ray (DVD Drive-in)

HOT DOG... THE MOVIE! Blu-ray specs:

• 1080p24 MPEG-4 AVC 1.78:1 Widescreen
• English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Mono
• Optional English SDH Subtitles
• Audio Commetnary by writer and co-producer Mike Marvin
• "HOT DOG: THE DOCUMENTARY" retrospective making-of with writer/producer Mike Marvin, director Peter Markle, and cast members David Naughton, John Patrick Reger, Tracy Smith, and Frank Koppola
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spot
• Radio Spots
• Music Video
• Liner notes by TEEN MOVIE HELL author Mike McPadden