Raro Video's THE SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY (review)

Raro Video USA and eOne continue their Italian exploitation releases with a new transfer of Massimo Dallamano's THE SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY (Il Dio Chiamato Dorian) starring Helmut Berger (SALON KITTY), Herbert Lom (COUNT DRACULA), Maria Rohm (DE SADE 70), Marie Liljedahl (INGA), Margaret Lee (VENUS IN FURS), Richard Todd (ASYLUM), and Beryl Cunningham (ISLAND OF THE FISHMEN).

REVIEW LINK: Raro Video/eOne (USA) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

THE SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY DVD specs:

• New high definition 16:9 transfer
• 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer
• English and Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono
• Optoinal English subtitles
• Assistant Director Interview
• Liner Notes Booklet

RELATED LINK: Update the Tags: Raro Video

Eureka Video inaugurates Pedro Costa as one of the Masters of Cinema with COLOSSAL YOUTH (review)

With their upcoming August 22 Region 0 PAL DVD release of COLOSSAL YOUTH in a special edition 2-disc set, Eureka Video have added Portuguese filmmaker Pedro Costa to their roster of "Masters of Cinema." Eureka's Masters of Cinema 2-disc edition features a wealth of supplemental material, including a fabulous 56-page critical booklet and a new 2-hour documentary on Costa.

REVIEW LINK: Eureka Video/Masters of Cinema (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)

COLOSSAL YOUTH DVD specs:

• 1.33:1 original aspect ratio transfer at director-approved 25 fps playback
• Portuguese Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
• Optional English subtitles
• Pedro Costa on COLOSSAL YOUTH (16:9; 16:08)
• Theatrical Trailer
• TARRAFAL short film (2007; 17 minutes)
• THE RABBIT HUNTERS short film (2007; 22 minutes)
• O NOSSO HOMEM short film (2010; 24 minutes)
• FINDING THE CRIMINAL documentary by Craig Keller (2008; 117 minutes)
• 56-page booket featuring writing by French philosopher Jacques Rancière, an essay by Joao Bénard da Costa, a facsimile reproduction of Ventura's letter from the film, and more

Raro USA reveals THE SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY (review/comparison)

Raro Video USA and eOne continue their Italian exploitation releases with a new transfer of Massimo Dallamano's THE SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY (Il Dio Chiamato Dorian) starring Helmut Berger (SALON KITTY), Herbert Lom (COUNT DRACULA), Maria Rohm (DE SADE 70), Marie Liljedahl (INGA), Margaret Lee (VENUS IN FURS), Richard Todd (ASYLUM), and Beryl Cunningham (ISLAND OF THE FISHMEN).  I've reviewed and compared the new disc with the Italian import.

REVIEW LINK: Raro USA/eOne (USA) Region 0 NTSC vs Raro Video (IT) Region 2 PAL (DVDBeaver)

THE SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY Raro USA DVD specs:

• New high definition transfer
• 1.66:1 anamorphic 16:9 widescreen
• English and Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono tracks
• Assistant Director Interview
• Liner Notes Booklet

IL DIO CHIAMATO DORIAN Raro Italy DVD specs:

• 1.85:1 anamorphic 16:9 widescreen
• English and Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio
• Assistant Director Interview
• Liner Notes Booklet

RELATED LINK: Update the Tags: Raro Video

Sybil Danning vs JULIE DARLING (review)

New stempother Sybil Danning (CHAINED HEAT)  squares off against against "bad seed" stepdaughter Isabelle Mejias (SCANNERS II) in Paul Nicolas' JULIE DARLING (aka DAUGHTER OF DEATH).  Anthony Franciosa (TENEBRE) co-stars as "Daddy."

REVIEW LINK: Code Red Releasing (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVD Drive-In)

JULIE DARLING DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic widescreen transfer mastered in HD from the 35mm interpositive
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio
• Interview with Sybil Danning
• Interview with Isabelle Mejias
• Audio Commentary with Isabelle Mejias
• Audio Commentary with Sybil Danning
• Trailers for other Code Red titles

RELATED LINK: Update the Tags: Code Red Releasing

Arrow Academy explores THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI CONTINI (review)

Out today on Region 0 PAL DVD in the UK is Arrow Academy's special edition DVD of Vittorio De Sica's Academy Award-winning* THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI CONTINI starring Lino Capolicchio (HOUSE WITH THE LAUGHING WINDOWS), Dominique Sanda (THE CONFORMIST), Fabio Testi (WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE?), Helmut Berger (SALON KITTY), and Romolo Valli (THE LEOPARD).  As war approaches, the Italian Jewish community in Ferrara, Italy try to ignore their diminishing rights and growing persecution, particularly the wealthy Finzi Contini family who rarely leave their idyllic estate.


*Best Foreign Film Winner, Nominated Best Screenplay

REVIEW LINK: Arrow Academy (UK) Region 0 PAL DVD (DVDBeaver)


THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI CONTINI DVD specs:

• 1.85:1 anamorphic 16:9 widescreen transfer
• Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio
• Optional English Subtitles
• Interview with star Lino Capolicchio
• Interview with screenwriter Ugo Pirro
• Interview with composer Manuel De Sica
• Original Trailer
• Booklet featuring an essay by Italian cinema expert Christopher Wagstaff, translated comments by Manuel De Sica and Ugo Pirro, and a reprinted 1972 interview with Vittorio De Sica

RELATED LINK: Update the Tags: Arrow Video

Deweyvision goes Sarno with MARCY (another review)

Code Red and Deweyvision have rescued Joseph Sarno's little-seen 1969 feature MARCY
Marcy's decision to take in pretty June to live with her on her father's farm sparks rumors of lesbianism in the community and she must choose between exploring her sexuality and rekindling a relationship with a married old flame.  Transferred from the only known surviving print of the film.

REVIEW LINK: Deweyvision (US) Region 0 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

MARCY DVD specs:

• 16:9 anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1 transfer
• English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio
• Audio Commentary with Sarno associate Gino Colbert, moderated by David DeCoteau

RELATED LINK: Update the Tags: Code Red

Encounter ghostly horrors in CLOSED FOR THE SEASON (review)

Aimee Brooks (MONSTER MAN) and Damien Maffei (CHRISTMAS WITH THE DEAD) are trapped in a haunted amusement park in Jay Woefel's CLOSED FOR THE SEASON, coming in August from MTI Home Video.  Joe Unger (ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK) also stars. 

REVIEW LINK: MTI Home Video (US) Region 1 NTSC DVD (DVDBeaver)

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON DVD specs:*

• 16:9 anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen transfer
• English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio
• Optional Spanish subtitles
• Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Behind the Scenes

* my review source was a screener DVD which did not have the special features listed above