Wednesday, February 28, 2018

The MVD Rewind Collection Continues to Impress With Their New Special Edition Blu-ray of BLACK EAGLE!


SHO KOSUGI TANGLES WITH JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME IN MVD REWIND COLLECTION'S 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION OF "BLACK EAGLE!"

Thus far, I've missed out on all three of MVD Rewind's inaugural releases (DOA: A RIGHT OF PASSAGE, ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and now BLACK EAGLE), but plan on catching up when I get some expendable income. To be honest, I've never seen BLACK EAGLE (shocking as I am an unabashed lover of all things Van Damme), so I'm eager to scope out this disc in the near future!

Synopsis: After an F-11 gets shot down over the Mediterranean Sea, The U.S. government cannot afford to lose the top-secret laser tracking device that was on board. But unfortunately, the KGB team lead by the infamous Andrei (Jean-Claude Van Damme, BLOODSPORT, LIONHEART, UNIVERSAL SOLDIER) are beating the CIA in the race to find it.

The CIA has no choice but to call in their best man, master martial-artist Ken Tani (Sho Kosugi, ENTER THE NINJA, REVENGE OF THE NINJA), code name… BLACK EAGLE. In response, the KGB resorts to an all-out war, with powerful Andrei matching Ken blow for blow. From legendary action director Eric Karson (THE OCTAGON), BLACK EAGLE also stars Doran Clark (THE WARRIORS), Bruce French (JURASSIC PARK III), and William Bassett (HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES).

Jean-Claude Van Damme prepares to high-five his opponent.

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 93 minutes & 104 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - Dolby Digital 5.1 & LPCM 2.0 (original audio)

Extras:
  • NEW! Includes 93 minute theatrical version + 104 minute uncut extended version of the film!
  • NEW! Sho Kosugi: Martial Arts Legend (HD, 21:26) - Interviews with Sho Kosugi and Shane Kosugi and more!
  • NEW! The Making of Black Eagle (HD, 35:50) - Interviews with Director / Producer Eric Karson, Screenwriter Michael Gonzalez and stars Sho Kosugi, Doran Clark, Shane Kosugi, and Dorota Puzio!
  • NEW! Tales of Jean-Claude Van Damme (HD, 19:20) - Interviews with cast and crew and their stories about working with the legendary action star!
  • NEW! The Script and the Screenwriters (HD, 27:14) - Interviews featuring Michael Gonzales, Eric Karson, and more!
  • Deleted Scenes 
  • Original Theatrical Trailer (SD) 
  • Collectible Mini Poster!
With two cuts of the film, and nearly two hours of bonus content, this has to be the most love any label has ever given BLACK EAGLE! MVD Rewind's 2-Disc Special Edition of this title is currently available wherever discs are sold, and ranges from $25 - $30. You can order a copy now from AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!



Arrow Video's Limited Edition Blu-ray of BASKET CASE is the Definitive Release We've Been Waiting For!


FANS OF FRANK HENENLOTTER'S TWISTED CLASSIC REJOICE: YOU WON'T HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER COPY OF "BASKET CASE" EVER AGAIN!

Something Weird Video released a pretty solid Blu-ray of BASKET CASE back in 2011, and I think we all assumed that it was the best release the film would ever have. Seven years later, Arrow Video has come along and spoiled us rotten with an all new 4K transfer of BASKET CASE, and a slew of new extras!

Synopsis: THE TENANT IN ROOM 7 IS VERY SMALL, VERY TWISTED, AND VERY MAD. The feature debut of director Frank Henenlotter (BRAIN DAMAGE, FRANKENHOOKER), 1982's BASKET CASE is perhaps his most revered - a riotous and blood-spattered midnight movie experience, now immortalized in a lavish new 4K restoration by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) is a pretty ordinary guy. His formerly conjoined twin Belial, on the other hand, is a deformed, fleshy lump whom he carries around in a wicker basket. Arriving in the Big Apple and taking up a room at the seedy Hotel Broslin, the pair set about hunting down and butchering the surgeons responsible for their separation. But tensions flare up when Duane starts spending time with a pretty blonde secretary, and Belial's homicidal tendencies reach bloody new extremes.

Filmed on a shoestring budget against the backdrop of 1980s New York (where the movie would become a staple of the infamous 42nd Street grindhouse circuit), BASKET CASE has clawed its way from its humble origins to become one of the most celebrated cult movies of all time.

The current look on every BASKET CASE fans' face right now!

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 91 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - LPCM Mono

Extras:
  • NEW! 4K restoration from the original 16mm negative by MoMA!
  • NEW! Audio commentary with writer/director Frank Henenlotter and star Kevin Van Hentenryck!
  • NEW! Basket Case 3-1/2: An Interview with Duane Bradley - Frank Henenlotter revisits Duane Bradley decades after the events of the original BASKET CASE!
  • NEW! Seeing Double: The Basket Case Twins - a brand new interview with Florence and Maryellen Schultz, the twin nurses from BASKET CASE!
  • NEW! Making-of featurette containing new interviews with producer Edgar Ievins, casting person/actress Ilze Balodis, associate producer/effects artist Ugis Nigals, and Belial performer Kika Nigals!
  • NEW! Blood, BASKET and Beyond - An interview with actress Beverly Bonner!
  • NEW! Belial Goes to the Drive-In - a brand new interview with film critic Joe Bob Briggs
  • Outtakes Featurette
  • In Search of the Hotel Broslin - Archival location featurette.
  • Slash of the Knife (1972) - short film by Frank Henenlotter.
  • NEW! Belial's Dream (2017, 5 mins) - BASKET CASE-inspired animated short by filmmaker Robert Morgan!
  • Behind-the-scenes of Belial's Dream.
  • Trailers, TV Spots and Radio Spots.
  • Extensive Still Galleries
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck!
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's booklet with new writing on the film by Michael Gingold! 

Egads! This is clearly the last copy of BASKET CASE any of us will have to buy, so hurry up and snag yourself a copy of this limited edition release! Arrow's BASKET CASE Blu costs anywhere from $23 - $30, and is now available at AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, and DIABOLIK DVD. I should also note that if you buy this title from Diabolik, you will get a super limited BASKET CASE enamel pin with your order! (While supplies last!)



STOCK YOUR VAULT: New DVDs & Blu-rays for 02/27/2018!


Vault Master's Pick of the Week!

It's time to say good-bye to February 2018 Vault Dwellers! This month had a surprisingly strong showing from all of our favorite genre labels, and this final week is no exception!

Arrow Video debuts their Limited Edition Blu-ray of BASKET CASE (forcing me to upgrade yet again!), as well as their Special Edition Blu of SCALPEL! Not to be outdone, Scream Factory fires back with the long out of print GATE II, COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT, and an IFC documentary called 78/52: HITCHCOCK'S SHOWER SCENE!

Also out today: Scorpion Releasing's new DVD & Blu-ray discs of THE SECT and SERPENT'S LAIR, Warner Archive Collection's LON CHANEY COLLECTION, and MVD Rewind Collection's awesome 2-Disc Special Edition of BLACK EAGLE, featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme in of his earliest roles!

There are some other titles of interest, so be sure to scroll down to see the full list of this week's new DVDs and Blu-ray discs!


NEW TO DVD & BLU-RAY
Coco
Hangman
Lost Creek
Nocturama
The Sect
The Serpent's Lair
Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer (Collector's Edition)


NEW TO BLU-RAY
78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene
Basket Case (Limited Edition)
Black Eagle (2-Disc Special Edition)
Colossus: The Forbin Project
Fascination (03/02 - Black House - Region B)
Female Chauvanists / Hot Connections (Double Feature)
Gate II
Lara Croft - Tomb Raider (4K UHD)
Lara Croft - Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (4K UHD)
Library Wars: Complete TV Series
Mary! Mary!
Scalpel (Special Edition)
The Sinful Nuns of St. Valentine (03/02 - Black House - Region B)
Two Orphan Vampires (03/02 - Black House - Region B)


NEW TO DVD
Brainiac (1962)
Cinderella Boy: Complete TV Series
Escape from Tomorrow
The Jokesters
The Last Supper
The Man From Earth: Holocene
The Neighbor
Peekarama: Sessions of Love Therapy / 101 Acts of Love (Double Feature)
Planet of Dinosaurs
Scar-red Rider Xechs: The Complete Series
Tarzan: The Complete First Season
Tarzan: The Complete Third Season
Warriors of the Wasteland


NEW MULTI-FILM COLLECTIONS ON DVD
Lon Chaney Collection
Contains: Ace of Hearts, Laugh Clown Laugh, The Unknown, and a photo-reconstruction of London After Midnight.


Monday, February 26, 2018

Supercomputers Contemplate Humanity's Fate in COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT!


SCREAM FACTORY BRINGS JOSEPH SARGENT'S COLD WAR-ERA SCI-FI THRILLER TO BLU-RAY ON FEBRUARY 27TH!

Well Vault Dwellers, here's another film I have yet to see. Based upon the novel by D.F. Jones, and directed by Joseph (JAWS: THE REVENGE) Sargent, COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT is a cautionary tale that warns of the dangers of artificial intelligence! One definitely has to wonder if this film (and it's source material) helped inspire THE TERMINATOR (particularly "Skynet") which was released fourteen years later!

Synopsis: The ultimate computer creates the ultimate terror in this chillingly real sci-fi suspense thriller! When electronics genius Charles Forbin (Eric Braeden) creates a massive computer complex that is capable of independently regulating the national defense of the United States, it appears that no enemy will ever be able to penetrate its sovereign borders.

But such a promising thought turns into a stunning nightmare when it's discovered the Russians have built an equally sophisticated computer and that these two "doomsday machines" have linked, sharing classified information and top secrets. Desperately, Forbin and his Soviet counterparts try to stop the all-knowing "monster" computers from seizing command of the world's nuclear missile stockpiles.

Travel back to a time when computers filled entire rooms and buildings!

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 100 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono


Extras:
  • NEW! Interview With Actor Eric Braeden!
  • NEW! Audio Commentary By Author Jeff Bond!
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Radio Spot

COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT makes its Blu-ray debut on Tuesday, February 27th courtesy of Scream Factory! The disc should cost between $20 - $25, and is currently available to purchase from AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, and directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.



Darrell Roodt's THE LULLABY is Coming to Theaters and On Demand this March!


YOU'LL WISH YOU NEVER BROUGHT YOUR BABY HOME, WHEN "THE LULLABY" IS RELEASED ON 
MARCH 2ND!

UPDATED 02/26/2018: Added list of cities and theaters that are showing THE LULLABY.

South African filmmaker Darell Roodt's latest film, THE LULLABY is coming soon to (maybe) a theater near you and (definitely) Video On Demand! The movie looks pretty interesting, and is a bit of a departure for the man who gave us DRACULA 3000, CRYPTID, PREY, and the upcoming LAKE PLACID: LEGACY. Scroll down to learn more about Roodt's new film, which puts a terrifying spin on motherhood.

Synopsis: Chloe (Reine Swart) is overwhelmed by the birth of her first child. The incessant crying of her baby, the growing sense of guilt and paranoia sends her into depression. With a heightened urge to protect her son, Chloe sees danger in every situation. She starts to hear voices, the humming of a childhood lullaby and sees flashes of a strange entity around her child. Convinced that the entity is real, Chloe will do everything in her power to protect her son. Is she haunted by evil or is it just the baby blues?

Confirmed Screening Locations:
  • Los Angeles, CA - Laemmle Music Hall
  • New York, NY - Cinema Village
  • Atlanta, GA - Plaza Theater
  • Cleveland, OH - Tower City Cinemas
  • San Francisco, CA - The Roxie
  • Miami, FL - Cinema Paradiso 
  • Chicago, IL - Facets Cinema
  • Boston, MA - Apple Cinemas
  • Dallas, TX - AMC Grapevine 30
  • Phoenix, AZ - AMC Arizona Center 24  

Stills & Trailer: 
(Click on images to enlarge them.)






Look for THE LULLABY in select theaters (CLICK HERE to see if it's playing near you) and Video On Demand services on Friday, March 2nd!


Friday, February 23, 2018

Tristan Clay's RED EYE is Now Available on All Digital Platforms!


"RED EYE" WANTS TO SEE YOUR INSIDES IN NEW INDIE SLASHER FLICK! STREAM OR DOWNLOAD IT TODAY!

Slasher cinema is still alive and well, as evidenced by RED EYE. Featuring a masked backwoods killer, Tristan Clay's film looks to keep the torch burning for a sub-genre that peaked back in the 80s. RED EYE is currently available on iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, and Xbox Live!

Synopsis: There's a legend about a violent, deranged masked murderer, who dwells in the backwoods of Black Creek, West Virginia. Gage Barker (Scott King), a young man who grew up on the tales of "Red Eye" as a kid, learns that there could be some truth behind these folk tales.

With a group of his friends and his camera equipment in tow, Gage hikes into the woods to seek out the legendary killer, or prove that he is nothing more than a myth. But the would-be documentary filmmakers soon learn that they should have left well enough alone!

Directed by Tristan Clay, RED EYE stars Destinie Orndoff, Scott King, Heather Dorff and Hayden Wilberger. The film was nominated for “Best Feature,” “Best Director,” “Best Producer,” “Best Actress (Heather Dorff),” “Best Actor (Scott King),” and “Best SPFX” at the San Antonio Horrific Film Fest (2017)!

Stills & Trailer:
(Click on images to enlarge them.)





You can watch RED EYE on Amazon Instant Video right now! And if you have an Amazon Prime Membership, you can stream it for FREE! Prefer physical media? Expect a DVD of RED EYE to be announced in the near future!


Thursday, February 22, 2018

Todd "Killer" Wolfson's First Feature Film is Going to be BATSH!T Insane!


JUST BURIED PRODUCTIONS' NEW FEATURE-LENGTH FILM, "BATSH!T" NEEDS YOUR HELP!

About year ago, I did an Indie Filmmaker Spotlight piece on Todd Wolfson, who was just finishing up work on his third low-budget horror short, SPONGE. Todd's now stepping up his game and doing a feature film called BATSH!T, which was heavily inspired by EVIL DEAD II, BEETLEJUICE, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, THE SHINING, LOST HIGHWAY, and other movies that helped usher in his deep-seated love for the Horror genre.

Synopsis: Felix is just an ordinary guy that's down on his luck. Shortly after losing his job, a typical trip to the pharmacy results in Felix accidentally dosing himself with a powerful hallucinogen. Unable to differentiate between fantasy and reality, he is about to go on a very strange trip! BATSH!T follows Felix's experiences as he interacts with his uncontrollable hallucinations over the course of forty-eight hours, both at home, and within the confines of Trundle Manor.

Crowdfunding Campaign Info: BATSH!T creator Todd Wolfson is currently trying to raise $2,500 with a GoFundMe campaign. Those funds will go towards special effects, make-up, props, catering, editing, and various BATSH!T-related perks! Rewards include: Screen credits, BATSH!T postcards, baseball caps, tickets to the film's premiere, a role in the film, posters, BATSH!T wine, and more! If you're interested in donating, CLICK HERE and be sure to share the campaign link on social media! To get a taste of what BATSH!T will be like, take a peek at the new teaser below.


If you liked what you saw, then definitely consider donating a few bucks to help Todd Wolfson and his crew complete the film! Visit BATSH!T's Official Facebook Page for behind-the-scenes photos, and continued updates on the film's status! Also be sure to subscribe to Todd's YouTube Channel and watch his previous short films!

We'll be keeping a close eye on this independent production Vault Dwellers, so stay tuned for further updates as BATSH!T is eventually completed and released!


Wednesday, February 21, 2018

STOCK YOUR VAULT: New DVDs & Blu-rays for 02/20/2018!


Vault Master's Pick of the Week!

Hey Vault Dwellers! We've finally hit one of those "take a breather, save your money" weeks, because there is not much out today. But as always, there are still a few titles that may interest you, my fellow collectors of physical media!

Scream Factory gave William Castle's THE NIGHT WALKER its Blu-ray debut, and Kino Classics brings Lee Van Cleef's THE MASTER TV series to DVD & Blu-ray!

Severin Films released the Italian cannibal classic EATEN ALIVE on DVD, Blu-ray, and Limited Edition Blu-ray (with soundtrack CD), Bayview Entertainment got the drop on us with their MAKO: THE JAWS OF DEATH DVD (in Widescreen with extras!), and the new Horror flick MOM AND DAD featuring Nicholas Cage and Selma Blair is now available as well!

There isn't too much more to get excited about, so scroll on down to see this week's meager DVD & Blu-ray offerings.


NEW TO DVD & BLU-RAY
Days of Power
Downhill
Dragon Ball Super: Part 3
Eaten Alive!
The Girl Without Hands
Headgame
Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge
The Master: The Complete TV Series
Midnight Texas: Season 1
Mom and Dad


NEW TO BLU-RAY
Garo: Kiba - The Dark Knight
The Night Walker


NEW TO DVD
3 Days
Blood of the Vikings: Last of the Vikings
Bloody Drama
Cannibal Hookers
Doomsday Device
Mako: The Jaws of Death
Witching Hour


Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Scream Factory Gives William Castle's THE NIGHT WALKER Its Blu-ray Debut!


SCREAM FACTORY'S RELEASE OF "THE NIGHT WALKER" IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR WILLIAM CASTLE FANS!

Scream Factory dredges up another classic title that I've never seen! As a fan of Castle's other cinematic efforts (e.g. 13 GHOSTS, HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, and THE TINGLER), I am stoked to finally be able to see this lesser-known feature in high-definition!

Synopsis: "Another frightening film from the mind of Robert Bloch, author of PSYCHO!" Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor, reteaming for their first film following their divorce(!), star in this intense thriller about a wealthy widow who is haunted by her husband and seduced by a handsome stranger – all in her dreams!

Following the death of her millionaire husband, Howard (Hayden Rorke), Irene Trent (Stanwyck) endures dreams so real and terrifying, that she finds herself trapped in an eerie world existing between fact and fantasy. Isolated from the world by her husband's possessive nature, Irene feels there is no one she can turn to except for his personal attorney (Taylor), the only visitor Howard ever allowed to the house.

But even as her dreams begin to take vivid shape, Irene begins to walk into a very real nightmare of deception, murder and betrayal!

Night Walker: Texas Mangler

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Black & White | 86 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - ?

Extras:
  • NEW! HD Transfer From The Interpostive!
  • NEW! Audio Commentary With Author/Film Historian Steve Haberman!
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Original Radio Spot
  • Still Gallery
William Castle's THE NIGHT WALKER is currently available to purchase wherever Blu-ray discs are sold! Grab a copy of this new Scream Factory release right now at AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.



Check Out These Awesome New Horror Toys from Mezco + Footage from 2018's Toy Fair!



We've recently started getting e-mails from Mezco Toyz here at The News Vault, and man is it making us want to spend our expendable income! For our first ever bit of toy news, we've selected several upcoming releases from Mezco's 2018 roster, including a new addition to their Living Dead Dolls line, as well as the trio of cute horror dolls that will kick off their "Flatzos" series! But enough talk, let's take a look at these new toys that you just gotta have!

DELUXE "STYLIZED" JASON ACTION FIGURE
Expected to Ship Between July - September 2018
Pre-order: Mezco Toyz or Amazon.com

Description: Mezco is giving horror’s most-feared masked maniac the stylized treatment with a deluxe figure sure to thrill! In addition to having 10 points of articulation, Jason Voorhees comes ready to slay with his signature bloody axe and machete, which have been the end of countless unhappy campers.

Jason’s trademark hockey mask is removable to reveal a disfigured and scarred face sculpt based on FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3D. Also included is an alternate left hand to help recreate iconic poses. Standing approximately 6 inches tall, this figure comes packaged in a die-cut window box perfect for display in your collection!


  
MEZCO HORROR "FLATZOS"
Expected to Ship Between June - August 2018.
Pre-order: Mezco Toyz

Description: Mezco Toyz is proud to present Flatzos - a new kind of plush that is great for home decor, to rest your head or just cuddle up with and watch a horror movie! The first three offerings of Flatzos features a trio of horror film icons:
  • Chucky - The possessed doll with the soul of a serial killer and a bad attitude!
  • Freddy - The dream-haunting Elm Street slasher that caused an entire generation to lose sleep!
  • Jason - The machete loving, hockey mask-wearing killing machine from Camp Crystal Lake!
Flatzos plush are a generous 12” tall and feature vibrant full color printing, most with oversized button eyes.



LIVING DEAD DOLLS - THE NUN
Expected to Ship Between June - August 2018.
Pre-order: Mezco Toyz or Amazon.com

Description: The cinematic universe of THE CONJURING has earned over $1 billion dollars at the box office, and introduced theatergoers to the horrific rogues gallery of supernatural villains who tormented paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Nun was introduced in THE CONJURING 2 and quickly became a terrifying fan favorite, earning herself a post credit sequence in ANNABELLE: CREATION. This summer, The Nun stars in her own self-titled film exploring the unholy origin and dark secrets in her past.

Now, The Nun joins the world of The Living Dead Dolls with a doll so frightening even Valak would want to keep the lights on. Standing a full ten inches tall, the doll is dressed in her trademark nun’s habit with necklace and has five points of articulation.

She comes packaged in a die-cut window box perfect for display. As you look into the box at her, she stares back…into your soul!

Pretty cool stuff right? Also this past weekend, Mezco Toyz had a booth at New York's 2018 Toy Fair! To get a glimpse of the awesome new products they are releasing this year (e.g. Mez-Its, Puzzle Blox, Burst A Box, and various figures & dolls), scope out the Toy Fair walkthrough video below:


Thanks for taking a glance Vault Dwellers! If you liked this post, and would like to see more news about upcoming toys and collectibles, please let us know in the comments below!


J. Horton's THE CAMPUS Will Take Your Soul - One Piece At a Time!


A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL GOES SOUTH IN "THE CAMPUS," WHICH IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON DEMAND!

UPDATE (04/24/2018): THE CAMPUS is now available on DVD! Order a copy now from AMAZON!

A young woman discovers that there is a fate worse than death in THE CAMPUS, a new indie horror tale from writer/director Jason Horton. This movie sounds like it would make a good double-feature with HAPPY DEATH DAY, and is currently available to stream instantly online!

Synopsis: When Robert dies after breaking his deal with the Devil, his daughter returns home for the funeral. Morgan arrives with the intent of ripping off the family business, but soon finds herself in a never-ending cycle of terror! She is brutally murdered, then resurrected over and over again - each time losing another piece of her soul!

Directed by Jason Horton (MONSTERS IN THE WOODS), THE CAMPUS stars Rachel Amanda Bryant, Robert C. Pullman, Brit Sheridan (Supernatural) and Scott Menville.

Stills & Trailer:
(Click on the images to enlarge them.)






CLICK HERE to watch THE CAMPUS right now on Amazon Instant Video!


Monday, February 19, 2018

Steven Soderbergh's UNSANE Coming to Theaters in Late March!


HEAD TO THEATERS ON MARCH 23RD TO SEE IF CLAIRE FOY IS "UNSANE!"

My experience with Steven Soderbergh's filmography has basically been limited to OCEAN'S ELEVEN (and its sequels), but I feel like I should take the time to explore more of his work. UNSANE looks intense and will hopefully keep us all guessing until the film's climax!

I'm definitely interested in seeing it, but I'll most likely wait for its eventual Blu-ray release because READY PLAYER ONE opens the following weekend! (Priorities!) Read onward to learn more about this  upcoming thriller!

Synopsis: Sawyer Valentini (Claire Foy) believes that someone from her past is stalking her. After she suddenly finds herself held in a mental institution against her will, she grows more paranoid, and begins to believe that her stalker is close behind. But is the threat real, or is her stalker merely a delusion?

Stills & Trailer:
(Click on images to enlarge them.)




UNSANE hits theaters on Friday, March 23rd! As the film's release date nears, be sure to order your tickets, and reserve your seats, through FANDANGO!


Friday, February 16, 2018

Synapse Films Brings UNEARTHED & UNTOLD: THE PATH TO PET SEMATARY to Blu-ray this March!



ON MARCH 13TH, SYNAPSE WILL RELEASE THIS EXHAUSTIVE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT ONE OF THE BEST STEPHEN KING ADAPTATIONS OF ALL TIME!

PET SEMATARY is an amazing horror film, and over the years, I've become a big fan of it. It's equal parts heartbreaking and terrifying, and has cemented itself as a classic of a genre. The all-new UNEARTHED & UNTOLD documentary delves into the making of the film, with cast & crew interviews, location shoot visits, and more! Continue onward for the full specs & extras of this upcoming Synapse release!

Synopsis: It's true that sometimes dead is better, but for two New England filmmakers, the story of Stephen King's PET SEMATARY was far too alluring to leave buried. That's why John Campopiano and Justin White spent nearly five years seeking to uncover the story - from book, to film, to cult status - amounting to the most comprehensive look at the horror classic ever produced.

UNEARTHED AND UNTOLD: THE PATH TO PET SEMATARY is both an in-depth independent documentary and celebration of King's classic tale of terror, told through the voices of cast and crew from the 1989 hit film, as well as locals in Maine - the place where it all started. In addition to first time ever interviews, tours of the many iconic locations used in the film and never-before-seen photographs and home video from the set, this film explores the impact PET SEMATARY has not only on horror fans, but scholars of Stephen King's work.

Featuring interviews with director Mary Lambert, stars Denise Crosby, Dale Midkiff, Miko Hughes, Brad Greenquist, Andrew Hubatsek, Susan Blommaert, the Berdahl twins, Michael Lombard and MANY MORE!

This documentary will blow your mind!

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 97 minutes | Region Free
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround

Extras:
  • Audio Commentary with Creators John Campopiano & Justin White!
  • Podcast Commentary with Creators John Campopiano & Justin White!
  • Edited / Alternate Scenes
  • Video Interview with Creators John Campopiano & Justin White.
  • PET TALES – From the Cutting Room Floor Featurette
  • PET SEMATARY Location Photo Compilation
  • Documentary Poster Art Concepts
  • Rare On-Set Video Footage from Rhonda Carter.
  • Documentary Sizzle Reel
  • Promotional Trailer
  • Reversible Art Design by Alexandros Pyromallis. (Pictured top left of this post.)
Synapse's all-region Blu-ray of UNEARTHED & UNTOLD: THE PATH TO PET SEMATARY will be released on Tuesday, March 13th! If you are a fan of the movie, you need to see this documentary! Order your copy now from AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!



First Details Revealed for HUNTING SEASON!


Click poster to enlarge.
NEW THRILLER FROM DIRECTOR MEGAN FREELS JOHNSTON TO BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR!

A new THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME-type film is in the works from Megan Freels Johnston, the writer/director of THE ICE CREAM TRUCK and REBOUND. Casting is still underway for the film, which will be produced by Look At Me Films.

Synopsis: Deanna Russo (THE ICE CREAM TRUCK, Being Human, REST STOP) is set to team up once again with director Megan Freels Johnston for HUNTING SEASON. The film is a chilling story of a single girl whose weekend getaway with her dashing new boyfriend at his family’s hunting lodge, puts her directly in their crosshairs. When she goes dark, her roommate tracks her to the lion’s den—just in time for dinner.

This is all the information we currently have about HUNTING SEASON, as it is still in the early stages of pre-production. We will keep you Vault Dwellers updated on this upcoming film as we receive further updates!


Thursday, February 15, 2018

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Are Now Proudly Part of The Criterion Collection!


BOTH GEORGE A. ROMERO'S "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" AND JONATHAN DEMME'S "THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS" GET 4K MAKEOVERS FROM CRITERION!

The Criterion Collection always sets a high standard for the films they release on DVD and Blu-ray, and their latest discs are no exception! Romero's NIGHT has been completely restored, and comes with a second disc packed with amazing extras (including the NIGHT OF ANUBIS workprint)! THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS boasts a new 4K transfer with new and archival extras! File both of these under "must own!"

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968)

Synopsis: Shot outside Pittsburgh on a shoestring budget, by a band of filmmakers determined to make their mark, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, directed by horror master George A. Romero, is a great story of independent cinema: a midnight hit turned box-office smash that became one of the most influential films of all time!

A deceptively simple tale of a group of strangers trapped in a farmhouse who find themselves fending off a horde of recently dead, flesh-eating ghouls, Romero's claustrophobic vision of a late-1960s America literally tearing itself apart rewrote the rules of the horror genre, combined gruesome gore with acute social commentary, and quietly broke ground by casting a black actor (Duane Jones) in its lead role. Stark, haunting, and more relevant than ever, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is back!

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Black & White | 97 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Fullscreen (1.37:1)
Audio - Uncompressed LPCM Mono

Extras:
DISC ONE
  • NEW! 4K digital restoration, supervised by director George A. Romero, co-screenwriter John A. Russo, sound engineer Gary R. Streiner, and producer Russell W. Streiner!
  • NEW! Restoration of the monaural soundtrack, supervised by Romero and Gary Streiner!
  • NEW! NIGHT OF ANUBIS - The never-before-presented workprint of the film with introduction by Producer Russell Streiner!
  • Audio commentary (from 1994) featuring director George A. Romero, Producer/Actor Karl Hardman, Actor Marilyn Eastman, and Co-writer John Russo.
  • Audio commentary (also from 1994) featuring Producer/Actor Russell Streiner, Production Manager Vincent Survinski, and actors Judith O'Dea, S.William Hinzman, Kyra Schon, and Keith Wayne.
Even the undead are shocked by the list of extras in this 2-disc set!
DISC TWO
  • NEW! Light in the Darkness - Filmmakers Guillermo del Toro, Robert Rodriguez, and Frank Darabont have a roundtable discussion about the importance of Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.
  • NEW! Learning From Scratch - Brand new interview with co-writer John Russo!
  • NEW! Tones of Terror - An interview with Producer Jim Cirronella, about the use of stock music in the film. 
  • NEW! Limitations Into Virtues - A visual essay featuring filmmakers Tony Zhou and Taylor Ramos.
  • Walking Like the Dead - Archival interviews with ten actors who portrayed zombies in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.
  • Tomorrow - Excerpts from NBC's "Tomorrow" show, featuring directors George Romero and Don Coscarelli.
  • Higher Learning - Archival interview with director George Romero from the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.
  • Duane Jones - Archival audio interview with actor Duane Jones from 1987.
  • Judith Ridley - Archival interview with actress Judith Ridley from 1994.
  • Venus Probe - A 1967 newsreel detailing the real-life findings of the Mariner 5 space craft in Venus' atmosphere.
  • Never-before-seen 16mm dailies reel!
  • TV Newsreel
  • Two original theatrical trailers
  • Two TV Spots
  • Five vintage radio spots.
  • Collectible poster featuring an essay ("Mere Anarchy is Loosed") on the back, by critic Stuart Klawans.
Criterion's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Blu-ray is the last copy of the film you will ever have to purchase. The cover art, extras, and brand new 4K remastered transfer are all top-notch - this is truly the definitive release of Romero's groundbreaking classic! NIGHT's price range varies wildly (from $18 - $30) and is available at AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, and DIABOLIK DVD!




THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991)

Synopsis: In this chilling adaptation of the best-selling novel by Thomas Harris, the astonishingly versatile director Jonathan Demme crafted a taut psychological thriller about an American obsession: serial murder. As Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who enlists the help of the infamous Hannibal 'the Cannibal' Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to gain insight into the mind of another killer, Jodie Foster subverts classic gender dynamics and gives one of the most memorable performances of her career.

As her foil, Anthony Hopkins is the archetypal antihero cultured, quick-witted, and savagely murderous delivering a harrowing portrait of humanity gone terribly wrong. A gripping police procedural and a disquieting immersion into a twisted psyche, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS swept the Academy Awards (best picture, director, screenplay, actress, actor) and remains a cultural touchstone.

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 119 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 & 2.0

Extras:
DISC ONE 
  • NEW! 4K digital restoration, approved by director of photography Tak Fujimoto!
  • NEW! New interview with critic Maitland McDonagh.
  • Audio commentary from 1994 featuring director Jonathan Demme, actors Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, screenwriter Ted Tally, and former FBI agent John Douglas.
  • Thirty-eight minutes of deleted scenes.
  • Original theatrical trailer

DISC TWO
  •  Four documentaries featuring hours of interviews with cast and crew: Jonathan Demme and Jodie Foster, Inside the Labyrinth, Page to Screen, Scoring "The Silence," Understanding the Madness.
  • Behind-the-scenes featurette
  • Storyboards
  • Exclusive to this release: A book with intro by Foster, an essay by critic Amy Taubin, pieces from 2000 and 2013 by author Thomas Harris on the origins of the character Hannibal Lecter, and a 1991 interview with Jonathan Demme!
Criterion's impressive THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Blu-ray is now available (for $24 - $30) wherever discs are sold! You can grab a copy now at AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!



Wednesday, February 14, 2018

WANTED ON BLU-RAY: MY DEMON LOVER (1987)


 WANTED ON BLU-RAY: 
MY DEMON LOVER (1987)

Rated PG-13 | Color | 90 minutes

UPDATE [07/07/23]: Scream Factory will be releasing MY DEMON LOVER to Blu-ray disc on September 5, 2023! You can pre-order a copy HERE!

Decades ago, when I was a fervent collector of VHS tapes, I would scour the tables and racks of various video stores and liquidation outlets. This allowed me to build up my collection fairly quickly (and cheaply), and I discovered many obscure titles that still haven't made the leap to DVD or Blu-ray to this day!

One such film that stuck with me over the years was an odd romantic comedy called MY DEMON LOVER. Once I read that it featured Scott Valentine from Family Ties (he played Nick Moore) as a horny demon, I was sold! However thirty years have passed since this bizarre gem hit theaters, and no one has bothered to put it out on Blu-ray disc! This will not stand!

Synopsis: Denny (Michele Little - SWEET REVENGE, RADIOACTIVE DREAMS, APOLLO 13) doesn't have much luck with love. (Maybe it's because she's named after a restaurant chain?) But after her most recent breakup, she meets Kaz (Scott Valentine - TO SLEEP WITH A VAMPIRE, CARNOSAUR 3: PRIMAL SPECIES, Black Scorpion), a homeless street musician with a startling secret: Whenever he becomes aroused, he sprouts horns, claws, and wings!

Eventually Denny starts falling for her demon lover, but their relationship hits a bump when the bodies of women start piling up around New York City! Is Kaz losing control of his lustful alter-ego, or is another culprit on the loose? Either way, he must find the answer in order to clear his conscience, find true love, and break his curse!

My Demon Lover Image borrowed from Badmovies.Org!
"For the last time, NO I'm not William Katt!"

It's been a while since I last watched MY DEMON LOVER Vault Dwellers, but I do have some fond recollections of it. While Scott Valentine is kind of out of his element, the movie does have a fun premise and some surprisingly good practical effects. Though I can't classify this movie as some long lost classic, I feel like MY DEMON LOVER has been unfairly cast aside, and is more than deserving of a legit Blu-ray release!

Availability: Originally released on VHS (and Laserdisc?!) by RCA/Columbia Home Video, MY DEMON LOVER would get a second go on video tape in 1998 when it was re-released by New Line Home Video. Imagine my absolute shock when I discovered that it is currently available to stream (or buy) on Amazon Instant Video, and has also been released as part of the Warner Archive Collection (on DVD-R)!

Current Rights Holder: Warner Bros. New Line Cinema produced and distributed MY DEMON LOVER back in 1987. In 2008, they merged with Warner, and a mere four years later, this film became part of the Warner Archive Collection.

My Demon Lover image borrowed from BadMovies.Org!
Love can be ugly sometimes.

Blu-ray Wishlist:
  • A new 2K scan of the film from an archival print or interpositive. 
  • Audio commentary by director Charlie Loventhal.
  • Interviews with screenwriter Leslie Ray, director Charlie Loventhal, and main cast members (i.e. Scott Valentine, Michele Little, Robert Trebor, and Gina Gallego)
  • Interview with some of the special effects team, including: Robert Calvert, Doug Drexler, and John Caglione Jr.
  • Intimate Strangers Music Video for "Let Go." (As seen HERE.)
  • Original theatrical trailer
I can't possibly be the only person that enjoys this silly romantic creature feature can I? If so, then I guess we're stuck with what is essentially a legal bootleg that lacks any extras. BUT if enough people show interest, then perhaps we can get the WB to give MY DEMON LOVER a nice shiny Blu-ray release! If you're up to the task, start bugging the powers that be: Contact Warner Bros. on Facebook and Twitter, and Warner Archive on Facebook and Twitter as well!



STOCK YOUR VAULT: New DVDs & Blu-rays for 02/13/2018!


Vault Master's Pick of the Week!

Happy Valentine's Day Vault Dwellers! This week, all of our favorite labels have shown how much they love us with a slew of awesome new titles! The Criterion Collection continues their streak of excellence with the definitive releases of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, while Arrow Video gives us Special Edition Blu-rays of RE-ANIMATOR, THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE, and Volume One of SEIJUN SUZUKI: THE EARLY YEARS!

Kino Lorber answers back with a bunch of new titles, including BABY: SECRET OF THE LOST LEGEND, V.I. WARSHAWSKI, CHAOS / DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT, and THE LAST HUNTER! Not to be outdone by the rest, Scream Factory shows up strong with DRAG ME TO HELL (COLLECTOR'S EDITION), GAMES (1967), and NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS!

Also, Warner Archive Collection finally delivers their unrated Blu-ray of LEATHERFACE: TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III today, and Unearthed Films debuts ATROZ and FRANCESCA! Along with a good number of direct-to-DVD fare, there's plenty to be excited about fellow collector's of physical media! Be sure to scroll down to see the full list of this week's DVD & Blu-ray releases!


NEW TO DVD & BLU-RAY
Almost Dead
Alpha Gateway
Atroz
Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend
Blade of the Immortal
Brotherhood of Blades II
Chaos / Don't Look in the Basement (Double Feature)
Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time
Don't F*ck in the Woods
Food Wars: The Second Plate
Francesca
Games (1967)
Halo: The Fall of Reach
Hellraiser: Judgment
Monolith
Night of the Living Dead (Criterion Collection)
Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You!
Silence of the Lambs (Criterion Collection)
Threads (Special Edition)
V.I. Warshawksi


NEW TO BLU-RAY
The Bird With the Crystal Plumage (Special Edition)
The Blood Spattered Bride (Mondo Macabro)
Cries of Ecstasy, Blows of Death / Invasion of the Love Drones (Double Feature)
Deep Throat Part II / Pandora and the Magic Box (Double Feature)
The Demoniacs (Black House - Region B - 02/16)
Doctor Who: The Complete Peter Capaldi Years
Drag Me to Hell (Collector's Edition)
Halo Legends
The Incredible Hulk (Blu-ray/Digital)
The Last Hunter
Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III
Night of the Seagulls
Re-Animator (Special Edition)
Seijun Suzuki: The Early Years - Vol.1: The Youth Movies


NEW TO DVD
#FromJennifer
Another Super Hero Movie
Ares 11
Atomic Punks
Bloody Drama
The Curse of the Mummy Cat
Dangerous Lies: Vol. 2
Dark Shade Creek
Dark Shade Creek 2 (Oldskool Edition)
Deadrock Zombies
Dismissed
Evil Night: 25th Anniversary Edition
Frightmares
Grindhouse Nightmares
Hollywood Warrioress
Inside (2018)
Kids in the Hall: The Complete Series
Lovers Beyond Time (Mondo Macabro)
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume VII
Pretty Fine Things
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? - The Complete Series
Smoking Tar
The Void: Volume II
Z.A.N.