Thursday, May 30, 2019

Out Hunting for Giant Monsters - Be Back Soon!


Long live the King!
Well Vault Dwellers, the time has come! After months of waiting, and drooling over beautiful posters and fantastic trailers, I am finally going to see GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS! I've enjoyed Michael Dougherty's previous efforts (TRICK R' TREAT and KRAMPUS) and the fact that he is so obviously a G-Fan gives me high hopes for this movie! So I am currently heading out to spend the weekend at the home of my podcasting cohost (yes, "Silent Steve" still lives!) and reveling in the sheer joy of seeing a new mega-budget Godzilla movie on the big screen! (And yes, we plan on recording a new episode or two!)

While I'm gone, there will be NO new updates on the main site or the News Vault, and the weekly STOCK YOUR VAULT column will be posted early next week. (Sorry for that.) And while there won't be any new content for a week or so, there's still plenty of great Godzilla-related content to read and listen to at The Vault!


REVIEWS:
GOJIRA (1954) - My review for the classic that started it all! Also includes reviews for the 1956 American cut (GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS) as well as Luigi Cozzi's 1977 oddity GODZILLA IL RE DEI MOSTRI!

GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (1955) - My review for the first ever Godzilla sequel, which features an extended cameo by fan-favorite kaiju Anguirus! I also cover the film's 1959 American version, GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER.

WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (1966) - No Godzilla to be seen here, but this kaiju flick is one of Toho's best and deserves more love! Two giant humanoid monster "bros" fight it out in this tokusatsu classic!


ARTICLES:
KAIJU CONTINUITY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE GODZILLA SERIES' TIMELINE - A quick look at the many timelines that make up the enormous Godzilla franchise.

VAULT MASTER RANTS: GODZILLA (1998) - I share my unpopular opinion and defend the mon-star ("Zilla") of Roland Emmerich's (some would say disastrous) American revamp of Godzilla.

VAULT MASTER'S TOP TEN GODZILLA SOUNDTRACKS - My personal list of ten absolute favorite Godzilla movie soundtracks!


PODCAST EPISODES:
VAULT-CAST EPISODE 1: RETURN OF THE KING... OF THE MONSTERS - "Silent" Steve and I heap praise upon Gareth Edwards' reboot of Godzilla. Also available on YouTube!

VAULT-CAST EPISODE 13: SHIN GUARDS - In this cast, we review SHIN GOJIRA mere moments after seeing it on the big screen! Also available on YouTube!

That should all keep you busy until I get back! Until then, go see GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS this weekend, and feel free to share your thoughts on the film below! (But please keep the spoilers light - don't ruin the film for those who haven't seen it yet!)


Wednesday, May 22, 2019

STOCK YOUR VAULT: New DVDs & Blu-rays 05/21/2019!


Vault Master's Pick of the Week!
Welcome to another weekly Stock Your Vault post Vault Master! This week is pretty light on new releases, but as always there's plenty of titles worth picking up from many of your favorite labels!

Well Go USA brings BIG BROTHER (featuring Donnie Yen!) to DVD & Blu-ray, Arrow Video gives SHE-DEVILS ON WHEELS a new Blu-ray release, and the insane Jason Statham action fiesta CRANK makes its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray debut!

Shout Select unveils their Collector's Edition of EARTHQUAKE, while sister label Scream Factory releases David Schmoeller's THE SEDUCTION, and parent label Shout! Factory brings THE HUNTED and A DARK PLACE to Blu-ray disc.

Kino Lorber conquers this week with a variety of new titles on Blu-ray including BLACK MOON RISING, BITTER MOON, MIDAS RUN, ROBBERY, and VON RICHTHOFEN AND BROWN and the Soska Sisters' DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK comes to Blu-ray for the first time ever!

There's not much else out this week, but be sure to scroll down to see the small list of new DVDs & Blu-rays out this week!


NEW TO DVD & BLU-RAY
Big Brother (Well Go USA)
Bitter Feast (Limited Edition)
Bitter Moon (Special Edition - Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
A Dark Place (Shout! Factory)
How to Train Your Dragon: 3-Movie Collection
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Mexico Barbaro
Midas Run (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
White Chamber


NEW TO BLU-RAY
Black Dahlia Haunting
Black Moon Rising (Special Edition - Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
Crank (4K UHD)
Day of the Panther / Strike of the Panther (Umbrella Entertainment)
Dead Hooker in a Trunk
The Dead Inside
Earthquake (Collector's Edition - Shout Select)
Gonna Be the Twin - Tail!: The Complete Series
The Hunted (Shout! Factory)
Katana Maidens: Toji No Mako - Part Two
Land of the Lustrous
Psychos (Limited Edition)
Robbery (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
The Seduction (Scream Factory)
She-Devils on Wheels (Arrow Video)
Von Richthofen and Brown (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)


NEW TO DVD
Dark Sense
Death Day
Iceman
Maxwell
Night Walker
Trickster
Unwritten
Winterskin


Now on Blu-ray: Obsess Over Morgan Fairchild in THE SEDUCTION!


SCREAM FACTORY BRINGS MORGAN FAIRCHILD'S BIG SCREEN DEBUT TO BLU-RAY DISC!

Chalk up yet another Scream Factory release that I haven't seen before Vault Dwellers! This one sounds like it'll pair nicely with various other similarly-themed Scream titles already occupying my shelves, like THE CRUSH, NEW YEAR'S EVIL, VISITING HOURS, or even SATURN 3! On the fence about adding this one to your personal collection? Then let's take a closer look at this classic thriller from the director of such films as PUPPETMASTER, CRAWLSPACE, TOURIST TRAP, and CATACOMBS.

Synopsis: L.A. anchorwoman Jamie Douglas (the stunning Morgan Fairchild in her big screen debut) has it all: a glamorous career on a top-rated news show, a luxurious house in the hills, and a devoted young admirer named Derek (Andrew Stevens). But when Jamie rebuffs his romantic advances, Derek becomes an obsessed stalker who plays out an increasingly psychotic courtship with the frightened newswoman.

Soon he is threatening every part of her life, secretly watching even her most intimate moments. Her tough-talking lover (Michael Sarrazin) can't console her. A by-the-book cop (Vince Edwards) can't protect her. But Jamie is far from helpless ... and ready to fight back with all the weapons at her command. When the smoke clears ... who will survive THE SEDUCTION?

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 104 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio - ?

Extras:
  • NEW! Beauty And Strength – An Interview With Actress Morgan Fairchild!
  • NEW! The Seducer – An Interview With Actor Andrew Stevens!
  • NEW! Flashbacks – An Interview With Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis!
  • Audio Commentary With Producer Irwin Yablans, Bruce Cohn Curtis, And Writer/Director David Schmoeller!
  • Remembering The Seduction - Interviews With Bruce Cohn Curtis, Irwin Yablans, David Schmoeller, Actress Colleen Camp, Actor Kevin Brophy, And Associate Producer Tom Curtis!
  • Remembering The Locations And Production Featurette With Bruce Cohn Curtis And Location Manager Charles Newirth!
  • Remembering The Seduction And The Law Featurette
  • Original Theatrical Trailer & TV Spot
  • Still Gallery
Scream Factory's Blu-ray of THE SEDUCTION is now available wherever Blu-ray discs are sold and should cost between $23 - $28. To add this title to your own Scream Factory catalog, order a copy now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.



Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Now Available on Blu-ray - BLACK MOON RISING! Super Cars, Dueling Thieves, and One of the Greatest Casts Ever Assembled!


KINO LORBER GIVES SOME MAJOR LOVE TO THIS OBSCURE 80S HEIST THRILLER!

On paper, BLACK MOON RISING seems like it just has to be one of the greatest films ever made! Directed by Harley Cokeliss (BATTLETRUCK, DREAM DEMON, MALONE) this film was written by John Carpenter, scored by Lalo Schifrin, and stars Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton, Robert Vaughn, Bubba Smith, Nick Cassavetes, Keenan Wynn, Richard Jaeckal, and several other familiar faces!

I saw this movie on VHS many years ago and don't remember a thing about it (other than I think I liked it?), but I'm eager to revisit BLACK MOON RISING based solely upon the talent on both sides of the camera!

Synopsis: When master thief Sam Quint (Tommy Lee Jones - THE FUGITIVE, BLOWN AWAY, THE PARK IS MINE) is hired by the government to steal top-secret data from a crime organization, he hides the stolen data in the experimental supercar, The Black Moon. But when the car is then stolen by high-tech auto thief Nina (Linda Hamilton - THE TERMINATOR), Quint must pull off the most daring heist of all: break into an impenetrable skyscraper and steal it back. With time running out and all sides closing in, Quint and Nina take The Black Moon on one final ride towards a shattering climax of sky-high suspense.

Screenplay by legendary filmmaker John Carpenter (ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK), Desmond Nakano (AMERICAN ME), and William Gray (AN EYE FOR AN EYE), from a story by Carpenter. Top-notch direction by Harley Cokliss (MALONE) with a rousing score by Lalo Schifrin (PRIME CUT, DIRTY HARRY). The all-star cast includes Robert Vaughn (BULLITT), Richard Jaeckel (THE DIRTY DOZEN, GRIZZLY), Lee Ving (THE TAKING OF BEVERLY HILLS), Bubba Smith (POLICE ACADEMY), William Sanderson (BLADE RUNNER), Keenan Wynn (DR. STRANGELOVE), Nick Cassavetes (THE WRAITH), and Don Keith Opper (ANDROID, CRITTERS).

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 100 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English: LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Extras:
  • NEW! 2K Restoration of the film from the Original 35mm interpositive!
  • NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian Lee Gambin, the author of Hell Hath No Fury Like Her: The Making of Christine!
  • NEW! Black Moon Ascending: Interview with director Harley Cokeliss!
  • NEW! Thief in The Night: Producing Black Moon Rising: Interview with producer Douglas Curtis!
  • NEW! Sound of Speed: Composing Black Moon Rising - Interview with composer Lalo Schifrin and film music historian Daniel Schweiger!
  • NEW! Carpenter’s Craft: A video essay on co-writer John Carpenter’s screenwriting career by author and critic Troy Howarth!
  • Making Black Moon Rising: An archival documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage and cast and crew interviews!
  • Alternative Hong Kong version scenes, a presentation of selected scenes from the Hong Kong theatrical version with a different score and sound effects!
  • Reversible Art
  • Radio Spots 
  • Theatrical Trailer
Kino Lorber's Special Edition of BLACK MOON RISING looks pretty awesome - I think I'll be adding it to my collection at some point! (The Lee Gambin commentary alone is probably worth the $18 - $20 pricetag!) If this movie sounds like it's up your alley, then order a copy now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!



Thursday, May 16, 2019

STOCK YOUR VAULT: New DVDs & Blu-rays for 05/14/2019!


Vault Master's Pick of the Week!

Greetings Vault Dwellers, and welcome to yet another dose of STOCK YOUR VAULT! This week is actually packed full of good stuff from many of our favorite labels - I hope you've been saving your pennies!

Criterion Collection adds Michael Haneke's FUNNY GAMES to their line, Scream Factory rescues THE CHOSEN from obscurity, Mondo Macabro surprises with a new Blu of THE DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE, and Arrow Video introduces us to YAKUZA LAW!

MVD Rewind boasts a new 2-Disc Special Edition of BOOGIE BOY, Troma brings INDUSTRIAL ANIMALS to Blu-ray, Severin Films offers up SAINT BERNARD, and InterVision gives us the MASKED MUTILATOR in HD!

With GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS about to hit theaters in less than two weeks, Sony gives us a brand new 4K UHD of Roland Emmerich's oft-maligned GODZILLA, while Mill Creek Entertainment offers up THREE new titles this week including ANACONDA, EYES OF LAURA MARS, and John Carpenter's GHOSTS OF MARS.

In the end though, the title I'm most excited for is week is Kino Lorber Studio Classics' Special Edition Blu-ray of LINK. Along with giving this obscure killer ape flick a new 4K restoration, Kino has packed this disc with plenty of extras like a new audio commentary, deleted scenes, an interview with Director Richard Franklin, and more!

There's plenty of other good stuff out this week, ranging from blockbusters to mockbusters! Keep scrolling to see them all!


NEW TO DVD & BLU-RAY
The Dragon Unleashed
Funny Games (Criterion Collection)
Happy Death Day 2U
Killing Spree
Life Like
Link (Special Edition - Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
Masked Mutilator (InterVision)
Mortuary (Filmrise)
Saint Bernard (Severin Films)
Triple Threat
Valentine: The Dark Avenger (Shout! Factory)


NEW TO BLU-RAY
American Mummy (3D & 2D)
Anaconda (Mill Creek Entertainment)
The Annihilators (Arrow Video UK - Region B)
Armored Troopers Votoms OVA 1
The Bedroom Window (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
Beer League
The Big Clock (Special Edition - Arrow Academy)
Boogie Boy (2-Disc Special Edition - MVD Rewind Collection)
Cherokee Creek
The Chosen (Scream Factory)
The Devil's Nightmare (Mondo Macabro)
Eyes of Laura Mars (Mill Creek Entertainment)
Ghosts of Mars (Mill Creek Entertainment)
Godzilla '98 (4K UHD)
Guilty Crown: The Complete Series
Hentai Heaven Volume 7: Two Fetish Freaks and The Psychic
Industrial Animals
Kokkoku
Princess Mononoke (Collector's Edition)
South Park: Seasons 1 - 5
This Gun For Hire (Shout Select)
Yakuza Law (Arrow Video)


NEW TO DVD
Alien Overlords
Bigfoot Blood Trap
Boo!
Don't Look
Extreme Horror Video Vault
Hornet
Hover
The Jinx
A Killer Awaits
Mio in the Land of Faraway
My Dead Girlfriend: A Halloween Love Story
Rocketman and Cargoboy
A Serbian Film
Standing Tall
Tomb Invader
Triassic World
The Witch in the Window


Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Roland Emmerich's Infamous GODZILLA Tunnels its Way onto 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray!


SONY CELEBRATES THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS MUCH-MALIGNED FILM WITH A NEW 4K BLU-RAY RELEASE!

I can still remember the excitement and anticipation I had for Sony's GODZILLA back when I was sixteen years old! Promising a brand-new redesign of my childhood hero in his first American feature film, I counted down the days until it hit theaters, saving very newspaper article and ad for it that I could find! To me, this was going to be an important moment in cinematic history and I was going to have all the documentation on it that I could scrape together!

And then the film finally came out and... the disappointment was crushing. But that was twenty years ago, and I've since moved on and don't quite hate this film nearly as much as I used to. In fact, I've recently defended the monster (not the movie) because I think that "Zilla" deserves more love! That being said... OF COURSE I'm going to be adding this to my Godzilla movie collection as soon as I get some more expendable income!

Synopsis: Following French atomic bomb tests in the South Pacific, an unknown creature is spotted passing through the Panama Canal. Scientist Niko Tatopolous (Matthew Broderick) is called in to investigate the matter, and he quickly arrives at the conclusion that a giant, irradiated lizard has been created by the explosions. "Godzilla" then makes its way north, landing in Manhattan to begin wreaking havoc in the big city.

Disc Specs:
Rated PG-13 | Color | 139 minutes | Region Free
Video - 2160p Widescreen (2.40:1)
Audio - English: Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1, and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Note: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 also available in the following languages - French, Spanish, Czech, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian.

Extras:
  • NEW! 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE!
  • Visual Effects Commentary
  • Behind the Scenes of Godzilla with Charles Caiman!
  • All-Time Best-of Godzilla Fight Scenes
  • "Heroes" Music Video by The Wallflowers
While it's kind of light on extras (which seems to be an annoying trend with older films coming to the 4K UHD format), the greatly improved picture and audio quality are enough to make me consider double-dipping on this particular giant monster movie. GODZILLA '98 is currently available wherever 4K discs are sold, and should cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $20. If you're a Godzilla completionist and find yourself compelled to upgrade from your current DVD or Blu-ray, order a copy now from AMAZON or BULL MOOSE!



Elisabeth Shue Monkeys Around With LINK in Richard Franklin's Oft-Forgotten Horror Classic!


KINO LORBER STUDIO CLASSICS BRINGS "LINK" TO BLU-RAY WITH A NEW 4K RESTORATION & EXTRAS! 

I haven't seen LINK in nearly two decades but recall very much enjoying this tale of an intelligent orangutan that becomes a vicious killer! In fact, I'd even go as far to say that it is far better than both MONKEY SHINES and SHAKMA, which have both recently seen a resurgence in popularity. Don't believe me? Then you'll just have to pick up a copy of LINK to see for yourself!

Synopsis: Elisabeth Shue (THE SAINT, LEAVING LAS VEGAS) and Terence Stamp (THE LIMEY, THE REAL MCCOY) co-star in this suspenseful horror film directed by Richard Franklin (ROAD GAMES, F/X 2) and featuring a chilling score by legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith (THE OMEN, THE SATAN BUG, 100 RIFLES).

Young graduate student Jane Chase (Shue) becomes the new assistant to an eccentric zoology professor (Stamp) at the remote home he shares with two brilliant chimpanzees and an elderly orangutan butler named Link. But when one of the chimps is found dead and the professor mysteriously disappears, Link becomes dangerously aggressive towards Jane. Now, the time for “monkey business” is over and the true terror is about to begin.

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 103 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (?)
Audio - ?

Extras:
  • NEW! 4K Restoration of the film! 
  • NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian Lee Gambin and Film Critic Jarret Gahan!
  • Deleted workprint scenes in SD!
  • Audio interview with director Richard Franklin!
  • Jerry Goldsmith demo of the LINK theme!
  • French Theatrical Trailer
  • US Theatrical Teaser
  • US Theatrical Trailer
LINK is definitely on my list of new must-own titles and I look forward to adding this Special Edition to my collection down the road! But that doesn't mean YOU have to wait to own it! If you've got a spare $18 - $20 in your bank account, order your copy now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from KINO LORBER!



Scream Factory has CHOSEN to Unleash HOLOCAUST 2000 on Blu-ray Disc!


ALBERTO DE MARTINO'S 1977 OCCULT THRILLER ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY FOR THE FIRST TIME!

I have never seen THE CHOSEN, but seeing as it has been compared to THE OMEN I'll most likely give it a look! It seems to mix the fears of nuclear disaster with supernatural shocks, which makes it rather  unique when compared to various other films involving world-ending scenarios and antichrists! If that sounds like your cup of tea, then read on to learn more about this movie and it's new Blu-ray release!

Synopsis: Kirk Douglas (THE FURY) stars as industrialist Robert Caine, who with his son Angel (Simon Ward - SUPERGIRL) is finally about to realize his biggest dream: a massive nuclear power plant in the Holy Land. But soon, Caine's dream becomes a horrific nightmare as person after person associated with the project meets a violent, gruesome death. When clues to this inexplicable turn of events point to the devil, Caine comes to the terrible realization that he might be linked to the Antichrist ... perhaps even through his unborn child.

Also known as HOLOCAUST 2000 and RAIN OF FIRE, this riveting thriller in the vein of THE OMEN "is probably the best made and best budgeted of the Italian occult films of the 1970s" (The Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film Review) and was directed by cult filmmaker Alberto De Martino (THE ANTICHRIST, BLOOD LINK, and SHADOWS IN AN EMPTY ROOM).

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 102 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio - ?

Extras:
  • Original International Cut Of The Film, Known As Holocaust 2000 (HD)!
  • Rare U.S. Cut Of The Film With Alternate Ending, Known As The Chosen (HD)!
  • Theatrical Trailers
I definitely have a keen interest in this new Scream Factory title Vault Dwellers, especially since there are TWO cuts of the film on this disc! THE CHOSEN is currently available wherever Blu-ray discs are sold and should cost between $20 - $24! Get yourself a copy now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.



Wednesday, May 8, 2019

STOCK YOUR VAULT: New DVDs & Blu-rays for 05/07/2019!



Vault Master's Pick of the Week!
Greetings fellow collectors and welcome to another edition of the News Vault's STOCK YOUR VAULT column! We are FINALLY caught up after weeks of playing catch-up, and go figure... it's one of the poorest release slates we've seen in quite a while!

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY makes the leap to 4K UHD, director Jordan Downey's THE HEAD HUNTER makes its DVD debut, and Kino Lorber Studio Classics showers up with three new titles, namely THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF, THE NIGHTCOMERS, and RHINOCEROS!

Along with a few anime releases and some direct-to-DVD offerings, there are some Region B releases that may interest those of you with Region Free players! Umbrella Entertainment brings the fantastic STEAMBOY to Blu-ray on Friday (May 10th), 101 Films gives CLASS OF 1984 a new standard Blu-ray release, Screenbound Pictures brings THE DEADLY BEES to Blu, and IRON SKY: THE COMING RACE finally arrives on physical media!

This week's headliner though has to be Arrow Video's Special Edition of THE GRAND DUEL! Along with a new 2K transfer, this release has an incredible number of new extras ranging from cast & crew interviews, a brand new audio commentary, and various featurettes! Fans of spaghetti westerns won't want to miss out on this one!

There's not much else to highlight so scroll on down to see the full roster of this week's new DVDs & Blu-rays!


NEW TO DVD & BLU-RAY
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
The Man Who Haunted Himself (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
My Hero Academia: Season 3 - Part 1
The Nightcomers (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
The Prodigy
Rhinoceros (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
Sex Madness Revealed
St. Agatha


NEW TO BLU-RAY
Class of 1984 (101 Films - Region B)
The Deadly Bees (Screenbound Pictures)
The Grand Duel (Special Edition - Arrow Video)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (4K UHD)
In the Aftermath (Arrow Video - Region B)
Iron Sky: The Coming Race (Region B)
Iron Sky & Iron Sky: The Coming Race (Double Feature - Region B)
Jorgamund & Jorgamund: Perfect Order - The Complete Series
Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits - Part 1
Kamisama Kikss: Season Two
Steamboy (Umbrella Entertainment - 5/10)


NEW TO DVD
Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission
Amityville: Mt. Misery Road
Bundy and the Green River Killer
Death on Scenic Drive
Death Trench (Region 2)
The Head Hunter
Music Box
The Night Watchmen
Room For Rent
Ryde
The Toys That Made Us: Seasons 1 & 2
Viking Blood


Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Lee Van Cleef's Guns Are Blazing in Arrow Video's Special Edition of THE GRAND DUEL!


ARROW GIVES GIANCARLO SANTI'S BIG 
WILD WEST SHOWDOWN 
A NEW 2K TRANSFER AND LOADS OF NEW EXTRAS!

Along with Clint Eastwood, William Berger, and Franco Nero, Lee Van Cleef is one of my favorite stars of Spaghetti Western cinema! Having seen him as the hero in films like SABATA and FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE (and as the memorable villain in THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY), I'm disappointed in myself for having never watched THE GRAND DUEL, which is now available on Special Edition Blu-ray thanks to the fine folks at Arrow Video!

Synopsis: THE GRAND DUEL is an archetypal spaghetti western which boasts many of the genre's classic hallmarks including action-packed gunfights, wild stunts and an impressive climactic showdown...

Genre stalwart Lee Van Cleef (THE BIG COMBO, DAY OF ANGER) stars as a gnarled ex-sheriff called Clayton who comes to the aid of young Philipp Wermeer (Alberto Dentice), a fugitive framed for the murder of a powerful figure called The Patriarch. Clayton helps Philipp fend off attacks from bounty hunters in a series of thrilling shootouts before the two make their way to Jefferson to confront three villains known as the Saxon brothers, and reveal who really killed The Patriarch.

A complex tale of revenge penned by prolific giallo writer Ernesto Gastaldi (TORSO, THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL), THE GRAND DUEL benefits from a beguiling central performance from Lee Van Cleef and assured helmsmanship from Giancarlo Santi (assistant director to Sergio Leone on THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY and ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST). Add to this brew a memorable and tuneful score by composer Luis Bacalov (DJANGO, MILANO CALIBRO 9) and the stage is set for one of the grandest of all the Italian westerns!

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 94 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio - Uncompressed Mono 1.0 LPC

Extras:
  • NEW! 2K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative!
  • Original English and Italian soundtracks, titles and credits!
  • NEW! Freshly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack!
  • NEW! Audio commentary by film critic, historian and theorist Stephen Prince!
  • NEW! An Unconventional Western - An interview with director Giancarlo Santi!
  • NEW! The Last of the Great Westerns - An interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi!
  • NEW! Out of the Box - An interview with producer Ettore Rosboch!
  • NEW! The Day of the Big Showdown - An interview with assistant director Harald Buggenig!
  • NEW! Saxon City Showdown - A video appreciation by the academic Austin Fisher!
  • NEW! Two Different Duels - A comparison between the original cut and the longer German cut of the film! 
  • NEW! Game Over - An obscure sci-fi short film from 1984 directed by Bernard Villiot and starring The Grand Duel's Marc Mazza! 
  • NEW! Marc Mazza: Who was the Rider on the Rain? - A video essay about the elusive actor Marc Mazza by tough-guy film expert Mike Malloy.
  • Original Italian and international theatrical trailers
  • Extensive image gallery featuring stills, posters, lobby cards and home video sleeves, drawn from the Mike Siegel Archive and other collections!
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin!
  • First pressing only: Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Kevin Grant and original reviews!
Arrow really went all out on this Special Edition release! Between the new transfer, new audio commentary, and plethora of interviews and featurettes, this Blu-ray disc is definitely a must-own for Spaghetti Western enthusiasts! THE GRAND DUEL costs between $24 - $28, and is currently available from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, and ARROW VIDEO!



Sunday, May 5, 2019

STOCK YOUR VAULT: New DVDs & Blu-rays for 04/30/2019!



Vault Master's Pick of the Week!
April is over with but I'm still playing catch-up from last month Vault Dwellers! (Sorry!) This past week had a relatively small release slate, but as is typically the case, there are definitely some great new releases worth adding to your collections!

Vinegar Syndrome debuted SKIN FLICKS and GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE on Blu-ray, Criterion gave Jackie Chan's POLICE STORY & POLICE STORY 2 a pretty fantastic release, and Kino Lorber Studio Classics just unveiled a great Blu-ray set featuring all three FANTOMAS movies!

Severin Films surprises exploitation fans with a trio of new titles on Blu-ray and DVD, including DEATH WARMED UP, EMMANUELLE AND FRANCOISE, and ESCAPE FROM WOMEN'S PRISON, and Eureeka Classics dropped a gorgeous (Region B-locked) Limited Edition Blu of CUJO!

But the two Blu-ray discs that I was most excited for this past Tuesday were Scream Factory's THE BRAIN and TARANTULA! The former boasts a new 4K transfer and loads of new special features, while the latter has a new 2K transfer and audio commentary!

There's not much else worth bragging about this week, but if you're curious to see what else was released on DVD or Blu-ray, continue onward to scope out the full roster!


NEW TO DVD & BLU-RAY
Arctic
Death Warmed Up (Severin Films)
Emmanuelle and Francoise (Severin Films)
Escape from Women's Prison (Severin Films)
Even Lambs Have Teeth
Level 16
Police Story / Police Story 2 (Criterion Collection)
The Tutor


NEW TO BLU-RAY
Absolute Duo: The Complete Series
The Brain (Scream Factory)
City of the Vampires
Cujo (Limited Edition - Eureeka Classics! - Region B)
Deadly Crush
Gatchaman (Collector's Edition)
Grandmother's House (Vinegar Syndrome)
Hakyu Hoshin Engi: The Complete Series
Hannibal (Blu-ray & 4K UHD)
High School DxD Hero: Season Four
Kuffs (Shout Select)
Lupin the 3rd Part IV: The Italian Adventure
The Rolling Girls: The Complete Series
Skin Flicks (Vinegar Syndrome)
Tarantula (Scream Factory)
Unlisted Owner


NEW TO DVD
Appleseed: The Original OVA Series
The Best of Tobor the 8-Man: Volume 2
The Grim Reaper (1980 - Rogue Video)
The Hole in the Ground
Scream Bloody Murder (1974 - Rogue Video)


NEW MULTI-FILM COLLECTIONS ON BLU-RAY
Fantomas: Three-Film Collection (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)
Contains: Fantomas, Fantomas Unleashed, and Fantomas vs. Scotland Yard.

X-Men Trilogy: Volume 1 (Limited Edition Steelbook)
Contains: X-Men, X2: X-Men United, and X3: The Last Stand.

X-Men Trilogy: Volume 2 (Limited Edition Steelbook)
Contains: X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and X-Men: Apocalypse.


Friday, May 3, 2019

THE BRAIN and TARANTULA Now Available on Blu-ray from Scream Factory!


EVIL FLESH-EATING SPACE BRAINS AND ONE ASTOUNDINGLY GIGANTIC SPIDER THREATEN HUMANITY IN SCREAM FACTORY'S LATEST BLU-RAY RELEASES!

While I'm not ecstatic over Scream Factory's price increases or steelbook double-dips, I do applaud them for their continued efforts in bringing classic sci-fi & Horror fare, as well as obscure 80's cult and exploitation titles, to Blu-ray! Along with their Hammer Horror offerings and IFC Midnight releases, Scream has truly cornered the market on the types of films that I love, and for that reason I continue to support them when I can. Speaking of which, I can't wait to add both THE BRAIN and TARANTULA to my Blu-ray collection!

THE BRAIN (1988)

Synopsis: Imagine a pulsating mass of gray matter, expanding in size and strength as it takes control of human minds and devours human bodies. It could never happen, right? Just watch Independent Thinking, starring Dr. Anthony Blakely (David Gale - RE-ANIMATOR, THE GUYVER, SYNGENOR), a hot new TV program. But as the show's ratings continue to soar, so does the suicide and murder rate among its viewers. What they don't know is that Dr. Blakely has teamed with an alien brain and plans to gain control of all humanity.

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 94 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

Extras:
  • NEW! 4K Scan Of The Original Negative!
  • NEW! Audio Commentary With Director Ed Hunt!
  • NEW! Audio Commentary With Composer Paul Zaza!
  • NEW! Audio Commentary With Actor Tom Bresnahan!
  • NEW! Canada On The Mind – An Interview With Actress Cynthia Preston!
  • NEW! From Monster Kid To Monster Man – An Interview With Actor George Buza!
  • NEW! Brain Art – An Interview With Assistant Art Director Michael Borthwick!
  • NEW! Food For Thought: A Love Letter To The Brain!
  • Still Gallery
What? No trailer?! (Just kidding!) WOW is all I have to say about this release Vault Dwellers! For decades I've watched a bootleg DVD-R of this film when the mood hit but now we've got a Blu-ray release that this Canadian Horror oddity can truly be proud of! A new 4K transfer, three audio commentaries, and cast & crew interviews made this one a must-own for yours truly, and I can't wait to watch my copy when it arrives in the mail! Get yours now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.






TARANTULA (1955)

Synopsis: Biochemist Gerald Deemer (Leo G. Carroll, who's over a barrel - NORTH BY NORTHWEST) has a plan to feed the world by using a growth formula on plants and animals. Instead he creates terror beyond imagining when his work spawns a spider of mammoth proportions!

Feeding on cattle and humans, this towering tarantula has the people of Desert Rock, Arizona running for their lives. Can this horrifying creature be stopped or will the world succumb to its giant claws? This classic sci-fi film from director Jack Arnold (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE) stars John Agar (THE MOLE PEOPLE, ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE) and Mara Corday (THE BLACK SCORPION, THE GIANT CLAW), and features a cameo by Clint Eastwood as a jet squadron leader!

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Black & White | 81 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - 2.0 Mono (?)

Extras:
  • NEW! 2K Scan Of The Original Film Elements!
  • NEW! Audio Commentary With Film Historians Tom Weaver, Dr. Robert J. Kiss, And David Schecter!
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Still Gallery
Though rather light on extras, Scream Factory still gave this classic creature feature more love than Universal ever did! Get TARANTULA on Blu-ray today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.