BEN COMBES' THROWBACK TO 80'S ACTION CINEMA IS COMING TO BLU-RAY DISC FROM ETR MEDIA!
With the success of several no-budget proof of concept trailers-turned hit indie films like KUNG FURY and TURBO KID, it was no surprise that other indie filmmakers would be inspired to do their own over-the-top takes on 80s action fare as well! Case in point, Ben Combes' 2018 fan favorite: COMMANDO NINJA! Available for free on YouTube for years (so you can try before you buy!), this irreverent love letter to films like KICKBOXER, COMMANDO, RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II, and others arrives on Blu-ray disc for the first time with some really cool bonus features!
Synopsis: 1986: John Hunter is a Vietnam veteran, half commando, half ninja, 100% American. He is forced back into action when his young daughter is kidnapped by a secret ninja organization, led by a Central American dictator who wants to create a new world order through time... Unfortunately for them, she is the only thing he would kill again for. Hunter will have to fight his way through an army of ninjas, vietcongs, punks, dinosaurs, mutants, one of his former commandos and a fully equipped private army. With the help of his old friend Hopkins, Hunter will have to combine the arts of ninjutsu and guerilla warfare to become the ultimate soldier and rescue his daughter.
Disc Specs: Not Rated | Color | 68 minutes | Region Free Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1) Audio - English Dolby Digital 2.0
Extras:
Feature Length Making of Documentary
Hopkins: A Commando Ninja Short Film
Trailer
Character Biographies
Theme Song
COMMANDO NINJA is now available from Vinegar Syndrome's partner label ETR Media! The disc should cost between $20 - $28 and you can order it now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from VINEGAR SYNDROME (which will also net you a limited edition slipcover if you act now)!
Greetings Vault Dwellers and welcome to another new edition of the News Vault's STOCK YOUR VAULT column! This week has a pretty good mix of new must-own titles on Blu-ray and 4K disc, but as we get closer to the Halloween season, I urge you to plan accordingly because October is going to be expensive! Moving on then....
Lionsgate's Vestron Video label released the director's cut of DEMENTIA 13 to Blu-ray (sadly the theatrical cut is not included), Ronin Flix gives modern Horror favorite HAUNT a nice Special Edition Blu-ray release, and Shudder hits us with two new fright flicks, namely BOYS FROM COUNTY HELL and VIOLATION.
Severin Films has re-released their massive DUNGEON OF ANDY MILLIGAN Blu-ray set which features well over a dozen films on 9 discs (and comes with a soundtrack CD), Arrow Video brings IMMORAL TALES back into print in a new 2-Disc set, and Scream Factory brings IFC Midnight's THE VIGIL to Blu-ray disc.
On the 4K front, Warner Bros. finally gives A CLOCKWORK ORANGE its own standalone release, Studiocanal brings Joe Dante's THE HOWLING to 4K UHD for its 40th anniversary (note: the 4K disc is region free, however the Blu-rays are Region B locked), and the latest installment of the increasingly ridiculous FAST & THE FURIOUS series has just arrived on both 4K UHD & Blu-ray!
And while I'm super stoked to own the CROCODILE DUNDEE TRILOGY on Blu-ray (thanks Paramount!), and even though Kino Lorber has multiple new titles out as of yesterday, my choice as the Pick of the Week goes to Kino's new Blu of Robert Clouse's obscure GOLDEN NEEDLES! This film has been given a new 2K restoration and comes complete with a new audio commentary, image gallery, and more!
There's a bunch of other Blu-rays and 4Ks out this week - scroll on down to peep out the list!
KINO LORBER STUDIO CLASSICS GIVES ROBERT CLOUSE'S OBSCURE MARTIAL ARTS ADVENTURE ITS BLU-RAY DEBUT!
Up until recently, I never even knew of the existence of GOLDEN NEEDLES, but having just watched the trailer, I can safely say that I need to grab a copy of this! Directed by Robert Clouse, the man who gave us such martial arts classics as ENTER THE DRAGON, BLACK BELT JONES, and GYMKATA, GOLDEN NEEDLES follows the exploits of various factions vying for the titular seven "Golden Needles."
If used correctly, these acupuncture tools will grant someone superhuman sexual prowess (and possibly eternal life). But if used incorrectly, the needles will cause instant, agonizing death! This movie looks like a total blast and has a fantastic cast - I think we all owe Kino Lorber a big thanks for scooping up this title and giving it a brand new 2K restoration! Never heard of this one yourself? Well Vault Dwellers, pull up a chair and let's you and I take a closer look at this new Kino release!
Synopsis: From Robert Clouse, the sensational director of ENTER THE DRAGON, DARKER THAN AMBER, GAME OF DEATH, FORCE: FIVE, GYMKATA, and THE AMSTERDAM KILL, comes this suspense story of a priceless ancient Chinese statue that is pursued halfway across the world. The legend of the golden statue (which contains seven youth-restoring acupuncture needles) promises the owner health and incredible vigor... but can also deliver a painful death!
Disc Specs: Rated PG | Color | 72 minutes | Region A Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.39:1) Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Extras:
NEW! 2K restoration of the film!
NEW! Audio Commentary by critics Howard S. Berger and Chris Poggiali!
Radio Spots
TV Spot
Image Gallery
Theatrical Trailer
Newly Commissioned Art by Vince Evans!
Reversible Art
Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase!
Kino Lorber's GOLDEN NEEDLES is currently available wherever Blu-ray discs are sold and should cost between $15 - $18! If this seems like it'd be up your alley, you can order a copy right this very minute from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from KINO LORBER!
Egads! I can't believe that the last STOCK YOUR VAULT entry was back on March 1st! Becoming a parent has altered my life in so many ways, and I knew that my ability to generate content here (and elsewhere) would be somewhat limited but.... damn.
And seeing as how free time has become a precious commodity that I don't have much of these days, I've decided to streamline things a bit and focus this column entirely on new Blu-ray and 4K UHD releases. I know, I know... this is a bit of a slap in the face to the "direct-to-DVD" crowd, but for the time being there isn't much I can do about that.
With all that said, let's take a look at this week's new Blu-ray and 4K releases, of which there are plenty!
Shout! Factory dropped the new post-apocalyptic film HUNTERS to Blu-ray, along with some great animated offerings including Laika's KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS & PARANORMAN, as well as a limited edition steelbook of the anime classic PERFECT BLUE! Meanwhile our pals at Arrow Video have released the wonderful new COLD WAR CREATURES: FOUR FILMS FROM SAM KATZMAN limited edition boxed set, which contains HD transfers, and a plethora of extras, for CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN, THE WEREWOLF, ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU, and THE GIANT CLAW!
Scream Factory released a new fright flick called MASQUERADE, but our choice pick of this week is easily their new Collector's Edition release of Jack Sholder's ALONE IN THE DARK! Long out of print, this overlooked 80s slasher classic makes its big Blu-ray debut with a new 2K transfer and a variety of new and archival bonus features! While there is currently a delay on getting this disc out to everyone that pre-ordered a copy, before this month is through we should all have our ALONE IN THE DARK Blu-rays in hand!
There's a smattering of other new titles out on Blu-ray and 4K UHD from various other companies (e.g. Epic Pictures, Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Funimation) this week. To see the full foster, just continue scrolling!
ARROW VIDEO GIVES DAVID NELSON'S LONG FORGOTTEN SLASHER FLICK A NEW LEASE ON LIFE WITH THEIR NEW LIMITED EDITION RELEASE!
I'm an absolute sucker for slasher flicks! From the major franchises, to the multitude of international standalone films featuring psychotic killers, I've seen just about everything the sub-genre has to offer. But every now and again, some rare or obscure slasher movie claws its way up from the depths to be rescued by a boutique Blu-ray label. Which brings me of course to DEATH SCREAMS! The folks at Arrow Video got their hands on the only
existing 35mm print of this film and have given it a new 2K restoration, along with a variety of new bonus features
(which include two audio commentaries and a making-of documentary)! I have to admit that I'm totally in the dark on this one Vault Dwellers, but that didn't stop me from blindly pre-ordering a copy once I learned of its existence! If you're on the fence about picking up a copy of DEATH SCREAMS, continue onward to learn more about this (mostly) forgotten slice of slasher film history!
Synopsis:
In one of the most unlikely cinematic pairings of all time, David
Nelson (who rose to fame as a child star playing alongside his real-life
family in the wholesome TV show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet)
directs Playboy Playmate and adult star Susan Kiger in this
bodycount-heavy, long overlooked slice of Southern fried hack-and-slash –
1982's DEATH SCREAMS!
Late one night, a young couple are
brutally murdered at a make-out spot by an unseen assailant, their
bodies tossed into the nearby river. As the lifeless lovers drift slowly
downstream, the residents of the town excitedly prepare themselves for
their annual carnival, unaware that a machete-wielding maniac with a
twisted grudge is lurking in their midst. When a group of teen revelers
plan a late-night after party down in the local cemetery, they
unwittingly set the stage for a bloodbath.
DEATH SCREAMS, which
was released on US VHS as HOUSE OF DEATH (and on UK DVD with the reels
in the wrong order!) oozes early '80s regional slasher charm from its
every pore, boasting an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink final reel
featuring slashed throats, bisected bodies, and exploding heads. At long
last arriving on Blu-ray and lovingly restored from the only-known
existing 35mm print, this little-seen slasher classic is ready to carve
its way into the bleeding hearts of horror fans everywhere!
Disc Specs: Not Rated | Color | 88 minutes | Region A Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1) Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Extras:
NEW! 2K restoration from an archival 35mm print!
NEW! Audio commentary with producer Charles Ison and special effects artist Worth Keeter moderated by filmmaker Phil Smoot!
NEW! Audio commentary with The Hysteria Continues!
NEW!All the Fun of the Scare: The Making of Death Screams
– A newly-produced making-of documentary featuring interviews with
producer Charles Ison, special effects artist Worth Keeter, writer Paul
Elliott, actors Hanns Manship and Curt Rector, actor/producer's
assistant/assistant supervising editor Sharon Alley, and actor/talent
wrangler Robert "Billy Bob" Melton!
TV and Radio Spots
Image Galleries
House of Death Alternate VHS Opening Titles
Two versions of the screenplay under the original title of Night Screams! [BD-ROM content]
Limited Edition Exclusives:
Reversible
sleeve featuring original artwork and a newly-commissioned reimagining
of the original VHS artwork by Sadist Art Designs presented with die-cut
slipcover!
Fully-illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing by Brian Albright!
Arrow's Limited Edition of DEATH SCREAMS is due out on Tuesday, September 28th and should cost between $25 - $30! You can order the "standard" limited edition Blu-ray of this film from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, ZAVVI, or directly from ARROW VIDEO! However, there is a secondary release of DEATH SCREAMS that comes with an exclusive limited edition O-Card that reproduces the original theatrical poster art, and you can only obtain this version from ZAVVI or ARROW VIDEO!
ARROW VIDEO RELEASES A QUARTET OF ATOM AGE MONSTER MOVIES IN A GORGEOUS NEW BLU-RAY SET!
I am somewhat familiar with Sam Katzman, mostly thanks to growing up with TNT's MonsterVision and Mystery Science Theater 3000! While he only directed five films during his lengthy career, Katzman produced hundreds of films over four decades, including the ones contained in Arrow Video's new COLD WAR CREATURES set! All four films have restored in HD and come with a variety of supplemental material including audio commentaries, video essays, trailers, Super 8 versions of several films, and more! While a standard release is likely coming down the pipe at some point, don't miss out on this limited edition set because it comes with a pair of double-sided posters and two books as well!
Synopses: Zombies! Werewolves! Atomic Mutation! Intergalactic Avians! Let this quartet of classic terrors take you back to the golden age of B-Movie Monsters!
A mob boss hires an ex-Nazi scientist to reanimate his dead thugs in CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN. An auto-accident survivor is used as an experimental subject to create a vaccine for nuclear fall-out with hair-raising side-effects in THE WEREWOLF. Treasure hunters get more than they bargained for in the search for a cargo of diamonds that went down with a sunken ship when they discover the zombified crew members are guarding the loot in ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU. Meanwhile, an enormous bird from outer-space descends to chow down on the people of planet Earth in THE GIANT CLAW!
Four fantastic feature presentations from prolific producer Sam Katzman with a bounty of brand new extras and a raft of new writing by a range of respected raconteurs. These COLD WAR CREATURES are coming for you!
DISC ONE: CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN (1955)
Specs: Not Rated | Black & White | 69 minutes | Region A Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1) Audio - English LPCM Mono
Extras:
NEW! Introduction by historian and critic Kim Newma!
NEW! Audio commentary by critic Russell Dyball!
NEW!Sam Katzman: Before and Beyond the Cold War Creatures - A feature-length illustrated presentation on the life, career and films of Sam Katzman by historian and critic Stephen R. Bissette!
NEW! Condensed Super 8mm version of Creature with the Atom Brain, produced for home cinema viewing!
Theatrical Trailer
Image Gallery
DISC TWO: THE WEREWOLF (1956)
Specs: Not Rated | Black & White | 79 minutes | Region A Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1) Audio - English LPCM Mono
Extras:
NEW! Introduction by critic Kim Newman!
NEW! Audio commentary by critic Lee Gambin!
NEW!Beyond Window Dressing - A visual essay exploring the oft-overlooked role of women in the films of Sam Katzman by historian and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas!
NEW! Condensed Super 8mm version of The Werewolf, produced for home cinema viewing!
Theatrical Trailer
Image Gallery
DISC THREE: ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU (1957)
Specs: Not Rated | Black & White | 70 minutes | Region A Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1) Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Extras:
NEW! Introduction by critic Kim Newman!
NEW! Audio commentary by critic Kat Ellinger!
NEW!Atomic Terror: Genre in Transformation - A visual essay exploring the intersection of mythical horror creatures and the rational world of science in the films of Sam Katzman by critic Josh Hurtado!
Theatrical Trailer
Image Gallery
DISC FOUR: THE GIANT CLAW (1957)
Specs: Not Rated | Black & White | 75 minutes | Region A Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1) Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Extras:
NEW! Introduction by critic Kim Newman!
NEW! Audio commentary by critics Emma Westwood and Cerise Howard!
NEW!Family Endangered! - A visual essay examining the theme of Cold War paranoia in Sam Katzman monster movies, by critic Mike White!
NEW! Condensed Super 8mm version of The Giant Claw, produced for home cinema viewing!
Theatrical Trailer
Image Gallery
LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVES:
Fully illustrated 60-page collector’s book featuring extensive new writing by Laura Drazin Boyes, Neil Mitchell, Barry Forshaw, Jon Towlson and Jackson Cooper!
80-page collector’s art book featuring reproduction stills and artwork from each film and new writing by historian and critic Stephen R. Bissette!
2 double-sided posters featuring newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin!
Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork for each film by Matt Griffin!
Arrow Video's Limited Edition COLD WAR CREATURES set arrives at retailers on Tuesday, September 14th and should cost between $65 - $80! If you're a fan of Cold War Era creature features, then definitely pick up this set today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, ZAVVI, or directly from ARROW VIDEO!
SCREAM FACTORY GIVES JACK SHOLDER'S LONG OUT OF PRINT HORROR CLASSIC ITS BIG BLU-RAY DEBUT!
UPDATE: Due to supply chain issues, there is a delay with this release. The discs have been manufactured but have not yet arrived at Scream/Shout! Factory HQ, or other retailers. Orders of this title will be filled once the Blu-rays arrive!
I've been a longtime fan of ALONE IN THE DARK - it has a fantastic cast, and a great premise! Martin Landau and Jack Palance often steal the show, and Donald Pleasance's role is an unexpectedly fun departure from his previous work in the HALLOWEEN series. Though ALONE IN THE DARK has languished in limbo for well over a decade, I am pleased to announce that for those of us that were lucky to acquire a copy of the 2005 Special Edition DVD, the time has finally come to upgrade!
As prophesied two years ago by yours truly in a certain Wanted on Blu-ray post, ALONE IN THE DARK is about to be released by Scream Factory with new (reversible) artwork, a new 2K transfer, and a variety of new and archival bonus features! I don't know about you Vault Dwellers, but I am absolutely stoked to receive my copy in the mail next week!
Synopsis: At a secluded mental institution, electricity fuels the hi-tech security system that keeps the nearby neighborhoods safe from deviant menaces like Frank Hawkes (Jack Palance - BATMAN, WITHOUT WARNING) and "Preacher" (Martin Landau - ED WOOD, THE BEING). Dr. Bain (HALLOWEEN's Donald Pleasence) maintains strict order while a new doctor, Dan Potter (The A-Team's Dwight Schultz), arrives in town with his family. But the inmates don't take kindly to Potter's presence and believe he has killed off their former therapist. Suddenly, a power outage leaves the town in chaos ... and now the maniacs are free to roam the streets and hunt down the man they believe has invaded their lives.
With the area quickly descending into riots and chaos, the innocent few must fight for their lives when they're left terrified, cornered and ALONE IN THE DARK! One of the most memorable and terrifying cult horror films of the 1980s, this white-knuckle shocker from director Jack Sholder (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE, THE HIDDEN) features gory make-up effects from Tom Brumberger (DON'T GO IN THE HOUSE) and Tom Savini (FRIDAY THE 13TH), delivering one seat-jumping scare after another, along with a thick slab of pitch-black humor!
Disc Specs: Rated R | Color | 93 minutes | Region A Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1) Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
NEW! 2K Scan Of The Interpositive!
NEW! Out Of The Dark – An Interview With Director And Co-Writer Jack Sholder!
NEW! Mother Choppers: The Sic F*cks RememberAlone In The Dark!
NEW! Sites In The Dark: The Locations OfAlone In The Dark!
NEW! Audio Commentary With Genre Film Critic Justin Kerswell And Film Historian Amanda Reyes!
Audio Commentary With Director Jack Sholder!
Bunky Lives! – An Interview With Actress Carol Levy
Still F*cking Sick – Catching Up With The The Sic F*cks
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spot
Radio Spots
Still Gallery
Scream Factory's Collector's Edition of ALONE IN THE DARK will be available on Tuesday, September 14th, and should cost between $26 - $30! If you're a fan of 80s Horror, then make sure you add this title to your collection by ordering a copy today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY (which will also net you an 18" x 24" poster)!