Holy cow Vault Dwellers! Last week was kind of light on releases, but this week is chock full of awesome new titles that you will want in your personal film collections!
It's boxed set city with Well Go USA's release of their impressive PHANTASM COLLECTION, Synapse's VIOLENT SHIT COLLECTION, Arrow Video's DEAD OR ALIVE TRILOGY, and their HOUSE: TWO STORIES set. (They also have a gorgeous complete boxed set of the HOUSE films, and it is worth picking up because supposedly every disc is playable on Region A and B players!!!)
Not to be outdone, Scream Factory gives us THE VAMPIRE and DEMENTED, while their parent company Shout! Factory, delivers cult favorite NEVER TOO YOUNG TO DIE in high-definition! Severin saves CATHY'S CURSE from obscurity, Full Moon just released LURKING FEAR in a remastered Blu-ray, and Troma leaps into the fray with a crazy double feature of FEARTOWN U.S.A. and THE SLASHENING!
There's actually a lot of other cool titles, so scroll on down to see them all!
NEW TO DVD & BLU-RAY
The Bye Bye Man
Chupacabra Territory
Monster Trucks
Sword Master
NEW TO BLU-RAY
100 Girls by Bunny Yeager
Cathy's Curse
Dead or Alive Trilogy
Demented
Feartown U.S.A. & The Slashening (Double Feature)
House: Two Stories
Lurking Fear (Remastered)
Never Too Young To Die
The Phantasm Collection
The Vampire
NEW TO DVD
Anarchy U.S.A.
The Best of "Dark Dreamers"
Blackhearts
Coming Attractions: The Classic Cliffhanger Collection
The Covenant
Death on the Highway: Driver's Ed Scare Films
Devil in White
Dream Stalker / Death by Love (Double Feature)
Empire State of the Dead
Fantom Killer
Female Zombie Riot
Forbidden Cinema: Volume 16
Heidi
Horror Factory: Volume 1
Journey into the Beyond / Mondo Balardo! (Double Feature)
Lake Eerie
The Mildew from Planet Xonader
Naciye
Robot Wars
Seizure
The Ungovernable Force
The Violent Shit Collection
WELL GO USA AND ARROW VIDEO DUKE IT OUT WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE PHANTASM BLU-RAY SETS IN APRIL 2017!
LAST UPDATED ON MARCH 10TH, 2017
First off, I never thought I'd see a complete PHANTASM boxed set in any format! And now I'm talking about two distinctly different ones from two separate companies! How crazy is that? But which one should Phans purchase?
Well, that's entirely up to your price-range, and if you own a region free Blu-ray player. Well Go USA's set has the dual benefits of being Region A locked, and cheaper than the Arrow set. However, presentation is everything, and the Arrow release blows Well Go USA's set out of the water in that respect.
But I'm totally jumping the shark here, so let's stop for a moment and take a closer look at both releases, and see if we can come to a final conclusion.
Both sets (I'm assuming) have utilized the same exact masters, so this important decision (for Phans) is going to come down to the special features and the packaging. And that may even change as both companies have said that more extras will be announced as we get closer to their respective release dates. For now though, let's do a quick comparison utilizing the information we have so far.
PHANTASM: REMASTERED Synopsis: At a funeral, Mike (A. Michael Baldwin), watches as a tall mortician clad in black (Angus Scrimm) tosses the unburied coffin into a waiting hearse as if it were nothing. Seeking the truth behind this unusual sight, Mike breaks into the mortuary, where he comes face-to-face with the sinister Tall Man. After barely managing to escape with his life, Mike enlists the help of his brother, Jody (Bill Thornbury), and their friend Reggie (Reggie Bannister). Together they set out to uncover the secrets of the Tall Man and those who dwell in his hellish world.
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 89 minutes | Region A (Well Go USA) / Region B (Arrow Video)
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0, and Dolby Digital Mono.
Well Go USA Extras:
Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Don Coscarelli and Stars Michael Baldwin, Angus Scrimm, and Bill Thornbury.
NEW! Audio commentary with writer/director Don Coscarelli, co-producer Paul Pepperman and visual consultant Roberto Quezada!
Graveyard Carz
Interviews with Don Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm.
Deleted Scenes
Phantasm: Actors Having a Ball - Cast interviews.
Phantasm Behind-the-Scenes Home Movies with commentary by Don Coscarelli and Reggie Bannister.
Additional Home Movie Footage
TV Spots
Radio Spots
Angus Scrimm Introduction
Fangoria TV Spot
Theatrical Trailer
Still Gallery
Arrow Video Extras:
PHANTASM: REMASTERED 2016 Los Angeles Premiere Audience Track – Join the audience of die-hard fans as they experience the restored classic for the first time!
Archival audio commentary with director/writer Don Coscarelli and actors A. Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, and Angus Scrimm.
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm – A brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of PHANTASM, including new interviews with cast and crew!
Behind-the-Scenes footage with commentary by Don Coscarelli and Reggie Bannister.
1979 TV interview with Don Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm.
6 Deleted Scenes
Original Trailer
TV Spots
5 Radio Spots
Still Gallery
Hmmm.... tough call here Vault Dwellers, because both discs are similar. Well Go USA's release boasts an intro by Angus Scrimm, a Fangoria TV Spot, and a "Graveyard Carz" featurette. However, Arrow Video tops that with an all new featurette about the making of the original PHANTASM, plus a groovy audience reaction track! I think I have to give Arrow the edge on this one gang!
PHANTASM II Synopsis: Released after seven years in a mental hospital, Mike convinces his old pal Reggie to join forces with him to hunt down and destroy the Tall Man once and for all. Mike’s visions lead the two to a quiet little town where a horde of flying killer balls aim to slice and dice their gruesome way through everyone. Exploding with special effects, unparalleled thrills, horror and suspense, PHANTASM II climaxes with a blood-curdling conclusion that you have to see to believe.
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 97 minutes | Region A (Well Go USA) / Region B (Arrow Video)
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Well Go USA Extras:
Audio Commentary with Don Coscarelli, actors Angus Scrimm, and Reggie Banister.
The Ball is Back – Documentary on the making of Phantasm II.
The Gory Days – An interview with Special Make-up Effects Artist Greg Nicotero.
Deleted Scenes
Workprint Scenes
TV Spots
Theatrical Trailers
Behind the Scenes
Still Galleries
Arrow Video Extras:
Audio commentary with director/writer Don Coscarelli and actors Angus Scrimm, and Reggie Bannister.
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm II – A brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm II, including new interviews with cast and crew!
Angus Scrimm 1989 Convention Appearance
Fangoria TV Spot
Original Trailer
TV Spots
Still Gallery
Though Arrow's PHANTASM II disc has a new featurette, and a few cool archival extras, it is sadly lacking the deleted and workprint scenes, and documentary that are included on Well Go USA's release. Point goes to Well Go USA.
PHANTASM III: LORD OF THE DEAD Synopsis: The mutant dwarf creatures are attacking, the silver spheres are flying, and the Tall Man is back with a vengeance! Fifteen years after the original horror classic, writer/producer/director Don Coscarelli reunites brothers Mike (A. Michael Baldwin) and Jody (Bill Thornbury) to help their friend Reggie (Reggie Bannister) destroy the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) once and for all.
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 91 minutes | Region A (Well Go USA) / Region B (Arrow Video)
Video - 1080p Widescreen (Aspect ratio TBA, but most likely 1.85:1)
Audio - TBA
Well Go USA Extras:
Audio Commentary with Stars A. Michael Baldwin and Angus Scrimm.
NEW! Audio Commentary with writer/director Don Coscarelli and editor Norman Buckley!
NEW!Balls of Steel: Bob Ivy’s Stunt for the Ages - The Phantasm III Car Stunt
NEW!It’s Never Over: The Making of PHANTASM III: LORD OF THE DEAD
NEW! Behind the Scenes Compilation
Deleted Scene
Radio Spot
Still Gallery
Trailer
Arrow Video Extras:
Audio commentary with actors A. Michael Baldwin and Angus Scrimm.
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm III – A brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm III, including new interviews with cast and crew.
Original Trailer
Stills Gallery
Another tough call here fellow phans. Both releases have similar special features, so I'm leaning towards a tie on this disc, if only because I don't know how in-depth Well Go USA's behind the scenes featurette is.
PHANTASM: OBLIVION Synopsis: 13 years after the original nightmare began, Mike must cross dark dimensions of time and space to discover his origins and those of his nemesis, the evil Tall Man. With only his loyal friend Reggie at his side, and the spirit of his dead brother to guide him, Mike must finally confront this malevolent embodiment of death. Prepare to be scared witless as the fine line between the living and the dead snaps with a vengeance!
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 90 minutes | Region A (Well Go USA) / Region B (Arrow Video)
Video - 1080p Widescreen (Aspect ratio TBA, but most likely 1.85:1)
Audio - TBA
Well Go USA extras:
Audio Commentary with Director Don Coscarelli and Actors Reggie Bannister and Angus Scrimm.
NEW!Death is No Escape: The Making of PHANTASM IV: OBLIVION
NEW! Behind the Scenes Compilation
Phantasm sequels Conceptual Art Gallery by Justin Zaharczuk.
Trailer
Arrow Video Extras:
Audio commentary with director/writer Don Coscarelli and actors Angus Scrimm and Reggie Bannister.
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm IV – A brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm IV, including new interviews with cast and crew.
Original Trailer
Stills Gallery
Yet another close match-up here gang that I will, for now, declare as a tie because I just don't know how Well Go USA's behind the scenes featurette stacks up against Arrow Video's.
PHANTASM: RAVAGER Synopsis: After battling with the Tall Man in Phantasm: Oblivion, a battered Reggie wanders through the desert in search of his missing friend, Mike. After recovering his 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda, Reggie is targeted by two of the Tall Man’s Sentinel Spheres and destroys them. He awakens suddenly to find himself sitting in a wheelchair pushed by none other than the elusive Mike! Although overjoyed by their reunion, Reggie is in this alternate dimension an aged and weary old patient in a psychiatric ward.
And only he remembers their battled and bloodied past with the Tall Man. Reggie must travel between dimensions and discern what is reality in order to confront the mysteries at the heart of a decades-long struggle against evil. He is met with new and familiar faces along the way, and an epic showdown on the Tall Man’s home world awaits!
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 86 minutes | Region A (Well Go USA) / Region B (Arrow Video)
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0
Well Go USA Extras:
Audio Commentary with co-writer/director David Hartman and co-writer/producer Don Coscarelli.
NEW!The Making of PHANTASM V: RAVAGER
NEW! Interview with actor A. Michael Baldwin.
NEW! Interview with actress Kat Lester.
NEW! Interview with actor Stephan Jutras.
NEW! Behind the Scenes Promo with Angus Scrimm Tribute!
NEW! Phantasm V Red Credit Sequence
Deleted Scenes
Phuntasm: Bloopers and Outtakes
Theatrical Trailer
Arrow Video Extras:
PHANTASM: RAVAGER 2016 Los Angeles Premiere Audience Track – Join the audience of die-hard fans as they experience Ravager for the first time!
Audio commentary with director David Hartman and writer/producer Don Coscarelli.
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm: Ravager – A brand new pheaturette looking at the making of Ravager, including new interviews with cast and crew!
Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary by David Hartman and Don Coscarelli.
Phuntasm - Bloopers and Outtakes
Phantasm and You - A lighthearted recap of the Phantasm franchise directed by David Hartman.
Original Trailer
Up to this point, it has been pretty even between both PHANTASM boxed sets. But in my opinion, Arrow Video just pulled into the lead because they offer up a bit more here than Well Go USA. Arrow boasts yet another "audience reaction" audio track, a new making-of featurette, deleted scenes with optional commentary, and the neat little "throwaway" Phantasm and You series recap. But Well Go USA can pull off a tie (or maybe even a win) if their sixth Blu-ray disc delivers phans more than Arrow's! Let's take a look!
WELL GO USA'S BONUS DISC:
Phantasmagoria: A documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew.
Phantasmagorical Mystery Tour with your host, Reggie Bannister.
Phantasm Genesis
Phandom
Fangoria TV Commercial with Angus Scrimm
Angus Scrimm 1989 Convention Appearance
NEW! Flashback Weekend Chicago Convention Panel Discussion (2008)
NEW! Flashback Weekend Chicago Convention Cast Panel (2014)
NEW! Flashback Weekend concert performance by Kat Lester
NEW! 2016 Fantastic Fest Premiere and Q&A
ARROW VIDEO'S BONUS DISC:
Phantasmagoria - A pheature-length documentary covering the original Phantasm through to Phantasm IV: Oblivion, including interviews with key cast and crew members.
Phantasmagorical Tour - Actor Reggie Bannister hosts a tour of some of the key filming locations from Phantasm.
Ok, so clearly the Well Go USA bonus disc is superior, but in the end, both sets end up being more or less the same. (Though Well Go USA has recently added even more bonus material on almost every disc!) I guess this will finally come down to overall presentation....
Click for a closer look!
When it comes to packaging, I actually prefer Well Go USA's set, which seems to be a large box that contains each film in its own Blu-ray amaray case, complete with REVERSIBLE COVER ART! The set will also contain the 120-page PHANTASM COMPENDIUM, as well as a reversible 21 x 27 poster!
Arrow Video's set seems to have all six of their discs stored within (what appear to be) cardboard sleeves (Booooo!) that feature new artwork by artist Gary Pullin. Their set comes with a 152-page book about the PHANTASM series, plus a replica of the "Phantasm Sphere." (Which you have to lift up and out of the box to get to the movies!)
So to sum everything up: Both sets seem to feature the same exact transfers, and basically the same special features (though it seems that Well Go USA has really beefed up their discs since the first announcement). The only huge difference is that Arrow put more effort into their packaging - the sphere and collectible book are a nice touch!
It's really close, but in my opinion, Well Go USA is the winner. But honestly, this is all personal preference, and I think everyone's final decision will boil down to pricing and availability. While Arrow's set is impressive, it is currently in the ballpark of $93.00 U.S. dollars (and that's before international shipping), as opposed to the $80.00 price tag for Well Go USA's release. Also, Arrow's PHANTASM COLLECTION is Region B locked, meaning you'll have to purchase a region free Blu-ray player to enjoy it.
Ultimately, what set you choose is up to you Vault Dwellers, but I sincerely hope that I've helped your decision making process a little bit easier by digging into the details of both PHANTASM sets.
Well Go USA's PHANTASM COLLECTION is due out in stores on April 11th, wherever Blu-rays are sold! You can order it now from AMAZON or DIABOLIK DVD! Arrow Video's LIMITED EDITION PHANTASM COLLECTION is due out on April 24th, and can be purchased directly from ARROW VIDEO, or from ZAVVI.COM!
