FANS OF CHARLIE LOVENTHAL'S SUPERNATURAL ROMANTIC COMEDY REJOICE - MY DEMON LOVER IS FINALLY COMING TO BLU-RAY!
Back in 2018, I showcased MY DEMON LOVER in the News Vault's WANTED ON BLU-RAY column where I pined for a high-def release of this oft-forgotten gem. So imagine my surprise earlier this year when Scream Factory announced that they were giving the film a new lease on life! With MY DEMON LOVER's Blu-ray debut just around the corner, let's take a closer look at this new disc and see if Scream Factory managed to fulfill some of the items on my wishlist!
Synopsis: True love has many faces — and sometimes claws and a tail — in the frightfully funny romance MY DEMON LOVER! The happy-go-lucky but lonely Kaz (Scott Valentine, Family Ties) is looking for love when he meets Denny (Michele Little, APOLLO 13), a kindhearted young woman with an uncanny ability to attract stray pets and down-and-out boyfriends. Denny is sure she's met the man of her dreams when she sweeps Kaz off the streets and into her heart. But it's anything but a match made in heaven when she discovers that Kaz is afflicted by a curse that turns him into a horny monster — literally — whenever he's turned on! Will Denny be able to bring out the best, and not the beast, in her newfound paranormal paramour?!
Disc Specs: Rated PG-13 | Color | 90 minutes | Region A Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1) Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Extras:
NEW! 2K Scan From The Interpositive!
NEW!Dating Is Hell: MakingMy Demon Lover” – Featuring Interviews With Director Charlie Loventhal, And Actors Scott Valentine, Michele Little, And Robert Trebor!
NEW!Monster Next Door – Inside The FX - Interview With Make-Up Effects Artist Doug Drexler!
NEW!Rune Tunes: Scoring My Demon Lover – Interview With Composer David Newman!
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spot
While there isn't a feature-length director's commentary or the music video for Intimate Strangers' "Let's Go," Scream Factory's release for MY DEMON LOVER is still a solid one that knocks a lot of items from my WANTED ON BLU-RAY wishlist! This disc will be available on Tuesday, September 5th wherever Blu-rays are sold and should cost between $23 - $27! You can order your copy now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY's online shop!
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)!
WANTED ON BLU-RAY: BRAINS SMASHER... A LOVE STORY (1993)
Rated PG-13 | Color | 88 minutes
While many of you reading this were introduced to Andrew Dice Clay through his stand up (gotta love those dirty nursery rhymes), or perhaps his lead role in THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE (which earned him a Razzy Award for Worst Actor!), my first brush with "the Diceman" was in the mid-90s when I caught BRAIN SMASHER... A LOVE STORY late one night on Cinemax.
Suffice it to say, I was looking for ahm.... other entertainment on that particular cable channel that fateful night, but what I found turned out to be so much better! In BRAIN SMASHER, Andrew Dice Clay is a nightclub bouncer who ends up battling ("We are NOT") ninjas to rescue a beautiful model and stop a martial arts madman from becoming (possibly) immortal! Directed by Albert Pyun (ARCADE, CAPTAIN AMERICA), this fun little romantic Action-Comedy quickly became a personal favorite in my early teenage years, but just as quickly vanished once the VHS-era came to a close.
We're now heading towards the 30th anniversary of this low-budget gem, and it still hasn't had a DVD release here in the United States (though it did briefly pop up on NetFlix around 2012), and doesn't seem to be high on anyone's list for a Blu-ray debut. So once again I find myself fighting the good fight and taking up the cause for a movie that deserves more love!
Synopsis: An adventurous botanist discovers a rare (and legendary) red lotus flower and mails it off to her supermodel sister Samantha Crain (Teri Hatcher), in Portland, Oregon. Hot on the trail of said lotus (whose petals can allegedly imbue anyone who eats them with special powers.... or immortality... or... something...) is a clan of murderous Shaolin monks (in Kato masks) who can catch bullets with their bare hands and hate being called ninjas!
"For the one millionth time: We are NOT Ninjas!"
With the monks hot on her heels, Samantha runs for her life and into Ed Malloy (Andrew Dice Clay), a nightclub bouncer dubbed The Brain Smasher. Not one to ignore a pretty face, the trash-talking, wise-cracking Ed is dragged into the chase and uses his innate ability to brutally knock people out to protect the beautiful Samantha. As Ed and Sam flee from the tenacious villains, they start to develop feelings for one another. Will their blossoming love survive the kung fu onslaught of the power hungry murder monks?! The only way to find out is to watch BRAIN SMASHER.... A LOVE STORY... if you can find a copy that is.
Availability: This movie has been out of print in the U.S. since it's (straight to) VHS release in the late-1990s. While is has received DVD releases in Australia and the UK, BRAIN SMASHER has never enjoyed a wide release. If you want to check out this film, you can order a DVD-R from VHSPS.COM for $15 or watch a VHS-rip on YouTube HERE.
Current Rights Holder: This may be an easy one to figure out Vault Dwellers - follow me down this little rabbit hole, won't you? BRAIN SMASHER was released by Vidmark Entertainment, a company that was created in 1984 to distribute films internationally. In 1988, they started producing their own movies, starting with the unexpectedly profitable DEMONWARP, and would eventually (by 1991) change over to Trimark Entertainment, which later merged with Lionsgate less than a decade later. Therefore.... unless Albert Pyun somehow got the rights to the film, BRAIN SMASHER is still with Lionsgate. So if you really want this movie on Blu-ray, you know who to bother first!
A new 2K (or 4K) transfer made from the original camera negatives.
Multiple audio options (i.e. Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1)
Director's commentary with Albert Pyun! Would be cool to have Andrew Dice Clay sit in on this as well!
Interviews with cast & crew: Primarily Andrew Dice Clay, Teri Hatcher, Albert Pyun, Tim Thomerson, Yuji Okumoto, and maybe one or two of the film's many stunt coordinators.
Making-of-Featurette
Theatrical trailer & VHS Promos
BRAIN SMASHER... A LOVE STORY is a time capsule from the portion of my life when I was making that awkward transition from child to teenager, and was one of the numerous cult gems I discovered as my love of cinema grew with me. While it certainly isn't some long-forgotten classic that the world has unjustly ignored, Albert Pyun's little direct-to-video production is a lot of fun and deserves to be seen by more people - it's on the cusp of being a cult classic I tell ya! So if I've ignited your curiosity, or dredged up fond memories of this film, then please spread the word around and maybe, just maybe, we can convince the powers that be at (I'm assuming) Lionsgate to give BRAIN SMASHER a new shot at finding its audience!
SCREAM FACTORY GIVES RODMAN FLENDER'S LATE 90S CULT FAVORITE A NEW COLLECTOR'S EDITION BLU-RAY RELEASE ON MAY 12TH!
Well chalk up another movie I missed out on that is now getting a stellar Blu-ray release from Scream Factory! In the pantheon of killer hand movies (e.g. EVIL DEAD II, THE CRAWLING HAND, THE HAND, and DEMONOID) IDLE HANDS ranks high. Directed by Rodman Flender (THE UNBORN, LEPRECHAUN 2) and featuring a stellar cast (Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Jessica Alba, Edlen Henson, Vivica A. Fox), IDLE HANDS sounds like a guaranteed good time! Let's take a closer look at this release Vault Dwellers!
Synopsis: The Devil will find work for idle hands to do ... so what happens when he chooses the laziest teen slacker in the world to do his dirty work?
Anton Tobias (Devon Sawa - FINAL DESTINATION) is a channel-surfing, junk-food-munching, couch-potato burn-out who can't control the murderous impulses of his recently possessed hand. With the help of his zombiefied buddies, Mick (Seth Green - The AUSTIN POWERS films) and Pnub (Elden Henson - Daredevil), Anton's got to stop the rampaging devil appendage before it takes total control of his life and ruins any chance he has with class hottie Molly (Jessica Alba - Dark Angel). Vivica A. Fox (KILL BILL VOL.1) and Jack Noseworthy (EVENT HORIZON) co-star in this wickedly funny horror comedy.
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 92 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Extras:
NEW! Audio Commentary With Actors Devon Sawa, Seth Green, Elden Henson, And Vivica A. Fox!
NEW! Bloody Punk Fun – An Interview With Director Rodman Flender!
NEW! Stoner Headspace – An Interview With Actor Elden Henson!
NEW! This Face, These Hands – An Interview With Actor Sean Whalen!
NEW! Sleight Of Hand – An Interview With Actor Christopher Hart!
NEW! Written In Blood – An Interview With Writer Terri Hughes Burton
Audio Commentary By Director Rodman Flender And Actors Seth Green And Elden Henson!
Deleted Scenes With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Rodman Flender!
Vintage Making-Of Featurette
Storyboard Comparisons
Theatrical Trailer,
Gotta hand it to Scream Factory for giving this movie so much love! IDLE HANDS will be available wherever Blu-ray discs are sold on Tuesday, May 12th and should cost between $20 - $29! If you're a fan of the movie, or have had your interest piqued enough to consider adding it to your collection, then order a copy today through AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.
JAMES FRAWLEY'S OBSCURE 80'S TEEN SEX COMEDY DEBUTS ON BLU-RAY DISC THANKS TO SCORPION RELEASING AND KINO LORBER STUDIO CLASSICS!
While I've seen quite a few teen sex comedies in my lifetime (e.g. PORKY'S, REVENGE OF THE NERDS, WEIRD SCIENCE, etc.) FRATERNITY VACATION is one that I've honestly never heard of! And that's a total shame because holy hell check out this cast: Tim Robbins (SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION), Stephen Geoffreys and Amanda Bearse (both from FRIGHT NIGHT), John Vernon (NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE and KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE), and Barbara Crampton (FROM BEYOND)! And oddly enough, this film was directed by the late James Frawley who had previously directed THE MUPPET MOVIE! If any of that info piqued your interest Vault Dwellers, then read more about this Blu-ray release below before you commit to buying it!
Synopsis: For Iowa fraternity brothers 'Mother' (Tim Robbins - JACOB'S LADDER) and Joe (Cameron Dye - BODY ROCK), the only way to score a paid vacation in sunny Palm Springs is to take along supreme nerd Wendell (Stephen Geoffreys - 976-EVIL). When they make a bet with a rival frat to be the first to bed a beautiful woman (Sheree J. Wilson - CRIMEWAVE), their getaway goes out of control. Now with the help of some bikini beauties, a bit of creative party crashing and a local girl (Amanda Bearse - FRIGHT NIGHT) with a very dangerous secret, the ultimate Spring Break is about to begin!
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 94 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (?)
Extras:
NEW! HD Master of the film!
Theatrical trailer
Scorpion Releasing's new Blu of FRATERNITY VACATION is being distributed by Kino Lorber and is now available to purchase - it should cost between $18 - $20! Order yourself a copy today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from KINO LORBER!
APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING IN THIS NEW INDIE HORROR-COMEDY, WHICH IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON DVD, BLU-RAY, AND DIGITALLY ON DEMAND!
I am forever playing catch-up when it comes to the constant stream of e-mails I receive in my inbox, and sometimes, for various reasons, I lose track of messages. Thankfully that was not the case for filmmaker Jeff Wedding, who sent me a press release for his latest feature film TENNESSEE GOTHIC... just over two months ago? (Ack! Sorry Jeff!) Having watched the trailer (several times), I've decided that I should definitely check it out!
Lucky for me TENNESSEE GOTHIC was released on October 15th and is now readily available! You can rent or own it digitally via Vimeo, or pick it up on either DVD or Blu-ray from GypsyRoot Productions' online store! (Which also contains a bunch of other TENNESSEE GOTHIC swag like posters, pins, buttons, and t-shirts!) To learn more about this darkly humorous contemporary Southern Gothic folktale, continue onward Vault Dwellers!
Synopsis: From Ray Russell, fiction editor of Playboy Magazine, and author of horror classics such as Incubus, Sardonicus, and The Case Against Satan, comes TENNESSEE GOTHIC, a feature-length horror/comedy photographed on 16mm film!
Adapted from Russell's short story, American Gothic, and brought to the screen by multi-award-winning filmmaker Jeff Wedding , TENNESSEE GOTHIC is an audacious look at farm life told through the eyes of Caleb (William Ryan Watson), the teenage son of a dim-witted widower (Victor Hollingsworth).
When a beautiful young woman (Jackie Kelly) is found bloodied on a country road, the farmer and his son offer her refuge in their home. This living situation quickly escalates from hysterical comedy to maddening horror once the woman's true nature is revealed.
Playing on themes displayed in folklore (most notably the ballad La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats), TENNESSEE GOTHIC is at times uproariously funny while maintaining a dark tone throughout, including a healthy dose of debauchery and violence.
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 88 minutes | Region Free
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.66:1)
Audio - English Dolby Digital
Extras:
Audio Commentary with Screenwriter/Director Jeff Wedding, Producer Katie Groshong, and Lodger & Post-Production Supervisor Harry Walker III.
The Making of Tennessee Gothic featurette.
Outtakes
Trailer
Stills Gallery
Hidden easter egg!
Stills & Trailer (Click on images to enlarge them.)
DEAN PARISOT'S BELOVED SCI-FI COMEDY GETS A NEW STEELBOOK RELEASE FROM PARAMOUNT TO CELEBRATE ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY!
It's hard to believe that its been twenty years since GALAXY QUEST premiered in theaters. I think I saw it during its initial theatrical run, but most definitely recall owning it on VHS (and later Blu-ray disc), and I have to admit that I still really enjoy this movie! It's a fun flick with a phenomenal cast, that does a great job of poking fun at Star Trek and fandom in general.
And now GALAXY QUEST has apparently built up enough of a following to warrant a Steelbook re-release (i.e. repackaging) though it doesn't seem to have a new transfer or any new special features! But if you don't currently have this movie in your collection, then consider picking up the 20th Anniversary Steelbook today!
Synopsis: "By Grabthar's hammer," the intrepid crew of the NSEA Protector is back to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the uproarious classic GALAXY QUEST.
Years after cancellation, the stars of the Galaxy Quest television
series cling to their careers appearing at sci-fi conventions and
electronic store openings. When a distressed interstellar race mistakes
the show for “historical documents,” Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) and his
crew of has-beens are unwittingly recruited to save them from a
genocidal alien warlord!
Featuring an out-of-this-world all-star cast including Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Enrico Colantoni, Daryl Mitchell, and Justin Long, this rollicking send-up of sci-fi fanaticism is as funny today as it was when it premiered in theaters 20 years ago.
Galactopedia - On-screen information about characters, ships, aliens and more!
Historical Documents: The Story of Galaxy Quest - Cast and filmmakers discuss how the film came together!
Never Give Up, Never Surrender: The Intrepid Crew of the NSEA Protector - Celebrates the incredibly talented cast!
By Grabthar's Hammer, What Amazing Effects - Explores the effects by ILM and Stan Winston!
Alien School: Creating the Thermian Race - Actor Enrico Colantoni's process of developing the voice and manner of an alien race!
Actors in Space - Delves into the psyche of the cast!
Sigourney Weaver Raps
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Paramount's Steelbook release of GALAXY QUEST is now available wherever Blu-rays are sold and should cost between $12 - $16! Get yourself a copy today from AMAZON or BULL MOOSE!
THE "SATANIC PANIC" OF THE 80S SEES A RESURGENCE IN THIS NEW HORROR-COMEDY PENNED BY GRADY HENDRIX AND DIRECTED BY CHELSEA STARDUST!
In my youth I was told stories of Devil-related kidnappings, animal (and child) sacrifices, and rituals by my parents and siblings - probably in an effort to scare me away from talking to strangers. That's about the largest affect the "Satanic Panic" had on my life. And it wasn't until my mid-to-late teens that I finally got to dip my toe into the films from that era like THE EXORCIST (and its sequels), THE CAR, RACE WITH THE DEVIL, THE OMEN films, WEREWOLVES ON WHEELS, and THE DEVIL'S RAIN (just to name a few)! What's funny is that the (completely unwarranted) fear of Satanic worship never really went away, and still inspires new books (by authors like Grady Hendrix) and films to this very day, like the aptly-titled SATANIC PANIC!
Synopsis: Sam Craft (Hayley Griffith) is a pizza delivery girl at the end of her financial rope that has to fight for
her life - and her tips - when her last order of the night turns out to
be high society Satanists in need of a virgin sacrifice!
Disc Specs:
Unrated | Color | 88 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Extras:
The Making of Satanic Panic featurette.(6:29)
Sam & Judi featurette. (5:00)
Girl Power featurette. (3:26)
Bonus Trailers
SATANIC PANIC arrives on Blu-ray (and DVD) on Tuesday, October 22nd, and should cost between $15 - $20! Order a copy today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!
WELL GO USA BRINGS ANDREW LAU'S MARTIAL ARTS FANTASY TO BLU-RAY DISC ON OCTOBER 8TH!
When I was reading about this movie, I kept saying to myself... "Who is Andrew Lau? Do they mean Andy Lau?! Has he gone through the same career metamorphosis as Lawrence (formerly Larry) Fishburne?!" Sadly no. Still, Andrew Lau is an accomplished Director and Cinematographer, so his 2018 film should at the very least, look phenomenal! And I personally am down for watching this - I mean, where else will you see martial arts bounty hunters chasing after a gremlin / baby Yeti in ancient China?!
Synopsis: Director Andrew Lau (THE GUILLOTINES, the INFERNAL AFFAIRS TRILOGY)
employs lavish special effects for the epic story of Ocean (Koo), an
animal trainer in the Ming Dynasty, who releases a gentle, gremlin-like
ball of fur he names Lucky into the world after he witnesses its
mistreatment by Crane, an evil eunuch. This infuriates Crane, who
immediately puts a huge bounty on both Ocean and Lucky's heads.
From all
corners of China, bounty hunters with the most diverse backgrounds and
masters of the martial arts sign up for the hunt. What they are unaware
of though, is that Lucky is harmless -- as long as he's happy … KUNG FU MONSTER also stars Zhou Dongyu (THE THOUSAND FACES OF DUNJIA), Haden Kuo (TINY TIMES trilogy), Cheney Chen (THE GREAT WALL), and Bao Bei'er (ZHONG KUI: SNOW GIRL AND THE DARK CRYSTAL).
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 104 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1)
Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Extras:
Making of Featurette
Trailers
KUNG FU MONSTER arrives on Blu-ray on Tuesday, October 8th, and should cost between $18 - $20! If you like fantastical adventure tales, historical epics, and/or martial arts movies get yourself a copy of KUNG FU MONSTER today from AMAZON or BULL MOOSE!
WOMB-RAIDING PARASITES, A DEMI-GOD'S TRIP TO HADES, AND ZOMBIE PROMS ARE JUST SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF KINO LORBER'S LATEST BLU-RAY TITLES!
GORE! PEPLUM! ROMANTIC ZOMBIE COMEDY! Kino Lorber is truly gifting us with an eclectic mix of films next week Vault Dwellers! BABY BLOOD (which also goes by THE EVIL WITHIN) involves a beautiful woman who has an unwelcome (and hungry) guest nestled within her womb! I had this (apparent) masterpiece on VHS back in the day, but never got around to watching it (a symptom of having too many movies)!
HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD was directed by Mario Bava and has bodybuilder Reg Park invading Hades to find a cure for his ailing Princess, and MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK features an undead Chris Lowery crawling from his grave to take Traci Lind on a date! (Can you blame him?!) If any of these have caught your interest, then continue onward to learn more about Kino Lorber's trio of new releases!
BABY BLOOD (1990)
Synopsis: It's Time to Feed the Baby! It is a voracious parasite from the dawn of creation, surviving centuries in search of the one thing it needs: to be born of a human. But when this cunning creature slithers inside a sexy circus performer (voluptuous French starlet Emmanuelle Escourrou - LADY BLOOD), it demands gallons of fresh blood to grow stronger. Now this reluctantly expectant mommy and her chatty mutant fetus are off on a cross-country killing spree, where pre-natal care means violent carnage and the ultimate mother's milk is BABY BLOOD!
Also known as THE EVIL WITHIN, and co-written and directed by Alain Robak (ADRENALINE), this French shocker is now presented totally uncut and uncensored with all its infamous womb-raiding, gore-spewing and flesh-baring beautifully restored in HD!
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 87 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English & French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
NEW! 2K REMASTER OF THE FILM!
NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian Lee Gambin and Film Critic Jarret Gahan!
Theatrical Trailer
BABY BLOOD arrives on Blu-ray (and DVD) on October 8th, and should cost you between $18 - $20! Order yourself a copy of this French creature feature now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from KINO LORBER!
HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD (1961)
Synopsis: When his beloved Princess Deianira (Leonora Ruffo) goes mad, strong man Hercules (Reg Park) turns to the oracle Medea for advice. Medea tells him to travel to the underworld and find the Stone of Forgetfulness, a mysterious crystal that will cure Deianira's ills. Along with his friend Theseus, Hercules ventures into the dark and foggy depths of Hades to find the stone. Meanwhile, Deianira's power-hungry uncle, Lico (Christopher Lee), plots to steal the throne that is her birthright.
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 91 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio - English & Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
NEW! 2K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE!
U.S. release version: Hercules in the Haunted World (with optional English SDH captions)
European release version: Vampire gegen Hercules; aka Ercole al
centro della Terra (Italian dialogue with optional English subtitles)
U.K. release version: Hercules at the Center of the Earth
NEW! Audio commentary by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark!
Interview with actor George Ardisson
U.S. theatrical trailer
U.K. theatrical trailer
While I'm not entirely sure how long each cut of HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD is, the fact they they are all included is super awesome! Along with the 2K transfer and audio commentary, this release is definitely worth the $20 - $23 pricetag! This Hercules adventure arrives on Tuesday, October 8th - If you're a fan of sword & sandal flicks, or just a Mario Bava fan in general, order this Blu-ray from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or KINO LORBER!
MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK (1993)
Synopsis: Teenager Johnny Dingle (Andrew Lowery - COLOR OF NIGHT) will do anything to keep his date with the hottest girl in school—even come back from the grave! You see, Johnny had the perfect scheme to win the heart of Missy McCloud (Traci Lind - CLASS OF 1999), the town beauty. Unfortunately, Johnny's scam goes sour and he winds up dead. Even so, Johnny's determined to keep his date - unaware of the hilarity waiting for him upon his return.
Disc Specs:
Rated PG-13 | Color | 85 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1?)
Audio - ?
Extras:
NEW! Audio Commentary by Director Bob Balaban with Actors Mary Beth Hurt and Austin Pendleton!
NEW! Interview with Star Andrew Lowery!
NEW! Interview with Director Bob Balaban!
NEW! Interview with Composer Harry Manfredini!
NEW! Interview with Actor Austin Pendleton!
Reversible Art
Theatrical Trailer
Unfortunately I couldn't find much info about the audio & video on this release Vault Dwellers! This title was previously released by Mill Creek Entertainment so Kino's disc will either be on par, or likely better than what Mill Creek offered up! And along with the heap o' new extras on this release, fans of this film won't mind paying $18 - $20 for it! MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK (SPECIAL EDITION) will be available on Tuesday, October 8th - order a copy today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from KINO LORBER!
NEW HORROR-COMEDY "LITTLE MONSTERS" COMES TO SELECT THEATERS ON OCTOBER 8TH - STREAMS EXCLUSIVELY ON HULU ON OCTOBER 11TH!
I recall seeing the first trailer for LITTLE MONSTERS a while back and thinking "this looks fun!" And then I lost track of the movie, and failed to give it a second thought.... UNTIL TODAY! Thankfully some genius PR-rep sent me an e-mail reminder so I won't miss out on this new Horror-Comedy! Unfortunately LITTLE MONSTERS is not playing theatrically in my neck of the woods on October 8th (you can check HERE to see if there's a screening near you!), so I'll just have to check it out next week on Hulu!
Synopsis: Dave (ALEXANDER ENGLAND), a washed-up musician, volunteers to chaperone his nephew’s kindergarten field trip after taking a shine to the plucky schoolteacher, Miss Caroline (LUPITA NYONG’O). Dave’s intentions are complicated by the presence of world-famous child entertainer and competitor for Miss Caroline’s affections, Teddy McGiggle (JOSH GAD). One thing none of them bargained for, however, is a sudden zombie outbreak, from which Dave and Miss Caroline must protect the children. Stills & Trailer: (Click on images to enlarge them.)
LITTLE MONSTERS will play theatrically ONE NIGHT ONLY on October 8th (again go HERE to see if it's playing near you) and then debuts on Hulu's streaming service on October 11th. There's no word yet on a physical media release, but I'd be very surprised if this movie didn't come to DVD & Blu-ray in the near future!
PICK UP THESE NEW 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY TITLES TO VISIT FANTASTICAL WORLDS, EXPERIENCE A KILLER CASE OF WRITER'S BLOCK, AND WITNESS (ARGUABLY) THE GREATEST CELEBRITY CAMEO EVER!
It's weeks like this, where I'm glad I snagged a 4K Blu-ray player Vault Dwellers! Guillermo del Toro's PAN'S LABYRINTH is an equally beautiful and haunting fairy tale, about a young girl escaping the horrors of the real world, by exploring the fantastical ones in her imagination! Kubrick's THE SHINING is a brilliant descent into madness that has earned its status as a Horror classic, and ZOMBIELAND is a fun take on a tired Horror sub-genre with one of the absolute greatest celebrity cameos of all time! And now all three of these great films area available on 4K UHD! Let's take a closer look, shall we?
PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006)
Synopsis: Following a bloody civil war, young Ofelia enters a world of unimaginable cruelty when she moves in with her new stepfather, a tyrannical military officer. Armed with only her imagination, Ofelia discovers a mysterious labyrinth and meets a faun who sets her on a path to saving herself and her ailing mother. But soon, the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur, and before Ofelia can turn back, she finds herself at the center of a ferocious battle between good and evil.
Written, produced, and directed by Guillermo del Toro (HELLBOY, PACIFIC RIM, THE SHAPE OF WATER), PAN'S LABYRINTH premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival where it received a 22-minute standing ovation, followed by its North American premiere at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival. The critically-acclaimed film won multiple awards, including three Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, the Ariel Award for Best Picture, the Saturn Award for Best International Film, and the 2007 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form. The film also appeared on more than 20 critic's top ten lists for 2006.
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 119 minutes | Region Free
Video - 2160p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Extras:
Audio commentary by Guillermo del Toro.
Video prologue by Guillermo del Toro.
The Power of Myth
The Faun and the Fairies
The Color and the Shape
The Director's Notebook
PAN'S LABYRINTH apparently look and sounds amazing on the 4K Ultra HD format so I can't wait to eventually add it to my collection and see for myself. The disc currently costs between $25 - $32, and can easily be obtained from AMAZON or BULL MOOSE!
THE SHINING (1980)
Synopsis: Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes the winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer's block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack's writing goes nowhere and Danny's visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel's dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family.
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 146 minutes | Region Free
Video - 2160p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 & Dolby Digital 2.0 (Also contains French, German, Polish, & Spanish 5.1 tracks, plus an Italian 2.0 track.)
Extras:
NEW! 4K RESTORATION OF STANLEY KUBRICK'S 146 MINUTE VERSION OF THE FILM!
Audio commentary by Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown and Stanley Kubrick biographer John Baxter!
Video from the Overlook: Crafting The Shining
Enter the terrifying world of the Overlook Hotel as only Stanley Kubrick could envision it!
The Visions of Stanley Kubrick
A detailed look at one of cinema's greatest visual
storytellers and his unique ability to move audiences through the magic
of unforgettable images!
The Making of The Shining
This cinema verite documentary offers a rare glimpse
into the directing style of Stanley Kubrick as he interacts with stars
Jack Nicholson, Shelly Duvall, and others!
Wendy Carlos, Composer
Composer Wendy Carlos reflects on working with complex
auteur Stanley Kubrick and developing music scores for The Shining and A
Clockwork Orange!
Warner Bros.' new restoration of THE SHINING is now available to purchase, and should cost between $25 - $35! Though all the extras have been ported over from the previous Blu-ray release (minus the trailer), the picture quality alone makes this worth owning! Get yourself a copy of THE SHINING 4K UHD disc now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!
ZOMBIELAND (2009)
Synopsis: Nerdy college student Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has survived the plague that has turned mankind into flesh-devouring zombies because he's scared of just about everything. Gun-toting, Twinkie-loving Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) has no fears. Together, they are about to stare down their most horrifying challenge yet: each other's company. Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin co-star in this double-hitting, head-smashing comedy.
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 88 minutes | Region Free
Video - 2160p Widescreen (2.40:1)
Audio - English Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1, & DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (+ various other languages in Dolby Digital 5.1)
Extras:
DISC ONE
NEW! HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM EXCLUSIVE DOLBY ATMOS TRACK!
NEW! Raised From the Dead: Zombieland A Decade Later
Behind the Scenes with the Cast and Crew of Zombieland!
Shootin' Zombies with Ruben Fleischer
Theatrical Trailer
DISC TWO
Beyond the Graveyard Picture-in-Picture Track!
Audio Commentary with Filmmakers and Cast!
In Search of Zombieland Featurette
Zombieland is Your Land Featurette
Deleted Scenes
Visual Effects Progression Scenes
Theatrical Promo Trailers
With ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP heading to theaters in a few short weeks, it's no surprise that Sony would give the original film some love. The 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of ZOMBIELAND is now available and should cost around $20! Get yourself a copy now from AMAZON or BULL MOOSE!
ROGER CORMAN'S "A BUCKET OF BLOOD" GETS A 4K REMASTER FOR ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY!
It's been a long time since I've watched A BUCKET OF BLOOD, but boy do I fond memories of it. The film was directed by Roger Corman, and features THAT GUY DICK MILLER as a wannabee artist who literally turns murder into an art form, passing off his victims as twisted sculptures! Olive Films has gone all out for this release, giving Corman's cult classic a 4K remaster plus numerous extras (including the heavily-truncated "Super 8" version)! If you love this movie as much as I do, this is unquestionably a must-have! For those of you who are unfamiliar with this film and need a little convincing, please continue onward.
Synopsis: In honor of its 60th anniversary, this Olive Signature edition of A BUCKET OF BLOOD celebrates the film's enduring legacy. Shot in five days on a shoestring budget of $50,000, A BUCKET OF BLOOD remains one of the most iconic collaborations between Roger Corman and Dick Miller, and has rightfully earned its "cult classic" status.
With A BUCKET OF BLOOD the multi-talented Roger Corman singlehandedly created his own genre hyphenate: the black-comedy-beatnik-culture-horror film. Dick Miller (GREMLINS, THE TRIP) stars as Walter, a busboy at the hep-cat hangout the Yellow Door Café who dreams of artistic greatness. Inspired by the scribes and artists who surround him, Walter is introduced to the world of sculpture quite literally by accident – thanks to thin walls and a sharp steak knife.
From his very first piece – the aptly titled "Dead Cat" – Walter is hailed a genius by the art snob set, a wunderkind who, unbeknownst to his doting devotees, has raised murder to the level of high art. But when the tortured artist turns his creativity towards the human form, he's sure to make their blood run cold.
Rounding out the cast are Barboura Morris (THE TRIP, THE HAUNTED PALACE) as Carla, the woman of Walter's dreams; Bert Convy (SEMI-TOUGH) as undercover cop Lou Raby; Antony Carbone (THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM) as Leonard, owner of the Yellow Door; and Julian Burton (THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH) as Maxwell, the Yellow Door's resident poet-philosopher.
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Black & White | 66 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
NEW! 4K REMASTER OF THE FILM!
Creation Is. All Else is Not – Roger Corman on A Bucket of Blood.
Call Me Paisley – Dick and Lainie Miller on A Bucket of Blood.
Audio commentary by Elijah Drenner, director of That Guy Dick Miller!
Archival audio interview with screenwriter Charles B. Griffith!
Bits of Bucket – Visual essay comparing the original script to the finished film!
Essay by Caelum Vatnsdal, author of You Don't Know Me, But You Love Me: The Lives of Dick Miller!
Rare prologue from German release!
Super 8 "digest" version
Theatrical trailer
German theatrical trailer
Gallery of newly-discovered on-set photography
Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the new cover art for this release, but I can live with it because so much love went into everything else! The new 4K transfer alone is reason enough to upgrade from my old MGM DVD! The Olive Signature edition of A BUCKET OF BLOOD arrives on Tuesday, September 24th and should cost between $28 - $30. You can secure yourself a copy of this Corman classic now from AMAZON or BULL MOOSE!
TRANNIES BATTLE THE UNDEAD IN DIRECTOR ISRAEL LUNA'S LATEST FEATURE-LENGTH MOVIE!
DEAD DON'T DIE IN DALLAS' long journey toward distribution is finally over! Shot across various cities in Texas over the course seventeen days back in 2013, the film was originally titled KICKING ZOMBIE ASS FOR JESUS and was stuck in limbo until its completion in 2017. And now, after six years (!!!) Israel Luna's long-awaited companion piece to his 2010 cult classic, TICKED-OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES has finally arrived on DVD!
Synopsis: After a miracle
pill intended to cure all infectious diseases, turns the people who took
it into flesh-craving mutant zombies, transgender hairdresser Beth-Anne Fetterman (Willam Belli - A STAR IS BORN) battles for survival against a
transphobic preacher in post-apocalyptic West Texas!
Additional Info: An openly gay filmmaker, Israel Luna made the film as a
creative response to the homophobic and transphobic messages made by
religious people over time. While covering religion and other topics,
Israel says the film isn’t “pro-gay” or “anti-religion” and that it’s a
movie for everyone.
Along with William Belli, DEAD DON'T DIE IN TEXAS also stars Krystal Summers
(TICKED-OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES), Richard Curtain (FRIGHT FLICK), Tom Zembrod (FROM THE DARK), Adam Kitchen (The Ex-Box), and introducing Angel Martinez as Philomena the “tough-as-nails lesbian
with a shotgun.” (Martinez who at the time was lesbian has since
transitioned into a male.)
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 91 minutes | Region 1
Video - 480p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - ?
Extras:
None.
DEAD DON'T DIE IN TEXAS just arrived on DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment and should cost between $18 - $30. You can pick it up now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, or directly from MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT. If that's a bit too rich for your blood, but you still want to see this film (and support indie film in the process) Luna's zombie epic is also available to rent or buy digitally at AMAZON!
Synopsis: Francesca always attracted weirdos. When one of her stalkers is found dead, she looks for comfort from her best friend, Maxi. Meanwhile, Maxi’s grandfather, Jack, a disgraced Rabbi, comes across a reclining chair containing a Dybbuk inside. Jack and his voodoo sorceress partner try to find out where the recliner has been delivered while exploring Jack’s newfound gift for communicating with the other world. Meanwhile the reclining chair becomes enchanted by Francesca and starts committing crimes of passion.
Stills & Trailer: (Click on images to enlarge them.)
KILLER SOFA's official release date has yet to be announced so expect further updates about this film as we receive more information Vault Dwellers!
WITCHES WILL GIVE YOU STITCHES IN ABIEL BRUHN AND JOHN ROCCO'S FEATURE LENGTH DIRECTORIAL DEBUT!
After a successful Kickstarter campaign helped fund completion of THE NIGHT SITTER, the film eventually worked it's way into several film festivals in 2018 before finally getting picked up for distribution by Uncork'd Entertainment this year! I've heard a lot of positive buzz about this one and aim to check it out in the near future, especially since these guys were inspired by filmmakers like Dario Argento, Brian Yuzna, and Stuart Gordon!
Synopsis: A scheming con artist (Elyse DuFour - The Walking Dead) poses
as "Amber," an innocent babysitter, to steal from Ted Hooper, a wealthy
occult enthusiast with a reclusive son named Kevin. Her crew arrives to
clean out the house just as Kevin stumbles upon one of his father's most
prized artifacts and unwittingly summons a trio of witches known as "The
Three Mothers." (A definite Argento nod.) As the playful, sadistic witches start picking people
off, Amber and Kevin form an unlikely bond and try to survive the night
together.
Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 89 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.39:1)
Audio - ?
Extras:
None? (Note: Information about this Blu-ray release if limited at this time, but if there are special features on the disc, I will update this post accordingly.)
THE NIGHT SITTER is currently available on DVD and VOD, but if you're holding out for the Blu-ray disc, you can get your paws on it on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 for $17.99! Support independent cinema and order a copy now from AMAZON!
