Some Things Shouldn't Be Disturbed.... THE BOOGENS Arrives on 4K UHD on January 30th!

 

JAMES L. CONWAY'S CLASSIC CREATURE FEATURE GETS A NEW 4K MAKEOVER FROM KINO LORBER STUDIO CLASSICS!

Originally released to Blu-ray by the now defunct Olive Films label (good riddance!), THE BOOGENS returns to the realm of physical media with an all-new 4K restoration from Kino Lorber on Tuesday, January 30th! Initially I was not a fan of this low-budget creature feature, but after seeing it at a past Exhumed Films 24-Hour Horrorthon with a crowd, I had a complete change of heart!

With its unique carnivorous cave-dwelling critters, likeable cast, and talented canine actor (Tiger!), THE BOOGENS hits all the right notes and has rightfully earned a cult following over the past few decades! And now the time has come for those of us who already own the previous Olive Films' disc to make the important decision on whether to upgrade or be content with what we already have. Is THE BOOGENS worth the leap to 4K? Well, let's examine what this new disc offers up and then make an informed decision fellow collectors!

Synopsis: In a small town near Denver, two young men explore a long-abandoned mine recently re-opened by a group of miners, leading to horrifying consequences. Unaware of the evil that has been unleashed, soon, one by one, people begin to disappear! The grisly truth is eventually revealed and a young couple is forced to confront the unknown in order to save their lives… and the entire town! After 100 years they have reawakened… Prepare to meet THE BOOGENS!

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 96 minutes | 4K UHD: Region Free - Blu-ray: Region A
Video - 4K UHD: 2160p (HDR10) - Blu-ray: 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English 5.1 Surround & Lossless 2.0 Audio


Extras:

Reversible Cover Art.

DISC ONE (4K UHD)

• NEW! 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE (DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM)!
• NEW! Audio Commentary by Actor Jeff Harlan and Film Historian Howard S. Berger!
• 2012 Audio Commentary by Director James Conway, Writer David O'Malley, and Actress Rebecca Balding, Moderated by Jeff McKay!

DISC TWO (BLU-RAY)

• NEW! 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE!
• NEW! Audio Commentary by Actor Jeff Harlan and Film Historian Howard S. Berger!
• 2012 Audio Commentary by Director James Conway, Writer David O'Malley, and Actress Rebecca Balding, Moderated by Jeff McKay!
• William Munns: The Man Who Made The Boogens: Featurette by Howard S. Berger with Boogens Creature Designer William Munns!
• Theatrical Trailer
• Two TV Spots

 
NOTE: The first run of this Limited Edition release of THE BOOGENS will also include reversible cover art and an O-Card Slipcase!

Kino's shiny new 2-disc 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo of THE BOOGENS should cost between $25 - $40 and (as stated earlier) will be available on January 30th! While I think there's enough new stuff to warrante an upgrade, I'm likely going to hold off on getting a copy at the moment (biding my time until the next big Kino sale). But don't let that stop you from adding THE BOOGENS to your personal movie collection gang! Treat yourself and order a copy now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from KINO LORBER! 

And for those of you who don't yet own a 4K player, don't sweat it: THE BOOGENS will be also be released on Blu-ray disc on the same day!

WANTED ON BLU-RAY: METAMORPHOSIS - THE ALIEN FACTOR (1990)

  WANTED ON BLU-RAY:
METAMORPHOSIS: THE ALIEN FACTOR (1990)

Rated R | Color | 98 minutes

Back in my mid-to-late teens there was a wondrous place called Hollywood Liquidators (R.I.P.) that bought out VHS stock (and later DVDs) from various rental chain stores that were closing, and sold them at relatively low prices! It's because of this shop that my VHS collection grew as quickly as it did, and is also how I discovered so many hidden (and forgotten) gems, including today's addition to the Wanted on Blu-ray column: METAMORPHOSIS - THE ALIEN FACTOR (aka THE ALIEN FACTOR).

Not to be mistaken for that other 1990 film titled METAMORPHOSIS that was directed by George Eastman (or the documentary METAMORHPOSIS: MAN INTO WOMAN, or Branko Ranitovic's short film METAMORPHOSIS) THE ALIEN FACTOR was initially planned by Ted A. Bohus as a sequel to the excellent indie sci-fi/horror film THE DEADLY SPAWN. However, much like a hapless character in the movie, THE ALIEN FACTOR rapidly mutated into something different altogether and would sadly vanish into relative obscurity.

Synopsis: A researcher at the Talos bio-lab is experimenting with alien bacteria, but gets careless and ends up getting bitten by one of the strange mutations he is studying. The resulting infection causes him to rapidly degenerate as his body painfully morphs into a disgusting human-shaped flesh-cocoon. Eventually a large carnivorous monstrosity bursts forth from the icky mass, leading to a gory, effects-laden reign of terror within the facility!

To be quite honest Vault Dwellers, it's been decades since I've seen this movie and I don't recall much about it, other than the special and visual effects which blew me away so many years ago! Along with puppetry and animatronics, there was a good amount of decent stop-motion animation involved to bring the main creature, and various smaller monstrosities, to life. And while this was definitely intended to be a DEADLY SPAWN followup, there were clearly other inspirations at work here including THE FLY & THE FLY II, John Carpenter's THE THING and even 1980's proto-PREDATOR classic WITHOUT WARNING!

John Carpenter's "Uncircimcised Thing."

 
This movie's scripting, acting, and casting aren't the main attraction. (Then again, when we're talking about movies like this, are they ever?!) The main reason, nay, the sole reason to seek this movie out is for the effects. METAMORPHOSIS: THE ALIEN FACTOR showcases the fantastic early efforts of a crew of makeup and special effects artists that are still actively working in the film industry today, and have films like THE RELIC,  THE FACULTY, and even CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER under their belts! For that reason alone this movie deserves to be given a high-def restoration dammit!

Availability: METAMORPHOSIS: THE ALIEN FACTOR hit VHS via Vidmark Entertainment on December 15th, 1993, and then on Laserdisc the following week! It would then surprisingly come to DVD thanks to Lionsgate, on February 19th, 2004! The disc (which is still in print as of my posting this!) showcases the film in a fullscreen (1.33:1) format and contains a trailer as the lone bonus feature! But if you don't want to spend $10 to own a copy, you could always watch a VHS rip of the movie on YouTube.


Current Rights Holder: Luckily this is an easy one! Production on DEADLY SPAWN II: METAMORPHOSIS began in 1987, but due to cash flow issues and several lawsuits, production was halted for a while. Eventually the film was completed, renamed, and released to VHS in Germany in late 1990! In 1991, THE ALIEN FACTOR was shopped around at various film festivals as the producers attempted to get theatrical distribution. 

In the end, Vidmark Entertainment (a subsidiary of Trimark Pictures) released the movie to VHS & Laserdisc in December of 1993. Trimark, who apparently owned the domestic rights to the film in perpetuity, merged with Lionsgate  in the year 2000! This means that METAMORPHOSIS: THE ALIEN FACTOR not only has a forever home, but could very well become part of the Vestron Video Collector's Series in the future!

That Blu-ray announcement is creeping up on us right now like a phallic space mutant! I just know it is!

 
Blu-ray Wishlist:

• A new 2K restoration of the film from the best film elements available! I'm not sure if METAMORPHOSIS was shot in widescreen, but that would be preferable to the currently available fullscreen release!
• Audio commentary with Director Glenn Takakjian!
• Making-of documentary chronicling METAMORPHOSIS' troubled production, and its wonderfully gooey effects!
  
• Cast & crew interviews, particularly with the special effects and makeup effects artists!
• Deleted & extended scenes (if any exist)!
• Galleries featuring production artwork, storyboards, behind-the-scenes photos, and promotional artwork!
• Theatrical trailer.

We are coming up on the 30th anniversary of this forgotten creature feature, and I think it would be awesome if an honest-to-goodness special edition Blu-ray was announced! I know I'm asking a lot with my wishlist (that's par for the course) but even if a mostly bare bones Blu-ray was released, I'd be a pretty happy camper! Until that day arrives, I'll just hope that the powers that be at Lionsgate somehow see this post and think "Hmm... yeah. Maybe we WILL cater to this lunatic and the people who read his blog!" 

Stay tuned for updates on the fate of METAMORPHOSIS: THE ALIEN FACTOR's Blu-ray debut, and further new additions in our continuing WANTED ON BLU-RAY series!

MVD Will Get You in the End With Their New 4K Collector's Edition of GHOULIES!

MVD ADDS THE INFAMOUS B-MOVIE CLASSIC TO THEIR NEW LASERVISION COLLECTION LABEL ON SEPTEMBER 12TH!

If you told me a year ago that the Charles Band-produced GHOULIES was going to receive a 4K UHD release, I probably would have scoffed at you. And yet, here we are! 

The little rubber monster classic that traumatized an entire generation of potty-training kids with its promotional campaign is now the second release in MVD's new "LaserVision Collection!" (The first one being Wes Craven's SWAMP THING!) Boasting an all new 4K restoration, this title (which was formerly released in a double feature set by Scream Factory) comes with a plethora of bonus features and, if you get it early enough, a new slipcover and mini-poster!

If you already own GHOULIES on another format but currently have your interest piqued, come with me on this journey to see if an upgrade to 4K is warranted! (Spoiler Alert: IT IS!)

Synopsis: Take a creepy old Hollywood mansion, a naïve young man and a pretty girl. Add an over-the-top orgy and some slimy, winged goblins who crawl out of toilets, and you have GHOULIES, a horrifying and hilarious ride into the darkest regions of hell! Conjured during a party thrown by the mansion's new owner, the hairy, fanged demons waste no time wreaking havoc on the scene - and declaring the unsuspecting owner their new lord and master!

Disc Specs:
Rated PG-13 | Color | 81 minutes | Region Free (4K UHD)/Region A (Blu-ray)
Video - 2160p & 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono

Extras:
DISC ONE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY DISC)

• NEW! 4K RESTORATION (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of the film!
• Archival 2015 Audio commentary with director Luca Bercovici!
• Archival 2016 Audio commentary by director Luca Bercovici moderated by Jason Andreasen of Terror Transmission!

DISC TWO (BLU-RAY DISC)

• NEW! 4K RESTORATION (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of the film!
• Archival 2015 Audio commentary with director Luca Bercovici!
• Archival 2016 Audio commentary by director Luca Bercovici moderated by Jason Andreasen of Terror Transmission!
• Video Introduction by Luca Bercovici!
• Editing an Empire: Interview with Ted Nicolau
• The Mind Is A Terrible Thing to Waste: Interview with Scott Thomson
• Just For The Chick Man: An interview with Luca Bercovici
• From Toilets to Terror: The Making of Ghoulies
• Photo Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
• 4 TV Spots 

Though there's nothing new as far as extras go, it is nice to get all of the previous bonus features that were created by Scream Factory and Umbrella Entertainment present on this release! MVD's 4K Collector's Edition of GHOULIES will debut on Tuesday, September 12th and should cost between $33 - $50! Snag a copy ASAP (especially if you want a slipcover and mini poster!) from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from MVD ENTERTAINMENT'S ONLINE STORE! 

Notes: For those of you who refuse to make the change over to 4K UHD, or just can't justify the current cost of this disc fear not - MVD is putting out a Collector's Edition Blu-ray the same day that's a little bit cheaper and has all of the same extras! I should also note that they're also releasing a Blu-ray of GHOULIES II (easily the best entry in the four-film series) the same day, with a 4K release planned sometime in 2024!

Code Red Respawns SLITHIS on Blu-ray Disc!

 

STEPHEN TRAXLER'S OBSCURE LOW-BUDGET CREATURE FEATURE MAKES ITS TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE BLU-RAY FORMAT!

SLITHIS (aka SPAWN OF THE SLITHIS) came across my radar decades ago when, you guessed it, I found a copy at a local video store! While it didn't quite blow me away back then, I admit that I enjoyed it a helluva lot more when I saw it in 35mm with a crowd at a pre-Covid film festival! (Sigh... those were the days...)

After decades of being forgotten, SLITHIS debuted on DVD in 2010, and finally arrived on Blu-ray disc 2017, when it was released as a limited edition title with a really cool slipcover! But now, four years later, the amphibious creature born of radioactive sludge has returned to occupy a spot in your movie collection! If you're a fan of films featuring men in rubbery monster suits then you'll definitely want to pick this one up Vault Dwellers!

Synopsis: Finally, nature unleashes its revenge! From the pollution of our nuclear waste came the killer we cannot destroy. Our worst nightmares come to life with the terrifying, scaly monster – SLITHIS! First this nuclear mutant killed household pets near the canals of Venice, California. Now it preys on old couples and a homeless rotund man sleeping in the public men’s room! In the tradition of JAWS, two outcasts, a teacher and a Jamaican sea-hunter, will take on the horrific monster to stop the slaughter! This mud monster creature is something out of those 50’s classics we love!

Disc Specs:
Rated PG | Color | 86 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

Extras:

• 2017 2K Scan of the Original Camera Negatives!
• Theatrical Trailer

Code Red's Blu-ray re-release of SLITHIS should cost between $18 - $23 and is currently available wherever Blu-ray discs are sold! Get yourself a copy today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, or RONIN FLIX!

Note: The film is Rated PG, but I distinctly remember there being some brief female nudity, particularly when the creature attacks a horny couple on a boat. I mention this to not only give you more incentive to own SLITHIS, but to also give those of you with kids a heads up!

Not All Aliens Come From Space - DEEP STAR SIX is Now Available on Blu-ray!

 

KINO LORBER STUDIO CLASSICS GIVES SEAN CUNNINGHAM'S UNDERWATER CREATURE FEATURE AN ALL NEW SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY RELEASE!

The year was 1989: THE ABYSS had come out and wowed audiences, and in short order four other films attempted to capitalize on the popularity of James Cameron's aquatic sci-fi epic: LEVIATHAN, THE RIFT (aka ENDLESS DESCENT), Roger Corman's LORDS OF THE DEEP, and Sean Cunningham's DEEP STAR SIX! Long out of print in any format, this oft-forgotten sci-fi thriller arrives on Blu-ray for the first time with a collectible cardboard slipcover and a slew of special features including cast & crew interviews, two audio commentaries, and more! If you're as excited as I am for this release, then keep reading to get all the details Vault Dwellers!

Synopsis: From producer/director Sean S. Cunningham, the creator of the FRIDAY THE 13TH and HOUSE films, comes this action-packed underwater sci-fi thriller starring Taurean Blacque (Hill Street Blues), Nancy Everhard (THE PUNISHER), Greg Evigan (B.J. and the Bear), Miguel Ferrer (ROBOCOP), Matt McCoy (THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE), Nia Peeples (NORTH SHORE), Cindy Pickett (FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF), and Marius Weyers (THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY).

Far below the surface of the unforgiving sea, the daring crew of DeepStar Six are explorers in a forbidding world of impenetrable darkness and unimaginable pressure. They have invaded the icy fathoms into which no human has ever ventured. Their mission is to establish a top secret Navy base on the ocean floor. But something’s down there and the crew of DeepStar Six are about to make a startling discovery—there’s no escape from the terror of the deep. DeepStar Six will plunge you into the depths of fear… save your last breath... to scream!

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 99 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo 

Extras:

• Audio Commentary with Director Sean S. Cunningham and Visual Effects Supervisor James Isaac! 
• Audio Commentary with Screenwriters Lewis Abernathy and Geof Miller! 
• Isolated Score Selections and Audio Interview with Composer Harry Manfredini!
• From the Deep - Interviews with Creature Effects & Special Make-up Designer Mark Shostrom, Creature Supervisor Greg Nicotero, and Creature Artist Robert Kurtzman! 
• The Survivors – Interviews with Actors Greg Evigan and Nancy Everhard! 
• Water Damage – An Interview with Stunt Coordinator Kane Hodder! 
• Original Electronic Press Kit
• Extended Vintage Interview Clips
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage
• Theatrical Trailer 
• TV Spot 
• Image Gallery 
• Limited Edition O-Card!
• Reversible Cover Art!

Yowza! That is way more love than I could have ever expected this film to get - good on you Kino Lorber! The Special Edition Blu-ray of DEEPSTAR SIX is now available to buy at most retailers and should cost between $18 - $30! Pick up a copy for your collection today from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or get it directly from KINO LORBER's online store!

MVD Rewind Collection Brings Cult Faves MIKEY and SPLIT SECOND to Blu-ray!

EVIL FOSTER KIDS AND A HEART-MUNCHING MONSTERS LURK WITH MVD REWIND'S TWO LATEST BLU-RAY RELEASES!

I've never seen MIKEY before (though I recall perusing the VHS cover a few times way back in the day) but I am super stoked to see that SPLIT SECOND (once a candidate for our WANTED ON BLU-RAY column) has finally made the leap to Blu-ray disc! Both films of these blasts from the past have built up a cult following, and gotten a lot of love from MVD Rewind Collection: MIKEY gets a brand new feature-length making-of documentary, while SPLIT SECOND gets a new 4K restoration plus hours of new cast & crew interviews! Want the full details of each? Then keep on reading Vault Dwellers!

MIKEY (COLLECTOR'S EDITION - 1992)

Synopsis: Mikey Kelvin (Brian Bonsall - BLANK CHECK, Family Ties) has been a bad boy, only nobody knows exactly how bad. Tragic and deadly "accidents" seem to happen all around Mikey. So, from foster family to foster family and from school to school he goes, leaving a trail of unanswered questions. Of course, everyone knows Mikey is just a sweet, misunderstood little boy. But… remember… Jason and Freddy were once kids too!

From the producers of POINT BREAK comes this cult classic horror film in the tradition of THE GOOD SON with an all-star supporting cast that includes Ashley Laurence (HELLRAISER & HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II), Josie Bissett (Melrose Place), Mimi Craven (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET), John Diehl (A TIME TO KILL), Whit Hertford (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD), and Lyman Ward (FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF).

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 92 minutes | Region Free
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - English LPCM 2.0 & Dolby Digital 2.0

Extras:

• NEW! The Making of Mikey - Feature Length Making of Documentary with star Brian Bonsall, Director Dennis Dimster-Denk, Editor and Producer Natan Zahavi and Director of Photography Thomas Jewett!
• NEW! Mikey: Anatomy of a Scene with Director Dennis Dimster-Denk!
• Theatrical Trailer (SD, 02:15)
• Collectible Mini-Poster
• Optional English subtitles for the main feature

MIKEY is now available wherever Blu-ray discs are sold, and should cost between $22 - $35! If you're a fan of this one (like Chad from THE HORROR MOVIE BBQ is) then pick up a copy right now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from MVD REWIND COLLECTION'S online store!

SPLIT SECOND  (1992)

Synopsis: In the year 2008, the cops are better armed than before, but nothing has prepared them for this. Swift, sharp-clawed and deadly, something moves among them on the streets, in the alleyways, on the rooftops, tearing out human hearts and devouring them. Maverick cop ''Harley'' Stone (Rutger Hauer - BLADE RUNNER, BLIND FURY, THE HITCHER) lost his partner to the beast, and now it looks like his girlfriend Michelle (Kim Cattrall - MANNEQUIN, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA) is next on the killer's list.

Even in the future, there aren't guns big enough to stop the creature's deadly force, but Stone has no choice. Teamed with rookie detective Durkin (Alastair Duncan - THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO), Stone must stalk the edge of his own sanity if he is to destroy the rampaging Evil on the outside and banish the very real demons within . . . It could all be over in a SPLIT SECOND.

Featuring special effects by Stephen Norrington (BLADE) and written by Gary Scott Thompson (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS), along with an all-star supporting cast that includes Academy Award Nominees Michael J. Pollard (TANGO & CASH) and Pete Postlethwaite (INCEPTION), this cult classic sci-fi thriller will have you on the edge of your seat!

Disc Specs: 
Rated R | Color | 90 & 95 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - English LPCM 2.0

Extras:

• NEW! 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM, COLOR GRADED FROM THE 35MM INTERPOSITIVE!
• NEW! Audio Commentary by action film historian Mike Leeder and filmmaker Arne Venema!
• NEW! ''Great Big Bloody Guns!'' Producer Laura Gregory & Actor Alastair (Neil) Duncan on Split Second! (HD, 27:25)
• NEW! Call Me Mr. Snips! -  An Interview with Composer Stephen W. Parsons!
• NEW! Stay In Line! - An Interview with Line Producer Laurie Borg!
• NEW! More Blood! - An Interview with Creature Effects Designer Cliff Wallace!
• NEW! Shoot Everything! - An Interview with Cinematographer Clive Tickner!
• Original 1992 Split Second Making of featurette that includes interviews with stars Rutger Hauer, Kim Cattrall, Alastair (Neil) Duncan, Michael J. Pollard, Writer Gary Scott Thompson and more!
• Original 1992 behind the scenes featurette with effects creator Stephen Norrington, cast and crew.
• Split Second Japanese Cut, full frame with burnt-in Japanese subtitles (Standard-definition - 95 minutes)
• Deleted Scenes from the Japanese Cut (English, burnt-in Japanese subtitles)
• 7 Promotional TV Clips
• U.S. VHS Home Video Promo
• Theatrical Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by The Dude Designs created exclusively for this release!
• Collectible Mini-Poster featuring original style VHS artwork!

SPLIT SECOND (featuring the kick-ass artwork of Thomas "The Dude Designs" Hodge) is now available wherever Blu-rays are sold and currently costs between $22 - $40! If you love over-the-top action movies and creature features (and Rutger Hauer!), you'll definitely want to pick up a copy of this one gang! Order SPLIT SECOND now from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from the MVD SHOP!

Scream Factory Wants to Hire You for the GRAVEYARD SHIFT in Late July!

STEPHEN KING'S "GRAVEYARD SHIFT" GETS ITS NORTH AMERICAN BLU-RAY DEBUT ON JULY 28TH!

Last September I mentioned GRAVEYARD SHIFT in an entry into my WANTED ON BLU-RAY column. Seeing as how Scream Factory was releasing a lot of Paramount titles, I made an educated guess that this oft-forgotten 90s Horror gem would end up in their catalog in the not too distant future.

And now, eght months later, I stand before you all with a big grin on my face because I WAS RIGHT! So get excited Vault Dwellers because in just over two months, we'll all get to enjoy this (very loose) adaptation of King's short story from his Night Shift anthology!

Synopsis: Workers clock in for their shift ... and clock out for good! From master storyteller Stephen King (Pet Sematary) comes his most terror-filled tale yet ...

When an abandoned textile mill is reopened, several employees meet mysterious deaths. The link between the killings is the hour: all occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. – the GRAVEYARD SHIFT. The sadistic mill foreman has chosen a group to clean up the mill's rat-infested basement. But what the workers find is a subterranean maze of tunnels leading to the cemetery – and an unimaginable horror that comes alive in the dead of night ...

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 89 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1?)
Audio - TBA

Extras:

• TBA

The bonus features for Scream Factory's GRAVEYARD SHIFT Blu-ray are still in progress as of my posting this, but I'll be sure to update this post as soon as that info has been supplied to me! In the meantime, you can guarantee a copy of GRAVEYARD SHIFT for your personal collection by ordering it now (for between $20 - $25) through AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.

Warner Archive Releases DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK to Blu-ray on October 22nd!

JOHN NEWLAND'S MADE-FOR-TV HORROR CLASSIC DEBUTS ON BLU-RAY WITH A NEW 4K REMASTER AND AUDIO COMMENTARY!

Confession time Vault Dwellers: I've never seen DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (though I have seen its remake)! Granted this movie aired on television ten years before I existed, and has a history of going in and out of print on a pretty regular basis, but damn it I should have seen it by now!

But I'm glad I waited because Warner Archive is finally bringing this much-loved made-for-TV horror tale to Blu-ray for the first time ever, remastered in 4K and sporting several audio commentaries! If you happened to grow up with this film and would like to take a trip down memory lane, join me in taking a closer look at its shiny new Blu-ray release!

Synopsis: An old house ... a mysterious locked room ... a terrifying secret. All of the elements that make a horror movie memorably chilling get a taut, spooky reworking in DON'T BE AFRAID FO THE DARK. Kim Darby (TRUE GRIT) and Jim Hutton (THE GREEN BERETS) star as Sally and Alex, young marrieds who inherit a crumbling mansion. Despite warnings to leave well enough alone in her new home, Sally unlocks the mysterious room, opens a bricked-up fireplace, and unleashes a horde of hideous, whispering, murderous, miniature demons only she can see and hear! This is the original TV movie that inspired the 2010 theatrical remake starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce.

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 74 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Fullscreen (1.33:1)
Audio -  English (2.0 Mono?)

Extras:

• NEW! 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGAITVE!
• NEW! Audio Commentary by Amanda Reyes (Made for TV Mayhem)!
• Audio Commentary by Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton (Dread Central), Screenwriter Jeffrey Reddick (FINAL DESTINATION, the 2008 DAY OF THE DEAD remake) and Sean Abley (Fangoria)!

Warner Archive's DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK Blu-ray will be available to own on Tuesday, October 22nd, and should cost between $18 - $22! Halloween is less than two weeks away, so treat (or trick) yourself, and pick up a copy of this  TV Horror classic from AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or from WBSHOP!

On September 24th, Owen Long's SEEDS Will Hatch!

FORBIDDEN LOVE AND CREEPY CRAWLY THINGS COLLIDE IN THIS NEW RELEASE FROM UNCORK'D ENTERTAINMENT!

This new movie looks like it's going to be quite icky Vault Dwellers! The film apparently contains some sort of tentacled/spider-legged menace, offers up a dash of body horror, and tops all that off with some good old-fashioned incest! All that aside, SEEDS doesn't look too shabby, and has been receiving positive reviews despite its discomforting subject matter. It had a limited theatrical release last weekend, and makes its DVD (and VOD) debut on September 24th!

Synopsis: After a night of debauchery spirals out of control, Marcus retreats to his family home along the New England coast. His solitude is disturbed when his brother asks Marcus to look after his estranged nephew and niece. As days pass, solace escapes him; he feels baited by a dark force. Is he losing his mind or has something terrible burrowed deep within him? Incubating. Waiting until the climate is right. Haunted by his deepest fears, Marcus struggles not to succumb as he fights to protect Lily, his beloved niece from a monster that lies in wait.

Director Owen Long’s SEEDS is a gothic horror about a man haunted by his dark past while pursuing some self-care on the New England coast. The film was written by Steven Weisman, and also stars Trevor Long (star of Netflix drama Ozark), Andrea Chen, Garr Long, and Kevin Breznahan.

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

SEEDS arrives on DVD and VOD on September 24th, but I cannot seem to find it listed at any major online retailers. I'll keep my eyes peeled, and update this post once that changes!

WANTED ON BLU-RAY: GRAVEYARD SHIFT (1990)

WANTED ON BLU-RAY: GRAVEYARD SHIFT (1990)

Rated R | Color | 89 minutes

UPDATE (08/20/2025): The Scream Factory release of GRAVEYARD SHIFT is now OOP. Luckily, Kino Lorber Studio Classics picked up the rights and has released this film on both Blu-ray and 4K UHD!

When I was growing up in my hometown of Scranton, PA between the late 80s / early 90s, there was an awesome mom & pop video store minutes away from the house called Electric City Video. With a cool sign (featuring neon pink lettering), its pleasant "video store smell" (a unique scent that can never be replicated), and impressive collection of Horror and Sci-Fi films on VHS. Sigh... it truly was heaven.

I always made sure to peruse the covers for the films that I wasn't allowed to watch, and how could I not? VHS covers were a definite art form, and beautifully designed to entice you to rent a movie. There were so many memorable VHS covers, but one that frequently caught my eye was Stephen King's GRAVEYARD SHIFT. The cyclopean skull with the bloody hardhat always drew me in.

I wouldn't actually get to see GRAVEYARD SHIFT until I was a teenager, when my uncle (a huge King fan that has since passed away) allowed me to borrow his VHS copy. While it didn't quite catch on with me then, I have since become a fan of this Stephen King adaptation, which is loosely based upon his short story of the same name. (It's one of the many tales contained in Night Shift!) With the upcoming theatrical release of DOCTOR SLEEP in November, plus the impending Blu-ray releases of THE SHINING (on 4K UHD), THE STAND (restored!), and SILVER BULLET (Collector's Edition!), I figure it's only a matter of time before GRAVEYARD SHIFT gets a physical media upgrade!

Synopsis: A drifter named John Hall (David Andrews - CHERRY 2000, FIGHT CLUB) gets hired at a rat-infested textile mill in Maine, that is run by an unhinged foreman named Warwick (Stephen Macht - THE MONSTER SQUAD, NIGHTWING). When asked to clean out the basement to make room for more office space, Hall and various other employees venture into the depths of the mill with Warwick, only to discover that rats aren't the only thing nesting beneath the ancient structure!

I'm starting to think Stephen Macht has an axe to grind against bats.

GRAVEYARD SHIFT also stars Andrew Divoff (WISHMASTER), Kelly Wolf (Tales From the Darkside), Brad Dourif (the voice of Chucky in the CHILD'S PLAY series), and Vic Polizos (C.H.U.D., NIGHT OF THE CREEPS, HARLEM NIGHTS), and features a team of special effects artists that are still actively working in Hollywood to this day! As far as book-to-film adaptions go, GRAVEYARD SHIFT is fairly accurate but makes some major changes in its third act, most likely due to budget constraints.

GRAVEYARD SHIFT is sole directorial effort of Ralph Singleton, who has spent most of his career producing films, including both PET SEMATARY movies and a pair of Eddie Murphy classics. His movie is a cool creature feature with a great cast, that totally embraces its own weirdness and absurdity. (In particular, that end credits "theme song" is SO bizarre!) By now, it surely has a large enough cult following to warrant an HD overhaul!

Availability: GRAVEYARD SHIFT is readily available on DVD and digital and super cheap to boot!

Current Rights Holder: This is an easy one for a change Vault Dwellers - Paramount owns the rights to GRAVEYARD SHIFT! And seeing as how Scream Factory has been dipping into the Paramount vaults as of late, I would not be shocked if they gave this movie its big Blu-ray debut!

"He's probably right you know."

Blu-ray Wishlist:

• New 4K restoration from an original 35mm film print! (But I'd settle for 2K!)
• Multiple cuts of the film: Theatrical, Director's Cut, & Network TV Edit.
• Audio commentary with Director Ralph S. Singleton!
• Deleted & Extended scenes (If no other cuts of the film are included.)
• Interview with voice actor Frank Welker (who provided sounds for the film's mon-star).
• Interviews with the cast and special effects crew!
• Trailers
• Poster & Stills Gallery

GRAVEYARD SHIFT's 30th Anniversary is next October, and I can't think of a better birthday gift for the film, than a nice Collector's Edition release! The movie pretty much broke even during its initial theatrical run, but I'm certain it quietly found an audience on VHS and late night cable TV since then. And hopefully somebody out there (cough, Scream Factory, cough) can find it in their heart to finally bring this oft-overlooked Stephen King fright flick to Blu-ray disc!

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!

THE GIANT BEHEMOTH Emerges from the Depths of the Warner Archives!

DIRECTOR EUGENE LOURIE'S CLASSIC MONSTER MOVIE ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY IN THIS ALL NEW RESTORATION!

I've always kind of considered THE GIANT BEHEMOTH (aka BEHEMOTH: THE SEA MONSTER) as the unloved younger stepbrother of THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS (which was also directed by Lourie). That being said, BEHEMOTH still holds a special place in my heart, as most monster movies do, and I am truly excited to see it newly remastered on Blu-ray disc!

Synopsis: As in his classic THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS, director Eugene Lourie (GORGO) plunges us into a thrilling stomping ground, unleashing another Thunder Lizard to stomp on everything in sight. Alarming levels of radiation have infused the water, plants, and skies, and a radiated Paleosaurus rises from the ocean depths.

In its path: London. In its arsenal: a strength to topple buildings (KING KONG's Willis O'Brien contributes rampaging stop-motion effects), a stride that flattens cars, a flesh-searing radioactive ray and a ticked-off attitude. Left in ruins on land, humankind takes the fight to the beast's undersea realm, where a two-man submarine crew must ensure the torpedo they fire is dead-on. The first chance is all anyone gets with THE GIANT BEHEMOTH.

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Black & White | 80 minutes | Region Free
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio - DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

Extras:

• NEW! 2019 REMASTER OF THE FILM!
• Audio Commentary by SFX veterans Phil Tippett and Dennis Muren!
• Vintage trailer.

Warner Archives' new Blu of THE GIANT BEHEMOTH is currently available to purchase at AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, or WBSHOP.COM, and should cost between $18 - $22. If you're a fan of classic monster-on-the-loose cinema, you need this in your collection!

Scream Factory Debuts the Completely Unrelated MUNCHIES & MUNCHIE on Blu-ray!

PERUVIAN ALIENS AND A MAGICAL CREATURE VOICED BY DOM DELUISE INHABIT SCREAM FACTORY'S NEWEST DOUBLE FEATURE!

I recall adoring MUNCHIES when I was kid, but I'll readily admit that this GREMLINS rip-off hasn't aged all that well. MUNCHIE I am less familiar with, but I know its sequel MUNCHIE STRIKES BACK pretty well. This is definitely a nostalgia-driven double feature Vault Dwellers, and I only recommend it if you have kids, are familiar with these films and want to revisit them, or are continuing the insanely impossible quest of owning every Scream Factory title!

MUNCHIES Synopsis: Archeologist Simon Watterman (Harvey Korman - BLAZING SADDLES, HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART I) discovers the Munchies while on an expedition in Peru. But Simon's evil twin, food entrepreneur Cecil Watterman (also Korman), won't let him enjoy his achievement. The snack food tycoon tries to abduct the Munchies to destroy his brother's career and take over his property. These junk food junkies prove to be too much to handle as they begin to menace the residents of a small town in any way they can. Move over ghoulies, ghosties and things that go bump in the night! The Munchies are here and they are bringing the fun with them!

Disc Specs:
Rated PG | Color | 83 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - ?

Extras:

• None.

MUNCHIE Synopsis: No friends. The new school sucks. And Mom (Loni Anderson) is in love with a sleazy lawyer (Andrew Stevens - THE TERROR WITHIN, 10 TO MIDNIGHT). Pretty bleak. That's how life looks to ten-year-old Gage (Jaime McEnnan - REMOTE CONTROL) when suddenly, into his world pops the magical Munchie (Dom DeLuise - CANNONBALL RUN, SPACEBALLS). Munchie is the ever-hungry and hilarious mysterious creature from another world who delivers flying pizzas and brings on the parties! With the help of Munchie and loony Professor Cruikshank (Arte Johnson), Gage evens the score on his school's bullies as well as his mom's boyfriend and has the greatest summer ever!

Disc Specs:
Rated PG | Color | 80 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - ?

Extras: 

• None.

Scream Factory's double feature of MUNCHIES and MUNCHIE is now available and costs between $24 - $25! Honestly I want this release but even I'm hard-pressed to spend that much, so here's hoping for a flash sale later on down the road! But if you can't contain your excitement and simply must have this double feature, order one now from AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.

Kino Lorber's 20th Anniversary Special Edition Blu-ray of DEEP RISING is Now Available!

STEPHEN SOMMERS' SUPER FUN CREATURE FEATURE RISES FROM THE DEPTHS WITH A 4K TRANSFER & IMPRESSIVE NUMBER OF EXTRAS!

DEEP RISING is a film that I've always had a soft spot for Vault Dwellers. Directed by Stephen Sommers (THE MUMMY, THE MUMMY RETURNS), this movie features tough-as-nail mercenaries trapped on a huge luxury liner that has been invaded by a truly unique sea monster. The effects still hold up surprisingly well, and the movie has a stellar cast, plus a soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith. This is a Grade-A Hollywood B-Movie, and I'm so happy that Kino Lorber gave this monster flick the love it so truly deserves!

Synopsis: Buckle up for edge-of-your-seat excitement with the explosive hit DEEP RISING! A band of ruthless hijackers seize the most luxurious cruise in the world only to find that all the passengers have mysteriously disappeared, but they are not alone. Something terrifying is lurking just out of sight – behind every deck and passageway: a deadly force from the unexplored depths of the ocean that begins to snatch the horrified intruders one by one!

Treat Williams (PRINCE OF THE CITY, THE PHANTOM) and sexy Famke Janssen (THE X-MEN TRILOGY) lead a group of survivors who must overcome incredible odds in their breathtaking battle to escape the doomed ship alive. Written and directed by Stephen Sommers (THE MUMMY, VAN HELSING) and featuring a stellar cast that includes Anthony Heald (THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS), Kevin J. O’Connor (COLOR OF NIGHT), Wes Studi (THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS), Jason Flemyng (LOCK, STOCK, AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS), Cliff Curtis (LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD), and Djimon Hounsou (AMISTAD).

Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 106 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (2.34:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio & 2.0 Lossless Stereo

Prepare to digest (not be digested by) hours of supplemental material!

Extras:

• NEW! 4K Remaster made from the original negatives! 
• Audio Commentary by Director Stephen Sommers and Editor Bob Ducsay.
• Interview with actor Wes Studi.
• Interview with actor Kevin O'Connor.
• Interview with actor Anthony Heald.
• Interview with second unit director Dean Cundey.
• Interview with VFX artist John Berton (ILM).
• Interview with VFX artist Van Ling. (Banned from the Ranch Entertainment) 
• Interview with Brad Proctor (SFX/Make-Up).
• Interview with Doug Morrow (SFX/Make-Up.
• Interview with Cinematographer Howard Atherton.
• ILM Behind-the-Scenes Extras (Animatic Sequence/Creature/Tests/Etc.) 
• Newly Commissioned Art by Jacob Phillips!
• Animated Image Gallery (Stills and Behind-the-Scenes) 
• Reversible Blu-ray Art 
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase 
• Theatrical Trailer 

Kino Lorber's 20th Anniversary Special Edition of DEEP RISING is now available wherever discs are sold! Until this movie makes the official leap to 4K, this is absolutely the definitive edition of this amazingly fun movie! DEEP RISING should cost between $18 - $20, and can easily be obtained from AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!

AGFA and Something Weird Unveil Their GODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS Blu-ray on July 10th!

"GODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS" EXITS OBSCURITY AND ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY WITH A 4K TRANSFER AND NEW EXTRAS!

In the long list of things I never thought I'd hear myself say.... GODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS hits Blu-ray tomorrow! Holy. Hell. I first discovered this cult oddity years ago when I picked up a cheap copy of Something Weird's DVD release of the film. To this day I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this tale of mutant sheep on the loose near a town that is forcibly trapped in the past by its mad mayor. Guess it's time to revisit it!

Synopsis: Gaseous vapors from an ancient mine cause the birth of a huge squealing embryo that is taken to the laboratory of a local mad doctor where it grows into a monstrous 8-foot mutant sheep. Got that? An 8-Foot Mutant Sheep! Meanwhile, the racist mayor of a historic Wild West tourist town attempts to thwart the efforts of a black man buying real estate by attempting to lynch him! Plans go awry, however, when the giant, wool-covered Lamb from Hell escapes from the doctor's lab and starts waddling across the countryside.

Spewing an orange phosphorous gas, the semi-prehistoric GODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS terrifies the population, blows up a gas station, and even "dances" with a deranged hippie chick until it's lassoed by cowboys. The mayor then startles everyone by putting "the damaged mongoloid beast" on display as "The 8th Wonder Of The World!"

"Dear God! WHAT am I? WHY am I?!"

Starring cult favorite Stuart Lancaster (MANTIS IN LACE) as the malignant Mayor Silverdale, filmed in Virginia City, Nevada (an actual U.S. national historical monument!), and mixing science fiction, satire, and politics, the ultra-obscure GODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS is easily one of the weirdest, wackiest, oddballest monster movies ever made!

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 89 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - 2.0 Mono (?)

Extras: 

• NEW! 4K Restoration of the film from the only surviving 35mm theatrical print!
• Rampaging monster trailers from the AGFA vaults!
• Berserker shorts from the Something Weird vaults!
• Bonus Movie: THE LEGEND OF BIGFOOT (1975), a new 2K scan from an original theatrical print!
• Reversible cover art with illustration by Shana Cleveland!

GODMONSTER OF INDIAN FLATS hits retailers on Tuesday, July 10th and should cost you $20! Get yourself a copy now from AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!

Surf the Devouring Waves With Code Red's New Blu-ray of Lamberto Bava's MONSTER SHARK!

LAMBERTO BAVA'S CLASSIC CREATURE FEATURE FINALLY GETS THE LOVE IT DESERVES THANKS TO CODE RED!

For years Lamberto Bava's MONSTER SHARK was only available to us via Mystery Science Theater 3000's hysterical episode under its alternate title of DEVILFISH. But now Code Red has unleashed the original "Sharktopus" to Blu-ray with a new HD transfer and I couldn't be happier!

Synopsis: The ocean depths unleash a bloodthirsty monstrosity in this cult classic monster favorite from Italy! A marine biologist (Michael Sopkiw, BLASTFIGHTER), a dolphin trainer (Valentine Monnier, 2019: AFTER THE FALL OF NEW YORK), a research scientist, and a local sheriff (Gianni Garko, THE PSYCHIC) try to hunt down a large sea monster, a shark/octopus hybrid, that’s devouring swimmers and fishermen off a south Florida coast.

Also starring William Berger (SABATA) and featuring a score by Fabio Frizzi (THE BEYOND), this aquatic nightmare was directed by Lamberto Bava (DEMONS) and co-written by Luigi Cozzi (STAR CRASH) and Sergio Martino (HANDS OF STEEL) -- and now you can see it bigger and bloodier than ever in a new HD scan!

Disc Specs:
Not Rated | Color | 94 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.66:1)
Audio - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

Extras:

• Audio commentary with actor Michael Sopkiw.
• Reversible cover art. 

Code Red's MONSTER SHARK Blu-ray is now available wherever Blu-ray discs are sold, and should cost you between $20 - $24. If you're a fan of Italian Horror and/or creature features, you should definitely snag a copy of this flick from AMAZON, BULLMOOSE, or DIABOLIK DVD!

Reverse cover art. [Click on image to enlarge.]