Friday, April 15, 2016

Earthrise (2014) - DVD Review - MVD Entertainment Group

Go Home. For the First Time.

Earthrise DVD cover


Released by: MVD Entertainment Group
Release Date: April 19, 2016 
Production Year: 2014
Region Code: 1
Running Time: 1:29:47
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Video: NTSC (1.85:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: None

Earthrise screen cap

 THE FILM - [ 2.5 / 5 ]:

99% of the human race has colonized on Mars. The remaining few work to rehabilitate our dying planet. Each year a small number are selected to return home to aid in the process. For those few, it will be their first glimpse of Earth. We follow them on their journey in this sci-fi psychological thriller. Go home. For the first time.

"Earthrise" takes place in the future where Earth has become uninhabitable and we require a new planet to call home. Mars. Years later a corporation called Revive is sending a sparse few lucky folks back to Earth to help "rehabilitate" the planet. Enter our trio of passengers and stars of the film, Marshall (Greg Earnest), Dawn (Meaghin Burke) and Vivian (Casey Dillard). While a few others appear in the film in minor roles, these three have to carry the film, which I think they did a good job with what they had to work with. 


I thought the film itself was average overall. It had some effective and moody scenes however it needed a little more substance to bump it up to the next level. The psychological thriller aspect of the film with its space setting reminded me of "Event Horizon" but this just wasn't nearly as exciting or gripping. The story does make you question what exactly is happening which helps put you in to the shoes of the main characters who also begin to question their mission and rules they are to follow once they arrive on Earth. When the crew begins to experience hallucinations, it only adds to the unease and distrust that occurs. 

For a film that was made for approximately $10,000 "Earthrise" comes off looking more professionally done than expected or should appear. It may not have spectacular set pieces but it does appear to have been wisely made to make the most of what was available. Those going in to the movie expecting lots of action will be disappointed but for those that are more interested in story and drama, a decent little film is waiting to be seen.
 

Earthrise screen cap

AUDIO - [ 3 / 5 ]:

The only audio option on the DVD is an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo track. The sound quality was above average with dialogue very easy to hear and understand. Sound effects were represented well and the score sounded crisp and its quality helped aid the often downbeat feel of the film. 

 

Earthrise screen cap


VIDEO - [ 3 / 5 ]:

"Earthrise" comes home on DVD thanks to MVD Entertainment Group. The film is in the NTSC format with a 1.85 Aspect Ratio. While the bulk of the film is full of grays and browns, the picture quality still looks nice and when other colors do appear, they typically stand out among the sea of drab colors. The level of detail is relatively sharp. Overall, a quite pleasing display of quality for a low budget film on DVD. 

 

Earthrise screen cap


SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 1.5 / 5 ]:

Audio Commentary - Director and writer Glenn Payne is joined by star Casey Dillard (Vivian). The two mostly discuss scene specific topics throughout the commentary but do also offer some tidbits of information regarding the cast and production. Some insight is given in to what the intention was behind some scenes or shots in the film as well as behind the scenes stories.

Trailer (1:58)


OVERALL RATING - [ 2.5 / 5 ]




 

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Monday, April 11, 2016

Interview with Author, Illustrator and Genius, Angus Oblong.


A long time ago in a place far away from Vegas (Michigan) lived a girl named Michelle who read a book her best friend gave her called "Creepy Susie and 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children." She completely identified with the title character in the book, and she's been "Creepie Suzie" on the interwebs ever since. Yeah, that's yours truly and after many, many years I had the opportunity to virtually speak with the author, iconic illustrator and producer. Also known as the only person in the world that has never met me, but truly gets who I am on the inside.  

If you haven't read the book yet, (You need to right away.) you probably are familiar with his cartoon called "The Oblongs" which has been featured on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim and WB, and is now available on DVD. Or you may have seen Angus as a guest at one of the many conventions and art shows he attends. 

Note: This wasn't a live interview, and normally I would clean up an emailed interview to make it look like we're having a conversation. I couldn't make any edits to this though; it was too funny. (I had tears I was laughing so hard.) So you're reading Angus just as he sent it to me. 


Body Count Rising: As a kid, you were a highly-medicated “Milo” type, and in fact, your character Milo was based on your youth…

Angus Oblong: I did base Milo Oblong on myself, but a bald version. Actually, Milo is a combination of me & a very dear human friend and now world famous artist, Jeremiah Maddock. Yes, I was heavily medicated as a child. At my peak I was taking 72 medications (just like Milo), but now I'm off of everything except for drugs and alcohol.

Body Count Rising: How do you feel about medicating children?

Angus Oblong: I do it quite often. It makes it easier to get them into the van.

Body Count Rising: How do you think you would be different if you were not medicated at that stage of life?

Angus Oblong: I often wonder that. And by 'that', I mean something entirely different. I often wonder if I'm dead. I read somewhere in a book (Does anyone reading this remember books? They're like online media but for people with an attention span.) I once read in a book that the deceased occasionally don't know they've died. And that freaks me out more than alligators and crocodiles freak out Sterling Archer. Whenever I think I might be dead, I do these tests, checking to see if I'm still alive. Like I drive. And if you can believe it, that is the best thing I could come up with to test that life still pulses through my veins. Vains? Shit. I can't believe I don't know whether it's veins or vains. I think it's veins. Vains isn't even a word. Vanity, however, is. So it's veins. Anyhow, ghosts can't drive.


Body Count Rising: When did you first realize you were brilliant? Did your teachers recognize and encourage your level of intelligence, or were you simply labeled as hyperactive and dismissed.

Angus Oblong: Oh stop. Brilliant? I don't think I'm… well, maybe a little bit brilliant. But not like those guys who work in the Apple stores. Their badges say "Genius." There's this guy who works at a nearby supermarket named Paul (The name badges thing reminded me of Paul.) Paul is clearly in his upper 90s! As in over 90 years old. He's spry and his mind is sharp. I'm obsessed with Paul. Thinking of being him for Halloween. Anyhow, at first, I wasn't sure if I should feel sad or glad that he was employed bagging my groceries, so I slyly asked his coworkers. Turns out he works because he wants to, not because he has to, so I was glad. Where was I going with this? Paul. Name badges. Apple dudes. Genius. Yes, you called me that. Ha. And now you can't take it back! Stupid bitch. 


Body Count Rising: Milo is immersed in a band of misfits and more than slightly imperfect people. How do you identify with the alternative crowd, and have you always?

Angus Oblong: I absolutely speak for the imperfects of this world! The ugly, the malformed, the too short by society's standards, the morbidly obese and even one color blind guy. I'm not a really big fan of poor people though, they're just so gross. 

Anyhow, when I first created the Milo's Clubhouse gang concept (Milo Oblong, Helga Phugly, Peggy Weggy & Mikey Butts), I wanted to give it a acronym, so I named them the Gang Of Odd Kids, or GOOK. Then my Chinaman friend said that "Gook" is a derogatory term for Chinamen, or the Orientals. So I scrapped that. You don't want to piss them off. They know Karate.

Body Count Rising: Why?

Angus Oblong: Why whut? Why do they know Karate? Because they're the Orientals. Duh. Or do you mean why do I prefer the company of those deemed societally lesser according to the “Debbies” of the world? Maybe because I was that kid who got stuffed into trash cans and lockers between classes and got beat up after school. But please, don't feel bad for me, because ala Kill Bill, I sought my revenge on them over the years, one at a time. I'm shitting into one guy's mouth as I type this. Hilarious. He's gagging. He hates this. 

Body Count Rising: Do you find this to be a sort of non-conformity?

Angus Oblong: What. That question? Yeah. Yeah I do.

Body Count Rising: You attended U.C. Berkeley. Did you major in Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Content, or anything related to your profession now?

Angus Oblong: Look, lady, I've had better than you try and figure out which student I was at UCB before changing my name to Angus Oblong. Dig deep. You will fail. 

That being said, I majored in Illustration.

Body Count Rising: What was your major?

Angus Oblong: I just told you. Are you retarded? Oh shit! In a previous question, while listing societal imperfects, I forgot to mention retards. I fucking LOVES me some retards. Not in, like, a sexual way. More like in a pure awe kind of way. I just can't look away when I see one. And I could sit and listen to a retard talk all day long and never get bored. If you're reading this and you have a retard, please please please loan it to me. I promise I will be nice to him. I just want to chill with one for hours & hours & hours.

Body Count Rising: Did you always know that you would create for a living?

Angus Oblong: Yeah. Uh-huh. I did. 


Body Count Rising: What would you consider your first breakthrough art piece, and when did you create it?

Angus Oblong: I guess writing and illustrating my book, "Creepy Susie and 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children." 

Fun fact about the origin of said book: Have you ever seen the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”? Well in that movie, Dr. Frank N. Furter puts on a floorshow in the middle of the night to an empty theatre. That was what I was doing when I wrote and illustrated Creepy Susie. I was making a book that [I thought] only I would enjoy. An act of pure decadence. But as I showed it around, it was enjoyed by the humans orbiting around me. And Alice (you don't know her) said, "Can I buy a copy of these stories?" You can't say “NO.” to Alice. She's -or she was at the time- a Stanford Professor. And so began my side job as a self-published author. Smash-cut to me getting the book published by Ballantine (a devision of Randomhouse) and then an animated series based on the book. So basically, Dr. Frank N. Furter inspired my career and life path. Although I do not wear fishnet stockings. Anymore. 


Body Count Rising: I understand that you never go out in public without makeup. (I know the feeling!) How much of “Angus Oblong” is persona and how much is the real you?

Angus Oblong: Let me hand the keyboard over to my friend who happens to be in the room. Here he is. He will tell you the truth. And I promise to not edit anything he says. Here goes. This is my human friend, Brandon:

Hi. Brandon here. I feel the raw power of what I am about do divulge here as Angus glares at me from the couch across the room. Honestly, I think he would murder me if I said the wrong things. You really should see the look he's giving me. It's not what you want to find standing at the foot of your bed at night. Angus Oblong is a humanitarian. He gives to charities and (Charity is a hooker by the way.) he helps people whenever he can. His home is immaculate and completely clutter free. He has impeccable taste in clothes and his feet don't smell baaaad at all. And he would never put his smelly feet on your face (Yes ON!) while you're passed out on his couch.

He says I can keep going. OK honestly, he's awesome. I've never known a more down to earth guy. He's friendly and he's cool. He's generous and only completely selfish about 20% of the time.

As far as the makeup goes, he goes without it a lot. But only allows the pics of him with it on to go online. I think he only wears it when he's out doing public appearances. And you would probably never recognize him out of it. It's kind of an amazing thing he's created with this clown persona. I wish I had thought of it first. Brandon out! 

Body Count Rising: Is your name legally “Angus Oblong” and will they let you wear your red nose at the DMV to get your picture taken? I mean they don’t make me wash my face for the picture, so I would think that would be discriminatory if they made you take off your makeup…

Angus Oblong: I'm back. I just read what Brandon wrote. It really could have been worse. I thought I'd actually be editing it but I'm only going to correct his spelling. No, you know what? I'm NOT correcting it because I want everyone to see how fucking stupid he is. Even though he said mostly nice things about me. What was the question on the table? Oh, legal shit. Yes to all of your legal questions. I mean no. No to them all.

Body Count Rising: I know you said you do EVERYTHING in full make up and even your closest friends have not seen you without it. Could you please share an experience where that hasn’t worked out so well for you?

Angus Oblong: Readers, this interview is being done with an emailed list of questions. This is not a phone interview. So don't be thinking, "Bitch, he JUST SAID he don't do da makeup ALL DA TIME! Sheeet." (Say that out loud. You'll sound like a big fat black woman.)

Body Count Rising: When has the clown makeup not worked out so well?

Angus Oblong: Hmm. Well once I couldn't get into a strip club with it. And it's hard to buy booze with it on. Oh! And Las Vegas casinos HATE when I wear it. Throws off their face scanner surveillance. Did you know that as you walk through Vegas casinos, there are teams of humans behind two-way glass using extremely up to date face scanning technology to know who you are? It's kind of creepy. Maybe a tiny bit comforting in that those red-flagged as terrorists never again will emerge from their rooms because Homeland Security enters and murders them with scissors. That's how I imagine Homeland Security taking people out. With scissors. 

Body Count Rising: Do you lead a double life as some make-up free guy out and about in the world?

Angus Oblong: Let me rephrase the question to, "Angus. Do you ever go into thrift stores and sniff the crotches of the little boys' shorts that have been donated?"

The answer is no. No I do not.

Body Count Rising: When did you first decide to paint on the face and why?

Angus Oblong: You are obsessed with the clown makeup!

Body Count Rising: Has the make-up design changed over time?

Angus Oblong: See?

Body Count Rising: Why a clown?

Angus Oblong: See?

Body Count Rising: How many noses do you own?

Angus Oblong: See? (Four.)

Body Count Rising: Do you wear a nose even when you have a cold?

Angus Oblong: See? Obsessed.

Body Count Rising: Do you ever get snot in your clown nose?

Angus Oblong: Yeah. 


Body Count Rising: Do you ever get festive and decorate any other parts of you body?

Angus Oblong: I occasionally paint my toenails. Green. But those moments are only for when I'm with my dear friend, Tim Godek. We have vowed to retire together, living in a house with a lanai and eating cheesecake in the middle of the night. Anyhow, whenever Tim and I get together, the first thing we do is paint our toenails green. Glitter green. I only get to hang with Tim once every few years which sucks. I'm looking forward to retirement. If I make it that far. But I'll probably be dead by 40. 


Body Count Rising: Do you get your humor from your parents?

Angus Oblong: yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Sorry, there was gunk on the Y of my keyboard and that was me cleaning it off. I think it was chocolate. Bear with me, there's still some on there. y7h77u Got it. Now where were we? Oh, my parents. Them. Why do you bring them into this?

Body Count Rising: Are you a dog guy or a cat guy?

Angus Oblong: Pigs. Currently I have a pig named Pugsley. He's 6 1/2 years old, lazy, fat and kind of useless, but very cute. And I'm thinking of getting a hamster. Or maybe a bunch of hamsters. I've got all this Habitrail I've been buying up in preparation. I want a little hamster city in my home. I'll call it Hamster Village or something stupid like that.

Body Count Rising: Do you have any pets?

Angus Oblong: Yes. Pugsley. 

Body Count Rising: If yes, what?

Angus Oblong: He's a pig. I just said that.

Body Count Rising: Pics?

Angus Oblong: Yes. I have many, thank you for asking. 


Body Count Rising: “The Oblongs” TV series is vastly different than your initial vision of the characters in your book “Creepy Susie and 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children.” For instance, the character Creepy Susie is less homicidal and more a depressed goth-type. As Supervising Producer for the series, did this cause a rift, or was the humor purposely lightened to appeal to a wider audience?

Angus Oblong: The purposely thing.

Body Count Rising: Who was your nemesis with regard to thwarting your vision, and have they now been destroyed?

Angus Oblong: I planted a lemon tree over his remains and now my lemonade is so much more satisfying. 

Body Count Rising: I love and identify with Susie’s confusion about emotion and feelings. After I read “Creepy Susie and 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children” I thought, “Wow… This guy really gets me!” In a collection of short stories you fleshed out every character and not only gave them a lot of personality, but made them endearing. Does this ability come naturally to you, or did you revise your book numerous times until you came up with the very succinct version that we know today? 


Angus Oblong: Very few revisions were made from the self-published versions to the one you hold now. I redrew some of the stories when the publishing deal happened. 

After the Creepy Susie book was a huge hit (It was on the New York Times Best Seller List at #1! But only for one week. Then never again. And it was up for a Bram Stoker Award against one of the Harry Potter books. J.K Rowling won of course.) 

Where was I? So I wrote & illustrated a follow-up book called "13 More Tragic Tales for Ugly Children." But my publisher and editor said, "Angus, we can't publish this. You've gone too far." Ha! So it's available at www.AngusOblong.com in self-published form. I honestly thought that going too far was what was expected in a follow-up book. Am I wrong?

Fun fact about the title of “13 More Tragic Tales for Ugly Children” book.: Women were buying my Creepy Susie book for their troubled children then giving to them, thinking it was some sort of self-help book. Without reading it themselves! THEN would write mean letters to the publishers and to me. I have some of these letters framed and hanging on my wall. (If you haven't read my Creepy Susie book, it's a series of short illustrated stories about ugly, pathetic and deformed children who lead sad lives then die. It's hilarious.)

So I named the 2nd book 'For Ugly Children' as opposed to 'For Troubled Children' thinking, "Now there's no way they'll buy this for their kids." Angry women are just.. just awful things. 


Body Count Rising: How do you think this band of misfits would be treated in today’s society? Or are they a direct reflection of today’s society?

Angus Oblong: They would be treated badly of course. But that's what they get for being different.

Body Count Rising: You had stated that people-watching inspires you. Buddy Giovinazzo’s “Life is Hot in Cracktown” is a series of dire, humorless vignettes of life on the streets of New York that he directly observed, paired with a strong social commentary. You had stated that we should not take any of your works seriously, but I can’t help but feel there is also a strong social commentary coupled with humor; black demented humor, but still humor. I feel they’re strangely comparable. Am I completely off base here, or is there something to that?

Angus Oblong: I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. Something about New York? I've been there before. Very crowded. I was even mugged there once.

Body Count Rising: You also have six other books, you’ve produced and directed; I know you said you were working on a novel, and you’re doing art shows as well as personally commissioned pieces. Of these, which talent are you most passionate about and why?

Angus Oblong: I'd have to say writing & illustrating books is my biggest passion. Also I love making original artwork. (You can always find original pieces for sale at www.AngusOblong.com in the Gallery section.) I've just started a new book; loads of illustrations with some text. It'll look and act like a children's book, but with all the flies and death and stuff, it's really for the adults. 


Body Count Rising: What’s the strangest piece that someone commissioned you to create?

Angus Oblong: I get couples who commission me to draw them fucking. And one lady had me draw her being raped by a biker. I drew her screaming during the rape. I mean, one can't really enjoy being raped, can one?

Body Count Rising: Have you ever had to decline a job that made you uncomfortable?

Angus Oblong: Probably.

Body Count Rising: What’s your secret talent?

Angus Oblong: My secret talent? It's a secret.

Body Count Rising: So like I said, I fell in love with Creepy Susie and for about 20 years I’ve been “Creepie Suzie” online as an homage to you and your art. I had no idea that one day I’d be actually speaking with you! (Insert fangirl gush here.) Are you ok with me being a fan and using a permutation of the name, or are you really fucking annoyed with me? In which case I will stop immediately. I would never want to piss you off. Quite the opposite. I think you’re a genius and I love telling people the story behind my screen name. It gives me an opportunity to talk about you!

Angus Oblong: No nooo, it doesn't piss me off at all. I love it! I also love when humans get tattoos of my artwork or change their last names to Oblong. When the show first came out, there were all these bootleg shirts of my characters being sold on eBay and of course I bought them all. I'm very giving when it comes to y'all using my characters for whatever. I think of it as free promotion! 


Body Count Rising: Speaking of fans, it would seem you are regularly accosted by a barrage of eager and often drunk fans. You must have some fun, or maybe not so fun stories from the conventions. Please do tell!

Angus Oblong: I don't only appear at conventions. But the first thing that comes to mind is: I'm in a hotel lobby after signing at a comic convention all day. I spot a priest! So I walk up to him, determined to be respectful, I say, "A clown and a priest walk into a bar..." To which he responds, "Which one of them fucks the other one in the ass?" It was floored. Are priests allowed to cuss? I'll ask a nun.

Body Count Rising: I know you get lots of goodies from your fans. What’s the oddest “gift” a fan has sent you?

Angus Oblong: A dead chicken. 


Body Count Rising: How many fingers am I holding up?

Angus Oblong: 4.

Body Count Rising: You’ve been reviewing films, products and services (Well, until Yelp kicked you off!) Since this is a horror, cult, sleaze and exploitation site, what’s your favorite horror, cult, exploitation or horror film?

Angus Oblong: You saw my Yelp reviews before Yelp politely asked me to stop? They removed me for 'irrelevant content.' Ha.

My favorite horror, cult, exploitation or horror film? You wrote horror twice. “The Cabin in the Woods”, “Silence of the Lambs” & Disney's “The Little Mermaid”. 

Body Count Rising: I really like horror.

Keep up with Angus on his Facebook, Twitter or his official website and get the "Creepy Susie" book. You'll thank me... or you'll be horrified when you figure out who you're really dealing with here. 

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Sunday, April 10, 2016

Arrow Video USA - May 2016 Release News

Coming in May from Arrow Video U.S.A.

Arrow Video logo

MVD Entertainment Group logo



MVD Entertainment Group furthers the distribution of Arrow Video in the US with several new titles in May...


Hired to Kill Blu-ray cover


HIRED TO KILL
(Director Approved Special Edition Blu-ray + DVD)
No man on earth could get him out of prison alive. Seven women will try.
Release Date: May 17th
List Price: $29.95


Starring legendary actors Oliver Reed (Gladiator, The Brood) and George Kennedy (The Delta Forceand the Naked Gun series), Hired to Kill is a hugely entertaining action flick featuring guns, girls and a plethora of budget-busting explosions for good measure.

Action movie staple Brian Thompson (whose brief turn in 1984's The Terminator led to a starring role in the 1986 Sylvester Stallone vehicle Cobra) stars as Frank Ryan, a mercenary sent to track down a rebel leader in hostile territory. Posing as a fashion designer, he'll be aided by a posse of beautiful - but deadly - women.

Whilst the opportunity to see Oliver Reed chewing up the scenery behind an elaborate moustache merits the price of admission alone, Hired to Kill is also noteworthy as being co-directed by Nico Mastorakis - the man behind such cult favourites as Island of Death and The Zero Boys.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

  • Brand new 4K restoration of the film, approved by writer-director Nico Mastorakis
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
  • Original Stereo 2.0 and 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio options
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Brand new audio commentary with editor Barry Zetlin
  • Hired to Direct - a brand new interview with director Nico Mastorakis on the making ofHired to Kill
  • Undercover Mercenary - a brand new interview with star Brian Thompson
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Stills Gallery
  • Original Screenplay, entitled Freedom or Death (BD/DVD-ROM Content)
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newlycommissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
  • Fully-illustrated collector's bookletfeaturing new writing on the film by critic James Oliver








Killer Dames Blu-ray


KILLER DAMES: TWO GOTHIC CHILLERS BY EMILIO P. MIRAGLIA
[Blu-ray + DVD]
4 disc Limited Edition box set containing The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave and The Red Queen Kills Seven Times
Release Date: May 24th
List Price: $69.95

At the height of the Italian giallo boom in the early 1970's, scores of filmmakers turned their hand to crafting their own unique takes on these lurid murder-mystery thrillers. This limited edition double pack features two distinctive offerings by Emilio P. Miraglia, which meld twisty whodunit narratives with gothic chills. In The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave, troubled aristocrat Alan Cunningham (Anthony Steffen, Django the Bastard), haunted by the death of his first wife Evelyn, tries to move on by marrying the seductive Gladys (Marina Malfatti, All the Colors of the Dark). Marital bliss is short-lived, however, as various relatives meet untimely and gruesome deaths, prompting speculation that a vengeful Evelyn has risen from the grave... Meanwhile, in The Red Queen Kills Seven Times, an age-old family curse hits sisters Kitty (Barbara Bouchet, Milano Calibro 9) and Franziska (Marina Malfatti) following the death of their grandfather Tobias (Rudolf Schündler, The Exorcist, Suspiria). Every hundred years, so the legend goes, the bloodthirsty Red Queen returns and claims seven fresh victims. Was Tobias just the first... and are Kitty and Franziska next? With both films making their worldwide Blu-ray debuts in stunning new 2K restorations, there has never been a better time to explore these little-seen giallo gems!

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

  • Limited Edition box set (3000 copies) containing The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Graveand The Red Queen Kills Seven Times
  • Brand new 2K restorations of the films from the original camera negatives
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
  • Original Italian and English soundtracks in mono audio (lossless DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray Discs)
  • Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtracks
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtracks
  • Limited Edition 60-page booklet containing new writing by James Blackford, Kat Ellinger, Leonard Jacobs and Rachael Nisbet

THE NIGHT EVELYN CAME OUT OF THE GRAVE

  • New audio commentary by Troy Howarth
  • Exclusive introduction by actress Erika Blanc
  • Writer Stephen Thrower on The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave
  • The Night Erika Came Out of the Grave - exclusive interview with Erika Blanc
  • The Whip and the Body - archival interview with Erika Blanc
  • Still Rising from the Grave - archival interview with production designer Lorenzo Baraldi
  • Original Italian theatrical trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx 
THE RED QUEEN KILLS SEVEN TIMES
  • New audio commentary by Alan Jones and Kim Newman
  • Exclusive new interview with actress Sybil Danning
  • Writer Stephen Thrower on The Red Queen Kills Seven Times
  • Archival introduction by production/costume designer Lorenzo Baraldi
  • Dead à Porter - archival interview with Lorenzo Baraldi
  • Rounding Up the Usual Suspects - archival interview with actor Marino Masé
  • If I Met Emilio Miraglia Today - archival featurette with Erika Blanc, Lorenzo Baraldi and Marino Masé
  • My Favorite... Films - archival interview with actress Barbara Bouchet
  • Alternative opening
  • Original Italian theatrical trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx










BLOOD BATH (2 Disc - Limited Edition)
For this release Arrow Video has searched through the vaults to bring you all four versions of Blood Bath
Release Date: May 31st
List Price: $49.95

The films of Roger Corman are often as well-known for their behind-the-scenes stories as they are the ones unfolding on the screen. He famously made Little Shop of Horrors in just two days using sets left over from A Bucket of Blood and shot The Terror over a long weekend because bad weather prevented him from playing tennis. But none of these tales is quite so complex, or quite so extraordinary, as the making of Blood Bath. The saga began when Corman invested in a Yugoslavian Krimi-like picture entitled Operation Titian just prior to it going into production. Insisting it be filmed in English, he sent actors William Campbell and Patrick Magee, and uncredited story editor Francis Ford Coppola (all fresh from Dementia 13), to Dubrovnik to make a US-friendly movie but wasn't satisfied with the end results. First it was re-cut and re-scored to create Portrait in Terror, a film more in line with drive-in tastes, then it was handed over to Jack Hill (Spider Baby), followed by Stephanie Rothman (Terminal Island), each undertaking reshoots that resulted in a vampire picture by the name of Blood Bath. One final twist was provided when a TV version was required, chopping scenes and adding others to create Track of the Vampire. For this release Arrow Video has searched through the vaults to bring you all four versions of Blood Bath, newly restored from the best materials available to provide a definitive release of one of Corman's craziest ventures.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
  • Limited Edition collection of the complete 'Blood Bath'
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of four versions of the film: Operation Titian, Portrait in - Terror, Blood Bath, and Track of the Vampire
  • Brand new 2K restorations of Portrait in Terror, Blood Bath and Track of the Vampire from original film materials
  • Brand new reconstruction of Operation Titian using original film materials and standard definition inserts
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on all four versions
  • The Trouble with Titian Revisited - a brand new visual essay in which Tim Lucas returns to (and updates) his three-part Video Watchdog feature to examine the convoluted production history of Blood Bath and its multiple versions
  • Bathing in Blood with Sid Haig - a new interview with the actor, recorded exclusively for this release
  • Archive interview with producer-director Jack Hill
  • Outtakes from Track of the Vampire, scanned from original film materials
  • Stills gallery
  • Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artworks
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dan Mumford 
  • Limited edition booklet containing new writing on the film and its cast by Anthony Nield, Vic Pratt, Cullen Gallagher, and Peter Beckman



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MY BLOODY VALENTINE Shirts & Autographed Posters Available Now from Fright-Rags

My Bloody Valentine shirts & autographed posters
 available now from Fright-Rags


Limited quantities available: bit.ly/1SbMocI





Valentine's Day has come and gone, but horror fans celebrate year-round with the 1981 slasher classic, My Bloody Valentine. Fright-Rags is heading to Valentine Bluffs to commemorate the film's 35th anniversary with a special release.

Justin Osbourn's killer miner design stole fans' heart when it sold out earlier this year. It has been reprinted by popular demand, available on men's shirts, girls' shirts and zip-up hoodies.

The artwork is also featured on limited edition 11x17 posters for the first time, each one autographed by Paul Kelman, who starred in the film as T.J.

The Bloody Miner shirts and posters are on sale now at Fright-Rags.com. Quantities are limited and moved quickly previously, so don't be left brokenhearted this time around.

Fright-Rags' other recent releases include shirts from The Monster Squad, Night of the Creeps, The Fog, The Howling, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Human Centipede and more.




I myself have ordered the badass looking hoodie and it's been shipped. Looking forward to it coming in the mail. Of course now I am predicting the weather will warm right up so I have no need to wear it until the fall. We just did have snow on Saturday though so hopefully it stays a bit chilly.

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He's Coming... Deadpool Arrives on Blu-ray & DVD May 10

DEADPOOL COMES HOME ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD MAY 10


Deadpool


Additional information coming soon!


Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative who now works as a mercenary. His world comes crashing down when evil scientist Ajax (Ed Skrein) tortures, disfigures and transforms him into Deadpool. The rogue experiment leaves Deadpool with accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor. With help from mutant allies Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), Deadpool uses his new skills to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life.




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Newport Beach Film Festival World Premiere: FARE Screens April 26

Thomas Torrey's Fare

A Dark Thriller With Two Lives on a Collision Course

World Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival April 26



Fare poster


Bad Theology Pictures is excited to announce the world premiere of Thomas Torrey's Fare. The tense thriller will screen for the first time at the 17th Newport Beach Film Festival, at 8:30 pm on April 26th at Island Cinemas.

Fare stars writer-director Thomas Torrey, Katherine Drew, J.R. Adduci and Pat Dortch. Filmed entirely inside a moving car over three days, Torrey's debut feature follows a cab driver whose chance encounter with a passenger spirals into a night of darkness. Fare explores the darkest depths of love, betrayal and the fight for a committed relationship.


Newport Beach Film Festival World Premiere:
8:30 pm, April 26, 2016 
Island Cinemas - Screen 5
999 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660





Ride-share cab driver Eric begins his day like any other, responding to the many fares of the city that hail him from their smartphones. Hiding his depression due to a marriage that has long grown cold, Eric entertains small talk and discusses his "real job" of real estate. He even finds his own notions of love and marriage challenged by one fare in particular.

As Eric's day turns to night and he takes one last fare, he finds himself face to face with the source of his troubles. When Eric recognizes this passenger as the man who is secretly sleeping with his wife, events are set in motion that threaten the lives of everyone who sets foot inside the car.





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Quentin Lee's 'The Unbidden' to Premiere at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

The Unbidden Summons New Clip For April 22nd World Premiere


The Unbidden poster



Lee's Female Driven Horror Film Will Screen as Part of 
The 32nd Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival


Margin Films is excited to announce the world premiere of Quentin Lee's The Unbidden. The female-centered paranormal horror film will screen Friday, April 22nd as part of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. A quartet of longtime girlfriends come together in the hopes that a séance will protect them from a dark presence that won't rest until one of them is destroyed.


The Unbidden World Premiere:
Friday, April 22 at 8:30 pm
Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Director Quentin Lee & Cast in Attendance

Quentin Lee (White Frog, The People I've Slept With) directed from a script by Narhee Ahn (Purity). Tamlyn Tomita ("Teen Wolf", The Joy Luck Club), Julia Nickson (Rambo: First Blood Part II, Half-Life), Amy Hill (50 First Dates, "UnREAL") and Elizabeth Sung (Memoirs of a Geisha, Lethal Weapon 4) star as the group of friends desperate to save one of their own from her dark secret. Michelle Krusiec, Akemi Look, Kimberly-Rose Wolter and Karin Anna Cheung appear as the women's younger selves, joined by Hayden Szeto and Jason Yee as the men at the heart of the deadly mystery.


The Unbidden still image


"If you're a fan of the horror, psychological thriller, family melodrama or Asian American film genres, you're in for a treat, not a trick," director Quentin Lee expressed of his first horror film. "Our intention was to create a wildly original independent feature with an all Asian-American cast that aims to not only entertain with shocks and thrills, but bring on the debate about difficult emotional issues. This is a female-driven film that deals with domestic violence and the morality of retribution."



Mystery novelist Lauren Lee (Tomita) is haunted by the ghost of a tortured, bloodied man. She tries to forget the apparition's terrifying warnings and her unstable mental state by hosting dinner with her best friends (Nickson, Sung and Hill). Each of the women has her own idea and opinion to make Lauren feel better. In the midst of a séance that Rachel believes will exorcise Lauren's demons, a mysterious young man (Szeto) arrives brandishing a gun. He holds the women hostage in order to get to the truth of the whereabouts of his missing father (Yee).
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Bride of Re-Animator (1989) - Blu-ray Review - Arrow Video

DATE. MATE. RE-ANIMATE. - Dr. West is Back in Glorious HD

Bride of Re-Animator Blu-ray cover Arrow Video


Released by: Arrow Video
Release Date: April 11, 2016 (UK) / April 12, 2016 (US) 
Production Year: 1989
Region Code: ALL
Running Time: 1:36:20
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Stereo
Video: 1080p (1.78:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English SDH


Bride of Re-Animator Arrow Blu-ray screen cap


THE FILM - [ 3 / 5 ]:

The success of Stuart Gordon’s hit horror-comedy "Re-Animator" meant that a sequel was all but inevitable. The resulting follow-up, "Bride of Re-Animator" – this time helmed by director Brian Yuzna ("Society," "Return of the Living Dead 3") – would prove that there was a good deal more life left in the story of Dr. Herbert West and his ghoulish exploits.

It is 8 years since the Miskatonic massacre. Unperturbed by the disastrous outcome of his previous meddling with the dead, Dr. West (again played by Jeffrey Combs) continues his research into the phenomenon of re-animation; only this time, he plans to create life – starting with the heart of his young protégé (Bruce Abbott) Dan’s dearly deceased, Meg Halsey. Surely nothing could go wrong?

"Bride of Re-Animator" used a number of talented special effects artists including Howard Berger and Robert Kurtzman of KNB, Screaming Mad George and John Carl Buechler. This Blu-ray really helps showcase the great work that they had done on this film. Sadly, Barbara Crampton did not return for the sequel. Her replacements, if you will, this time around in the love interest department are Kathleen Kinmount ("Halloween 4") as the ill-fated Gloria, the future "bride" and Fabiana Udenio ("Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery"). 

Be still Meg's beating heart. If you have seen "Re-Animator" but not this sequel, you owe it to yourself to visit Herbert and Dan once again and see what they are up to now. Then of course there is also "Beyond Re-Animator."


Bride of Re-Animator Arrow Blu-ray screen cap Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott


AUDIO - [ 4 / 5 ]:

The sole audio option other than the audio commentaries is an English LPCM 2.0 Stereo track. I found the track to sound excellent. The maniacal screaming of the bride sounds even more... animated on this Blu-ray. The score from Richard Band also sounds terrific on this release. Dialogue, the score and sound effects were very well balanced. Volume levels remained consistent throughout. I did not come across any issues in the form of hissing, drop outs or pops. 

Following the film there is a note concerning the audio used for this Blu-ray presentation.

"The film's stereo soundtrack was mastered at 24bit/48 kHz from a Digital Betacam broadcast tape, the best existing source for the original stereo mix. The final mix on this tape was recorded well below standard average and peak levels, which resulted in inherent digital noise. The soundtrack, which also exhibited several mixing errors was restored with great care to present the soundtrack as originally intended." It is also mentioned that the restoration for the film was approved by Brian Yuzna.

 
Bride of Re-Animator Arrow Blu-ray screen cap Kathleen Kinmount


VIDEO - [ 4 / 5 ]:

"Bride of Re-Animator" comes to life on U.K. and U.S. Blu-ray thanks to Arrow Video and their U.S. distributor MVD Entertainment Group. The film is presented in 1080p with a 1.78 Aspect Ratio. The film has been handled with great care via brand new 2K restorations of the Unrated and R-rated versions of the film, approved by director Brian Yuzna

I thought the Blu-ray looked very good and was a huge upgrade over my Rated and Unrated DVD's of the film. There is a significant amount of fine detail present in the many close up shots in the film that do a really wonderful job of showcasing the fantastic practical effects by the many FX artists that worked on the film. From the copious amount of bloody red tissue to the eerie green glow of Dr. West's reanimation formula, the colors in the film are bold and vibrant. Skin tones of the living, dead and re-animated look good as well. Black levels looked fine also as there are a number of shadowy scenes given the location where Herbert and Dan are currently residing and conducting their experiments. Film grain becomes slightly heavier in darker scenes but it still remained mostly unnoticeable unless I specifically looked for it. The exception to this is in certain scenes where a different source was used for the footage and there is an increase in film grain. There are an occasional white spot or other minor mark that shows up from time to time but it is a seldom occurrence. 

Following the film on the Unrated Blu-ray disc is a note about the sources used. "Bride of Re-Animator was restored in 2013/2014 using the best elements available to achieve complete presentations on both R-Rated and Unrated versions of the film.

For the R-Rated Version, a second generation Intermediate Interpositive was used. For the Unrated Version, locating a 35mm element that was suitable for the restoration involved a near year-long search. A DeLuxe® Composite Master Positive Print with the cut sequences intact was found. Though the quality of this element was generally high, the definition it exhibited in two of the cut sequences differed in color rendition and density due to the photochemical imbalance during the copying process that could not be matched exactly to the higher quality IP materials. The color palette of the film was re-timed precisely to the photochemical attributes preserving the DeLuxe® presentations at the time of the original theatrical release.

Both the 35mm Intermediate Positive and the 35mm Composite Master Positive Print elements were scanned in 2K resolution at 16bit color depth on a pin-registered IMAGICA Imager XE Advanced Plus for a maximum yield of quality at TLEFilms Film Restoration & Preservation Services, Germany. The color grading was performed on a Baselight by TLEFilms FRPS using the facilities of PostFactory GmbH, Berlin, Germany.

Thousands of instances of dirt, debris and light scratches were removed through a combination of digital restoration tools. Image stability was also improved in shots where prior analysis confirmed that these instabilities were the result of duplication or copying errors during the original photochemical processing."


Bride of Re-Animator Arrow Blu-ray screen cap


SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 5 / 5 ]:

Newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin

Limited Edition Collector’s Booklet


The following appear on the disc with the Unrated version of the film:

Audio Commentary #1 - This new commentary features Director Brian Yuzna and is moderated by David Gregory. Chock full of interesting tidbits of information from things such as what was used to obtain the green glow for the formula to secrets behind some of the special effects, this track should help satisfy your thirst for knowledge of all things "Bride of Re-Animator." If not, there are more commentaries and extras to help fill any gaps. At one time a possible Re-Animator vs. Phantasm type film was talked about but Phantasm creator Don Coscarelli had no interest in the crossover. Personally, I'm not sure how well that could have worked considering the tone of the films are so different. But it's an intriguing idea.

Audio Commentary #2 - This track features director Brian Yuzna, star Jeffrey Combs, visual effects supervisor Tom Rainone and the effects team including John Buechler, Mike Deak, Robert Kurtzman, Howard Berger and Screaming Mad George. A fun and relaxed track. Some of the participants had not seen the film in years and it shows with some of the comments in regards to not being sure what was happening or going to happen next. But it is still a fun time listening to them reminisce about the production of the film which is predominantly scene specific.


Audio Commentary #3 - This track features stars Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott. Another fun commentary that really feels like you're listening to two old friends talk about the good old days or in this case, "Bride of Re-Animator." It does have a slight "MST3K" feel to it as the duo pokes fun at everything, including themselves from time to time which makes it even more enjoyable.

Brian Yuzna Remembers Bride (9:37) - A brand new featurette with director Brian Yuzna as he looks back on the first sequel to Re-Animator. There is a little overlapping of information here from the first commentary track but it is short and nice to see Mr. Yuzna's enthusiasm while talking fondly of the film, which made it a nice little extra.

Splatter Masters (14:39) - A brand new featurette that looks at the special effects work behind Bride of Re-Animator. This extra includes interviews with Robert Kurtzman of KNB, Screaming Mad George, Anthony Doublin and John Carl Buechler. FX fans should be pleased with this extra. A fascinating look at some of the work that went in to the great practical effects used in the movie. My only complaint is I wish it was longer because I enjoy hearing them talk about their craft as well as seeing some behind the scenes snippets. Thankfully the next bonus feature gives us a further peek behind the curtain. 

Getting Ahead in Horror (23:50) - An archive making-of piece composed of behind the scenes footage. Another great extra for FX fans. A look at what went in to achieving the effects for the bride, the bat, Dr. Hill's head and more. 

Theatrical Trailer (1:53)

Deleted Scenes:
  • Meg is Re-Animated (8:04) 
  • Carnival Sequence (2:03) 


The following appears on the disc with the R-Rated version of the film:

Behind-the-Scenes Reel (14:30) - More behind the scenes footage of the practical FX work from the film. There are some instances of the same footage as seen on the other disc. 


The Limited Edition set also includes a DVD of the Unrated version of the film.

OVERALL RATING - [ 4 / 5 ]


 

Bride of Re-Animator Arrow Blu-ray screen cap Jeffrey Combs

Bride of Re-Animator Arrow Blu-ray screen cap David Gale

Bride of Re-Animator Arrow Blu-ray screen cap

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