The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave (1971) - Blu-ray Review - Arrow Video

Part of the Limited Edition 'Killer Dames: Two Gothic Chillers 
by Emilio P. Miraglia' 4-Disc Blu-ray + DVD Set

Released by: Arrow Video
Release Date: May 24, 2016 (US), May 30th, 2016 (UK)
Production Year: 1971
Region Code: A / B
Running Time: 1:42:48
Audio: English DTS-HD MA Mono / Italian DTS-HD MA Mono
Video: 1080p (2.35:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English, English SDH

THE FILM - [ 2.5 / 5 ]:

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…


I wouldn't call this a particularly strong film in the giallo sub-genre, but it does have its moments and some highly entertaining scenes. As is often the case, we are treated to some attractive, scantily clad and also nude, women. The film is not graphically violent and you really could call it rather tame when compared to many other giallo films. The story I though was, a bit sloppy. That's not to say the film is bad. It's just that with a little bit of tinkering it may have gone from okay, in my opinion, to great. Others will totally disagree and love the film and that is what is great about film and art in general, there will always be varying degrees of opinion about everything since we all have different tastes. 

AUDIO - [ 4.5 / 5 ]:

The Blu-ray comes with two audio options being English and Italian DTS-HS Master Audio Mono tracks. Audio on the Blu-ray sounded excellent and help aid the atmosphere of the gothic-themed film.  I did not notice any issues with it. Bruno Nicolai's score sounded wonderfully exciting and haunting. Sound levels were balanced well and the inclusion of two audio options was a nice bonus. English and English SDH subtitles are also included. 

VIDEO - [ 4.5 / 5 ]:

"The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave" makes its Blu-ray debut thanks to Arrow Video and its U.S. distributor MVD Entertainment Group. The film received a new 2K restoration from the original camera negatives and is presented in 1080p with a 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio. The film looks beautiful. One thing some may mention is the pesky hair that appears at the bottom of the screen around the 90 minute mark, but viewers should be very satisfied with this presentation. Colors be it from the red-haired women in the film or colorful costumes pop off the screen specially during some scenes featuring drab backgrounds. Film grain looked quite good and never overly heavy. The film looked fairly sharp and even better in closeups. Skin tones looked very good as did black levels. 

SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 4.5 / 5 ]:

Play With Introduction (:54) - You have the option to play the film with or without a 54 second introduction by star, Erika Blanc.

Audio Commentary by Troy Howarth - Mr. Howarth is an author of books like "So Deadly, So Perverse" and "The Haunted World of Mario Bava." He says this was his first commentary and I think he did an admirable job. I found the track to be very informative as he discussed and somewhat dissected the film. He was able to provide additional information about the cast including some of their other films. The giallo sub-genre was talked about as well. In some ways I found the commentary to be a little more enjoyable than the film itself. 

Remembering Evelyn (15:12) - A new interview with film critic Stephen Thrower who discusses Miraglia's film as well as stars Erika Blanc and Anthony Steffen. He also talks about some of the films prior releases. 

The Night Erika Came Out of the Grave (9:44) - A new interview filmed in 2015, actress Erica Blanc discusses her memories of shooting the film including her dance scene that introduces her character. A little bit of the interview is repeated from the archive interview that appears in The Whip and the Body archive extra. (In Italian with English subtitles)

Trailers: 

• Italian Trailer (2:44)
• English Trailer (2:44)

Archival Special Features:

• 2006 Introduction by Erika Blanc (:37) - Another brief introduction to the film.

• The Whip and the Body (20:57) Actress Erica Blanc talks about her part in the film and other topics such as censorship at the time the film was made. Ms. Blanc also talks about some people she's worked with as well as some other films from her career. (In Italian with English subtitles)

• Still Rising From the Grave (22:49) - Production Designed Lorenzo Baraldi speaks about his early career, getting started in the business and among other topics, other great designers. (In Italian with English subtitles)

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx


Killer Dames - Limited Edition Extras:

• Limited Edition box set (3000 copies) containing "The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave" and "The Red Queen Kills Seven Times."
• Limited Edition 60-page booklet containing new writing by James Blackford, Kat Ellinger, Leonard Jacobs and Rachael Nisbet.

OVERALL RATING - [ 4 / 5 ]


 

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Sheep Skin (2013) - DVD Review - Unearthed Films

Sheep Skin... an indie horror film with some bite.

Released by: Unearthed Films and MVD Entertainment Group
Release Date: May 10, 2016 
Production Year: 2013
Region Code: 1
Running Time: 1:19:33
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0
Video: NTSC (2.35:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: None

THE FILM - [ 3 / 5 ]:

'Sheep Skin' is a gritty and realistic take on the werewolf sub-genre. The film centers around a group of friends in a punk rock band, who kidnap a business man because they believe he is actually a werewolf hiding in plain sight. The group takes the man to a nearby warehouse, where they have one night to prove that their suspicions are true. As the night goes on, tensions mount and the group begins to question their own motives. Are they right about the man's true identity, or have they made a terrible and deadly mistake?

If you think the film is going to be a cheap and poorly made independent film, you would be wrong. No, not all of the acting is top-notch. But the majority of it is good. The film itself looks pretty good and while it retains a low budget feel, it comes off much better. I hadn't even watched a trailer for the film prior to watching it so I had no idea what I was in for. I hadn't even read a plot synopsis so I could just go in without any preconceived notions and I was pleasantly surprised by the film. I never felt bored or that the film was dragging on too much. It moved along at a decent pace with its under 80 minutes run time. 

'Sheep Skin' as the synopsis states, really does play out more like a realistic take on a werewolf film as opposed to what you generally see from nearly all films of the sub-genre. It isn't an action-heavy film but when present, the practical effects looked really good and were effective. The film has a little revenge aspect to it but there really isn't a huge opportunity to make use of it the way we normally see it played out.

Director/Writer Kurtis Spieler did a very good job in his directorial effort and I am looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

AUDIO - [ 3 / 5 ]:

The DVD features an English Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track. The track does an adequate job for what it is. It doesn't provide terrific ambiance in the film's various settings but with this sort of film, that might be expecting a bit much. The sound levels of the DVD were balanced fairly well even though there were occasions where the viewer might strain a little to hear the dialogue. 

VIDEO - [ 3 / 5 ]:

'Sheep Skin' comes to DVD thanks to Unearthed Films and MVD Entertainment Group. This DVD is NTSC Region 1 and the film is presented in the 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio. Overall the film looks good. There are times when the picture looks a bit noisy. Colors looked strong whether it was the clothing of a character or part of the surroundings. There was an average amount of detail present. The picture quality won't wow you but shouldn't leave you disappointed either. For a low budget independent film, it didn't have the "cheap" look that typically puts me off when trying to watch them. You can look at the screen captures provided and click to view them full size to get an idea for yourself. 

SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 4 / 5 ]:

Black and White Version of 'Sheep Skin' - Before the feature plays, a (1:53) intro by the director Kurtis Spieler plays where he explains the reason for this version of the film.

Audio Commentary - Director-Writer Kurtis Spieler and Producer Nicholas Papazoglou provide commentary for the feature. The pair discuss the film making process for 'Sheep Skin' and the troubles encountered along the way. They also provide some information about particular scenes as the movie plays. I thought it was an informative track and if you enjoyed the film, you'll probably like the commentary as well. The commentary track is only playable with the color version of the film.

Deleted Scene (3:18) An introduction first plays explains that it's more of an extended version of one of the warehouse scenes.

Behind the Scenes (11:04) - This mostly pertains to the werewolf effect.

Sheep Skin (2007 Short Film) (11:52)

Dick Punchers Music Video (2:49)

Trailer (1:03)



OVERALL RATING - [ 3 / 5 ]

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MVD acquires Sci-Fi Thriller 'Subterranea'

MVD Entertainment Group Acquires All Rights To The 

Independent Motion Picture Sci-fi Thriller 'SUBTERRANEA'

MVD Entertainment Group has acquired all North American distribution rights to science fiction thriller SUBTERRANEA, the award-winning festival favorite from the producer of Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth. The auspicious debut from director and screenwriter Mathew Miller, Subterranea was inspired by British progressive rock band recording artist "IQ" and their successful 1997 concept album of the same name and stars Bug Hall (The Little Rascals (1994), American Pie: The Book of Love), two-time Emmy Award Nominee Nicholas Turturro (The Longest Yard, "NYPD Blue", "Blue Bloods") and William Katt (Carrie (1976), The Man From Earth, "The Greatest American Hero").

The deal was negotiated by Ed Seaman from MVD and co-producers Mathew Miller and Brandon Woodard on behalf of Birdman Films.

Subterranea stars Bug Hall as "The Captive", who was locked in a dark cell as a small child and was raised in complete isolation, never seeing daylight or even another human being. Over twenty years later, without warning, he is released into society with nothing but the clothes on his back. Determined to find out who he is, The Captive discovers that he's the centerpiece of a dangerous orchestrated sociological experiment and sets off to find the truth about his shadowed existence, ultimately leading to a thrilling confrontation with his maker, "The Provider" (William Katt).

Following the release of IQ's double album "Subterranea", writer / director Mathew Miller was inspired. "As a huge fan of IQ, I was honored and thrilled to be collaborating with Peter Nicholls (IQ lyricist, writer and lead vocalist) and the band. My goal was to respect the original material and bring to life the already stimulating and poignant images the music has created in all of our minds and hearts as fans."

As the film was in development, Mat struck a professional friendship with one of the producers from The Man From Earth, Eric D. Wilkinson. Wilkinson's debut film has achieved "cult status" (The Man From Earth now resides among the Top 50 Science Fiction Films of all time on the IMDb) and was confident that he could help bring this film to a wider audience.

"When I first read Mat's script, I fell in love with the story and characters," said Wilkinson. "In some ways, the film reminded me of The Man From Earth. It had that 'intellectual sci-fi feel' to it, and at the same time, really played well as a conventional thriller. Mathew is a super talented young director and I was committed to helping him realize his vision for the material. MVD is a great company that is exceptionally supportive of filmmakers and producers and I look forward to our film's release later this year."

Subterranea has been receiving accolades on the festival circuit including Grand Prize Winner: Vortex Sci-fi & Fantasy Award- 2015 Rhode Island International Film Festival, Winner - Jury Prize - Best Film - 2015 Reel East Film Festival, Official Selection - 2015 Reno Tahoe International Film Festival, Official Selection - 2015 Queen City Film Festival and Official Selection - 2015 Montana Film Festival. The film made its European premiere in London on May 1st, 2016.

Subterranea will debut on Digital, VOD, DVD and Blu-ray on September 13, 2016 from MVD Entertainment Group. Special Features included on the disc include two behind the scenes featurettes "The Making of Subterranea" and "On the Set of Subterranea - Timelapses, deleted scenes and the original theatrical trailer."

SUBTERRANEA
© 2016 MVD Entertainment Group
© 2016 Birdman Films
Directed by: Mathew Miller
Written By: Mathew Miller
Story By: Peter Nicholls
Produced by: Eric D. Wilkinson and Mathew Miller & Brandon Woodard
Running Time: 90 minutes
Official website: http://subterranea-movie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SubterraneaMovie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SubterraneaMov

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Arrow Video US to release 'Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan' in June

Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan

Coming to DVD and Blu-ray June 28th via MVD Entertainment Group

The remarkable career of the movie industry's most admired and influential special-effects auteur, the legendary Ray Harryhausen, is the subject of Gilles Penso's definitive documentary Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan.

Leaving no doubt as to Harryhausen's seminal influence on modern-day special effects, the documentary features enlightening and entertaining interviews with the man himself, Randy Cook, Peter Jackson, Nick Park, Phil Tippet, Terry Gilliam, Dennis Muren, John Landis, Guillermo del Toro, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and many more.

These filmmakers, who today push the boundaries of special effects movie-making, pay tribute to the father of Stop Motion animation and films such as 'The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms', 'It Came from Beneath the Sea', 'The 7th Voyage of Sinbad', 'Mysterious Island', 'Jason and the Argonauts' and 'The Golden Voyage of Sinbad' - the films that enthralled them as children and inspired them to become filmmakers in their own right.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Interviews with Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Peter Lord, Rick Baker
• 12 Interview outtakes with Joe Dante, John Lasseter, Nick Park and more!
• A message to Ray
• Deleted Scenes
• On the set of Sinbad
• Paris Cinematheque Q&A
• London Gate Theater Q&A
• Audio commentary with the filmmakers
• Original Trailer
• Ray Harryhausen Trailer Reel

Pre-order at the MVD SHOP or on Amazon.



 

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Star Wars documentary ELSTREE 1976 coming to DVD on June 28th

Star Wars-themed doc ELSTREE 1976 documents the lives of actors and extras behind the most celebrated Sci-Fi film in history

Coming to DVD on June 28th via MVD Entertainment Group

ELSTREE 1976 explores the lives of the actors and extras behind one of the most celebrated Science Fiction films in cinematic history, Star Wars.

From the man behind film's most iconic villain, to the actor whose character was completely cut from the final film, the documentary delves into the eccentric community these individuals have formed and how the Star Wars franchise - which spans five decades from A New Hope to The Force Awakens - continues to impact their lives decades later.

Many of the minor characters were merely part of the set design, but eventually gained recognition as the Star Wars universe expanded into books, comics, etc. Fans learned the history of masked characters like Boba Fett and Greedo, but the sci-fi blockbuster also had a lasting impact on the people inside the costumes.

Not all of the interviewees had minor roles in the series however. For example, David Prowse, whose six-foot-eight bulk filled out Darth Vader's suit and provided the menacing movements of film's most iconic villain, wouldn't be recognized on the street by all but the most ardent Star Wars fans. In the final cut of the movie, his face and voice were replaced by Sebastian Shaw and James Earl Jones, respectively. Others got to work on what would become the biggest movie of all time, but saw their characters cut entirely from the finished film.

The movie will start a US theatrical run on May 6th in select cities including Los Angeles and New York City. For the full list of theaters and ticket information, check http://filmrise.com/elstree-1976

The DVD can be pre-ordered now at the MVD Shop or on Amazon.

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Hired to Kill (1990) - Blu-ray Review - Arrow Video

NO MAN ON EARTH COULD GET HIM OUT OF PRISON ALIVE. SEVEN WOMEN WILL TRY.

Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack
Released by: Arrow Video
Release Date: May 17, 2016 (US) 
Production Year: 1990
Region Code: A
Running Time: 1:36:28
Audio: English LPCM Stereo 2.0, English Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: 1080p (1.85:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English SDH

THE FILM - [ 2.5 / 5 ]:

Starring legendary actors Oliver Reed ("Gladiator," "The Brood") and George Kennedy ("The Delta Force" and "The Naked Gun" series and his genre work in films such as "Death Ship" and "Just Before Dawn"), "Hired to Kill" is an essential slice of ‘90s action fare 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". I always remember him most as the alien bounty hunter in "The X-Files.") stars as Frank Ryan, a mercenary sent to track down a rebel leader in hostile territory. Posing as a fashion designer, he won’t be going it alone, as he’ll be aided by seven beautiful – but deadly – female fighters. While the opportunity to see Oliver Reed chewing up the scenery behind an elaborate mustache merits the price of the admission alone, "Hired to Kill" is also noteworthy as being co-directed by Nico Mastorakis – the man behind such cult favorites as "Island of Death" and "The Zero Boys."

This was my introduction to this film and while I did not find it to be a great film, it was at least entertaining and has some great scenes not to mention an awesome ending! I don't want to spoil anything for first time viewers but you are sure to recognize and if you're like me, appreciate, some moments you have seen in other films that precede and have come out after this film. It might say something about my personality but I enjoyed the early scene where Frank Ryan "answers" the telephone. 

While the film does feature two greats in Oliver Reed and George Kennedy, they unfortunately do not feature prominently in the film. The real stars are Brian Thompson and the bevy of deadly beauties who are hell bent on completing their job at all costs. I hadn't even heard of this film before, somehow, so hopefully this new release from Arrow Video helps bring the movie more attention and introduce it to a new generation. 

AUDIO - [ 4.5 / 5 ]:

The Blu-ray comes with two English audio options. There are Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo tracks. Viewers should be happy with the audio choices on this release. Personally, I prefer original audio but those that want more channels should be pleased with the DD 5.1 track that is included. The dialogue, sound effects and score were very well balanced and volume levels were consistent throughout. 

VIDEO - [ 4 / 5 ]:

"Hired to Kill" comes to Blu-ray thanks to Arrow Video US via MVD Entertainment Group. The film features a brand new 2K restoration of the film, approved by writer-director Nico Mastorakis and is presented in 1080p with a 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio. There are some white specks that appear during the opening credits but afterward it clears up and the film looks excellent. There is a significant amount of fine detail present in close ups and the film has a pleasant look and is sharp throughout. Colors look gorgeous and while the "models" are working the runway, the colors really standout. There are an abundance of varying colors present in the film from the numerous character outfits to colorful flowers. Skin tones look very natural and black levels in tuxedos and dresses feature varying degrees of intensity. Film grain is hardly noticeable due to many daytime or brightly lit scenes but it does appear in darker scenes but never heavy in my opinion. 

SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:

Audio Commentary - This track features Michael Felsher of Red Shirt Pictures and editor Barry Zetlin. The pair talks about the film as well as discussing films in the career of Mr. Zetlin including "Galaxy of Terror" and "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood" as well as Mr. Zetlin's experience working with legendary producer, Roger Corman. This isn't one of the more typical commentaries where the bulk of the conversation pertains to what is happening on the screen. This was an interesting track that mostly serves as an interview with Barry Zetlin. 

Hired to Direct (27:26) - A new interview with director Nico Mastorakis on the making of "Hired to Kill." Mr. Mastoraskis discusses different aspects of the production of the film from working with the actors, including a difficult Oliver Reed, to tragedy on the set involving a helicopter accident.

Undercover Mercenary (17:33) - A new interview with actor Brian Thompson filmed in Los Angeles, January 2016. Mr. Thompson mostly talks about his acting career and how he got started in the business. He too talks a little about the helicopter accident while filming "Hired to Kill."

Theatrical Trailer (2:50)

Stills Gallery (7:18)

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys

Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by critic James Oliver

Original Freedom or Death Screenplay (BD/DVD-ROM Content) 

OVERALL RATING - [ 3.5 / 5 ]

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Arrow Video U.S. June Releases

Coming in June from Arrow Video U.S. and MVD Entertainment Group

New from Arrow Video US

Nikkatsu Diamond Guys Vol 2

[Blu-ray + DVD] (June 14)

Suture

[Blu-ray + DVD] (June 21)

Return Of The Killer Tomatoes

[Blu-ray] (June 28)

via MVD Entertainment Group

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

Nikkatsu Diamond Guys Vol 2 [Blu-ray + DVD] (June 14)

Nikkatsu, the oldest film studio in Japan, inaugurated a star system in the late 1950s, finding talent and contracting them to a series of wild genre pictures. This collection celebrates these "Diamond Guys" with three classic films from directors Buichi Saito (Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril), Ko Nakahira (Crazed Fruit), and Haruyasu Noguchi, who is a new discovery for the West. In Saito's Tokyo Mighty Guy, mega star Akira Kobayashi stars as Jiro in the rambunctious tale of a chef who opens a restaurant in the busy Ginza district. His culinary skills and dashing good looks bring in the women as well as unwanted trouble, while an explosive political scandal builds around his girlfriend's business...

Next, Jo Shishido (Massacre Gun, Retaliation), one of the most popular Diamond Guys in the West, stars in Danger Pays, a crime caper from Ko Nakahira about counterfeiting. When one billion yen goes AWOL, "Joe the Ace" (Shishido) spies an opportunity to get rich quick, but things soon go wrong as it turns out he isn't the only one who'll stop at nothing to get his hands on the missing cash...

Finally, Shishido stars once again in Noguchi's screwball classic Murder Unincorporated. When the mysterious "Joe of Spades" executes one of the bosses of a powerful syndicate, his colleagues, fearing for their own lives, call on the services of assassin agency Murder Unincorporated to take care of the problem. This unique entry showcases some of the most peculiar killing tactics to ever hit Japanese cinema! Presented on DVD and Blu-ray for the first time in the West, these thrilling genre films feature some of Nikkatsu's leading talent at the top of their game.


SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Limited Edition Blu-ray collection (3000 copies)
• High Definition digital transfers of all three films in this collection, from original film elements by Nikkatsu Corporation
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation
• Original uncompressed mono audio
• Newly translated English subtitles
• Specially recorded video discussions with Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp on Diamond Guys Jo Shishido and Akira Kobayashi
• Original trailers for all three films
• Extensive promotional image galleries for all films
• Reversible sleeve featuring brand new artwork by Graham Humphreys
• Booklet featuring new writing on all the films and director profiles by Stuart Galbraith IV, Tom Mes and Mark Schilling

Suture [Blu-ray + DVD] (June 21)

A Thriller Where Nothing Is Black and White

Inspired by the paranoid visions of John Frankenheimer's The Manchurian Candidate and Seconds, the desert noir of Detour and the black and white widescreen beauty of Hiroshi Teshigahara's The Face of Another and Woman of the Dunes, Suture is one of great feature debuts - by writer-directors David Siegel and Scott McGehee - and a truly unique piece of cinema.

The wealthy and self-assured Vincent (Michael Harris) meets his blue collar half-brother Clay (Dennis Haysbert) at their father's funeral and is struck by their similarity. He decides to murder Clay and take his identity, only Clay survives the assassination attempt with no memory and is mistaken for Vincent. The fact that Harris is white and Haysbert is black only complicates a film that probes into the nature of identity.

After viewing an early rough cut, Steven Soderbergh came on board as executive producer and enthusiastic patron. Suture went on to become a hit on the festival circuit, including Sundance where it deservedly won the award for Best Cinematography.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative
• High Definition (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD Presentations
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Audio commentary with writer-directors David Siegel and Scott McGehee
• All-new interviews with Siegel, McGehee, executive producer Steven Soderbergh, actor Dennis Haysbert, cinematographer Greg Gardiner, editor Lauren Zuckerman and production designer Kelly McGehee
• Deleted scenes
• Birds Past, Siegel & McGehee's first short film, about two young San Franciscans who journey to Bodega Bay along the path set by Tippi Hedren in Hitchcock's classic, The Birds.
• US theatrical trailer
• European theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by maarko phntm

Return Of The Killer Tomatoes [Blu-ray] (June 28)

The Vegetables Of Doom!

The killer tomatoes are back! But this time around, they're going to have to contend with late '80s George Clooney and his wicked mullet... Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? Nope, it's Return of the Killer Tomatoes!

Ten years on from the Great Tomato War, mankind lives in fear of another uprising by the waxy red menace. Meanwhile, Professor Gangreen - played with gusto by John Astin from TV's The Addams Family - sets out to pursue his own evil ends by creating a burgeoning army of tomato militia men (who, somewhat conveniently, look just like regular men).

Following on from the 1978 cult classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Return of the Killer Tomatoes came armed with a healthy sense of its own ridiculousness and would expand upon a franchise that now comprises four films, two TV series and a video game. So what are you waiting for? Make Return of the Killer Tomatoes one of your five-a-day now!

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original Stereo audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary with writer-director John De Bello
• Brand new interview with star Anthony Starke
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matthew Griffin
• Fully-illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing by critic James Oliver

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Dangerous Men (2005) - Blu-ray Review - Drafthouse Films

Killers. Perverts. Bikers. DANGEROUS MEN.

Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Combo Pack
Released by: Drafthouse Films
Release Date: April 19, 2016 
Production Year: 1979-2005
Region Code: ALL
Running Time: 1:19:40
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0
Video: 1080p (1.85:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: None

THE FILM - [ 2.5 / 5 ]:

In 1979, Iranian filmmaker John S. Rad moved to the U.S. to shoot his dream project, a rampaging gutter epic of crime, revenge, cop sex and raw power. Just 26 years later, he completed an American action film masterpiece that the world is still barely ready for today: DANGEROUS MEN.

After Mina witnesses her fiancé's brutal murder by beach thugs, she sets out on a venomous spree to eradicate all human trash from Los Angeles. Armed with a knife, a gun, and an undying rage, she murders her way through the masculine half of the city's populace. A renegade cop is hot on her heels, a trail that also leads him to the subhuman criminal overlord known as Black Pepper.

It's a pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, brain-devouring onslaught of '80s thunder, '90s lightning, and pure filmmaking daredevilry from another time and/or dimension. Blades flash, blood flows, bullets fly and synthesizers blare as the morgue overflows with the corpses of DANGEROUS MEN.

What an odd little film Mr. Rad has constructed. The film is basically strange, from start to finish. It doesn't take long before it should illicit the first of many what the... from the viewer. From really bad looking fight scenes to guns clearly not firing to bad acting to bad dialogue, this film has plenty to keep you entertained, one way or another. You will no doubt find yourself laughing at some of the convoluted plot elements and the randomly introduced characters. 

That pretty well sums up my thoughts on the film. Oh and yes, I did enjoy this mess of a film. Its zaniness gives it a bit of charm and as long as you don't expect too much as you watch the movie, you might be surprised and have some fun. I've included a trailer at the bottom of the review in case you'd like to see more. 

 

AUDIO - [ 2.5 / 5 ]:

The Blu-ray comes with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track. Sorry, no lossless audio track to report on this release. However I don't know how much of an improvement it could have made. The audio quality on the Blu-ray is decent despite the audio quality of the film being a bit sub-par. It can be difficult on occasion to hear what a character is saying because of the poor recording of the audio. It's far from terrible though so don't worry too much. Besides, you might spend more time scratching your head while watching this wacky film than anything else. Good news is the sound effects for the slaptastic fight scenes and the somewhat monotonous score come through just fine.

 

VIDEO - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:

"Dangerous Men" comes to Blu-ray thanks to Drafthouse Films and MVD Entertainment Group. The film is presented in 1080p with a 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio. Considering the probable production values of the film, it looks remarkably good on this Blu-ray. Colors look pretty good with vibrant hues. In many of the brighter scenes, which there is several sunny outdoor scenes in the film, there is a fair amount of fine detail present. Film grain isn't overly heavy but there are some specks and scratches that appear throughout the film due to print damage and the image seems to suffer a little from noise at times. Still, all in all the film looks rather good.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 3 / 5 ]:

Audio Commentary with Destroy All Movies authors Zack Carlson and Bryan Connolly - The participants spend as much time lampooning the film as they do providing additional information on the film which really is probably the right way to go when talking about this crazy film. You would be hard pressed to not laugh several times while watching the movie and the commentary plays right in to that.

That's So John Rad (26:44) -  A documentary about the film and its initial theatrical release in 2005. The director's daughter is interviewed and talks a bit about her father and the film, including a story about her car being destroyed in a scene for the film. John S. Rad's granddaughter and grandson are interviewed as well. 

Interview with Peter Palian, director of cinematography (10:35) - Mr. Palian briefly talks about his early career in Iran before coming to New York then speaks about the odd production of "Dangerous Men" and John S. Rad contacting him year after year, wanting to make changes to the film. 

Full episode of local access TV show featuring John S. Rad (47:57) - The name of the show is Queer Edge. As I'm watching this, Colleen Camp is also a scheduled guest which a number of genre fans will be familiar with. Just a heads up, it's just past the 20 minute mark when John S. Rad comes out on stage and his segment only lasts a few minutes. Honestly it wasn't much of an interview with the director.

Trailers

• Original Theatrical Trailer (2:52)
• Dangerous Men - Theatrical Trailer (1:31)
• Dangerous Men - Teaser Trailer (0:41)
• Miami Connection (2:17)
• Ms. 45 (1:14)
• Roar (1:40)
• Trailer War (1:23)

16-page Booklet featuring the only documented full length interview with John S. Rad.

 

OVERALL RATING - [ 3 / 5 ]



 

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