Nightmare Code - DVD Review - MVD Entertainment Group

It Finds The Bug In You

Released by: MVD Entertainment Group
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Production Year: 2014
Region Code: ALL
Running Time: 1:29:00
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: NTSC Anamorphic Widescreen
Subtitles: None


THE FILM - [ 3 / 5 ]:

Nightmare Code is an independent sci-fi thriller about behavior recognition technology, behavior modification, 24/7 surveillance and artificial intelligence. Brett Desmond (Andrew J. West, "The Walking Dead"), brilliant young programmer with a troubled past, is brought to a tech start-up where the previous lead programmer went on a workplace murder/suicide rampage. With just a month to finish ROPER, the highly advanced behavior recognition program, and only a small testing crew remaining, Brett works and sleeps in the semi-abandoned office. But the deeper Brett delves into the code, the more his personality starts to warp like that of the dead programmer...and the more the code takes on a life of its own. Utilizing surveillance cameras, PC cams, video chat and eyeglass cam, for more than half the movie the viewer watches four images on the screen at once, like a surveillance monitor - but not always in sync, as if ROPER itself is telling us the story.

You can read our review of the film for more information regarding our thoughts and rating for "Nightmare Code."

AUDIO - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:

"Nightmare Code" features an English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. The audio track sounded good in my opinion. The surround sound was effective in certain scenes with my possible favorite being when Brett is running down the stairs in the quad-screen shot and it sounded like he was running around me. The dialogue was always clear and easy to understand. I thought the sound level was balanced through the film and the sound effects were never overwhelming in regards to the dialogue.

VIDEO - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:

"Nightmare Code" comes to DVD thanks to MVD Entertainment Group. The film has a bit of a unique look to it with the quad-screen display and many visual effects. For a low budget independent film, I found the video quality to be fairly good. Colors were represented well and look typically bold in appearance. Skin tones look okay for the most part but I imagine it is a lighting issue with the films shooting location. Some scenes feature a good amount of detail as well.  

SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 2.5 / 5 ]:

Audio Commentary - This track features director, producer and co-writer Mark Netter and actors Andrew J. West (Brett) and Mei Melançon (Nora). This was a great commentary track. I found it to be highly informative in regards to the production of the film thanks to Mark Netter and also entertaining. Director Mark Netter does most of the talking on the track with Andrew J. West and Mei Melançon both contributing more information as the commentary went on, adding personal stories from their scenes in the film. 

Characters (2:19) - A quick look at the characters in the film with brief comments by members of the cast and crew.

Technology & Fear (2:53) - Members of the cast and crew talk about how technology has evolved and how powerful it has become.

The Production (2:02) - This brief featurette includes comments from the cast and crew regarding the production of the film.

Indiegogo (0:31) - A short video that was used in the Indiegogo campaign for the film.

Trailer (1:52)


IN CONCLUSION:

An intriguing film and a nice DVD presentation that also offers some decent extras including a great commentary track. Throw in the low price of the DVD and well, if you enjoy sci-fi fantasy type films with a heavy dose of technology, you should check out  the "Nightmare Code" from MVD Entertainment Group. 


OVERALL: [ 3 / 5 ]

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'Zombie Fight Club' and 'Hellions' Coming to Blu-ray from Scream Factory

Two More Titles Coming to Blu-ray from Scream Factory

A new no-holds-barred, martial-arts-meets-walking-dead hybrid has just been added to our schedule: ZOMBIE FIGHT CLUB will punch its way onto Digital platforms, On Demand, DVD and Blu-ray with a release date planned for Feb 2nd!

The Plot: In the not-too-distant future, at a corner of the city, in a building riddled with crime... there is an outbreak of zombies. When one young woman (Jessica C., Double Trouble) witnesses her boyfriend falling victim to the zombie horde, she must team up with a police officer (Andy On, The Viral Factor, Special ID, Cold War) in order to stay alive and escape the building. But the once warm-hearted chemistry teacher, Wu Ming, is now the zombie leader following the chaos, which has transformed him into a cruel, vicious and formidable opponent. Ratcheting up the terror, an evil organization has begun pitting humans against zombies in a malicious killing game. The good side of humanity has seemingly all but vanished and a world of uncertainty awaits...

You can pre-order the Blu-ray from the Scream Factory website or via the link below.

HELLIONS (2015): Strange trick-or-treaters plague conflicted teenager Dora Vogel (Chloe Rose) at her isolated home on Halloween. Under siege by forces she can't understand, Dora must defend both body and soul from relentless Hellions, dead-set on possessing something Dora will not give them. Hellions redefines the boundaries of horror with its potent brew of Halloween iconography, teenage angst and desperate survival. From the Director of the 2009 critically-acclaimed virus thriller Pontypool and co-stars Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgement Day) 

The Blu-ray and DVD is scheduled to be released on February 2, 2016.

You can pre-order at the Scream Factory website or via the links below.

   

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Release Date News Update on 'Blood Rage' (US Release) and 'The Mutilator' Blu-rays from Arrow Video

Great News for Fans of "The Mutilator"

Okay first the bad news. "The Mutilator" will be making it's Blu-ray debut later than planned. Actually, next year. Yes. You will have to wait until February 15, 2016 to finally get your hands on a Blu-ray of "The Mutilator" but... now the good news. According to Arrow Video, they got last minute word that an uncut 35mm print of the film was discovered, at the Library of Congress no less. Arrow Video has managed to get their hands on that "virtually unplayed" uncut 35mm print and is now working getting a new master created. So instead of the cobbled-together from various prints, uncut version of the film, we are in for a treat since this will look even better. Well worth the wait I would say.

For now you can check out the extras that are planned for the Blu-ray. I'm not aware of any changes on the extras, so here is what was originally listed.


DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 2K restoration from original vault materials of the R-rated and Unrated versions of the film
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
• Original mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray) 
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new interviews with cast and crew
• The Mutilator locations visit
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork to be revealed
• Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film alongside archive articles from Fangoria magazine
• PLUS MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

 

This only pertains to US customers interested in "Blood Rage," as the UK release date is unaffected. Here's a direct quote from Arrow Video.

"Calling all US Arrow fans! We have a couple of important updates for you.

Firstly, Blood Rage. In a bizarre turn of events all of the US stock for Blood Rage got held at customs. You will all be pleased to hear that everything has now been straightened out and stock is safely en route to the US. Due to this incident we have had to bump the release date to December 15 however this is purely for the benefit of Amazon.com (they needed a new date on their systems) and is NOT the revised date for this release. Blood Rage will be shipping out as soon as it arrives with the majority of retailers (apart from Amazon.com!) and stock is due to reach US retailers early next week!

Next up, Amazon.com. As some of you already know, we have had lots of issues with Amazon.com not ordering adequate stock or simply ordering stock too late. We have been working closely with our US sales team to put pressure on them and ensure that they order on time but sadly Amazon.com still aren’t resolving the issues their end. With this in mind, if you are keen to receive our US releases on the actual release date we would strongly advise that you order direct from the very good folks at DiabolikDVD.com here: http://bit.ly/17fabbU. We are working closely with Diabolik to ensure that they always have adequate stock of our titles so you will not experience any of the issues you have been with Amazon.com"

3-DISC DIRECTOR-APPROVED LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• Three versions of the film – Blood Rage, the original home video version, Nightmare at Shadow Woods, the theatrical re-cut, and an alternate “composite” cut combining footage from both versions 
• Original Stereo 2.0 sound (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray) 
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing 
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Marc Schoenbach 
• Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Joseph A. Ziemba, author of BLEEDING SKULL! A 1980s Trash-Horror Odyssey

BLU-RAY DISC 1 & DVD - BLOOD RAGE

• Brand new 2K restoration of the “hard” home video version, transferred from the camera negative and featuring the original title card Slasher 
• Audio commentary with director John Grissmer 
• Both Sides of the Camera – an interview with producer/actress Marianne Kanter 
• Double Jeopardy – an interview with actor Mark Soper 
• Jeez, Louise! – an interview with actress Louise Lasser 
• Man Behind the Mayhem – an interview with special make-up effects creator Ed French 
• Three Minutes with Ted Raimi – an interview with actor Ted Raimi 
• Return to Shadow Woods – featurette revisiting the original locations in Jacksonville, Florida 
• Alternate opening titles
• Motion still gallery featuring rare behind-the-scenes make-up photos

BLU-RAY DISC 2 - NIGHTMARE AT SHADOW WOODS [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]

• Nightmare at Shadow Woods – the re-edited 1987 theatrical cut featuring footage not seen in the Blood Rage home video version 
• Alternate composite cut of the feature combining footage from the home video and theatrical versions 
• Never-before-seen outtakes

 

If you prefer to shop on Amazon, remember that you can a FREE 30 Day membership to Amazon Prime which may come in handy for the holidays, specially with Black Friday coming soon.

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The Murder Game (2006): Film Review - 500 Pieces Films

The Murder Game on Blu-Ray.

Director: Robert Harari

Cast: Steve Polites, Katie Sirk, Samuel Klein, Julia Pickens, Christina Marchano, Ariana Almajan, Vince Eustace, Erik Solliard, Max Hambleton.

Murderous games have been the backbone of a number of horror films and has provided the main theme for the entire Saw franchise. These games are usually played by an anonymous leader and contain some sort of moral or revenge based plot. The Murder Game is the latest film to use this plot, and despite feeling like a third year University film project for most of it, it is watchable if you take it for what it is.

From the opening scene you get set up for a plot that tries its hardest to be twisty, but does it in a way that is decidedly predictable. The film focuses on a group of teenage (about as teenage as the cast of Grease) friends who invent a game where one of them is designated to be the killer and has to murder the others, but it is not known who the killer is. When the group find an empty factory/storage building they seem to have found the perfect venue for their game. Add in the emo/goth outsider cousin of one of the group and you have a recipe for a standard teen horror. When the gang begin the game, people start actually dying and it becomes a game of survival until the killer makes themselves known.

There is a lot about this film that is stereotypical. So much so it almost borders on Scary Movie territory in its unwitting satire. The emo/goth kid, the jock/leader guy, the pretty vain girl and the stoners. They all have a home in this film. The film even throws in some random sex and drug taking just to try and add a bit of extra depth into the film, but it inevitably just feels like plot fodder.

The acting again feels studentish. It isn’t terrible, and some of the cast show some potential yet it still feels cardboard and often paper thin. There is some gore for those that need to see blood in their horror films, and the effects are often the best aspect of the film.

Despite its downsides, The Murder Game is watchable and the plot holds up against some of the more ridiculous horror film plots that have been released over the years. It could most definitely do with some further development and the script writing leaves a little to be desired, but in the frame of mind of a B-Movie slasher the film could have been much worse.

The Murder will never transcend genre or reinvent the horror wheel, yet it does display a certain level aptitude in terms of developing a horror plot. Harari has laid some foundations, now lets see if he can build on those for his next feature.

Rating: 2/5.

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Lilin's Brood (2015) - Film Review - Some Sirius Ship Productions

After hitting something in the road a news team find themselves visiting a brothel which may throw some light on their investigation. The W.H.I.S.T.L.E team's recovered footage will reveal their encounter.

Some Sirius Ship Productions were kind enough to share a screener with us of Lilin's Brood. Writer/directors Artii Smith and P.W. Simon (A.K.A Mansa Mojo Brothas) cleverly tap into the popular Jewish legend, a redressed favourite among modern occult followers. Lets face it the found footage genre has been done to death but it still has its place and fans. This includes interview like segments. To Smith and Simon's credit with the investigative news angle it gives their offering a palatable excuse as to why the cameras should still be rolling. There's sacrifice, seduction and although there's many dim and dark scenes it's a crisp piece of work, finely shot and staged that develops slowly with a  R.V, blood trails, torchlight and female flesh on display. 

The film features Martin Sensmeier, Maxine Goynes (who is quite naturalistic) and Melinda Milton. Actors Brent King, Martin Sensmeier and Arti Smith offer some comic relief and weight. Don't expect the recent Devil's Pass or Exists, it's a low budget thriller tale (and more interesting than many found footage films out there) with plenty of effort on display. The editing could arguably be tighter and some of the dialogue debatably delivered better but I'm not complaining - as without Lilin's Brood the world wouldn't have it's clever movie poster (you must check it out). 

Although the cinematic style is slightly worn there's plenty of mysterious atmosphere and a few jump scares thrown in to keep you watching. Overall, for those who like occult themed and found footage flicks Lilin's Brood is quirky enough to hold interest.

Rating 3 / 5

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Scream Factory Announces The Curse/Curse 2 and Millennium/ROTOR Double Feature Blu-rays

Two Double-Feature Blu-rays Coming from Scream Factory

Scream Factory announced today that they plan to release two more double feature Blu-rays February 23, 2016. The titles are "The Curse" / "Curse II: The Bite" and "Millennium" / "R.O.T.O.R."

THE CURSE & THE CURSE II

THE CURSE (1987) Young Zach Hayes' (Wil Wheaton, Stand by Me) life on the family dairy farm is what anyone would expect. Hard work, long hours and the normal family squabbles. When an ice-blue meteor plunges through the midnight sky, Zach sees in hand on their property. Zach and the local doctor discover that something inside the meteor is infecting the local water on their farm. Fruits, which looked perfect on the outside are teeming with worms… and Zach's family is beginning to change…hideously. This shocker is directed by actor David Keith (Firestarter, White of the Eye) and co-stars Claude Akins (Tentacles), Malcolm Danare (Christine), Cooper Huckabee (The Funhouse) and John Schneider (Smallville).

CURSE II: THE BITE (1989) Two young lovers, Clark (J. Eddie Peck) and Lisa (Jill Schoelen, The Stepfather), traveling through the desert unwittingly pass through an abandoned nuclear test-site which has become a breeding ground for deadly mutant killer snakes and when Clark is bitten he undergoes a grotesque transformation into a hideous snake monster! This chiller filled with slithering horror also stars Jamie Farr (M*A*S*H*), Shiri Appleby (Roswell) and Bo Svenson (Walking Tall Part II).

Street date is 2/23/16 Pre-order now at the Scream Factory website or via the link below.




MILLENNIUM & R.O.T.O.R

MILLENNIUM (1989) When safety investigator Bill Smith (Kris Kristofferson, Blade) looks into a disastrous airplane crash, he soon makes a shocking discovery-one that will impact the future of humanity itself. The beautiful but mysterious Louise (Cheryl Ladd, Charlie's Angels) may prove to be the key to it all-but can Smith figure out the truth in time? Daniel J. Travanti (Hill Street Blues) also stars in this centuries-spanning tale from the director of Logan's Run.

R.O.T.O.R (1987) When corrupt Police Commander Earl Buglar orders the development and construction of the ultimate weapon in the war on crime, robotics expert Barrett Coldyron warns against the dangers of such a project-and loses his job in the process. In order to further his political ambitions, Buglar recklessly continues the project without Coldyron. But when the prototype R.O.T.O.R (Robotic Office Tactical Operation Research) is accidentally activated, the city's got a mechanical maniac acting as judge, jury, and executioner—and only Coldyron can stop him.

Street date is 2/23/16 Pre-order now at the Scream Factory website or via the link below.

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Bobby Liebling Pentagram Limited Edition Throbblehead

Bobby Liebling of Pentagram Throbblehead

Limited to just 500 hand-numbered figures

Limited to only 500 hand-numbered units!

Pre-order Now HERE
- Shipping Early 2016

The American Godfather of Doom
Bobby Liebling and PENTAGRAM have been composing genre defining hard rock and heavy metal for nearly half a century. 

Aggronautix and Liebling's own Ram Family materialize the classic "Madman At The Mic" image in a limited edition of 500 numbered Throbbleheads. 

Standing at 7 inches tall, and made of polyresin, this underground icon can now forever be your king. 

He's accurately sculpted from his pencil thin moustache and eerie stare, to his red leather boots and golden blouse.

This also marks the return to the WINDOW BOX that was used when Aggronautix first launched back in 2009. The change comes about a request from Aggronautix fans / customers.

All Aggronautix figures are now available for purchase on www.aggronautix.com and will also be available at independent record stores, comic shops, tattoo parlors, etc via distribution by MVD Entertainment Group.

Pre-order now at http://aggronautix.com/

Follow Aggronautix on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

***For orders outside of the United States, please note that items will take longer to arrive (average of 3 weeks)***

Box art by Marco Palumbo of No Front Teeth (UK)

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Pandie Suicide releases debut novel, fantasy/paranormal Seraphim Song!

'Seraphim Song' is the debut novel from 'PandieJames' it's currently available for pre-order on Amazon Kindle and releases officially November 16th as an ebook version (with paperback edition to follow shortly) for only $2.99.

Synopsis: An angel with a musical gift from the gods falls for a mortal woman.

Left in limbo on earth, Will A. Is half angel and all rockstar. Doomed to walk alone each night after performing as the lead singer in the biggest rock band in the world, until he meets a young mortal woman that speaks to his soul. Is she the one that just might change everything?

'Seraphim Song' is the debut novel from New Zealand-born writer, actress and filmmaker, Pandie James. Written when she was a teenager, this lost novel was rediscovered on an old hard drive in 2015. Pandie James also models and acts under the stage name 'Pandie Suicide.' She is the writer, producer and plays the lead role of Marianne in the award-winning short slasher film 'Massacre', directed by Erik Boccio and starring Billy Morrison, London May, Jeff Hilliard, Katy Foley, Jeordie White and Rob Patterson.

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'The House on Pine Street' set for Exclusive One-Night-Only Los Angeles Screening this Thursday!

"The House on Pine Street” has its Los Angeles premiere this Thursday November 19.

The screening, open to the public, will be held at Laemmle's Music Hall 3 at 7:30 PM. Cast and crew, including lead actress Emily Goss, writer/producer Natalie Jones, and writers/directors Aaron and Austin Keeling, will be in attendance.

Repped by Raven Banner Entertainment, the film has snared rave reviews and garnered multiple accolades along the way, including several Best Actress and Best Feature Film awards.

Tickets for LA Premiere can be purchased at http://thehouseonpinestreet.brownpapertickets.com/
For more information, please visit www.thehouseonpinestreet.com
​
Synopsis:
Seven months pregnant, Jennifer Branagan reluctantly returns to her hometown in Kansas after an unexpected mental breakdown. Coping with her fears of motherhood, a strained relationship with her husband Luke, and the overbearing presence of her own mother, Meredith, Jennifer struggles to regain control of her life. But when strange things start happening in their new rental home, Jennifer begins to fear that it may be haunted. Alone in her convictions, Jennifer is forced to question her sanity as she attempts to find out what, if anything, is plaguing the house.

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M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Visit' Arriving on Digital HD December 15 and Blu-ray Combo Pack January 5, 2016

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL HD ON DECEMBER 15, 2015

AND ON BLU-RAY COMBO PACK AND DVD JANUARY 5, 2016

FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Universal City, California, November 16, 2015 – A family visit takes a terrifying turn when two siblings learn who Grandma and Grandpa really are in The Visit, a found documentary-style suspense thriller coming to Digital HD on December 15, 2015, and Blu-ray and DVD as well as On Demand on January 5, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The first collaboration from Academy Award®-nominated writer-director M. Night Shyamalan and Academy Award-nominated producer Jason Blum, The Visit Blu-ray and DVD are packed with spine-tingling exclusive bonus features including deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurette, and a suspenseful alternate ending.

When Becca and Tyler are sent to their grandparents’ secluded Pennsylvania farmhouse for a weeklong stay, they quickly discover something is not right with the elderly couple. Faced with strange rules and increasingly frightening behavior, the children soon realize it will take all their wits to make it home alive. Critics rave that the latest heart-pounding thriller from the director of The Sixth Sense and Signsand the producer of Paranormal Activity and The Purge is a “deliciously creepy triumph” (Scott Mendelson, Forbes.com).

Kathryn Hahn (“Transparent,” "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"), Ed Oxenbould ("Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," "Paper Planes"), Olivia DeJonge (“Hiding,” "The Sisterhood of Night"), Peter McRobbie ("Lincoln," "Spider-Man 2") and Deanna Dunagan ("Have a Little Faith," "Running Scared") star in a dementedly frightening thriller that Shawn Edwards of Fox-TV praises as “Creepy and suspenseful!”

BLU-RAY and DVD BONUS FEATURES

• Alternate Ending
• Deleted Scenes
• The Making of The Visit
• Becca’s Photos

 

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'Monster Dog' (1984) Coming to Blu-ray & DVD in 2016 from Kino Lorber

The Fear... The Terror... The Nightmare... They Will Never Forget It!!!

Scorpion Releasing has announced that they are working on extras for a Kino Lorber Blu-ray and DVD release of 1984's "Monster Dog." The film was directed by Claudio Fragasso and stars Alice Cooper. Pictured above is the tentative cover art. The Blu-ray and DVD are expected to be released in March 2016.

So far the known extra is a 43 minute retrospective featurette, LORD OF THE DOGS, with interviews from Claudio Fragasso, Rossella Drudi,and Roberto Bessi produced by Walt Olsen of Scorpion Releasing and Freak-O-Rama productions.

Synopsis:
Rock star Vince Raven (Alice Cooper) returns home after 20 years to make a new music video. While filming, Raven is informed by the town sheriff that a mysterious wild dog has been killing people in the area. The sheriff also suggests that perhaps Raven knows something about it. It seems that, years earlier, Raven's father was accused of being a werewolf and was subsequently murdered by the townspeople. Now everyone suspects Raven, including his girlfriend, Sandra (Victoria Vera).

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