Grindhouse Releasing have announced that the long awaited 1982 classic slasher film "Pieces" will be coming to Blu-ray in February 2016! Details for the 3-Disc Special Edition All Region Blu-ray are as follows.
A psychopathic killer stalks a Boston campus, brutally slaughtering nubile young college co-eds, collecting body parts from each victim to create the likeness of his mother who he savagely murdered with an axe when he was ten years old!
SPECIAL FEATURES
TWO complete versions of this shocking gore classic:
- PIECES (83 min.) - the original, unrated U.S. theatrical version, presented in English - MIL GRITOS TIENE LA NOCHE (86 min.) - the original uncensored director's cut, presented in Spanish with original score by Librado Pastor
Spectacular new 4K transfers - scanned from the original camera negative
Brand new audio commentary by star Jack Taylor
Special 5.1 audio option - the Vine Theater Experience!
In-depth interviews with director Juan Piquer Simón and genre superstar Paul L. Smith
42nd STREET MEMORIES - all-new feature-length documentary containing interviews with Bill Lustig, Larry Cohen, Frank Henenlotter, Buddy Giovinazzo, Jeff Lieberman, John Skipp, Lynn Lowry, Terry Levene, and many other exploitation icons
Extensive gallery of stills and poster art
Exhaustive filmographies
Liner notes by legendary horrors journalists Chas. Balun and Rick Sullivan
BONUS CD - original soundtrack - newly remastered from the original studio tapes
Beautiful embossed slipcover
First 3000 units include an actual jigsaw puzzle! Strictly limited to 3000 units!
AND OTHER SURPRISES!
Diabolik DVD have a pre-order listing up for the set.
Screen Archives Entertainment has the 1976 killer bear movie "Grizzly," available for pre-order on Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing. The Blu-ray is scheduled for a late-September release. This post-Jaws, nature-runs-rampant thriller was directed by William Girdler ("Day of the Animals," The Manitou"). The film stars Christopher George ("Graduation Day"), Andrew Prine ("The Lords of Salem"), Richard Jaeckel ("Day of the Animals") and Joan McCall ("Devil Times Five").
Synopsis:
When an eighteen-foot, two-thousand-pound grizzly bear starts mauling campers and hikers at a state park, a park ranger (Christopher George) springs into action. But the job is too big to tackle alone, so he enlists the aid of a naturalist (Richard Jaeckel) and a helicopter pilot (Andrew Prine) to take this freak of nature down. Meanwhile, the giant grizzly, not content with picnic baskets, continues to kill indiscriminately, leaving pools of blood and piles of body parts in his wake. Can the ranger and his cronies end the grizzly’s reign of terror without resorting to excessively extreme measures?
SPECIAL FEATURES
16 x 9 Widescreen (2:40)
Watch in either unfiltered master or DVNRed master
Fun Facts and Trivia segment with your hostess
Brand New 5.1 Surround sound, created from the films original three stripe Mag.
Isolated ME track
JAWS WITH CLAWS, featurette with producer David Sheldon, writer Harvey Flaxman, actors Joan McCall and Andrew Prine
There are 200 seniors at Midvale High. And seven days 'til Graduation.
The class of '81 is running out of time.
Released by:Vinegar Syndrome Release Date: September 9, 2014 Production Year: 1981 Region Code: ALL Running Time: 1:36:42 Audio: English DTS-HD MA Mono Video: 1080p (1.78:1 Aspect Ratio) Subtitles: None THE FILM: After the death of a high school track star during a race, a mysterious, fencing-mask wearing killer begins murdering her friends and teachers. Who could the killer be? Her disgruntled coach? Her angry sister? Her violent boyfriend? As the bodies pile up, a twisted mystery unfolds, slowly revealing itself as it moves towards its bloody climax. Another slasher from the great 80's. This film, as the name states, takes place close graduation day for Midvale High. It was common at the time for films to try and capitalize on holidays or events and this movie is no different. This film does feature Scream Queen Linnea Quigley in a small role as well as Vanna White before she became famous for being on the game show, "Wheel of Fortune." Plus you can't forget the great Christopher George. "Graduation Day" makes good use of red herrings and does a good job at keeping you guessing as to the identity of the killer. It is somewhere around the middle of the road in regards to the amount of blood and gore appearing in the film. It does have some interesting death scenes, including one involving a "special" football.
AUDIO:
This Blu-ray comes with an English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track. It does a fairly good job of reproducing the sound of the film. Sometimes the dialogue sounds a little tinny or has a little hissing to it. But it is not abundant and does not distract you from what is happening in the film. I thought the balance between the dialogue, sound effects and the score by Arthur Kempel, was handled well.
VIDEO:
"Graduation Day" graduates, pun intended, to high definition thanks to a new 4k restoration from the Editor's 35mm Answer Print, by Vinegar Syndrome. The film is presented in 1080p with a 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio. Who would have ever imagined that "Graduation Day" would receive a 4k restoration? Thank you Vinegar Syndrome. The video quality looks excellent and easily the best it has ever looked. The colors look lively and rich. The black levels are adequate. Skin tones look natural and have a nice hue to them. The grain level looks very good throughout the film. It is a bit heavier in certain scenes, but that is to be expected. There is an inherent softness to the film but there is still a fair amount of fine detail present. There are some white specks and other light damage present in the film but I never found it to be a major detriment to the viewing experience.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary #1 - Producer David Baughn is joined by moderator Elijah Drenner. This is a fairly informative commentary with David Baughn sharing a number of person stories. Elijah Drenner does a good job of keeping the conversation going, despite a couple of quiet moments during the track. They discuss everything from the cast, including a young Vanna White, crew, shooting locations, death scenes and the outfit of the killer. Mr. Baughn shares an amusing story regarding the trailer for the film as well as a few bits of trivia. Audio Commentary #2 - This track features members of the podcast, The Hysteria Continues. The group does a good job at being entertaining throughout the commentary sometimes poking fun at what is happening in the movie and also providing some pertinent information. Interview with Patch Mackenzie (Anne) (8:48) - Miss Mackenzie speaks briefly about her start in the film business. She talks about her role in the film and her experience watching the film with an audience.
Interview with Herb Freed(Director) (12:22) - Mr. Freed talks about the film making process of "Graduation Day." He speaks fondly of working with actor Christopher George. The director also briefly talks about the performances of actors Michael Pataki and E. Danny Murphy. Interview with David Baughn (Producer) (11:34) - Mr. Baughn discusses his career in the film industry including working with famed sexploitation filmmaker, Russ Meyer. This is an interesting and honest interview. Interview with Martin Jay Sadoff (Editor) (7:20) - The "Graduation Day" editor talks about film school and his career, including working on the 3D for "Friday the 13th: Part 3" and editing "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood." Mr. Sadoff mentions some techniques he used in editing "Graduation Day." Theatrical Trailer (2:04)
IN CONCLUSION:
Vinegar Syndrome has released a great looking Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack that includes some nice extras. If you are a fan of this film or a slasher fan in general, this is one Blu-ray that you should buy. It may not be one of the best slashers out there, but it's still an entertaining one and not a bad way to spend 96 minutes.
